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Barriers to measuring the effectiveness of drug policy

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Abstract

Efforts to measure the effectiveness of drug policy have proven arduous. The barriers encountered when attempting to measure the relevant constructs of concern are numerous and complex. Furthermore, the conclusions drawn from a specific analysis are contingent upon the measures utilized. The difficulties are further complicated by problems of conceptualization, definition, legal status, attribution, sampling bias and response bias. The focus of the present paper is to identify some of these potential barriers and offer some practical solutions.

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Clifford, P.R., Nicholson, T. Barriers to measuring the effectiveness of drug policy. J Primary Prevent 17, 363–374 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02252628

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