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The Politics of Drugs pp 203–248Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Evidence and Policy

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Abstract

Where ideas and values clash, the question then often turns to ‘what does the evidence say?’ This chapter demonstrates the growth in information and evidence on drugs in recent years and its wider availability. The institutions within which evidence is located are illustrated, as is the role of networks and collaborations in creating a standard body of information and shared understandings. The ways in which evidence is linked to policy are discussed, looking at the role of experts and the special function of the Report. Examples are given of reports which have or have not influenced policy. The over-riding impact of moral frames and politicians’ preferences is indicated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

    Susanne MacGregor

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  1. Susanne MacGregor
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Correspondence to Susanne MacGregor .

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MacGregor, S. (2017). Evidence and Policy. In: The Politics of Drugs. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-49682-9_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-49682-9_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-49681-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-49682-9

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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