Second publication by Dr Papamalis from the Council of Europe on drug control policies

Dr Fivos Papamalis, Part-time Lecturer at our Psychology Department, research consultant to the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe and member of the EU expert group on Possible adverse effects and associated cost of drug control policies, contributed on the development of the second publication of the group focusing on Costs and Unintended consequences of drug control policies. More specifically, Dr Papamalis initially on behalf of the Council examined  the current state of the art of the effects and associated costs of drug control policies to individuals, this involved reviewed the evidence base and conducted a thorough literature review on the effects of drug control policies to the individuals and the society; conducted policy analysis and explored methodologies on estimating drug public expenditures and developed policy recommendations;  drafted a narrative report and successfully coordinated  discussions and negotiations among the expert group and policy makers. In the second research phase as a research consultant to the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Institute of Public Health, Dr Papamalis conducted research on the unintended consequences of EU drug control policies, including Health, Social and Economic functioning, Safety and Public order and Criminal justice, examined relevant databases such as the EUROSTAT, UN-CTS (Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics), SPACE, European Sourcebook on Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics OECD and provided an estimation methodology based on modelling and integrative data collection from the EU databases. The output of this study was the development of the Chapter 3 of this publication and in collaboration with the expert group the development of a comprehensive policy report that was reviewed by the permanent correspondents of the EU member states earlier this year.

Summary of the Report

Estimation or full costing of drug-related public investment including both direct expenditure and also indirect costs and impact on public resources should therefore be a key objective of any evaluation. Report by the expert group on possible adverse effects and associated costs of drug control policies.

Evaluation is an integral part of a good governance approach to public policy. This principle applies equally to the component of drug policy designed to counter the availability of and access to illicit drugs.

Estimation or full costing of drug-related public investment – including both direct expenditure and also indirect costs and impact on public resources – should therefore be a key objective of any evaluation. To evaluate and improve drug policy, it is imperative to know and take note of all possible effects of different interventions and actions.

All policies, regardless of purpose or intention, come with a risk of unintended consequences. Public expenditure estimates can be used as a tool for assessing whether the expected or desired results of the policy in question are actually reflected in action, and they constitute a necessary tool for implementing thorough policy evaluations.

Public expenditure studies should mirror all relevant activities and policy approaches and may be particularly appropriate in times of austerity. Accurate estimates of public spending will help policymakers plan relevant interventions and allocate necessary funds to authorities in charge of specific aspects of the policy’s implementation.

A thorough assessment of drug policy expenditures will also contribute to improved transparency and accountability of public institutions. This publication brings together the findings of wider study conducted by the Pompidou Group in cooperation with the EMCDDA seeking to identify the unintended effects and associated costs of drug control policies.

The aim of this publication is threefold.

• First, increase international awareness about the importance of estimating public expenditure on supply reduction initiatives.
• Second, stress the importance of harmonizing definitions and increasing availability, comparability and reliability of data as well as methods for sound estimates.
• Third, contribute to developing sound estimation practices to obtain accurate, complete and reliable drug policy evaluations.