The Beckley Foundation Drug Policy Programme : Think Tank

The International Society for the Study of Drug Policy (ISSDP)

Many nations are committed to addressing problems arising from the use, distribution and control of illegal drugs. Policies to deal with these issues are becoming more explicit and a growing number of scientific analysts, within and outside of government, have become interested in understanding the effects of drug policies. The ISSDP aims to:

  • Develop relations among these analysts and thus strengthen the field.

  • Be a forum for high quality drug policy analysis.

  • Develop the scientific base for policy decisions.

  • Improve the interface between researchers and policy makers.

The Society currently has an Acting Board. This is chaired by Professor Peter Reuter of the University of Maryland, USA. The three other Board members are: Michael Farrell (Institute of Psychiatry, UK), Pia Rosenquist (Nordic Council for Alcohol and Drug Research, Finland) and Alison Ritter (Australian National University). David Bewley-Taylor (University of Wales Swansea, U.K.) is the ISSDP Acting Secretary.

The first official ISSDP meeting will take place at its inaugural conference in Oslo in March 2007. Here officers for the Society will be elected. Please visit www.issdp.org for more information on the ISSDP and its activities.