A Comparative Analysis of Drug Policy: Exploring types and culture in European countries

This research sought to explore the use of international comparisons in the field of Drug Policy, and the utility of such approaches when considered alongside the socioeconomic and cultural contexts within which policies are implemented. Three key research questions (RQs) were identified: 1) What can be understood about the relationship between drug policies, drug-related outcomes, and the national cultural context in which they exist?; 2) How can cross-national variation in types of drug policies be better understood?; 3) How can variation in cultural context (societal values) be explored within cross-national drug policy research? For RQ2, Fuzzy-set Ideal Type Analysis (FsITA) was used to develop a typology of national drug policy regimes for 30 European countries. This approach grouped the differing approaches to national drug policy and placed the countries within it, in order to aid further comparison and understanding of drug-related outcomes. For RQ3, the research further explored the idea that the cultural context in which a drug policy is implemented may be of significance in better understanding the impact of such policies. Utilising a comparable measure of ‘national culture’ to assist in understanding of this was explored. In seeking to answer question 3, Regression analysis was explored as a method to consider drug related outcomes alongside the key variables of culture, drug policy type, and key socioeconomic factors. The regression analysis was unfinished and is not presented in this thesis. The key contribution of this research to the literature is presented in Chapter 6, with the FsITA types presented, and placement of the countries included in the research discussed. It is suggested that the approach taken to developing a set of ‘types’ of drug policies may be of use to researchers, and the FsITA approach provides a replicable methodological approach, based on key dimensions of national drug policy strategies.