Why does British policy on illicit drugs continue in its current form, despite its evident failure to meet its stated aims? Millions of people take controlled drugs every year, and the UK has its highest ever levels of drug-related deaths. In this talk, Alex Stevens will draw on his experience as a policy adviser, interviews with policy makers, and social network analysis of policy processes to explain drug policy in the UK. He will present his policy constellations approach, and apply it to cases including the 2018 legalisation of cannabis for medical use, and the current 10 year drug strategy. He will show how the varied ethico-political bases of different constellations of policy actors and ideas are translated into policy through the operation of various forms of political and social power. He will show how this analysis can be used to work towards better, more effective and just policies on drugs and other policy areas.

Booking is required for people outside of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention (DSPI).
DSPI Members do not need to register.

This talk is part of the DSPI Michaelmas Term Seminar Series 2024