Research impact - Informing drug policy

Karen Baxter
Kent's REF2014 success by University of Kent

A case study submitted to the Research Excellence Framework 2014 demonstrating the impact of the University's research.

Research on the effects of drug decriminalisation in Portugal by Professor Alex Stevens of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research has shifted the international debate.

Professor Stevens’ research, in collaboration with Dr Caitlin Hughes (University of New South Wales), argues that decriminalisation is a viable and non-harmful approach to substance misuse. In addition, his research examined alternatives to imprisonment for drug-dependent offenders. The findings produced new evidence to support the expansion of treatment for such offenders.

Professor Stevens’ work on decriminalisation has made a crucial contribution to evidence-based policy in this contentious area. His study has been widely discussed in the media, referred to by politicians in policy debates, and cited by campaigning NGOs such as Release, as well as institutions such as the Global Commission on Drug Policy, UK Drug Policy Commission and the British Medical Association.

The Research Excellence Framework 2014 showed that Kent ranks 17th in the UK for research intensity, has world-leading research in all subjects and that 97% of our research is deemed to be of international quality.

Contributing to the University’s REF success were the number of our world class publications, the number of research active staff and the demonstrable impact our research has made to the sciences and to economic, social and cultural understanding.