News
Drugs and development: the great convergence?
What is the relationship between illicit drugs and development, and what are the implications of developmentalising drugs? Exploring the potential pitfalls and trade-offs of converging drugs and development policy fields in conflict contexts.
Looking back to look forward: outlook and options for drugs and development
Spotlighting drugs and development policy processes in Afghanistan, Colombia & Myanmar. What are the implications of current events unfolding in each country? What can we learn from the past? What opportunities are there to influence policy with research?
Pathways to opposing centralised and exclusionary drugs policy in Colombia
Six defining characteristics of the evolution of Colombia's drugs policy and two possible entry point for policy influence with research.
Five considerations for international actors trying to engage with drugs policy in Myanmar
Based on analysis of how drugs policies and programmes intersect with conflict, peace, health and development in Myanmar.
International Journal of Drug Policy Special Issue: Drugs, conflict and development
Empirical research on the convergence of the drugs, development and peacebuilding policy fields.
Research Sites
The research programme will draw on empirical data from Afghanistan, Colombia and Myanmar
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is estimated to produce 90% of heroin consumed in the UK. We're working in three borderland Afghanistan regions.
Colombia
Since Colombia's 2016 peace agreement, coca cultivation has expanded. We're working in four Colombian borderland sites.
Myanmar
Myanmar is the second largest producer of illicit opium in the world. We're working in two Myanmar borderland states.
Recent Tweets
Forceful eradication of #coca can cause serious health problems, environmental destruction and worsen rural violence. All while failing to reduce drug supply.
Read more about the dangers of reinstating aerial crop spraying in #Colombia👇 https://t.co/QpCytpSK5A