Comparative analyses of historical and conceptual developments in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden show differences in the drug policy agenda and governance, despite fundamental similarities in these Nordic welfare states.

Key words: Drug policy agenda, Nordic countries, welfare, conceptualisation

Lead author(s): Bjerge

Although evidence supporting young people’s addictions policies is accumulating, the field is underdeveloped compared to adult orientated actions. Currently, for many areas of concern it is difficult to make strong evidence based recommendations to EU policy makers on effective policy actions for young people.

Key words: Young People, Policy options, evaluation framework, addiction

Lead author(s): Brotherhood & Sumnall

Toxicological analyses find that alcohol is the most dangerous out of 10 commonly used illegal and legal drugs.

Key words: Toxicology, Ranking drugs, MOE, margin of exposure, alcohol

Lead author(s): Lachenmeier & Rehm

The role and prominence of user groups as stakeholders in European drug policy processes varies greatly, but are generally difficult to fit into existing analytical research frameworks.

Key words: stakeholders, drug policy processes, drug users, analysing voices

Lead author(s): Bjerge

Cocaine, amphetamines and heroin are perceived by European citizens as the ‘addictions’ with the most severe consequences to society, whereas tobacco, despite being responsible for the largest share of premature deaths caused by addictive substances, is perceived as having one of the least severe impacts on society.

Key words: addictions, severity, popular perceptions, addictiveness

Lead author(s): Blomqvist