This report provides key findings of the RAND Europe study which assesses how the global market for illicit drugs has developed from 1998 to 2007 and describes worldwide drug policies implemented during that period to address the problem. The study assesses the impact of policy measures, both at the national and sub-national levels, on the illicit drugs problem. To the extent data allows, the project assessed how much policy measures, at the national and sub-national levels, have influenced drug problems. The analysis is focused on policy relevant matters but it does not attempt to make recommendations to governments. The evidence suggests that illicit drugs presented as much of a problem in 2007 as in 1998. Broadly speaking, while the situation may have improved slightly in some of the world's richer countries, it has substantially worsened in others, which include a few large developing or transitional countries. The work was performed by RAND Europe, the RAND Drug Policy Research Center and the Trimbos Institute under contract to the European Commission Directorate-General for Freedom, Justice and Security.

"Prepared for the European Commission"--T.p. "This study has been produced by the Trimbos Institute and RAND with the financial support of the Commission of the European Communities"--T.p. verso.

Introduction and methodology -- Markets and quantities -- Drug-related problems -- Policies -- Policy assessment -- Conclusions.