The overarching goal of this project is to test whether participatory processes that engage with values, community goals and diverse stakeholders can enhance the design of drug policy solutions. Three current drug policy design dilemmas faced by governments (decriminalisation, cannabis social clubs and mandatory treatment) will form case studies in which policy proposals are developed with participation from diverse stakeholders.

The aims are to:

  • Study whether trials of participatory policy design processes can generate new illicit drug policy design solutions on three topics of current concern
  • Analyse how participation shapes the policy design solutions, including analysing differences and similarities across topics, jurisdictions, participatory processes and constituents
  • Advance the theories and practices of participation by testing them in the unique drug policy context (with its focus on illegal and often hidden behaviours, the need for diverse constituents, the contested nature of knowledge in the field and the central role of values in determining policy design solutions).
Research Centre

Social Policy Research Centre

Research Area

Drug Policy Modelling Program

Australian Research Council, Discovery Project

  • Jason Chilvers (School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK)
  • Uniting
  • ACT Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Association (ATODA)
  • Association for Participating Service Users (APSU)

Related people

Scientia Associate Professor Kari Lancaster
Scientia Associate Professor
Professor of Environment and Society, Deputy Head of School (Research), Environment and Society Group Matthew Kearnes
Professor of Environment and Society, Deputy Head of School (Research), Environment and Society Group