Australian Institute of Criminology - National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund
Governments and policy makers are interested in determining which interventions are more or less effective than others, such that the scarce funding resources can be allocated in the most efficient manner possible. Thus, where should law enforcement invest its resources? The project aimed to determine the relative cost to impact ratios of different law enforcement strategies aimed at methamphetamine production and distribution. In an environment focused on efficiency in resource allocation, it is hoped that policy-makers will be able to use the information to improve decision-making on law enforcement investment.
This study combines qualitative methods with quantitative methods.
For the first aim, we used three data sources to thoroughly document the methamphetamine supply chains: key informants from law enforcement, published literature (peer-review, grey literature and conference papers), and judges’ sentencing comments in methamphetamine cases.
For the second aim, we undertook an economic modelling exercise. We built an economic model that compared policing costs with impact, as measured by methamphetamine seizures.
Publications
Gong, W., Ritter, A., Bright, D., & Doran, C. (2012). How profitable is methamphetamine dealing in Australia? Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 122(3), 208-212.
Bright, D. A., & Ritter, A. (2010). Retail price as an outcome measure for the effectiveness of drug law enforcement. International Journal of Drug Policy, 21(5), 359-363.
Presentations
Bright, D. A. (2009, February). The psychology of high level drug dealers: How well do dealers evaluate their risk of detection by law enforcement agencies? Paper presented at the APS College of Forensic Psychologists Conference, Melbourne.
Bright, D. A. (2008, August). Examining the consequences of different types of law enforcement interventions directed towards methamphetamine. Paper presented at the 2008 DPMP Seminar, Sydney.
Bright, D. A. (2009, July). Interviews with Incarcerated High Level Drug Dealers: Benefits, challenges, and methodologies. Paper presented at the 31st International Congress on Law and Mental Health. New York, USA.
Bright, D. A., & Ritter, A. (2009, November). A conceptual framework for illicit drug seizures: what do seizures really mean? Poster presented at the 28th Annual Conference of the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs, Darwin, Australia.
Gong, W., Ritter, A., & Bright, D. A. (2009, November). Review of economic evaluation methods of law enforcement against drugs. Paper presented at the 28th Annual Conference of the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs, Darwin, Australia.
Gong, W., Ritter, A., & Bright, D. A. (2010, March). Understanding the dynamics of Australian methamphetamine markets: making better use of price data. Paper presented at the 4th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy, Santa Monica, USA.
Australian Institute of Criminology - National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund