The Netherlands Scientific Council for Government Policy (WRR) is launching an advisory project on Synthetic drugs policy. The field of synthetic drugs is developing rapidly. New drugs are being designed at pace, while various types of synthetic drug use (such as at music festivals) have become normalised in society. Moreover, the Netherlands is one of the main manufacturing hubs of synthetic drugs worldwide, with consequences for our health, safety and the environment.
Image: © WRR
In the project Synthetic drugs policy, the WRR will study the policy options available to counter the negative effects of the production, distribution and use of synthetic drugs.
The project will focus on three main themes:
- Learning from past policies. What lessons can be learned from the Netherlands’ policy history with regard to drugs? Which policy options can serve as inspiration when it comes to tackling the challenges of today?
- Learning from other addictive substances and activities. What lessons can be learned from policy strategies regarding alcohol, tobacco and online gambling?
- Learning from other countries. What lessons can be learned from enforcement, policies and experiments to regulate synthetic and other drugs in other countries?