Julie Tieberghien

Understanding the science–policy nexus in Belgium: An analysis of the drug policy debate (1996–2003)

Aims: ‘Evidence-based policy’ proposes that policy makers should be informed by scientists, so that policy will reflect accurate factual knowledge rather than political biases. Unfortunately, the science–policy nexus is much more complicated, especially in a heavily politicized domain. This article aims to understand the complex relationship between policy and science in the drug field in a more meaningful manner. Methods: Using the Belgian drug policy debate (1996–2003) as a case study, we critically explore the role of (scientific) knowledge in this debate. The methodology consists of a discourse analysis of submissions, hearings and parliamentary/government reports. Findings: An examination of how scientific knowledge was used in policy documents has demonstrated rather strong utilization. However, utilization was often subordinate to the complexity of the policy-making process involving not only scientific knowledge but also interests, electoral ambitions, etc. Likewise, scientific knowledge was also shaped and distorted by conflicting values and interests. Conclusion: Consistent with the models of knowledge utilization, scientific knowledge has been just one element in the policy making process characterized above all by competing values and interests. The principle of ‘evidence-based’ policy clearly faces significant challenges and therefore becomes a delicate balancing act between ideal and reality.

An analysis of media framing of and by Cannabis Social Clubs in Belgium: making the news?

Abstract Aims: Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) are non-profit organizations that supply cannabis among their adult members. The goal of this paper is twofold: (1) to understand how Belgian CSCs have attempted to frame public debate through the media, and (2) to examine the ways in which the Belgian CSCs have been framed by that same domestic print media. Methods: We draw on semi-structured interviews with 15 CSC directors and a qualitative content analysis of Belgian print media (2006–2016), including 164 media articles. This dataset is complemented by a review of various Belgian CSCs’ internal documents. Findings: Most Belgian CSCs engaged with the domestic media. While the framing of the CSC model often focussed on legal issues, the news articles offered also some detail on CSCs’ functioning, in line with their self-defined practices. We noted a subtle shift in the framing over time. Conclusions: CSCs’ efforts in engaging with the media seem to have been somewhat successful, as they were able to contribute to the news production about the model. The media reporting was also generally less biased than previously anticipated. However, a public or political debate on the CSC model does not seem to have yet been initiated in Belgium.

Antwerpse Drug- en Alcoholmonitor (ADAM)

SamenvattingKwalitatieve gegevens over de lokale drugsscene in België zijn schaars. De kennis blijft beperkt tot officiële registratiesystemen, waardoor de noden en behoeften van heel wat groepen drugsgebruikers buiten beschouwing blijven. Vanuit sociaal-wetenschappelijk en beleidsmatig oogpunt is er behoefte aan informatie over de belevingswereld, gebruikspatronen en levensstijl van drugsgebruikers. In dit onderzoek hebben we ten behoeve van de stad Antwerpen de Antwerpse Drug- en Alcoholmonitor (ADAM) uitgewerkt en uitgetest. Een monitor verzamelt en analyseert periodiek gegevens op een systematische manier, waardoor ontwikkelingen en trends gesignaleerd kunnen worden. Een monitor biedt tevens mogelijkheden voor een effectevaluatie van beleidsmaatregelen op langere termijn. De ADAM combineert drie kwalitatieve methoden om de lokale drugsscene in kaart te brengen: open diepte-interviews met sleutelfiguren, etnografisch veldwerk door de onderzoeker zelf en met ‘community fieldworkers’. Aan de hand van de resultaten van dit onderzoek willen we aantonen in welke mate een lokale drugsmonitor een waardevol instrument is voor het verzamelen van relevante en betrouwbare data over de lokale drugsscene.

Antwerp Drugs and Alcohol Monitor: a Belgian local drug scene in the picture.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Qualitative data on local drug scenes in Belgium are scarce. As information on them remains limited to the official registration systems, the needs of a number of drug users are not taken into account. From a social scientific and policy point of view, there is a need for information on the experiences and the patterns of drug use. In this study, we have developed and tested a drugs and alcohol monitor for the city of Antwerp. DESIGN AND METHODS The Antwerp Drugs and Alcohol Monitor (ADAM) combines three qualitative methods: (i) in-depth interviews with 39 key informants; (ii) ethnographic fieldwork by four community fieldworkers; and (iii) ethnographic fieldwork by the researcher. This methodology is based on an analysis of national and international literature on drug-monitoring systems. RESULTS This paper presents an overview of the results of a pilot study in the city of Antwerp. The ADAM produces a detailed picture of the local drug issues (nature and extent of use, drug markets, quality of life, etc.) and thus offers the understanding that is required for a well-founded local drug policy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Provided that repeated measurements are made, a local drug monitor can inform policymakers, treatment experts, etc. on developments and phenomena concerning drug use. However, the ADAM is a qualitative drug-monitoring system, and it must be emphasised that a combined monitor is more efficient. Indeed, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods enhances the reliability of the results.

Challenges and opportunities of ‘good governance’ for drug policy: the case of the development of Belgian drug policy between 1996 and 2003

Abstract Aims: Studying the characteristics of the science-policy nexus in the field of drugs emerged in parallel with an interest in the principles of good governance. Centre-stage is the processes through which policy is informed, especially with regard to the role of non-government actors, contrasting with the widely accepted view that drug policymaking is a prerogative of governments. Through the lens of what is defined as good governance in drug policy, this article examines the processes underpinning the drug-policy change in Belgium between 1996 and 2003. Methods: The paper is based on an analysis of 164 policy documents and 1067 newspaper articles, and 55 interviews with a range of stakeholders including policymakers, professionals, scientists and journalists. Findings: Some distinctive features were found relating to the mechanisms through which evidence was mobilised and eventually informed policy change in Belgium. Evidence-imbued leadership, evaluation, coordination, the engagement of different stakeholders and the role of the parliament played key roles. Conclusions: Several characteristics of good governance make the use of evidence more likely. However, governance processes seem to be challenged in highly sensitive discussions (e.g. on cannabis policy). Another challenge may be how the principles of good governance can be consolidated in the long term.

Public scholarship and the evidence movement: Understanding and learning from Belgian drug policy development:

Debates about public scholarship have gathered momentum in several fields including sociology and criminology. There is much debate over the nature of public scholarship and the forms it can take. In criminology one of the most influential analyses of public scholarship has been developed by Loader and Sparks. For these two thinkers part of the task of scholarship is to contribute to better ‘politics’. In their hands, public criminology is close to another long-running analytical trend – research utilization. The two literatures have for the most part remained separate. This paper puts Loader and Sparks’ framework of public scholarship to the empirical test to see if and how it contributes to understanding the role and nature of evidence use in highly sensitive policy areas. We do this through an analysis of recent changes in Belgian drug policy. We conclude that the framework of Loader and Sparks, although useful in illuminating how publicly engaged scholars can influence and mobilize more open and better-informed public and political debate, is hamstrung by its concentration on the action of individuals in isolation from the complex power structures that underpin the policy process. Synthesizing lessons drawn from the research utilization literature with the work of public criminology provides a potential way forward in understanding the role of evidence in policy and also producing ‘better’ politics in this context.

Antwerpse Drug- en Alcoholmonitor (ADAM): Beeld van een lokale drugsscene

SamenvattingKwalitatieve gegevens over de lokale drugsscene in België zijn schaars. De kennis blijft beperkt tot officiële registratiesystemen, waardoor de noden en behoeften van heel wat groepen drugsgebruikers buiten beschouwing blijven. Vanuit sociaal-wetenschappelijk en beleidsmatig oogpunt is er behoefte aan informatie over de belevingswereld, gebruikspatronen en levensstijl van drugsgebruikers. In dit onderzoek hebben we ten behoeve van de stad Antwerpen de Antwerpse Drug- en Alcoholmonitor (ADAM) uitgewerkt en uitgetest. Een monitor verzamelt en analyseert periodiek gegevens op een systematische manier, waardoor ontwikkelingen en trends gesignaleerd kunnen worden. Een monitor biedt tevens mogelijkheden voor een effectevaluatie van beleidsmaatregelen op langere termijn. De ADAM combineert drie kwalitatieve methoden om de lokale drugsscene in kaart te brengen: open diepte-interviews met sleutelfiguren, etnografisch veldwerk door de onderzoeker zelf en met ‘community fieldworkers’. Aan de hand van de resultaten van dit onderzoek willen we aantonen in welke mate een lokale drugsmonitor een waardevol instrument is voor het verzamelen van relevante en betrouwbare data over de lokale drugsscene.