Evidence versus Politics: Exploiting Research in UK Drug Policy Making?

Evidence Versus Politics looks at a contentious area of UK criminal justice and drug policy making. Based on original research and presenting new arguments about policy making processes, the book contributes to the debate about policy making, especially highly politicized issues. It takes as its starting point the notion that evidence is a difficult concept and that there are always different ideas about what should count as evidence in any given context, as well as the widespread disagreement over the role evidence plays in policy making. Based on primary research, including observation and documentary analysis of the UK's Parliamentary Select Committee hearings, alongside qualitative 'elite' interviews with a wide-range of key policy actors, this book argues that there is a huge misunderstanding about the evidence and policy relationship.