Drug and Alcohol Treatment Research, Policy and Practice: An Australian Perspective

Abstract

Drug and alcohol treatment research, policy and practice are poorly linked in the drug and alcohol field, compared with other areas of health care. The reasons for this situation are explored from the perspective of treatment providers, researchers and policy makers. It is suggested that the improvement of research dissemination and uptake will rely upon more (and better) quality research studies, and upon the development of clearer methods of summarising and presenting findings to the target audience. Potential pitfalls in this process are briefly discussed, and details of two recently conducted Australian projects are provided as an example of how these difficulties are being dealt with in Australia.