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Evaluation report Swedish Research on ALCOHOL, NARCOTICS, DOPING, TOBACCO AND GAMBLING An Evaluation of Swedish Research on Alcohol, Narcotics, Doping, Tobacco and Gambling (ANDTG) conducted by Harold Holder (chair) Jørgen Bramness Marja Holmila Karl Mann Ann McNeill David Nutt Report on the Evaluation of Swedish Research on Alcohol, Narcotics, Doping, Tobacco, Prescription Drug Abuse and Gambling (ANDTG) TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive summary I. Introduction and background II. The evaluation process III. Funding of ANDTG research in Sweden IV. A bibliometric survey of Swedish research in alcohol, narcotics, drugs and tobacco V. Review of Swedish ANDTG research VI. Summary of observations and recommendations Appendices A. Inventory survey instrument B. Evaluation survey instrument C. Participation in surveys, submission of publications and interviews D. Description of research groups and researchers E. Listing of five key papers submitted F. Listings of stakeholder and researcher interviewees G. Bibliometric tables H. Development of ANTD Research in Sweden until 2005 PREFACE The Government of Sweden has given the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS) the responsibility for national coordination of social science alcohol research. From 2008 and on the latter area includes the area of narcotics research. FAS has carried out evaluations of Swedish research in several of its areas of coordination but not in the area of Swedish research on alcohol and tobacco. The 2009 board of FAS commissioned FAS to carry out an evaluation of Swedish research in the area of alcohol, narcotics, doping and tobacco (ANDT) and not only the social science research. The international evaluation group further suggested that prescription drug abuse and problem gambling (G) also should be included. The scope of the evaluation therefore is much wider than social science research, and encom- passes all Swedish research within the ANDTG field. This is the first Swedish evaluation ever with such a broad scope and I am very pleased to present the FAS board with this important document. A Swedish reference group has advised on various aspects of the evaluation process. One member of this group, Assoc professor Ola Arvidsson, is the main person responsible for the description of developments in Swedish ANDTG research during the period before the eva- luation was to cover (Appendix H). Professor Olle Persson, Department of Sociology, Umeå University, has assisted the evaluation group by carrying out bibliometric analyses, which he has described together with Jørgen Bramness in Chapter IV and Appendix G. Ms Kerstin Carsjö, Research Secretary at FAS, has written Chapter I-III and is responsible for Appendi- ces A-F. Edvin Sandberg Frid helped out in the evaluation for a brief period primarily with handling of survey data. FAS extends its gratitude to the international evaluation group for an excellent and thorough scrutiny of the Swedish contribution to the ANDTG research field. The profound expertise of the international evaluation group guarantees a well balanced view on the Swe- dish accomplishments of ANDTG research. The conclusions and suggestions in the report, entirely the responsibility of the panel, are now open for discussion and action among funders, researchers and policy makers. FAS also extends its gratitude to the Swedish reference group for invaluable guidance, discussions and extensive background material. The FAS administrative officer in charge of the entire mission, from start to goal, a ma- rathon sometimes at sprinter speed, has been Kerstin Carsjö, who is thanked for her never failing endeavour! Stockholm in April 2012 Erland Hjelmquist Secretary-General of the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This is a report from a 12-month • Jørgen Bramness, Director of Science, Norwegian review of Swedish research from the Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Oslo, period 2005–2010 concerning alcohol, Norway; narcotics, doping and tobacco as well • Marja Holmila, Research Professor, Department of as prescription drug abuse and problem Alcohol, Drugs and Addiction, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland; gambling (ANDTG) during 2011. The • Karl Mann, Professor and Chair, Department of Ad- purpose of this review is to evaluate dictive Behaviour & Addiction Medicine, University scientific quality of the research and to of Heidelberg, Germany; identify gaps, weaknesses and strengths • Ann McNeill, Professor of Health Policy and Pro- motion, Deputy Director, UK Centre for Tobacco of Swedish ANDTG research from an Control Studies, University of Nottingham, UK international perspective. • David Nutt, Professor and Head, Neuropsychophar- macology Unit, Imperial College London, London, The results of the evaluation are to 1) contribute to UK. the strategic input which the Swedish government has asked FAS to deliver for the 2012 Government The review of Swedish ANDT and gambling research Research Bill and the Research Strategy commissioned included examining the written summaries of research by the Ministry of health and Social Affairs and provided by Swedish scientists, a review of the top five 2) provide input for a second call in the area of identified scientific publications from each Swedish ANDT research which FAS plans to announce in researcher and/or research group, conduct of interviews 2012.The work of this report reflects the efforts of with national public decision-makers and stakeholders a Swedish reference group as well as an Evaluation as well as selected Swedish scientists, and the comple- Group of international ANDTG research experts. tion of a bibliometric analyses of Swedish ANDT re- The reference group provided advice on the planning search publications in international scientific journals. of the evaluation, definition of areas to be covered, The following observations and recommendations identification of appropriate Swedish researchers to were made by the Evaluation Group: be surveyed, selection of international experts for the Sweden has a long history and tradition in substance Evaluation Group members as well as various other use research but its internationally leading position aspects of the evaluation. The Evaluation Group was is under threat. Considering the size and scope of composed of: addiction, the changing situation particularly concern- ing gambling and the internet, increasing harms in • Harold Holder, Senior Scientist Emeritus and For- Sweden, and the great potential of such research and mer Director of Prevention Research Center, Pacific publication in international journals, there is a need to Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, CA, invest and reorganize to regain a leading position in USA (Chair) addiction research. 6 | SWEDISH RESEARCH ON ANDTG Existing funding of ANDTG research is fragment- an international panel. These national centres can be ed, short-term and rarely coordinated which makes instrumental in creating more national and interna- planning and continuity of research difficult. There is tional collaboration. They will provide outstanding a need for more collaboration across Swedish funding training opportunities to support research careers. sources to achieve more commonality in addressing Such training is crucial for the future of Swedish research issues and questions. This is not to achieve research, particularly due to the coming generational a total single focus for all Swedish ANDT research shift in research leadership with the impending but to increase coordination of research funding and retirement of many senior researchers. priorities. This collaboration should also support the development of additional capacity especially for new 4. The sustainability of ANDTG research could be researchers and increase continuity of research funding. assisted by funding from the EU. National funding Currently ANDTG research is primarily organized should be available for ANDTG Swedish research- and governed through universities in Sweden. While ers to help secure EU funding. Special effort should larger Swedish research groups have the capacity and start immediately in Sweden to influence the up- demonstrated interest in international collaboration, coming allocation process of EU funding. in general across much of Swedish ANDTG research there is a lack of such collaboration. International In addition, the Evaluation Group makes the follow- research collaboration should be encouraged, both ing specific recommendation: to ensure that Swedish research meets international scientific standards and to maximize the productivity 1. Sweden has historically demonstrated a special of Swedish researchers as well as increase the return on strength in epidemiological studies of substance use national research funding. and associated harms, and more recently gene and Following the group review and based upon experi- environment interactions which contribute to these, ences and trends in the international scientific commu- by making extensive use of national health registries nity as well as specifically ANDTG research, we make and the male military conscript data bases. This the following strategic recommendations: research should be encouraged and continued as it contributes not only to Sweden but has interna- 1. Create a long term and sustainable research com- tional importance as well. mitment dedicated to the ANDTG field to facilitate Swedish research to meet international scientific 2. Translational research including animal
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