Research project DR/74 (Research action DR)
Description of the project
Context
Recent figures indicate that certain drug markets, or at least parts of it, shift from the Netherlands to Belgium. This would be specifically the case for the cannabis market, the synthetic drug market and the cocaine market, the latter relating to the middle and retail level.
However, it is still unclear whether it is a displacement of some parts of the selected illicit drug markets (cannabis, synthetic drugs and cocaine) from the Netherlands to Belgium or whether it should be seen as a diversification of certain parts of some illicit drug markets in terms of spreading of risks and taking profit of new opportunities.
Objectives and research questions
The DISMARK research aims to formulate an answer to the question whether, in view of the developments outlined in the scope, we are entering a new phase in the Belgian-Dutch relationship regarding the drug phenomenon.
Is there a displacement of some parts of the illicit drug markets (cannabis, synthetic drugs and cocaine) from the Netherlands to Belgium or is it rather a diversification of certain parts of some illicit drug markets in terms of the spreading of risks and taking profit of new opportunities?
In this regard, it is important to get insight in the strategies of the criminal organizations, controlling these phenomena / developments, in relation to the policy measures taken by the authorities in both countries. DISMARK will try to answer the following sub questions:
- How did the selected Dutch and Belgian drug markets evolve the past 25 years? What was the impact of the policy decisions and measures, taken in both countries?
- How do Dutch and Belgian drug markets function and could we observe linkages between both markets?
- Is there a displacement effect with regard to cannabis, synthetic drugs and cocaine from the Netherlands to Belgium? Or is it more a diversification of the existing markets in terms of supply, largely organized and controlled from the Netherlands?
- Do we see an evolution related to the availability of drugs on the selected drug markets in Belgium?
- How can we explain what we observe?
- Besides the policy initiatives, which other push (from the Netherlands) and pull (from Belgium) factors have favoured this evolution?
- What are the elements behind these linkages and how could these selected markets develop in the near future?
- How to mitigate any negative effects?
- What are appropriate strategies for the Belgian authorities and law enforcement to cope in an appropriate way with those new developments?
Methodology
The DISMARK research will apply a multi-method research design, based on a comparative criminological analysis. Following the methodology of other research in the area of illegal drug markets, we will conduct a review of academic literature and (semi-) official policy papers and available case law. We will conduct quantitative as well as qualitative analysis.
The DISMARK research focuses on three illicit drug markets: the cannabis market, the synthetic drug market (ATS) and the cocaine market. Within these drug markets, DISMARK will focus on three echelons. The research is limited to the production of cannabis and synthetic drugs, since the DISMARK research focuses on Dutch and Belgian illicit drug markets. The DISMARK research focuses on the cocaine middle market. The DISMARK research takes the selected illicit drug markets into consideration i.e. cannabis, synthetic drugs and cocaine.
Potential impact
Science
First of all, the knowledge from the DISMARK research will contribute to the information gaps in our scientific knowledge in searching the possible explanations/causes for important alterations in drug trafficking.
Policy
Secondly, it will be of interest to policymakers, as well as other governmental bodies which are concerned with measuring the effectiveness of their drug supply-reduction strategies.
Understanding the nature, the scale, the organisation and the dynamics of illicit drug markets is a critical requirement for effective policy-making. In this matter, the DISMARK research is aimed at developing useful recommendations for policymakers and improving intergovernmental cooperation.
Society
Within the DISMARK research we will investigate which are the negative effects of the observed developments (changes within forms of drug-related crime) for society. In a next step we will explore what can be done do to mitigate these negative effects.
Long- and medium-term results
The research team will collect all the results and write the final report. We will look at the various possibilities of publishing peer-reviewed articles in an academic journals and (a) book (chapters).
Following the example of the valorisation of previous researches financed by the Federal Science Policy (Belspo) the research at hand also foresees valorisation at its end with a conference, bringing together policy makers, prosecutors and judges, police officers… and presenting them the research results in detail.
Research results – both interim and end results – will be presented at national and international conferences to experts, Member State representatives, EMCDDA staff members, the European Commission, Europol, other relevant international organisations (UNODC, Council of Europe/Groupe Pompidou), academics and peers.
Illegale drugsmarkten in België en Nederland: Communicerende vaten? : eindrapport
De Ruyver, B. - Colman, C. - Spapens, T. ... et al. Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2018 (SP2768)
[To download]
Illegale drugsmarkten in België en Nederland: Communicerende vaten? : samenvatting
De Ruyver, B. - Colman, C. - Spapens, T. ... et al. Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2018 (SP2769)
[To download]
Illegal drug markets in Belgium and the Netherlands: Communicating vessels? : summary
De Ruyver, B. - Colman, C. - Spapens, T. ... et al. Brussels: Belgian Scientific Policy, 2018 (SP2770)
[To download]
Illegal drug markets in Belgium and the Netherlands: Communicating vessels? :abstract 2018
De Ruyver, B. - Colman, C. - Spapens, T. ... et al. Brussels: Belgian Scientific Policy, 2018 (SP2771)
[To download]
Illegale drugsmarkten in België en Nederland: Communicerende vaten? : abstract 2018
De Ruyver, B. - Colman, C. - Spapens, T. ... et al. Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2018 (SP2772)
[To download]
