Institute for Rational Addiction Policies

The Think Tank Racionální politiky závislostí (Institute for Rational Addiction Policies) think tank is a multi-disciplinary association of independent and reputable experts that studies the question of addiction from all sides (public and individual health, legislation and other legal effects, security matters, economics and market modelling, tax issues, effects on the state budget, education and prevention, and social, sociological, and political questions.

Goals

This think tank wants to influence public opinion and shape political positions; influence strategic political and expert documents including properly crafting legislation; and influence important industries to adopt strong ethical standards. The Think Tank has the ambition to influence Czech policies as well as international ones.

In the international context, the Think Tank wants to primarily focus on the European Commission and European Parliament, but it’s also active within the Pompidou Group, the U.N., large international NGOs, and civil society in general.

Tools

The Think Tank will publish specialised independent analyses and studies, prepare independent proposals for legislators, or put forth specific policies and strategically-orientated plans for further preventive measures. It will also organise roundtables and specialised seminars that will be hosted by legislative bodies, the European Commission, or the U.N., as well as NGOs. Through partner institutions and individual experts (specialised institutions, NGOs, the Chamber of Commerce, and other specialised and political think tanks and respected individuals from all relevant fields), the group will influence the creation of strategic documents at all political levels and in the field in general.

“The Think Tank will also create a transparent platform for communication between “addictive” fields, government and intra-governmental institutions, and the non-government and academic sectors. This platform will create a space that should remove the daylight for lobbying pressures that would favour only certain particular interests that often border on corruption on the one hand, and on the other administrative incompetence in finding adequate and functioning tools to minimise risks and damages and the effects they bring.”