Author: Ekendahl, Mats

Source: Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice, Volume 5, Number 3, August 2009 , pp. 247-265(19)

Publisher: Policy Press

Abstract:

Opiate addict maintenance treatment (MT) has been controversial in Sweden. In 2004, however, a public authority conducted a review of MT research that paved the way for a relatively less restrictive policy. The present study examines how scientific evidence was constructed in the preparation of this policy shift. Written commentaries (by authorities, organisations etc) on a preliminary version of the review were analysed by use of discourse theory. The results suggest that the final review contains elements of three competing discourses and elucidate how a particular MT regime was made to appear objectively as the only viable solution for dealing with opiate addicts.

Keywords: EVIDENCE; MAINTENANCE TREATMENT; POLICY; DISCOURSE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1332/174426409X463794

Publication date: 2009-08-01

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