Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** Feb. 22, 2024
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125 Million Americans Know Someone Who Died of an Overdose
According to a new RAND study, more than 40 percent of Americans--approximately 125 million people--personally know at least one person who has died of a drug overdose. And about one-third of those individuals say that their lives were disrupted as a result.
Notably, rates of exposure to an overdose death were significantly higher in New England and in certain states in the American South than in other parts of the country.
These harrowing numbers highlight the experiences of people who have been left behind by fatal overdoses--a group that has largely been overlooked in the response to America's overdose crisis. "Our findings emphasize the need for research into the prevalence and impact of overdose loss," says RAND's Alison Athey, lead author of the study, "particularly among groups and communities that experience disproportionate rates of loss."
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RAND Expert on Israel's Obligation to Gazans
Israel has promised to launch a ground invasion of Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, unless Hamas releases its remaining hostages. With an estimated 1.5 million people sheltering in Rafah, there are deep concerns about the welfare of Palestinian civilians. Writing in Foreign Affairs last week, RAND's Raphael Cohen says that Israel must assume responsibility for Gazan well-being "if not on moral grounds, then on strategic ones." It could start by establishing safe zones for civilians and expanding humanitarian aid. Further, Israel should offer a vision now for what will happen to Gaza after the war, he says.
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How to Help Veterans Who Are Single Parents and Students
Financial strain. Schedule overload. Psychological stress. These are just some of the struggles that single parents face when returning to school. But what if a single-parent student is also a veteran? A new RAND study offers insights into the unique experiences of veteran single parents who are pursuing higher education. The authors identify three keys to helping this group: improved financial support for child care, investment in veterans resource centers at colleges and universities, and extra support for single parents through the G.I. Bill.
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** RAND Recommends
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- Commercial space travel is taking off. In Salon, RAND's Douglas Ligor weighed in on safety and what's currently required of companies operating commercial space enterprises.
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- San Francisco Bay Area public radio station KQED interviewed RAND's Beth Asch about the U.S. military's ongoing struggles to fill its ranks.
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- RAND's Howard Shatz spoke to CNN about the Russian economy. Despite its federal revenue reaching an all-time high last year, Russia's federal deficit was its third-highest ever (larger only in 2022 and 2020). Moscow is taxing the Russian people to pay for the war, Shatz said.
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** Events
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America's Opioid Problems: How Additional Approaches Can Stem the Tide
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 (Online)
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Trust, But Verify: The Security Clearance Process and Experience
Thursday, February 29, 2024 (Online)
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The U.S.-Japan Alliance: Realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Friday, March 1, 2024 (Los Angeles, California, and Online)
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U.S. Armed Forces in the Arctic: Understanding Operating Capabilities in a Challenging Region
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 (Washington, D.C., and Online)
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