The Real Cost
The Real Cost is a research and publication initiative being developed by Drug Educators Alliance to make complex drug information easier to understand, verify, and use.
Learn More →Clearer Information for Real-World Decisions
The Real Cost is being developed to research complex drug issues, bring together credible information, explain what the evidence supports, and preserve the context needed to understand what a statistic or study actually means.
The goal is to turn complicated research, data, and public information into material people can understand without overstating what the evidence shows.
Research Complex Issues
Examine drug trends, health questions, policies, populations, and emerging issues.
Provide Context
Keep population, geography, time period, limitations, and definitions connected to the data.
Make It Understandable
Translate complicated information into clear, useful language while preserving important meaning.
Support Better Decisions
Help individuals, families, educators, organizations, and communities understand important drug issues.
Key Issues. Real Impact.
Research development includes major substances, youth trends, public-policy questions, education, community safety, workplaces, and emerging drug issues.
Marijuana & Cannabis
Use, effects, youth exposure, products and policy.
Fentanyl & Opioids
Trends, counterfeit pills, overdose and prevention.
Vaping & Nicotine
Youth use, products, health questions and regulation.
Youth Drug Use & Trends
What young people encounter and what the data shows.
Policy & Legislation
Laws, regulations, policy questions and implementation.
Schools & Education
Prevention, student questions and educational approaches.
Public Safety & Communities
Community trends, safety, intervention and prevention.
Workplace Issues
Safety, policy, impairment and workforce education.
Emerging Drugs & Trends
New substances, changing markets and developing concerns.
Higher Standards for Clearer Answers
The Real Cost is being developed around research and editorial standards intended to support accuracy, context, transparency, and traceability.
Original Sources
Use credible, verifiable source material.
Context
Explain what the information actually means.
Full Picture
Include relevant limitations and contrary findings.
Current Data
Identify the relevant period and use current information.
Traceability
Allow important claims to be traced to their sources.
A Pipeline of Important Topics
These are examples of research areas and potential publications being developed. Titles, sequencing, scope, and timing may change as research progresses.
Request a Publication →
Today's Youth and Changing Drug Trends
Research in Development
Fentanyl, Opioids & Counterfeit Pills
Research in Development
Cannabis, Youth & a Changing Market
Research in Development
Drug Policy: Where Do We Go From Here?
Research in DevelopmentResearch That Serves Many Audiences
The Real Cost is being developed to support people who need accurate, understandable drug information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Real Cost?
Is The Real Cost a separate organization?
Is The Real Cost already fully launched?
When will publications be available?
Can I suggest a topic for future research?
Can an organization request research?
How can organizations support this initiative?
Research Today
for a Healthier Tomorrow.
The Real Cost is being developed as part of Drug Educators Alliance's mission to provide truthful, factual, age-appropriate educational information and practical tools.
Looking for information on a particular drug, trend, population, geographic area, or policy question? Submit a publication request and tell us what you need.
Request a Publication or Research Report
Tell us what publication, drug topic, geographic area, audience, or research information you are looking for. Our team will review your request and follow up regarding available materials or whether the request fits current research priorities and capacity.