Implications of Systems Dynamic Models and Control Theory for Environmental Approaches to the Prevention of Alcohol- and Other Drug Use-Related Problems

Abstract

The approach described in this article is premised on the idea that drug and alcohol use-related problems are heterogeneously distributed with respect to population and geography, and therefore, are essentially local problems. More specifically, it is argued that viewing a local community as an interacting set of systems that support or buffer the occurrence of specific substance misuse outcomes, opens up to research two important prospects. The first of these involves creating adequate systems models that can capture the primary community structures and relationships that support public health problems such as alcohol and drug misuse and related outcomes. The second entails rationally testing control strategies that have the potential to moderate or reduce these problems. Understanding and controlling complex dynamic systems models nowadays pervades all scientific disciplines, and it is to research in areas such as biology, ecology, engineering, computer sciences, and mathematics that researchers in the field of addictions must turn to in order to better study the complexity that confronts them as they try to understand and prevent problems resulting from alcohol and drug use and misuse. Here we set out what such a systems-based understanding of alcohol- and drug use-related problems will require and discuss its implications for public policy and prevention programming.

Complex Science for a Complex World : Exploring Human Ecosystems with Agents

“…Interactions amongst agents could be increased by creating converging sites where massive connections arise, such as shopping malls or central stations. Moreover, as argued by Gorman et al (2004Gorman et al ( :1725:…”

“…SimDrug encompasses great expectations to be used as a tool to confront and generate discussion among stakeholders and policy-makers. However, as pointed out by Gorman et al (2004), such an approach will never provide an optimal solution, but rather numerous possible context-specific solutions with potential outcomes being highly uncertain. In fact, the best global solution may be a collection of local solutions tailored to local circumstances and needs.…”

“…As described by Gorman and colleagues (Gorman et al 2004), drug use related problems are heterogeneously distributed with respect to population and geography and they need to be considered as essentially based on local interactions. SimDrug has been conceptualised and implemented in order to capture the primary community structures and relationships that support drug use and related outcomes.…”

Why do alcohol outlets matter anyway? A look into the future

“…Contemporary social theorists perform these experiments with more rigor using agent based and systems dynamic models to buttress theoretical arguments [4,5]. Here it will suffice to present a simple story about a world in which the interests of outlets and consumers form a market for alcohol that may, under different circumstances and for different reasons, reinforce and accelerate alcohol problems.…”

SimUse: Simulation of recreational poly-drug use

“…These different factors correspond to studies realized on distinct levels of analysis: genetic predispositions; neurophysiology; drug specific neuro-pharmacology; individual psychology; social and environmental conditions; current laws; economical constrains or cultural norms [2,3]. Therefore, a wide range of disciplines has described those "risk" and "protective" influences with their own vocabulary and concepts.…”