Drug Decriminalization in Maryland Through an African Centered Research Paradigm- Analysis and Recommendations

Recommendations
We have created this document to serve as an example of how to apply an African-centered
research paradigm. It is undertaken with the understanding that the methodology used in this paper
may not be entirely applicable to future research, given the unique experiences of the author, and
this information is conveyed with the hope that this research will inspire future researchers to
incorporate elements of this process into their understanding and methodology. It is difficult to
reduce an evolving understanding of how to approach research to discrete recommendations.
However, this section will attempt to distill our findings into specific observations and suggestions
for future researchers. Operating on the understanding that this is not presented as a definitive or
exhaustive list of “requirements” but as an attempt to clarify how our findings up to this point
could be applied to future research.
It is important to be precise in understanding that, though every research project document
will likely be engaged by a variety of individuals and institutions, researchers should be clear in
whom they see as their audience. Based on the findings of a preliminary conversation, advocacy
organizations are likely to be a key audience for this project. As such, the information must be
presented in a way that is easily accessible and shareable. This lends itself to a more narrative
model and less towards a data-centric, academic-style form of presentation. It is important,
however, that researchers not assume that the primary benefit of their research is to inform
advocates on best practices around drug decriminalization. Whether intentional or not, the
decisions made by researchers on what to center conceptually serves as forms of messaging and
media. Presenting to the audience a theory on how to frame debates and interpret information.
Netherland and Hassan comment on this point in the conclusion of their report, noting:
“Racial and ethnic inequalities are symbolically imbedded in U.S. popular and political
cultures as well as medicine and are reliably and imperceptibly reproduced in U.S.
institutional practices. Specific interventions are required to counterbalance their hold on
drug policy. If policy and clinical responses to addiction are to be racially inclusive, a
racial/ethnic impact assessment is one way to predict and document the effects of health
policies and clinical practices on racial and ethnic inequalities. Racial ethnic impact
statements have been implemented in a few states, such as Iowa and Connecticut, and
proposed in others, such as New York (London 2011; Mauer 2009). They require
policymakers to conduct a formal assessment of how a specific policy proposal is likely to
ameliorate or exacerbate racial disparities, particularly in the criminal justice system.
These statements, modeled on fiscal and environmental impact statements, are meant to
avoid policies that purport to be colorblind or race neutral but, in fact, result in differential
treatment. These policy assessments could go a long way in heightening public awareness
of the ways that racism is institutionally reinforced...
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