Covering Drugs is a 140-page resource guide listing key surveys, reports, data sets, studies, research hubs, and other information helpful for research and reporting on drugs and alcohol.
Organized by topic, each section addresses questions like:
· How many people have substance use disorders?
· Who’s tracking what’s in the drug supply?
· How are treatment outcomes measured?
· What services help support recovery from addiction?
Written by Susan Stellin, MPH, this project is supported by a 2025-2026 Reynolds Journalism Institute fellowship. The guide will be published in March 2026.
Thanks to Wally Krantz at Outside Order for the Covering Drugs logo and guide design.
RJI Fellowship Articles
A roadmap to resources for reporting on drugs
Creating a guide to help journalists shift from drug war framing to a health-centered approach. (Aug. 12, 2025)
Understanding the difference between substance use disorders and addiction
The distinction is important, but sometimes gets blurred in media coverage. (Sept. 3, 2025)
Covering the drug supply, risks and trends
Educating readers, listeners, and viewers about drugs, risks, and their effects — without overstating threats. (Oct. 6, 2025)
Reporting on alcohol and drinking risks
Years of contradictory headlines about whether moderate drinking is harmful or beneficial for different health outcomes has left many people frustrated and skeptical. (Nov. 19, 2025)
Resisting false binaries when reporting on the complexities of addiction
What’s in between forcing people into treatment and waiting for them to be ready? (Dec. 15, 2025)
Reporting on treatment for addiction: Where is the data?
Without better data and a shared understanding of what treatment includes, improving care for people with addictions will continue to be a challenge. (Jan. 8, 2026)
Evaluating research about drugs and addiction: The danger of a single study.
Asking key questions when evaluating studies can help improve the quality of reporting about research. (Feb. 9, 2026)