Good places to go for research are the websites of the following agencies:

Joseph Rountree Foundation - not substance misuse specialist but well regarded research foundation dealing with social issues. - click here

Drugscope - Excellent research library for members and public area to browse. Includes some useful tools including for example 'Working with Parents' newsletter. - click here

Alcohol Concern - similar to Drugscope but for alcohol. - click here

National Treatment Agency - very informative in relation to 'What Works' but remember its an English agency and we have a Welsh strategy. - click here

Home Office wide range of research information. - click here

This page contains recent research work into substance misuse that practitioners may find of general interest or specifically useful as good practice guidance. See also Policies, Strategies and Good Practice. If staff are looking for particular pieces of information, they are welcome to contact the substance misuse development officer at contact@substancemisuserct.co.uk

Cannabis supply and young people - click here
(December 2007) - is a Joseph Rowntree Foundation report that provides a snapshot of how young people in a large city and rural villages obtain cannabis. The study interviewed 182 young people aged 11-19, all of whom had used cannabis and/or been involved in cannabis transactions in recent months.

Drug Services for Homeless People - click here
A good practice handbook

Drug Situation in the UK An annual report (2004)

(pdf 428k) click here...

Frank Review 2004 - 2006 - click here
This review looks at FRANK's strategy, development and performance since 2004 - 2006. It includes details on advertising, PR, partnership work, online presence, local campaigns, the helpline and website and how all of these strands are performing and contributing to reducing drug use among young people.

Evaluation of Drug Interventions Programme Pilots for Children and Young People: Arrest referral, drug testing and drug treatment and testing requirements - click here
This is the final report of the 18-month evaluation of the programme that began in April 2004. Pilot sites were provided with guidance and support from the Home Office and were also given flexibility to develop their own approaches to implementation within their local context, particularly in relation to arrest referral.

Identifying and Exploring Young People's Experiences of Risk, Protective Factors and Resilience to Drug Use The Home Office commissioned two linked studies to explore methods of identifying groups and individuals 'at risk'. First, a literature review was carried out of studies that have explored predictive factors of drug use and common factors arising from these studies were identified. Following on from this, an investigation of resilience was conducted. This report summarises and pulls together findings from these two studies. (Or see separate studies below)

(pdf 160k) click here...

Predictive Factors for Illicit Drug Use Among Young People - a Literature Review This report presents the findings from a literature review commissioned by the Home Office that identifies factors associated with increased risk of illicit drug use among young people. The report identifies a diverse range of factors linked to increased risk of drug use and factors that protect against drug use.

(pdf 372k) click here...

Risk, Protective Factors and Resilience to Drug Use: Identifying resilient young people and learning from their experiences This report presents the findings from a study commissioned by the Home Office that explored both the risk and protective factors that might influence young peoples' decisions about using drugs, as well as the nature of resilience to drug use among this group. The study involved in-depth interviews with a group of young people who were identified as being resilient to drug use. (Published February 2007)

(pdf 668k) click here...

The Economic and Social Research Council research - examined 190 cannabis users and found that 40 per cent used other illegal drugs, 65 per cent showed some degree of dependence on cannabis, but only 2 percent had received treatment for their cannabis use. Significant numbers reported positive effects of their cannabis use, while smaller but still significant numbers reported negative effects. Click here for a summary Click here for the full report

(pdf 204k) click here...

Measuring staff attitudes to people with drug problems A study from the Scottish Drug Misuse Research Programme.

(pdf 260k) click here...

Prevention and Reduction of Alcohol Misuse: Review of Reviews A research report from the Health Development Agency, published 29/01/03. The document presents the current evidence from selected good quality systematic and other reviews and meta-analyses published since 1996. It aims to identify interventions shown to be effective in preventing or reducing hazardous/risky drinking and alcohol-related harm.

(pdf 204k) click here...

State of the Nation - Alcohol Concern - click here (web link) Click here for the report This report draws together from a variety of sources the latest information about alcohol consumption in the UK, and about its consequences. The report highlights in particular the growth in alcohol misuse by women over the last 15 years, with 15% of them now drinking above the recommended limits; 27% of men do so too. Although there are over 500 alcohol services around the country, many are in financial difficulties, partly because the Government has failed to come up with its long-promised strategy on alcohol. The report also lays out the latest information on the impact on people's health, on families, education and development, employment, and crime.

(pdf 248k) click here...

Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Guide This new guide introduces a significant policy initiative aimed at 'mainstreaming' work with clients who have dual diagnosis. It does so through a series of recommendations aimed at bringing together in a coherent and formal way mental health and substance abuse services for this client group. It also offers substantive good practice guidance for staff in community mental health teams, other community based mental health agencies, and drug and alcohol services.

(pdf 184k) click here...

Welsh Assembly Government - Substance Misuse Treatment Framework In this section we have included all the modules produced by the Welsh Assembly Government to guide good practice provision within a range of different substance misuse related activities.

(pdf 4MB) click here...