Drugs Research in Scotland, Scoping Review: July 2016

Approach

The definition of research was broad and aimed to capture PhD, MSc, and formally commissioned work. The work was carried out by Dr Tessa Parkes and supported by Dawn Mahal, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling. It was desk-based and involved contacting people in organisations that undertake research, such as NHS Health Boards and Scottish Drugs Forum, as well as universities and independent research companies.

Projects have not been designated as either research or service evaluations as the aim was to be inclusive of all relevant work taking place. Projects have been grouped by themes reflecting the new Drugs Advisory Landscape, and an additional theme relating to drug policy:

• Improving the quality of services for substance misuse
• Reducing drug death and harm
• Building recovery-centred communities and reducing stigma
• Drug policy

Where the projects address the themes of prevention, harms, recovery and families, which are set out in the Scottish National Research Framework for Problem Drug Use and Recovery ^[2] , this has also been indicated. Some projects are labelled with more than one theme.