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NACD Community/Voluntary Sector Research Grant Scheme

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In December 2001 the NACD launched a Community/Voluntary Sector Research Grant Scheme to generate innovative, community-based drugs research. In a nationwide advertising campaign, groups working in the community/voluntary sector were invited to submit proposals in the areas of prevalence, prevention, treatment/rehabilitation and the consequences of problem drug use.

In order to encourage applications from groups who had interesting research ideas but little research expertise, the scheme was developed with monitoring and support mechanisms built in at all stages from initial application to the conclusion of the research studies. In this respect, a two-phase assessment process was developed to facilitate the development of the research proposals. The first assessment stage focused on the applicant organisations;

• its understanding of drug issues;
• its links with the local community, service providers and planners;
• the relevance of the proposed research to the NACD ’s programme of work.

Thirty-five applications were received from groups around the country. From these, eleven organisations were shortlisted and invited to attend a research training workshop, run by the NACD Research Officer, to further develop their research ideas. Fourteen people from the eleven groups attended the one-day workshop which dealt with issues such as literature reviews, fieldwork, research ethics, data gathering and analysis, costing research proposals etc.

Following the training workshop, the short-listed applicants submitted a fully developed research proposal outlining the aims and objectives of the research, the methodology, project management and costs. From these, five proposals were awarded research grants of between €20,000 to €25,000 each.

The research studies commenced in September 2002. Throughout this period the groups were mentored and supported by the NACD Research Officer and Research Advisory Groups established to work with the groups. Four of the groups had reports published in October 2004 as follows:

• Ballymun Youth Action Project (BYAP): Benzodiazepines-whose little helper? The role of Benzodiazepines in the development of substance misuse problems in Ballymun. This report will study of the role of benzodiazepines (tranquillisers) in the development of substance misuse problems in Ballymun. Established in 1991, BYAP offers a range of services on all aspects of drug misuse ranging from work with individuals, families and groups, to education and training courses. The research will investigate the relationship between benzodiazepines, opiates, and other substances in young persons’ drug repertoires; describe the dynamics of benzodiazepine supply and demand in local street drug markets; examine the impact of benzodiazepine use on the community; and identify the possible models of prevention and harm reduction that might be effective and appropriate in the community.
  
  
• Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme: A prevalence study of drug use by young people in a mixed suburban area. This study will carry out action research on drug misuse among 10-17 year olds in the Kilbarrack area. The programme is a drugs rehabilitation and aftercare project based in northeast Dublin, with an emphasis on quality, user-led services for drug users in recovery. The study will seek to establish the patterns and trends of drug misuse in Kilbarrack by young people in the 10 to 17 age group; examine the processes by which young people in the area become involved in drug misuse; identify the current and potential problems which arise from their drug misuse; and assess the extent of knowledge and attitudes of drugs and drug misuse among young people.
  
  
• Merchants Quay Ireland: Drug use among new communities in Ireland. An exploratory study. This report will carry out an exploratory study into the nature of drug use among three new ethnic minority communities in Ireland. The Merchants Quay Project provides a range of services to people affected by drug use, HIV and homelessness and is committed to minimising the harm associated with drug use to individuals, families and the wider community. The study will examine the patterns of drug use among the new communities and the routes of administration of the drug used; explore the reasons and motivations for drug use; establish risks the users may be exposed to; examine the level of awareness of health promotion / harm minimisation strategies and drug treatment services; and identify barriers to accessing services.
  
  
• Tallaght Homeless Advice Unit (THAU): Heroin- the mental roof over your head. Links between homelessness and drug use. This study will examine the links between homelessness and drug use (especially heroin use). THAU works extensively with drug users and advocates on their behalf to statutory and voluntary agencies. The unit is closely linked with the drug support services in the Greater Tallaght area. The research study will examine the nature and extent of drug use amongst the homeless population and explore the reasons behind their homelessness; examine the policies and practices of local authorities in relation to the housing of homeless drug users; explore the experiences of homeless drug users with special reference to the policies and practices of homeless services; and make recommendations aimed at informing policy at government and practice levels.
  
  
• Community Response was to carry out a study of the viability of an integrated multi-disciplinary service to families affected by problem drug use. The agency works with individuals, families and communities in the south-west inner city on a range of levels from drug awareness to training to health promotion and family support, and seeks to help people determine their own solutions to the complex problems of problem drug use and its consequences.
  
  
  Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Community Response project was discontinued in April 2003 and the funding was returned to the NACD.
  

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