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Drug use amongst young people: a comparative study of early school leavers and school attendees

Background:

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) was established in July 2000 to advise the Irish Government in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment / rehabilitation and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland, based on the analysis of research findings and information. The Committee is overseeing the delivery of a work programme approved by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion on the extent, nature, causes and effects of drug use in Ireland. The Committee comprises representatives nominated from relevant agencies and sectors, both statutory and non-statutory. The Committee reports to the Minister of State responsible for the National Drugs Strategy. Further information can be obtained from the National Advisory Committee on Drug’s website www.nacd.ie.

Commission:

The NACD is looking for an external contractor to carry out the fieldwork component of a large, national study “Drug use among young people: a comparative study of early school leavers and school attendees”.

The Study:

Under Action 98 of the National Drugs Strategy the NACD is requested to carry out studies on drug use amongst at-risk groups in our communities and in this instance has commissioned research on young people. 

This study aims to consider how the key social contexts of an adolescent’s life affect problem drug use among early school leavers and those routinely attending school.  The study will examine the role of risk and protective factors in young people’s alcohol and drug use.  The study will first assess the degree of risk factors featuring in young people’s lives – in their community, family and peer relations.  The second step is to examine and identify the resources of two types of education settings: 

1. those catering for young people who are routinely attending mainstream education; and
2. those catering for young people who have left school and for whom an alternative education path is provided. 

This study is grounded in rigorous research from a variety of disciplines and in the recognition of a community-wide approach to tackling drug problems.  Where other methods have had limited success, this study uses the most advanced research methods and data analysis techniques.  It is the largest multi-level, Government funded study examining young people’s alcohol/drug use within the community context.  It will help the NACD to advise government on drug policies affecting young people. 

Survey mode

The NACD has produced questionnaire instruments for the purpose of this study.  It is expected that the successful bidder will, in conjunction with the Research Advisory Group, finalise the various instruments in a CAPI programme and on paper.  The survey will be conducted by face-to-face interviews with participants who will be interviewed on a range of information relating to their personal and social environments including specific information on all drug types to include alcohol, tobacco, prescribed medicines and illicit drugs.  It is expected that young people will be interviewed in small groups with an interviewer guiding the CAPI completion.

Sampling frame

The sample population to be surveyed will be young people aged between 14 and 18 years.  The NACD has already determined the sample size (region 840 – 1,000 people) and has begun the site selection.  It is expected that by the award of tender, the NACD will have completed the site selection, have developed the database and will have already initiated contact with the various organisations/agencies required to participate in this study. 

Research Advisory Group

The Research Advisory Group (RAG) comprising representatives from the NACD, the National Youth Council of Ireland, the Department of Education and Science, the National Youthreach Co-ordination Office, Office of the Minister for Children and other interested parties have been invited to oversee the project.  The successful bidder will be expected to report to this RAG on progress during the research.  Close collaboration with the Research Advisory Group is expected during the lifetime of this research project to enable the early identification and resolution of design or other research difficulties.

Requirements:
Potential contractors should demonstrate in their submission that they have:

• Capacity to carry out Computer-assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) in Ireland
• Capacity to prepare CAPI interview programme immediately on award of contract
• Ability to prepare, clean and validate a large SPSS data file
• Sufficient intellectual capacity with adequate and suitably qualified staff to successfully undertake the project
• Ability and experience interviewing young people and those with literacy difficulties would be an advantage
• Have a track record in this field (health/social CAPI based research projects). 
• Have high level of quality control and quality assurance to research standards, including stringent fieldwork management procedures (please enclose a description), and
• Have adequate financial standing
• Be a legal entity.

The NACD Research Team will expect to have some involvement when fieldworkers are briefed on their tasks and targets and during the pilot-testing phase.  The fieldwork company will control the data entry and the company should be able to demonstrate compliance with industry standards and quality assurance protocols consistent with maintaining a code of ethics in carrying out this work.  The NACD have designed the necessary consent forms for the settings (formal and non-formal education settings), for parents and other people participating in the study.

The Fieldwork Company will not be expected to carry out data analysis.  Their primary function is to conduct the interviews, enter the data, clean and provide the SPSS datafile to the NACD.

Timescale of the project:
The fieldwork component should be carried out between October 2007 and February 2008 or sooner depending of speed of access to interviewees.
Selection:
Based on short-listing against the above criteria, the NACD may invite up to a maximum of five contractors to attend for interview with the NACD.

Evaluation of the submissions will be based on the following criteria:
Research methodology:
Understanding of the issues involved;
Understanding of the work involved;
Feasibility of the approach(es) suggested;
Methods to ensure confidentiality;

Project management

Ability to deliver key outputs on time;
Clarity in description of milestones;
Credibility of personnel and consultants involved; (Note that applicants must provide information regarding the experience, qualifications, capacity etc of all those they propose to be involved in the carrying out of the services.)
Track record;

Value for Money

A full and detailed breakdown of fees and costs (excluding VAT). 
There should be a breakdown (in terms of numbers of days) of the time which individual consultants in the team are expected to spend on the project along with a breakdown of the expected fees to be paid for each individual consultant’s time (if appropriate). 

Submission:
6 copies of the Tender submission should be sent to the NACD offices together with  a copy of recent financial accounts, an example of previous relevant work, track record, and evidence of capacity (human and technical) to undertake the work, no later than 15.00 Friday 29th June.   

Please note that the NACD reserve the right not to accept any or all of the tenders.

Contract papers are available on the NACD website or from the office and potential bidders should be satisfied with the terms and conditions.

Please mark your envelope Ten/ESL/2007. 

Tenders should be returned to:
Dr Justine Horgan
NACD
3rd Floor, Shelbourne House
Shelbourne Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Tel No: +353 1 667 0760/765;  Fax No: +353 1 667 0828;

Email: info@nacd.ie  Web: www.nacd.ie

Electronic Tender Submissions will not be accepted.

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