Industry News – W/C 05/06/2023
THE MAT Standards Podcast
Tracey Clusker, Nurse Consultant working with Public Health Scotland, supports Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and is part of the team supporting the implementation of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards across Scotland. In this series of podcasts on the Standards, Tracey explains what these are and why they were developed. Listen here.
The Conversation: How getting into nature can help people with drug and alcohol problems
This article, recently published in The Conversation, explores the potential of nature-based interventions for people with drug and alcohol problems. The authors explore ideas of greenspace, social prescribing, public health and harm reduction. Access here.
Addictions Edited Podcast: Developing a medication-based intervention for people who use benzodiazepines
In this podcast, Rob Calder from the SSA talks to Dr Karen Berry from the University of Stirling about the latest research into treatment for people who use benzodiazepines and how this group of drugs is implicated in the record number of drug deaths in Scotland. Access here.
New research into non-fatal overdose pathways
We know that people who have a non (or near) fatal overdose are much more likely to have a subsequent fatal overdose. Many areas have developed non-fatal overdose (NFOD) pathways as part of their response to reduce drug-related deaths in Scotland. Initial feedback suggests these have supported significant numbers of people into a range of harm-reduction, treatment, and support services. There is a need to generate more evidence on the utilisation of, and outcomes from, NFOD pathways to inform ongoing developments to reduce risk of harm and death to some of the most vulnerable people who use drugs.
DRNS are establishing a small group of people interested in collaborating on the design and delivery of NFOD pathway research. We are especially interested in hearing from people involved in existing local pathways and initiatives who would like to be involved in a wider, national project of research and evaluation.
If you are interested in finding out more, or getting involved, please email joe.schofield@stir.ac.uk, or if you are a DRNS member, join the discussion on the membership portal here.
NHS Addictions Provider Alliance: Annual conference
The NHS Addictions Provider Alliance annual conference, Living the Stigma: Understanding addiction & overcoming prejudice will be taking place virtually on the 28th November 2023. The event will aim to spotlight the impact of stigma against people who experience addiction and offer strategies for overcoming it through education and policy change. You can find out more information and register for the session here.
MSc: Applied Social Research
Edinburgh Napier University are currently accepting applications for their September 2023 cohort of the MSc Applied Social Research course. The course aims to develop:
- A critical awareness of the economic, socio-cultural and political contexts that influence practice of social research in various fields;
- An ability to find and use reliable data for an interdisciplinary and critically informed discussion on a range of contemporary issues and social policies that impact on individuals and groups;
- An ability to critically evaluate and assess evidence, impact & outcomes;
- An ability to reflect on the real-life implications of social research designs;
- An ability to apply social research principles and skills in real-life settings.
Further information and application details can be accessed here.
RCPE: Drug Deaths Digital Hub
The Royal of Physicians of Edinburgh have launched their digital drug deaths hub helping to expand its educational offering. RCPE is contributing to ongoing work to tackle the problem of drug deaths in Scotland. This digital hub introduces work, and provides resources and further information for clinicians and allied health professionals working in this area. The digital hub is open access and is free to anyone who wishes to use it. Access the hub here.
The influence of caregiver relationships on stigma towards people who use drugs study
A Masters student at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is seeking study participants for their thesis investigating the shaping of stigma towards people who use drugs in caregiver relationships. The study is also aiming to develop an intervention that can enable policy processes to support evidence-based public health interventions to reduce stigma and health inequities for people who use drugs.
To take part you must be 18 years or over, have lived in the UK for the last year, and be between the ages of 18 and 30 and/or be a current or previous primary caregiver. You will be invited to participate in an interview as part of the research process. Sign up to take part here.
