Uni tackles drug death research
Experts from the University of Stirling have launched five interdisciplinary research projects to address drugrelated harms and deaths in Scotland.
The studies – which have received almost £380,000 in Scottish Government funding – will feed into the work of the Drug Deaths Taskforce, set up last year to tackle rising numbers of drug deaths.
Researchers from the University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, Faculty of Social Sciences and the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit (NMAHPRU) will work alongside experts from other universities, the Scottish Ambulance Service, health boards, charities and consultancies as part of the programme of work.
The Stirling-led studies are among 10 projects – totalling almost £800,000 – announced by the Scottish Government, to inform the work of the taskforce.
Taskforce chairperson, Professor Catriona Matheson of Stirling University, said: “Scotland’s challenge is unique and multi-faceted.
“In our early assessment of evidence to support our work, it was clear there are gaps.
“This research fund will fill those gaps whilst we progress other actions where the evidence is already established.
“Gaining further insight on what could contribute towards tackling Scotland’s challenge is vital.
“These research programmes will further enable the taskforce in its mission to get evidence into action and save lives.”
The five projects are: Ambulance call-outs to drug overdoses in Scotland: Patterns and practice - led by Professor Niamh Fitzgerald, of the Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH);
Understanding the role and potential of primary care in the prevention of drug deaths post COVID-19 - led by Professor Anne Whittaker of the NMAHP-RU at Stirling and Dr Aileen O’gorman of the University of the West of Scotland;
Exploring the utility and safety of benzodiazepine prescribing among people receiving opiate replacement therapy in Scotland - led by Joe Schofield of the Faculty of Social
Sciences at Stirling;
Feasibility and acceptability of an overdose prevention intervention delivered by community pharmacies for patients prescribed opioids for noncancer pain - led by Dr Rebecca Foster of the Faculty of Social Sciences;
Perceptions and attitudes of strategic decision-makers and affected families across Scotland towards Drug Consumption Rooms to prevent drugrelated deaths - led by Dr Foster.