Drugs Research and Policy: a UK example

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Drugs Research and Policy a UK example

• Dr Sara Skodbo, Crime and Drugs Analysis and
  Research (CDAR) Home Office. Brussels 24th
  September 2009

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Evidence based policy-making

• '...effective policy making must be a learning
  process which involves finding out from
  experience what works and what does not and
  making sure that others can learn from it too.
  This means that new policies must have evaluation
  of their effectiveness built into them from the
  start ...'(http//www.nationalschool.gov.uk/polic
  yhub/docs/profpolicymaking.pdf)

• Professional skills for government
  (http//www.civilservice.gov.uk/people/psg/PSG-fra
  mework.aspx)

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Science in government

• 5 main groupings of government scientists
• Social Research
• Economics
• Operational Research
• Statistics
• Scientists and Engineers
• Science is embedded within government
  departments/agencies.

• Relevant websites
• Government Social Researchers (GSR)
  http//www.civilservice.gov.uk/networks/profession
  al/gsr/index.aspx
• Government Economic Service (GES)
  http//www.civilservice.gov.uk/networks/profession
  al/ges/index.aspx
• Government Operational Researcher Service (GORS)
  http//www.operational-research.gov.uk/recruitment
  /
• Government Statistical Service http//www.ons.gov.
  uk/jobs/current-vacancies/government-statistical-s
  ervice-recruitment/index.html
• Science in government http//www.dius.gov.uk/offic
  e_for_science

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Research is central to (drugs) policy-making
Supporting policy-makers in developing goals.
Gathering evidence and reviewing what we know.
Developing assessing options reviewing what
works.
Develop and manage evaluation and identify policy
implications
E.g., Drug Interventions Programme (DIP)
evidence has been central to development before
and during the programme.
Providing advice to support monitoring and
evaluation.
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The drugs policy and research world some key
players
Government Departments - Whitehall
The Regional Information Working Group (RIWG)
UK Devolved administrations and regional
partners.
British and Irish Council
The Council of Europe Pompidou Group
EC/The European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and
Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
United Nations
Academic researchers, NGOs and other
research/stakeholder organisations
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Context Drug Strategy 2008

• 10-year strategy.
• Includes a broad review of the evidence.
• 3-year Action Plan 2008-11.
• Action 82 Improve the drugs evidence base.
• Develop a cross- government research plan,
  aligned to the developing international evidence
  base.

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Cross Government Research Programme on Drugs
(CGRPD)

• Established in 2008.
• Two bodies
• Strategic Board.
• Delivery Group.
• Objective
• Provide the foundation, direction and guidance
  for collaboration within government, and between
  government and other stakeholders, in the
  development of a robust scientific evidence base
  for the government drug policy in the short and
  long term.

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Cross Government Research Programme on Drugs
(CGRPD)

• Outputs
• CGRPD Research Strategy.
• Research overview.
• Assessment of research against policy
  commitments.
• Forum for x-govt discussion of research needs
  with research councils and others.
• Strategic Board meetings (3/yr).
• Delivery Group meetings (ad hoc).
• Development of consensus on priorities.
• Provides review function for research
  commitments.
• Annual refresh of research strategy.
• Consultation.
• Reports to Ministers via Drug Strategy Group.

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CGRPD and the Drugs Policy and Research field
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CGRPD early results

• Research strategy agreed.
• Early Benefits
• Alignment of research priorities with
  departments commitments under the 2008 drug
  strategy.
• Identifying gaps, facilitating horizon scanning.
• Maximising dialogue between research councils and
  government.
• Shared view of key priorities in the face of
  future challenges.
• Provides an outward facing account for
  stakeholders, research community and others.
• Note Departments/research councils control of
  budgets and research programmes is unaffected.

• Overarching drug strategy commitments
• Protecting communities through robust enforcement
  to tackle drug supply, drug-related crime and
  anti-social behaviour.
• Preventing harm to children, young people and
  families affected by drug misuse.
• Delivering new approaches to drug treatment and
  social re-integration.
• Public information campaigns, communications and
  community engagement.

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Thank you

• Contacts for project
• Robert Street, Programme Director, Crime and
  Drugs Analysis and Research (CDAR)
  (Robert.Street_at_homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk)
• Sara Skodbo, Head of Drugs Research, CDAR
  (Sara.Skodbo_at_homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk)
• Crime and Policing Group, Home Office, 2 Marsham
  St, London SW1P 4DF
• www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds

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Exam Questions

• Q What works particularly well?
• A Communication.
• Q What are the main obstacles, if any?
• A Few. Changing silo-ed aspects of our thinking.
• Q How could other localities, regions or
  countries benefit from this practice?
• A Provides a useful model for complex field
• Q Are you involved in cross-border research
  cooperation? European research?
• A Yes Focal Point are important here also
  research councils for academic community. CGRPD
  will support appropriate government research
  engagement with European research.