Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG64/3

Question

Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of drug misuse prevention interventions for groups vulnerable to drug misuse:- What is the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of drug misuse prevention interventions for groups vulnerable to drug misuse in the UK?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- We identified limited evidence of effectiveness or cost effectiveness of interventions for groups vulnerable to drug misuse in the UK. In particular, no evidence was identified on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of drug misuse prevention interventions for people involved in commercial sex work or who are being sexually exploited, people not in employment, education or training, and people who attend nightclubs and festivals.

Most of the evidence identified comes from studies in the US. Furthermore, it was unclear which components of interventions were essential for effectiveness and cost effectiveness.

The differential effect of interventions on groups at risk needs to be established, particularly for people with multiple vulnerabilities. The accuracy of tools for assessing vulnerability to drug misuse also needs to be determined. Interventions of interest include one-to-one skills training, information and advice as part of planned outreach activities, and wider behaviour change strategies. It is also important to know whether the effectiveness of interventions is affected by the content and framing of the message, the mode of delivery, where the intervention is delivered and the intended recipient of the intervention.

Primary outcomes of interest include a direct measure of drug use. Longer term outcomes (longer than 1 year) from longitudinal studies are needed. Research on location-based interventions, for example at nightclubs or festivals, would provide prevention data for hard-to-reach groups and those who do not access existing services. Research could also consider prevention in people with multiple vulnerabilities and the use of new psychoactive substances.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Drug misuse prevention: targeted interventions

Number

NG64

Date issued

February 2017

Other details