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The health of people who inject illicit drugs, the formulation of harm-reduction policies, and the work of associated businesses and social enterprises have all benefited from the University's laboratory and practice research into the safety and efficacy of materials and equipment used in needle-exchange programmes. The research has informed the development of safer acids for injection preparation, safer injecting paraphernalia (e.g., spoons and filters) and an information film which has been distributed from needle exchanges on DVD and viewed over 50,000 times online. The research has led to enhanced support and protection for injecting drug misusers, and to advances in harm reduction in the UK, France and Canada.
Researchers within the University of Cumbria Centre for Regional Economic Development (CRED) have published work on themes relevant to local economic policy across the UK. The research has focused in particular on the ways in which local and regional policymakers can influence growth processes in local economies; both directly through public sector procurement, and indirectly by providing advice and support to small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). This research has been funded by public sector bodies specifically to inform their strategies, and to provide a basis for local economic policies. The findings have impacted upon the procurement practices of local authorities by drawing attention to the barriers to SME involvement in public contracts. Research on the nuclear supply chain has also influenced the Business Plan of the Cumbria Local Economic Partnership (LEP), and has been used in evidence to the Public Accounts Committee, UK Parliament.
University of Dundee-led research has changed the international approach to illicit drug deaths. Though reducing deaths was a national priority, no systematic research into Scottish deaths had previously occurred. Highlighting the heterogeneity of the deceased, Dundee researchers identified deficits in care processes and multi-agency data sharing, making recommendations regarding monitoring. This directly influenced government response, introducing a standardised mandatory annual review process, enhancing understanding of drug death in Scotland and facilitating targeted prevention approaches. This, and subsequent Dundee-led research, now informs strategy development in the UK via the national programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (np-SAD) and the European Union (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction; EMCDDA).
The emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in Europe over the last decade (including performance and image enhancing drugs), poses challenges to policy makers. These are substances which are frequently not controlled under law, and governments have struggled to address potential societal and health harms of use. We have analysed this drugs market, described the potential health harms of NPS, and generated evidence on effective intervention responses for some of these. Our findings have provided the necessary evidence to support the development of robust, responsive and predictive policy making at both national and international levels.
The research reported here has influenced the Scottish Government's Hepatitis C Action Plans and led to changes in practice in services providing sterile injecting equipment to people who inject drugs (PWID) in Scotland and to reductions in risk behaviours for hepatitis C infection among this population. Specifically, there has been an increase in the availability and uptake of sterile equipment used to prepare and inject drugs and a reduction in sharing of such equipment by PWID. More recent research is beginning to indicate that the changes in Government policy and practice are helping to reduce recent (incident) hepatitis C infections among PWID.
Bovaird's cross-national research has demonstrated that the co-production of public services is a feasible and effective alternative to traditional, professionally-dominated approaches to service delivery. His close engagement with government at all levels in the UK, as well as the EU, has enabled Bovaird to place co-production firmly on the policy agenda and assist organisations to implement new practices. His research shows policy makers that co-production has the potential to address the problem of managing increasing demand for public services in a context of austerity. It has inspired dialogue amongst policy-makers and practitioners internationally, shaped their awareness of co-production's contribution to public service quality and efficiency, influenced government policy, and changed practice in a variety of local public service agencies.