Research Collaboration Between Wigan Council and IPEG, University of Manchester
Wigan Council has started a programme of activities to tackle drug and alcohol problems on one of its estates based on the idea that existing treatments that prescribe methadone and other substitutes do not work effectively, failing to change lifestyles and criminal behaviour as well as reduce drug use. The idea behind the Trees estate intervention is to provide an intensive level of support from a dedicated staff team. The programme includes diversionary activities, such as sports, training, and health care.
The project is a design experiment, involving interactions between the researchers and the policy-makers, where both redesign the project on the basis of the evidence collected. The 20 people in the programme are matched by another 20 in a non-treatment groups who receive standard services. In addition, there are variations in the treatment received by individuals, which are being recorded and used in the analysis. The project seeks to measure the impact of the intervention by three-monthly observations of the progress of the both the people in the programme and in the comparison group. There are face-to face-interviews in order to fill in a standard questionnaire, which create the time points from which to measure outcomes. In addition we are carrying out a series of observations and interviews to provide complementary qualitative information.
Project investigators
The research project is being guided by an advisory group which meets every six months. Chaired by Professor Gerry Stoker, the group is comprised of the research team, representatives from Wigan, experts and regional stakeholders.