DrugScope is the UK’s leading independent centre of information and expertise on drugs. Our aim is to inform policy development and reduce drug-related harms – to individuals, families and communities.
We provide quality drug information, promote effective responses to drug use, undertake research, advise on policy-making and good practice, encourage informed debate (particularly in the media) and speak for our members working in drug treatment, education and prevention and other areas.
DrugScope is a charity supported by a variety of organisations, including Government, trusts and sponsors. We rely on donations and grants to support our vital work.
DrugScope – quality, expertise, effectiveness, independence
Providing reliable information
DrugScope provides authoritative and reliable information on all aspects of drugs, drug use and the harms they cause. We support the work of our members by providing information on the latest developments in policy, research and good practice. We publish DrugLink, a bi-monthly magazine, a monthly Members Briefing and regularly update the information and resources on this website.
Drugs workers and members of the public have access to our Information Service, which draws on a unique resource of over 100,000 journals, guides and reports. Our library can be visited by appointment. This website regularly receives over 300,000 page views a month.
Resources available on this website include our unique online directory of local treatment and other drugs services, Helpfinder.
Promoting effective responses to drug use
DrugScope strives to ensure that responses to drug use – across treatment, prevention and education services and the criminal justice system – are high quality and based on evidence of what works. Working with our members we develop and promote quality standards, policy frameworks and good practice for specialist and general agencies involved in drugs issues.
DrugScope is a partner, with the University of Glasgow, for STRADA (SCOTTISH Training on Drugs and Alcohol). STRADA is a national training organisation for Scotland funded by the Scottish executive.
DrugScope provides support for a number of professional
fora, including the Drug Education Practitioners Forum and a Parenting Forum for people working with parents misusing drugs or alcohol.
Supporting informed policy-making and debate
DrugScope draws on the knowledge and expertise of our membership and our own expertise to inform policy makers on drug-related issues. We maintain close links with government officials, parliamentarians from all parties and the media to promote an informed debate and approach to tackling the harms that drugs cause. DrugScope provides secretarial support to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Misuse.
DrugScope is often approached by journalists and TV and radio producers for authoritative information and research about drugs. We regularly comment on drugs issues in the media: seeking to inform debate, raise awareness of the issues and highlight sources of help and information for problem drugs users and their families.
Drug prevention and education
DrugScope supports and develops national quality standards and best practice for drug prevention and education. In 2006 we published, in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), guidance for police forces working with schools. We also published, in partnership with the national Youth Agency, new guidance on drug education and prevention in youth (out of school) settings.
D-world is DrugScope’s award winning website for young people (particularly 11-14 year olds).
DrugScope is a registered and independent charity in the UK, number 255030, and a registered company limited by guarantee in England, number 926236.
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