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Drugsfutures
Method(s) Used
Name of person who posted the project:Dominic Potter Unknown macro: {rate}
Location of project:United Kingdom
Date when the project started:2006
Date when the project ended/project ongoing:2007
Background to project:In 2006, the Academy of Medical Sciences was invited by the Government to undertake an independent review of the societal, health, safety and environmental issues raised by scientific advances in brain science, addiction and drugs. The Academy convened an expert working group to take this study forward and drugsfutures was commissioned as part of this extensive consultation so that the final recommendations could be informed by both scientific evidence and public concerns and aspirations.. Purpose of project:The aims of the project were to:. *Provide opportunities for the public to discuss issues related to brain science, addiction and drugs *Identify areas of consensus, disagreement or uncertainty on a broad range of issues, and explore initial views and changes in opinion *Inform the final recommendations made by the working group for public policy and research needs. . Project activities:Drugsfutures engaged a broad cross-section of the public, including young people, drug users, and older adults (who are often excluded from debates on these topics). The project covered three categories of substance: ?recreational? drugs; medicines for mental health; and cognition enhancers.. In addition to an online consultation, face-to-face activities included: *Brainbox ? a reconvened deliberative workshop with sessions at the start and end of the project *Five regional one-day workshops on drugs and the law, young people, society, drugs for a smarter brain, and for mental health *Smaller outreach meetings with specific groups, e.g. teachers, students, ex-users, and carers *Workshops with hard-to-reach groups involved in previous engagement projects. Project results:Members of the Academy working group were able to hear participants? views at first hand and use what they heard to shape their thinking and final conclusions.. Drugsfutures provided the Academy with further experience of how to incorporate engagement into a working group process. . Integrating the expert and public discussions ensured that there was a ?home? for the drugsfutures findings and meant that participants? views were valued. . Contact details:Project Manager:Dr Robert Frost, Academy of Medical Sciences Email: Robert.frost@acmedsci.ac.uk Tel: 020 7969 5284 . Project Manager: Diane Beddoes, Office for Public Management Email: DBeddoes@opm.co.uk Tel: 020 7239 7841 . Web: http://www.drugsfutures.org.uk/  Project report: available at www.acmedsci.ac.uk . |
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