Drugsfutures
Sciencewise-ERC funded project 2006-2008
Background
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 (BSAD). Find out more about the project background.
Aims and Objectives
- 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.
Delivered By
Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS)
The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) is the independent body in the UK representing the whole spectrum of medical science.
Department of Health
The Department of Health (DH) is the government department responsible for public health issues, and was responsible for the commissioning of the project.
Office for Public Management (OPM)
The project contractor, OPM is an independent centre for the development of public services and provides consultancy, research and leadership development.
Shared Practice
Shared Practice is an interdisciplinary practice, that was responsible for the evaluation of this project.
Latest Status Updates
This project is now complete. Find out more to the right.
Find Out More
Key Impacts
- Directly influenced and improved the final AMS BSAD report.
- One of the public priorities, on the need for research into addiction as a disease, was picked up by the AMS, and new funding of £8 million has been made available from the Medical Research Council to do that research.
- In July 2009, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (Home Office) launched detailed review of the safety and regulation of cognition enhancers, which was raised as a research priority by public participants in this project.
- Integration of discussions between experts and public participants meant that participants’ views were valued.
Resources
- “Brain Science, addiction and drugs”, May 2008
- “Drugsfutures Public engagement on the future of brain science, addiction and drugs”, May 2007
- Drugsfutures Evaluation Summary
- Drugsfutures Evaluation Report
- Drugsfutures Evaluation Report Annexes
- “Brain Science, addiction and drugs. Report synopsis”, May 2008
- Drugsfutures Case Study
Project Quotes
“Our work has been influenced because we listened to and we learned from what was being said. We took into account the strength of feeling and the emotional weighting in the public mind.”Policy maker
“I think I look at things from a different perspective now.”Glasgow interviewee
“It is important to look into the future; we need to know what participants' views and priorities are before decisions are made.”Sir Gabriel Horn, AMS Working Group Chair