Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce funds Psychology research into reducing the risk of drug overdose

Part of an allocation of £1 million research fund, this successful bid will ensure that the Scottish Government, the Taskforce and other partners have access to the best available evidence on how to further understand and act to reduce drug related harms.

Designing a Behaviour Change Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Overdose

The project titled Designing a Behaviour Change Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Overdose started August 2020 and it will run over the next 18 months.

Amy Malaguti, PhD student says, "Scotland has one of the highest drug-related deaths rates in Europe. This funding reinforces the Scottish Government’s commitment to reducing the burden of drug-related deaths and harms."

Amy continues, "The research team are thrilled to have the opportunity to develop a behaviour change intervention which aims to reduce the risk of drug overdose among people who use drugs. This is a new direction of research for the Psychology Department at the University of Dundee: the project will help strengthen the ties between the University, the NHS and third sector and we hope it will make a positive difference to peoples’ lives."

Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce

Professor Catriona Matheson, Chair of the Taskforce says "Scotland’s challenge is unique and multi-faceted. In our early assessment of evidence to support our work, it was clear there are gaps. This research fund will fill those gaps whilst we progress other actions where the evidence is already established. Gaining further insight what could contribute towards tackling Scotland’s challenge is vital. These research programmes will further enable the Taskforce in its mission to get evidence into action and save lives."

A full list of all of the successful bids, including the one from the University of Dundee now being progressed, is available on the Scottish Drug Deaths Taskforce website.

About Psychology research at the University of Dundee

Psychology research tackles fundamental questions of human mind and behaviour, including groundbreaking research exploring the human capacity for language, higher-level thought, self-regulation, and social connection.

Taking a lifespan perspective, and answering questions at neural, behavioural and societal level, we aim to advance our understanding of human beings in context.