Research into the use of ‘Monkey Dust’ in Stoke-on-Trent
Author: Sophia Fedorowicz, Research and Evaluations, Expert Citizens
Research into the use of the psychoactive substance known as Monkey Dust in Stoke-on-Trent
Building on previous research collaborations dating back to 2016, Expert Citizens and the Centre for Health and Development (CHAD) at Staffordshire University have partnered again to carry out research to better understand Monkey Dust use and the support available for people using Monkey Dust in Stoke-on-Trent. The six-month project is being funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and aims to improve understanding of how and why Monkey Dust is used in Stoke-on-Trent, and its impact on the individual, family, and wider community. This knowledge will equip services and stakeholders to support people experiencing issues connected to Monkey Dust.
Expert Citizens will take the lead in working with peer researchers with experiences of drug use and addiction to interview people with direct experience of using Monkey Dust. This lived experience involvement is crucial to the successful understanding of the role Monkey Dust plays in people’s lives, the challenges faced by people using Monkey Dust when accessing services, and what solutions are needed to tackle these challenges.
CHAD will take the lead in speaking to people from communities affected by Monkey Dust use, and stakeholders from across the city to understand their views about impact and solutions to issues they are experiencing connected to Monkey Dust.
These two work streams will be pulled together to produce a report with co-created solutions and recommendations and will inform the development of training that will be made available through the Expert Citizens INSIGHT Academy. We will also create a short video and plain language summary to share the research findings and recommendations more widely.
For more information about the project, you can contact:
Fiona McCormack
Research Officer for the Centre for Health and Development
Staffordshire University
Sophia Fedorowicz
Research and Evaluations for Expert Citizens
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