Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Friday, March 9, 2007


SCOTTISH ALCOHOL RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
(Full Report)



Introduction

Ministers are placing increasing priority on the alcohol harm reduction agenda, and on developing interventions which are informed by a strong evidence base. There is a considerable body of UK and international research on the extent and nature of alcohol problems and the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions. At present, new alcohol-related research in Scotland might be commissioned by a wide range of bodies including the Executive, Information Services Division (ISD), Health Scotland and Alcohol Focus Scotland. This has the potential for overlap or omission. To date there has been no systematic process for feeding the developing evidence base into policy and for identifying gaps. The Alcohol Evidence Group was established in 2006 to oversee the development of a co-ordinated alcohol evidence base in which existing research (from Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally) is consolidated and gaps identified, and the development and implementation of Executive policy on alcohol-related health, criminal justice and wider social issues is supported by research by agreed parties.

Membership of the Group is given below.

The following framework, which has been compiled by NHS Health Scotland with advice from the Alcohol Evidence Group, meets a commitment in the Executive’s Updated Plan for Action on alcohol problems, published in February. It builds upon previous work to review gaps in research knowledge undertaken by NHS Health Scotland in 2002/03.

The framework sets out existing and planned work, together with priority areas for new research should budgets allow. It identifies research to directly support policy development. The Executive recognises that individuals and organisations will have other priorities and will wish to undertake research in other areas.

NHS Health Scotland undertook a scoping of the research literature in Scotland identifying current research and research gaps which informed the development of the framework. The literature review and a summary of current research and research gaps are also being circulated for information, and are available online at http://www.alcoholinformation.isdscotland.org

The Executive is seeking your comments on the framework, in particular whether you aware of any current or planned work in the areas identified for new research? In addition, organisations are invited to express an interest in the collaborative funding of projects identified in this
framework.

Comments should be emailed to alcoholenquiries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk by 12 April 2007.

If you would like to discuss the framework in more detail please call Lindsay Liddle (0131 244 2107) or Iain MacAllister (0131 244 3473).

Alcohol Evidence Group membership:

Deborah Smith Head of Alcohol and Drugs Misuse, Scottish Executive Health Department (Chair)

Sally Haw Principal Public Health Advisor, NHS Health Scotland

Laurence Gruer Director of Public Health Science, NHS Health Scotland

Steve Pavis Assistant Head of Group, Epidemiology and Statistics, ISD, NHS National Services Scotland

Lesley Graham Associate Specialist (Public Health), ISD, NHS National Services Scotland

Jack Law Chief Executive, Alcohol Focus Scotland

Kerry McKenzie Public Health Adviser, NHS Health Scotland

Maggie Watts Vice Chair, Scottish Association of Drug and Alcohol Action Teams

Peter Rice Consultant Psychiatrist, Tayside Alcohol Problems Service

Karen MacNee Senior Principal Researcher, Analytical Services, Scottish Executive Health Department

Iain MacAllister Principal Researcher, Alcohol and Drugs Misuse, Scottish Executive Health Department

Donna MacKinnon Senior Researcher, Analytical Services, Scottish Executive Justice Department

Lindsay Liddle Alcohol and Drugs Misuse, Scottish Executive Health Department

Denise Coia Psychiatric Adviser, Scottish Executive Health Department

Peter Craig Research Manager, Scottish Executive Chief Scientist Office

Beatrice Cant Scottish Executive Chief Scientist Office

David Pattison Health Promotion Adviser, Scottish Executive Health Department
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