Interactions Between People Who Use Drugs and the Police: Experiences and Impacts (INTERPRET) - APP9112

There are great harms to individuals and costs to society associated with illegal drugs. In 2021, there was the highest number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales since records began, and the Government estimates that drug misuse costs the UK almost £20 billion a year. Heroin and cocaine are amongst the most harmful illegal drugs, and those using these substances often interact with the police.

Currently ongoing research suggests that when people who use drugs (PWUD) interact with the police, it can profoundly shape their wellbeing. These interactions also use up a great deal of police resources. However, we know very little about the frequency, nature and impacts of these interactions.

Some previous research has tried to understand what these interactions are like, but this has relied on talking only to police officers. There is no up-to-date UK-based research about these interactions from the perspectives of PWUD. It is particularly important to understand this now due to the large number of drug-related deaths in the UK and the increased funding the Government is spending on new policing and public health initiatives to address this.

Understanding interactions between PWUD and the police could reveal ways to improve the lives of PWUD, make the work of the police easier, and ensure public health initiatives have the best chance of success.

This study (INTERPRET - Interactions between People Who Use Drugs and the Police: Experiences and Impacts) aims to understand how often PWUD interact with the police, the impacts of these interactions on the lives of PWUD, and how to improve things for both PWUD and the police. INTERPRET will do this by focusing on people living and working in Middlesbrough because: a) the town has very high levels of drug-related deaths; b) it is one of the sites of a recent major initiative to try and improve the lives of PWUD; and c) the INTERPRET research team will be able to draw upon the existing contacts and recruitment methods established through currently ongoing research, meaning there is a very high chance that the study can be delivered.

INTERPRET has four stages. The first stage will be a review of the research on this subject to synthesis the current evidence. The second stage will involve collecting information from people living and working in Middlesbrough.

This will include: a) interviews with 60 PWUD, focused on their views about their interactions with the police; b) interviews with 20 police officers and PCSOs who regularly interact with PWUD; c) group interviews with professionals working with PWUD in Middlesbrough, including treatment practitioners, health professionals, and housing and employment professionals; and d) 20 hours of shadowing police officers and professionals who work with PWUD in Middlesbrough to observe interactions between PWUD and the police. The third stage will use routinely-collected police data to determine the frequency and outcomes of interactions between PWUD and the police.

The fourth stage will involve sharing the study findings with the police, relevant professionals, and people with lived experience of drug use. Through discussions with these stakeholders, recommendations on how to improve interactions between PWUD and the police will be developed. The study findings and these recommendations will be shared in research articles and conferences, and be presented to people responsible for implementing the Government's policies on drugs and policing.