Following on from a pilot project in Easington in 2007/08 DISC received funding from the Northern Rock Foundation to carry our research into the Links between Substance Misuse and Domestic Violence across County Durham.  The project has been funded for 2 years, 2008-2010 and split into 2 parts.  In year one DISC have seconded a researcher from the Home Office to carry out research with service users who misuse substances and suffer from domestic abuse, asking them about their experience of services. 

Focus groups of staff will also be asked about their understanding of the links, and experience of working with this dual issue.  The second year will be development work, looking at recommendations from the analysis of the research.  It is hoped that from this work data collection will be improved, a county wide practice development group of all professionals will be set up, staff will be more aware of the links between the two issues from training that has been developed with the help of the Stella Project in London.  The research report will be published in November 2009 

Referrals

• Over 18 years.
• Living in Co Durham
• Illicit drug users, drug users on substitute medication and alcohol misusers who also suffer from Domestic Violence
• In need of support across a range of identified issues