Drug contracts on the rise


CONTRACT-LIKE AGREEMENTS between drug users and drug treatment providers are widely used within drug treatment services in England, says a new study. These agreements typically set out what is expected of the service users (eg, attendance, participation, providing samples for drug testing etc) and what the service will provide in return.


“One of the abiding challenges for drug treatment services is how to engage drug users effectively”, says researcher Professor Toby Seddon. “Findings show that the novel practice of contractual governance may have


considerable potential but does raise important issues concerning justice and rights, for example, what a ‘breach’ of an agreement may consist of and the response to this breach. Clearly this important area of emerging practice raises significant theoretical and policy questions.” n


i Contact Professor Toby Seddon,


University of Manchester Email toby.seddon@manchester.ac.uk Telephone 0161 306 6549 ESRC Grant Number RES-062-23-3039


Lap-dancing clubs ‘sexist’ but not a nuisance


LAP-DANCING CLUBS tend to raise public concerns about crime and disorder only when they are situated too near people’s own homes or local schools, according to a new study of lap- dance and striptease clubs in England and Wales. Research shows that many residents consider lap-dance clubs ‘lower the tone’ of neighbourhoods, but do not find clubs located in town centres inappropriate. Only one in ten respondents felt there is no suitable location for lap-dancing clubs. The research found that women,


people over the age of 40, those who have lived in their current home for over five years and those with children are most likely to argue there are too many lap-dance clubs in their town. “Opposition to lap-dancing venues appears mainly based on perceptions that clubs normalise sexism and promote anti-social behaviour rather than any direct experience of crime”, says researcher Professor Phil Hubbard.


“But our study did not uncover evidence that these clubs cause more nuisance or crime than other night-time venues.” Not all clubs were perceived to have similar impacts on their locality. Some clubs were judged to be better managed and less likely to be lowering the tone, primarily based on their external appearance. Those viewed as ‘sexualising’ the street are most likely to cause offence, and create fear among those already fearful of the city at night”, says co-researcher Dr Rachela Colosi. The findings have already been used as evidence in licensing hearings where local councillors have been attempting to balance the concerns of local residents with the rights of licensees and business managers. n


i Contact Professor Phil Hubbard,


University of Kent Email p.hubbard@kent.ac.uk Telephone 01634 888872 ESRC Grant Number ES/J002755/1


IN BRIEF ONLINE FUNDRAISING


In collaboration with the fundraising website, JustGiving, researchers will develop an understanding of what motivates individual fundraisers and donors, and what determines how much money is raised for charity. The project will integrate the results of a survey of JustGiving users together with transactional data on fundraising and sponsorships. This rich dataset will allow researchers to address both practical and policy- focused questions. ESRC grant number ES/K007904/1


SEXUAL HEALTH A collaboration between researchers and the young people’s sexual health charity, Brook, aims to explore new and creative ways of using research to inform evidence-based practice in youth sexual health service delivery. The project will focus on developing ‘sex-positive’ approaches to young people’s sexual health and creating a training programme and resources for practitioners. ESRC grant number: ES/K005421/1


ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY As people live longer there is a need to find new ways to support them to live and age as well as possible. The AAL-WELL project aims to explore how a new type of technology – Ambient Assistive Living (AAL) technology – can be used to promote active and healthy ageing. Researchers will work with older adults in three countries and test AAL technologies in people’s homes. ESRC grant number ES/K011138/1


SUMMER 2011 SOCIETY NOW 5 AUTUMN 2013


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