NIHR Funds Evaluation of DSM Foundation’s Universal Drug Education Programme
London, UK – The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded funding for an innovation project aimed at reducing drug use among young people. One of the four projects funded is the evaluation of the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation’s (DSM Foundation) universal drug education programme.
Led by Betsy Thom, Professor of Health Policy at Middlesex University, the research team will evaluate the effectiveness of the programme targeting 13-15 year-olds. The DSM Foundation’s founder and director, Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, will oversee the delivery of the programme from January to March 2025. The programme includes teacher training, a video, parent workshops, student workshops, and lesson materials.
The Middlesex team, part of the Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, comprises experts from various disciplines including criminology and psychology. They will adopt a “whole school” and “whole community” approach in their evaluation, recognizing that schools alone cannot address drug demand among young adolescents. The team will also collaborate with health economists from Bangor University to analyze the costs and benefits of the programme.
According to Professor Thom, the evaluation aims to determine the programme’s effectiveness in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to avoid drug use. “We are adopting a ‘whole school’ approach, acknowledging the importance of involving parents and other community stakeholders in reducing drug demand among young people,” she says.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs of the DSM Foundation expresses delight in receiving government funding to evaluate their programme. “As a drug education charity, it is crucial for us to not only provide evidence-based education but also to understand the impact it has on young people. We are committed to supporting young people in making safer choices about drugs,” she says.
The DSM Foundation was established in 2014 after the accidental death of 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs from an ecstasy overdose. The foundation’s vision is to provide young people with up-to-date and evidence-based information about drugs to make informed decisions for their safety. With over 750 schools, colleges, and community organizations across England and Scotland, the foundation also offers workshops for parents and caregivers and training for school staff. Schools can access free age-appropriate drug education resources on their website.
For more information about the DSM Foundation, visit https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/. Media inquiries can be directed to media@dsmfoundation.org.uk.
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