HRB - Research contract to develop monitoring framework for the implementation of the Health Diversion Scheme (drugs policy)

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The HRB is a State Agency under auspices of the Department of Health, the remit of the agency is to support and fund health and social care research and provide evidence to inform policy and practice. , we are motivated and inspired by our vision – better health through excellent research, data, and evidence. The HRB’s mission is to support research that improves people’s health, promotes evidence-informed care and creates solutions to societal challenges. An overview of the HRB’s objectives and activities may be found in HRB Strategy 2021-2025: Health research – making an impact (https://www.hrb.ie/strategy-2025/). 1. Background 1.1 The Programme for Government ‘Securing Ireland’s Future’ commits to divert those in possession of drugs for personal use to health services. 2. What is the health diversion scheme? 2.1 The health diversion scheme will offer compassion, rather than punishment, to people who use drugs, irrespective of what drugs they may be. Under the health diversion scheme, An Garda Síochána will divert a person found in possession of drugs for personal use to the HSE for a health screening and brief intervention (SAOR). The scheme will connect people who use drugs with health services and provide a pathway to recovery, avoiding a criminal conviction. 2.2 There are two stages in the health led approach whereby a person in possession of drugs determined by An Garda Síochána to be for personal use; • On the first occasion they would be referred by An Garda Síochána to the HSE for a SAOR health screening and brief intervention. • On the second occasion, An Garda Síochána would have discretion to make a further referral for a SAOR health screening and brief intervention, or would have discretion to issue an adult caution, if applicable. • On any subsequent arrests for possession of drugs for personal use a person would progress through the criminal justice system. • 2.3 Following the person’s attendance, they will be required to present to the investigating member confirmation of their attendance at the SAOR health referral within a defined period of time. If they do not do so, the investigating member may proceed the person through the criminal justice system. 2.4 SAOR (Support, Ask and Assess, Offer Assistance, Refer) is the HSE model for delivering a health screening and brief intervention for drug and alcohol use. SAOR supports health workers to deliver brief interventions and to facilitate those presenting with more complex needs to access treatment programmes in line with the National Drug Rehabilitation Framework. The HSE is recruiting a nationwide network of SAOR practitioners to deliver the health diversion scheme. 3. Aims of the Health Diversion Scheme 3.1 As set out above, the health diversion scheme will offer compassion rather than punishment to people who use drugs, irrespective of what drugs they may be. Reflecting this approach, there are three principles that should be addressed by this alternative approach namely that: i. a person should be afforded the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction for the possession of drugs for their personal use; ii. a person should be supported to avoid, reduce and recover from drug-related harm; iii. a person with problematic drug use should be referred to appropriate treatment or other support. 3.2 The overall implementation of the health diversion scheme is being overseen by the Health Diversion Scheme Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Group, which includes representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Justice, the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochána. 3.3 A Research Advisory Group, which has been established as a sub-group of the Implementation Group, will oversee the process evaluation of the health diversion scheme. 5. Scope of the project 5.1 It is expected that the process evaluation will have both quantitative and qualitative inputs.

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