An ESRC-funded collaborative CASE studentship between the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Drug and Alcohol Action Team has influenced new drug-related policy and practice locally.

Research by Stephen Parkin, with supervisor Dr Ross Coomber, revealed how places produced risks, how policing and other service activities displaced rather than resolved risk, and led to discussions of new practice such as locating safe injecting outlets in places of need.

The Action Team is planning to embed annual CASE applications in forward planning, while partner teams in Devon and Cornwall also are looking to support applications with Dr Coomber.

• Full case study (PDF, 122Kb)