'Why don't we just build it in a square hole?': developing a multi-component drug outreach service for young people aged 16–25 in England.
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| Title: | 'Why don't we just build it in a square hole?': developing a multi-component drug outreach service for young people aged 16–25 in England. |
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| Authors: | Welch, Zoë (AUTHOR), Duke, Karen (AUTHOR), Hughes, Katy (AUTHOR), Sondhi, Arun (AUTHOR), Wright, Samantha (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Drugs: Education, Prevention & Policy. Feb2026, Vol. 33 Issue 1, p18-31. 14p. |
| Subjects: | Substance abuse, Instant messaging, Social media, Human services programs, Research funding, Qualitative research, Focus groups, Interprofessional relations, Business management of health facilities, Interviewing, Harm reduction, Sound recordings, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Health education, Grounded theory, Patient participation, Adolescence, Adults |
| Geographic Terms: | England |
| Abstract: | Background: In England, the rise in young people/adults' drug use coincides with a decline in specialist outreach and support services. Current substance use provision particularly neglects young adults. This paper traces the origins of the multi-component '1625 Outreach' model and how it was developed and refined by utilizing community engagement and co-production approaches. Methods: The co-produced, qualitative research design included observations of outreach practitioners in different settings, focus groups with professionals and young people/adults, and semi-structured interviews with key informants. Results: The multi-component model was found to be agile, innovative and responsive to local drug trends. This was facilitated by community partnerships and inter-agency collaboration and the involvement of young people in service development and delivery. Co-designed prevention messages on social media were effective in reaching a wide audience. It was important that the educator was viewed as relatable, trustworthy and knowledgeable, with honest harm reduction messages. Participants preferred strengths-based harm reduction discussions, allowing for exploration of the complexities of drug use. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of developing credible, strengths-based harm reduction messages co-designed by young people. A coherent multi-component delivery approach with stakeholder engagement can facilitate agile responses to the changing needs of local young people/adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: In England, the rise in young people/adults' drug use coincides with a decline in specialist outreach and support services. Current substance use provision particularly neglects young adults. This paper traces the origins of the multi-component '1625 Outreach' model and how it was developed and refined by utilizing community engagement and co-production approaches. Methods: The co-produced, qualitative research design included observations of outreach practitioners in different settings, focus groups with professionals and young people/adults, and semi-structured interviews with key informants. Results: The multi-component model was found to be agile, innovative and responsive to local drug trends. This was facilitated by community partnerships and inter-agency collaboration and the involvement of young people in service development and delivery. Co-designed prevention messages on social media were effective in reaching a wide audience. It was important that the educator was viewed as relatable, trustworthy and knowledgeable, with honest harm reduction messages. Participants preferred strengths-based harm reduction discussions, allowing for exploration of the complexities of drug use. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of developing credible, strengths-based harm reduction messages co-designed by young people. A coherent multi-component delivery approach with stakeholder engagement can facilitate agile responses to the changing needs of local young people/adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 09687637 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09687637.2025.2470147 |
