communities

This publication aims to help to develop a youth substance abuse prevention project with a strong foundation - one that strives to involve young people and other important groups in determining the local substance abuse situation and in planning to address the situation. It is not a step-by-step recipe for planning a substance abuse prevention project on the basis of a local situation assessment but rather, a presentation of principles that, when applied, will increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.

This resource provides information, statistics and research on drugs misuse in Scotland. Target users are policy makers, professionals, researchers, employers and the wider community. This website supports the implementation of the Scottish Drug Misuse Information Strategy.

A report on a partnership set up to test how migrant and refugee community organisations could change policies and practices that are crucial to the lives of their communities. 'Change from Experience' addresses the ways in which migrant and community groups can use their own history and experience to develop the skills to bring about change. It challenges ideas about these organisations as ‘comfort zones’ and places them at the centre of debates about identity, gender, migration and cohesion.

This report identifies key issues and lessons for current planning policy and practice concerning the development of new urban extensions. It combines the first-hand learning of practitioners – including the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust at Derwenthorpe in York – with an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the current policy framework, and draws conclusions that are relevant not just to high-profile “eco-towns” but to all new communities in Britain.

UK Government white paper containing a range of proposed policies and initiatives to tackle and remove specific barriers to people being able to fulfill their potential.

Report of a study which carried out a five day review of the literature dealing with the links between poverty, social exclusion and problematic drug use with the aim of determining the strength of the association between the extent of drug problems and a range of social and economic inequalities.

Report drawing attention to the plight of adults with complex problems and multiple needs and calling for the reconfiguration of services, policies and thinking to better reflect the experience of such people and the strategic thinking required to meet their needs.

Series of articles describing the work of healthy living centres (HLCs) in Scotland and discussing how they can help communities change and grow and bring local people together to participate in new activities and opportunities.

Report arguing for the introduction of a 'right to move' for social housing tenants whereby landlords would be required to sell their present property and replace it with one of the tenant's choice. The report envisages the benefits of such a policy including increased employment and educational opportunities for tenants.

This report presents an overview of the landscape of gangs and gang culture in Britain. It attempts to analyse the nature and scale of gang culture in Britain; who is involved and what they are involved in; how Britain has reached this point; and what society can do to tackle it. The report also aims to formulate a clear unifying definition of a gang, distinguishing it from the everyday activity of young people on the street.