WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THIS SURVEY?

This survey is aimed at recreational drug users who use novel psychoactive substances (aka 'legal highs' or 'research chemicals'), or who have used NPS in the past or considered using NPS.



WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY?

The purpose of this study is to find out about your perceptions of novel psychoactive substances (hereafter referred to as NPS), sometimes referred to as 'legal highs' or 'research chemicals'. Overall the study aims to look at how recreational drug users perceive harm and discuss harm in relation to new psychoactive substances. It also aims to look at how different sources of information about these drugs is sought out and used by recreational drug users, and how this affects drug use, harm reduction paractices and perceptions of drug policy.



WHAT WILL I HAVE TO DO?

If you choose to take part in the study you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire (around 5 minutes). This questionnaire consists of some demographic questions, questions about your attitudes towards novel psychoactive substances, your perception of different sources of information on NPS and your perception of harm in relation to NPS.



YOUR RIGHTS AS A PARTICIPANT

You may decide to stop participating in the research study at any time. You have the right to ask that any data you have supplied to that point be withdrawn from the study. You also have the right to omit or refuse to answer or respond to any question that is asked of you. You have the right to have any questions you have about the research answered fully. If you have any questions as a result of reading this information sheet, you should ask the researcher before the study begins. Contact details for the researcher can be found below.



CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANONYMITY

Your identity and any answers you provide will be kept in the strictest confidence in order to protect your privacy and anonymity, and will not be shared with anyone. The data you provide will be used as part of a PhD thesis. There is a possibility that the research will be published in academic journals or presented at academic conferences, however your data will be anonymised and your name and other personal information will not be disclosed in any final reports or publications. You will not be identified at any point.



Thank you for taking the time to take part in the study. Your help with this research is greatly appreciated and your response is vital to the research. Without your help, this research would not be possible. If you are able to share this survey this would also be a massive help to the research and I would very greatful.



CONTACT DETAILS FOR RESEARCHER:

Kieran Hamilton

Centre for Alcohol and Drug Studies

University of the West of Scotland

Paisley

PA1 2BE



Email: Kieran.Hamilton@uws.ac.uk

Call or text: 07577897097

Twitter: @kierandhamilton