Creating a support tool for Early Intervention Matthew Straw- Coordinator (Scotland)

Session Outline What are the ideas behind this project? How does a new person register with the website? What tools are available to someone on the site? How does it work? Issues so far and how we have overcome them Where we are now and future plans Questions Conclusion

The idea behind OASIS A bit about the project partners; Crew and Unity Theories: Early intervention, Theory of planned behaviour, Self Regulation Theory, Peer Support and Peer Education. Existing online self help models and limitations The choice of substances: Cocaine and Alcohol Project Objectives: The two control groups- self help and self help plus. The international element

What makes this interesting? OASIS allows users to get help to change behaviour before use becomes chronic. It is private- the user can access help without having to go to a clinic It is easy and free- this allows the user to check out the service before committing to it It can be used alongside existing services such as to help with waiting times It is very cost effective.

The OASIS Website There is one screening website and four self-help websites The web address for all of these is

How does a service user register? Go to Choose the substance they want to assess their use of. Take the short self-screening test If a problem is identified the person will choose whether they wish to address this or not. If they choose to address this they click on the link for the self-help tool Register for self help tool- this is confidential and does not ask for their name but requires their address

Tools available on website Journal Record keeping Forum Reading assignments Risky situation identifying Relapse prevention planning Emergency situation planning (Lapse) Results / Progress tracker Deal maker

Additional tools available in group with buddies Chat room; group and one-to-one chat sessions. support SMS/ Text message reminders and support.

How does it work? Service user can set the length of course for 4 weeks or 6 weeks They decide what goals they wish to set for themselves over this period. They do not need to decide to stop using- they can simply choose a slight reduction in use. The tools available are designed to support the user to achieve this goal. Volunteer buddies help provide motivation and support to the user.

Issues so far Training volunteers Questionnaire design: the compromise between data and user friendliness. Website design: making it attractive, simple and directive.

Where we are to date and future plans In research phase. Current focus on keeping service running well and promotion Post-research phase

Conclusion OASIS will hopefully prove to be a great new tool for drugs services across Europe. If it is, it may well help to bridge several existing gaps in services and help to reduce the number of chronic problem users. Any questions?