Welcome to the Living with Drugs in the Family Project web site. Thank you for your interest in visiting the site and for considering taking part in the project. The project is exploring the needs and issues for siblings of illicit drug users. In the project we are interested in finding out about your experiences growing up with a brother or sister who is using illicit drugs. This includes drugs like heroin, amphetamines/ speed/ice, marijuana/cannabis and ecstasy. Your brother/sister may be currently using illicit drugs, or it may have been in the past when you were growing up with them. This project is being undertaken through the School of Social Work, University of Melbourne and has been approved by The University of Melbourne Human Ethics Research Committee (Approval Number 0604158).
Thank you for your interest- Please note the online survey has now closed. Results of the research will be available in the Findings section from mid 2009.
You can find detailed information on the project and the online survey by clicking here .
WHY TAKE PART IN THE PROJECT?
It is well known that drug use can sometimes impact in a variety of ways on family members, and that families cope with drug use in a variety of ways. While there has been some research about what it is like for families and what has helped them to cope, there is limited information on what it is like growing up in a family where the brother(s) or sister(s) are using illicit drugs. It is hoped that this project will help to gain a better understanding of the issues for these family members, and to determine what things help family members to cope. It will also explore what type of services and supports, if any, would be helpful for family members where a sibling is using drugs.
The main part of the project is an anonymous online survey.
To take part in the survey you should:
Be aged between 18 and 35 years old
Living in Australia
Currently or previously have lived/grown up with a brother or sister who was using illicit drugs (eg. heroin, cannabis, amphetamines/speed, etc.)
If you are eligible your contribution would be very valuable- please read through the detailed project information here. At the end of the information is a link you can click which will take you to the survey, or click here to be taken to the survey now.
If you are not eligible to complete the survey but have concerns about a relative’s drug use, you may find some of the contacts in our support services section useful. Please click here.
Living With Drugs In The Family Project. Last Updated February 2009
