An Evaluation of the Co-Design of an Anti-Stigma Training Programme

Background: In early 2018, CityWide launched the Stop the Stigma campaign to raise awareness on drug-related stigma and the impact it has on people who use drugs. The campaign highlighted a key action area related to the stigma experienced by people who use drugs when they are engaging with public services. To address this action Citywide co-designed an anti-stigma pilot training programme with participants who have experience of drug use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the process of this development and the rollout and impact of the anti-stigma training programme.

Methods: This evaluation used a concurrent mixed-methods study design with a combination of observation, focus group interviews, and survey techniques. This study received ethical approval from Trinity College Dublin.

Results: The findings demonstrated that the co-design process was successful. The key enablers identified were trust, a safe space, and a strong sense of empowerment. Barriers to the co-design process were external practical barriers as a result of COVID-19. Internal barriers were also present from emotional fragility to the perceived scale of the task at hand given the comprehensive and detailed training template.

In relation to the survey findings, improvements in eight of nine stigma domains were found and three of these were statistically significant: attribution of blame, avoidance behaviour and segregation. Training participants expressed an interest in more videos, role playing as this aspect was very useful and further clarity on theories presented.

Conclusion: To conclude it was clear that the co-design process was adhered to with fidelity in spite of both unforeseen external challenges and possible anticipated internal personal past experiences. The rollout of the pilot training programme found that the training package not only met the expectations of the participants but also had a short-term quantifiable impact on levels of stigma.