The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health granted funding for university-level research projects in social work in 1st June 2023. The consortium research project led by tenure track -professor Katja Kuusisto At the Intersection of Substance Abuse and Child Protection Services (Päihdehuollon ja lastensuojelun rajapinnalla – saavatko päihteitä käyttävät nuoret tarvitsemaansa tukea?) received funding of €428,645 (2023-2025). The project, led by Tampere University, involves consortium partners A-Clinic Foundation and Pikassos as well as collaboration with the wellbeing services counties and National Institute for Health and Welfare.
The research is broadly situated within the fields designated by the regulations on university-level social work research funded under Section 60c of the Act on Social Welfare and Healthcare . The research is particularly related to the focus areas of research on social work in the system of social welfare and healthcare benefits and services, as well as the life situations and service needs of clients in need of special support.
There is insufficient research data available on rehabilitative substance abuse services for young people. The polarization of substance use and patterns among young people, increased availability of illicit substances, and lack of adequate and accessible substance abuse services needs attention . This theme is central to social work research, as social work plays a significant role in ensuring service pathways for young people who use substances. Young people with problematic substance use often require involvement from both child protection services and substance abuse services. The research will provide insights into the current state of substance abuse services for young people and the measures available in child protection. The ultimate goal is to identify areas for development that can help build effective service pathways and processes when the fields of substance abuse services and child protection intersect in the everyday work with children, young people, and their families.
Press release from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, June 1, 2023