Tips for interviewing drug users in the community

Interviewing drug users is vital in order to assimilate information on various aspects of drug taking, not least, why the drug user becomes addicted in the first place. There are many myths that abound in society - all drug users are evil, drug users don't deserve help etc - and so educating the public via research is vital. However, for those researchers on the ground interviewing drug users for the first time, it can seem like a very daunting task and, unless you know the interviewee, you could be putting yourself in danger unless you take some measures to prevent this. Here are some tips to ensure that you are safe, while putting the interviewee at ease at the same time.

Arrange to meet in a public place

Never agree to meet a stranger of any kind at their home, unless you have someone with you or you know and believe that the interviewee will have someone with them. The best places to meet are drug rehabilitation centres, cafes or, if the weather is pleasant, parks. If you are recording your interview, you may need to ensure that the location in question is reasonably peaceful - otherwise outside noise will make it difficult for whoever types up the recording to hear what is being said. However, better some outside noise that going to a stranger's home and putting yourself at risk.

Don't carry much money or any valuable gadgets

The chances are that if you manage to track someone down and they agree to an interview that they are not in the worst stages of a drug addiction - otherwise tracking them down would be next to impossible. However, some drug users are always on the look-out for a chance to make some money, so if you turn up with a full purse, a mobile phone, an iPod and a laptop, you could be putting yourself at risk. Leave everything but the bare necessities at home or in the office. That way, you are less likely to attract temptation.

Consider the question of reimbursement

In order to attract drug users to agree to be interviewed, you may have offered them an incentive. This may depend on the ethical considerations of the organisation for whom you are doing the research or the drug rehabilitation centre the drug user is linked to. If they agree to a cash or voucher incentive, then you should make it clear to the interviewee that the incentive will only be given on completion of the interview. You should also make it clear that you will not be arriving at the interview with a selection of incentives to give out to the interviewee's friends - you will almost certainly have spent a good deal of time selecting the interviewee in question.

Don't be judgmental or patronising

Many researchers into drug abuse have personal experience of using drugs or alcohol. However, whether you do or don't, you should maintain a neutral stance when carrying out the interview. Too much sympathy could result in leading questions, which, as any researcher knows, is not good practice. Being judgemental could alienate the interviewee and, after all, you can never be completely aware of anyone else's experience. The most important thing is to listen. Often this is the best way to get information from someone who is used to others giving advice, but not giving them a chance to listen.

Get out if you feel uncomfortable

If you do meet up with the interviewee and are concerned for your safety - perhaps the interviewee is under the influence and aggressive with it - then simply get up and go. You may feel that you are letting the interviewee down, but your own safety is paramount and you should never remain in an uncomfortable position. Provided that you are in a public place, it should be easy enough to just get up and go.

Report any harrassment or unreasonable behaviour

If the worst comes to the worst and you are the victim of unreasonable behaviour, you should always report it. Most research organisations will have a process in place whereby you report to your immediate superior and to the organisation through which you originally make contact with the drug user. Failing that, you should contact the police. You may be reluctant to do so, feeling that the person in question needs help and not punishment, but bear in mind that he or she may do the same to someone else. Be sensible and report what you cannot stop.

This author's experience of interviewing drug users in the community has been largely a problem-free one. However, it is better to be safe than sorry, and by taking these suggestions into consideration, your experience should be a problem-free one too.