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School of Medicine

Dr Michael Donmall BSc (Hons), PGCE, PhD Lond, FFPH

Photograph of Michael Donmall

Reader in Health Sciences & NDEC Director

Rutherford House
Manchester Science Park
M15 6SZ

 

Role

Centre Director responsible for research programme, staff and financial activity, as well as core research areas, strategic planning and liaison with major funding bodies.

 

Biography

Mike is head of the National Drug Evidence Centre (NDEC) within the School of Community Based Medicine, at the University of Manchester. His current research interests cover the epidemiology of drug misuse, evaluation of treatment interventions and the development of outcome and effectiveness measures. Past research interests include auxology and the anthropology of medieval populations.

He served on the Government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for many years, taking roles within several working groups including the Prevention Working Group and Statistics, Information and Research Committee, with major contributions to a number of influential ACMD reports including Hidden Harm and Pathways to Problems. He is originator of the UK national drug treatment monitoring systems and is Treatment Demand Indicator Expert at the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction representing the UK. He is main author and editor of the Global Toolkit on the development of a Treatment Demand Indicator for the United Nations and is currently responsible for a root and branch review of European treatment information systems.

Mike founded the Drug Misuse Research Unit in the late 1980s and devised the first national drug information system, the Drug Misuse Database (DMD), which was later to become the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS). Since that time the research group has expanded and carried out a wide range of health and policy related research in the area of drug misuse epidemiology, working with colleagues at the Department of Health, Home Office, Cabinet Office and National Treatment Agency, and providing wide ranging development support at a treatment provider level. High profile national research studies have included: the Epidemiological Surveillance of Drug Misuse, the National Cocaine Treatment Study, the Outcome of Waiting Lists Study, National Prevalence Estimation and the Drug Treament Outcomes Research Study.

NDEC staff co-ordinate a Medical Research Council Addiction Research Cluster with the Universities of Manchester, Cambridge, York, Glasgow and Bristol, and have recently been awarded MRC funding to investigate mortality and crime effects related to problem and injecting drug use.

The National Drug Evidence Centre is responsible for analyses and reporting of national government statistics on drug misuse treatment (which carry the stamp of National Statistics, and is developing a National Data Library for use by policy makers, clinical services and researchers. NDEC have recently developed an innovative on-line visualisation tool - ViewItTM.

In 2005 a team led by Mike was awarded the Home Office contract for DTORS, the National Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study, the largest research grant to be awarded in the field of drug misuse in the UK. At over £2m this is a definitive study of clinical, criminal and wider social outcomes related to treatment and care of problem drug users, following up nearly 2000 clients over a 12 month period.

 

Qualifications

  • B.Sc. (Hons) Anthropology (University College London)
  • PGCE (Kings College London)
  • PhD. Community Medicine (Institute of Child Health London)
 

Publications

2012

  • Hagel, A, Aldridge, J., Meier, P., Millar, T. & Donmall, M. (2012). Trends in adolescent substance use, their implications for understanding trends in mental health. In Ann Hagel (Ed.), Changing Adolescence: Social trends and mental health. Bristol: The Policy Press, Bristol. eScholarID:156912
  • Michael Donmall, Andrew Jones, Samantha Weston, Linda Davies, Karen P Hayhurst and Tim Millar. (2012). The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS): Research Design and Baseline Data. The Open Addiction Journal, 5, 1-11. eScholarID:156910

2011

  • Donmall, M. (2011). (2011). Meeting drug users treatment needs and providing a positive impact on wider society? Evidence from UK DTORS the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study. Presented at Verslaarfd Aan Informatie?! 25 Jaar Landelijk Alcohol en Drugs Informatie Systeem (LADIS), informatie over verslaving en verslaingszorg. Rhenen, Netherlands: Stichting Informatievoorziening Zorg (IVZ). eScholarID:148502

2010

  • Davies, C. & Donmall, M. (2010). Chapter 5. Drug-related treatment: treatment demand and treatment availability. United Kingdom Drug Situation, 2010 Edition. London: Department of Health. eScholarID:116961

2009

  • Davies, C. Donmall, M. English, L. & Cole, C. (2009). Chapter 5. Drug-related treatment: treatment demand and treatment availability. UK Focal Point on Drugs (2009), United Kingdom Drug Situation, 2009 Edition. London: Department of Health. eScholarID:116970
  • Donmall, M. Millar, T. (2009). The Effect of Waiting for Treatment. Responding to Drug Misuse. (pp. 67-78). Routledge. eScholarID:66610
  • (2009). In: Scientists line up to attack Alan Johnson over sacking of drug advisor. The Guardian, eScholarID:75523
  • Barnard, M., Webster, S., O'Connor, W., with Jones, A. & Donmall, M. (2009). The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS): Qualitative Study. London: Home Office. eScholarID:75525
  • Davies, L., Jones, A., Vamvakas, G. Dubourg, R & Donmall, M. (2009). The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research study (DTORS): Cost effectiveness analysis. London: Home Office. eScholarID:75524
  • Donmall, M., Jones, A., Davies, L. & Barnard, M. (2009). Summary of key findings from the Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS). London: Home Office. eScholarID:75522
  • Jones, A. Donmall, M. Millar, T. Moody, A. Weston, S. Anderson, T. Gittins, M. Abeywardana, V. D'Souza, J. (2009). The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study (DTORS): Final outcomes report. London: Home Office. eScholarID:66592

2008

  • Donmall, M. Eaton, G. Hay, G. (2008). Chapter 4. Problem Drug Use. UK Focal Point on Drugs (2008) United Kingdom Drug Situation, 2008 Edition. London: Department of Health. eScholarID:116975
  • Millar T, Jones A, Donmall MC, Roxburgh M. (2008). Changes in offending following prescribing treatment for drug misuse. London: National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse. eScholarID:66642

2007

  • Donmall, M. Eaton, G. Hay, G. (2007). Chapter 4: Problem Drug Use. United Kingdom drug situation: annual report to the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs & Drug Addiction. London: Department of Health. eScholarID:116978
  • Donmall, M. Jones, A. (2007). The Drug Treatment Outcomes Research Study: treatment seekers and short-term outcomes. Presented at 18th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm. Warsaw, Poland. eScholarID:67225
  • Donmall, M. (2007). 1.7m children in care of drink and drug addicts. Sunday Times, eScholarID:67250
  • Jones, A. Weston, S. Moody, A. Millar, T. Dollin, L. Anderson, T. Donmall, M. (2007). The drug treatment outcomes research study (DTORS): Baseline Report. London: Home Office. eScholarID:67977

2006

  • Donmall MC. (2006). Guidance for the measurement of drug treatment demand. Global Assessment Programme on Drug Abuse, Toolkit Module 8. (Translated into 6 languages). New York: United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime. eScholarID:4d166
  • Donmall as member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. (2006). Pathways to Problems. Pathways to Problems. London: Home Office. eScholarID:67962
  • Meier P, Donmall MC, McElduff P, Barrowclough C, Heller R. (2006). The role of the early therapeutic alliance in predicting drug treatment dropout. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 83(1), 57-64. eScholarID:44397
  • Meier P, Donmall MC. (2006). Differences in client and therapist views of the working alliance in addiction treatment. Journal of Substance Use, 11(1), 73-80. eScholarID:1d12133
  • Millar T, Gemmell I, Hay G, Heller R, Donmall M. (2006). How well do trends in incidence of heroin use reflect hypothesised trends in prevalence of problem drug use in the North West of England? Addiction Research and Theory, 14(5), 537-549. eScholarID:1d14577

2005

  • Donmall, M. (2005). Waiting for drug treatment - effects on uptake and retention. Presented at Drug Misuse Research Initiative - Lessons Learned from Phase One. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. eScholarID:67231
  • Donmall, M. Watson, A. Millar, T. Dunn, G. (2005). Outcome of Waiting Lists (OWL) Study. Drugs: education, prevention and policy, 12(Supp 1), 62-68. eScholarID:66588
  • Meier P, Barrowclough C, & Donmall M. (2005). The role of the therapeutic alliance in the treatment of drug misuse: a critical review of the literature. Addiction, 100(3), 304-316. eScholarID:1d13803
  • Meier P, Donmall MC, Barrowclough C, McElduff P, Heller RF. (2005). Predicting the early therapeutic alliance in the treatment of drug misuse. Addiction, 100(4), 500-511. eScholarID:1d12137
  • Donmall, M. (2005). Letter. Time Educational Supplement, eScholarID:67259
  • Donmall, M. (2005). Major Award for Drug Treatment Research. UniLife, eScholarID:67976
  • Donmall M, Millar T, Dunn G. (2005). Waiting times for drug treatment: effects on uptake and immediate outcome: Outcome of waiting lists (OWL) study. London: National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse. eScholarID:5d300
  • Millar, T. Donmall, M. Jones, A. (2005). Re-examining the baseline for the number of persons in drug misuse treatment during 1998/ 99. www.nta.nhs.uk/programme/national/perf_info_oct05/NDEC_revised_baseline_report.pdf: National Tretament Agency for Substance Misuse and National Drug Evidence Centre. eScholarID:67238

2004

  • Meier P, Donmall MC, Heller RF. (2004). Counselling provision in specialist drug treatment services. Journal of Substance Use, 9(1), 44-51. eScholarID:1d8194
  • Meier P, Donmall MC, McElduff P. (2004). Characteristics of drug users who do or do not have care of their children. Addiction, 99(8), 955-961. eScholarID:1d7218
  • Meier P, Donmall MC. (2004). Being there - the importance of empathy. Druglink 19,4,16, eScholarID:1d21808
  • Donmall MC. (2004). New national Drug Evidence Centre. UniLife 2004, eScholarID:18d28
  • Donmall MC. (2004). Towards a Global Toolkit. EMCDDA & UNODC. eScholarID:5d311

2003

  • Donmall, M. Morris, R. (2003). The Bones in the Clarence Vault. In Morris, R.K. Shoesmith, R (Ed.), Tewkesbury Abbey: History, Art & Architecture. Logaston Press. eScholarID:3d965
  • Millar T, Gemmell IM, Donmall MC. The Dynamics of Drug Misuse: assessing changes in prevalence. 2003. eScholarID:19d184

2002

  • Dey P, Roaf E, Collins S-, Steele R, Shaw H, Donmall MC. (2002). Randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a primary health care liaison worker in promoting shared care for opiate users. J Pub Hlth Med, 23(4), 346-348. eScholarID:1d2534

2001

  • Donmall, M., Meier, P., & Millar, T. (2001). Treatment Outcome Evaluation - Is treatment working? Druglink, 16(2), eScholarID:1d21785
  • Millar T, Craine N, Carnwath T, Donmall MC. (2001). The dynamics of heroin use; implications for intervention. J Epidemiol Community Health, 55, 12, 930-933. eScholarID:1d3490

2000

  • Meier P, Millar T, Donmall MC. (2000). Service accessibility for female drug users: treatment agencies and needle exchanges. Presented at 11th International Conference on the Reduction of drug Related Harm. St Helier, Jersey. eScholarID:2d2596
  • Millar T, Donmall MC. (2000). The dynamics of heroin use; implications for evaluating drug strategies. Presented at 11th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm. Saint Helier, Jersey. eScholarID:2d2161
  • Seivewright N, Donmall MC, Douglas J, Draycott T, Millar T. (2000). Cocaine misuse treatment in England. International Journal of Drug Policy, 11, 3, 203-215. eScholarID:1d3494
  • Donmall MC. (2000). Professionals binge on crack. Sunday Observer, eScholarID:18d30

1999

  • Seivewright, N. Donmall, M. Douglas, J. Draycott, T. Millar, T. (1999). Approaches to Treating Cocaine Problems in England. Presented at 10th International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm. Geneva, Switzerland,. eScholarID:2d2462
  • Crabbe T, Donmall MC, Millar T. (1999). Validation of the University of Manchester Drug Misuse Database. J Epidemiol Community Health, 53, 3, 159-64. eScholarID:1d3489
  • Donmall MC. (1999). UK monitoring of problem drug users: the drug misuse database - a system based on regional centres. Eur Addict Res, 5, 4, 185-90. eScholarID:1d3495
  • Simon R, Donmall MC, Hartnoll R, Kokkevi A, Ouwehand A. W, Stauffacher M, Vicente J. (1999). The EMCDDA/Pompidou Group treatment demand indicator protocol: a European core item set for treatment monitoring and reporting. Eur Addict Res, 5, 4, 197-207. eScholarID:1d3517

1996

  • Crabbe T, Donmall MC. (1996). The optimal size of the attributor for use with the University of Manchester Drug Misuse Database. Addiction, 91(10), 1547-1550. eScholarID:1d12197
  • Millar T, Donmall MC. (1996). Can the Drug Misuse Databases Tell us about Overlap? Druglink, 3, eScholarID:1d21786

1995

  • Donmall MC, Millar T. (1995). Do syringe exchange schemes attract different clients from services providing treatment?. Presented at Sixth International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm, Florence, Italy. eScholarID:2d2262
  • Millar T, Donmall MC. (1995). Actual and perceived sharing of injecting equipment by drug users. Presented at Sixth International Conference on the Reduction of Drug Related Harm, Florence, Italy. eScholarID:2d2393

1993

  • Mott J, Caddle D, Donmall MC. (1993). A comparison of doctors' practice in notifying addicts to the Home Office and reporting them to the North Western Drug Misuse Database. Addiction, 88, 249-256. eScholarID:1d12199
  • Seivewright N, Donmall MC, Daly C. (1993). Benzodiazepines in the illicit drugs scene - the UK picture and some treatment dilemmas. International Journal of Drug Policy, 4, 1, 42-48. eScholarID:1d12201
  • Tantam D, Donmall MC, Webster AJK, Strang J. (1993). Do general practitioners and general psychiatrists want to look after drug misusers? Evaluation of a non-specialist treatment policy. British Journal of General Practice, 43, 470-474. eScholarID:1d12198

1991

  • Strang J, Donmall MC, Webster AJK, Tantam D. (1991). Comparison between community drug teams with and without inbuilt medical services. British Medical Journal, 303, eScholarID:1d12202

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