Four DATs participating in the quantitative studies were selected for the qualitative study. Desk-based research was used to map the treatment providers in each DAT and then a range of front-line treamtment workers were sample. Treatment seekers were recruited from the same four DATs, plus an additional two DATs. They were selected from the respondents who had taken part in the second way of the quantitative component.

Treatment seekers were invited to take part in the study at 342 drug treatment agencies in 94 Drug Action Team (DAT) areas in England. Within each randomly selected DAT, all agencies providing residential or structured drug treatment were eligible to participate - including NHS agencies and non-statutory agencies.

Results from the Baseline survey, describing the characteristics of the sample were published on the Home Office website in 2007. The final reports are also available on the Home Office website. After the publication of the final report for the Home Office, this study is expected to form the basis of many articles in academic journals, looking at more detailed findings from the study.