Nina O'Neill
Biography
My past research experience focuses predominantly on risk behaviour. I have recently completed a PhD in the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast. Using ethnographic methods, I investigated ‘recreational’ drug use among adults between 2007 and 2012. I was also involved in a small qualitative study on mephedrone use, post-legislative ban in Northern Ireland (2010).
I joined ICCR in October 2012. I am currently working on the Mind Your Health study, which examines the physical and mental health of looked after children in Northern Ireland.
Research interests
My research interests centre around risk behaviour among young people and adults, particularly the use of so called ‘recreational’ drugs and more recently, the use of novel psychoactive substances.
Publications
O’Neill, C. and McElrath, K. (2012). Simultaneous use of mephedrone and alcohol: A qualitative study of users’ experiences. Addiction Research and Therapy, S9 (open access, special issue – synthetic cathinones). Download it here
McElrath, K. and O’Neill, C. (2011). Experiences with mephedrone pre- and post-legislative controls: Perceptions of safety and sources of supply. International Journal of Drug Policy, 22, 120-127. Read the abstract
Contribution to conference:
March 2013 “Experiences with mephedrone.” Alcohol and Drugs Conference, North West Regional College, Derry.
July 2011 “Recreational drug-taking: an ethnographic account of perceived and experienced risk among drug users.” Overview of PhD at symposium, Oxford Brookes, London.
September 2010 “Getting mowed on mephedrone.” ESSD, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
