Team from Institute of Linguistics will carry out preventive assessment for Opole City Hall

‘Monitoring Substance Use’ is a project to be carried out by a team of sociologists from the University of Opole – mainly from the Institute of Linguistics. Our scholars won the tender for a public health project. Their study will provide reliable empirical data essential for planning a municipal addiction prevention policy in Opole.

The project involves comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research on the use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, with a particular focus on young people. The team will design the study in a manner compatible with the standards of the European ESPAD survey, which will allow Opole’s results to be compared with national and international trends.

The project will be carried out by a research team comprising:

• Dr Michał Wanke (Chair of Culture and Religion Studies, University of Opole) – a sociologist with many years’ experience in research on substance use and youth cultures, conducted in international contexts,
• Dr Marcin Deutschmann (Chair of English, University of Opole) – a researcher of public discourse and risky behaviours, experienced in working with young people and analysing existing data,
• Dr Magdalena Piejko-Płonka (Chair of Culture and Religion Studies, University of Opole) – a specialist in qualitative, equality and educational research, author of numerous social assessments,
• Karolina Gęsikowska, MA (Academic Career Centre, University of Opole) – a sociologist providing logistical and analytical support,
• Michał Kozłowski (student of Digital Cultures) – conducting field research with young people.

Our scholars will conduct: surveys among pupils at secondary schools in Opole, focus group interviews with young people and teaching staff, expert interviews with representatives of the police, therapists and aid institutions, as well as an analysis of police statistics and health data.

The work will continue until August 2026. It will result in a diagnostic report containing recommendations that will help the Opole City Hall spend its funds more effectively and rationally on prevention and public health.