Research Activities 2011
The research conducted by the BC Centre for Social Responsibility (BCCSR) is primarily BC-focused and concentrates on social issues. The information collected is disseminated to the public on the Centre's website and through the media in the form of research reports, fact sheets, conference and community presentations, and media interviews. Research projects are directed and coordinated by Centre's staff, along with undergraduate and graduate students who participate in the data collection. The ability of the BCCSR to conduct research is enhanced by the co-location of a secure lab, which provides for the protection of confidential data.
Recently Completed Research Reports
BCLC's Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program: Perceptions and Experiences of a Sample of Program Participants
Over the past four years, the BCCSR conducted telephone interviews with participants of British Columbia Lottery Corporation's Voluntary Self Exclusion program as part of an evaluation of the VSE program using the perspectives of program participants. Visit the Gaming section of our Published Research page to download a free copy of this final report.
Alcohol and Other Drug Monitoring Study
This study was funded by the Centre for Addictions Research British Columbia and was part of a larger British Columbia study on the prevalence and effects of alcohol and other drugs. The BCCSR conducted the policing segment of this larger study by coordinating data collection with the Vancouver Police Department. Street-level police officers were provided with a small card on which they record demographic and incident data of calls for service. The purpose of this project is to determine the extent to which police calls for service involve alcohol or other drugs, and to describe the general nature of those incidents. The results of this study were used to make policy recommendations. The final report is available in the Drugs section of our Published Research page. More information on the larger project is available at the Alcohol and Other Drug Project Website.
Enforcement of Impaired Driving by Abbotsford Police Department
Julie Czeck and Joshua Garcia, fourth year students in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UFV, recently completed a study with patrol officers from Abbotsford Police Department regarding impaired driving enforcement. Visit the Public Safety section of our Published Research page to download a free copy of this final report.
Online Use of Pharmacies by British Columbia Residents
This study by the BCCSR involved a random population sample of British Columbia residents who received a mailed survey regarding misuse of prescription drugs and use of online pharmacies to purchase prescription drugs. The results indicated that although misuse of prescription drugs does occur, use of online pharmacies is not common to British Columbians. This study was funded by the Public Safety Ministry of the Federal Government. Visit the Drugs section of our Published Research page to download a free copy of this final report.
Surrey RCMP Ride Along Study Reports
The CSR, together with the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research, recently completed a series of reports on police activities while on duty. These reports resulted from a project with the Surrey RCMP where undergraduate students in the University of the Fraser Valley completed over 400 ride alongs with RCMP constables. Visit the Public Safety section of our Published Research page to download free copies of these reports.
Why IMPACT?
The CSR and Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research have released a report analyzing the type of auto thief caught by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team in British Columbia in comparison to those caught by traditional police enforcement practices. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the Public Safety section of our Published Research page.
Ongoing Research Activities
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Prisons
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) results from maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The effects of this disorder, including impulsivity, poor decision making and judgment, and irresponsibility increase the risk for involvement in crime. However, the prevalence of this disorder in the criminal justice system is not well understood. Through a larger project that has been ongoing since 2005, the BCCSR is collecting data on suspected and confirmed cases of FASD in youth detention centres in British Columbia. This data will continue to be collected over the coming year.
Healthy Families, Healthy Children
The BCCSR is a research partner in this longitudinal study on the psychosocial development of at-risk children. Parents of at-risk and non at-risk children are being interviewed at B.C. Children’s Hospital regarding a series of risk factors related to the onset of delinquency.
Other Ongoing Studies
Research assistants at the Centre have collected data for a variety of other small research studies, including an analysis of spam e-mail, and online gambling websites. The data is currently being analyzed and reports will be drafted in 2011.
In 2009, the Centre collaborated on the production of a resource book for British Columbia municipalities. The book focuses on the prevalence and dangers of Marijuana Grow Operations, partners included the Centre for Criminal Justice Research, and the Surrey Fire Service.
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