Drug Addiction Research
Drug Addiction Research |
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| There are several areas of research interest in the addiction research cluster. A series of surveys on ketamine and amphetamine users are being conducted to better understand the risk behaviours of these groups of users in the country. Studies on the misuse of treatment medications are also being conducted to gain an insight to the issues related medication treatment for drug users in the country. | |
| The cluster is collaborating with Yale School of Medicine to develop treatment interventions for co-occurring opiates and amphetamine type stimulant dependence (COATS) in Malaysia. A cluster of pilot clinical trials to develop medical (combining pharmacologic and psychosocial components) treatments for co-occurring opioid (heroin or morphine) and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) dependence (COATS) are being carried out. | |
| Together with Yale researchers counselling models are being developed to be used in settings where there is limited availability of expert therapists or highly trained and experienced drug counsellors. The ATS Behavioral Drug and Risk Reduction Counselling (BDRC) has been pilot tested and demonstrated that it is efficacious and can be taught to and provided by available nursing personnel in Malaysia. | |
| Another area of research interest is in the use of mitragyna speciosa among local drug users. Human studies to measure the cognitive and neuro-psychological function of these users have been conducted in the country. | |
| Contact Person: Associate Professor B. Vicknasingam Centre For Drug Research |
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vickna @ usm.my |