World-class drug and alcohol research centre opens

Adelaide is set to become the leading site for the co-ordination of drug and alcohol research and training in the Asia-Pacific region.

A new World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research in Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Problems has been opened recently at the University of Adelaide by South Australian Health Minister Lea Stevens.

"This is a very exciting development which will make Adelaide a national and international focus in the field," the Minister says. "The new centre is the first in Australia to develop culturally specific programs that can be adapted for overseas. It is already working in partnership with service providers from Indonesia, Thailand and China to develop new programs.

"Having this facility in Adelaide means we'll be a drawcard for recruiting and retaining the best drug and alcohol workers, as well as exporting our knowledge overseas. It also means more effective and timely services for those dealing with a substance abuse problem.

"The WHO Centre is a joint effort between the University of Adelaide and Drug and Alcohol Services Council (DASC). DASC was actually invited by the WHO to establish the centre because they recognised the good work already being done by DASC.

"It's about developing the theory and then putting it into practice in a clinical setting. It is also about treating people early.

"Alcohol and drug workers and their clients will benefit from research trials and the subsequent implementation of treatment advances and further enhance demand reduction methods in South Australia.

"The Centre will develop and utilise quality-training packages to help primary health care providers such as GPs, to identify and respond to illicit drug use.

"DASC's benchmark work in drug substitution will also be picked-up by the centre so other international sites can benefit from the research."

Item provided courtesy of The University of Adelaide