Research project DR/79 (Research action DR)
New Psychoactive Substances, also referred to as ‘legal highs’, ‘research chemicals’, ‘designer drugs’, etc, are 'a new narcotic or psychotropic drug, in pure form or in preparation, that is not controlled by the United Nations drug conventions, but which may pose a public health threat comparable to that posed by substances listed in these conventions' (EMCDDA definition). In other words, we are talking about new, mostly synthetic drugs that mimic classic illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis, etc but were molecularly designed to circumvent international Drug Laws. Production and use of NPS has become a worldwide phenomenon that seems to be on the rise in Belgium as well.
The fast-changing drug market requires new and additional research. The NPS-care project remedies this. The two-year project has a federal outline, financed by Belspo and promoted by the University College of Ghent. It is a primary qualitative research project that aims to offer an insight into the culture surrounding NPS-use and wants to identify possible tailored (user) needs as far as NPS-related prevention, care and Harm Reduction goes. Who uses NPS, what exact substances do they use, what is the social context in which use takes place, are we dealing with problematic use in any way or aren’t we? In what respect does the law (legal vs illegal) affect users? Do we need NPS-specific initiatives in the (specialized) field?
To answer these and other questions, the first part of the project consists of in-depth interviews with 60 NPS-users. Although a short structured questionnaire gauges sociodemographic and productrelated variables, focus is on storytelling. Moreover, respondents are presented the possibility to have their favourite products tested on their pharmacological composition. As such – and thanks to a unique collaboration with the co-promotor, the Scientific Institute of Public Health (ISP)- we can determine ‘user awareness’ on a scientific basis, i.e. what users assume they are using versus what they actually use. This will help to paint an accurate image of the NPS-market and makes it possible to send out alerts when certain health-threatening (dosages of) NPS, hit the market.
In a second part of the project, the focus will be on the professional and the (specialized) work field.
As a growing number of professionals come into contact with these substances, the NPS-care project seeks their experiences on the one hand and their specific needs, on the other. To obtain this knowledge, a seminar is organised with a forum for (inter)national speakers and open to relevant actors in the Belgian (drug) sector. The seminar functions as a starting point for the recruitment of Belgian professionals, whom we want to question later on by means of the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). This consensus method will result in an inventory of needs (with regard to prevention, care and Harm Reduction (HR)) of different networks of professionals. The inventory is then presented to a broader audience of actors through a Lime Survey.
Finally, a third and final part of the project is reserved for (international) literature study of sound initiatives in NPS-related prevention, care and HR. The outcomes of this study will form the starting point for two Focus Groups (FG), set up in the last phase of the project. The NPS user, as a resourceful partner in this project, is again turned to, as FG’s will consist of professionals and users. Together, they will amount to recommendations of (good) practices with regard to prevention, treatment and HR, feasible and carrying he potential for implementation in this country.
The NPS-care project is backed up by a number of partners, each inserting their specific expertise. A unique example is the association with the ISP for the testing of substances (cf. supra) and the consequential complementarity of qualitative and quantitative data. Furthermore, the University of Ghent is involved as a research partner, accompanied by a host of field partners, such as VAD, De Druglijn, Eurotox, Modus Vivendi, Safe ’n Sound and Free Clinic/Needle Exchange Flanders. The importance of the NPS-care project is evident. It is the first research project of the use of NPS in Belgium with a federal scope. It signifies a substantial increase of existing scientific knowledge in Belgium on the subject, especially the first systematic collection and testing of samples. The project will provide an understanding to society as a whole and policy makers in particular of the users culture surrounding NPS, including their needs as well as those of professionals. Finally, specific consensual recommendations will be put forward in the context of - existing or to be implemented - NPS-related good practices.
All findings during the course of the NPS-care project, will be integrated into a research report.Research results will also be summarized and specific (partial) data will find their way into articles in specialized (intern)national publications. Completion of the NPS-care project is due March 2019.
Understanding New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use in Belgium from a health perspective (NPS-care) : samanvatting
Van Havere, Tina - Vander Laenen, Freya - Colman, C. ... et al. Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2020 (SP2910)
[To download]
Understanding New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use in Belgium from a health perspective (NPS-care) : résumé
Van Havere, Tina - Vander Laenen, Freya - Colman, C ... et al. Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2020 (SP2911)
[To download]
Understanding New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use in Belgium from a health perspective (NPS-care) : summary
Van Havere, Tina - Vander Laenen, Freya - Colman, C. ... et al. Brussels : Belgian Science Policy, 2020 (SP2912)
[To download]
Understanding New Psychoactive Substance (NPS) use in Belgium from a health perspective (NPS-care) : final report
Van Havere, Tina - Vander Laenen, Freya - Colman, C. ... et al. Brussels : Belgian Science Policy, 2020 (SP2913)
[To download]
