A clinical research priority setting study for issues related to the use of methamphetamine and emerging drugs of concern in Australia

Krista J Siefried; Nadine Ezard; Michael Christmass; Paul Haber; Robert Ali; NCCRED Methamphetamine and Emerging Drugs Clinical Research Network Working Group

doi:10.1111/dar.13350

A clinical research priority setting study for issues related to the use of methamphetamine and emerging drugs of concern in Australia

Drug Alcohol Rev. 2022 Feb;41(2):309-319. doi: 10.1111/dar.13350. Epub 2021 Jul 8.

Authors

Krista J Siefried^{1

2

3}, Nadine Ezard^{1

2

3}, Michael Christmass^{4

5}, Paul Haber^{6

7}, Robert Ali⁸; NCCRED Methamphetamine and Emerging Drugs Clinical Research Network Working Group

Affiliations

¹ The National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs, Sydney, Australia.
² Alcohol and Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services, Mental Health Commission, Perth, Australia.
⁵ National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, Discipline of Addiction Medicine University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁷ Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
⁸ School of Medicine, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to gather a range of opinions, including those of affected people (consumers, concerned others) to identify clinical research priorities for methamphetamine and emerging drugs of concern in Australia, to guide the work of the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs (NCCRED).

Methods: A priority setting study was conducted (February-March 2019) in four phases: online stakeholder survey, thematic analysis of responses, rapid literature review, expert panel ranking of priorities against predetermined criteria.

Results: Forty-seven respondents completed the survey, including people identifying as one or more of: researcher (53%, n = 25), clinician (45%; n = 21), family/friend/caregiver of someone who uses methamphetamine/emerging drugs (15%, n = 7) and consumer of methamphetamine/emerging drugs (13%, n = 6). Expert panel, evidence-informed top-ranked clinical research priorities for methamphetamine were: strategies to overcome barriers to intervention uptake, pilot medication trials for adults seeking treatment, and communication strategies regarding evidence-based treatments. For emerging drugs of concern, top-ranked priorities were: piloting community-located drug checking, feasibility of social media/other opportunities to alert consumers of emerging risks, GHB overdose and withdrawal management, and impacts of an early warning information system on reducing harms.

Discussion and conclusions: We demonstrate feasibility of a structured, collaborative clinical research priority setting process. Results have informed the establishment of NCCRED; using the identified priorities to guide seed funding, fellowships/scholarships and research programs. Broader uptake of this methodology by policymakers/research funders would assist to embed areas of concern identified by affected communities and other stakeholders in research prioritisation.

Keywords: drug user; health policy; methamphetamine; research priority; substance-related disorder.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Attitude
Communication
Humans
Methamphetamine* / adverse effects
Research
Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

Methamphetamine