INTERVIEWS WITH PATIENTS WITH ADDICTION, ORGANISED BY DASM IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE CARE4SUD PROJECT

Abstract

The European Union and its Member States have taken strategic and operational measures to address the health and safety implications of drug traffi cking and of drug use. Equipping health care practitioners with addiction treatment competences and techniques (CARE4SUD) is a project which is funded by the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union (KA 220 VET – Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training). The project’s overall objective is to ensure a higher professionalism of the healthcare work force in the illicit drug addiction fi eld at national and European level. Objectives: Exploring needs and gaps through interviews with patients. Matherial and methods: The interviews for Romania with patients were held by DASM as follows: 5 interviews with patients, lasting for about 20 minutes each, conducted by two physicians, part of the project team. All interviews were conducted with the participants’ approval for audio recording and prior completion of their informed consent form, as required in the project methodology. The structure of the interviews complied with the methodology provided by UPorto (Portugal), the coordinator of Activity 2.3. Results and Discutions: Considering the 5 interviews which were held it appears that the participants believe that in Romania there are not enough centres addressed to addicts and that the professionals are not properly trained in treating addiction and in the management of addictions. Drug users initially prefer to turn to psychologists for treatment, rarely to doctors. The participants in the interviews emphasized the essential role of support groups and of the help of other addicts in abstinence/recovery. There is a real need for training of medical staff in dealing with addicts, especially of medical staff in primary and in emergency care