2023 Conference on Substance Abuse and Addiction

& Asian Association for Substance Abuse Research 9th Annual Meeting Concludes Successfully

[Macau, October 21, 2023]

The 2023 Conference on Substance Abuse and Addiction and the 9th Annual Meeting of the Asian Association for Substance Abuse Research (AASAR) successfully concluded from October 20 to 21 in Macau. The conference brought together experts and scholars from across Asia to discuss the latest research findings and strategies for combating substance abuse.

The conference was inaugurated by AASAR President, Professor Spencer De Li, at 9:00 AM on October 20. In his opening speech, Professor Li welcomed all attendees, and the event commenced with a group photo session.

Keynote Sessions and Presentations

Following the opening ceremony, the first keynote session featured experts from various domains sharing their research. Highlights included a detailed overview of Macau's latest substance abuse prevention efforts by Mr. Cheng Yiu Dat and a discussion on improving drug abuse prevention advocacy from the perspective of drug users by Professors Shu-Lung Yang and Shu-Ping Tzeng.

The second keynote session, chaired by Professor Shu-Lung Yang in the afternoon, covered topics such as drug use in social interactions and campus drug prevention through online news media analysis. Scholars from several prestigious institutions presented their research findings.

The final keynote session of the day started at 4:00 PM, addressing treatment effectiveness, optimization of prevention policies, and the rehabilitation experiences of female drug users.

Panel Discussions

On October 21, the conference moved into panel discussion sessions. The themes of the panels were diverse and covered a wide range of topics:

Panel I: Substance Abuse Treatment: Innovations and Developments - Discussed new protocols and traditional medicine in addiction treatment.

Panel II: Psychology, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse - Explored the relationship between mental health issues and substance abuse.

Panel III: Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment in Asia - Addressed policy critiques, trauma-related substance use patterns, and telehealth applications during the pandemic.

Panel IV: Drug Use Prevention and Control in a New Era - Investigated drug prevention work in minority communities, biases in forensic science, and strategies for preventing youth substance abuse.

Panel V: Substance Abuse: Causes and Consequences - Analyzed challenges in controlling new psychoactive substances and the impact of substance abuse on aggressive behavior in domestic violence.

Panel VI: Prevention of Substance Abuse among Youth and Adolescents - Studied the role of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation among Chinese youth and school counseling models for drug abuse prevention in Taiwan.

Workshop and Site Visits

A workshop titled "The Application of AI in Substance Abuse Research and Practices" was also held, covering topics such as early detection and diagnosis, behavioral interventions, remote monitoring and support, and data analysis.

In the afternoon, some participants visited local substance abuse prevention and treatment agencies in Macau, including the Ka Ho Integrated Service Center, the Organic Youth initiative by the Young Men's Christian Association of Macau, and the Smart-Youth program by the Christian New Fellowship in Macau. These visits provided an in-depth understanding of local efforts in combating substance abuse.

Conclusion

The two-day conference was rich in content, with participants engaging in deep discussions and exchanges on their respective research areas. The insights and recommendations provided valuable guidance for the future development of substance abuse prevention and treatment in Asia. AASAR looks forward to continuing its efforts in this field and hosting more meaningful academic exchanges in the future.