Combining the government’s ambitions to shift towards more preventative healthcare and to harness the full potential of technology, the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) are being used to help combat drug addiction and save lives.
The funding has been awarded to 11 projects across eight organisations, with projects being selected as part of the Reducing Drug Deaths Challenge and the NIHR i4i Addiction: Innovation for Treatment and Recovery Awards which are being run by the Scottish Government and NIHR.
Cutting-edge innovation
The projects include an alerting system that takes advantage of wearable technology, remote monitoring, and AI to help prevent drug overdoses.
Innovators at King’s College London, meanwhile, are developing ways of improving access to the life-saving drug, naloxone – something that can rapidly reverse heroin and opioid overdose effects but can be limited in supply.
Researchers are looking into designing naloxone wafers, rather than the typical injections or nasal sprays.
The same university is investigating how VR can address drug triggers and stop relapses.
“We’re determined to harness the full potential of cutting-edge technology to save thousands of lives across the country,” said Andrew Gwynne, the public health and prevention minister.
“I want the UK to lead the way in championing innovation to end the harmful effects of addiction.”
New approaches
The science minister, Lord Vallance, said: “The UK’s life sciences sector plays a critical role in finding new ways to tackle the biggest challenges facing healthcare, including the devastating impact of addiction.
“The Addiction Healthcare Goals programme is testament to our commitment to bringing together researchers, clinicians, and innovators to create real change.”
Chair of the programme, Professor Anne Lingford-Hughes, added: “New approaches to treat drug addiction and reduce drug related deaths, particularly from overdose, are urgently needed.
“The Addiction Healthcare Goals programme is pleased to fund promising innovations that have brought together partnerships between industry, academia and organisations involved in delivering treatment and care for those experiencing drug addictions.”
Several of the projects are based in Scotland, which has the highest drug death rates on the continent.
Image credit: iStock
