NIKI Trip 2009
This was my first NIKI trip, and an important chance to visit the Motherland after 10 years! We were invited to three Medical Universities in the cities of Kashan, Zahedan and Kermanshah; where I met with most of the academic staff working in Psychiatry and Addiction fields. Overall I was very impressed by their level of knowledge and dedication, most being up to date with the latest evidence. What they generally lacked were resources and functioning multidisciplinary teams. I also visited a few of the numerous Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) programmes set up across Iran, as well as some of the wonderful historical sites!
As well as my main talk on Diamorphine Substitution Treatment for Heroin Addicts, I gave seminars on:
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Psychiatric training in UK,
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Addiction services in UK,
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Differences in psychiatric practice.
Some of the main areas for possible future collaboration include:
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Local educational seminars and arrangement for trainees to attend sabbaticals in UK
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Exchange of ideas regarding the illicit drug market in Iran – e.g. ‘Krak’ (concentrated heroin, smoked or iv), Crystal Meth, Temgesac (heroin-steroid mixture)
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Much research data available, with estimated 2 million heroin addicts
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Liberal MMT policy and highly experienced staff in its indications, usage and problems
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Psychiatry, stigma, and types of deliberate self-harm (e.g. self-burning)
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Accepted methods of assessment and interaction with patients
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Problems with internally manufactured medications
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Specialist services for ‘runaway’ women.
Overall an enormously successful and satisfying trip, highly recommended especially for Iranian expatriates keen to preserve or re-establish links with their country of origin.
