Research Activities
Research projects involving DAO include:
A preventative intervention for illicit drug using mothers and their infants
A/Prof (Adj.) Anne Bartu1,2, Jennie Sharp2, Prof. Sue McDonald3 & A/Prof (Adj.) Sharon Evans3
1 Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services
2 School of Nursing & Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology
3 Women & Infants Research Foundation
The majority of illicit drug using women are of childbearing age. Many pregnancies are unplanned. Unplanned pregnancy has the potential to increase the incidence of postnatal psychological morbidity and effect mother/baby interactions. While there is evidence of the progress of illicit drug using women during the antenatal period and delivery, little is known about the postnatal outcomes of the mothers and infants.
This randomised controlled trial was conducted to test the efficacy of a home visiting intervention designed to increase breast feeding, enhance parenting skills, reduce drug use of postnatal illicit drug using mothers, and develop a model of best practice for illicit drug using mothers that can be introduced into mainstream obstetric, midwifery and outreach services.
Funding: Healthways (# 8027)
Contact: Anne Bartu Email: Anne.Bartu@health.wa.gov.au
Perinatal care for illicit-drug using mothers and their infants
Ms. J. Sharp1, Professor A. Bartu1,2, Dr. T. Tse3
1 School of Nursing and Midwifery, Curtin University of Technology
2 Drug and Alcohol Office
3 Hong Kong University
Pregnant, illicit drug using women constitute a special population with different and specific treatment needs often with complex social, medical and obstetric complications. Currently there are no relevant education and support programs for rural and remote practitioners to assist them in managing this population. This education and support program is being designed and developed in consultation with a state multidisciplinary team of clinicians and researchers and the Joanna Briggs Institute for Evidence Based Nursing. The main objective is to develop and offer a WEB-CT learning environment for Rural and Remote health care personnel on the perinatal management and care of illicit drug using mothers and their infants.
Funding: Rural Health Support, Education and Training (RHSET)
Pilot study of the Western Australian Register of buprenorphine treatment in pregnancy and the early postnatal period
Professor A Bartu1,2, Dr D Hamilton2, Dr D Doherty3, Dr. K Martin3
1 School of Nursing and Midwifery Curtin University, WA
2 Drug and Alcohol Office
3 King Edward Memorial Hospital
4 School of Women’s and Infants Health, University of Western Australia, Women and Infants Research Foundation
Buprenorphine, marketed as Subutex, is a drug used to treat opioid dependence. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. However a small, but growing, number of women are choosing to use the drug (either prescribed or non-prescribed). This study is designed to: determine the duration and dose of buprenorphine exposure during pregnancy; assess exposure to other pharmacotherapies; monitor the obstetric and neonatal effects of buprenorphine, and ascertain health care utilisation and adverse effects for two years post delivery via record linkage.
Funding: Women and Infant’s Research Foundation #ECO4 16.2
Contact: Anne Bartu Email: Anne.Bartu@health.wa.gov.au
Recreational Use of Amphetamines and Breastfeeding
Bartu, A.1, Ilett, K.2, Kristensen, J.3, Roberts3, M., Dusci, L.4
1 School of Nursing and Midwifery Curtin University of Technology
2Department of Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA
3 Pharmacy Department, King Edward Memorial & Princess Margaret Hospitals, Subiaco, WA
4 Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology Laboratory, The Western Australian Centre for Pathology & Medical Research, Nedlands, WA
Currently there are no data on the concentrations of amphetamines that occur in breast milk during recreational use. The aims of this study are (a) to quantify the concentration of amphetamines in breast milk of lactating recreational users, and (b) use the information to produce pragmatic strategies to minimise or prevent adverse effects in the infant in the event that a breastfeeding mother continues to use amphetamines recreationally.
Contact: Anne Bartu Email: Anne.Bartu@health.wa.gov.au
Transplacental Transfer of Buprenorphine
Professor Anne Bartu1,2, Dr Dale Hamilton3, Ms. Renate McLaurin3, Dr Doherty Dorota4, Mr L Peter Hackett5
1 School of Nursing and Midwifery Curtin University, WA
2 Drug and Alcohol Office
3 King Edward Memorial and Princess Margaret Hospitals, Subiaco, WA
4 School of Women’s and Infants Health, University of Western Australia
5 PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA
The onset of pregnancy is associated with major changes in maternal physiology to accommodate the development of the feto-placental unit and effects the absorption, distribution and elimination of endogenous compounds and medications. The pharmacokinetics of drugs differs in the pregnant versus the non-pregnant women. The placenta regulates the transfer on endogenous compounds, drugs, macromolecules and gasses to and from the fetus. Drugs administered during pregnancy may have either direct or indirect effects on normal fetal growth and development. Information on buprenorphine effects on the fetus is essential to guide clinical decisions about its use. The aim of this study is to assess transplacental transfer of buprenorphine to infants at time of delivery. This information is essential to determine the effect of the drug on fetal circulation and its influence on the severity of the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
Contact: Anne Bartu Email: Anne.Bartu@health.wa.gov.au
Evaluation of the Youth Detox and Respite Service (Mission Australia)
Bartu, A. & Evans, L.
The Youth Detox and Respite Service of Mission Australia provides a 24 hour, 5-14 day low medical detoxification program for young people affected by alcohol and other drugs. The service commenced operations in mid 2003 and the formative evaluation was completed in September 2004. The findings indicated that the service was viewed favourably by key stakeholders and recommendations were made to improve service delivery.
Contact: Anne Bartu Email: Anne.Bartu@health.wa.gov.au
Evaluation of Young People’s Opportunity Program (YPOP): An early intervention initiative for diverting juvenile offenders with drug problems into treatment.
Bartu, A. & Evans, L.
This program is one of a suite of diversion initiatives now operating in Western Australia. The primary aim of this program is to divert young offenders, aged 10-17 years from Juvenile Justice Teams (JJTs) into treatment. The program commenced in April 2004 and was evaluated after the first year of operation. The evaluation included both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analyses, two months telephone follow-up of consenting clients and interviews with key stakeholders. The findings indicated that the service was meeting its short term objectives in terms of assessment, referral and reporting requirements. A number of recommendations were made to enhance service provisions and assessment of mid to long term outcomes.
Contact: Anne Bartu Email: Anne.Bartu@health.wa.gov.au
The effect of a divided methadone dose upon opioid withdrawal and mood disturbance among methadone maintenance patients.
Kyle Dyer1,2, Ken Ilett1, Belinda Wright1, Chris Cruickshank2
1. Department of Pharmacology, University of WA
2. Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services
Naltrexone pharmacochemistry and sustained-release preparations: A systematic literature review.
Kyle Dyer1,2 , Chris Cruikshank2, Mike Tressler 3
1. Dept. of Pharmacology, Uni. of WA
2. Next Step
3. Kalamazoo College, Michigan, USA
Predictors of outcome from inpatient detoxification: Opioid and alcohol withdrawal.
Kyle Dyer1,2, Peter Nelson2, Kim Newcombe2
1. Dept. of Pharmacology, Uni. of WA
2. Next Step
Psychometric evaluation of the Beck Depression Inventory-II among drug dependent patients.
Kyle Dyer1,2, Alison Marsh3, Sophie LaVincente4
1. Dept. of Pharmacology, University of WA
2. Next Step
3. School of Psychology, Curtin Uni.
4. Dept. of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology, University of Adelaide.
Naltrexone maintenance following heroin withdrawal using Buprenorphine.
Kyle Dyer1,2 Chris Cruikshank2, Allan Quigley2
1. Dept. of Pharmacology, Uni. of WA
2. Next Step
Next Step Treatment Census: Consumer Treatment Satisfaction and Outcome.
Kyle Dyer1,2, Kim Newcombe2, Chris Cruikshank2, Mel Robson2
1. Dept. of Pharmacology, Uni. of WA
2. Next Step
Inpatient amphetamine detoxification: an overview of treatment practice and outcome.
Kyle R Dyer1,2, Chris Cruickshank1
1. Next Step Specialist Drug & Alcohol Services
2. Department of Pharmacology, University of Western Australia
The use of saliva for therapeutic drug monitoring in methadone maintenance.
Kyle R. Dyer1,2, Catherine Wilkinson1, Kenneth F. Ilett1,3, Hayley Taylor1, Sean O’Halloran3, Leon J. Dusci3, Michelle Lewer3, Michelle Duncan2
1. School of Medicine & Pharmacology, The University of WA
2. Next Step Drug & Alcohol Services WA
3. Division of Clinical Pathology, PathCentre WA
Saliva, a novel matrix for identifying methamphetamine and cannabis use among dependent patients.
Kyle R. Dyer1,2, Hayley Taylor1, Kenneth F. Ilett1,3, Catherine Wilkinson1, Sean O’Halloran3, Leon J. Dusci3, Michelle Lewer3
1. School of Medicine & Pharmacology, The University of WA
2. Next Step Drug & Alcohol Services, WA
3. Division of Clinical Pathology, PathCentre, WA |