Daniel Chetcuti, a recent MSc Pharmacotoxicology graduate of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, was recently on a two month Erasmus+ traineeship at the Drugs 福利在线免费 and Monitoring System (DIMS), a program of the Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands. DIMS monitors the illicit drug market through a network of 32 test locations. It coordinates the collection and analysis of drug samples submitted by users, helping to identify their composition and detect harmful substances.
Testing involves examining around 130 samples per week, their physical characteristics as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis. Once laboratory analysis is complete, the results are interpreted and entered into an online database, where users can contact the testing facilities to obtain their results. Through this comprehensive system, DIMS not only helps to monitor the drug market but also plays a critical role in public health by mitigating the risks associated with drug use.
Through this, DIMS offers harm reduction services by informing users about the risks of drug use and issuing public health alerts when dangerous substances are found. This placement provided Daniel with a unique hands-on experience in drug checking services, drug abuse, and addiction research, allowing him to apply his academic knowledge to real-world public health initiatives. Daniel鈥檚 work at the Trimbos Institute exemplifies the critical intersection of academic training and practical application, contributing significantly to the field of public health and safety. This experience will prove invaluable since Daniel has been selected as one of the new part time on call staff for the new Malta National Poisons Centre which has just opened.
For more info about this MSc Pharmacotoxicology, contact the Department by sending an email.
