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Khoshnood Receives Grant Funds for Study of Research Ethics with Active Users of Illicit Drugs
Kaveh Khoshnood, Ph. D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and
Public Health, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Donaghue Initiative
in Biomedical and Behavioral Research Ethics for a study addressing ethical
issues arising in the context of research conducted with active users
of illicit drugs. Khoshnood will serve as P.I. on the study, entitled
“Study of Research Ethics with Active Users of Illicit Drugs,”
and Kevin Irwin, M.A., Research Associate in Epidemiology and Public Health,
will serve as Co-P.I.
The use of illicit drugs is often linked to other health problems, particularly
the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Thus, as the use of illicit drugs
has risen, the need for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C prevention efforts among
illicit drug users has triggered an increase in the amount of research
done with illicit drug users who are neither in drug treatment nor in
other clinical settings. Such research necessarily involves vulnerable
participants, who are frequently engaged in illegal activities, financially
disadvantaged, drug addicted and victims of racial, ethnic and/or gender
discrimination. Ethical issues arising in this setting include, among
others, the possibility of coercion of participants, obtaining informed
consent from participants, the long-term impact of illicit drug use on
individuals and the communities in which they reside, and ethical dilemmas
arising while doing fieldwork.
The objectives of the study are to produce a manual for researchers to
use in designing and executing ethical research with active, out-of-treatment
illicit drug users and to enhance the ability of institutional review
boards to evaluate and provide guidance for such research.
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