Scientific Publications


Costs of syringe vending machines in Tbilisi, Georgia

Costs of syringe vending machines in Tbilisi, Georgia

August 02, 2023

Syringe vending machines (SVM) can improve access to sterile injecting equipment, but they have not been widely implemented or evaluated. We evaluate the cost of SVM installed between July 2019–December 2020 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

No Good Time Without Drugs: Qualitative Study Among Nightlife Attendees in Tbilisi, Georgia

No Good Time Without Drugs: Qualitative Study Among Nightlife Attendees in Tbilisi, Georgia

August 10, 2022

Individuals who visit nightclubs and electronic dance music (EDM) festivals tend to use psychoactive substances, often multiple substances, in this setting and are at risk of serious negative health effects. This paper aims to explore respondents’ experiences and perceptions in order to have a better understanding of patterns and motives related to psychoactive substance use and high-risk behaviors in EDM event attendees. METHODS: In-depth and focus group interviews with 30 EDM event attendees who reported psychoactive substance use at nightlife events. The data was analyzed using the Nvivo-v.10 software.

Implementation and evaluation of a syringe vending machine trial in Tbilisi, Georgia

Implementation and evaluation of a syringe vending machine trial in Tbilisi, Georgia

March 14, 2022

Syringe vending machines (SVM) have proven to be an effective vehicle for providing an uninterrupted supply of sterile equipment to PWID, but they have not been implemented or disseminated broadly. The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate the outcomes of introducing SVM in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on illicit drug supply, drug-related behaviour of people who use drugs and provision of drug related services in Georgia: results of a mixed methods prospective cohort study

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on illicit drug supply, drug-related behaviour of people who use drugs and provision of drug related services in Georgia: results of a mixed methods prospective cohort study

March 09, 2022

This study examines the effects of COVID-19 related restrictions on the supply of illicit drugs, drug-use behavior among people who use drugs (PWUD) regularly (at least weekly), and drug-related service provision in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Smart Syringe Vending Machines: Research Capabilities and Implications for Research Data Collection

Smart Syringe Vending Machines: Research Capabilities and Implications for Research Data Collection

November 21, 2021

Syringe vending machines (SVMs) are intended to supplement the standard syringe exchange programs to access hard-to-reach groups and cover unserved geographical areas. This report describes how we adapted SVMs to deliver interventions and collect research data as part of a study of smart SVMs (SSVMs) in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Impact Of The COVID-19 Epidemic On Drug Markets And Behavior Of People Who Use Drugs In Georgia

Impact Of The COVID-19 Epidemic On Drug Markets And Behavior Of People Who Use Drugs In Georgia

March 24, 2021

The effects of decriminalization of cannabis in Georgia (country) on user behaviors

The effects of decriminalization of cannabis in Georgia (country) on user behaviors

August 04, 2020

Patterns of use of new psychoactive substances and perceived benefits and negative effects: results of online survey in Georgia (country)

Patterns of use of new psychoactive substances and perceived benefits and negative effects: results of online survey in Georgia (country)

August 06, 2019

Scientific Publication

Perceived acceptability of and willingness to use syringe vending machines: results of a cross-sectional survey of out-of-service people who inject drugs in Tbilisi, Georgia

Perceived acceptability of and willingness to use syringe vending machines: results of a cross-sectional survey of out-of-service people who inject drugs in Tbilisi, Georgia

March 21, 2019

Scientific Publication

Nightlife and Drug Use in Tbilisi, Georgia: Results of an Exploratory Qualitative Study

Nightlife and Drug Use in Tbilisi, Georgia: Results of an Exploratory Qualitative Study

February 20, 2019

Scientific Publication

Feasibility of needle and syringe programs in Tajikistan distributing low dead space needles

Feasibility of needle and syringe programs in Tajikistan distributing low dead space needles

August 31, 2018

Scientific Publication

Republic of Georgia estimates for prevalence of drug use: Randomized response techniques suggest under-estimation

Republic of Georgia estimates for prevalence of drug use: Randomized response techniques suggest under-estimation

April 18, 2018

Scientific Publication

Options for reducing HIV transmission related to the dead space in needles and syringes

Options for reducing HIV transmission related to the dead space in needles and syringes

January 15, 2018

Scientific Publication

Exploring the New Phenomena of Home-Made Extraction and Injection of Ephedra Plant Product in Georgia

Exploring the New Phenomena of Home-Made Extraction and Injection of Ephedra Plant Product in Georgia

February 03, 2017

Scientific Publication

Drug preparation, injection, and sharing practices in Tajikistan: a qualitative study in Kulob and Khorog

Drug preparation, injection, and sharing practices in Tajikistan: a qualitative study in Kulob and Khorog

June 02, 2016

Scientific Publication

Policing, massive street drug testing and poly-substance use chaos in Georgia - a policy case study

Policing, massive street drug testing and poly-substance use chaos in Georgia - a policy case study

January 16, 2016

Scientific Publication

Feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally sensitive women-centered substance use intervention in Georgia: Sex risk outcomes

Feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally sensitive women-centered substance use intervention in Georgia: Sex risk outcomes

December 08, 2015

Scientific Publication

Factors that influence the characteristics of needles and syringes used by people who inject drugs in Tajikistan

Factors that influence the characteristics of needles and syringes used by people who inject drugs in Tajikistan

October 16, 2015

Scientific Publication

Women who inject drugs in the republic of georgia: in their own words

Women who inject drugs in the republic of georgia: in their own words

March 10, 2015

Scientific Publication

Drug scene, drug use and drug-related health consequences and responses in Kulob and Khorog, Tajikistan

Drug scene, drug use and drug-related health consequences and responses in Kulob and Khorog, Tajikistan

November 25, 2014

Scientific Publication

Opioid addicted buprenorphine injectors: drug use during and after 12-weeks of buprenorphine-naloxone or methadone in the Republic of Georgia

Opioid addicted buprenorphine injectors: drug use during and after 12-weeks of buprenorphine-naloxone or methadone in the Republic of Georgia

October 22, 2014

Scientific Publication

Process and Product in Cross-Cultural Treatment Research: Development of a Culturally Sensitive Women-Centered Substance Use Intervention in Georgia

Process and Product in Cross-Cultural Treatment Research: Development of a Culturally Sensitive Women-Centered Substance Use Intervention in Georgia

September 22, 2014

Scientific Publication

Comprehensive Women-centered Treatment for Substance Use Disorders in Georgia: Current Status and Future Directions

Comprehensive Women-centered Treatment for Substance Use Disorders in Georgia: Current Status and Future Directions

June 06, 2014

Scientific Publication

Methadone and buprenorphine-naloxone are effective in reducing illicit buprenorphine and other opioid use, and reducing HIV risk behavior – Outcomes of a Randomized Trial

Methadone and buprenorphine-naloxone are effective in reducing illicit buprenorphine and other opioid use, and reducing HIV risk behavior – Outcomes of a Randomized Trial

December 01, 2013

Scientific Publication

Access to treatment for substance-using women in the Republic of Georgia: Socio-cultural and structural barriers

Access to treatment for substance-using women in the Republic of Georgia: Socio-cultural and structural barriers

June 04, 2013

Scientific Publication

Twice Stigmatized: Provider’s Perspectives on Drug-Using Women in the Republic of Georgia

Twice Stigmatized: Provider’s Perspectives on Drug-Using Women in the Republic of Georgia

March 04, 2013

Scientific Publication

Female partners of opioid-injecting men in the Republic of Georgia: an initial characterization

Female partners of opioid-injecting men in the Republic of Georgia: an initial characterization

November 16, 2012

Scientific Publication

Behavioral Treatment + Naltrexone Reduces Drug Use and Legal Problems in the Republic of Georgia

Behavioral Treatment + Naltrexone Reduces Drug Use and Legal Problems in the Republic of Georgia

January 05, 2012

Scientific Publication

Drug Use and HIV Risk Outcomes in Opioid-Injecting Men in the Republic of Georgia: Behavioral Treatment + Naltrexone compared to Usual Care

Drug Use and HIV Risk Outcomes in Opioid-Injecting Men in the Republic of Georgia: Behavioral Treatment + Naltrexone compared to Usual Care

July 13, 2011

Scientific Publication

We are ordinary men': MSM identity categories in Tbilisi, Georgia

We are ordinary men': MSM identity categories in Tbilisi, Georgia

November 12, 2010

Scientific Publication

Why do the clients of Georgian needle exchange programmes inject buprenorphine?

Why do the clients of Georgian needle exchange programmes inject buprenorphine?

November 02, 2009

Scientific Publication

Secrecy and risk among MSM in Tbilisi, Georgia

Secrecy and risk among MSM in Tbilisi, Georgia

May 21, 2009

Scientific Publication

Georgia: anti-drug law violates human rights

Georgia: anti-drug law violates human rights

December 12, 2007

Scientific Publication