The project aims to develop and test an innovative drug treatment programme using advanced virtual reality (VR) technology in a young offender population under probation supervision.
“VR for Drug Rehabilitation” stands for Using Virtual Reality Technology for the Rehabilitation of Drug Users in Probation Services.
The project will develop and adapt scenarios for a VR application that induce drug craving in the target group, as an additional tool to cue exposure therapy.
Moreover, it will develop an assessment tool for testing the VR effects, and a pilot programme in the probation services of the jurisdictions that take part in the consortium.
The kick-off meeting of the VR for Drug Rehabilitation project took place in Izmir, Turkey, on the 15th and 16th of April, 2019.
The project consortium is composed of partners from Portugal (IPS_Innovative Prison Systems), Turkey (the Izmir Probation Directorate, the Ege University’s Institute on Drug Abuse, Toxicology, and Pharmaceutical Science, and the Torbalı Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation), Spain (Psious VR Therapy), and Romania (European Strategies Consulting).
In addition to the kick-off meeting, which has gathered representatives from all the involved partners, the project was also presented to representatives of the National Assembly, the Izmir Public Prosecution Service, the Izmir Probation Service, the police department and various representatives of the local education system.
Learn more about the VR for Drug Rehabilitation project on this page.