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Is there a problem with the status quo? Debating the need for standalone ethical guidelines for research with people who use alcohol and other drugs
Author(s) -
Olsen Anna,
MooneySomers Julie
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.12140
Subject(s) - status quo , research ethics , engineering ethics , human research , public relations , ethical issues , corporate governance , public involvement , medicine , psychology , political science , medical education , business , engineering , law , finance
In 2011, the A ustralian N ational H ealth and M edical R esearch C ouncil ( NHMRC ) initiated an inquiry to determine whether there is a need for expanded ethical guidance in the form of a discrete guidance document for alcohol and other drug ( AOD ) research. An issues paper was developed to frame the inquiry. AOD researchers, Human Research Ethics Committees and others were invited to discuss whether there are distinctive ethical issues facing researchers and Human Research Ethics Committees in the AOD setting. Based on the public submissions, the NHMRC recommended that no AOD research‐specific guidance is required. The inquiry and the NHMRC decision were not widely publicized, and we feel there is a need for further discussion. In order to do so, we have analysed the public inquiry submissions and described the central themes. Few submissions in the inquiry explicitly agreed AOD research warrants a specific guidance framework. Most were concerned that the NHMRC issues paper unfairly targeted people who use drugs as complex research participants. The inquiry highlights tensions around research governance and ethics review boards dealing with illicit and stigmatised behaviours. While we agree that a specific guidance framework for AOD research is not needed and could potentially be harmful and restrictive, we are concerned that the wholesale rejection of a guidance framework has closed the door to much needed debate. There remains, we argue, a need for alternative strategies and tools to support ethical research, inform and streamline institutional ethics approval, and engage and protect participants. [Olsen A, Mooney‐Somers J. Is there a problem with the status quo? Debating the need for standalone ethical guidelines for research with people who use AODs. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:637‐642]