Developing and Using Virtual Reality Technology for the Rehabilitation of Drug Users in Probation Services
Synopsis
This 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. It 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.
Objectives
The VRforDrugRehabilitation project seeks to develop a rehabilitation model for drug-using probationers (between the ages of 18 and 30) by using virtual reality technology. The specific objectives of this project are as follow:
- Decrease drug use and its harms among a vulnerable young population group (probationers) by developing and testing an innovative drug treatment programme that includes:
- Creating and adapting scenarios for the VR application that induce drug craving in the target group, as an additional tool to cue exposure therapy;
- Developing an assessment tool for testing VR sessions’ effects on users;
- Piloting the programme with the target group in the partner countries.
- Improve the quality and effectiveness of capacity building programmes within probation services, by:
- Developing a training programme for probation experts/officers (psychologist, social workers etc.) on how to deliver the VR drug treatment programme, in accordance with the individual needs of the cases previously tested;
- Piloting the training programme in the partner countries;
- Extend the results of the project which will be obtained after the pilot programmes in each partner country.
- Run seminars to explain the project and share the results of VR treatment sessions for probationers.
Expected outcomes
Training Course: „Developing Scenarios for Virtual Reality for Rehabilitation of Drug Addiction-1”
Training Course: „Developing Scenarios for Virtual Reality -for Rehabilitation of Drug Addiction-2”
Training Course: „Developing Assessment Tools for Virtual Reality Scenarios for Drug Addiction”
Training Course: „Using Virtual Reality Model to Drug Users”
Promoter
District Governorship of Torbalı, Turkey
Partners
IPS_Innovative Prison Systems, Portugal
Izmir Probation Directorate, Turkey
Ege University’s Institute on Drug Abuse, Toxicology, and Pharmaceutical Science, Turkey
Psious VR Therapy, Spain
European Strategies Consulting, Romania
Funding
Erasmus+
KA2 – Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices
Strategic partnerships in the field of youth
Timeframe
02/2019 – 01/2021 (24 months)
Project Website
International Multiplier Event
