Substance Abuse in Special Populations

Seth Kwabena Amponsah (PhD) is Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School. He has had post-doctoral fellowships under the BANGA-Africa Project and BSU III (DANIDA – Denmark). He has over 15 years’ experience in teaching and research. His research focus includes Clinical Pharmacology (infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship): prudent use of antimicrobials, antimicrobial level monitoring, and efficacy of antimicrobials in patients. He has experience in population pharmacokinetic modelling, non-compartment pharmacokinetic estimation, and pharmacokinetic evaluation of new drug formulations. He has published over 80 research articles, 6 books, 45 book chapters, and several conference abstracts. He is Academic Editor for PLOS One and Associate Editor for Pan African Medical Journal.Irene Akwo Kretchy (PhD) is a Professor of Social and Behavioural Pharmacy at the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana. Her research focuses on social and behavioural aspects of health, with specific research interests in psychosocial approaches to medication use and other treatments for infectious and non-communicable diseases, encompassing both physical and mental health. She is also interested in the intersection of gender, health, and medication utilisation, as well as improving access to essential physical and mental health services and products through access, use, and policies. Her research also emphasises understanding the perceptions and experiences of patients, caregivers and policymakers in physical and mental health utilisation and outcomes. She is an Editor of the Health Sciences Investigative Journal and has over 100 peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters to her credit.Yashwant V. Pathak (PhD) has over 15 years of versatile administrative experience in an Institution of Higher education as Dean (and over 30 years as faculty and as a researcher in higher education after his PhD). Presently holds the position for Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Tenured Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is an internationally recognized scholar, researcher and educator in the areas of health care education, nanotechnology, drug delivery systems and nutraceuticals. He has received many international and national awards including four Fulbright Fellowships, Endeavour Executive Fellowship by Australian Government, four outstanding faculty awards and he was selected as Fellow of American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2021. He has published over 350 research publications, reviews and chapters in various books. He has edited over 60 books in various fields including nanotechnology, nutraceuticals, conflict management and cultural studies. He is also actively involved many non-profit organizations, to mention a few, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA, Sewa International USA, International accreditation council for Dharma Schools and Colleges, International commission for Human rights and religious freedom, and Uberoi Foundation for religious studies, among others.

• SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER: AN OVERVIEW. NEUROBIOLOGY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION. GENETICS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN ADOLESCENTS: A CASE-BASED PERSPECTIVE. SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN PREGNANCY. SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN GERIATRICS. WORKPLACE AND SUBSTANCE USE: CASE STUDY EXAMPLES FROM INDIA. DRUG ABUSE IN CANCER PATIENTS. DRUG ABUSE IN COVID-19 PATIENTS. DRUG ABUSE IN HIV PATIENTS. LABORATORY ASSAYS IN THE DETERMINATION OF SUBSTANCES OF ABUSEDEPRESSION, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. HOUSEHOLD SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE. DRUGS AND THE LAW