MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale
European Studies Council

International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) Conference - Marrakesh

Ph.D. Student and European Studies Council Graduate Fellow Dan Bromberg attended the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) Conference in Marrakesh, Morocco.
by Dan Bromberg

In November 2023, I had the privilege of presenting at the ISAM Conference held in Marrakesh. This conference, a gathering of professionals and experts in the field of addiction medicine, provided me with a platform to share my research, engage in knowledge exchange, and expand my professional network.

Presentation Highlights

  1. Latent Class Analysis Study in Malaysia: My presentation showcased a study my team and I conducted in Malaysia, focusing on the use of latent class analysis to uncover syndemics among incarcerated people who use drugs. The study’s findings emphasized the need for Malaysian policymakers to give more attention to individuals with psychiatric conditions and severe substance use disorders. This subgroup is often lost to treatment following their release, underlining a critical area for intervention.
  2. Harm Reduction Services in Ukraine: In a presentation, my co-presenters and I discussed the changes in harm reduction service provision during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The war has necessitated a reevaluation and adaptation of these services, making this an essential topic for discussion among international health professionals.
  3. Opioid Agonist Therapy in Kazakhstan: This study focused on the barriers and facilitators to expanding opioid agonist therapy in Kazakhstan. The study was particularly timely, given the efforts of pro-Russian political groups to ban this treatment in alignment with the anti-harm reduction policies of the Russian Federation. Our presentation highlighted the complex interplay of politics and health policy in substance use treatment.

Networking and Professional Development

The conference was not only a platform for presenting research but also a valuable opportunity for networking. For example, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Kevin Mulvey, Executive Director at the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction and former Senior Public Health Advisor at SAMHSA. Dr. Mulvey provided advice on how my skills and experience could be transferrable to positions within the US government. His guidance and others’ was particularly beneficial as I prepare to enter the job market.