Researchers hope to determine if the medication, Paxil, helps reduce the craving methamphetamine users feel for their drug, says Dr. Melissa Piasecki, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Piasecki is conducting the research with four other members of the departments of psychiatry and psychology, and a certified drug and alcohol counselor. The research team needs at least 50 methamphetamine users from the area to agree to take Paxil or a placebo in order to determine Paxil's effectiveness. Jody Eble, 784-6388. In a second facet of the study, members of the department of psychology will administer a series of tests to establish the characteristics of a successful clinician in dealing with problems associated with methamphetamine use.
Subjects have the option of being videotaped for further study by the research team.
Such positive reinforcers, she said, could help complement future drug treatment. Methamphetamine users often show a strong tendency for relapse, which spurred the study's two-pronged approach, Piasecki said. Ole Thienhaus, chairman of the psychiatry department, is overseeing the study.