Drug research: a comparison of ongoing research and perceived research priorities

Since drug abuse results in high costs to the community, it is vital that research funding be allocated in a way which ensures a maximum improvement in health for the money spent. This study explores the extent to which current research into drug and alcohol abuse in Australia reflects perceived research priorities. Two hundred and seventy-four ongoing research projects into drug and alcohol misuse were identified. Researchers currently working in this area were surveyed to ascertain perceived research priorities in terms of the drug studied, the type of data collected and the setting in which the study occurred. A comparison of ongoing projects with perceived research priorities indicated considerable discrepancies. Fewer intervention projects and more studies in laboratory and clinical settings were being undertaken than was perceived as desirable by the researchers. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for strategies for distributing research funds.