Seminar on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Training, Analysis, and Prevention (DEB)

On December 6th, 2024, starting at 2:00 PM, a public seminar titled Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was held at the N.C. “Nicandro Izzo” Correctional Facility in Viterbo. The event was part of the AGILE Project – Alliance for Inclusive, Fair, and Efficient Justice.

The “drug phenomenon” originates and thrives in social contexts where cultural, health and economic factors interact. In recent years, there has been an increase in drug use and a shift in the socio-psychological motivations driving individuals toward these substances. Since the justice system is considered a public service that influences the socio-economic development of the country, universities can contribute to improving community well-being through collaboration with judicial offices.

The seminar opened with a welcome address by Dr. Marco Grasselli, Director of the Correctional Facility.

Among the speakers:

• Prof. Anna Maria Timperio, professor at the University of Tuscia and Head of the UNITUS Drug Analysis Laboratory (LAS), emphasized the crucial role of technical assessments of the quality and quantity of drugs in criminal cases related to narcotics. She highlighted the importance of toxicological consultants in determining the characteristics of the substances under examination. She also referred to the framework agreement signed in 2018 between the University of Tuscia and the Prosecutor’s Office of Viterbo for conducting toxicological analyses of seized substances.
• Dr. Veronica Lelli, researcher at the Drug Analysis Laboratory of the University of Tuscia, delivered a talk titled Combating Drug Trafficking: Training and Collaboration. During the seminar, she described the Protocol for Chemical-Toxicological Analysis of Drugs, illustrating the relevant regulations and analytical techniques, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, used in the analysis of seized samples.
• Dr. Fabrizio Ferri, Head of the Territorial Prison Healthcare Unit, addressed the topic Misuse and Diversion in Correctional Settings. He explained that misuse refers to the improper use of medications (doses or methods of administration differing from prescriptions), while diversion involves the transfer of medications to others—both common phenomena among individuals who use substances.
• Dr. Benedetta Marinozzi and Dr. Francesco Paciotti from the Addiction Services (Ser.D) of the Viterbo Local Health Authority (ASL) presented a seminar on The Effects of Common Drugs on Humans. They explained how these substances affect the central nervous system, generating specific effects and often leading to physical or psychological dependence.

The event, which was attended by personnel from the Correctional Facility, aimed to promote training and collaboration, fostering interaction between the university and stakeholders to build synergies based on knowledge.