• The Doctoral Programme in Population Health coordinates the course
• The course is part of the Field-Specific Studies module
• The course is available to students of other degree programmes
• The course is intended for a broad audience, including MSc students, doctoral candidates, and residents and professionals working in the related fields.

To understand the role of forensic toxicology and drug testing in the society, to recognize the substances that are commonly abused or cause poisonings, and to know the possibilities and limitations of current drug testing methodology.

Drug and alcohol abuse and related legal issues are widespread in the society. This course covers the societal areas of forensic toxicology and drug testing, discloses the most important substances that are abused or cause poisonings, evaluates the current testing methodology, and discusses relevant guidelines.

The course is especially useful for those interested in forensic medicine and toxicology, substance use disorders, social pharmacy, psychiatry, laboratory diagnostics and epidemiology.

The lectures are given by domestic and foreign speakers, who are key experts in their fields. The specific topics include drug and alcohol pharmacology, illicit drug situation in Finland and Europe, drug and alcohol testing methods, driving under the influence, workplace drug testing, drug testing in diagnosis and treatment, drug-related crime, doping control, and cause-of-death investigation.

Program

13.9. Biomedicum, sh.3, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-15 Dimensions of forensic toxicology: Ilkka Ojanperä, Department of Forensic medicine, University of Helsinki
15-16 Drug and alcohol testing methodology: Pirkko Kriikku, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki

20.9. Haartman-instituutti, s1, Haartmaninkatu 3
13-16 Drug situation in Europe: Ana Gallegos, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), Lisbon, Portugal

27.9. Biomedicum, sh.3, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-16 Forensic pharmacology of addictive drugs: Robert Kronstrand, Department of Forensic Genetics and Forensic Toxicology, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden

4.10. Biomedicum, sali 3, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-14 Drugs and crime: Jussi Perälä, Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki
14-16 Illicit drugs – A police laboratory perspective: Sami Huhtala, National Bureau of Investigation, Forensic Laboratory, Vantaa

11.10. Biomedicum, sh.3, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-16 Doping: Tiia Kuuranne, Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, Epalinges, Switzerland

18.10. Biomedicum, sali 3, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-16 Forensic aspects of alcohol: Gudrun Høiseth, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

25.10. Biomedicum, sh.3, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-16 Psychopharmacology
Opioids: Teemu Aitta-aho, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki
Stimulants and cannabis: Petri Hyytiä, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki
Benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids and antidepressants: Esa Korpi, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki

1.11. Biomedicum, sh.1-2, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-14 Treatment of drug addicts: Kaarlo Simojoki, A-Clinic Foundation, Helsinki
14-16 Current development of drug situation and policy in Finland: Elina Kotovirta, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health; Katja Pihlainen, Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea), Helsinki

8.11. Biomedicum, sh.3, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-14 Driving under the influence – Medical aspects: Antti Mikkonen, Addiktum Oy, Turku, Finland
14-15 Driving under the influence – A public health perspective: Karoliina Karjalainen, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki
15-16 Driving under the influence – A police perspective: Petri Varjos, National Bureau of Investigation, Forensic Laboratory, Vantaa

15.11. Biomedicum, sali 2, Haartmaninkatu 8
13-14 Workplace drug testing: Sanna Taskinen, Vita Laboratoriot Oy, Helsinki
14-15 Post-mortem toxicology: Pirkko Kriikku, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki
15-16 Chemical warfare agents and incapacitating agents: Paula Vanninen, VERIFIN, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki

pass/fail, attendance required

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Lectures

Ojanperä Ilkka