Opening of SEIER
Minister of Health and Care Services, Jan Christian Vestre, opened the research centre SEIER – Centre for Evidence-Based Interventions in Substance Abuse Treatment on 20 October. The Trond Mohn Research Foundation and Helse Bergen are funding the initiative with 30 million kroner each.
People with severe substance use disorders have a substantially shorter life expectancy than the rest of the population and often face complex health challenges. SEIER will develop and test treatment models that integrate substance use treatment with physical and mental health care. The aim is to improve quality of life and extend life expectancy. The centre is the first of its kind in the world, and its research could help shape treatment services in Norway and internationally.
The opening brought together representatives from research, health services and service user organisations. In addition to Vestre, speakers included Centre Director Lars Thore Fadnes; Deputy Managing Director of Helse Bergen Clara Gram Gjesdal; Managing Director of the Trond Mohn Research Foundation Nicholas Knag Nunn; Head of HUSET Marianne Cook Pierron; Chair of Foreningen for human ruspolitikk Arild Knutsen; and Clinic Director Christian Ohldieck.
Fadnes, Pierron, Knutsen and Ohldieck then joined Else-Marie Løberg and Kjell Arne Johansson for a panel discussion.