An example to this source of research topic is the symposium on drug addiction

We are now entering the third decade of the 21st Century, and, especially in the last years, the achievements made by scientists have been exceptional, leading to major advancements in the fast-growing field of Mental Health. Frontiers have organized a series of Research Topics to highlight the latest advancements in science to be at the forefront of science in different fields of research within Mental Health Research.

The Neuroscience portfolio at Frontiers is launching these Research Topics to promote international awareness of Mental Health Disorders. Over the past few decades, major progress has been made toward removing inequalities for people with Mental Health Disorders. However, in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, a majority of countries announced lockdowns, impacting more than 90 percent of young people worldwide. Many people with Mental Health Disorders have been especially hard hit. Studies show that they have been disproportionately affected by increased loneliness, disruptions to routines, and services and support systems that they rely on.

This Research Topic article collection will focus on neuroscience research that can inform solutions for creating a culture of awareness, understanding, and solidarity, with this Topic focusing on the progress and challenges still faced in understanding Neuroimaging addiction.

The Research Topic solicits brief, forward-looking contributions from researchers around the globe that describe the state of the art, outlining, recent developments and major accomplishments that have been achieved and that need to occur to move the field forward. Authors are encouraged to identify the greatest challenges in the sub-disciplines, and how to address those challenges.

This special edition Research Topic aims to shed light on the progress made in the past decade in the field of Neuroimaging and Addiction and on its future challenges to provide a thorough overview of the status of the art of the Neuroimaging field. This article collection will inspire, inform and provide direction and guidance to researchers in the field.

This topic focuses on, but is not limited to,

• Investigating the role of neuroimaging techniques in studying the emotional and cognitive-behavioural components of the substance use and addictive disorders.

• Examining neural substrates that are related to addictive behaviour such as, risk taking, sensation seeking, impulsivity, compulsivity…

• New insights into the demonstrated deficits in brain circuits related to reward, negative emotionality, anxiety, stress, hyperarousal …

• Neuroimaging studies associated with gene-environment interactions including family history related and social determinants of psychologic and psychiatric health as specifically related to addiction.

• Studies that use positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MR: structural, functional, spectroscopy), electroencephalography (EEG), functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and other emerging imaging techniques to investigate these behaviours in drug-addicted populations.

• Reviewing how these techniques have contributed to a deeper understanding of addictive behaviours.

• Future directions of where neuroimaging can take us to a better understanding of addictive behaviours and personalized clinical assessment of addiction risks and effective treatments.

This activity aims to heighten awareness on the current situation of illegal drugs in the country and in the respective localities and to present the unified campaign of the government to fight illegal drugs.

SPO3 Junar M. Rodriguez discussed the topic on Drug Abuse Prevention at Home, Schools and Community specifically the Definition of Drugs; How the Drugs Work; Dangers of Drugs; The Meaning of Drug Abuse; Types of Drugs (which is classified to Alcohol, Cocain, Marijuana and Heroin); Facts about Drugs; Effects of Drug Use; Signs of Drug Abuse; How to Refuse Drugs; Effects of Marijuana Use; Effects of Drug Use to Brain; How the Drug Abuse Treatment can work; and What are Anti-Drugs. He also had another topic discussed pointing to the Role of the Community in Drug Abuse Prevention wherein he talked over the Robert Peel’s Principle of Policing; Community Policing; 8 P’s of Community Policing; and the Critical Social Theory.

DILG-Cluster Head, Mrs. Ma. Teresa D. Olos had spoken that everyone should help to see to it that Local Government has safe governance. She hopes that the participants would still support the next activities of the DILG.

The topic on How to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism was presented by PSI Romeo T. Ranara which aimed to: Understand the Islamic Faith; Discuss the Muslim-Filipino History; Discuss the Horrors of Terrorism; Understand the Significant Role of the Community in the Fight against Terrorism; Discuss the need to be observant and alert of Suspected Terrorists and their Activities; Identify What/When/How to Report and to Whom. PSI Ranara left a principle to the participants saying, “Peace and Order is Everybody’s Concern.”

Mrs. Ayn Loureste P. Peteza, RN discussed the last topic on the Ill Effects of Illegal Drugs on the Family particularly Understanding Addiction; Factors that Contribute to the Personality of a Drug Abuser and Addiction as a Brain Disease.
As the LGOO, Mrs. Priolo said that each should be vigilant to the environment not letting suspicious activities enter into the community. She also appealed to be all partners of change.

A total of one hundred twenty (120) participants from the barangays of Bahay; Calawit; Camagong; Del Carmen; Dolo; Ponglon; Kinalansan; Sta. Cruz; San Vicente; and Telegrafo attended the said seminars which are considered as the priority barangays for Drug Clearing Operations according to Mrs. Olos.

What is the purpose of research about drugs?

What is the main cause of drug abuse?

How can drugs affect your life?