Direction:Healthcare
Position:Associate Professor
David Otiashvili, MD, PhD is a Director of the Addiction Research Centre-Alternative Georgia. David graduated from Tbilisi State Medical University in 1992, received qualification of Psychiatrist. He spent ten years in clinical work treating patients with substance use disorders. In 2003-2004 as a NIDA Hubert Humphrey Fellow he studied substance abuse research at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. In 2014, he received PhD in Health Psychology from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. For last decade his major focus has been addiction research and education programs in addiction science. He served as a PI and Co-I for a number of international collaborative research projects, including NIDA funded RCTs and exploratory behavioural and epidemiological studies. David has been involved with harm reduction and drug policy advocacy at a national and regional level. He is an official lobbyist for drug policy and drug legislation in Georgian Parliament. He serves as representative of civil society sector in Georgian Interagency Drug Policy Coordinating Council. He is a member of Expert Consultative Unite of the National Drug Observatory in Georgia.
Scientific interests / research interests
Featured publications
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., Vardanashvili, I., Tabatadze, M., & Ober, A. J. (2019). Perceived acceptability of and willingness to use syringe vending machines: results of a cross-sectional survey of out-of-service people who inject drugs in Tbilisi, Georgia. Harm Reduction Journal, 16(1), 21. doi:10.1186/s12954-019-0292-8
⦁ Beselia, A., Kirtadze I., & Otiashvili, D. (2018). Nightlife and drug use in Tbilisi, Georgia – results of an exploratory qualitative study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 20, 1-7. doi:10.1080/02791072.2019.1574997
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Tabatadze, M., Balanchivadze, N., & Kirtadze, I. (2016). Policing, massive street drug testing and poly-substance use chaos in Georgia – a policy case study. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 11(1), 1-12.
Books
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D. (2015) Changing Patterns of Drug Use in Georgia: A Case Vignette in N. el-Guebaly, G., Carrà, M., Galanter, (eds.), Textbook of Addiction Treatment: International Perspectives, 79-86, Springer, ISBN 978-88-470-5321-2; DOI 10.1007/978-88-470-5322-9_9
⦁ Zabransky,T., Grund,J.P., Latypov,A., Otiashvili,D., Stuikyte,R., Scutelniciuc,O. and Smyrnov,P. (2012) Harm Reduction in Central and Eastern Europe in Pates, R. and Riley, D. (eds)(2012) Harm Reduction in Substance Use and High-Risk Behaviours: International policy and practice. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.
An extensive list of publications
⦁ Walker, J. G., T. Kuchuloria, D. Sergeenko, H. Fraser, A. G. Lim, S. Shadaker, L. Hagan, A. Gamkrelidze, V. Kvaratskhelia, L. Gvinjilia, M. Aladashvili, A. Asatiani, D. Baliashvili, M. Butsashvili, I. Chikovani, I. Khonelidze, I. Kirtadze, M. H. Kuniholm, D. Otiashvili, L. Sharvadze, K. Stvilia, T. Tsertsvadze, M. Zakalashvili, M. Hickman, N. K. Martin, J. Morgan, M. Nasrullah, F. Averhoff, and P. Vickerman. 2020. “Interim effect evaluation of the hepatitis C elimination programme in Georgia: a modelling study.” Lancet Glob Health 8 (2):e244-e253. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30483-8.
⦁ Subeliani, D., Otiashvili, D., Kutelia, L., Beselia, A., Mgebrishvili, T., Vardanashvili, I., & Kirtadze, I.. 2019. Patterns of use of new psychoactive substances and perceived benefits and negative effects: results of online survey in Georgia (country). Journal of Substance Use:1-6. doi: 10.1080/14659891.2019.1692927.
⦁ Zule, W., Latypov, A., Otiashvili, D., Bangel, S., Bobashev, G. V. (2018) Feasibility of needle and syringe programs in Tajikistan distributing low dead space needles, Harm Reduct Journal, 15(44).
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., Tabatadze, M., Vardanashvili, I., Sturua, L., Zabransky, T., & Anthony, J. C. (2018). Republic of Georgia estimates for prevalence of drug use: Randomized response techniques suggest under-estimation. Drug and alcohol dependence, 187, 300-304.
⦁ Zule, W. A., Pande, P. G., Otiashvili, D., Bobashev, G. V., Friedman, S. R., Gyarmathy, V. A., & Des Jarlais, D. C. (2018). Options for reducing HIV transmission related to the dead space in needles and syringes. Harm Reduction Journal, 15(1), 3. doi:10.1186/s12954-017-0207-5
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., O’Grady, K. E., Zule, W., Krupitsky, E., Wechsberg, W., & Jones, H. E. (2017). Comprehensive Women-Centered Treatment for Psychoactive Substance Use in the Republic of Georgia: Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. doi:10.1007/s11469-017-9852-x
⦁ Walker, J. G., L. Hagan, H. Fraser, N. K. Martin, J. Morgan, M. Nasrullah, F. Averhoff, D. Otiashvili, I. Chikovani, M. Aladashvili, M. H. Kuniholm, I. Kirtadze, L. Gvinjilia, A. Asatiani, D. Baliashvili, I. Khonelidze, K. Stvilia, M. Butsashvili, T. Tsertsvadze, A. Gamkrelidze, V. Kvaratskhelia, and P. Vickerman. 2017. Projected impact and pathways to success of the hepatitis C virus elimination program in Georgia, 2015-2020. Journal of Hepatology 66 (1):S70. doi: 10.1016/S0168-8278(17)30401-4.
⦁ Bergen-Cico, D., Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., Zabransky, T., & Tsertsvadze, V. (2017). Cost Analysis of the Country of Georgia’s Street Level Drug Testing Policy. Journal of Drug Policy Analysis, 10.
⦁ Otiashvili, D., I. Kirtadze, and D. Bergen-Cico. (2017). Exploring the New Phenomena of Home-Made Extraction and Injection of Ephedra Plant Product in Georgia. Substance Use & Misuse, 2017: p. 1-4.
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Latypov, A., Kirtadze, I., Ibragimov, U., & Zule, W. (2016). Drug preparation, injection, and sharing practices in Tajikistan: a qualitative study in Kulob and Khorog. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 11(1), 1-8.doi:10.1186/s13011-016-0065-2
⦁ Jones, H. E., Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., Murphy, K., O’Grady, K. E., Zule, W., . . . Wechsberg, W. M. (2015). Feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally sensitive women-centered substance use intervention in Georgia: Sex risk outcomes. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 10(1), 1-15.
⦁ Zule, W., Latypov, A., Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., Ibragimov, U., & Bobashev, G. (2015). Factors that influence the characteristics of needles and syringes used by people who inject drugs in Tajikistan. Harm Reduction Journal, 12(1), 37.
⦁ Piralishvili, G., Otiashvili, D., Sikharulidze, Z., Kamkamidze, G., Poole, S., & Woody, G. E. (2015). Opioid Addicted Buprenorphine Injectors: Drug Use During and After 12-Weeks of Buprenorphine-Naloxone or Methadone in the Republic of Georgia. Journal of substance abuse treatment. 50(0), 32-37.
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., O’Grady, K. E., Zule, W. A., Krupitskii, E. M., Wechsberg, W. M., & Jones, H. E., (2015). Women Who Inject Drugs in the Republic of Georgia: In their Own Words. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 47(1), 71-79.
⦁ Latypov, A., Otiashvili, D., & Zule, W. (2014). Drug scene, drug use and drug-related health consequences and responses in Kulob and Khorog, Tajikistan. International Journal of Drug Policy, 25(6), 1204-1214. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.09.011
⦁ Jones, H. E., Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., Grady, K. E., Murphy, K., Zule, W., Krupitsky, E., Wechsberg, W. M.. (2014). Process and Product in Cross-Cultural Treatment Research: Development of a Culturally Sensitive Women-Centered Substance Use Intervention in Georgia. Journal of Addiction, 2014, 12.
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., O’Grady, K. E., Zule, W., Krupitsky, E., Wechsberg, W. M., Jones, H.E., (2014). Comprehensive women-centered treatment for substance use disorders in Georgia: current status and future directions. Journal of Substance Use, 20:5, 367-374.
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Piralishvili, G., Sikharulidze, Z., Kamkamidze, G., Poole, S., Woody, E. G., (2013). Methadone and buprenorphine-naloxone are effective in reducing illicit buprenorphine and other opioid use, and reducing HIV risk behavior – Outcomes of a Randomized Trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 133(2), 376-382.
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., O’Grady, K. E., Zule, W. A., Krupitskii, E. M., Wechsberg, W. M., Jones H.E., (2013). Access to treatment for substance-using women in the Republic of Georgia: Socio-cultural and structural barriers. International Journal of Drug Policy. 24(6), 566-572.
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., O’Grady, K. E., Zule, W. A., Krupitskii, E. M., Wechsberg, W. M., & Jones, H. E., (2013). Twice stigmatized: Health service provider’s perspectives on drug-using women in the Republic of Georgia. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2013; 45(1): 1-9.
⦁ Lund, I., Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., O’Grady, K., & Jones, H. (2012). Female partners of opioid-injecting men in the Republic of Georgia: an initial characterization. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 7(1), 46.
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., O’Grady, K. E., & Jones, H. E. (2012). Behavioral Treatment + Naltrexone Reduces Drug Use and Legal Problems in the Republic of Georgia. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 38(2), 171-175
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., O’Grady, K. E., & Jones, H. E., (2012) Drug use and HIV risk outcomes in opioid-injecting men in the Republic of Georgia: Behavioral treatment + naltrexone compared to usual care. Drug and alcohol dependence, 120, 14-21
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., & Javakhishvili, D. J. (2011). Education Needs in the Sphere of Addictology in Georgia. Adictologie, 11(1), 52-60.
⦁ Javakhishvili, D. J., Sturua, L., Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., & Zabransky, T. (2011). Overview of the Drug Situation in Georgia. Adictologie, 11(1), 42-51.
⦁ Meyer, William , Costenbader, Elizabeth C. , Zule, William A. , Otiashvili, David and Kirtadze, Irma (2010) We are ordinary men: MSM identity categories in Tbilisi, Georgia, Culture, Health & Sexuality, 12: 8, 955 -971
⦁ Otiashvili D., Zabransky T., Kirtadze I., Piralishvili G., Chavchanidze M., Miovsky M., (2010) Why do the clients of Georgian needle exchange programs inject buprenorphine? European Addiction Research, 2010;16:1-8
⦁ Costenbader E., Otiashvili D., Meyer W., Zule W., Orr A., Kirtadze I., 2009 Secrecy and Risk among MSM in Tbilisi, Georgia, AIDS Care, 2009 May; 21(5):591-7
⦁ Otiashvili D., Gambashidze N., Kapanadze E., Lomidze G., Usharidze D., 2006 Effectiveness of needle/syringe exchange program in Tbilisi. Georgian Medical News, 11(140), p. 62-65
⦁ Otiashvili D., Djordjevic A., Morales D., Parsons A. H., Platt E. R., Stempliuk V., 2005 Factors Related to the Process of Seeking and Completing Treatment for Drug Abuse (Qualitative Methods in Drug Abuse Research). Georgian Medical News, 5 (122), p. 29-32.
⦁ Otiashvili D., 2004 Efficacy of Naltrexone Maintenance Treatment among Opiate Dependence. Georgian Medical News, 2 (107), 43-47.
⦁ Otiashvili D., Lezhava G., Zurabashvili Zig., Vadachkoria D, 2003 Clasmatosis of neutrofile and lymphocyte nuclei in patients with opiate dependence. Proceeding of the Georgian Academy of Science, Biological Series A, 2003, vol. 29, No. 5-6.
⦁ Otiashvili D., Lezhava G., Zurabashvili Zig., 2003 Basis of Specific Method of Opiate Dependence Treatment as Evidenced by Structural Analysis. Proceeding of the Georgian Academy of Science, Biological Series A, 2003, vol. 29, No. 5-6
⦁ Technical Reports
⦁ Boci A, Dedajic D, Otiashvili D, Ismajli R, Condrat I, Colakovic J, Zegura T, Milkov D, Vucicevic Z, Sarang A et al: Drug-treatment Systems in Prisons in Eastern and South-East Europe. In. Edited by Stöver H, Teltzrow R. Bari, Italy: Pompidou Group, Council of Europe; 2017.
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., Tabatadze, M. (2016) Cost-benefit Analysis of Medication Assisted Treatment and Needle-Syringe Programs in Georgia. USAID and CzDA funded Addiction Research Development in Georgia Project. Tbilisi, 2016
⦁ Otiashvili, D. Independent Evaluation of Opioid Substitution Programs in Moldova. PAS Moldova, Chisinau, 2016
⦁ Kirtadze, I., Otiashvili, D., Tabatadze, M. National Survey on Substance Use in the General Population in Georgia, 2015. USAID and CzDA funded Addiction Research Development in Georgia Project. Tbilisi, 2016
⦁ Otiashvili, D. Independent Evaluation of the Pilot Projects on Integration and Mainstreaming of HIV Interventions into the Drug Dependence Treatment Services in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Poltava (Ukraine), UNODC Office in Ukraine, 2016
⦁ Otiashvili, D. Situation Analysis of Sustainability Planning and Readiness for Responsible Transition of Harm Reduction Programs from Global Fund Support to National Funding in EECA. Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, Vilnius, Lithuania, 2016
⦁ Javakhishvili, D. J., Balanchivadze, N., Kirtadze, I., Sturua, L., Otiashvili, D., & Zabransky, T. (2012). Overview of the Drug Situation in Georgia, 2012. Tbilisi: Global Initiative on Psychiatry/Alternative Georgia.
⦁ Wilson, D., Zhang, L., Kerr, C., Kwon, A., Hoare, A., Otiashvili, D., et al. (2012). Evaluating the Cost-effectiveness of Needle-syringe Exchange Programs in Georgia. Tbilisi: UNAIDS Georgia.
⦁ Otiashvili, D., Kirtadze, I., Tsertsvadze, V., Chavchanidze, M., Zabransky, T. How Effective Is Street Drug Testing. Alternative Georgia, 2012
⦁ Latypov, A., Otiashvili, D., Aizberg, O., Boltaev, A. Opioid Substitution Therapy in Central Asia: Towards Diverse and Effective Treatment Options for Drug Dependence. EHRN 2010: Vilnius
⦁ Grund JP, Merkinaite S., Nikolai M., Barrett D., Padgett C., Otiashvili D., Hoekstra M., 2009 Young people & injecting drug use in selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Vilnius: Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN)
⦁ Stuikyte R., Otiashvili D., Merkinaite S., Sarang A., Tolopilo A., 2009 The impact of drug policy on health and human rights in Eastern Europe: 10 years after the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs. Vilnius: Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN)
⦁ Otiashvili D., Sarosi P., Somogyi G., 2008 Drug Control in Georgia: Drug Testing and The Reduction of Drug Use?, The Beckley Foundation Drug Policy Programme, Briefing Paper Fifteen, May 2008
⦁ Otiashvili D., Balanchivadze N., 2008 The system of registration and follow-up of drug users in Georgia, Addiction Research Center, Union Alternative Georgia
⦁ Kiknadze N., Otiashvili D., 2007 Georgia: anti-drug law violates human rights. HIV AIDS Policy Law Rev. 2007 Dec;12(2-3):69-70
⦁ Radimecky J., Otiashvili D., Tsertsvadze V., 2006 Investing in the Healthy Future: Action Plan of Drug Policy in Georgia in 2007-2009 – Development in areas of treatment and risk minimizations, Union Alternative Georgia and Georgian Harm Reduction Network
⦁ Shatirishvili J., Gamsaxurdia T., Otiashvili D., Khurcia L., 2005 Financial and Economic Aspects of Drug Abuse. Financial and Economic Problems of the Transitional Period, Research Institute of Finance, Ministry of Finance of Georgia, vol. 8, p. 361-386.
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