Prof Spencer Li De, associate dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Macau (UM), was recently re-elected as the president of the Asian Association for Substance Abuse Research (AASAR) for a three-year term at the organisation’s fourth annual meeting.

The AASAR is a leading international association in Asia dedicated to substance abuse research. The organisation aims to promote scientific research and evidence-based prevention and treatment policies in substance abuse in Asia. Members of the association include prominent scholars, policymakers, administrators, industry practitioners, and volunteers from various countries and regions in Asia.

The International Conference on Cooperation in Substance Abuse Research and Antidrug Practices in Asia 2016 was held at Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. The conference focused on multiple topics, including causes and consequences of substance abuse, drug prevention, drug treatment, and drug-related policies. More than 200 scholars, policymakers, administrators, and service providers from Asia and elsewhere discussed substance abuse research, prevention and treatment, as well as related opportunities, strategies, and challenges. During the conference, Prof Li delivered a presidential address and a keynote speech. A number of PhD students and master’s students from UM also attended the conference.