»31.05.2005–TAVAD develops first drug use prevention computer game in which cocaine is virtually used
The player experiences cocaine effects during a motorcycle race in which he can virtually use cocaine.
350.000 € have been invested in the research and development of this preventive tool, and 200.000 € more will be invested.
A Spanish team of scientists, at TAVAD (Advanced Addiction Treatments), has developed the first computer game in the world for the prevention of drug abuse by means of a virtual drug use.
Dr. Juan José Legarda (inventor of the computer game) and his team have invested more than 4 years of research and 350.000€, plus 200.000€ for future developments. The result is a tool that lets the user virtually feel the experience of tolerance and dependence on cocaine.
“Drug free” or “with cocaine”. If player chooses the second one, the beginning of the race will be faster. However, a meter shows cocaine levels in the “player’s brain” and, during the race, the player needs to stop to “refuel” the drug, without which he cannot go on, so he wastes time and does not have any probabilities of winning.
In that sense, the computer game developed by TAVAD´s team acts as a psychological vaccine against drugs through the most familiar and well accepted tool used by youngsters, computer games. In addition, the user himself experiences the negative consequences of cocaine use, without risk because it is a virtual game, avoiding any real contact with cocaine.
Other advantages of the game are its simplicity and accessibility: you can play free on TAVAD´s website (www.tavad.com) and you do not need a complex computer.
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