Addiction Studies Program

What Participants Said About the March 2001 Workshop

"I'll be more likely to include science and medical
information in my stories. There is also an
increased likelihood I will explore similar stories
further and explain what happens in people's
brains."

"What I liked best were genetics, the willingness to
answer all questions, the hospitality, and the food.
The sequence of presentations worked extremely
well."

"You should lengthen time of some sessions and
add a third day."

"The program should be a no-brainer for anybody
whose stories touch upon the nation's drug crisis
cops, reporters, mental health, medical, science
and government reporters."

"I like the mix of reporters with varying beats."

"Great access to high-caliber experts. I loved the
brain and genetics lectures. They will help me in
both psychiatric and addictions stories."

"I've had the opportunity to learn/cover addiction
as a disease before, but this offered great, in-
depth explanations and round-ups of research."

"I liked the ample time for Q's and A's (and thank
you for the binder with the wonderful handouts.
So easy for note-taking.)"

"It was great and so well thought-out."

"Thank you for putting together such a well-
organized, information-packed program. The
atmosphere was perfect for learning, questioning,
and developing future contacts. I appreciate the
incredible opportunity."

"The pharmacology presentation was superb.
Excellent materials, well-delivered."

"I gained an increased awareness of science and
the subtleties of addiction."

"I appreciate the respect shown by scientists to us
as non-scientists. Every question we asked was
answered thoughtfully. The handouts were great.
Your group did a good job on everything."

"I think I will look at stories on drugs in general
differently now."

"The dinner speech was very moving and helped
put a face on all this. It was a great two days.
The sessions were very informative. We took
home some very practical information to use in
stories."

"I will definitely have a better grasp of what I'm
writing about and will view the problem more as a
disease than habit."

"It's obvious that you're committed to making this
program a success. I completely appreciate the
lengths you went to get us here. The hotel was
wonderful. The food was great. I certainly know
700 percent more about addiction than I did
before."

"I feel that the people who spoke with us were the
most knowledgeable I've ever encountered and I
think the program was worth it's weight in gold."

"All presenters on day one were generous with
their time answering questions."

"Coming from a non-science background,
presentation clear, precise, did not inundate
with statistics. Made hard science palatable."

"Small group discussions were lively and
generated numerous story ideas. Participants
were respectful of each other, no berating, no
making fun of anybody for asking what might
have seemed like a stupid question."

"I did not know what to expect. There was a
surprising mix of science and technical
information that was neither overwhelming
nor arcane. Presenters brought it all down to
earth."

Friday, March 9, 2001, continued

1:45 Lecture/Discussion
The Pharmacology of Addiction
Shelly Schwartz-Bloom

3:30 Break

3:50 Review Robert Downey, Jr.'s Case/General Discussion

4:15 Sources of Scientifically Reliable Information on the Web
Sue Rusche

5:00 Adjourn

6:00 Reception

7:30 Dinner
Dinner Speaker
Susan Rook

Saturday, March 10, 2001

8:45 Reintroduce Case of Robert Downey, Jr.

9:00 Lecture/Discussion
Genetic Factors in Addiction
Kent Vrana

10:30 Break

10:45 Lecture/Discussion
Community Drug Treatment Programs
Bert Wood

12:15 Lunch

1:30 Lecture/Discussion
Treatment for Drug Addiction
Tom McClellan

3:00 Break

3:20 Lecture/Discussion
Treatment Medications-What is on the Horizon?
Tom McClellan

4:30 Sum Up

5:00 Evaluations

5:30 Adjourn



Spring 2001 Workshop

March 9-10, 2001 Winston-Salem, North Carolina
March 2001 Workshop The March 2001 workshop of the Addiction Studies Program for Journalists took place at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Friday and Saturday, March 9-10, 2001, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Drug reporters attended the workshop from across the nation. March 2001 Workshop Participants Catherine Clabby Mental Health Journalist, Raleigh News and Observer, Durham, North Carolina Janet Filips Health/Science Journalist, Eugene, Oregon Linda B. Gretton Business/Medical Journalist, Triad Business News, Greensboro, North Carolina Chris Herrick Addiction Counselor, Lifeskills of Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Florida Jennifer Job Adolescent Journalist, Editor, Charlotte Parent Magazine, Charlotte, North Carolina Jerry Lynott Crime/Court/Law Journalist, Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Jill McCartney Crime Journalist, Salisbury Post, Salisbury, North Carolina Patrick Strawbridge Crime/Courts/Government Journalist, Omaha World Herald, Council Bluffs, Iowa Adrian Zawada Tobacco Journalist, Winston-Salem Journal, Winston-Salem, North Carolina March 2001 Workshop Faculty David Friedman, Ph.D. Director Addiction Studies Program for Journalists Director Center for the Integration of Substance Abuse Research Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina Sue Rusche Co-Director Addiction Studies Program for Journalists Executive Director National Families in Action Atlanta, Georgia David Altman Public Health Sciences Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina Tom McClellan, Ph.D. Director Treatment Research Institute University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Susan Rook Editor The Next Step Public Affairs Director Step One, Inc. Winston-Salem, North Carolina Hank Samson, Ph.D. Director Center for Neurobehavioral Study of Alcohol Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina Rochelle "Shelly" Schwartz-Bloom, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Pharmacology Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology Duke University Medical School Durham, North Carolina Hank Samson, Ph.D. Director Center for Neurobehavioral Study of Alcohol Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina Jack Strandhoy, Ph.D. Professor Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina Kent E. Vrana, Ph.D. Associate Professor Director of Graduate Studies Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina Mark Wright Director/News Media Public Relations and Marketing Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, North Carolina S. M. "Bert" Wood, Jr. President and CEO Step One, Inc. Winston-Salem, North Carolina March 2001 Workshop Syllabus To create a framework for our explorations of addiction, we will examine the life of Robert Downey, Jr., a celebrity who has struggled with drug addiction in the public eye for many years. All the information about Mr. Downey has come from the public record via print and electronic media. Friday, March 9, 2001 9:00 Introduction David Friedman 9:15 Introduce Problem-Based Learning Introduce Problem – Why Can't Robert Downey. Jr., Stop Using Drugs? Jack Strandhoy 10:00 A History of Drug Use Sue Rusche 10:40 Break 11:00 Lecture/Discussion Neurobiology of Drug Abuse and Addiction David Friedman 12:30 Lunch		What Participants Said About the March 2001 Workshop "I'll be more likely to include science and medical information in my stories. There is also an increased likelihood I will explore similar stories further and explain what happens in people's brains." "What I liked best were genetics, the willingness to answer all questions, the hospitality, and the food. The sequence of presentations worked extremely well." "You should lengthen time of some sessions and add a third day." "The program should be a no-brainer for anybody whose stories touch upon the nation's drug crisis cops, reporters, mental health, medical, science and government reporters." "I like the mix of reporters with varying beats." "Great access to high-caliber experts. I loved the brain and genetics lectures. They will help me in both psychiatric and addictions stories." "I've had the opportunity to learn/cover addiction as a disease before, but this offered great, in- depth explanations and round-ups of research." "I liked the ample time for Q's and A's (and thank you for the binder with the wonderful handouts. So easy for note-taking.)" "It was great and so well thought-out." "Thank you for putting together such a well- organized, information-packed program. The atmosphere was perfect for learning, questioning, and developing future contacts. I appreciate the incredible opportunity." "The pharmacology presentation was superb. Excellent materials, well-delivered." "I gained an increased awareness of science and the subtleties of addiction." "I appreciate the respect shown by scientists to us as non-scientists. Every question we asked was answered thoughtfully. The handouts were great. Your group did a good job on everything." "I think I will look at stories on drugs in general differently now." "The dinner speech was very moving and helped put a face on all this. It was a great two days. The sessions were very informative. We took home some very practical information to use in stories." "I will definitely have a better grasp of what I'm writing about and will view the problem more as a disease than habit." "It's obvious that you're committed to making this program a success. I completely appreciate the lengths you went to get us here. The hotel was wonderful. The food was great. I certainly know 700 percent more about addiction than I did before." "I feel that the people who spoke with us were the most knowledgeable I've ever encountered and I think the program was worth it's weight in gold." "All presenters on day one were generous with their time answering questions." "Coming from a non-science background, presentation clear, precise, did not inundate with statistics. Made hard science palatable." "Small group discussions were lively and generated numerous story ideas. Participants were respectful of each other, no berating, no making fun of anybody for asking what might have seemed like a stupid question." "I did not know what to expect. There was a surprising mix of science and technical information that was neither overwhelming nor arcane. Presenters brought it all down to earth." Friday, March 9, 2001, continued 1:45 Lecture/Discussion The Pharmacology of Addiction Shelly Schwartz-Bloom 3:30 Break 3:50 Review Robert Downey, Jr.'s Case/General Discussion 4:15 Sources of Scientifically Reliable Information on the Web Sue Rusche 5:00 Adjourn 6:00 Reception 7:30 Dinner Dinner Speaker Susan Rook Saturday, March 10, 2001 8:45 Reintroduce Case of Robert Downey, Jr. 9:00 Lecture/Discussion Genetic Factors in Addiction Kent Vrana 10:30 Break 10:45 Lecture/Discussion Community Drug Treatment Programs Bert Wood 12:15 Lunch 1:30 Lecture/Discussion Treatment for Drug Addiction Tom McClellan 3:00 Break 3:20 Lecture/Discussion Treatment Medications-What is on the Horizon? Tom McClellan 4:30 Sum Up 5:00 Evaluations 5:30 Adjourn