November 2006 Workshop

Participants
What Journalists Said
Faculty

On the introduction to pharmacological terms:
"Very helpful presentation."
"This was a very complicated subject to start with but Dr. Schwartz-Bloom did a great job."

On the history of drug abuse in the U.S.:
"This was indeed informative. Easy to follow."
"Very interesting, amusing."
"Good presentation - history was very interesting."

On the neurobiology of addiction:
"Great presentation--really got to the meat of the subject."
"I thought the neurobiology presentations were great--material was presented in an easy-to-follow format despite the heavy subject matter."
"A lot of good 'scientific' information given in a simple form."

On preventing youth substance abuse:
"Very interesting discussion, good definition of prevention."
"Very interesting presentation - this could have gone on much longer, as this is a huge topic."

On the personal side of addiction:
"I can't think of anything else to improve her presentation. It was chilling, personal. It was a story of hope. It put a face on the issue and a story I will remember for a long time."
"This was the highlight of the weekend - it added so much to hear a personal perspective."

On the effectiveness of addiction treatment:
"Obviously an experienced presenter who was able to present with clarity and brevity - really kept to the program (to some humorous anecdotes) and provided good information."
"Clear and very helpful presentation. Best of show!"

On effective policies for drug offenders:
"Super info, organization and energy."
"Great information!"
"I thought this information was very good. I personally would have liked to hear more about drug court."

On deterring DUI:
"Good basis for reporting needs."
"I thought the material was really well-presented and he really broke down the material."
"Very interesting research - a good addition to talk about the science side of policy research."

On jail-based methadone maintenance:
"Good story - idea presentation topic."
"A nice aspect of what is actually being done - great parallel to Marlowe's law enforcement talk."
"Intriguing study that points to a potential story in every city that doesn't have a jail-based Methadone Maintenance Treatment program."

On finding scientifically reliable information about drugs:
"Brief and lots of good info - can't think of how it could be improved."
"Quick, efficient - exactly what we need."

Overall impressions:
"I fully expected to hear information I already knew but instead was pleasantly surprised to learn a great deal--in essence, you folks did a good deal of demythologizing."
"Amount of information presented was extensive and very valuable - especially to someone with not a lot of scientific background."
"I thought the program was excellent. I learned a lot and it will stay with me. The extras, such as the binder full of information, were great."
"Great use of time. Wonderful balance of science, policy, and public health. It's great to learn about the big picture."
"I appreciate the thoughtfulness and effort to meet a real need for continuing education."

How participants think the workshop will help them with their reporting on substance abuse:
"I am taking great story ideas with me and hope to localize them."
"Lots of story ideas stemmed from this."
"I've been considering the disease concept [of addiction] for a while and it was great to see data to back the concept."
"Broader understanding of motivation, brain change, reward/penalty effects better."
"It clarified and sharpened my understanding of addiction as a disease rather than a "moral failing" etc."

What participants liked best about the workshop:
"Quick and easy science review; info about changes in laws, treatment (well-rounded); personal testimonial."
"Learning the neurobiology of addiction; learning the history of substances in the U.S."
"Speakers discussing specific research. That could help generate a story or inform my reporting."
"Neuroscience discussions were very interesting. Good job of introducing the science the first day, so people could apply it to the discussion the second day."

Sue Rusche
Co-Director
Addiction Studies Program for Journalists
Chairman, President, and CEO
National Families in Action
Atlanta, Georgia

James Daunais, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiology & Pharmacology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Sandra C. Lapham, M.D., M.P.H.
Executive Director
Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest Albuquerque, New Mexico

Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.
Director, Section on Criminal Justice Research
Treatment Research Institute
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Karen A. Miotto, M.D.
Associate Clinical Professor
Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences Associate Director, Neuropsychiatric Institute University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

Chris Ringwalt, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist and Center Director
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Susan Rook
Recovery Advocate
Manassas, Virginia

Rochelle "Shelly" Schwartz-Bloom, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
Duke University Medical Center
Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology
Durham, North Carolina

Alexander C. Wagenaar, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Epidemiology &
Health Policy Research
Institute for Child Health Policy
University of Florida, College of Medicine
Gainesville, Florida

Monday, November 27

8:00 Welcome and Introductions
David Friedman and Sue Rusche

8:15 Introduction to Pharmacological Terms
Shelley Schwartz-Bloom

9:15 A History of Drug Abuse and Addiction in the U.S.
Sue Rusche

10:15 Break

10:30 The Neurobiology of Addiction I
David Friedman

12:00 Lunch

1:30 The Neurobiology of Addiction II
Shelly Schwartz-Bloom

3:00 Break

3:15 Preventing Youth Alcohol and Drug Use
Chris Ringwalt

4:45 Evaluations

5:15 Adjourn

6:00 Reception

6:30 Dinner
Speaker - Susan Rook

Tuesday, November 28

8:00 The Treatment of Addiction
Karen Miotto

9:30 Break

9:45 Treating the Offender Population
Doug Marlowe

11:15 Implementing a Jail-Based Methadone Program
Sandra Lapham

12:15 Lunch

1:30 Deterrence Effects of DUI Fines and Jail Penalties
Alex Wagenaar

2:30 Discussion: Story Ideas
Prabhu Ponkshe

3:30 Break

3:45 Scientifically Reliable Information About Drugs
Sue Rusche

4:15 Evaluations

4:45 Adjourn