June 2007 Workshop

Participants
What Journalists Said
Faculty

On the history of drug abuse in the U.S.:
"Good, easy-to-follow basic overview for a journalist just starting on this topic."
"Loved it - in layman's terms. Humorous, informative - important info, esp. to break myths & stereotypes."

On the introduction to pharmacological terms:
"A good set-up/preparation to fully understand the coming lecture."
"Very clear to people like me who barely remember high school chemistry and bio!"

On the neurobiology of addiction:
"A good balance of information for a presentation intended for nonscientists."
"Thought it was excellent."

On preventing youth substance abuse:
"Loved the interaction, but it caused Chris to have to rush to finish."
"Specifics of successful programs would have been helpful; good overview, though."

On the personal side of addiction:
"A very frank portrait of one person's addiction - valuable especially for journalists new to this topic."
"Really appreciated Susan's candor. Good idea to have a former addict."
"Wonderfully honest. Very powerful, to hear a fellow journalist's inside view."

On treatment medications:
"Some new info here, even for a journalist that follows this issue very closely. At the same time, speaker did a great job outlining basic science (e.g., what is a controlled trial) for those who didn't know. Hard balance to strike, but he did it."
"Very intriguing lecture & provided clarity to topic."

On the effectiveness of addiction treatment:
"Oh my gosh, he has changed my thinking paradigms around how we review & fund treatment."
"Love the real world examples (i.e. Delaware, Philly programs). Good mix up from heavy science."
"The humor helped. So did the straight talk."

On evaluating sources of drug information:
"Lively challenge to our assumptions as journalists."
"Appreciated info on pushing cops for information on whether drugs or alcohol are involved in domestic violence disputes."
"It was great to have a journalist both teach and raise the ire of the participants."

On finding scientifically reliable information about drugs:
"EXCELLENT! Can we have a listserv for graduates?"
"Should be useful."
"Great - very helpful."

On brainstorming story ideas:
"Very helpful. Only improvement would be if ideas were collected and e-mailed out - but very helpful."

Overall impressions:
"I learned more than I thought I could and now understand drug addiction as a medical disease, not just a social ill."
"I definitely will be looking at any addiction-related stories in a new light. The information I received this weekend will improve the credibility and quality of my stories."
"I will now have access to lots of great evidence-based material and experts. That is more than valuable."
"All lively and engaging speakers on science! What a surprise!"
"Excellent. Anything two days long is but a starting point, but this was an excellent resource and base of knowledge."

How participants think the workshop will help them with their reporting on substance abuse:
"Much of my basic knowledge of addiction was changed or has been bolstered by the workshop."
"I will be more willing to tackle stories related to addiction because of the information I received in the workshop."
"I'll be sure to look at the science of addiction when I talk to sources. I'll be able to better appreciate treatment strategies and what is involved to implement programs in my coverage area."
"The importance of prevention in teens. The similarity between addiction and other diseases. The fact that abuse of illicit drugs is the leading health problem in the nation."

What participants liked best about the workshop:
"Interaction b/t participants and scientists. The material was very, very interesting - particularly the neurobiology."
"Great balance between new info for journalists experienced in covering addiction and basic info for those just starting."
"MUCH needed (sadly, but apparently) emphasis on evidence-based journalism."
"The medical evidence AND Susan Rook! To hear a real story after listening to science all day was very compelling. I think it was well organized in the approach - science, treatment, results, ideas."

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

Bonnie Catone
Director of Communications
Treatment Research Institute
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jim Gogek
Director of National Media Relations
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California

A. Tom McLellan, Ph.D.
CEO, Treatment Research Institute
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Charles P. O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D.
Kenneth Appel Professor
Vice Chair of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

Mark Wright
Associate Director of News/Media
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Department of Public Relations & Marketing
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Friday, June 15

8:00 Welcome and Introductions
David Friedman and Sue Rusche

8:15 A History of Drug Abuse and Addiction in the U.S.
Sue Rusche

9:15 Introduction to Pharmacological Terms
Shelley Schwartz-Bloom

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

5:00 Adjourn

6:00 Reception

6:30 Dinner
Speaker - Susan Rook

Saturday, June 16

8:30 Treatment Medications
Charles O'Brien

10:00 Break

10:15 Does Treatment Work?
Tom McLellan

11:45 The National Institute on Drug Abuse
Tim Condon

12:30 Lunch

1:30 Sources: Really Fair, Really Balanced
Jim Gogek

3:00 Break

3:15 Scientifically Reliable Information About Drugs
Sue Rusche

3:45 Discussion: Story Ideas
Jim Gogek

4:45 Evaluations

5:00 Adjourn