December 2005 Workshop

On the history of addiction in America:
"Tracking history of drug use was extremely helpful - helps us recognize that addiction isn't an illness of the 1960's and 1970's."
"Great overview. Gave me new info that tied into other presentations."

On the introduction to pharmacological terms:
"Essential information in an easy to comprehend presentation."
"Extremely informative and helpful."

On animal models of addiciton:
"Thanks for making your presentation informative and fun. Great job!"
"Very interesting and compelling presentation. Could use more info regarding current tests being done."

On evaluating treatment:
"Tons of great story ideas. Talented speaker who relates well with audience and offers terrific current info."
"He raised some good 'thought-provoking' questions about treatment."

On the neurobiology of addiction:
"Clear, detailed, helpful."
"Very informative and educational. Easy to understand."

On the principles of treatment:
"One of my favorites so far. I believe Dr. Miotto's connection with those with addictions and her experiences gives her credibility in the 'real world.'"

On the personal side of addiction:
"She's an inspiration and tied in all the theoretical presentations and gave it the needed human approach."
"Very emotional - brought the issue to a real, human level."

On alcohol and the adolescent brain:
"Very interesting and entertaining. This really helped me understand how addiction can seriously hurt kids/teens as opposed to adults."
"It was a great presentation and good information about adolescent brain."

On evaluating prevention of substance abuse:
"Good job of putting it in "English" for us!"
"Practical application of prevention on a local level."

On treating the offender population:
"Very good, I liked it a lot. It was very informative."
"I found this presentation to be more of what my expectations about the conference was."

On screening for parental alcoholism:
"Very interesting information - good story ideas!"

Overall impressions:
"Very interesting information. Some of it was a little technical. But, really, well done."
"I enjoyed learning more about the biology and chemistry of drug addiction."
"Some great speakers who know info inside and out."
"It was great! If there could be more ways to put a human face on some of these issues, it would be even better."

How participants think the workshop will help them with their reporting on substance abuse:
"Understanding the biology will make more insightful, compelling narratives."
"The length of our articles (500 word-average) limits the actual content. However, the increase of understanding will greatly affect the questions I ask."
"This has simplified a lot of the medical terminology and has helped point toward questions that should be asked."
"I have come away with story ideas - and just as importantly, contacts to discuss issues with or track down data from."
"The resources and contacts are invaluable. The networking also promises to be fruitful."
"Background info always makes me more informed when interviewing, especially people in the medical community."

What participants liked most about the workshop:
"Biological info on addiction. Overall, well organized."
"Small groups, chance to talk to presenters in informal settings like meals, material resources (binders, etc.)."
"The question and answer sessions were sometimes more informative than the Power Point presentations. That is key."
"Meeting and exchanging thoughts and ideas with fellow journalists from around the country."
"Data and websites on addiction; the presentation on animal addiction; the development of teen brain and the alcohol rates. I also liked very much the history piece at the beginning (I'd even suggest expanding that - it helps put things in perspective)."

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

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

Dennis Deck, PhD
RMC Research Corporation
Portland, Oregon

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

Karen A. Miotto, MD
Associate Clinical Professor/Associate Director
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences - Addiction Medical Services
Neuropsychiatric Institute
University of California – Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

Harold D. Holder, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Prevention Research Center
Berkeley, California

Susan Rook
Recovery Advocate
Faces and Voices of Recovery
Alexandria, Virginia

Jack W. Strandhoy, Ph.D.
Professor
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Celeste R. Wilson, MD
Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research
Children's Hospital Boston
Boston, Massachusetts

Ken C. Winters, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Director, Center for the Adolescent Substance Abuse Research
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Monday, December 12

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
Jack Strandhoy

9:45 Animal Models of Addiction
Jack Strandhoy

10:15 Break

10:30 Is Addiction Treatment Effective?
Tom McClellan

12:00 Lunch

1:00 The Neurobiology of Addiction
David Friedman

2:30 Break

2:45 The Treatment of Addiction
Karen Miotto

4:15 Evaluations

4:30 Adjourn

6:00 Reception

6:30 Dinner
Speaker - Susan Rook

Tuesday, December 13

8:15 Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain: Tastes Great, Less Functioning
Ken Winters

9:45 Break

10:00 Prevention of Substance Abuse: What Science Tells Us
Harold Holder

12:00 Lunch

1:00 Treating the Offender Population
Doug Marlowe

2:30 Parental Alcoholism: Parents' Perspectives About Being Screened in the Pediatric Office Setting
Celeste Wilson

3:15 Medicare Coverage and Access to Publicly Funded Opiate Treatment: Oregon's Experience
Dennis Deck

4:00 Break and Evaluations

4:30 Introduction to SAPRP Mentors

5:00 Adjourn