September 16-17, 2005 Workshop

On evaluating prevention:
"His combination of humor & intelligent conversation made it very enjoyable."

On alcohol and the adolescent brain:
"Very interesting - maybe we can have more effect on kids."
"Very clear and informative."

On the problems of methamphetamine:
"Helpful - how to work with the addict."
"I needed this - all new info to me!"

On the personal side of addiction:
"Right on target and drove home the point of relevance to understanding the existence of addiction."
"Proves one does not have to be a falling down drunk to have a problem."

On the history of drug abuse in America:
"Great overview - wonderful handout of websites - thank you!"
"Real informative on improving the understanding of the original role of 'medicines' that became abusive drugs."

On the neurobiology of addiction:
"Wonderful! Really helpful explanation of how addiction is learned."
"Got a real grasp of the understanding of how addiction works."
"I appreciate the nonjudgmental attitude - better still, understanding and compassion for the addict. I liked the homeostasis concept and had never given it any thought. Also appreciated the genetic connection question."

On evaluating treatment:
"Excellent connection to chronic illness."
"Wow! Very eye-opening! Best presentation for me."
"Well-presented data and views on the various approaches to treatment."

On treating the offender population:
"Excellent information that causes us to re-think policy."
"These are exactly the kinds of things we legislators need to better know and understand. We are often long on expectation, but short on the knowledge that affirms our expectations. Marlowe's presentation was very helpful."

On the economics of substance abuse:
"Really clear - very informative!"
"This was extraordinary information that helps us with decision making."
"Great info. Very relevant."

Overall impressions:
"Great presenters and great data. Best workshop I've every attended."
"I learned a lot from the presentations. I feel I have a good base to learn more."
"Thank you for planning such a wonderful conference on addiction."

How participants think the workshop will help them with making policy regarding substance abuse:
"I actually didn't have a great understanding of addiction previously so the presentations did more to build that understanding."
"I am one who has been exposed to the myths and misconceptions related to addiction and treatment. This conference surely helped dispel those myths and gave research-based direction on how best to proceed."

What participants liked most about the workshop:
"The info on the science behind addiction."
"Informal, small group, discussions during the presentation."
"Efforts at hearing most effective efforts in preventing and treating drug abuse."

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 Research Institute
Univeristy of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Allison C. Colker, J.D., Esq.
Senior Policy Specialist
National Conference of State Legislatures
Washington, D.C.

Debra Bowen
Senator
Sacramento, California

Paul De Young
Research Analyst
National Conference of State Legislatures
Washington, D.C.

Rick Harwood
Vice President
The Lewin Group
Falls Church, Virginia

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

Sam Minsky
Senior Clinician
Matrix Institute
Los Angeles, California

Jill Peters
Administrative Assistant
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Debra Prosnitz
Research Analyst
National Conference of State Legislatures
Washington, D.C.

Chris Ringwalt, DrPH, Director
Chapel Hill Center
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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

Friday, September 16

8:00 Welcome and Introductions
Allison Colker

8:15 Prevention: What Works, What Doesn't
Chris Ringwalt

9:30 Break

9:45 Alcohol and the Adolscent Brain: Tastes Great, Less Functioning
Ken Winters

11:00 Methamphetamine: How It Influences the Brain and Behavior of Users and Treatment Implications
Sam Minsky

12:30 Lunch

1:30 Visit a treatment center

6:30 Dinner
Speaker, Senator Debra Bowen

Saturday, September 17

8:00A History of Drug Abuse and Addiction in the U.S.
Sue Rusche

9:00 The Neurobiology of Addiction
David Friedman

10:30 Break

10:45 Is Addiction Treatment Effective
Tom McLellan

12:15 Lunch

1:15 Treating the Offender Population
Doug Marlowe

2:45 Break

3:00 On the Economics of Substance Abuse
Rick Harwood

4:30 Evaluations

5:00 Adjourn