September 13-14, 2006 Workshop

On the history of drug abuse and addicition in the U.S.:
"This is a useful tool for understanding where we are now."
"It was great to have this perspective."
"Great presentation. Wonderful historical perspective of the evolution of substance abuse."

On neuroscience and public policy:
"Excellent presentation - very interesting subject on neuroscience/brain."
"Great information, a lot to think about! Reinforced treatment of addiction as a chronic disease throughout!"

On the public costs of substance abuse:
"Gave me great ideas and how the policies of a state may affect this issue."

On the effectiveness of treatment:
"Very useful information."

On visiting a treatment center:
"This was one of my favorite parts. What courage these individuals have. The director is passionate, along with his staff. Wish all my colleagues could have seen this."
"Excellent, blew-up some of the myths around methadone. Very eye-opening for me."
"It was nice to break up data-intensive presentation with this visit. The panel was fantastic!"

On personal reflections on addiction:
"After spending the day interacting with him, it was a bit shocking and therefore very effective to hear his story."
"Another great break from data-heavy presentations. Helped to put face on the 'chronic , relapsing' disease."
"I serve with Pat and never knew his story. He did a terrific job, along with the visit to the treatment center, in putting faces to the issue."

On alcohol and the adolescent brain:
"I found this one of the most provocative of the workshops in terms of the potential for marrying science and policy making."
"Would travel a long way to hear him again. Great facts and scientific information. He knows how to distill this down for everyone's understanding."

On effective policies for drug offenders:
"Great policy ideas to return home with. Appreciated the time for questions at the end."
"Excellent and interesting presentation - well laid out, easy to understand."

On methamphetimine and its effects:
"Excellent presentation. Thanks for more neurophysiology! The presentation again had some great take-home messages."
"Again, this is really fascinating information - reinforces the reality that we are dealing with a disease with profound effects on the brain."

On the economics of treatment:
"Good material!"

On investing in treatment to contain other costs:
"Useful information."

Overall impressions:
"Exceeded my expectations! Great take-home messages and ideas."
"The variety of programming was excellent, the programming was excellent, loved the brain research components, great presenters."
"The well laid out and integrated presentations with the policy-relevant focus were incredibly beneficial in obtaining a good foundational understanding of drug and alcohol abuse and the multiple associated effects."
"Appreciated data on success of treatment and research to back it up."
"I have a better understanding of the difference between abuse and dependence and also the combination of brain function and psychosocial functions."
"I view addiction as much more of a medical condition after attending this conference."

How participants think the workshop will help them with making policy regarding substance abuse:
"Resources such as model legislation in Blueprint very helpful."
"Evidence data is very useful - will improve quality somewhat; will improve chances of passage significantly."
"This program will equip me with the latest data. I need to return home, meet with administrators and other elected officials to put forth progressive legislation to revise poor decisions made in the past."
"Not being a legislator, I can't comment. However I think I have a better context to analyze legislation."

What participants liked most about the workshop:
"Very well organized. Material is absolutely a gift."
"Quality of data and presentations. Discussion with methadone clients."
"Science-based perspective, pointing us to quality resources, information on drug treatment courts."
"The organized, well presented, and integrated presentations touching upon the multiple disciplines involved with the population. The information is applicable and digestible beyond what I had expected."

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
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Allison C. Colker, J.D., Esq.
Program Manager
National Conference of State Legislatures
Washington, D.C.

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

Timothy P. Condon, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, NIDA
Bethesda, Maryland

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

Ted R. Miller, Ph.D.
Principal Research Associate
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
Calverton, Maryland

Kenneth D. Stark, M.Ed., MBA
Director, Mental Health Transformation Project
Office of the Governor
Olympia, Washington

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

Gary Zarkin, Ph.D.
Director, Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Research Division
RTI International
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Wednesday, September 13

8:00 Welcome and Introductions
Allison Colker

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

9:15 Can Neuroscience Influence Policy?
David Friedman

10:45 Break

11:00 Risky Business: Prevention Cuts, Public Costs, and Industry Profits
Ted Miller

12:30 Lunch

1:30 Substance Abuse Treatment: What Is It? Why Does It Seem Ineffective?
Bonnie Catone

3:30 Visit to a Treatment Center

6:30 Dinner
Speaker, Representative Pat George, Kansas

Thursday, September 14

8:00 Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain: Tastes Great, Less Functioning
Ken Winters

9:30 Break

9:45 Effective Policies for Drug Offenders
Doug Marlowe

11:15 Break

11:30 Methamphetamine: How it Influences the Brain and Behavior of Users and Treatment Implications
Tim Condon

1:00 Lunch

2:00 Economics of Substance Abuse Treatment
Gary Zarkin

3:30 Break

3:45 Expanding Alcohol/Drug Treatment: An Investment in Health Care Cost Containment and Public Safety
Ken Stark

4:30 Evaluations

5:00 Adjourn