On the keynote address. . .
Very helpful—wish we had more time to review recommendations and ask questions.

On the history of addiction. . .
Very well done! Thank you for also for including slides on where to find best research/policy!

On scientifically reliable Internet information. . .
Good information that I will share with my staff.

On the biology of addiction. . .
Very good overview of the basis for addiction. Important consideration in countering belief that addiction is strictly voluntary behavior.

On a personal view of addiction. . .
Great luncheon speaker—especially after David’s talk before the panel—“real life” example that qualifies the science.

On the treatment panel (Brooks). . .
I found this presentation to be most useful and helpful. Probably the most interesting of the day for me.

On the treatment panel (Kemp). . .
This was very helpful in terms of specific action steps we can take.

On the treatment panel (Chalk). . .
Reinforces my perspective—it was very helpful to have supporting data.

On the first facilitated session. . .
It was helpful to focus on our specific state needs. Nice to have this opportunity to sit down with colleagues I might not normally meet with in this context.

On the federal panel (Harris). . .
Helpful overview; wish we had more time to ask her questions.

On the federal panel (Ross). . .
Liked this one because he provided good specific/ detailed info (nuts and bolts info).

On the prevention panel (Arria). . .
Very good—real world examples. It was a practical presentation with easy deliverables.

On the prevention panel (Getty). . .
Good explanation of need for continuing prevention activities.

On the providers’ Panel (de la Gueronniere). . .
Great to learn of this organization.

On the providers’ Panel (Taylor). . .
Good presenter. Clear. Gave specific examples. Importance of hope in process. Good that she pushed community based treatment.

On the providers’ Panel (Vaughn). . .
I think she set a standard that other presenters should follow. Great slides.

On the state panel. . .
Ideas; ideas; ideas! Gave us a lot. Need more. Good opportunity to learn from other state laboratories.

On the second facilitated session. . .
Felt that our facilitator kept us on task.

On South Dakota’s plan. . .
Well thought out, clear. They really seem to have worked through issues and options. Helpful to hear what they are doing, and how they plan to do it.

On Utah’s plan. . .
Great presentation—good info, well organized and presented.
Really liked hearing about their issues and approaches.
Several great ideas that sparked additional thought, consideration.

On Virginia’s plan. . .
Very good summary of goals for their 6 month plan.

On West Virginia’s plan. . .
Great! Loved hearing about their actions, plans, and approach.

Overall comments about the program. . .
—This conference gave excellent information on substance use disorders and I got several ideas regarding public substance abuse services.
—Excellent discussion of the biology and mechanisms of addiction. Opportunity to hear about and analyze the scientific evidence for treatment or prevention.
—I believe our providers and state agency folks have a handle on what we need to do. It was helpful as a legislator to see what other states are doing, as well as best practices and research, and so that we can try to give them the public policy support they need.
—Facilitating discussion with legislative leaders and executive branch leaders was great opportunity. Doing so outside of the capitol, outside of a legislative session has benefits.
—Having the slides from the various presentations is helpful.
—Info about the science of addiction was very useful and enlightening. It is very important for people to understand that addiction is a medical problem and that it changes brain chemistry.
—Outstanding staff and faculty! I thought it was fabulous. Absolutely worth my time.
—Great presenters. Panel discussions. Love the manual with resources and slides.
—Presentations and flow, attention to all components of the continuum of care. It gave me a great tutorial on current research and best practices.
—The variety of speakers was excellent. PowerPoint slides in notebooks made it easy to follow the presentations.

Faculty and Staff

Sponsoring Faculty

Wake Forest School of Medicine
David Friedman, PhD
Director, Addiction Studies Program
Professor, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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

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

Jack Kemp, MS
Senior Policy Associate
Treatment Research Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

National Conference of State Legislatures
Allison C. Colker, JD, Esq
Partner, Addiction Studies Program
Program Director
National Conference of State Legislatures
Washington DC

Staff
Eric Dickerson
Controller and Office Manager
National Families in Action
Atlanta, Georgia

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

Joanne Stroud
Research Analyst II
Health Program
National Conference of State Legislatures
Denver, Colorado

Addition Faculty

Amelia Arria
Senior Scientist
Treatment Research Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Adam Brooks
Senior Scientist
Treatment Research Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mady Chalk
Senior Scientist
Treatment Research Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Peter Gaumond
Chief, Recovery Branch
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Executive Office of the President
Washington, DC

Gabrielle de la Gueronniere
Director for National Policy
Legal Action Center
Washington, DC

Fran Harding
Director, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
Rockville, Maryland

Melissa Harris
Acting Deputy Director
Division of Benefits and Coverage
Disabled and Elderly Health Program Group
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Baltimore, Maryland

John O’Brien
Senior Advisor to the
Administrator for Behavioral Health Finance
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
Rockville, Maryland

Alexander F. Ross, ScD
Office of Special Health Affairs
Health Resources and Services Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
Rockville, Maryland

Patricia Taylor
Executive Director
Faces and Voices of Recovery
Washington, DC

Becky Vaughn
Chief Executive Officer
State Associations of Addiction Services
Washington, DC

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Friday, April 29, 2011

Saturday, April 30, 2011