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Message from the Director



World AIDS Day, 2007

In the United States, more than 1 million people are living with HIV (approximately 33 million people worldwide) - and 1 in 4 do not even know it. Drug abuse continues to be a major vector for the spread of HIV/AIDS, largely because of the risky behaviors it can bring about. These behaviors go beyond needle sharing by injection drug users to include risky sexual behaviors prompted by drug and alcohol intoxication and accompanying impaired judgment. The National Institute on Drug Abuse supports research to learn more about the pivotal role of drug abuse in the evolving dynamics of HIV/AIDS, and has recently hosted a national conference of more than 500 scientists, clinicians, and public health specialists to discuss the latest research findings. To further reinforce the link between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, NIDA has undertaken several other activities - from promoting innovative research to developing multimedia awareness campaigns. For example, NIDA has established an Avant-Garde Award for creative investigators who pursue novel, high-risk/high-payoff research on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. We have also recently expanded our "Learn the Link" public service announcement campaign for youth, to include "After the Party," announcements designed specifically for Latino communities.

To commemorate World Aids Day 2007, NIDA has sponsored continual play of our "After the Party" Public Service Announcement on the Jumbotron screen in Times Square, New York City. There, more than 21 million people will see the powerful message about the link between drug abuse, risky behavior, and HIV/AIDS as it runs twice an hour for three weeks over the holiday season. These public service announcements also continue to air on television stations nationwide. For information about the English and Hispanic campaigns, go to hiv.drugabuse.gov. In addition, we will continue our tradition of displaying a portion of the AIDS quilt in the lobby of our National Science Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to honor those who have died from this terrible disease, and to remind our own staff of the importance of continuing research into the factors that contribute to HIV and AIDS.

Sincerely,

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.
Director

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NIDA Director, Nora D. Volkow, M.D.

Dr. Nora D. Volkow
NIDA Director



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