Goals and Objectives

The conference will inform leaders of national drug abuse and other professional organizations, treatment practitioners, the media, criminal justice and law enforcement personnel, and policymakers on findings from drug addiction treatment research. The conference will focus on effective drug addiction treatment strategies that can be implemented in the local community. In addition to plenary presentations, the conference will offer the opportunity for an active interchange among participants at a luncheon, a reception, question-and-answer sessions, workshops, and lunchtime Topic Tables.

Keynote Addresses

The Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), General Barry R. McCaffrey, USA (Ret.), will discuss the Administration's efforts to develop and implement effective drug abuse treatment programs.

Plenary Sessions

The plenary sessions will open with an overview of addiction treatment research, and a series of panels will address: health, social, and economic benefits of drug addiction treatment; the role of behavioral treatment; the role of medication; current issues in the delivery of and access to drug addiction treatment; and how emerging knowledge will shape the research agenda of the future.

Question-and-Answer Sessions

Each series of panels will be followed by a 30-minute Question-and-Answer (Q&A) session to allow participants to engage the speakers and clarify presentations.

Mini-Workshops

These concurrent sessions will allow conference attendees to interact informally with scientists and practitioners on issues addressed in plenary sessions and on new and emerging problem areas where research outcomes are still in the preliminary stages. Each speaker will present for about 10 minutes, and discussions will follow for the remainder of the session.

Lunchtime Topic Tables

On the first day of the conference, lunchtime will include a buffet lunch and a series of Topic Tables hosted by representatives, national drug abuse constituent organizations, and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) staff. The purpose of these sessions is to give conference participants the opportunity to hear about and discuss issues and services in their areas of interest. Topic Tables will be identified by a sign posted in the center of each table. A list of Topic Tables is included in your registration packet.

Exhibits

Exhibits sponsored by NIDA and other Federal agencies that address drug abuse and addiction issues will be on display in the conference area lobby.

Continuing Education

The National Institutes of Health/Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians and must be included in all written and advertising materials. The National Institutes of Health/Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences designates this educational activity for a maximum of 11.25 hours in Category l credit toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

NIDA is authorized by regulations under Title 10, Subtitle 36, Chapter .05B of the Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists to award 11.25 hours of Category A credit to psychologists for this activity.

As an approved provider under the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Educational Provider Program, NIDA's Continuing Education Program has approved this educational activity for 11.25 hours of credit for counselors (Provider #000226).

This conference may meet the criteria for 11.25 hours of Category II continuing education units as defined by a State Board of Social Work Examiners. Each State has its own laws and regulations, and you should check with your State Board about reciprocity.

Certificates of attendance will be provided for other professions.