National Conference on Drug Addiction Treatment: From Research to Practice

Introduction

April 8, 1998

Dear Colleague:

On behalf of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), I am pleased to welcome you to the National Conference on Drug Addiction Treatment: From Research to Practice.

Scientific advances over the past 25 years have shown that drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease that results from the prolonged effects of drugs on the brain and behavior. Research has shown that the most effective treatment approaches include biological, behavioral, and social components. As part of NIDA's Treatment Initiative, this conference will highlight over two decades of drug addiction treatment research including:

• the health, social, and economic benefits of drug addiction treatment;

• the role of behavioral treatment;

• the role of medication treatment;

• the barriers impeding the delivery of and access to drug addiction treatment; and

• additional scientific research needed to improve treatment.

This conference is designed to inform leaders of national drug abuse and other professional organizations, treatment practitioners, the media, criminal justice and law enforcement personnel, and policy makers about effective drug addiction treatment strategies that can be implemented on a local level. In addition to plenary presentations, the conference will offer the opportunity for an active interchange among participants through question-and-answer sessions, workshops, and luncheon topic tables.

Drug addiction research should not only be useful, it should be used. I hope this conference provides information and strategies that can be applied to your work in the treatment of those affected by drug addiction.

Sincerely,

Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D.
Director