Welcome Letters - Glen R. Hanson, Ph.D., D.D.S.

Dear Colleague:

On behalf of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), I would like to welcome you to Blending Clinical Practice and Research: Forging Partnerships to Enhance Drug Addiction Treatment. I am especially pleased that NIDA is joined by several other partners in sponsoring this event: the New York and Long Island research nodes of NIDA's National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (CTN), the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, the Northeast Addiction Technology Transfer Centers, and the New York State Practice Improvement Collaborative.

As in other fields of medicine, a gap exists in the drug abuse treatment field between clinical practice and research. This conference provides an important opportunity for clinicians and researchers to examine cutting-edge scientific findings about drug abuse and addiction and their application to clinical practice. In our effort to "blend" research and practice, we also hope to identify additional areas in need of research.

One important response to this gap between clinical practice and research is the establishment of NIDA's National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network, a research infrastructure designed to test the effectiveness and usefulness of new and improved interventions in real-life settings with diverse populations. The CTN is an important component of NIDA's overall goal to establish and maintain partnerships with drug abuse researchers and community-based treatment providers.

To exemplify this theme of blending practice and research, we have developed a unique approach to the structure of this conference. Plenary presentations and workshops will be conducted by subject-matter specialists representing research and clinical settings. Emphasis will be placed on highlighting what is new on the research front as well as how such research findings can better be implemented into community-based practice settings.

I hope this conference enhances your work in the drug addiction field. Please note, however, that this event is only one component of a more comprehensive approach being undertaken by NIDA to blend practice and research. Through the CTN, NIDA intends to continue its commitment to enhance the nature of drug addiction treatment nationwide.

Sincerely,

Glen R. Hanson, Ph.D., D.D.S.
Acting Director
National Institute on Drug Abuse