Scientists Gather in Scottsdale To Discuss Advances in Drug Abuse Research

Dr. Alan I. Leshner, Director of NIDA, will address the conferees at 8:30 a.m. during the Plenary Session on Sunday, June 17. Donald Vereen, of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, will follow Dr. Leshner on the program.

Highlights include the following:

Adolescent Drug UseMost cigarette, alcohol and drug abuse begins during adolescence, and an early age of onset of drug use is associated with longer and more severe use and more difficulty achieving abstinence.

Immunity and Drug AbuseDrugs of abuse and the lifestyle of persons who abuse drugs appear to diminish an individual's response to immunological challenge.

Treatment AdvancesMany reports at the CPDD meeting address new treatment initiatives for drug dependency.

Gender Effects of Drugs and Drug TreatmentThe effects of drugs may differ in men and women. Studies presented at the meeting will highlight how such differences influence how drugs work as well as how men and women are treated for dependency disorders

Technical AdvancesA number of technical advances that have helped scientists understand the mechanism and location of drug actions will be presented.

The media is invited to attend the meeting. For more information on the meeting and for an online program, go to the CPDD web site at http://views.vcu.edu/cpdd/.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports more than 85 percent of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research information and its implementation in policy and practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and other topics can be ordered free of charge in English and Spanish through NIDA Infofax at 1-888-NIH-NIDA (644-6432) or 1-888-TTY-NIDA (889-6432) for the deaf. These fact sheets and further information on NIDA research and other activities can be found on the NIDA home page at http://www.drugabuse.gov.