CPDD 78th Annual Scientific Meeting Program

WORKSHOPS
Tuesday, June 14
XI.
Annual CPDD design and analysis workshop
Chairs: Sterling McPherson and Susan Mikulich-Gilbertson
Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, drug users have been at increased risk
for HIV infection and transmission, both through risky injection drug practices and
risky sexual behaviors. As the epidemic has evolved, drug users have faced increasing
disparities related to HIV testing treatment, and retention in care— with
correspondingly poorer clinical and psychosocial outcomes. Moreover, drug addiction
can interfere with HIV treatment outcomes, both directly through biological processes
and indirectly through difficulties with HIV disease management. With the goal of an
AIDS-free generation, funding priorities now emphasize biomedical approaches.
However, behavioral research remains critical to ensure that all individuals— no matter
how difficult to reach— can derive the maximum benefits from new biomedical
treatments to reduce the transmission of HIV and effectively manage HIV-associated
comorbidities. This workshop highlights major advances from interdisciplinary
research teams led by behavioral scientists. The presentations cover bio-behavioral
approaches to identifying behavioral risks among high-risk groups, neurocognitive
impacts on decision-making processes relevant to HIV risk, and multi-component
interventions to reduce risk of HIV transmission and improve HIV-related outcomes.
Our discussant will review the results of these studies in light of new NIH priorities for
HIV/AIDS research among persons who use and abuse drugs.
XII.
Education in drug abuse
Chairs: Michael Kuhar and Jack Stein
How do you respond when a student, fellow, collaborator, visitor or layman wants to
know more about drug abuse? Often laymen, faculty and trainees are exposed to a
narrow area of training, but then may seek more information or even a broader
overview of the field. It is to everyone’s advantage to expand their knowledge about
drug abuse, and the availability of educational resources is very important. Education
is central to prevention, treatment and research. It facilitates collaborative efforts and
communication among colleagues. This workshop will describe what educational
resources are available, and how to access them. The recent expansion of Internet
resources can be overwhelming, but this workshop will describe them as well. It will
cover online (and other) degree programs; the body of available knowledge and
teaching; various online programs such as MOOCs (massive open online courses that
can be taken anywhere at the learners convenience); and discovering NIDA’s research
portfolio.