Drug abuse, particularly among Hispanics, continues to rise throughout the nation. The number of researchers committed to investigate the problem remains relatively small. What's more the venues to discuss and share new ideas and research remain few.

The University of Houston's Center for Drug & Social Policy Research (CDSPR) hosts the eighth National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse Interdisciplinary Research Training Institute on June 2-13 at the Hilton-University of Houston Hotel. The National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Drug Abuse funded  this training event.

A dozen of the next generation of Hispanic drug abuse researchers will learn from leading experts about new issues and approaches to the study of the largest minority populations in the United States. Participants come from all over the country and Mexico.

"This institute is meant to train, mentor and provide networking opportunities for promising graduate students in drug research methods, increase their knowledge of drug issues and promote their professional commitment to Hispanic drug abuse," says Avelardo Valdez, professor and director of the CDSPR, which is housed in the UH Graduate College of Social Work. "In addition, we want to foster a mentoring relationship between the students and leading Hispanic drug abuse researchers."

Speakers and topics include:

• Avelardo Valdez, Ph.D. (University of Houston) - "Historical, Cultural and Social Influences on Substance Use among Latinos in the U.S."
• Alice Cepeda, Ph.D. (University of Houston) - "Training, Mentoring and Networking"
• Keith Trujillo, Ph.D. (California State University, San Marcos) - "Neuroscience: The Behavioral Biology of Drug Abuse and Addiction"
• Sari Izenwasser, Ph.D. (University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine) - "Social and Environmental Factors Alter Drug Reward in Adolescent Rats"
• Danielle Ompad, Ph.D. (New York Academy of Medicine) - "Stress Environment and Drug Abuse"
• Felipe Gonzalez-Castro, MSW, Ph.D. (Arizona State University) - "Identifying the Research Needs and Gaps on Hispanic Drug Use: Prevention and Intervention"
• Joseph Frascella, Ph.D. (director, Division of Clinical Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse) - "Crafting a Successful National Institute of Health (NIH) Application"

For more information, contact Project Coordinator Evelio Escamilla, at 713-743-8345 or eescamilla2@uh.edu.

ABOUT THE EVENT:

WHO:                  UH Graduate College of Social Work, Center for Drug & Social Policy Research   

WHAT:                 Interdisciplinary Research Training Institute on Hispanic Drug Abuse

WHEN:                 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., June 2 - 13

WHERE:               Hilton - University of Houston Hotel

                          For directions and parking information, visit http://www.uh.edu/maps/buildings/CHC

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