The Center for Drug and Social Policy Research (CDSPR) was established under the direction of Dr. Avelardo Valdez, in September 2001 by Ira Colby, Dean of the Graduate College of Social Work to enhance the research of the College. The CDSPR is currently conducting several National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) research projects including substance abuse among the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina, high risk drug and related risk behaviors among Hispanic immigrant workers in New Orleans and at risk Hispanic gangs and the long-term consequences for HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections. Lastly, NIDA is also currently funding a comprehensive NIDA University of Houston Drug Abuse Research Development Program which includes a set of studies concerning aging Mexican American injection drug users. These projects are community-based and staffed with experienced individuals capable of conducting basic social science research as well as implementing prevention and treatment services research. The CDSPR has the expertise to create collaborative partnerships with the community in providing solutions to drug and social problems.

The CDSPR is located in a suite of offices on the third floor of the GCSW Building at the University of Houston. In addition, the CDSPR has a field site office located in the West side of San Antonio, Texas. Currently, the CDSPR has a staff of 15 individuals working at the GCSW.  In addition, the CDSPR has an extensive amount of research resources. The CDSPR Library contains over 2,432 peer reviewed journal articles focused on drug research, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other governmental reports (local, state, and national), NIDA monographs, and books. The CDSPR also has an extensive array of qualitative and quantitative software programs that provide our research staff with the ability to conduct appropriate data analyses. 

 

The mission of the CDSPR is to:

  • Conduct and promote innovative research on substance abuse under strict scientific and ethical conditions.

  • Identify the social, historical, political and cultural aspects that contribute to substance abuse and related problems.

  • Propose and incorporate social policies that may prevent substance abuse.

The CDSPR innovative social behavioral research efforts allow our researchers to collect data, examine problems and identify solutions.

The CDSPR's goals include:

  • providing an interdisciplinary University focus on drug research among various populations in the United States, South Texas and the U.S./Mexico border with a special emphasis on Hispanics

  • stimulate research collaboration among UH scholars in various disciplines

  • seek external funding from public and private foundations for research

  • provide research initiatives designed to partner communities, institutions and agencies with UH faculty

  • conduct drug research from both a national and international perspective

  • contribute to the development of public policy related to these issues

CDSPR Home | IRTI | Research Projects| Publications| Staff | Other Links | Contact Us
 
State of Texas Privacy and Policies Homeland Security Compact with Texans Reporting Copyright Infringement Contact U H Feedback Site Map Statewide Search U H System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State of Texas Compact with Texas Statewide Search Homeland Security UH System Privacy Policy Copyright Site MapContact UHContact UH