NIDA Director Discusses Health Consequences of Drug Use at Consortium of Universities for Global Health Meeting

NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D., right, participated in a roundtable discussion with other National Institutes of Health leaders. From left are: Dr. Roger Glass, Fogarty International Center; Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Dr. Susan Shurin, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and Dr. Douglas Lowy, National Cancer Institute.

NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D., participated in a roundtable discussion by National Institutes of Health leaders during the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) conference, held March 14–16, 2013, in Washington, DC. Dr. Volkow discussed the prevalence of drug use, the societal and health consequences of substance use, and treatment medications. She addressed global challenges in treating drug abuse, including stigma, the gap between treatment demand and availability, and reluctance to provide pharmacotherapy in some criminal justice institutions and countries. Fogarty International Center Director Roger Glass, M.D., M.P.H., led the discussion about global health research and training initiatives among Dr. Volkow; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, M.D.; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Deputy Director Susan Shurin, M.D.; and National Cancer Institute Director Douglas Lowy, M.D. CUGH includes universities in North America and their partner institutions in low- and middle-income countries. The members promote mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships to develop human capital, share knowledge, and strengthen institutional capabilities. They build interdisciplinary collaborations to address global health challenges through education, research, and service. For more information, visit the CUGH website.