December 2003 Workshop

On the introduction to pharmacological terms:
"A lot of technical info but he presents it well."

On the history of addiction in America:
"It was great. I liked the old advertisements a lot. Might be interesting -- amusing -- to hear about historical figures who used opiates…"
"This was really interesting and put things in context very well."

On animal models of addiciton:
"So interesting -- really convincing evidence."
"This was a great introduction and easy to understand."

On the neurobiology of addiction:
"Good job explaining really technical stuff…"
"Very interesting, very informative. Delivered in a lively manner that made the material clear to me."

On the pharmacology of addiction:
"Fascinating info."
"Superior presentation. Her video addition -- even though geared to high school -- brought the lay perspective to a very technical/jargoned field for us."

On the genetics of substance abuse:
"I was fascinated by this and it answered the biggest question I had -- how genetics affect drug abuse (or do or don't predispose someone to it)."

On the personal side of addiction:
"…it definitely grounded the science, gave it a human face."
"Much of this was very compelling; Susan's own story is a wonderful way to remind people of the human stakes of addiction."

On principles of drug abuse prevention:
"Good info…please include where we can find studies, statistics to help us with our reporting." "…her offhand comment about the current interest in drug abuse by the elderly fascinated me. I think that could be a fascinating story and I'm going to look into it."

On principles of addiction treatment/medications:
"Interesting material because it cuts to the heart of what this is all about."
"Speaker is engaging and presented info on a perfect level for the audience. Talked about useful, important issues."

On methodologic issues in substance abuse policy research:
"This was very good -- I liked that we were encouraged to make the session interactive."
"Very good Q and A -- allowed interest of the group to come out. Brought out areas of concern we as journalists should have in reporting research."

On scientifically reliable sources of information on the internet:
"It was great -- short, to the point, directing us to tons of info we can use."

Overall impressions:
"I learned so much interesting and helpful information and felt pampered with the food and accommodations."
"I already knew addiction was a disease, but I didn't really understand the nature of that disease or how brain chemistry is involved. I also didn't understand the changes substances can cause in the brain."
"I had no idea that people can die from alcohol withdrawal. I never thought about old folks who use drugs. I never considered the fact that the 'recovery community' helps prevent adolescent drug use by bringing addicts' kids to meetings."
"Overall, excellent presenters; agenda was well organized. Tremendous amount of valuable information conveyed in limited time period.”
"Have attended other info/teaching programs for journalists -- this one is excellent!"

How participants think the workshop will help them with their reporting on substance abuse:
"I believe I will be much more skeptical of 'easy' answers and more careful in how I handle scientific material."
"I've learned what the latest research shows, met tons of new sources (people and background info) and found dozens of story ideas."
"I learned how to more accurately use some terms, get deeper into subjects than I have, particularly the biomedical reasons behind drug activity."
"It would have taken me months or years of concerted research to attain the level of knowledge/resources gained through the workshop."
"I understand the pharmacology and biology of addiction much better."
"Understanding the neurobiology behind addiction will help me understand people who are addicted or in recovery."
"Either directly or indirectly, something I heard will end up in print because I've heard lots of new ideas."
"My reporting on this area has been more sociologically oriented. The workshop provided a scientific foundation for further work..."

What participants liked most about the workshop:
"The parts about how substances affect your brain, and also the genetics of substance abuse."
"Excellent science-based info without moral judgment on people with addiction."
"Recovery perspective helps to identify impact on readers. Comprehensive science review greatly develops understanding of diease model and treatment options."
"The personal story. The practical application. Learning about the biology of addiction."
"The Wednesday sessions with researchers were the best source of story ideas."
"Good topics, speakers' willingness to answer questions, go into directions we're interested in."
"I liked learning about the cutting edge scientific discoveries and research going on."
"I liked the focus on the science."

Sue Rusche
Co-Director
Addiction Studies Program for Journalists
Chairman, President, and CEO
National Families in Action
Atlanta, Georgia

Donna M. Kozlowski
Coordinator, Addiction Studies Program for Journalists
Administrative Secretary
Wake Forest University School of Medicine Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Jason Lemon, Ph.D.
Vice President of Organizational Development
National Families in Action
Atlanta, Georgia

Lorraine Midanik, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor
University of California, Berkeley
School of Social Welfare
Berkley, California

Karen A. Miotto, MD
Associate Clinical Professor/Associate Director
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences -- Addiction Medical Services
Neuropsychiatric Institute
University of California -- Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

Susan Rook
Recovery Advocate
Alexandria, Virginia

Rochelle “Shelly” Schwartz-Bloom, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
Duke University Medical Center
Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
Durham, North Carolina

Zili Sloboda, Sc.D.
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Health and Social Policy
The University of Akron
Akron, Ohio

Jack W. Strandhoy, Ph.D.
Professor
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Kent E. Vrana, Ph.D.
Professor
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Winston-Salem, North Carolina