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LORRAINE
COLLINS, PhD
Lorraine
Collins is a senior research scientist at the Research Institute
on Addictions at the University at Buffalo, State University of
New York. Dr. Collins serves as a senior program consultant to the
Substance Abuse Policy Research Program (SAPRP).
“Clinical and
policy research have played important roles in reducing the suffering
caused by substance abuse.
Past policy approaches to substance abuse
were largely based on individual and anecdotal experiences. This
occurred during an era when substance abuse wasn’t even considered
a medical problem; there was a general attitude of denial and ignorance
about the effects of drugs and alcohol. Dependence was a moral issue.
Then it became clear that we also needed to work on preventing substance
abuse.
Policy and prevention work hand in hand.
Substance abuse is a very complex problem. So, we have to study
the many factors that contribute to it.
SAPRP funds research that tries to identify policies that both prevent
and promote the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. Information
from both perspectives is important. With our funding, investigators
are able to explore all aspects of substance abuse policy; the sort
of work that is typically not funded by other agencies. Results
of SAPRP-funded research have played an important role in informing
substance abuse policy at the national, state and local levels,
as well as at private institutions.”
Grantee Section:
© Copyright 2002 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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