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JOHN SLADE, MD
John Slade is the director of the Program in Addictions
at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New
Jersey, School of Public Health. Dr. Slade has directed
a number of programs for the Foundation and is
presently director of two national programs:
Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse
and Innovators Combating Substance Abuse.
“Among the diverse
callings in the health field, working in substance abuse has a low
status and is far less glamorous than most. This is a pity because
of the enormous good that can be done.
One of the things that discourages people
from entering the field is that the way society at large stigmatizes
addictions is often reflected in professional training. As a result,
there are few mentors cultivating the next generation in the field.
This is a shame because the prospects for making a substantial difference
are great.
Compared to many other diseases, recovery
rates from addiction are very high.
For a long time, doctors in training were
taught that it was only worthwhile to help addicts when they were
ready to address the problem. Up to that point, there was nothing
to offer. We now know that this harsh line is wrong. Gradually,
we’ve gotten better at understanding the impact of the environment
and at learning the ways that motivation can be enhanced. Moreover,
environmental approaches prevent addiction.”
Grantee Section:
© Copyright 2002 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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