June 2004 Workshop

On the introduction to pharmacological terms:
"Great intro to the workshop with good analogies to make science jargon understandable."

On the history of addiction in America:
"Again, great info to drop into stories on addiction to give people perspective."
"LOVE the old ads. The history was interesting!"

On animal models of addiciton:
"It was helpful seeing how addiction affects monkeys and mice."

On the neurobiology of addiction:
"Great info on how drugs change the brain."
"Bertha Madras was an excellent speaker. She kept my attention the entire time. She provided insight that will allow journalists to go more in depth in their research and reporting."

On the pharmacology of addiction:
"Excellent. Really explained it clearly. I had no idea!"
"Shelly Schwartz Bloom's video was incredible. Her presentation was very informative and provided journalists with scientific information in a way that can easily be conveyed to our readership."

On the genetics of substance abuse:
"Jennifer did an excellent job of translating highly technical stuff."

On the personal side of addiction:
"Good story -- perfect for reporters."
"Startling and honest. A nice break from the clinical viewpoint."
"I'm glad you had a real face to put to the numbers. And I'm glad Sue showed us successful, attractive and 'normal' people experience addictions as well."

On principles of addiction treatment/medications:
"Wow. Made the session. Several stories formed in my mind, and I saw the hint of many more. Confirmed for me the quality and integrity of the science being done."
"Exceedingly informing. This should have been longer, earlier and with more time for questions."
"Lots of new info. Good fodder for future news stories."

On evaluating treatment:
"Provocative, interesting. He presented a clear picture of the growing gap between the potential and the reality."
"My favorite. I walked away from this lecture with plenty of story ideas. More time for questions needed."
"Chockfull of news story ideas. Great! Wish I had the slides to follow along. Couldn't stop writing the whole time. Your information was invaluable! It is all overwhelming, almost."

On treating the offender population:
"Very good stuff, especially for the purposes of my crime beat. Maybe include more info on if the system is using science info at all (anywhere) in its treatment like court-ordered drug treatment in Alaska."
"My favorite lecture - interesting, practical and speaker was very engaging. This is probably the information I will use the most."

On principles of prevention:
"Very good information on school drug programs!!!"

On scientifically reliable sources of information on the internet:
"Excellent information which I will use on a regular basis - concise and informative."

Overall impressions:
"I came to learn the science and I feel I'm leaving knowing the state of substance abuse science - and with a handful of excellent sources!"
"Good overviews of the science, research in progress and rich array of possible future sources for stories."
"Well worth the time - better than most conferences - high quality speakers."
"It allowed me to make contacts. Provided excellent story ideas."
"I learned more in 2 days than I would have learned in 2 months of research on my own."

How participants think the workshop will help them with their reporting on substance abuse:
"Got great info on courts/treatment stuff, plus good background on science stuff to understand the medicines better."
"This increases my confidence for wading into a series on the subject. I'll lean on presenters and their data to help pin down the facts on our community."
"I came here knowing nothing about addiction. I left feeling at least able to better evaluate information and with a better understanding of the research, vocabulary and many complex issues surrounding and all who abuse."
"I'll be much more thorough in questioning. Even in crime stories, I'll know where to look for a better view of 'why'."
"I have a better understanding of the science behind addiction. When 'experts' tell me things relating to stories I'm writing, I will have a better concept of the value of what they are saying."
"Having more background information (base info) obviously will mean a change in approach and allow for better questions on my part, and better translation to the views (hopefully!)."
"I've learned a more evidence-based perspective on the need to balance the biomedical realities of addiction with my long-held belief that our current 'Justice' system isn't 'Just' in handling this stuff."

What participants liked most about the workshop:
"For the selfish purposes of my crime beat, the treatment and crime/punishment stuff."
"The willingness of presenters to answer questions anywhere, anytime. The fact that we associated with presenters in social settings (meals, reception)."
"Great explanations of how and why things work."
"The slow building of knowledge starting with the biology and moving up and on from there. It would have been difficult to understand the treatment lectures without the prior day's addiction and the brain 101 sessions. Websites good."

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

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

Jennifer Logan, Ph.D.
Co-Director, Genetic Science Learning Center
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Bertha Madras, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School, Harvard University
Chair, Division of Neurochemistry
New England Primate Research Center
Southborough, Massachusetts

Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D.
Director, Section on Criminal Justice Research
Treatment Research Institute
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A. Tom McLellan, Ph.D.
Director, Treatment Institute
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Charles P. O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D.
Kenneth Appel Professor
Vice Chair of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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