Web of Addictions - What's New

What's New - March 1, 1997

Web of Addictions Awards

Several groups recognized the Web of Addictions this last month. We humbly thank everyone for the accolades.

The Web of Addictions was selected as a Top Site by Citizen 1 HIT (Healthcare Internet Tool). They said our site," was chosen as a key resource for healthcare industry business professionals. This award is based on the authoritative nature of your content and relevance to the healthcare business community."

The Web of Addictions is an Excite Must See site.

We were chosen as a CityScapes one stop web resource for additions.

The Social Worker Networker cited us as on of the "Best of the Web" in mental health.

Medical Marijuana

There has been a lot of attention to medical marijuana in the wake of the referenda in Arizona and California that authorize the medical use of marijuana. Both the proponents and antagonists have strongly held views. The result is that the truth may be the victim in this debate. Some proponents have made some outrageous claims for the benefits of medical marijuana. They talk like it is snake oil - rub it on your bald head and it will make hair grow. Some of those against medical marijuana have also made outrageous statements. They have claimed that legalization for medical purposes would devastate our prevention efforts. This is, of course, nonsense. Narcotics, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, alcohol, tranquilizers, and marijuana in the form of Marinol, a synthetic form of THC, are all legal drugs in the United States.

Legalization of marijuana for medical use is not a drug abuse prevention or treatment issue. It is a medical and pharmacological issue. The question should be decided by scientists, after reviewing the data. The prolegalization forces would like nothing better than to have prevention advocates look foolish. We loose credibility with the public when we make unwarranted statements. (ALH)

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has sponsored Alcohol Awareness since 1987. Sample materials are available on their web site.

Principles for Behavioral Healthcare Delivery

The National Community Mental Healthcare Council has developed a new publication, Principles for Behavioral Healthcare Delivery. Principles was written to inspire the provision of superior, cost-effective behavioral healthcare services to consumers and encourage behavioral, medical , and social organizations to work together to realize those goals.

New Links

Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse site contains a lot of useful information of prevention and treatment resources in Illinois.

You can now search all of the major mental health resources on the World Wide Web from one page; the Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies, University of Sheffield is pleased to announce the availability of Mental Health Metasearch tool.

The Institute of Behavioral Research (IBR) at Texas Christian University has performed some of the most important studies done in the addiction area. Their web site contains a newsletter together with a list of publications and other materials.

The Missouri Department of Health has developed a good web site for smoking and health information.

Department of Psychiatry of Addictive Behaviour, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London UK.

The Addictions Forum is a democratic organisaton open to all those working in the addictions field.

New Fact Sheets

Randall Webber pointed us to a Fact sheet on GHB put up by Chestnut Health Systems Lighthouse Institute.

Position Opening

Clinical Trials Scientist
Clinical Research Department
Addiction Research Foundation

Applications are sought for a position of a Clinical Trials Scientist in the Clinical Research Department of the Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario. The department carries out clinically relevant treatment and dissemination research with respect to alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems, and is located in Toronto and affiliated with the University of Toronto. The Foundation is a knowledge-based and mission-oriented provincial agency involved in treatment and prevention research, development and dissemination, training, information and service provision.

The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, management and reporting of controlled clinical trials involving pharmaceuticals in the treatment of alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems. A special emphasis will be placed on comparing the effectiveness of pharmacological therapies (e.g. anticraving substances, opiate substitution therapy, etc.) alone or in combination with various psychotherapeutic approaches (cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, etc.). In addition, research on substitution therapies for opiate and cocaine addicts is envisaged.

A doctorate in pharmacology, psychology or a relevant discipline is required. MDs with research experience in clinical trials are also encouraged to apply. Criteria for selection include a demonstrated ability to design and carry out substantial research, the promise of a productive research career, a willingness and potential to attract grant funds, and an ability to work collaboratively across disciplinary and departmental boundaries especially with the Biobehavioural Research Department. Candidates should have a sustained interest in conceptual frames and theories and in research methodology and techniques. A background in alcohol, tobacco or drug studies is desirable but not required. Preference will be given to candidates in the middle stages of a career. Salary will be based on experience and qualifications. A competitive benefits package is offered.

Applications should be submitted by March 17, 1997, to: Robin Room, Vice President of Research, Addiction Research Foundation, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2S1 (email: vcabral@arf.org). Applications should include a letter specifying the applicant#s strengths with respect to the listed methodologies, topical emphases, and other selection criteria; a curriculum vitae; two relevant publications or papers; and the names, addresses, phones and fax numbers of three references (reference letters are not requested at this stage). The ARF embraces the principles of employment equity.

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If you know of any addictions related news, web developments, announcements or interesting tidbits, drop us a note. We are interested in publishing articles in this section. If you have information about addictions, you would like to share with the net community, send it to us. We, of course, reserve the right to edit all submissions. We would like to see this area develop as a forum for discussion of addictions related topics.