Dr. Eileen Martin, University of Illinois, Chicago, gives her presentation on the the effects of HIV and drug abuse on decision-making.   On November 29, the National Institute on Drug Abuse held a press conference and scientific meeting at the National Press Club here in DC to debut a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) and public outreach program to raise awareness about the relationship between drug use and HIV. In the past, the main concern about drug use and HIV transmission has been related to risks posed by sharing dirty needles, but epidemiologic patterns have shifted. It's now clear that intoxication with alcohol and other drugs can lead to altered judgment and decision-making and a range of risky behaviors that may expose individuals to HIV. Dr. Volkow cited a sobering statistic as we approach World AIDS Day (tomorrow): AIDS is the number one leading cause of death worldwide for 15-59 year olds. Youth are particularly vulnerable as they begin to exercise new freedoms and explore their environment, and that's why NIDA involved them directly in the formulation and production of the new campaign. With students from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, NIDA developed the text-messaged theme for the PSA: "get high, get stupid, get HIV". The new PSA will air across a variety of forums (MTV, etc.) targeting a youth market but can be viewed by older people here. The Press conference was followed by a Scientific Meeting to provide additional information about the breadth of NIDA's HIV research portfolio. Not all of the presentations were available as this issue of SPIN went to cyberpress, but APA member Eileen Martin, PhD was kind enough to provide her powerpoint on the crucial issue of the "Effects of HIV and Drug Abuse on Executive Brain Function: The Example of Decision-Making". Dr. Martin's studies demonstrate neurocognitive changes in the ability to assess risk in drug abusing and HIV positive subjects that are similar and additive when both conditions are present. As NIDA continues to emphasize this critical area of research, so too will those of us who advocate for NIDA on Capitol Hill. The Friends of NIDA coalition will be furnishing copies of the PSA along with NIDA's new HIV Research Report to every Member of the House and Senate at the beginning of December.

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