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.