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Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
3/28/2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES-The Louisiana Addiction Technology Transfer Center Coordinating Center at Northwestern State University recently co-sponsored the first Louisiana Research to Practice Conference in Baton Rouge. The conference's principal sponsors were the Louisiana Office of Addictive Disorders and the Gulf Coast Addiction Technology Transfer Center.
Two three-day sessions brought together administrators and clinicians to enhance their understanding of how to apply latest research in their work.
"This is the first time this type of addiction conference has been held in Louisiana. We received a great deal of positive feedback from those attending, which indicated the information will be helpful," said Joseph Biscoe, co-director of he Louisiana Addiction Technology Transfer Center Coordinating Center at NSU. "It took a team effort between higher education, researchers, and the Louisiana Office of Addictive Disorders to support a research to practice conference."
Among the speakers at the conference were research scientist Carlton K. Erickson from the Addiction Science Research and Education Center, and Pfizer Centennial Professor of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy The University of Texas; Thomas Coyne, founder and director of National Training Services; and Jeffrey M. Georgi, clinical director of the Duke Addictions Program.
Erickson has been on the faculty of the University of Kansas and the University of Texas and has published more than 150 scientific and professional articles. He has participated in the Professionals in Residence Program at the Betty Ford Center and is a recipient of the Betty Ford Center Visionary Award.
Coyne's efforts are currently dedicated to the design and delivery of the highest quality, proven and effective competency based training on the administration and application of the standardize screen and assessment instrument called the Addiction Severity Index (ASI).
Georgi is an established author and national trainer focusing in the areas of addictions and the brain, clinical spirituality, ethics, motivational enhancement therapy, group psychotherapy, dual diagnosis and craving management.
"We were able to bring in a number of additional nationally recognized people and look to plan another conference of this type in 2004," said Biscoe.
Dr. Patrice Moulton is co-director of the Louisiana Addiction Technology Transfer Center Coordinating Center at NSU.