The overall objective of the Drug Abuse Research Training Program at the University of Chicago is to provide comprehensive educational and research experiences to predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees which would be useful in establishing a distinguished research career in drug abuse. This effort is supported by the Department of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, the Department of Psychiatry, the Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care and funded in part by a training grant awarded by NIDA, T32 DA07255.
Drug abuse poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of both individuals and society.
Mental status, physical health, social function and economic productivity are compromised and these factors can lead to an increase in crime and violence. To the credit of NIDA-sponsored research, we understand a great deal more about these problems than we did 15 years ago. Nevertheless, there is much more to be learned from the molecular to the social realm. Existing research programs in the area of drug abuse are designed to enhance knowledge of the social, behavioral, neurochemical, neuropharmacological and molecular factors relevant to drugs of abuse and by so doing, increase our understanding of the etiology, treatment and prevention of drug abuse. Specific strengths of this program relate to the neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology and molecular biochemistry of drug abuse, as well as the behavioral and subjective effects of drugs on humans.