Public health researchers, policymakers and practitioners were focusing attention on the etiology of drug use, supply and demand reduction issues and its impact upon the youth, families and communities in the United States. Published principles of effective prevention and treatment provide guidance to practitioners in the development of appropriate interventions that promote a continuum of care. Policy makers are focusing on regulatory changes, philosophical public health issue of drug use as an issue of moral failing or disease, and published guidance on the impact of parity and targeted funding. State-by state estimates of drug treatment, need, demand and treatment service resources provide valuable information on the identification of priority populations, including the expansion of national data sets like the National Household Survey of Drug Abuse, demonstration project data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and data collected by Centers for Disease Control. Practitioners are focusing on programs that evidence exemplary, science based practices, sound principles of effectiveness and targeted, effective, cost efficient treatment .
Science based evidence comes with a set of performance measures of effectiveness for evaluation.
Gender specific, developmental appropriate and culturally sensitive treatment are inherent in planning for targeted populations. Examine emerging trends, latest research data, and resource development related to youth drug use, gender specific programming, regional, geographic and cultural patterns of drug use. S howcase new and existing programs that evidence exemplary, science based practices in drug prevention and treatment for youth, adults and communities. Focus attention upon the impact of drug use in the areas of policy, research and practice. National Institute on Drug Abuse.