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Drug Abuse: Research on Treatment May Not Address Current Needs

HRD-90-114 Published: Sep 12, 1990. Publicly Released: Sep 21, 1990.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO assessed: (1) the current state of knowledge regarding drug abuse treatment; (2) what influenced the state of knowledge regarding drug abuse treatment; and (3) National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) activities aimed at developing drug abuse treatment knowledge.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services To help ensure that NIDA-supported treatment research addresses the treatment needs of the drug-abusing population, the Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct NIDA to: (1) implement its strategic planning process; and (2) develop a plan that sets forth its long-term overall treatment research objectives and the relative priorities assigned to the different categories of treatment research. This plan should consider: (1) current and anticipated trends of drug abuse; and (2) the needs of practitioners from the drug abuse treatment community.
Closed – Implemented
NIDA was preparing an overall multiyear treatment research plan that would merge separate plans for medications development and nonpharmacological methods. The planning process for nonpharmacological methods includes input from members of the research community, treatment providers, and representatives of state organizations. These plans have been completed and are currently being merged into one document.
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should direct the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration or NIDA to determine how many researchers are needed to carry out planned research and take appropriate action to ensure their availability.
Closed – Implemented
The National Academy of Sciences has completed its evaluation on research training needs for NIH, including NIDA. NIDA states that it will implement these recommendations if its FY 1995 request for a substantial increase in its National Research Service Award funding is approved.

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Topics

AIDSSubstance abuseSubstance abuse treatmentMedical researchNarcoticsPublic health researchRecidivismRehabilitation programsResearch grantsResearch program management