Regional Conference Addressed Addiction and Mental Health Issues in Africa and the Middle East

The 4th Africa and Middle East Congress on Addiction (AMECA) took place in Monastir, Tunisia, December 1–4, 2016. The conference focused on a wide range of scientific and clinical issues related to trauma, life adversity, addiction, and mental health problems in the region. Training workshops addressed the neuroscience of stress, assessment, treatment, methods and strategies for conducting research in the region, opportunities for collaboration, and research ethics. The Africa Regional Committee and the International Brain Research Organization provided support for the meeting, which was organized by AMECA; the University of Minnesota Khat Research Program; Monastir University, Medical School, and University Hospital; the Arabic Network for Behavioral Medicine; Tunisian National Office of Family and Population; and Order of the Physicians, the Regional Council of the Center. NIDA grantee Mustafa al’Absi, Ph.D., chairs the scientific committee. Dr. al’Absi directs the Khat Research Program and the Duluth Medical Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Dr. Sana El Mhamdi, Monastir University, chaired the local organizing committee.