Dr. Susan Coyle Directs Review of Clinical, Epidemiological, and Applied Sciences Research
Dr. Susan CoyleDr. Susan Coyle has been named chief of the Clinical, Epidemiological, and Applied Sciences Review Branch (CEASRB) in NIDA's Office of Extramural Program Review. As branch chief, she directs the scientific review of NIDA's extramural grant applications for research on epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and health services related to drug abuse.
Dr. Coyle previously worked in the Community Research Branch of NIDA's Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, where she coordinated extramural research on the epidemiology and prevention of HIV/AIDS among drug users. She has extensive expertise on the impact of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, and violence among women and adolescents. Dr. Coyle was the study director of the National Research Council Panel on the Evaluation of AIDS Interventions and served as senior editor of the panel's report.
Public Information Materials Cited for Excellence
Recent NIDA campaigns to disseminate science-based information on drug abuse and addiction to the public have been recognized on several fronts in the past year.
The Mind Over Matter magazine series won the Bronze Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America in the magazine series category for excellence in tools and tactics in public relations. This year, 32 awards were selected from 675 entries.
Mind Over Matter was developed to teach middle school students how drugs of abuse act in the brain. The series consists of seven full-color magazines that unfold into posters and a teacher's guide. Mind Over Matter magazines cover marijuana, opiates, stimulants, hallucinogens, inhalants, steroids, and nicotine. The series is being distributed to more than 18,000 middle schools this fall.
Mind Over Matter also received a Silver Certificate in the Astrid Awards from MerComm, Inc. The Astrid Awards are given in recognition of outstanding achievement in design communications. MerComm was founded to advance the field of communications in the international arena and is affiliated with the International Academy of Communication Arts and Sciences. The awards program is in its twelfth year, receiving more than 3,000 entries from around the world.
A NIDA video, "The Great Disconnect," won a Gold Certificate in the Questar Awards given by MerComm for video communications. "The Great Disconnect" highlights the role of science in the battle against drug abuse and addiction. The video, aimed at researchers, educators, policymakers, and the general public, seeks to dispel myths about drug addiction.
NIDA Infofax won in the "use of emerging media" category in the Banner Awards program sponsored by the American Hospital Association's Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development. The Banner Awards recognize efforts in planning, strategy development, marketing, public relations, and communications. Infofax provides a toll-free, 24-hour information service in English, Spanish, or TTY. Infofax callers can receive fact sheets about drug abuse and addiction via fax and mail, or can listen to recorded messages.
Publications Focus on Women's Health
NIDA has released two companion publications on research related to drug addiction and women's health. Drug Addiction Research and the Health of Women grew out of presentations at a national conference of the same name held by NIDA in 1994. In the 581-page volume, in-depth reviews of current research provide extensive data on the differences between men and women in the causes and effects of drug abuse and addiction.
The companion volume, the 142-page Drug Addiction Research and the Health of Women: Executive Summary, contains condensed versions of conference presentations and discussions.