The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, announces the release of the second request for grant applications (RFAs) for participation in the National Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (CTN). Launched in January 1999, the CTN provides a critically needed research infrastructure that will test and disseminate science-based addiction treatments in real-life settings throughout the country.
NIDA-supported scientists have made considerable progress in developing new and improved pharmacological and behavioral treatments for drug addiction. Many of these new treatments are not yet widely used in practice. By fostering partnerships among NIDA, treatment researchers, and community-based treatment programs, the CTN will rapidly move promising science-based drug addiction treatments into community settings.
In September 1999, NIDA awarded the first five grants to initiate the Clinical Trials Network to establish regional research treatment centers (RRTCs). Recipients included the Health Sciences University of Oregon; the University of California, Los Angeles; Yale University; the University of Pennsylvania; and The Johns Hopkins University.
This latest RFA is the second released this year to develop a geographically diverse and encompassing national Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. When complete, the network will consist of 20 to 30 RRTCs. At the local level, each center will be linked with 10 to 15 community-based treatment programs (CTPs) that represent a variety of treatment settings and patient populations available in that particular region of the country.
The RFA invites cooperative agreement applications from established clinical investigators interested in participating in the CTN. Letters of intent are due by February 17, 2000, with completed applications due by March 16, 2000.