The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has released its Strategic Plan for 2016-2020: Advancing Addiction Science, focusing on its mission to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health.
Drug use and substance use disorders (SUDs) affect millions of Americans and impose enormous costs on society. In 2014, nearly 27 million people in the U.S. were current users of illicit drugs or misused prescription drugs, and almost 67 million people smoked or used other harmful tobacco products.
As the lead federal agency devoted to research on the health effects of drug use, NIDA has developed a plan with four priority areas that present unique opportunities to be leveraged over the next five years. The plan is designed to increase the understanding of the basic science of the brain as it relates to behavior and translate what is learned into more effective prevention and treatment interventions that can ultimately reduce the negative impacts of drug use and SUDs on society. To achieve its mission, NIDA will focus on the following high-level strategic goals centered on basic science, prevention, treatment, and public health, respectively:
- GOAL 1: Identify the biological, environmental, behavioral and social causes and consequences of drug use and addiction across the lifespan
- GOAL 2: Develop improved strategies to prevent drug use and its consequences
- GOAL 3: Develop new and improved treatments to help people with substance use disorders achieve and maintain a meaningful and sustained recovery
- GOAL 4: Increase the public health impact of NIDA research and programs
To view NIDA’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan in its entirety, including a statement from NIDA Director Nora Volkow, go to: https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/2016-2020-nida-strategic-plan.
For more information, contact the NIDA press office at media@nida.nih.gov or 301-443-6245