In addition to its research agenda on AIDS, NIDA conducts AIDS-related projects involving public education, information dissemination, and research training. NIDA's drug abuse and AIDS public education program has involved three nationwide media campaigns for television, radio, and print outlets that targeted injecting drug users and their sexual partners, youths ages 12 to 16, and young adults ages 18 to 24. The third campaign, for young adults, has set records for the number of public service announcements aired by cooperating TV stations, which donate broadcast time. New elements of that campaign, which continues to use the slogan "Get High, Get Stupid, Get AIDS" in posters and brochures, were launched late last year. New television, radio, and print ads aimed at teenagers and young adults will be unveiled this fall. The ads for teens use stop-action animation popular with that age group. The young adult campaign features a music video by Grammy Award-winner Melissa Etheridge.
Since 1985, NIDA has conducted 20 technical review sessions to discuss cutting-edge research and to disseminate up-to-date information on AIDS-related drug abuse issues to researchers.
In the area of research training, the Institute funds eight AIDS research training grants, providing specialized training to pre- and postdoctoral students preparing for drug-related AIDS research. These grants are important in attracting, motivating, and preparing young researchers with appropriate education and credentials to become specialists in investigating drug-use-related aspects of HIV and AIDs.
Nine years ago, NIDA began an AIDS training program concentrating on 34 drug-related topic areas. Some 17,000 drug abuse treatment counselors and program administrators across the country completed the training in such areas as working with gay and bisexual clients and counseling patients in anticipation of HIV anti test results and on coping with death. NIDA also has provided technical assistance to 35 State agencies to develop training programs on AIDS and its connections to substance abuse. These training programs were transferred in 1992 from NIDA to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.