World-Renowned Hispanic Scientists Gather To Address Disparities In Hispanic Drug Use, Treatment And Prevention

The National Hispanic Science Network (NHSN) on Drug Abuse will hold its eighth annual conference, "Community, Behavioral and Molecular Sciences in Addictive Disorders," October 1-3, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Maryland.


Dr. Nora Volkow , director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), will present the keynote address, "Imaging Obesity and Addiction." In her address, Dr. Volkow will examine the links between obesity and addiction from the basic biological, the epidemiologic, and the treatment perspective. "Both drugs and food activate the same neurochemical response in the brain," said Dr. Volkow. "We must leverage the science from one disorder to inform the other."


Funded by NIDA, the NHSN brings together scientists across multiple disciplines researching Hispanic drug abuse and related topics. The Hispanic population is hugely impacted by drug abuse and its consequences, yet the number of Hispanic scientists is disproportionately low.


"The U.S. Hispanic population is growing at a rate faster than our scientific capabilities to address their health needs," said Dr. Jos?© Szapocznik, Chair of NHSN. "The partnership between NIDA and NHSN continues to make strides in attracting early career scientists and students to drug abuse research, and weaving together national and international scientists working with populations of Spanish and Latin American origins. This year's conference continues a tradition of broadly interdisciplinary topics ranging from neuroscience to drug markets and risk-enhancing community environments."


For more information on the conference, please contact Omar Montejo at 305-243-5654 or omontejomed.miami.


Conference Highlights


What: Dr. Nora Volkow's keynote address: "Imaging Obesity and Addiction."

When: Thursday, October 2, 2008 ~ 6:00 p.m.


What: "Obesity and Addiction" (panel)

When: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 ~ 9:00 a.m.



What: "Drug Use among Latino Youth in Juvenile Justice System" (panel)

When: Thursday, October 2, 2008 ~ 8:30 a.m.


What: "Drug Markets and Criminal Justice Systems" (panel)

WHEN: Thursday, October 2, 2008 ~ 10:15 a.m.


National Institute on Drug Abuse