Bridging the Gap between Substance Abuse Practice and Research: The National Treatment Plan Initiative

• DOI: 10.1177/002204260203200302
• Author: H. Westley Clark
• Published date: 01 July 2002
• Date: 01 July 2002
• Subject Matter: Article

© 2002 BY THE JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES

JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 0022-0426/02/03 757-768

__________

H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., is the Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, within the U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services. Dr. Clark is a noted practitioner, author, and educator in substance abuse treatment;

anger and pain management; psychopharmacology; and medical and legal issues.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

PRACTICE AND R ESEARCH: THE NATIONAL TREATMENT

PLAN INITIATIVE1

H. WESTLEY CLARK

The abuse of alcohol and other drugs leads to serious health problems, criminal

activity, automobile crashes, and lost productivity in the workplace. As we advocate

treatment for those who suffer from alcohol or drug addiction, we must advocate

treatment that is proven effective for the drug and populace involved. However,

due to background, cultural, and language differences between substance abuse

researchers, treatment providers, and policy makers, empirically tested treatments

are not being put into widespread practice. To bridge this gap, the Center for

Substance Abuse Treatment sponsored the National Treatment Plan Initiative, a

two-year effort to listen to multiple segments of the treatment field. This led to the

formation of the Practice Improvement Collaborative (PIC) Program, whose purpose

is to foster community-based partnerships that are committed to the identification,

adoption, and evaluation of evidence-based practices that address locally defined

needs. The PIC and the overall goals of the National Treatment Plan are discussed.

INTRODUCTION

The 2000 National Household Survey released by the Substance Abuse and

Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2001) shows that almost 10%

of youths aged 12-17 reported current illicit drug use in 2000. In the 18-20 age

group, that figure jumps to almost 20%.

There is no question that more needs to be done to reach our youth with the

message that use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, marijuana, or heroin is not a benign