Addiction research: the next steps

Thursday 21 January 2010

British Academy, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1

Panel discussion, chaired by Professor Sir Michael Marmot FBA FMedSci, and introduced by Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz FRS FMedSci

Convened by the Medical Research Council

Addiction and substance misuse are major medical, social and economic problems for the UK. Continued use of illegal drugs, the misuse of alcohol and problems caused by gambling often result in devastating effects on both individuals and families. Young people are especially vulnerable.

The MRC is leading a strategy for research into addiction and substance misuse in an unprecedented effort to address these problems. It has been developed on behalf of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research and is being implemented in partnership with the ESRC. The strategy brings together experts from many disciplines to work towards a common aim, with key stakeholders, including government departments, engaged in ongoing consultation. Speakers will give an overview of the strategy; why it was launched and its strategic aims, followed by details of the specific research areas to be investigated as part of this initiative.

About the Speakers

The panel will comprise Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, FRS FMedSCi, Chief Executive of the MRC,  Professor David Leon, Professor of Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Chair of the academic group overseeing the strategy, Professor David Nutt, FMedSci, Department of Neuropsychpharmacology and Molecular Imaging, Imperial College London, Professor Colin Drummond, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London and Dr Tim Millar, National Drug Evidence  Centre, Health Methodology Research Group, University of Manchester.  

The discussion will be chaired by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, FBA, FMedSci, Director of the International Institute for Society and Health at University College London.

About the Convenors

The MRC is a publicly funded organisation dedicated to improving human health. It supports research across the biomedical spectrum in all major disease areas. It works closely with the NHS and the UK Health Departments and gives a high priority to research that is likely to make a real difference to the health of the population.

Introduction
podcast (5MB mp3)

Professor Dave Leon
Overview of the MRC-led addiction and substance misuse research strategy
podcast (20MB mp3) | presentation (pdf)

Professor Tim Millar
Statistical modeling of prevalence and harm of drug use
podcast (14MB mp3) | presentation (pdf)

Professor Colin Drummond
Research into alcohol misuse
podcast (16.5MB mp3) | presentation (pdf)

Professor David Nutt
Current neuroscience of addiction
podcast (15MB mp3) | presentation (pdf)

Questions and discussion
podcast (15MB mp3)

Useful link

MRC addiction research