The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73394

Donnie Watson, PhD¹, Richard A. Rawson, PhD², and Solomon T. Rataemane, MD¹. (1) UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Program, 6001 Executive Blvd, Suite 5167, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-402-1984, lc58q@nih.gov, (2) Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 6001 Executive Blvd, Suite 5167, Bethesda, MD 20892

The project undertaken is consistent with the goals of NIDA's Southern Africa Initiative that seeks to stimulate bi-national collaborative drug abuse research between the United States and Southern Africa in the area of treatment. This collaboration is aimed at reducing drug abuse/addiction and its associated adverse behavioral, social, and health consequences (e.g., violence, infectious diseases-HCV, HIV/AIDS, and pulmonary diseases). The activities proposed under this administrative supplement are designed to be culturally appropriate, feasible, and acceptable for implementation in Southern Africa and within the United States. It is hoped that findings from this project conducted through this Collaborative Initiative have the potential for advancing the field of drug abuse research in both Southern Africa and the United States. In this regard this presentation will: delineate the steps necessary to implement Stage 1a development of psychosocial protocols; discuss the processes involved in international technology transfer and exchange of outpatient treatment research; detail culturally sensitive translation and adaptation procedures; report on preliminary outcomes; and provide a summary of "lessons learned" from this international Southern Africa Initiative.

Learning Objectives:

• The objective of this presentation is to inform government entities, scientists and the public health community regarding a NIDA sponsored effort to collect the information necessary to modify a NIDA-sponsored outpatient
• substance abuse treatment approach to address the needs of substance abusersin South Africa

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.