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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
James M. Rogers, PhD, Department of Political Science (025-22, Temple University, 1115 West Berks Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6089, 215-204-7785, jrogers@temple.edu
Drug abuse research has grown substantially over the last fifteen years with the national government playing the lead role. Until very recently knowledge dissemination and application efforts have lagged for behind research production and much criticism has been raised. New programs now hope to overcome knowledge system problems and bridge the gap between research and services. This confluence of events present an important opportunity to improve the link between knowledge and action in drug abuse treatment. This paper describes and explains present knowledge utilization in drug abuse treatment services, relying primarily on a national mail survey of treatment programs, and thus lays a foundation for change. Treatment programs are found to make considerable conceptual and decision use of research, evaluation, and other knowledge inputs. The relevance and quality of knowledge and information are the best predictors of utilization. In addition, service agencies are found to make greater use of self-generated evaluations and studies than those conducted or sponsored by outsiders. Organizational structure and belief systems are also associated with knowledge use. The data suggest that research partnerships that include program personnel in all phases of the research process will improve the knowledge connection. Those who have interest in using research to improve drug treatment should join hands with treatment programs in fostering an ongoing collaborative system. Treatment programs will be much more likely to use research that they have a strong stake in than that which is forced upon them and removed from their experience.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Policy/Policy Development
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.