Navigate Up
News Release Search
GO
UPMC/University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
​
Jennifer Yates
Manager
Telephone: 412-647-9966

Patients and medical professionals may call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information.
 

​

 University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Awarded Substance Abuse Grant from The Pennsylvania Department of Health

PITTSBURGH, August 8, 2002 — The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy has received a three-year grant totaling $400,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Bureau of Drug and Alcohol programs, in collaboration with the office of Governor Mark Schweiker to address alcohol and substance abuse by young people between the ages of 12 and 25 and the community at large.

In 2000, the Pennsylvania Department of Health estimated that the number of Pennsylvanians in need of treatment was more than 630,000 and the actual number who received treatment was 69,000.

Funds for the substance abuse grant were provided by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

"This is a very prestigious award," said Jan Pringle, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and scientific director of the Pittsburgh-based Institute for Research Education and Training and Addiction (IRETA), a statewide initiative dedicated to aligning research and practice through education and policy development.

"Our goal is to build a comprehensive resource center related to addictions research, health policy, prevention, intervention and treatment, and to develop effective mechanisms to transfer that knowledge to the substance abuse field and policy makers," Dr. Pringle added.

Information from the grant will be collected and catalogued by the Performance Based Prevention System database in order to manage substance abuse prevention activities, monitor performance and outcomes and evaluate performance effectiveness. The database also will be centrally hosted, providing real time data access and operation.

Eventually, the state of Pennsylvania will use the grant information to develop a research-based comprehensive prevention plan for alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drug use and abuse to ensure all state-operated and federally funded prevention programs operate with a consistent, conceptual framework.

The School of Pharmacy will be collaborating with more than a dozen state, federal and community agencies on this project.

"Substance abuse is a chronic problem for thousands of young Pennsylvanians," said Dr. Pringle. "I believe through this collaborative effort, we will be able to achieve our goal of helping teens and young adults with chemical dependency problems, who often slip through the cracks."

©  UPMC | Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Supplemental content provided by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions. All rights reserved.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.

For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

© UPMC
Pittsburgh, PA, USA UPMC.com