This presentation reviews concepts which guide current drug abuse treatments and the results of empirical research their outcomes. Treatment strategies are guided by models derived from views of how best to achieve the intended outcomes of drug abuse treatment. These objectives include helping addicted individuals achieve a non-drug using, noncriminal life style, gainful legal employment and responsible participation in a family. The treatment strategies derive from concep- tual models about the underlying risk and causal factors for drug abuse. The dominant current models include: psychiatric illness treatment model, brain disease treatment model, psychological disorder treatment model, therapeutic community rehabilita- tion model, a self-help recovery model (AA/ NA) and a drug court change model. The treatment effectiveness research literature indicates that while all treatment modalities work their effectiveness varies because of: characteristics at intake of clients such as extent of addiction, criminality, and motiva- tion for treatment, different incentives to participate and remain in treatment, staff abil- ity to engage clients in treatment process & involve them in active participation, program use of cognitive, behavioral & social support services and ability to maintain clients in treatment for an adequate length of time. Dr. Mandell is the former chair of the Department of Mental Health and is currently Professor Emeritus at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He serves currently as coordinator of the US Department of State sponsored Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in Public Health and Substance Abuse. Dr. Mandell has planned and directed a metropolitan area Community Mental Health Center, a model vocational rehabilitation pro- gram in the New York City Rikers Island pris- on and helped start the well known Daytop Therapeutic Community for drug depend- ent persons. He also designed and directed the Johns Hopkins Hospital Comprehensive Alcoholism Treatment service. At the School of Public Health Dr. Mandell and colleagues created the first formal training programs for drug abuse counselors and for state and national program administrators. Dr. Mandell’s research includes both clinical studies and national evaluations of drug abuse treatment systems such as for the President of the United States. He has served as advisor to Mayors, Governors, and Presidents in a number of countries and to the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, the Organization of American States and the Colombo Plan Organization for Southeast Asia. In these capacities he has worked with more than 170 leaders in 60 countries focusing in planning improvements in policy, treatment and prevention activities.

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

First global conference on methamphetamine science, strategy and response, Prague, 15-16 September 2008