National Institute on Drug Abuse
Some important events in NIDA's history
1974--NIDA is established as the Federal focal point for research, treatment, prevention and training services, and data collection on the nature and extent of drug abuse. National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Unit Survey begins to identify the location, scope, and characteristics of public and private drug prevention and treatment programs.
1976--NIDA begins the Community Epidemiology Work Group, made up of state and local representatives meeting semiannually with NIDA staff to assess recent drug abuse trends and to identify populations at risk.
1986--The dual epidemics of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS are recognized by Congress and the Administration in a quadrupling of NIDA funding for research on both major diseases.
1990--NIDA established the Medications Development Program, focusing on developing new medications for treating addiction.
1995--NIDA researchers cloned the dopamine transporter, cocaine's primary site of action in the brain.
1998-- NIDA establishes a new Center for AIDS and Other Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse, to coordinate a comprehensive, multidisciplinary research program aimed at improving the knowledge base on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS and other short and long-term health consequences associated with drug abuse and addiction.
1999 --NIDA launches its National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network, to rapidly and efficiently test the effectiveness of behavioral and pharmacological treatments in real life settings.
2002--The FDA approves buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid dependence. NIDA supported the development of this medication. It is the first form of opioid treatment to be given in a physician's office.
2002-In September 2002, with support from eight partner agencies in the U.S Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice, NIDA launched the major research initiative called the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS). The goal of CJ-DATS is to establish and utilize a research infrastructure to develop and test models for an integrated approach to the treatment of incarcerated individuals with drug abuse or addictive disorders.
2003--NIDA releases its newly updated publication, "Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, Second Edition" that reflects NIDA's expanded research program and knowledge base in the area of drug abuse prevention.
2004-NIDA collaborates with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal agencies to design a traveling museum exhibit, which debuted in New York City. This exhibit draws attention to the social, economic, and medical consequences associated with drug abuse.