NCJ Number
162801
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 31 Issue: 8 Dated: (1996) Pages: 1059-1062
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The principal challenge in drug use research over the next decade will involve translating valid research findings into effective prevention and treatment efforts.
Abstract
Much has been written and discussed about the importance of technology transfer in the field of addictions, most of which focuses on intricacies of the technology transfer process. Meriting equal attention, however, is the validity of the technology to be transferred. The authors suggest that the process of technology transfer needs to be revisited, taking into consideration the validity of research-derived knowledge to be disseminated to practitioners. The assumption is that findings from research conducted in controlled settings involving highly selected cases require further validation before they are generally applied in the field. When the effectiveness of a new approach has been unequivocally demonstrated, the next step in technology transfer involves determining the most appropriate way of applying the findings and procedures. Prior to disseminating new information, various models for transferring technical information should be explored to determine the most appropriate method to be employed in a given setting. The importance of government, community, and private support in closing the gap between research and service is stressed. 4 references