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Work Group Reports on
Demand Reduction --
Summary of Overview,
Discussion, and
Recommendations
Research Cooperation and
Exchange of Technical Information
Facilitators:
- Dr. Patricia Needle, USA
Acting Director, International Program Office
of Science Policy and Communication,
National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Dr. Marķa Elena Medina-Mora, Mexico
Director, Social and Epidemiological Research,
Mexican Institute of Psychiatry, Ministry of Health
Presenters:
- Dr. Zili Sloboda, USA
Director, Division of Epidemiology
and Prevention Research,
National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Dr. Silvia L. Cruz, Mexico
Professor Titular, Center for Research
and Advanced Studies,
National Polytechnic Institute
Overview:
Dr. Sloboda opened this session by noting that cultural differences exist both within and across the U.S. and Mexico, and that those differences must be taken into account. At a previous 1995 joint meeting with Mexican researchers, she recalled, there was an emerging awareness that neither U.S. nor Mexican society is homogeneous. Although that meeting emphasized ideas, she explained that a specific, integrated research agenda was lacking. Such an agenda, she claimed, should range from basic research to studies of prevention and treatment. She also stressed that basic researchers need to be involved in other areas of research. In particular, she emphasized the need to refine measurements, to develop enduring infrastructures to ensure institutional continuity, and to facilitate the use of common measures and comparable statistical methods. In her view, the training of researchers and the development of the means to ensure continuing financial support of joint research efforts are vital concerns. For the first time, she noted, policy makers are talking about policy decisions being informed by research. She encouraged the attendees at this meeting to begin thinking about how this can be done most effectively. Lastly, Dr. Sloboda emphasized the need to continue to organize small working meetings of scientists annually to ensure that a long-term commitment to cooperative international research becomes a reality.
Dr. Medina-Mora added that it was not the first time researchers from both countries had gotten together to exchange experiences and share interests; some cooperation had already been undertaken, part of which had a long history. She suggested that in order to ensure continuity, specific actions should be decided upon and volunteers to pursue the work should be appointed. This suggestion was accepted by the participants.
Similarly, Dr. Cruz stressed the need to encourage not only institutional cooperation but also the kinds of person-to-person cooperation required to allow the more abstract institutional objectives to be achieved.
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