Jeremy Travis states that the purpose of the Annual Conference on Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation is to build bridges between criminal justice research programs and research programs in other disciplines, such as public health. These bridges include cooperation with other Federal agencies involved in research and the dissemination of research findings pertinent to criminal justice interests. In introducing Peter Edelman, who works in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Travis notes that the National Institute of Justice has cooperated with the Department of Health and Human Services in a number of research projects, notably in the areas of family and intimate violence as well as firearms research. Edelman first discusses the importance of Federal funding for research and evaluation in significant areas that bear upon substance abuse and violence, which are both public health and criminal justice concerns. Underfunding in such areas is noted to be a problem. He also advises that there has been a failure to translate research findings on the effectiveness of drug treatment into public policy and funding priorities. Other issues discussed by Edelman are the importance of involving the community in substance abuse prevention and treatment strategies, as well as focusing on the strengths of individuals and families to promote positive outcomes. Also discussed are the importance of colleagues working together in peer review processes.