2020 APA Convention Call for Proposals
50 Years of Harm Reduction: Past, Present and Future
Susan E. Collins, PhD
2020 APA Convention Program Chair
Hello and happy fall! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as this year’s APA Convention Program Chair. I am honored to be working with Division 50 President, Dr. Linda Sobell, Program Cochair, Dr. Megan Kirouac, and with the guidance of last year’s Chair, Dr. Seema Clifasefi, to put together a thought-provoking, scientifically informed and clinically relevant program for the 2020 APA Convention in Washington, DC.
This is a time of great upheaval in the field. Population-based data have indicated that many of our existing and efficacious treatments are not reaching or engaging the vast majority of people with substance use disorder in this country. There are also big questions about how to best move forward with substance-use research, treatment and policy to address public health crises involving opioids, methamphetamines, cannabis and vaping (among others) that sometimes divide the field. And ongoing marginalization of people who use substances, particularly in Communities of Color, rural areas and socioeconomically depressed communities, are an additional and disturbing manifestation of growing health disparities in the US.
However, these challenges offer opportunities for addiction psychologists to light a path with scientific and clinical advances that can address these topics and help alleviate substance-related harm for people who use substances, their families and their communities.
To this end, the 2020 SoAP program committee is seeking proposals on research and clinical advances addressing the Division 50 President’s theme of “50 Years of Harm Reduction: Past, Present and Future.” Harm reduction refers to compassionate and pragmatic approaches that aim to reduce substance-related harm and improve quality of life for people who use substances, their families and their communities. Dr. Sobell has intimated to me that, with this theme, she is honoring the memory and contributions of Dr. G. Alan Marlatt, trailblazer in the field and mentor to many. I am grateful that many of you reading this have also shaped the last 50 years of work in this area, and many early career addiction psychologists are continuing this work and making strides in this area. We hope you will all come out and share your wisdom at APA 2020!
In keeping with this theme, we encourage submission of programming for the 2020 APA Convention that:
We are also looking forward to receiving submissions from members who are doing cutting-edge work on various topics across the field, including those emphasizing priorities of APA’s 2020 President and Past President. These priorities include contributions of students and early career folks, diversity and inclusion, collaboration across divisions and disciplines, and “Deep Poverty.”
Convention Proposal Submission details
Resources are available for those struggling with addiction and numerous effective treatments exist. Whether you are looking for help for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to seek out help.