American Indian organizations and NIDA produce free, science-based calendar on drug abuse and addiction

In a unique collaboration to raise awareness about the health risks of drug abuse and addiction, as well as prevention and treatment, American Indian experts and organizations nationwide have collaborated with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, to create an intergenerational year 2001 calendar, Walking A Good Path.

�This is an inspirational and educational calendar developed for people throughout Indian Country,� says Dr. Alan I. Leshner, NIDA Director. �It shares the most current science-based information about the differences between drug abuse and drug addiction, the health effects and risks of several drugs, and key elements of effective prevention and treatment.�

More than 15 Native American organizations participated in the development of the calendar, including the American Indian Health Council, the American Indian Prevention Coalition, and the Indian Health Service. Walking A Good Path features powerful photos, all by Indian photographers, and quotes from American Indian and Alaska Native young people.

Copies of the calendar�all free�can be ordered by calling 1-800-729-6686 and asking for Publication #AVD136. The entire calendar can also be downloaded from NIDA�s specific website at http://165.112.78.61/Published_Articles/NativeAmFlyer.html. For other science-based information on drug abuse and addiction, please visit NIDA�s main website at www.drugabuse.gov.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports more than 85 percent of the world�s research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research information and its implementation in policy and practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and other topics can be ordered free of charge in English and Spanish by calling NIDA Infofax at 1-888-NIH-NIDA (644-6432) or 1-888-TTY-NIDA (889-6432) for the deaf. These fact sheets and further information on NIDA research and other activities can be found on the NIDA home page at http://www.drugabuse.gov.