About The College

The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), formerly the Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence, has been in existence since 1929 and is the longest standing group in the United States addressing problems of drug dependence and abuse. From 1929 until 1976, the CPDD was associated with the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. Since 1976, the organization has functioned as an independent body affiliated with other scientific and professional societies representing various disciplines concerned with problems of drug dependence and abuse. (For more information on our history, please look at the historical link.) In 1991, the CPDD evolved into a membership organization with the new name of College on Problems of Drug Dependence. Currently, CPDD has over 1,000 members. The organization serves as an interface among governmental, industrial and academic communities maintaining liaisons with regulatory and research agencies as well as educational, treatment, and prevention facilities in the drug abuse field.

The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) provides a national and international forum for scientists of diverse backgrounds to advance the understanding of molecular-neurobiological aspects of addictive disorders and, by the application of new scientific knowledge, to improve and develop treatments utilizing novel behavioral and pharmacological therapies. Through associations with academia, government agencies and private industry, CPDD is able to promote scientific discoveries in addictive diseases as well as to inform legislators about their implications for public policy, benefits to society and the need for continued advancement of science and education on addictive diseases. The College also nurtures training and development of basic and clinical scientists in these fields.

The Annual Scientific Meeting: Since 1938, a major focus of the CPDD's activities has been its sponsorship of an annual scientific meeting. This conference serves as a forum bringing together basic scientists and clinical investigators from industry, academia, and government. Representatives of regulatory agencies, as well as scientists and professionals in a number of diverse disciplines interested in the biochemical, behavioral, and public health aspects of drug dependence participate.

Special Conferences: Periodically, the College sponsors conferences focused on timely topics of interest to researchers, government, industry, and the public.  In recent years, CPDD has organized meetings on Abuse Liability Assessment of CNS Drugs; Drug Formulation and Abuse Liability; Pre-Clinical Abuse Liability Testing; Women and Smoking: Understanding Socioeconomic Influences; and Risk Management and Post-Marketing Surveillance for CNS-Acting Drugs.

Consultation Activities: The CPDD provides consulting expertise in the area of epidemiology, treatment, prevention, and all the basic and clinical sciences related to drug dependence, drug abuse, and their behavioral and medical consequences.

Sponsorship of Drug & Alcohol Dependence: The CPDD sponsors the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, published by Elsevier. A principal goal of the journal is to provide a source of quality, timely reports of scientific advances in substance abuse research. The journal is international in scope and interdisciplinary in coverage. The CPDD invites contributors.

Scientific & Professional Affiliations: The College on Problems of Drug Dependence has a liaison relationship with numerous scientific, professional, and governmental organizations, including Friends of NIDA.