Community and Public Health Programs
Research
The Division is involved in a number of research projects that examine how society influences the way people use and abuse drugs and alcohol, as well as the way substance abuse interacts with other mental health conditions.
The Division is also studying how to treat medical conditions that often coexist with substance abuse, including hepatitis C in intravenous drug abusers and low bone density in methadone maintained patients.
An important concern is the relationship between chronic pain and the development of dependency on narcotic painkillers. Division faculty are studying how best to address this complex problem. The use of buprenorphine is being investigated in the treatment of some patients. The Division is engaged in other methadone- and buprenorphine-related research as well.
Division faculty members Dr. Carla Boutin-Foster and Dr. Emilio Carrillo are spearheading many innovative projects to improve public health in underserved communities in New York City. These include outreach efforts through schools, churches, colleges, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
