Dr Timothy Condon has been named deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. Dr Condon will assist in developing, implementing, and managing NIDA's programmes, priorities, resources, policies and research dissemination efforts. In addition, he will continue to serve as director of the Institute's Office of Science Policy and Communications (OSPC).

In announcing the appointment, Dr Nora Volkow, director of NIDA, said, "As an extramural researcher I have known Dr Condon for many years. I believe his knowledge of science, policy, and his working relationships with constituent organizations, other agencies, researchers and staff within NIDA and NIH, will provide the institute with the tools necessary to progress in our mission of eradicating drug abuse and addiction."

NIDA, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is the world's largest supporter of research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction.

Dr Condon has held prominent science policy positions at NIDA since he arrived in 1992. He served as the chief of the Science Policy Branch and the Acting Deputy Director of OSPC until 1996 when former NIDA director Dr Alan Leshner appointed him NIDA's first associate director for Science Policy, as well as the director of OSPC. One of the hallmarks of Dr Condon's efforts has been his commitment to change the public's perception of drug abuse and addiction using science as the vehicle. Dr Condon oversaw a series of town meetings conducted across the country to share new science findings with communities and to provide NIDA with the opportunity to learn what research needed to be supported to help local leaders and clinicians better deal with community drug problems. This massive outreach campaign, which continues today, consists of a targeted message -- drug abuse is a preventable behaviour, and drug addiction is a treatable brain disease that needs to be addressed like any other health problem.