In November of 2010, the Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB) recommended the establishment of a new institute for substance use, abuse, and addiction-related research and the dissolution of NIAAA and NIDA. After receiving the SMRB’s recommendation, I established a Task Force of scientific experts to begin a comprehensive review of the NIH substance use, abuse, and addiction research portfolio. The Task Force has met with subject matter experts from across the NIH to learn about our investments in these areas of research. During this review, it has become apparent that our portfolio in substance use, abuse, and addiction research is very complex and that the administrative steps required to implement a reorganization of this magnitude are substantial. Additionally, during the last few months, many stakeholders have requested additional input into the development of the scientific plan for the new Institute.
Based on the complexity of the portfolio, feedback from our stakeholders, and the administrative requirements to implement this reorganization, I have decided that the NIH should take additional time to review and integrate the substance use, abuse, and addiction portfolio before building the proposed institute. This will include the development of a scientific strategic plan for substance use, abuse, and addiction research and the coordination of the intramural programs of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. These processes will be informed by stakeholder input.
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