The Center for Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions (CASAA) invites the community for their annual research day on Nov. 11. CASAA is a center devoted to reducing substance abuse and the event will help bring attention to addiction research.  

 At CASAA, their first priority is to reduce suffering and social costs caused by substance use and other addictive behaviors and to improve quality of life. They do this through events like the research day at UNM in hopes of generating high-quality assessment, prevention, treatment, and implementation research. 

Their hard work will be presented by knowledgeable keynote speakers, Drs. Megan Kirouac and David Ley. Kirouac is a research assistant professor at the University of New Mexico’s CASAA and is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialization in researching substance use. 

Kirouac will provide a strong basis alongside her counterpart Ley, who is the executive director of New Mexico Solutions, a mental health and substance abuse program in Albuquerque, NM. Both speakers will guide the community through discussions about connecting research and reality about substance abuse. 

The CASAA director Katie Witkiewitz says the annual meeting is important because it represents their devotion and puts their research out there. 

“CASAA is a nationally and internationally renowned center devoted to reducing harms related to substance use and other addictive behaviors,” Witkiewitz said. “We are committed to connecting with community to showcase our work and discuss possible collaboration and connection into the future.”

The CASAA research day will end with an informative talk about how the organization can better support and engage with the community during the coming year. For students wanting to attend there are 3 free CE credits available. There is no cover charge to attend, but those interested must sign up on the CASAA website so food and space can be provided. 

To register, visit CASAA Research Day.

CASAA Research Day Schedule – 2024
9 – 9:15 a.m.: Introduction
9:15 – 10 a.m.: Listening to the Wisdom Within: Person-led Approaches to Understanding Addiction and Resilience by Dr. Megan Kirouac and Christina Gillezeau

10 – 11 a.m.: Panel Discussion 
11 – 11:15 am: Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: CASAA 35th Anniversary Panel
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Lunch and Poster Presentations
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.: Growing Needs for Research and Data Analysis in the NM Community Behavioral Healthcare System by Dr. David Ley

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.: Panel Discussion

CASAA is a nationally and internationally renowned center devoted to reducing harms related to substance use and other addictive behaviors. CASAA is committed to connecting with community to showcase our work and talk about possible collaboration and connection into the future. 

For more information, visit CASAA.