WHAT: A press conference, followed by a research update, to raise awareness, and discuss and refine a research agenda for addressing recent trends in the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs in the United States.

WHO: The National Institute on Drug Abuse, a component of the National Institutes of Health, with a coalition of public and private organizations.

WHEN: TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2001 10:00 AM: PRESS CONFERENCE 1:00 PM: RESEARCH UPDATE

WHERE: National Press Club -- Holeman Lounge 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor Washington, D.C.

WHY: An estimated 4 million people 12 years or older used controlled sedatives, stimulants, or opiates for non- medical reasons in 1999, with almost half of them reporting that they used prescription drugs non-medically for the first time in the previous year. NIDA's initiative will seek to increase awareness of this disturbing trend in the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs and to promote additional research on this topic.

MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. For more information and to register, call the NIDA Press Office, 301-443-6245.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports more than 85 percent of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to ensure the rapid dissemination of research information and its implementation in policy and practice. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs of abuse and other topics can be ordered free of charge in English and Spanish through NIDA Infofax at 1-888-NIH-NIDA (644-6432) or 1-888-TTY-NIDA (889-6432) for the deaf. These fact sheets and further information on NIDA research and other activities can be found on the NIDA home page at www.drugabuse.gove.