News

Portland State University has been selected as the new home for a leading Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program dedicated to managing the nation's largest preventable health problem--substance abuse. The program, "Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse," brings more than $4 million in grants to PSU's Graduate School of Social Work.

Substance abuse is responsible for more than half a million deaths each year and has a staggering social and economic impact on the country. "Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse" provides fellowship stipends to directly address problems stemming from substance abuse disorders and addiction by seeking out and mentoring the next generation of public health leaders in these fields.

The program will be run by Director Judith Schector, previously the interim director, and Deputy Director Valerie Hunter, who joins PSU from De Paul Treatment Centers, Inc. This fall the program will announce ten new fellows who will receive grants of $75,000 to spearhead innovative projects relating to substance abuse.

This is the second major Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project at PSU, joining the five year, $21 million, "Reclaiming Futures" initiative that promotes leadership in building community solutions to juvenile justice and substance abuse issues.