A professional organization dedicated to translating scientific knowledge from the field of prevention science into effective and sustainable practices, systems and policies.
Virtual Congressional Briefing Series
Protecting Federal Leadership in Addiction Science and Public Health
Part VI – The Aftermath: A Whole of Society Approach to Substance Use
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 2:00-3:30pm ET
The Addiction Science Defense Network (ASDN) is pleased to announce an upcoming series of six congressional briefings on the critical importance of sustained federal support for addiction research, prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This briefing series will consist of six sessions, approximately 3-4 weeks apart.
Addiction remains a profound public health challenge, touching every community and family across the US. While the costs—social, economic, and personal—are immense, so too are the opportunities before us. Groundbreaking research continues to reveal the complex biological, psychological, and social factors driving substance use disorders. This body of research has led to:
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development of more effective treatments and prevention programs,
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increasingly accurate identification of the predictors of substance use and dependence,
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a better understanding of how different people are likely to respond to interventions so they can be more appropriately treated, and
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knowledge about the risk factors for relapse so we can intervene and provide support.
In essence, through continued federal leadership and investment, our nation has been making significant strides toward preventing youth substance use and improving the lives of individuals with addiction and their families.
ASDN—comprised of scientists, practitioners, educators, clinicians, community advocates, and people with lived experience—advocates to preserve funding for federal agencies that serve as the backbone of our nation’s efforts to address our substance use disorder crises through research and the development of evidence-based programs and policies. We are also urging that the federal government scale up supports for States and Communities to be able to reliably deliver needed programs and services.
Agenda & Speakers
Part VI – The Aftermath: A Whole of Society Approach to Substance Use
This session will feature a foremost authority from Alberta Canada who is transforming systems and mindsets through an understanding of how lifelong health is determined by more than just our genes: early life experiences change our brains in ways that make us more or less vulnerable to health problems in adulthood. A science-based roadmap will be presented for improving our physical and mental health, reducing vulnerability to addiction, and addressing related health problems across the lifespan.
Moderator
Dr. Diana Fishbein, Nova Scholar, is the President and Director of the National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives (NPSC), a senior scientist in the FPG Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill, and part-time research faculty at Penn State. Her 40 year career has focused on addiction-related research, funded largely by NIH, other federal agencies and foundations, as well as on translating science into public health policy.
Opening Remarks
A. Thomas McLellan, PhD is Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Treatment Research Institute and a nationally recognized leader in addiction science, treatment, and public policy. From 2009–2010, he served as Science Advisor and Deputy Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), a congressionally confirmed presidential appointment, where he helped shape the President's National Drug Control Strategy and advance evidence-based approaches to addressing substance use and addiction.
Over a career spanning more than 35 years, Dr. McLellan has worked to translate addiction research into effective policy and practice. He co-developed the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) and Treatment Services Review (TSR)—two of the most widely used assessment tools in the field—and has published more than 400 scientific articles and book chapters. He has advised numerous U.S. and international government agencies and public health organizations, including the World Health Organization, on addiction research, treatment, and policy.
Dr. McLellan's career has been defined by advancing science-informed approaches to addiction and strengthening the role of research in shaping public policy, making him a leading voice on protecting the nation's addiction research enterprise.
Nancy Manix, Chair and Patron, Palix Foundation
"The Resilience Scale in Action: From Awareness to Implementation"
Overview: The Palix Foundation, through the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, advances the science of brain development to improve long-term outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. This session introduces the Brain Story and Resilience Scale Framework, translating decades of research into practical tools that can be embedded across sectors. By building a common language and common knowledge of brain development, this approach supports system transformation—shifting practice and policy to address root causes rather than symptoms.
Nancy Mannix is the Chair and Patron of the Palix Foundation, a private foundation whose philanthropy aims to improve the health and wellness outcomes of children and families. The Foundation, through the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, focuses on aligning science, policy, and practice in areas of brain development and its implications for child development, mental health, addiction, and other disease and disorders, generating changes at an individual, organizational and systems level.
Nancy's exceptional work with the Palix Foundation has garnered a number of prestigious awards, including the 2015 Canadian Medical Association Award for Excellence in Health Promotion; the 2014 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta's Circle on Mental Health and Addiction True Leadership Award; the 2013 Certificate of Special Recognition by the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal; the 2010-2011 President's Award from the Canadian Mental Health Association; and the 2006 Medal for Exceptional Contribution for Early Childhood Development by the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development.
She has a history of service on boards for organizations such as Alberta Innovates-Health Solutions, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, and the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute. Throughout her career in the charitable sector, Nancy has been involved with several organizations, including the Calgary Health Trust and the Canada West Foundation. Recently, she contributed to understanding the impact of COVID-19 on children and youth as a member of the Child and Youth Well- being Review panel.
Previous Briefings
Part I – Federal Response to Addiction in the U.S.
This session occurred on January 13, 2026. Speakers covered the impact of addiction on public health, the indispensable roles of the CDC and SAMHSA in combating substance use disorders by supporting treatment and prevention services, and the economic and human consequences of underfunding for states and constituents.
Part II – Scientific Foundations for Our Response to Addiction
This session occurred on February 5, 2026. Speakers highlighted ongoing and future scientific advancements in addiction research, showcased NIH’s role in developing new treatments and preventive interventions, and emphasized the importance of ongoing federal leadership and investment in addiction science and services.
Part III – Connecting Addiction Science to Public Health Policy
This session occurred on February 25, 2026. It focused on bridging scientific research with impactful public health policy, aiming to create a more effective and efficient system of services. The discussion addressed the critical question: Do investments in research and evidence-based programs make a difference in public health outcomes?
Part IV – The Promise of Prevention to Address Addiction
This session occurred on April 15, 2026. It showcased how prevention research has led to a better understanding of the causal mechanisms of substance misuse and addiction, leading to the development of programs, policies, and practices to prevent pathways to substance use in our youth.
Part V – The Importance of Community Engagement to Reduce Substance Use and Promote Community Well-Being
This session occurred on June 4, 2026. It focused on the essential role that community involvement plays in advancing research related to substance use prevention, intervention, and recovery. Drawing on diverse expertise, the session highlighted how engaging communities not only enhances the relevance and effectiveness of research but also ensures that policies and interventions are culturally responsive and sustainable.
Why Your Participation Matters
Federal leadership is essential to maintaining the scale, consistency, and vision necessary to address the complex challenge of addiction. The briefing will provide members of Congress, their staff, agency officials, national and community organizations, media, and the public with the latest data and real-world stories illustrating why robust support for NIH, CDC, and SAMHSA is vital to saving lives, fostering innovation, and promoting recovery nationwide.
Join ASDN as we advocate for continued and increased federal investment in addiction science and services. Together, we can ensure the future health and well-being of millions of Americans and sustain the progress our nation has made in the fight against substance use disorders.