Contact: Dr. William Miller, 277-4121 Media Contact: Dan Ware, 277-1816

July 23, 2003 UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR EARNS NATIONAL AWARD AND FUNDING FOR RESEARCH Dr. William R. Miller, distinguished professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of New Mexico, and pioneer of a leading substance abuse treatment has been selected to receive one of five 2003 Innovators Combating Substance Abuse awards from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Miller, who has spent 27 years at UNM, has long been considered an innovator in the field of substance abuse treatment for his development of Motivational Interviewing, which is used to facilitate behavioral change in alcohol and drug dependant patients. The Innovators award recognizes leaders in the field of substance abuse treatment, prevention and policy development. The program also provides funding so the recipients can undertake projects they might not have otherwise. Miller will receive $300,000 to fund his work exploring four new interventions for substance abuse. These areas include: Exploring substance abuse prevention and intervention within primary health care. Organizing a conference in New Mexico where leading researchers will come together and devise new ways address and treat substance abuse. Conducting an in-depth "meta-analysis" of all outcome studies of Motivational Interviewing, to determine the magnitude of its effects on a range of health behaviors. Researching the use of spirituality in substance abuse treatment and recovery. "This is a piece of an on-going process," Miller said. "We're adding to a body of knowledge where we hope our work will help people resolve their alcohol and drug problems." Miller is well known for his contributions to other areas of research, especially his writings on spirituality and psychology. He conducts research at the University's Center on Alcohol and Substance Abuse and Addictions (CASAA).

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