For Release January 13, 2004

Dr. Timothy Condon has been named Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Condon will assist in developing, implementing, and managing NIDA's programs, priorities, resources, policies and research dissemination efforts. In addition, he will continue to serve as director of the Institute's Office of Science Policy and Communications (OSPC).

In announcing the appointment, Dr. Nora D. Volkow, Director of NIDA, said, "As an extramural researcher I have known Dr. Condon for many years. During the past seven months as NIDA's director I have worked closely with him. I believe his knowledge of science, policy, and his strong working relationships with constituent organizations, other agencies, researchers and staff within NIDA and NIH, will provide the Institute with the tools necessary to progress in our mission of eradicating drug abuse and addiction."

NIDA, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is the world's largest supporter of research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction.

Dr. Condon has held prominent science policy positions at NIDA since he arrived in 1992. He served as the Chief of the Science Policy Branch and the Acting Deputy Director of OSPC until 1996 when former NIDA Director Dr. Alan Leshner appointed him NIDA's first Associate Director for Science Policy, as well as the Director of OSPC. One of the hallmarks of Dr. Condon's efforts has been his commitment to change the public's perception of drug abuse and addiction using science as the vehicle. Dr. Condon oversaw a series of town meetings conducted across the country to share new science findings with communities and to provide NIDA with the opportunity to learn what research needed to be supported to help local leaders and clinicians better deal with community drug problems. This massive outreach campaign, which continues today, consists of a targeted messageÑdrug abuse is a preventable behavior, and drug addiction is a treatable brain disease that needs to be addressed like any other health problem.

In addition to his extensive research dissemination and outreach efforts, Dr. Condon has helped develop a comprehensive research portfolio for the Institute, including coordinating trans-NIDA initiatives to rapidly enhance research that addresses emerging drug problems such as club drugs, prescription drug abuse, and methamphetamine. He also helped to establish and guide the development of NIDA's National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network, which was launched in 1999 and has grown to include 17 research nodes across the country. Dr. Condon also has been instrumental in expanding NIDA's research training and career development portfolio, overseeing nearly a three-fold increase in the Institute's research training program over the last eight years.

Prior to joining NIDA, Dr. Condon coordinated research and service programs at the former Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) for four years serving as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy Coordination and Deputy Associate Administrator for Science. In 1986-89 he served as Science Policy Analyst and Project Director at the U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), where he directed an assessment of emerging technologies in the neurosciences.

Dr. Condon received his B.S. in biology and psychology from Boston College and pursued his graduate education in neuroscience at the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Ohio State University. He undertook postdoctoral training in neuroendocrinology and neurophysiology at the Brain Research Institute, UCLA, and the Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland. While at Oregon, Dr. Condon was appointed to the faculty. He conducted neurophysiological and neuropharmacological research and instructed graduate and nursing students on human physiological systems. He has authored numerous research papers in his specialty areas of neuroendocrinology and neurophysiology. Dr. Condon has also served on a variety of federal task forces/committees and is the recipient of a multitude of awards for his government service.

Dr. Condon will take over the position held by Richard A. Millstein, J.D, who is on detail serving as the Acting Deputy Director of the NIH Fogarty International Center.

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 further information on NIDA research can be found on the NIDA web site at http://www.drugabuse.gov.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Questions? See our Contact Information. Last updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2004.