The University of Utah School on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies was established in 1951 and has continually expanded its scope to keep pace with the increased awareness of the health and social problems of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. In 1983, APhA developed the Pharmacy Section to provide information, motivation, and guidance to pharmacists and student pharmacists who are interested in the implementation or strengthening of state and campus-level programs to help pharmacists/student pharmacists whose competence to perform their responsibilities has become impaired due to chemical dependency or other causes.

The programs which the Pharmacy Section seeks to foster are used to assist individuals in finding treatment, support them in ongoing recovery, and facilitate reentry into pharmacy practice or pharmacy education. The Pharmacy Section program provides students with the latest methods and techniques for working effectively towards this purpose. The Pharmacy Section can also provide perspective for those who would like to understand dependency even if they have not experienced it themselves.

The Pharmacy Section is planned for persons who are developing or who are currently active in state-level pharmacist recovery programs; for state and national pharmacy association executives; for state board of pharmacy officials; for pharmacists in managerial positions; for college faculty and administrators; for student pharmacists; for leaders in firms or organizations that employ pharmacists; for pharmacy technicians; for pharmacist-related employee assistance program personnel; and for individuals who are concerned about alcoholism and other drug dependencies among their colleagues.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To serve as an introductory or refresher course and a networking opportunity: to provide information, motivation and guidance for pharmacists or student pharmacists who currently participate in or wish to become involved in the planning, implementation, or strengthening of state-level and campus-level programs that help and assist pharmacists or student pharmacists whose competence to perform their responsibilities has become impaired due to alcoholism or other drug dependencies by assisting them in finding treatment, ongoing recovery and reentry into the practice of pharmacy or their pharmacy education; and to better prepare attendees to provide appropriate assistance and support to clients affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies.

1.   Define chemical dependency and explain its acceptance in the medical profession as a disease.
2.   Explain pharmacology and pathophysiology of addiction.
3.   Describe and participate in 12-step programs and other programs available to assist those who want to be free from chemical dependency.
4.   Analyze the importance of spirituality in recovery.
5.   Design intervention strategies and techniques to help others break through the denial of chemical dependency through lecture and role-play sessions.
6.   Develop strategies to assist recovering abusers re-enter the pharmacy profession and recommend ways to monitor them and help them avoid relapse.
7.   Develop an understanding of the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs on college campuses and the importance of assisting impaired students.
8.   Demonstrate treatment and counseling techniques while experiencing a live group therapy session with actual patients.
9.   Name the unique problems of pain management in recovering addicts.
10. Summarize the legal and ethical implications of addiction.
11. Justify the importance of self-care in order to succeed in a helping profession.

The school takes place each June in Salt Lake City, UT.

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SCHOOL ON ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER DRUG DEPENDENCIES - JUNE 17-22, 2012

SECTION LEADERS
Charles Broussard, RPh, MEd; Keith Marciniak, RPh; Crystal Atwell, PharmD; Melissa Skelton Duke, PharmD, MS.

ADVISORY COUNCIL
Jeff Baldwin, PharmD; Bill Bays, RPh; Brian Fingerson, RPh; Steve Moore, MSW, LCSW, PIP; Michael A. Moné, RPh, JD; Mary Christine Parks, MSW, LCSW, LCAS; Thomas Ten Hoeve III, PhD.

PHARMACY SECTION - STUDENT PHARMACIST ATTENDEES
Due to the overwhelming response from student pharmacists who wish to attend the program and the limited space available in the lecture venue, APhA Staff and the Advisory Council have asked the School to equitably divide the registration spaces for student pharmacist registrations received by March 1, 2012.  The distribution has been set so that every school or college of pharmacy has an opportunity to have a representative.  After April 1, 2012, the remaining spaces will be equally distributed to other students per school or college of pharmacy and registration will be closed when all spaces are filled. 

PHARMACY SECTION – STUDENT PHARMACIST TO FACULTY RATIO (10:1)
Mentoring and counseling have become increasingly important over the past few years at the School.  Therefore, the Advisory Committee requires that if a school or college of pharmacy will be sending 10 or more students, one faculty member or member of student support services be sent for each group of 10 student pharmacists.

PHARMACY SECTION - ON-CAMPUS DORMITORY HOUSING
All Pharmacy Section attendees are highly encouraged to stay on campus and utilize housing at Sage Point or the University Guest House for convenience (closer to where nightly meetings are held) and camaraderie (group support & networking).
 
PHARMACY SECTION - STUDENT AMBASSADORS
Student pharmacists who have previously attended the School and would like to be considered to serve as Student Ambassadors for new attendees, please e-mail Melissa Skelton Duke by February 1, 2012.
 
PHARMACY SECTION - TUITION ASSISTANCE
The APhA Addiction Practitioner Interest Group (APhA PInG) has created the Ronald L. Williams Student Scholarship Program for student pharmacists who need financial assistance with registration. The application deadline is 11:59pm on February 1, 2012.

PHARMACY SECTION - MORE INFORMATION
For more information on the Pharmacy Section Activities or the Utah Experience, please e-mail Keith Marciniak.

›› 2012 Pharmacy Section Information (Coming in early 2012)
›› 2012 Pharmacy Section Schedule (Coming in early 2012)
›› 2012 Registration Application (Coming in early 2012)
›› Ronald L. Williams Memorial Student Scholarship Program (Due February 1, 2012)
›› University of Utah School on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies (Official Web Site) 

ADDICTION INFORMATION & RESOURCES:

›› USA Pharmacist Recovery Network
The mission of this Web site is:
1.  To provide help & hope to addicted pharmacists & student pharmacists seeking recovery from their active disease.
2.  To provide support to pharmacists & student pharmacists in recovery from their chronic disease.
3.  To educate & inform the profession of pharmacy that within the profession, the incidence of alcohol/drug abuse and addiction is approximately 15-20%.

›› National Institute on Drug Abuse
›› National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
›› Office of National Drug Control Policy
›› Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
›› Alcoholics Anonymous