Director’s Message
The Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities (ARSH)
celebrated many accomplishments in 2014. ARSH continues to maintain its position as a leader in
securing external funding at Nova Southeastern University. This funding has enabled the Center to
continue our national research on prescription drug diversion, which in 2014 was expanded
internationally to include the Canadian province of Ontario. Together with our ongoing South
Florida-based research studies among vulnerable populations, these efforts yielded more than 20
peer-reviewed publications, as well as numerous scientific presentations at the local, national, and
international levels.
The year also marked a number of new research collaborations, including new projects
and proposals with researchers from institutions across the U.S. and internationally. Over the
course of 2014, we conducted formative work and developed a new collaborative pilot research
program in Yiwu, China, a trading city where HIV incidence among men who have sex with men is
high and rising. Our partners in this effort include three U.S. universities, Fudan University in
Shanghai, the Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a community-based partner
in Yiwu. ARSH also completed the first phase of a study of club drug use and electronic dance music
venues in Israel, in collaboration with the University of Haifa.
We have also had a number of key staff changes at ARSH. We regret the retirement of
Dr. Hilary Surratt from NSU, and wish her all the best in her new endeavors. Dr. Surratt played an
instrumental role in founding ARSH in South Florida, and contributed immensely to our
science. At the same time, we welcome Dr. Mance Buttram’s acceptance of Associate Director
responsibilities. Dr. Buttram has been with ARSH since 2009, and serves senior scientific roles on
multiple projects. We are also pleased to announce new collaborations with Dr. Maria Pagano,
Associate Professor at Case Western Reserve University, who now serves as Co-investigator and
biostatistician on several ARSH projects.
Epidemiologist James Hall deserves special mention in this year’s report. Mr. Hall
received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Media Leader’s Luncheon hosted by the United Way
of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse and the South Florida Coalition Alliance. Mr.
Hall was recognized for his research contributions in understanding the scope and magnitude of
substance abuse, especially in South Florida, and converting research about emerging drug abuse
problems into community-based solutions. In 2014, Mr. Hall was a regular contributor to local,
national, and international media reports on new drug use trends.
The work we do requires a team effort. We wish to thank all of our research staff,
external collaborators, and the NSU community for your vision, commitments and talents. We
share ARSH’s successful year with all of you.
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