New Year, New Semester 2012 -- Lionel Kulathilake (Sri Lanka)

This, then, is the test we must set for ourselves; not to march alone but to march in such a way that others will wish to join us.

Hubert H. Humphrey

NIDA International Program- 2012 Fellows Orientation February 1-3

In 2012 the new semester started after one month of vacation. After traveling to some states during vacation our VCU Humphrey group turned their heads to Washington DC by train on the 31st of January in the morning for the NIDA 2012 Humphrey Fellows’ orientation. NIDA is the National Institute on Drugs Abuse.  J. Randy Koch, Executive Director of the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Mary Loos, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology also participated for this program. The intention was to enhance the opportunity to develop the collaboration between the Humphrey fellows’ organizations and the reputed institutions for substance abuse rehabilitation in the USA. NIDA and SAMHSA have developed programs especially for substance abuse problems in the Fellows' countries. This was a good opportunity for Humphrey Fellows to make their contacts with those institutions and get support to develop and implement their programs of substance abuse field in their countries.

SAMHSA Conference on January 31

Just before we went to NIDA, our Coordinators arranged a visit to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Healh Services Administration) first.  On Tuesday January 31,2012 we participated in a SAMHSA workshop. Women’s Treatment Issues, SBIRT on line training, Prevention Programs, Criminal Justice and Drug Court Programs and SAMHSA Policy and International Programs were the topics of the seminars. The experts of different sections from the substance abuse rehabilitation field gave presentations. Winnie Mitchell, International Officer, from SAMHSA, organized this conference for the VCU Humphrey fellows. The intention was to create relationships with the experts of the substance abuse field  and support for Humphrey fellows  to develop their programs in substance abuse field.

NIDA Oriented New Fellows about Research Resource in USA

The NIDA International Program welcomed 27 fellows from different countries as part of an orientation for new fellowship awardees. International Program Director Steven W Gust Ph.D. and Associate Director Dale Weiss hosted the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows from Virginia Commonwealth University and Johns Hopkins University, who were joined by NIDA INVEST and INVEST/CTN fellows for the 3-day orientation. Fellows had an opportunity to learn  about the Institute’s international research priorities as well as NIDA and National Institute of Health resources and collaboration  and training tools  that the fellows can access  during their time in the United States and after they return to their home countries to continue their research.

National Institute of Health and National Library of Medicine

On Wednesday, February 1, Humphrey Fellows from VCU, Johns Hopkins, INVEST/CTN fellows from University of Pennsylvania, University of Boston, University of California , Fellows from New York University and Associate campus collaborators from Virginia State University participated to NIDA International Program (Orientation meeting ) at National Institute of Health ( NIH). After the orientation they arranged for a tour of the NIH (National Institutes of Health). NIH has more than 75 buildings in a campus-like environment over 300 acres. Some research is performed on campus in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, although more than 80% of research activities are conducted by scientists working in every state and around the world. The National Library of Medicine (NLM), on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's largest medical library. The Library collects materials and provides information and research services in all areas of biomedicine and health care. These books have been translated to150 languages and it has 50million book shelves and 250 databases. The online resources are free and easy to access worldwide. Every day 7.5 million users around the world log in to these websites. It was a great opportunity.

University of Maryland

Thursday, February 2, we went to University of Maryland and had a good opportunity to listen to presentations from Humphrey Fellows, Invest Fellows and Center for Addictions, Personality, and Emotion Research Presentations as well as VSU students. Humphrey and Invest Fellows presented their substance abuse problems in their countries while the other Fellows presented their research findings.  Our VCU Humphrey Fellow from Myanmar, Dr. Tin Moe Aung did her presentation that day about substance abuse problems in her country. The Fellows from other universities and students from the University of Maryland presented their research. Our Coordinator, Dr. Mary Loos graduated from this beautiful University.

Neuroscience Center

Friday, February 3, 2012 we all were accompanied to the Neuroscience Center for discussions with NIDA division representatives. This was a good opportunity for the whole group to make collaborations with the NIDA representatives. This enabled Fellows from different universities to make connections for their interest fields and meet the experts in the field of substance abuse. They gave us information about their institution and the field that they have developed. And also they have revealed the possibility of receiving grants for their research activities.  After the group photo we departed from Washington to our home thanking Dale Weiss and Lisa Jordre for organizing this fruitful conference.

Snow in Richmond and Strange weather

Richmond weather is always changing. We can’t predict what’s happening the next day.  On 2/11/2012 Saturday at 1.30 pm snow fell in Richmond, Virginia. It was fantastic as it was most of our Fellows' first experience in their lives as they have no snow in their countries. It was beautiful snow, even if it didn’t last long. After this I was waiting to see snow the following day but the sun appeared instead of snow. The Fellows and I are waiting for snow again but after this day weather in Richmond changed. I thought it was the only day I could see snow. The picture below shows how the snow fell the first day. This view is from my room.

“Happy Hour”

As a lawyer, my interest in substance abuse relates greatly to policy.  On 2/17/2012 A Bill to amend and reenact 4,1-111 of the code of Virginia , relating to alcoholic beverage control; regulation of happy hour advertising. Alcohol beverage control advertising “Happy Hour” provides that nothing in ABC law and ABC Board regulations shall be construed to prohibit a retail on – premises licensee from advertising “Happy Hour” or “Drink Specials” and the time period during which alcoholic beverages are being sold at reduced prices using internet or similar forms of electronic communications media, provided the license complies with all other provisions of ABC law and Board regulations. The bill was considered this day and as Patron; Albo has decided to withdraw it and senators gave their permission. The officials of the Assembly said this Act would not come again. Some people opposed this Act as it is allowed to people to drink more, may increase accidents and cause health problems. So, advertising “Happy Hour” or “Drink Specials” won’t appear in liquor shops. I found this most interesting to see the cycle of the bill and discuss it with my cohort.

Playing in the snow!

In Richmond, Virginia , On 2/19/2012 at 12.30pm snow started to fall again and lasted the following day morning.  This time it was beautiful and nearly 3- 4 inches snow accumulated. The Fellows who hadn’t had a snow experience had a great time with their friends playing in the snow throwing snow balls at each other. This was a new experience for most of our Fellows those who have no snow in their countries. We had an opportunity to play in the snow and spent a nice time together. This gave us a memorable experience. Though we hoped for snow again we didn't expect it because Richmond's weather changes in every day. The following day was sunny and the snow completely melted away. We are still hoping for snow at least one more day.

Friendship Family Reception

February 23, 2012 our program organized a Friendship Family Reception as we are quickly approaching end of the Humphrey year 2011- 2012.  The purpose was to appreciate the friendship families contributions to the success of the Humphrey Fellows program in VCU. It allowed us to meet with other Fellows’ friendship families in one place and they also had an opportunity to meet all of our Fellows and staff members, mingle with them and have refreshments. Mary, Alison, and Crystal helped to success this reception. Our Fellows spent a nice time with the host families.

Brazilian Birthday party from 4 to 4
Our Humphrey friend and colleague, Pedro Augusto Rodrigues of Brazil, celebrated his birthday party on Saturday February 25. He invited all of us to his apartment. It started on Saturday 25th at 4:00 pm and lasted at 4.00 am on the following day. The Fellows and his American friends also participated. As he said that we finished the party at 4.00 am. That's how they do it in Brazil! They prepared special black beans called "feijoada" and special drink with lemon. It was a great time!

Lionel Kulathilake  (Sri Lanka)