NSU to Host Hemispheric Drug Strategy Conference

Event from May 1 to 3 to will feature representatives from Latin America and The Caribbean

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. — Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will host an international conference to discuss drug strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean on May 1 to 3.

The conference will be held in the Presidential Boardroom of NSU’s Horovitz Administrative Building on NSU’s Main Campus in Davie.

The university is hosting this conference as part of a strategic partnership between NSU’s Institute for Behavioral Health and Wellness, the United Way of Broward County and the Organization of American States (OAS) to assist in the implementation of a hemispheric drug strategy. The conference will feature the Coordinators of the National Drug Information Networks in Central America in Broward County, the United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse UWBCSA and the Organization of American States’ Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).

Representatives from Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haiti and Panama will attend this meeting along with presenters from NSU faculty with expertise in this field of study.

The CICAD is the Western Hemisphere’s policy forum for dealing with issues stemming from global drug trafficking. CICAD’s Hemispheric Drug Strategy reflects the firm commitment of member states to address the consequences of the drug trade, which pose a growing threat to health, economic development, social cohesion and the rule of law to the region.

In 2012, as part of the Drug Strategy, CICAD initiated the “Project on Drug Information Networks in Central America.” These efforts are aimed at the development of national drug observatories as an essential component to combat drug use.

NSU’s Institute for Behavioral Health and Wellness will be joining the Project on Drug Information Networks in Central America initiative with the announcement of the formation of NSU GO! – NSU Global Observatory.

“NSU’s Global Observatory will feature research, curriculum and certification opportunities as-well-as community outreach strategies for our global partners developed by world-renowned NSU faculty experts, in the field of substance use, prevention, addiction research and epidemiology,” said Raymond G. Ferrero III, J.D., executive director of health affairs for NSU’s Health Professions Division, and chair of NSU’s Institute of Behavioral health and Wellness. “NSU has well established relationshonships throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, as a direct result of NSU’s leadership in global community outreach, medical mission initiatives and the establishment of international satellite campus for online, long-distance learning.”

Ferrero said: “South Florida’s has always been a gateway for global drug trafficking, which makes NSU uniquely positioned to be a strategic partner with OAS and the 37 other observatories established throughout Latin America to make a lasting impact on a global scale.”

For more information please visit www.drugfreebroward.org

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About NSU’s Health Professions Division: In less than two decades, NSU’s Health Professions Division has developed into a multidisciplinary academic health center of international stature. Comprised of the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Optometry, Health Care Sciences, Nursing, and Medical Sciences, the health professions division has redoubled its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community service, while expanding its mission in research and scholarship. Together, as a team, the distinguished faculty prepares students for an exciting career on tomorrow’s dynamic health care team. http://hpd.nova.edu/

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 300 beautiful acres in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is a not-for-profit independent institution with more than 28,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and it’s one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification.  www.nova.edu

Ken Ma, MBA, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5408 (office), 954-621-7961 (cell), ken.ma@nova.edu