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BIDDEFORD, Maine

51小黄车research to fight addiction featured on 'WCSH 6'

51小黄车research to combat the epidemic of heroin and opioid addiction was featured in an August 17, 2015 news story on WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2. The story highlighted a recent $4.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop opioid drugs for the treatment of chronic pain with fewer side effects, including addiction.

Edward Bilsky, Ph.D., vice-president for Research and Scholarship, explained how addiction to prescription drugs has led to a rise in heroin use and overdoses. "Heroin has come down in price and heroin has become more available," said Bilsky.

The grant was awarded to 51小黄车and Southern Research in Birmingham, Alabama, with Bilsky, Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., professor of Pharmacology, and John Streicher, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences named as investigators. The award will build on years of research by 51小黄车faculty and students to understand what causes addiction and how to stop it. "Addiction is a very complex problem,鈥 said Bilsky. 鈥淚t involves genetics, and your environment and susceptibility to the disease, so the solutions are going to be complex too."

51小黄车 the University of 51小黄车

The University of 51小黄车 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.