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The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (formerly Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Institute) was established at the University of Washington in October 1973 as an interdisciplinary research center in the Warren G. Magnuson Health Sciences Center. The Institute serves as a focal point for alcohol and drug abuse research at the University of Washington and in the region, expanding knowledge and making information available to health and social service professionals and policy makers in the State of Washington. ADAI's multidisciplinary staff of clinical and social psychologists, sociologists, epidemiologists, public health experts, educators, and librarians plays a key role in working to understand and reduce the harm caused by alcohol and drug abuse. Dennis M. Donovan has served as the Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute since 1993. Dr. Donovan is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology.

The Institute conducts, supports, and disseminates research findings in substance abuse for three general areas. ADAI research scientists conduct intermural research supported through federal, state, and other grants and contracts. Through the Institute's Small Grants Program, ADAI research affiliates and faculty in various campus departments receive funding in support of substance abuse research. The Institute also presents the results of these research findings through their Library and Information Service, publications and presentations by ADAI scientists, web page, listservs, newsletters, and symposia.

The Institute receives financial support from the State of Washington under state Initiative 171, which mandates that a portion of fees collected for state liquor licenses be allocated to the two state research universities for research on alcohol and drug abuse and dissemination of research information. The University of Washington also provides additional funding for the Institute, primarily through the Small Grants Program which attempts to stimulate research by providing initial funding for promising pilot projects which may ultimately be developed into full research studies with outside grant support. Since 1973, ADAI has awarded a total of $2,336,296 to researchers in 40 University of Washington departments through this program. The majority of ADAI research studies and projects are funded primarly through grants and contracts awarded by federal and state agencies and private foundations.