Bernard Segal

Professor of Health Sciences

Ph.D., University of Oklahoma

M.S.E., City University of New York

B.B.A., City University of New York

afbos@uaa.alaska.edu

Dr. Bernard Segal is the former chair of the Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Social Welfare, University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Dr. Segal also holds the position of Director, Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. He began his career at UAA in 1977, and was named the Center’s Director in 1979. His extensive research focuses on Alaskan and cross-cultural substance abuse issues. It has led to the publication of several books, numerous reports and articles, funded research awards and to collaboration with researchers in other counties such as Israel, Japan and Russia. Dr. Segal’s early research became the benchmark in Alaska for assessing the extent and pattern of drug use in the State. During the past several years, he has been working on research that seeks to develop an understanding of the contributing factors and consequences of alcoholism among Alaska Natives entering treatment for substance abuse. He is also involved with evaluating treatment programs and with developing recommendations for enhancing treatment effectiveness, and with studies concerning homelessness. Another major focus is working with Alaska Native communities to overcome intergenerational trauma. This research also involves a study of experience of personal violence among Alaska Natives. His interest has currently expanded to working with Alaska Native Elders on health-related issues. Dr. Segal received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the City College of New York and his Doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Oklahoma. He was the editor-in-chief of the journal, Drugs & Society, published by Haworth Press. He is planning to retire from UAA as of July 1,2006.

Perspectives on Drug Use in the United States

Given the plethora of journals in substance abuse, why a new one? Part of the answer is that most of the contemporary literature is chiefly concerned with publishing research reports. Many of the studies that are reported, with few exceptions, are not ties to a theory or model, and fewer present findings which have direct application to practitioners. A large number of studies have also consisted of unrelated studies yielding, in many instances, inconsistent, contradictory or piecemeal findings. Fewer are critically reviewed. Oftentimes these research reports are so burdened with documentation to support findings or to justify statements that the reader is distracted from appreciating the contents of the article.

	Drugs and Behavior
	This book explores the reasons people take drugs, how drugs act within the body, and the physical, social, and the psychological consequences that result. It is organized to give the reader integrated information on the wide body of literature existing in the substance use and abuse fields.