SALIS

SALIS Speaker Series: Empathy Lens

Empathy Lens: Humanizing images and education for harm reduction. EmpathyLens.org

Research has shown that using stigmatizing language and imagery related to people who use drugs perpetuates harmful stereotypes and health barriers among this already vulnerable population. Finding realistic, high-quality images to support our information dissemination work is a constant struggle, as many asset collections, including fee-based stock photo sites, largely contain dehumanizing and/or factually incorrect graphics on this topic.

Join us on December 17, 2025 from 9-10am PT to hear from Meg Brunner, MLIS, and Erinn McGraw, BFA (both of the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute), who will share research about the impact of harmful images and language on stigma and related health barriers for people who use drugs and provide guidance on where to find and how to select accurate, non-stigmatizing information and images to use in your work.

They’ll also introduce you to their new resource, Empathy Lens, funded by a grant from the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM), which features hundreds of free, accurate, compassionate, and non-stigmatizing images intended for health and service organizations to use in outreach and educational efforts!

Register for this session here!

SALIS Launches New Speaker Series

A fireside chat with Dr. Denise Hien (Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies) took place recently via Zoom and marked the first of the SALIS Speaker Series.

Our guest speaker, DR. DENISE HIEN, discussed contemporary issues related to substance use research and more.

Also, Dr. Judit H. Ward, (Rutgers University) gave a sneak peek into the new Alcohol Studies History Exhibit at Rutgers.

Denise Hien, Ph.D., ABPP, Senior Vice Provost for Research, Chancellor’s Office, Rutgers-New Brunswick; Helen E. Chaney Endowed Chair in Alcohol Studies and Distinguished Professor in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) at Rutgers University is recognized as a leader in the field of post-traumatic stress and addictions.

Dr. Hien is a leading voice in the national dialogue on harnessing data science to advance equity in substance use treatment and policy, with a focus on how social determinants—especially trauma—contribute to the development and persistence of alcohol and other substance use disorders.

Her new book, Treating Traumatic Stress and Substance Misuse: A Guide to Integrative Practice, co-authored with Lisa Caren Litt, reviews the landscape of evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other trauma-related problems, and substance misuse, and presents an integrative, culturally responsive framework for assessment and treatment planning.

Dr. Hien received her B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University, and her M.S., M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her postdoctoral training in substance use research at the Division on Substance Use Disorders at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she has retained a longstanding appointment, now as Adjunct Senior Research Scientist. She is board-certified in clinical psychology and has served as a standing and ad hoc member on NIDA, NIAAA and NIMH Institutional Review Groups. She has held numerous leadership roles in academic and research administration.

More about Dr. Hien at https://alcoholstudies.rutgers.edu/people/leadership/denise-hien/


The Drug Policy Archive is Launched

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) has entered a groundbreaking collaboration with the Substance Abuse Librarians and Information Specialists (SALIS) to create The Drug Policy Archive, a collection of 2,600 books, hosted as part of the larger SALIS Collection at Internet Archive.

The SALIS Collection is a comprehensive, free, online e-library of over 8,400 resources focused on alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and addiction topics. Anyone, including you, can access these resources free of charge! 

A Legacy of Knowledge 
The origins of this archive can be traced back to the personal passion for drug policy reform and education of Ethan Nadelmann, Drug Policy Alliance’s first executive director. DPA’s library began as Ethan’s private collection of books, many of which had his handwritten notes in the margins. Over time, the library grew to include not only Ethan’s contributions, but also donations and carefully curated acquisitions from around the world.

Initially housed in DPA’s office in New York City, the library became a hub for researchers, activists, and academics. By the mid-1990s, under the leadership of Leigh Hallingby, SALIS Librarian, the library had established itself as one of the best resources on drug policy and prohibition, housing a vast array of materials, including some of the most comprehensive information on methadone treatment available at the time. 

Why Digitization Matters 
Digitizing the library ensures that this treasure trove of knowledge remains accessible to a broader audience. Many of the resources within the archive include rare or out-of-print books and government reports that are notoriously difficult to find elsewhere. By preserving and sharing this collection online, the archive ensures that critical information on drug policy reform, harm reduction, and addiction studies is readily available to educators, researchers, advocates, and the general public. 

How to Access and Use the Archive 
Use this step-by-step pdf guide to learn how to access and navigate the archive. You’ll find instructions on searching the collection and downloading resources. We’re so excited for you to explore this one-of-a-kind resource and use it to advance your teaching, research, and advocacy. Whether you’re teaching students, conducting your own research, or looking for resources to inform your practice, this archive is here for you!

SALIS Collection Adds Thousands of New Titles

Some exciting news!  The SALIS COLLECTION has taken a BIG step forward:

  • All 2,264 titles from the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) library are now digitized, and available within the SALIS COLLECTION.
  • This brings the total number of SALIS COLLECTION records to 8,426! 
  • To browse just the DPA titles, click on collection………..3 at the left side of the screen (https://archive.org/details/salis), to bring up the collection and click on the DPA titles.

This important and unique collection of drug policy resources is a wonderful addition to the SALIS COLLECTION.

Our many sincere thanks to DPA Managing Director of Research and Academic Engagement Jules Netherland, and various Internet Archive staff.

Addiction Libraries

Many specialist addiction libraries have been downsized or closed since the 2000’s; a trend that has been happening in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. However, some still exist and many belong to SALIS, a valuable network that continues to be strong and is coordinating building The SALIS Collection to preserve and make available core literature in the field.

The ALA has published: “Libraries and the Substance Abuse Crisis: Supporting Your Community” by Cindy Grove which highlights how Public Libraries have an increasing role as important community centers for people struggling with addiction and how librarians working in these libraries can often feel overwhelmed serving these patrons. Cindy Grove’s book shows librarians can assist people with substance use disorders, and their loved ones, in an effective and empathetic way. The book can be downloaded in PDF from the ALA’s website.

Below is a list of libraries and collections that still exist. May they continue to thrive!

The Rutgers Digital Alcohol Studies Archives

Recently published: “The Modern History of Alcohol Research: Introducing the Rutgers Digital Alcohol Studies Archives” in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

The article also mentions the alarmingly decreasing number of addiction libraries, citing the article written by SALIS members for Addiction in 2012.

The Rutgers Digital Alcohol Studies Archive can be searched and browsed. Formerly held by the Rutgers Center of Alcohol (CAS) Library and Archives, the collection is presented by RUcore, the Rutgers University Community Repository.

SALIS member Judit Ward’s blog with lots of background on the digitization process can be found HERE.