Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Highly esteemed brain researchers from around the United States are gathering to confer on issues of drug abuse and the brain this week at the Sheraton while also visiting Steamboat Springs High School for a presentation.

Cindy Gay, science teacher at the high school, said she was just teaching her students about the physical separation of the brain, and one of the researchers will present information about different separation strategies used in brain research.

The brain research conference occurs every four years in Steamboat, where a group of neuroscientists from different universities offer knowledge and expertise to the entire community.

The first presentation will focus on sex differences and the brain and will be from 6 to 6:50 p.m. today. The town meeting will follow from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the high school auditorium.

The earlier talk will educate parents, children and teachers about the female and male brain organization. Gay said brains are "different but equal" and teachers need to know the implications for such differences.

From 7:30 to 8 p.m., Dr. Charles O'Brien from the University of Pennsylvania will discuss current research that reveals a connection between drug abuse and brain function. Ranging from Wisconsin to Texas, scientists who study drug abuse will be available to answer any questions from 8 to 9 p.m. From 9 to 9:30, citizens can discuss the same or different matters over coffee and cookies offered by The Winter Conference on Brain Research.

Gay said anti-drug campaigns such as "Don't Do Drugs" or "Just Say No" are ineffective because the issue is multi-pronged.

If people share in preventing substance abuse and they are educated about the long-term effects, they can assess new information better.