IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0100 KCLCA IOP/ARU
Held at: King's College London College Archives
Title: Institute of Psychiatry, Addictions Research Unit
Date(s): [1960] - 2006
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 20 records management boxes
Name of creator(s): Addictions Research Unit | Institute of Psychiatry
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Addictions Research Unit was set up in 1967 with funding from the Ministry of Health, housing together the Alcoholism team (founded in 1963) and the newly formed Drug research team. The Tobacco research team (originally named Smoking Studies) was added in Jul 1969. In later years further research teams were formed including the Self-help Groups research team, the Natural History team (studying the natural history of narcotic dependence and alcoholism) and the Epidemiological studies of Barbiturate and Poly-drug use. The Addictions Research Unit is part of the Department of Psychiatry within the Division of Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry. It works hand in hand with the Addictions Division (part of the Specialist Services Directorate) of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) to improve understanding of addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and to develop effective preventative and treatment interventions. Together, they are known as The National Addiction Centre (NAC). Over the last 30 years, the NAC has developed a body of research evidence that has informed the development of new treatment services for alcohol, smoking and drug problems in the UK. This work ranges from trials of new therapies and preventative treatments to studies seeking to understand the genetic and biological basis of addictive behaviour.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of the Addictions Research Unit (ARU) at the Institute of Psychiatry, 1960-2006, including ARU general correspondence 1968-2005 and correspondence with Prof Charles Fletcher [1970]; Denis Hill [1960 1979] and Prof Neil Kessell, [1970-1989]. Papers on the relationship between the ARU and the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS), [1965-1979]. Papers relating to ARU projects including 'Heroin use in Cambridge' project, [1970]; 'Experimental consortium in community endeavour', [1960 1979] and 'Alcohol situations', 1972-1974. Papers relating to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the ARU, 1973-1976 including minutes of meetings, notably from the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence; correspondence; papers on the WHO community response project, 1970 and reports. Notes for lectures, including by Professor Griffith Edwards, [1990-2006]. Papers relating to ARU attempts to influence national alcohol policy, 1972. ARU research plans, 1968-1977, in areas including alcohol epidemiology and drug research. Reports including ARU progress report 1986-1989, Medical Research Council (MRC) research programme: 5 year progress report , 1975-1980 and ARU reports on the drinks industry, 1991-2006. Papers detailing ARU alcoholism treatment services 1974-[2006]. Papers relating to ARU fundraising, including for a new building, [1980-1989]; fundraising approaches to charitable trusts, [1985-1995]; grant applications; MRC grant renewal, 1982-1987 and lists of fundraising donors, [1980-1989]. Papers on the ARU setting up of the Alcohol Education and Research Council (AERC), 1980 and personal diaries of Professor Griffith Edwards.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
Awaiting arrangement.
Conditions governing access:
Closed to public access pending preparation of a full catalogue.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Closed for reproductions pending preparation of a full catalogue.
Physical characteristics:
Finding aids:
Box list available for staff use, apply to King's College London reading room for details.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Received from Psychological Medicine and Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Nov 2007.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Papers of the Tobacco Research Group, part of the Addictions Research Unit (ref: IOP/ARU/1).
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Entry compiled by Sarah Drewery as part of the VCDF upgrade programme.
Date(s) of descriptions: Jan 2008