Abstract
Substance abuse is marginalized both as an activity and as an area of study. Substance abuse research is a relatively new field, and in the early days faculty members engaging in such research found it difficult to obtain tenure track positions at universities. Funding for substance abuse study was limited, depending mainly on the National Institute on Drug Abuse for grants. This article describes one professor's role in the institutionalization of substance abuse research in academia and the benefits of a career in this field.
