Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Section

History: Since 1985, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Section has played an active role in the scientific program at the APHA annual meetings and in supporting policy development for APHA and at the state and community levels. Members of the ATOD Section include researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, and other professionals addressing critical issues related to substance use.

Our Work

Mission: The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) Section works in an integrated and collaborative manner to improve the health of individuals and our communities and reduce harms related to substance use.

We bring our members together to work on the following priorities:

  • Develop, foster, and advocate for rigorous and equitable research and evidence-informed policy and practice in the fields of ATOD epidemiology, prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery.
  • Enhance communication concerning ATOD issues among the Section members, APHA members, APHA leadership and the wider community.
  • Provide expertise in issues related to ATOD to both APHA and the broader public health field to inform research, policy, and practice.
  • Strengthen the ATOD-related public health work force by supporting professional development across the career trajectory through mentoring, networking, skill development, leadership opportunities, and engagement.

Member Benefits

As a member of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Section, you can help grow our legacy in public health practice!  We provide a smaller community within APHA of ATOD practitioners and researchers who shape the narrative around ATOD research and best practices.  We offer many opportunities to get involved, such as joining Section leadership, developing content (webinars, blogs, policy statements), reviewing abstracts, sharing your work, learning about the latest in the field, participating in social and business events, mentoring students and early and mid-career professionals, and general networking and collaborating with your fellow members.  

In addition to participating in workgroups around specific topical areas (currently Integrated Behavioral Health and Harm Reduction), we invite you to get more deeply involved with the Section through one of our six committees:

  • Communications: Coordinate ATOD Section webinars and solicit and develop content for blast e-mails, Lead posts, blogs, and social media.
  • Fundraising: Develop and coordinate fundraising events to support section activities and student awards.
  • Membership: Connect members to resources and create networking opportunities.
  • Mentoring: Support ATOD members connected through Mentor Match by encouraging mentor/mentee interactions and sharing mentorship resources.
  • Policy: Share information on emerging policy issues and take the lead on addressing the issues through developing APHA policy briefs.
  • Program: Plan and develop ATOD sessions for the Annual Meeting.

Join Us!

Your participation is vital to our continued success. Become an active member of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Section when you join APHA. If you are already an APHA member, you can join as your second Section for no additional cost by updating your member profile. 

Attend Events

Check out the APHA calendar for upcoming Section events and browse our sessions at the 2025 APHA Annual Meeting and Expo.

Visit on APHA LEAD

Members can visit us on APHA LEAD to learn about upcoming events, join in discussions with other Section members, and access our Section’s resource library.