The Epidemiology Work Group was formed in 1999 at the University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (UK CDAR) as part of its collaboration with the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities in conjunction with the Division of Behavioral Health . The state is required to have an Epidemiology Work Group as part of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant.

The overall purpose of the Epidemiology Work Group is to inform policy making and to disseminate research related to state policy. Work group attendance is by invitation. Presentations must show relevance to prevention, assessment, treatment, or other interventions in community based services or in criminal justice settings. Presenters are asked to share their findings and presentations with UK CDAR for web display so that the larger community can receive the information.

Held quarterly, the EPI meetings are chaired by the Director of the Division of Behavioral Health given the policy implications of substance abuse findings, importance of data from state data sets, as well as the contributions of university-based researchers. UK CDAR coordinates EPI meetings on behalf of the Division. Membership includes faculty from UK and neighboring universities, staff from various state government cabinets and departments, community mental health executives and substance abuse program directors.

For more information about the Epidemiology Work Group, contact Robert Walker, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky Center on Drug and Alcohol Research.