January ∙ 2022
On episode 5 of the Prevention Matters Podcast, our host Dr. Robert LaChausse, speaks with Dr. Christopher Jones, Deputy Director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about his role at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, how his own experience in recovery has influenced his work in substance abuse prevention, advice for new professionals entering the field, his experience as an officer in the US Public Health Service, and how many pushups he can do.
Christopher M. Jones, Pharm.D., Dr.P.H., M.P.H. (CAPT U.S. Public Health Service) is the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). CAPT Jones brings a wealth of experience to SAMHSA having led substance use, mental health, and injury and violence prevention policy, program, and research activities for more than a decade. Prior to becoming Director of CSAP, CAPT Jones served as the director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this role, he provided scientific leadership and overall management of the Center, including driving the Center’s strategic direction and advancing the Center’s priorities of preventing drug overdose, suicide, and adverse childhood experiences. At CDC, CAPT Jones previously served as Deputy Director of the Injury Center and as Associate Director for Strategy and Innovation.
During his career, CAPT Jones has served in a variety of leadership roles in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Among these roles, he served as the first director of the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory at SAMHSA, as the acting Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science and Data Policy and director of the Division of Science Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) at HHS, and senior advisor in the Office of the Commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
CAPT Jones received a Bachelor of Science degree from Reinhardt College, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University, a Master of Public Health degree from New York Medical College, and a Doctor of Public Health in Health Policy from The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Dr. Jones is a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications on the topics of substance use, drug overdose, adverse childhood experiences, and mental health.
Prevention Matters Podcast
The official podcast of the National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives
For well over 50 years, prevention science has generated practices and policies that have improved countless lives throughout the lifespan by avoiding negative health and social outcomes (e.g., substance use disorder, academic failure, violence, mental illness) and strengthening conditions that enable individuals, families, and communities to thrive. The NPSC is dedicated to improving the reach and impact of prevention science. Join host Dr. Robert LaChausse as he interviews the most influential researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working in the field of prevention science. Each episode contains engaging conversations with powerful information to help you stay abreast of the field, connect with others like you who are doing important prevention work, and tips for improving your work and navigating the policy-making process.