Dr. Angela A. Robertson
 Adjunct Professor, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, Mississippi State University
Associate Research Professor, Social Science Research Center, MSU
Coordinator of Research and Development for the Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program (MASEP), MSU
Ph.D., Sociology, Mississippi State University
M.A., Clinical Psychology, East Carolina University
Dr. Robertson has been conducting research on issues of adolescent deviance and health, i.e., delinquency, substance abuse and mental disorders, and STD/HIV risk behavior, since 1994. She has received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) four times. The current NIDA funded project is a longitudinal analysis of STD/HIV exposure and prevention among girls committed to the state training school. This study involves the development and evaluation of a STD/HIV risk reduction intervention. Previous NIDA funded research evaluated the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of community-based interventions for substance abusing juvenile offenders, the prevalence of infection with Chlamydia and Gonorrhea among incarcerated youth and a study of the psychosocial factors that influence sexual risk behavior among this population, and a study of the impact of Hurricane Katrina and other adverse life events on the mental health substance use, sexual risk behavior and delinquency of girls involved in the juvenile justice system.

Individuals with substance use disorders are at higher risk of infection with HIV than the general public. Entry into treatment affords an opportunity to assess sexual and drug use related risk behaviors as well as provide prevention counseling. Building on a study of HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes, and the perceived barriers to HIV testing among staff and clients of alcohol and drug treatment programs, Dr. Robertson is currently conducting a study designed to address barriers to HIV testing among clients of publically funded alcohol and drug treatment programs. Dr. Robertson is collaborating with the University of Mississippi Medical Center and community-based health and mental health agencies to integrate HIV testing and prevention services into three alcohol and drug treatment programs in the Mississippi Delta. She is working with the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and with the STD/HIV Bureau of the Mississippi State Department of Health to increase access to HIV counseling and testing services among this high risk population.

MASEP is Mississippi’s statewide driver improvement program for first-time offenders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance which has impaired their ability to operate a motor vehicle. As Coordinator for Research and Development, she is conducting research on DUI recidivism and working with the program staff to improve assessment procedures to identify MASEP participants in need of substance abuse treatment referral and to improve the DUI intervention program.

Dr. Robertson has 16 years experience in the delivery of community mental health and substance abuse treatment services. Prior to coming to Mississippi State University, she developed and directed the ARK, the first state funded residential substance abuse treatment program for adolescents in Mississippi. In 2001, she documented the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders among incarcerated youth in Mississippi. Her research and testimony to the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Mississippi House of Representatives was instrumental in the passage of legislation requiring mental health screening of youth entering juvenile detention center. She has also provided technical assistance to the Office of Justice Programs in the Mississippi Department of Public Safety on minimum standards for juvenile detention facilities and compliance with federal regulation on secure confinement of juveniles.