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AIDSLaw continued to focus on substance abuse issues in response to the increased number of clients who are HIV-positive and dealing with drug addiction and/or alcoholism, behavior likely to exacerbated by the storm trauma. Due to the unique legal issues facing this population, in 1999 AIDSLaw prepared a pamphlet, HIV and Substance Abuse: A Legal Guide for Social Workers. In addition, HIV and Criminal Liability, published in 2002, specifically discusses liability for sharing needles. In 2002, AIDSLaw staff researched and prepared a new pamphlet to address the myriad legal problems surrounding substance abuse for persons infected with HIV. The pamphlet, HIV and Substance Abuse, in question and answer form, was published in 2003. From 1999 through 2004, AIDSLaw's executive director served on the steering committee of the New Orleans Practice Improvement Collaborative (NOPIC), a group dedicated to bringing together researchers and practitioners in the substance abuse field, and as a consultant on a grant to NOPIC from the Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment. The executive director was also a consultant for the follow-up grant, Strengthening Access and Retention (STAR), until it ended in September 2006. After the storm his role was expanded to conduct focus groups with clients and staff at Bridge House as part of an effort to determine gaps in services and unmet needs. In order to foster coordination of HIV-devoted resources, AIDSLaw's executive director served on the New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council until September 2004, and he continues to attend meetings as a non-member. The executive director also participates in the Consortia Leaders Meeting held for other regions of the State in order to represent AIDSLaw and to conduct legal outreach efforts to the citizens of Louisiana affected by HIV. As in past years, AIDSLaw has continued to work with other organizations to reach and provide legal services to a broad and extremely diverse clientele. In order to coordinate efforts among non-profit legal groups, AIDSLaw's executive director serves on the Access to Justice Committee of the Louisiana State Bar Association. In 2006 he served as chair of the subcommittee that organized and staged the Louisiana Justice Conference held on November 3 and 4, 2006 in Baton Rouge.