Google Dedicates Doodle To Dr Herbert David Kleber, Who Changed Ways To Treat Drug Addiction

Search engine giant Google on Tuesday dedicated a special doodle to noted American psychiatrist Herbert David Kleber to mark the 23rd anniversary of his election to the National Academy of Medicine, a non-profit private organisation to deal with issues relating to health, medicine, health policy and biomedical science. Notably, the doodle comes a few days ahead of Kleber's first death anniversary, i.e. October 5, 2019.

In today's doodle, Dr. Kleber, with a notebook in his hand, is seen interacting with a female patient, who seems to be suffering from mental illness. At the very right corner, four different self of the patient are seen coming out from within, which apparently depicts various states of her mind. Rich in colours, the doodle also features a book shelf behind Kleber, along with six leeters of the word G-O-O-G-L-E, written in different styles.

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Born on June 19, 1934, Kleber is best remembered for his significant contribution in researching substance abuse, also known as drug abuse. The American doctor, who spent most of his life in treating drug addiction and studying its causes, was the head of the Drug Dependence Unit at Yale University. He also served as the Deputy Director for Demand Reduction at the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the White House for over 2 years.

In 1992, Kleber, accompanied with his wife, Marian Fischman, established the Substance Abuse Division and headed a number of projects on new methods to treat individuals with cocaine, heroin, prescription opioids, alcohol, or marijuana problems. He also co-founded the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) with former US Secretary of Health Joseph Califano.

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Author or co-author of more than 250 papers and the co-Editor of the American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment, Dr. Kleber received numerous prestigious awards and two honorary degrees. He is also considered to be one of the best doctors of America and was part of several organisations, including the Partnership for a Drug Free America, the Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Betty Ford Institute. On October 5, 2018, Kleber died at the age of 84.