Latest edition of NIDA NewScan, 9/11/2009

Online at: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2009/NS-63.pdf

Articles in this issue:

• Disparities, Variability Found in Methadone Maintenance Dosing Patterns
• Marijuana Prevention Campaigns May Have Undesired Effects on Marijuana Use
• Crack Cocaine Use Hastens Progression of HIV Infection to AIDS
• Few U.S. High Schools Use Evidence-Based Drug Prevention Curricula
• Gene Changes Linked to Nicotine Dependence and Success With Smoking Cessation
• Electronic Diary Captures Moods and Cues Leading to Heroin and Cocaine Use
• Aging Population of Steroid Abusers May Face Underrecognized Health Problems

June Round Up: News and New in the PIC

New items Added to the Library Collection in the PIC
Click on each to view or place holds on these items in the library catalog.

• 34 new books
• 5 new curricula
• 22 new videos
• 1 new visual aid

New in the PIC Clearinghouse

• Counselor’s Family Education Manual: Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People with Stimulant Use Disorders (with CD
• Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Program (brochure)
• The abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• Therapeutic Community Curriculum: Participant’s Manual
• Therapeutic Community Curriculum: Trainer’s Manual and Powerpoint Slide CD (3-hole punched)
• TIP 48: Managing Depressive Symptoms in Substance Abuse Clients During Early Recovery

New Online Publications

• 2009 National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
• National Prescription Drug Threat Assessment 2009
• NSDUH Report May 21, 2009: Substance Use among Women During Pregnancy and Following Childbirth
• NSDUH Report May 28, 2009: Parental Involvement in Preventing Youth Substance Use
• Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide (Second Edition)
• Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations
• SAMHSA News (March/April 2009, Vol.17, No. 2): Treatment as an Alternative to Jail for People with Mental Illness
• Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory: Emerging Issues in the Use of Methadone Spring 2009
• TIP 49: Incorporating Alcohol Pharmacotherapies Into Medical Practice
• TIP 50: Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment

June News at a Glance

• Alcohol and Suicide Among Racial/Ethnic Populations — 17 States, 2005—2006
  Source: MMWR, 6/16/2009 58(23);637-641
• Coloradans report drinking less, smoking more pot
  Source: Denver Post, 6/4/09
• Food and Drug Administration Given Authority to Regulate Tobacco Products, CESAR Fax 6/29/09 18(25)
• Healthcare Reform Must Prioritize Treatment for Addictions, Mental Health, Report Says
  Source: JoinTogether.org, 6/25/09
• Majority of Youths Say Their Parents Are Involved in Their Lives and Would Disapprove of Their Substance Use, CESAR Fax6/15/09 18(23)
• New National Study Shows that More than 1 in 5 Young Adults Need Treatment for Alcohol or Illicit Drug Use
  Source: SAMHSA News Release 6/29/09
• New National Report Shows Substantial Disparities in the Levels of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Problems Experienced among the States
  Source: SAMHSA News Release 6/4/2009
• SAMHSA Releases Latest TEDS Report on Discharges from Substance Abuse Treatment Services Provide Nationwide Data Substance Abuse Treatment Experiences
  Source: SAMHSA Bulletin 6/22/09
• Study Identifies Five Types of NC College Student Smokers, CESAR Fax6/22/09 18(24)

Kerlikowske to Head ONDCP, But Will Not Serve in Obama Cabinet

Source Jointogether News Feature, 3/11/09

Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has been officially announced as President Barack Obama’s “drug czar” by the White House, but unlike his recent predecessors, he will not serve as a member of the president’s Cabinet.

“With escalating violence along our Southwest border and far too many suffering from the disease of addiction here at home, never has it been more important to have a national drug control strategy guided by sound principles of public safety and public health,” said Obama in a March 11 press release. “We must demonstrate to our international partners, the criminal organizations threatening to undermine stability and the rule of law in those nations, and the American people, that we take seriously our responsibility to reduce drug use in the United States. Gil Kerlikowske has the expertise, the experience, and the sound judgment to lead our national efforts against drug trafficking and use, and he will make an excellent addition to my administration.”

Click here to read the rest of the article.

President George W. Bush, President-Elect Barack Obama, and General Colin L. Powell Headline National Mentoring Month 2009

Source : Center for Health Communication News Release, 12/31/2008

President George W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama, and General Colin L. Powell are headlining the Eighth Annual National Mentoring Month volunteer recruitment drive. Held each January, the campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their full potential.

On December 30, President Bush issued a Proclamation designating January 2009 as National Mentoring Month. President-elect Barack Obama is featured in a print ad promoting mentor recruitment under the slogan, “Be the Change: Mentor a Child.” And, General Powell is featured in a TV PSA supporting the campaign.

Last year, more than 375,000 individuals responded to the campaign by seeking information about local mentoring programs that need more volunteers.

Research has shown that programs that rely on volunteer mentors can play a powerful role in reducing drug abuse and youth violence while greatly enhancing a young person’s prospects for leading a healthy and productive life.

<<snip>>

In communities across the country, designated nonprofit and governmental agencies are responsible for coordinating local campaign activities, including media outreach and volunteer recruitment. These local lead partners include state and local affiliates of MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network, America’s Promise Alliance, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Communities in Schools, and United Way of America.

Each year since its launch in 2002, National Mentoring Month has enjoyed the strong support of President George W. Bush and the United States Congress. Other prominent individuals who have participated in the campaign include: Maya Angelou, former President Bill Clinton, Clint Eastwood, Senator John McCain, Quincy Jones, General Colin L. Powell, Cal Ripken, Jr., Bill Russell, and Usher. For more information on National Mentoring Month, please visit: www.NationalMentoringMonth.org.

2008 Monitoring the Future results released: shows mixed results

Good news includes:

• Use of any illicit drug other than marijuana decreased (modestly) for lifetime, past year and past month use among 10th graders
• Declines in overall use of stimulants in all grades (e.g. use of methamphetamine is down 2/3 since 1999)
• Teen smoking rates are at or near record lows for all grades (based on historical MTF data)
• Gradual declines in alcohol use in all grades, particularly amongst 10th graders in all measures of use.

Not so-good news includes:

• Statistically insignificant increases in past year use of any illicit drug other than marijuana among 8th and 12th graders
• Decreases in marijuana use have stalled (there had been a consistent decline in use since the mid-90’s)
• Perceived harmfulness and disapproval of marijuana has slightly decreased among 8th graders
• Declines over several years in perceived harmfulness of LSD among 12th graders
• Declines in perceived harmfulness and disapproval of use of inhalants among 8th graders
• Continued high rate of prescription drug abuse (steady over 6 years)

For more information see:

• Various stimulant drugs show continuing gradual declines among teens in 2008, most illicit drugs hold steady (MTF 2008 Full Press Release on Drug Use from the University of Michigan) (12/11/08)
• Annual 2008 Monitoring the Future Findings (NIDA News, 12/11/2008)
• Recession in Illegal Drug Market Signaled by Falling Youth Use, With Higher Prices and Decreased Purity for Cocaine Nationwide (ONDCP News Release, 12/11/08)
• Monitoring the Future Web site

1,600 Town Hall Meetings on Underage Drinking Scheduled

Source: Jointogether.org News Summary, 3/25/08

The federal government is cosponsoring a series of more than 1,600 town-hall meetings nationwide in March and April focused on the problem of underage drinking.

The first meeting was held on March 24 in Riverton, Wyo., and was attended by Acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, Wyoming first lady Nancy Freudenthal, and U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo). The meetings are being sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, and state and local leaders.

The intent of the meetings is to raise awareness of the dangers of underage drinking and educate parents, community leaders and others on how to combat the problem locally. Attendees will include public officials, parents, youths, community leaders, law-enforcement officials, highway-safety experts, alcohol-control officers, and business leaders.

“This problem is not going away on its own,” said Galson. “Only by working together can we make a difference.”

More information about the town hall meetings — which will be held in all 50 states — can be found online at www.stopalcoholabuse.gov or by calling 1-877-SAMHSA7.

Click here to see events in Colorado.

ONDCP to debut first teen Rx drug campaign during Super Bowl

Source: ONDCP Press Release, 01/24/08
ONDCP LAUNCHES FIRST MAJOR INITIATIVE TO COMBAT TEEN PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE : New Ad Campaign Debuts During Super Bowl
(Washington, D.C.)—The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is launching its first major Federal effort to educate parents about teen prescription drug abuse. This national public awareness campaign will begin with advertising during this year’s Super Bowl, and is ONDCP’s first paid TV advertising targeting parents in nearly two years. The effort includes broadcast, print, and online advertising, community outreach, and new print and online resources to help parents and communities combat the troubling trend of teen prescription drug abuse. The Administration will leverage $14 million to generate nearly $30 million in advertising. The ads were made in collaboration with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (The Partnership), with pro bono creative provided by Draftfcb New York.
Read the rest of the Press Release
Access report “Prescription for Danger: A Report on Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse Among the Nation’s Teens.”

NIDA Library Shuts Down

A sad story during National Library Week:

Source: JoinTogether.org News Summary, 4/4/2007
The National Institute on Drug Abuse <http://www.nida.nih.gov/> (NIDA) library, which contained up to 12,000 journal volumes and 8,000 books, has been shut down due to budget cuts, SALIS News reported in its Winter 2007 issue.

The library primarily served NIDA’s 400-person staff but also archived many historic documents, including every research article published by program staff since the original Addiction Research Center (ARC) was founded in Lexington, Ky., in 1935, and the minutes of every Committee on Problems of Drug Dependence meeting held since 1929.

Children of Alcoholics Week is Feb. 12-18

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) and its affiliates promote Children of Alcoholics Week 2006 from Sunday, February 12, through Saturday, February 18. The theme of this public awareness campaign, “A Celebration of Hope and Healing,” offers the potential for resilience in children of alcoholics if caring adults support the well-being of all children, but especially those who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction in their families. NACoA envisions a society in which these vulnerable children are encouraged to seek help and have access to adults who can help them.

Visit NACoA online at: www.nacoa.org.

Colorado residents can order free materials concerned with families and addictions as well as resources to support your Children of Alcoholics week activities by visiting our online RADAR Clearinghouse store.

SAMHSA Webcast: Recovery and the Military: Treating Veterans and their Families

Just in time for our February focus, SAMHSA is premiering a webcast that examines the availability of and options for alcohol and drug addiction treatment for veterans and their families.

The show also addresses current trends and prevalence of substance use disorders among veterans and will shed light on current addiction treatment issues facing veterans and their families.

For more information visit:
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2006/multimedia/w.aspx?ID=470