Colorado DBH Prevention Health Communications, In the News for April 19, 2010

Source: DBH email, 4/20/2010

Attached is the April 19, 2010 edition of the DBH Prevention Community Programs, Prevention Health Communications, In the News and Resources weekly.

In the News is a collection of hyperlinks to current prevention articles, broadcasts, reports, press releases, funding announcements, conferences and events, training and more that are relevant to the prevention and reduction of the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Content includes articles and media on the following topics:

• National Health Observances
• General
• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Prescription Drugs
• Substances (Other Drugs)
• Education
• Behavioral/Mental Health
• Violence
• Briefs, Reports and Publications
• Online/Print Resources
• Training/Education
• Events/Conferences
• Funding

Click here to access Colorado DBH Prevention Health Communications, In the News for April 9, 2010, 4/19/10 (pdf)

New SAMHSA Web site Provides Tools to Help Address Co-Occurring Disorders and Homelessness

Source: SAMHSA News Release, 11/16/09

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announces the availability of a new Web site to help SAMHSA grantees, health professionals and the public address problems of homelessness and co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. The site, http://chab.samhsa.gov/ features an on-line library of tools that are designed to advance the field and improve the effectiveness of prevention, treatment and recovery programs operated by SAMHSA’s Co-Occurring and Homeless Activities Branch (CHAB) and other service providers.

The new CHAB Web site provides a platform for creating an interactive community of providers, consumers, policymakers, researchers, and public agencies at federal, state, and local levels working to prevent and treat homelessness and co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders.

Click here to read the rest of the press release

• Click the following links to see some of the resources the PIC has available for loan relating to homelessness and co-occurring disorders.

Veteran’s Day: Resources for Vets and Active Military

Source: SAMHSA eNetwork and others

Most military service members and veterans who see combat will not experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, or depression or have thoughts of suicide as a result of their experiences. For those who do have mental health and substance abuse needs, for their families, and for service providers, SAMHSA is dedicated to offering a variety of resources.

Selected SAMHSA Resources:

• Veterans Resource Guide (pdf)
• SAMHSA Veteran Resources Web Site

Available for Loan at the PIC:

PIC has a small collection of resources specifically related to veterans and active military as well as wide variety of information for prevention and treatment of: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, depression, and suicide.

HHS Manual Focuses on Protecting Children Impacted by Family Substance Abuse

Source: OJJDP JuvJust e-News, 8/19/09

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’) Children’s Bureau has released “Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders.” Part of the Bureau’s Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series, the manual examines such topics as:

the nature of substance use disorders

the impact of parental substance abuse disorders on children

examination, screening, assessment, and treatment for substance abuse disorders

the role of child protective services caseworkers.

Resources:

“Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders” is available online at www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/substanceuse or in pdf at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/substanceuse/substanceuse.pdf.

For further information about the Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series, visit www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanual.cfm.

Substance Abuse Prevention Dollars and Cents: A Cost Benefits Analysis

Source: JoinTogether Funding Tips & Trends, 7/26/09

Looking to convince policymakers that they should fund your prevention program?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has just released a new publication that can help you build a case for support.

Substance Abuse Prevention Dollars and Cents: A Cost Benefits Analysis “is designed to help policymakers and other stakeholders use the results of cost-benefit analysis as an information tool for decision making and for selecting the substance abuse prevention programs that best apply available resources toward addressing their needs,” according to SAMHSA.

The report details the extent of substance abuse among youth, costs of substance abuse to the nation and to states, cost savings that could be gained if effective prevention policies, programs, and services were implemented nationwide, and programs and policies that are most cost beneficial.

The costs of untreated addiction also is examined, along with the anticipated return on investment in prevention programs. The report is available free online (PDF, 64 KB).

Click here to access report.

COPS Guide Addresses Bullying in Schools

Source: OJJJDP JuvJust, 7/15/09

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) has published “Bullying in Schools.”

Part of COPS’ Problem- Specific Guide Series, the guide provides police with information about the causes and extent of bullying in schools and includes recommendations for developing practices and policies that promote student safety.

Resources:

“Bullying in Schools” is available at www.cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/Resourc eDetail.aspx?RID=18.

NOTE TO PIC  LIBRARY CARD HOLDERS:
The Olweus Program, and works by Dan Olweus are available for loan at the PIC as part of the new Evidence-Based Interventions Collection.  Click here to view Olweus items in the catalog.

New National Online Resource Provides Practical Advice and Hope for People Dealing with Emotional Health Issues Related to Financial Stress

Source: SAMHSA News Release, 3/31/09

Provides essential information on how economic conditions can affect physical and mental health and where people can turn for help

A first-of-its-kind, online guide now provides crucial information and resource referrals for people dealing with emotional or other health problems associated with economic hard times. The “Getting Through Tough Economic Times” guide http://www.samhsa.gov/economy/  provides practical advice on identifying health concerns, developing coping skills and finding help.

Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with other government agencies and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, which is administered by SAMHSA’s grantee the Education Development Center, Inc., the guide outlines the risks that unemployment and other forms of economic distress (foreclosure, severe financial losses, etc.) can pose to health.

Based on a review of the scientific literature published in the last 20 years, the guide notes that although these economic problems may affect individuals differently, for many people economic hardship contributes to increased risk for a variety of conditions including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Compulsive Behaviors (over-eating, excessive gambling, spending, etc.)
• Substance abuse

On a positive note, the guide also provides individuals and communities with practical steps that can be used to get through these tough periods and achieve restored health and productivity.  In particular the guide provides:

• Important information on identifying the warning signs of depression, suicidal thinking and other serious mental illnesses.
• Effective steps to help manage emotional distress, such as through exercise, strengthening connections with family and friends, and developing new job skills.
• Resources for getting help – such as the National Mental Health Information Center http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/ for information on where to access help on a wide range of mental illnesses, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for those in crisis.  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is operated by SAMHSA’s grantee Link2HealthSolutions, Inc, under a cooperative agreement.

“The guide is a quick and easy tool that people can use to better manage their emotional wellbeing,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H.  “By helping people remain resilient, we can help promote the overall recovery of our nation.”

The Department of Health and Human Services (SAMHSA is an agency with the Department of Health and Human Services), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury and the U.S. General Services Administration all collaborated in this effort.

For further information on mental health or substance abuse issues please visit SAMHSA’s website at http://www.samhsa.gov

Rethinking Drinking Offers Tools to Assess and Change Risky Drinking Habits

Source: NIH News, 03/09/09

A new Web site and booklet from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) could help many people reduce their risk for alcohol problems. Called Rethinking Drinking, the new materials present evidence-based information about risky drinking patterns, the alcohol content of drinks, and the signs of an alcohol problem, along with information about medications and other resources to help people who choose to cut back or quit drinking. The Web site — RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov — also features interactive tools, such as calculators for measuring alcohol calories and drink sizes. NIAAA is part of the National Institutes of Health.

<<<snip>>

“We know that many heavy drinkers are able to change on their own,” explains Mark Willenbring, M.D., director of NIAAA’s Division of Treatment and Recovery Research. “Rethinking Drinking is a convenient, low-cost way to provide the required information and tools for those able to change before they develop symptoms. People who have more severe alcohol involvement will require professional help, and starting with Rethinking Drinking may help them make the decision to seek help at an earlier stage in the disease process. We think Rethinking Drinking will be used in many different settings, such as doctor’s offices, colleges, workplaces, the criminal justice system and pastoral counseling.”

Click here to read the rest of this Press Release

Copies of the Rethinking Drinking booklet can be downloaded from the Rethinking Drinking Web site (RethinkingDrinking.niaaa.nih.gov), or ordered from NIAAA by phone at: 301-443-3860.

Two New Reports from SAMHSA Office of Applied Statistics (OAS)

Source: email from SAMHSA OAS Pubs, 3/5/2009

SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies (OAS) has just released: 

(1) The NSDUH Report: Smokeless Tobacco Use, Initiation, and Relationship to Cigarette Smoking: 2002 to 2007, a 3 page short report based on data from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use & Health (NSDUH) that provides trends from 2002 to 2007 of smokeless tobacco use by age and gender as well as the demographics for smokeless tobacco use in 2007. Interesting findings concern the relationship between cigarette and smokeless tobacco use. AT: http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/smokelessTobacco/smokelessTobacco.cfm

OAS reports on the use of other tobacco products may be found at: http://oas.samhsa.gov/tobacco.htm

(2) The TEDS Report: Predictors of Substance Abuse Treatment Completion or Transfer to Further Treatment by Service Type, a 3 page short report based on data provided by the States for their specialty substance abuse treatment facilities. This report provides the significant predictors of treatment completion or transfer for clients who were discharged from outpatient, intensive outpatient, long-term residential or short-term residential substance abuse treatment. This information may contribute to the understanding of what leads to successful substance abuse treatment and helpful for those wanting to improve treatment success by targeting programs for clients at risk for relapse or dropout from substance abuse. AT: http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k9/TXpredictors/TXpredictors.cfm

To find OAS data on a specific topic, go to SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies’ topics website at http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/topics.cfm

New Homelessness Resource Center Web Site Launched

Source: SAMHSA eNetwork email, 7/29/08

SAMHSA’s new Homelessness Resource Center (HRC) Web site launched this week. Targeted toward providers who work with people who are homeless, the Web site shares state-of-the art knowledge, evidence-based practices, and practical resources.

The Web site provides an interactive learning community for researchers, providers, consumers, and Government agencies at all levels. It is an easy-to-manage resource with content that informs, features that engage, and training that is useful. These elements are brought together to promote recovery-oriented and consumer-centered services for people who are homeless.

Visit the site at: http://homeless.samhsa.gov/