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Survey underscores need for continued efforts to combat substance abuse among teens

New survey data released today by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and MetLife Foundation point to the need for continued efforts to combat substance abuse among teens. While there was no significant increase in the abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines containing dextromethorphan, the 21st annual Partnership/MetLife Foundation Attitude Tracking Survey (PATS) found an overall waning in teens' negative perceptions about many drugs along with increases in abuse rates for alcohol, ecstasy, and marijuana.

3 Mar 2010

Pennsylvania makes available $400,000 in federal fund to support individuals within criminal justice system

Pennsylvania is making available $400,000 in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to provide certified forensic peer support services to individuals within the criminal justice system who are suffering from mental illness, as well as psychiatric and substance abuse disorders.

3 Mar 2010

Mood, behavioral problems after stressful interpersonal events: LPFC function may be a risk-factor

Think back to your last fight with someone you love. How did you feel afterwards? How did you behave? Conflict with a loved one often leaves a person feeling terrible and then behaving badly. So much so that these scenarios have become soap opera clich-s. After an argument, one partner may brood, slam the door, and then drive to a local bar to drown their sorrows in alcohol. These dramas rarely have happy endings. Given these stereotypes, how do people control their emotional reactions and prevent emotional storms and their attendant use of intoxicating substances?

3 Mar 2010

Prenatal cocaine exposure affects sustained attention and self-regulated behavior in children

Children exposed to cocaine in the womb face serious consequences from the drug, but fortunately not in certain critical physical and cognitive areas as previously believed, according to a new comprehensive review of research on the subject from scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. When a pregnant woman uses cocaine, it can interrupt the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the baby, putting such children at risk for premature birth, low birth weight and many other problems.

2 Mar 2010

Of the 2.3M inmates, only 1.5M meet DSM IV medical criteria for substance abuse: CASA

Of the 2.3 million inmates crowding our nation's prisons and jails, 1.5 million meet the DSM IV medical criteria for substance abuse or addiction, and another 458,000, while not meeting the strict DSM IV criteria, had histories of substance abuse; were under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at the time of their crime; committed their offense to get money to buy drugs; were incarcerated for an alcohol or drug law violation; or shared some combination of these characteristics, according to Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and America's Prison Population. Combined these two groups constitute 85 percent of the U.S. prison population.

27 Feb 2010

Current alcohol use rate for blacks aged 18 and older significantly lower than national adult average: Study

The current alcohol use rate for blacks aged 18 and older is significantly lower than the national adult average (44.3 percent versus 55.2 percent) according to a new study based on a national survey.

26 Feb 2010

The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy selects Botvin LST as "Top Tier" program

Botvin LifeSkills Training has been selected as a "Top Tier" program by The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy. The Top Tier initiative, which is being followed closely by Congress, focuses on identifying and validating social programs meeting the highest standard of evidence of effectiveness.

25 Feb 2010

ONDCP, HHS announce availability of over $1.1M for new Drug Free Communities Support programs

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing the availability of more than $1.1 million for new Drug Free Communities Support Mentoring program (DFC Mentoring) grants. An estimated 15 new Mentoring grants will be awarded (up to $75,000 per grant, per year) to drug and alcohol prevention community coalitions from across the nation. The length of the project period is up to two years.

24 Feb 2010

Anxiety in German psychosomatic units: Long term extensive experience of treatment

A study published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics reports on a long term extensive experience of treatment of psychosomatic symptoms related to anxiety in German psychosomatic units.

24 Feb 2010

National public service campaign to raise mental health awareness in young African American adults

Officials from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Ad Council and the Stay Strong Foundation will unveil a national public service campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health problems among young adults in the African American community. The event is part of Black History Month and it is being held to coincide with the first annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Mental Health Awareness Day. The launch will be telecast to colleges and universities nationwide.

23 Feb 2010

Cancer pain patients: European regulations restricting access to opioid-based drugs

Many cancer patients in Europe are being denied access to adequate pain relief because of over-zealous regulations restricting the availability and accessibility of opioid-based drugs such as morphine.

22 Feb 2010

Calif. budget cuts would end aid to new legal immigrants; Minn. Dems criticize Pawlenty for relying on federal funds

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest proposals to close California's budget shortfall would end public assistance for most new legal immigrants, eliminating emergency cash, food and medical aid for those who don't yet qualify for federal welfare. The proposal would represent an about-face for the state.

17 Feb 2010

Iowa State University researchers awarded 30 ARRA grants worth $16.38M

Iowa State University researchers have so far won 30 grants worth a total $16.38 million from federal agencies awarding money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

17 Feb 2010

Budget cuts hit health care services in Minnesota, Oklahoma and California

Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposal to cut a net of $347 million from programs for sick, aged, disabled and jobless people is akin to the advice an ailing George Washington got from his doctors 210 years ago, one critic said Monday: Bleed him, in hope of a cure. Pawlenty would eliminate the General Assistance program in which about 20,000 disabled and very-low-income people receive an average of $175 a month.

16 Feb 2010

Contraceptive sex education and 'empowerment' for ten-year-old children

International Planned Parenthood Foundation's recently released report, "Stand and Deliver: Sex, Health and Young People in the 21st Century," advocates policies that jeopardize the well-being of children's health, the importance of parents and the moral values of our society, Family Research Council said today.

10 Feb 2010

APA releases proposed draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5

The American Psychiatric Association today released the proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The draft criteria represent content changes under consideration for DSM, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health and other health professionals, and is used for diagnostic and research purposes.

10 Feb 2010

Insurers bringing plans into compliance with new mental health rules

The Wall Street Journal reports that insurers are bringing their insurance plans in compliance with new rules and laws that make mental health and substance abuse insurance coverage available to millions of Americans.

8 Feb 2010

Substance use disorder treatment for workers without health insurance promotes safe and productive workplaces

An estimated 3 million full-time workers in America without health insurance (16.3 percent of all full-time workers without health care insurance) needed substance use treatment in the past year according to a national survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Levels of need were particularly high among those in this category who were aged 18 to 25 (24.4 percent) and males (19.2 percent).

5 Feb 2010

"Knowledge deficit" about methadone responsible for resulting deaths

In a unique and comprehensive literature review of poisoning deaths involving opioids from 1999 -- 2009, the deaths involving methadone were found to be disproportionately high. Methadone represented less than five percent of all opioid prescriptions but is responsible for a third of the deaths. After four years of investigation, the major underlying cause was found to be fundamental misunderstandings about the properties of the medicine -- a "knowledge deficit" -- especially when converting patients from other opioids.

4 Feb 2010

Regular physical activity prevents chronic illness: Surgeon General urged to make outdoor time a health priority

National Wildlife Federation (NWF), more than 200 health, conservation, youth, and other organizations, and 16,300 Americans are urging the new surgeon general to make time outdoors a health priority for children.

4 Feb 2010

Substance Abuse News and Research

Survey underscores need for continued efforts to combat substance abuse among teens

Pennsylvania makes available $400,000 in federal fund to support individuals within criminal justice system

Mood, behavioral problems after stressful interpersonal events: LPFC function may be a risk-factor

Prenatal cocaine exposure affects sustained attention and self-regulated behavior in children

Of the 2.3M inmates, only 1.5M meet DSM IV medical criteria for substance abuse: CASA

Current alcohol use rate for blacks aged 18 and older significantly lower than national adult average: Study

The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy selects Botvin LST as "Top Tier" program

ONDCP, HHS announce availability of over $1.1M for new Drug Free Communities Support programs

Anxiety in German psychosomatic units: Long term extensive experience of treatment

National public service campaign to raise mental health awareness in young African American adults

Cancer pain patients: European regulations restricting access to opioid-based drugs

Calif. budget cuts would end aid to new legal immigrants; Minn. Dems criticize Pawlenty for relying on federal funds

Iowa State University researchers awarded 30 ARRA grants worth $16.38M

Budget cuts hit health care services in Minnesota, Oklahoma and California

Contraceptive sex education and 'empowerment' for ten-year-old children

APA releases proposed draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5

Insurers bringing plans into compliance with new mental health rules

Substance use disorder treatment for workers without health insurance promotes safe and productive workplaces

"Knowledge deficit" about methadone responsible for resulting deaths

Regular physical activity prevents chronic illness: Surgeon General urged to make outdoor time a health priority

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