Substance Abuse News and Research

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Abuse of legal substances

The Internet, smart phones and teens' endless search for self-acceptance in their technology connected yet isolated world is driving a revival of substance abuse of salvia, an herb from flower seeds that induces psychedelic effects but is not detectable with usual drug tests, and synthetic cannabis, a psychoactive herbal and chemical concoction, also undetectable, popularly known around high schools as "spice".

13 Jan 2011

Huge falloff in teens' recalled exposure to drug abuse prevention messages

The University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future study (MTF) – the largest survey on teen drug abuse tracking over 46,000 8th, 10th and 12th graders – found a huge falloff in teens' recalled exposure to drug abuse prevention messages over the past seven years. The new data from the MTF study have been released at a time when teens themselves report finding the drug-prevention messages to be effective.

13 Jan 2011

Roundup: Penn. and Conn. insurance issues; MD. hospital's uncompensated care; Calif. budget

Pennsylvania's subsidized health insurance for low-income working people will likely end next month, officials on Gov.-elect Tom Corbett's transition team said Tuesday, leaving more than 40,000 people with less palatable options and dashing the hopes of more than 400,000 on the waiting list.

13 Jan 2011

Roundup: Calif. and health reform; Conn. mental health parity; Insurance premium increases in Iowa, Fla.

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield's proposed 11 percent health insurance premium increase is excessive, two experts have concluded. The company, which insures three-quarters of Iowans who buy their own policies, already raised premiums on those plans an average of 18 percent last spring. Wellmark sparked outcries when it announced in November that it wants to raise those rates again in order to keep up with rising prices and increased use of medical care (Leys, 1/7).

7 Jan 2011

Unique vaccine produces long-lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice

Researchers from The Scripps Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, and Cornell University have produced a long-lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice by giving them a unique vaccine that combines bits of the common cold virus with a particle that mimics cocaine.

5 Jan 2011

Researchers develop unique vaccine that produces long-lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice

5 Jan 2011

New innovative program to identify and treat combat veterans suffering from PTSD

An innovative program to identify and treat combat veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - but who have not sought treatment - has been started by U.S.VETS, the nation's largest nonprofit devoted to providing housing and other services to homeless and at-risk veterans.

29 Dec 2010

New study shows striking changes, variations by region in admission rates for substance abuse treatment

Although the overall rate of admissions to substance abuse treatment in the U.S. remained stable between 1998 and 2008, at about 770 admissions for every 100,000 persons in the population, a new study shows striking changes and variations in admission rates by region. For example, the rate of admissions for alcohol as the primary drug has declined by 15 percent nationally. However admission rates for alcohol in West North Central states (Ark., Iowa, Kan., Minn., Mo., N.D., Neb. and S.D.) remained the same.

24 Dec 2010

Calif. insurers opt to resume kids' policies; Meanwhile, other plans cut mental health benefits in response to health law

Some California insurers have decided to resume offering children's individual health insurance policies — a step that reverses decisions made last fall to exit this market. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that, as a result of requirements in the new health law, some health plans are opting to cut mental health benefits.

24 Dec 2010

First Edition: December 23, 2010

Today's headlines include stories that look back and examine the role of the health overhaul in creating the 2010 political climate, as well as reports that look forward to what changes are in store for 2011.

23 Dec 2010

NAHN and Partnership at Drugfree.org join to address teen drug and alcohol use in the Hispanic community

The Partnership at Drugfree.org today announced a new strategic partner to help support the organization's outreach to address teen drug and alcohol use within the Latino and Spanish-speaking community and equip Hispanic parents with tools from prevention to treatment of drug and alcohol abuse. The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) has joined with the national nonprofit to provide bilingual resources to Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers and help promote the group's online tools and resources across various NAHN communication channels.

22 Dec 2010

Magellan, ACG partner to train specialists to provide Peer Support Whole Health services

Magellan Health Services, Inc., an industry leader in behavioral health care management, and Appalachian Consulting Group (ACG) have joined forces to train peer specialists to provide Peer Support Whole Health (PSWH) services. PSWH, an evidence-based behavioral health practice that is growing in use across the country, focuses on improving the overall physical and mental health of individuals with mental illnesses to help them achieve their health and wellness goals.

21 Dec 2010

New HHS Strategy on Multiple Chronic Conditions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today issued its new Strategic Framework on Multiple Chronic Conditions - an innovative private-public sector collaboration to coordinate responses to a growing challenge.

15 Dec 2010

Institute for Child and Family Health recognized for exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions

Institute for Child and Family Health (ICFH), a non-profit organization that offers prevention and treatment programs for children and families in Miami-Dade County, today announced it has received the prestigious SAMHSA 2010 Science and Service Awards. This award recognizes exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions that have been shown to prevent and/or treat mental illnesses and substance abuse.

14 Dec 2010

Researchers show link between accepting family attitudes, behaviors towards LGBT children

For the first time, researchers have established a clear link between accepting family attitudes and behaviors towards their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children and significantly decreased risk and better overall health in adulthood.

6 Dec 2010

Timberline Knolls psychiatrist recommends patients to receive specialized care for co-occurring disorder

According to the American Psychiatric Association, at least three percent of the United States population has a co-occurring disorder, yet only eight percent of those suffering receive specialized treatment for both their mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

2 Dec 2010

Léger Marketing survey shows substance abuse problems are major concern for Quebecers

More than one in eight Quebecers think drug and alcohol dependency problems are public health issues of concern. In the Léger Marketing survey "Quebecers and Substance Abuse," released today as part of Drug Awareness Week, half of respondents say they are affected by substance abuse problems among those around them.

26 Nov 2010

Hepatitis C outbreak investigation continues

A hepatitis C outbreak investigation has led detectives to a nursing director of the clinic at the centre of their inquiry. The woman in question is Carol Richards, 68, from Croydon Hills who will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

25 Nov 2010

UMDNJ researchers develop comprehensive strategy for recovery from smoking addiction

Researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), following 10 years of studying tobacco use among smokers with mental illness, have developed a comprehensive strategy for recovery from smoking addiction that could serve as a nationwide model.

25 Nov 2010

SAMHSA grants $14.4 million to help people in substance abuse treatment programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing up to $14.4 million in new grants to help people in substance abuse treatment programs.

23 Nov 2010

Substance Abuse News and Research

Abuse of legal substances

Huge falloff in teens' recalled exposure to drug abuse prevention messages

Roundup: Penn. and Conn. insurance issues; MD. hospital's uncompensated care; Calif. budget

Roundup: Calif. and health reform; Conn. mental health parity; Insurance premium increases in Iowa, Fla.

Unique vaccine produces long-lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice

Researchers develop unique vaccine that produces long-lasting anti-cocaine immunity in mice

New innovative program to identify and treat combat veterans suffering from PTSD

New study shows striking changes, variations by region in admission rates for substance abuse treatment

Calif. insurers opt to resume kids' policies; Meanwhile, other plans cut mental health benefits in response to health law

First Edition: December 23, 2010

NAHN and Partnership at Drugfree.org join to address teen drug and alcohol use in the Hispanic community

Magellan, ACG partner to train specialists to provide Peer Support Whole Health services

New HHS Strategy on Multiple Chronic Conditions

Institute for Child and Family Health recognized for exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions

Researchers show link between accepting family attitudes, behaviors towards LGBT children

Timberline Knolls psychiatrist recommends patients to receive specialized care for co-occurring disorder

Léger Marketing survey shows substance abuse problems are major concern for Quebecers

Hepatitis C outbreak investigation continues

UMDNJ researchers develop comprehensive strategy for recovery from smoking addiction

SAMHSA grants $14.4 million to help people in substance abuse treatment programs

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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