20th Annual PATS Report (PDFA): Teen Drug Use & Attitudes

This year, PATS showed that 37 percent of teens reported "learning a lot" about the risks of drugs from their parents in 2008 - a significant 16 percent increase over the previous year, and the first major increase since the inception of the study. But despite the increase in parent-teen discussions, just 24 percent of teens report that their parents have discussed the dangers of abusing prescription (Rx) drugs and only 18 percent of teens say their parents discuss the risks of abusing over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine.

Red Flag: Parents Still Not Discussing Abuse of Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medicines

Despite the increase in parent-teen discussions, only 24 percent of teens report that their parents talked with them about the dangers of prescription (Rx) drug abuse or use of medications outside of a doctor’s supervision; just 18 percent of teens say their parents discuss the risks of abusing over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine.

Read More from the Partnership for a Drug Free America's Report

For Uninsured Young Adults, Do-It-Yourself Health Care (NYT)

From the New York Times' Cara Buckley:
"They borrow leftover prescription drugs from friends, attempt to self-diagnose ailments online, stretch their diabetes and asthma medicines for as long as possible and set their own broken bones. When emergencies strike, they rarely can afford the bills that follow." Read the February 17, 2009 Article

Binge Drinking Endemic in Military (JoinTogether)

"A new survey shows that 43 percent of active-duty military personnel engage in frequent binge drinking, including underage soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, the Associated Press reported Feb. 13." Read On...

In a related story, CASA will be holding its annual 1-day CASACONFERENCE^SM in New York, May 20, 2009. This year's conference "Wounds of War: Substance Abuse, Veterans and Active Duty Military" will feature conference panels and topics related to PTSD and how families are impacted by substance use.

House Helps Students Recover from Addiction (Daily Targum/College Media Network)

"College can be especially tough for students recovering from a substance abuse addiction, but they can find help through the Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program, which began interviewing students for entrance for the fall semester into the Rutgers Recovery House. The University’s Recovery House is a residence hall for students who are recovering from addiction on campus with counselors available to provide mentoring. 'The Recovery House is for students who are already in recovery, have already been to meetings and support groups, and need support to stick with their recovery in college,' said Director of the Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program Lisa Laitman."

Find out more at www.recoveryschools.org

(Hat tip, Higher Ed Center)

(Canadian Police) Chief takes aim at city's drug addiction problem

"Just weeks into his new job as [St. John's] police chief and Bill Reid is taking the gloves off. He's had enough of the current catch-and-release system that provides addicts no help after they're arrested for crime that's driven by their need to feed a drug addiction. 'When we arrest somebody, the question will be asked relative to the crime - was it part of a drug addiction?' Reid said."

Read More from the January 19, 2009 Telegraph Journal Article

Drug Users Seen as Source of Needles (Press Herald)

"Used hypodermic needles routinely found around the shores of Back Cove appear to be coming from intravenous drug users who dump them into storm sewers, according to a city official. The danger of someone getting infected with a deadly disease is considered remote, experts said, but used hypodermics can contain viruses for a period of time, particularly if they have been shared by multiple users, said Ronni Katz, a city health department employee who oversees Portland's drug overdose prevention plan."

Read the PPH Article by Staff Writer John Richardson

FMI visit the City of Portland's Needle Exchange Program website or call the 103 India Street Clinic at 874-8446.

FDA to Place New Limits on Prescriptions of Narcotics (NY Times)

"Many doctors may lose their ability to prescribe 24 popular narcotics as part of a new effort to reduce the deaths and injuries that result from these medicines’ inappropriate use, federal drug officials announced Monday."

'What we’re talking about is putting in place a program to try to ensure that physicians prescribing these products are properly trained in their safe use, and that only those physicians are prescribing those products,' Dr. Jenkins [director of the F.D.A.’s new drug center] said in a news conference on Monday. 'This is going to be a massive program.'"

Read the NYT Health article

State Farm Announces New Site to Increase Awareness of Dropout Crisis

"State Farm reaffirmed its commitment to America's Promise Alliance and the dropout crisis by developing a new web site, which features information the dropout crisis, the Alliance and the Five Promises. The Get Involved Now section allows users to provide his or her zip code to find volunteer opportunities in their local areas.

State Farm is partnering with the America's Promise Alliance (APA), the largest bi-partisan alliance dedicated to the support and development of children, to ensure the personal and educational success of America's youth through the delivery of Five Promises: 1) Caring Adults, 2) Safe Places, 3) A Healthy Start, 4) An Effective Education, 5) An Opportunity to Help Others."

The Crisis: National dropout stats

Shouting Inside: Whispers in the Roar

This unique website is dedicated to the voices of teens with parents who have alcohol or drug problems.

"Do you have a story of your own about a parent who has a problem with alcohol or drugs? Do you feel like you’re shouting inside but just want to get it out? Then these blogs are for you – to connect with others who have similar experiences. Check out how other people deal with a mom or dad who drinks too much or has a drug problem. You aren’t alone and now you don’t have to keep shouting inside."

National Children of Alcoholics Week - February 8-16, 2009

Be among the CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN for this annual celebration of hope & healing.

To learn more about 2009 activities or to get ideas for raising awareness, visit NCOA

Funding Prevention Makes Sense (JoinTogether)

Not that we didn't really know this already but it's always nice to have it reinforced with research...

"Every dollar invested in substance-abuse prevention yields $10 in savings, according to researchers from Iowa State University who recently presented their findings to the United Nations." Read the rest from JoinTogether.org (February 4, 2009)

From ISU:
"The ISU researchers applied their own and national data to calculate both the cost effectiveness and cost benefit for two of PPSI's intervention programs -- Iowa Strengthening Families Program (ISFP), which works on the family level to prevent substance abuse; and the Life Skills Training Program (LST), which was designed for school-based implementation. Spoth defines cost effectiveness as the cost to achieve a particular outcome -- such as the prevention of an alcohol use disorder -- while the cost benefit assesses whether savings generated by prevention are greater than costs spent on prevention."

*Of note, our coalition will be working with 3 Portland schools over the next few years to implement Life Skills so we'll be sure to keep you posted!