Illegal use of Rx drugs an 'epidemic'

By Mal Leary
Capitol News Service

AUGUSTA, Maine — The increasing illegal use of prescription drugs has become a crisis, state law enforcement officials say.

To combat the problem, the officials are stressing that they need every tool, from federal grants to programs for disposal of unneeded prescription drugs.

“That’s an epidemic that we are facing right now,” said state Attorney General Janet Mills. “It has a serious economic impact on Maine and the state budget because of the use of MaineCare funds for the use of all kinds of prescription drugs that end up in the wrong hands.”

Mills said the increase in prescription drug diversion is dramatic, and she is using federal grant money to assign two prosecutors to drug diversion cases. In 1998, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency reported 50 diversion arrests that were 7 percent of all drug arrests that year. In 2008, there were 259 arrests that accounted for 39 percent of all drug arrests.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AND THE READER COMMENTS HERE

School Social Worker to Receive Award for Dropout Prevention Work

From the Portland Public Schools Blog (May 19, 2009)

"Sophie Payson, a social worker for the Portland Public Schools, will receive a recognition award from Maine Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron for her work to meet the needs of at-risk youth. Gendron will present the award at a Blaine House ceremony on May 21.

"Payson serves on the state’s Advisory Committee on Truancy, Dropout and Alternative Education. During her three years on the committee, she has helped to develop the Fresh Start Program and recommendations for policy changes to assist the at-risk population.

"Payson works at Portland High School and has been employed by the school department for five years."

FYI: Sophie served as a champion for our Reconnecting Youth programs at PHS for 3 years and she totally deserves this recognition! Yay, Sophie!!

Taking Folic Acid Supplements Before Conception Linked To Reduced Risk Of Premature Birth

ScienceDaily (2009-05-12) -- Taking folic acid supplements for at least a year before conception is associated with reduction in the risk of premature birth, according to a new study.

Read the Study HERE

Mothers, Infants and Imprisonment: A National Look at Prison Nurseries and Community-Based Alternatives

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY from the Women's Prison Association
“Are there really babies in prison?”

"At the Women’s Prison Association (WPA), hardly a week passes without us receiving an inquiry to this effect. Not surprisingly, the image of babies – cute, joyful, innocent – residing in our popular culture’s image of prisons – harsh, scary, full of “offenders” – arouses a great deal of curiosity. People who contact us want to know: What happens when a woman has a baby in prison? Which states have prison nursery programs? And are they a good thing?

"In this report, WPA highlights two different responses to women who give birth while under criminal justice supervision: prison nurseries and community-based residential parenting programs. We provide an overview of both types of programs1, review the literature on the subject, and offer recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers."

Read the Full Report

Action to Aid Homeless Attracts Help (PPH)

(Justin Ellis, Portland Press Herald, May 22, 2009)

PORTLAND — When someone references Live Aid, it's usually necessary to tell them I was 5 years old when the multi-city benefit concert took place.

Still, John Ripley is as sincere as a grade school love note when he talks about Acts for Change, which will be held Sunday. It's a local festival to benefit the Preble Street Resource Center, featuring more than 20 acts, including musicians such as Grupo Esperanza and comedians like George Hamm, for 12 straight hours.

The idea, he says, is to start an annual tradition to help raise money, as well as awareness of the homeless problem in Maine.

READ ON...

Visit the concert website at: www.preblestreetconcert.com

Treatment as an Alternative to Jail for People with Mental Illness

"Imagine you’re a police officer who spots a man trespassing, urinating in an alley, or engaging in some other illegal behavior. When you confront him, he mutters, won’t look you in the eye, and just seems a little strange. Not knowing what else to do, you put him in jail.

"And there he sits, not getting treatment for what turns out to be a serious mental illness. The trauma of incarceration actually makes the man’s psychiatric problems worse. Soon after his release, he gets arrested again."

Read More from SAMHSA...

Help Educate Parents about the Dangers of Teen Prescription Drug Abuse with New, Customizable Ads and Open Letters

"National surveys show that today´s teens abuse prescription drugs more than any illicit drug except marijuana. To help community coalitions raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)´s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is offering new free resources that can be customized for local distribution. The ads and open letters help drive home the message that it isn´t just illicit street drugs that teens can abuse; it´s the drugs in their own medicine cabinet."

CLICK HERE FMI from CADCA