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