Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly articles from November 2003

Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly archives from November 2003

State's response to overdose crisis could serve as national model.(Maine Office of Substance Abuse to offer education programs to help prevent methadone and opiate overdose)
November 3, 2003... Maine's proactive response to an alarming increase in overdose deaths involving methadone and other opiates through education, oversight and a partnership with state and local stakeholders has garnered praise and could serve as a model for...

RAND study supports effectiveness of school-based prevention program.(Project Alert)
November 3, 2003... Project ALERT, a school-based, anti-drug curriculum that reaches some 1.5 million adolescents a year, has been newly evaluated following efforts to strengthen what many view as an already successful program. The latest evaluation...

Survey finds parents unresponsive to Ecstasy threat.(Partnership for a Drug-Free America survey)
November 3, 2003... A national survey released last month by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that despite increases in teen Ecstasy use over the past few years, parents are less likely to talk with their kids about Ecstasy than any other drug, legal...

Study will test enhanced treatment to help addicts' children.
November 3, 2003... Despite sincere efforts, most community-based addiction treatment programs have seen virtually no success in bringing the children of their clients into the treatment milieu. Now a group of researchers will test an enhanced treatment for...

Two organizations develop coding products.(Resources)(American Health Information Management Association and the American Hospital Association develop evaluation and management service products)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) have joined together to develop evaluation and management (E/M) service products. The collaboration will help ensure that healthcare...

Caron Foundation launches updated website.(Resources)(www.caron.org)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... The Caron Foundation recently launched a redesigned website with updated and improved features at www.caron.org. The new site offers better navigation, a search capability and expanded information on programs and workshops, according to Caron...

Change Companies wins contract with California Youth Authority.(Business Notes)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... The California Youth Authority has awarded the Change Companies a contract to produce a set of workbooks/journals, according to a Change Companies announcement. The set of workbooks/journals will include Values Development, Self Esteem,...

Chronic abuse of painkillers associated with hearing loss.(Briefly Noted)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Chronic abuse of painkillers such as Vicodin, Lorcet and OxyContin may lead to hearing loss, the Monterey County Herald reported. Gail Ishiyama, a neurologist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and colleagues published...

Xenova begins trial for cocaine vaccine.(Briefly Noted)(Xenova Group PLC to begin Phase IIb trial for TA-CD vaccine)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2003... Xenova Group PLC has begun the first randomized, placebo-controlled Phase IIb clinical trial for TA-CD, a vaccine it is developing to treat cocaine addiction, AFX News Limited reported. The trial, which will last up to two years, will involve...

Coming up.(Calendar)
November 3, 2003... Father Martin's Ashley will hold a National Conference on Addiction Nov. 19 to 21 in Hunt Valley, Md. For more information, call (800) 799-4673, ext. 248; or visit www.fathermartinsashley.com. Employee Assistance Professionals Association...

In case you haven't heard ...(treating behavioral addictions)
November 3, 2003... Priory Hospital Marchwood in Hampshire, England treats what it calls "behavioral addictions," addictive habits that don't involve substances. The hospital has started treating "text addicts," people who have allegedly become addicted to using...

Integrated behavioral unit becomes Phila.'s largest agency.(Office of Behavioral Health and Mental Retardation Services)
November 10, 2003... A behavioral health system that has won accolades from field experts and a prestigious national award for government innovation will now be as integrated structurally as it has been in practice over the last several years. Philadelphia...

Senate passes bill to provide services for clients in the justice system.("Mentally III Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2003" )
November 10, 2003... Behavioral health advocates and community service providers that have worked tirelessly to address the inadequate resources to help offenders in the corrections system may get a boost from legislation that passed in the Senate last month. The...

Study: diversity of students lowers college binge drinking rates.
November 10, 2003... Drinking rates among the highest-risk drinkers on American college campuses--those who are white, male and underage--are significantly lower on college campuses with larger proportions of minority, female and older students, according to a...

Elementary school prevention program shown to reduce alcohol, tobacco use.(LifeSkills Training)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... An elementary school-based prevention program called LifeSkills Training reduced smoking by 61 percent and alcohol use by 25 percent after one year among students receiving the curriculum, according to a study published in the Journal of Child...

ONDCP initiative to help Hispanic youth combat drug use.(White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign offers outreach program for Hispanic teens)
November 10, 2003... The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has introduced a special outreach effort to help Hispanic parents raise drug-free teens as part of its National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. The initiative will include new...

NAPHS offers guidelines designed to enhance patient safety.(Resources)(National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems )(Guidelines for the Built Environment of Behavioral Health Facilities )(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) is offering Guidelines for the Built Environment of Behavioral Health Facilities by David Sine and James M. Hunt free of charge at www.naphs.org. The paper was written to help...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 10, 2003... An article about the Paths to Recovery project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in the Oct. 27 "Innovations" issue included some incorrect references to the project's name. Paths to Recovery is not related to any organizations or programs...

SAMHSA offers workshops for faith and community groups.(Resources)(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration )(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a series of conferences, workshops and technical assistance meetings for faith-based and community organizations in communities throughout the United States. The...

Gateway to hold fundraising event.(Business Notes)(Gateway Rehabilitation Center)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... Gateway Rehabilitation Center, a provider of chemical dependency treatment and prevention programs in western Pennsylvania, will hold its annual fundraising event, Hope Has a Home, Dec. 3 in Pittsburgh. The event will benefit Gateway's youth...

Adult ADHD may increase risk of alcohol disorders.(Briefly Noted)(attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder )(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... Findings in the October issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research indicate that people who have symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood may be at increased risk for developing an alcohol-use...

Senators support proposal to grow marijuana for research.(Briefly Noted)(medical marijuana research)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D.-Mass.) and John F. Kerry (D.-Mass) have asked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to approve a proposal that would allow the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to grow marijuana for...

Study: disproportionate number of jailed African Americans.(Briefly Noted)(greater number of African Americans in prison for drug crimes)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... A study commissioned by the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus found that nine out of ten people imprisoned for drug crimes in Maryland are African American, although African Americans account for only 28 percent of the state's population, the...

Few programs designed specifically for older adults.(Briefly Noted)(alcohol treatment programs for older adults)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... There are few treatment options for older adults who are struggling with alcohol problems, the Associated Press reported. Researchers at the University of Iowa have found that fewer than one in five programs in the country offer services...

Coming up.(Calendar)
November 10, 2003... The Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (CEATTC) will present the "Keeping it Real 2003 Conference: Street-Level Intervention Strategies for Addiction, HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis C" Nov. 20 and 21 in Nashville, Tenn. For more...

In case you haven't heard ...(11th anniversary of the Musicians' Assistance Program)(Brief Article)
November 10, 2003... The Musicians' Assistance Program (MAP) celebrated its 11th year of existence with its annual awards dinner at the Beverly Hills (Calif.) Hotel last week, which also raised money for the organization. However, MAP, an independent nonprofit, is...

Kansas gears up for implementation of treatment diversion law.(nonviolent drug offenders to be required to attend certified treatment program)(Alternative Sentencing Policy for Drug Offenders)
November 17, 2003... Nonviolent drug offenders in Kansas will be required to attend a certified treatment program rather than prison under a new state law. State officials and treatment providers are encouraged by the new law and are taking steps to ensure a smooth...

Drug Policy Alliance pushes for sentencing reforms in N.J.: biennial conference held in state.
November 17, 2003... The Drug Policy Alliance kicked off its biennial conference earlier this month in New Jersey by releasing a report that assails that state's drug laws, which have made it the national leader in the proportion of inmates jailed for non-violent...

RWJF relocates national leadership program to Portland, Ore.(Robert Wood Johnson Foundation relocates its Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse program to Portland State University)
November 17, 2003... The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced last month the relocation of its Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse program from its New Jersey facility to Portland State University (PSU) in Portland, Ore. Now in its fourth...

Foundation names 10 emerging leaders in SA prevention, treatment.(Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announces fellows for Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse program)
November 17, 2003... The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) last month announced the 2003 fellows for its program, Developing Leadership in Reducing Substance Abuse (LRSA). The 10 future leaders of the addiction field will use their fellowships to address...

Lesson plans to help teachers counteract drug misinformation.(Resources)(American Council for Drug Education)(www.acde.org/educate/ Default.htm)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... The American Council for Drug Education (ACDE) is offering free drug prevention lesson plans for educators, CADCA reported in its online publication, Coalitions Online. The lessons are designed to help educators counteract misinformation youth...

Book helps parents address teen drinking.(Resources)(Health Communications Inc. offers "Alcohol: What's a Parent to Believe?")(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Health Communications, Inc. has announced the second book in the Informed Parent Series, Alcohol: What's a Parent to Believe? The book is designed to help parents think through the issue of teenage drinking. Author Stephen G. Biddulph, an...

Texas treatment center accepts first clients.(Business Notes)(Texas Adolescent Treatment Center )(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Cornell Companies, Inc., has announced that the Texas Adolescent Treatment Center in San Antonio, Texas, recently accepted its first clients, Business Wire reported. The center provides intensive juvenile drug treatment and behavioral health...

Nationwide network to help people in crisis.(Business Notes)(Addiction Intervention Resources)(www.addictionintervention.com)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Addiction Intervention Resources (AIR), a national drug addiction and consulting company, has announced the launch of a new national network of trained intervention specialists, counselors and consultants. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., AIR...

Companies join forces to focus on quality.(Business Notes)(Pressley Ridge and Innervate form Esteam, a human services industry support company)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Pressley Ridge and Innervate, both based in Pittsburgh, have joined together to create a new for-profit company called Esteam, according to a joint company announcement. The new company's mission is to improve the quality of human services...

New drug candidate to deter oxycodone abuse.(Briefly Noted)(Remoxy from Pain Therapeutics )(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Pain Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company, has announced that it is developing a drug candidate designed to deter abuse of oxycodone, the active ingredient in OxyContin, PR Newswire reported. Remoxy(formerly designated as PTI-821) is a...

Campaign launched against alcohol ads on college sports TV.(Briefly Noted)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Dean Smith, a former University of North Carolina head basketball coach, and U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne (R. Neb.), a former University of Nebraska head football coach, helped the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) launch a campaign to...

Inhalant abuse experts criticize Toys 'R' Us.(Briefly Noted)(for the portrayal of Geoffrey the Giraffe inhaling helium for a hot air ballloon)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... Inhalant-abuse experts and federal officials have criticized Toys "R" Us for running a television commercial that showed the company mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe, inhaling helium from a hot air balloon, the Associated Press reported. "Any...

Treatment center faces questions about finances.(Briefly Noted)(John A. Hyman Foundation)(Brief Article)
November 17, 2003... The John A. Hyman Foundation, a substance abuse treatment program founded by U.S. Rep. Frank Balance (D.-NC), closed in September amid questions about its finances, the Associated Press reported. The state Department of Corrections withdrew...

Coming up.(Calendar)
November 17, 2003... The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) will present SECAD/2003 Dec. 3 to 6 in Atlanta. For more information, call (888) 506-7394; e-mail secad@naatp.org; or visit www.naatp.org/secad. The National Center for...

In case you haven't heard ...(touring depressed urban areas now one of the latest tourist trends)
November 17, 2003... The Wall Street Journal reported that one of the latest trends among tourists in the United States are tours of depressed urban areas beset by drug trafficking and crime. There are walking tours of the South Bronx, parts of Washington D.C. and...

Drug courts proven successful over longer period.
November 24, 2003... One of the first studies to examine drug court graduate recidivism rates for an extended period found a positive impact could still be measured three years after initial arrest. The New York State Adult Drug Court Evaluation. Policies...

Study links substance abuse and health problems among insured.
November 24, 2003... Individuals with substance abuse disorders who carry private health insurance often have accompanying medical or psychiatric conditions, according to a study examining a managed care population. The study published in this month's Archives...

Survey reveals reasons why people do not seek SA treatment: only small percent realize need.(substance abuse)
November 24, 2003... Only 6 percent of people with a drug problem and 4.5 percent of people with an alcohol problem perceive the need for treatment, according to a report released this month. Those who are aware of their need for treatment offer a variety of...

Britannia signs licensing agreement for lofexidine in U.S.(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Britannia Pharmaceuticals announced last week that it has signed a licensing agreement with US WorldMeds, LLC to develop and launch lofexidine in the United States. US WorldMeds will negotiate with the National Institute on Drug Abuse...

Study: cormorbidity rates high in juvenile detainees.
November 24, 2003... Detained adolescents exhibit comparatively high rates of comorbidity--more than one alcohol, drug or mental disorder--when compared to detained adults, according to a study published this month. The study published in the Archives of...

SAMHSA offers youth recovery video. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).(Resources)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering its recent broadcast, Helping Addicted Youth Find Recovery, in VHS and DVD formats. The 57-minute program features a panel of experts who explore the complex...

Hazelden launches expanded website.(Resources)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... The Hazelden Foundation has launched a new, expanded website at www.hazelden.org. The site's new format allows faster and more in-depth perusals of addiction information, as well as access to Hazelden's products and services. The site includes...

Directory of residential rehabilitation facilities.(Resources)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Sedgwick Press, an imprint of Grey House Publishing, has announced the first edition of the Directory of Drug & Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Facilities. The facilities are arranged by state and indexed by name, ages served and type of...

College students may distort drink sizes.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... College students' definition of a single drink may differ significantly from the definition used in national survey standards, Health Behavior News Service reported. Compared to standard size drinks, college students overpoured shots by 26...

Large MCOs dominate managed care market. (managed care organizations).(Briefly Note3)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Managed care organizations (MCOs), as measured by the number of covered lives, range from a "handful" that cover millions of lives to more than 300 plans with less than 20,000 members, according to a review by the Managed Care Information...

Italy moving toward tougher drug laws.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... A bill that would toughen drug penalties won the unanimous support of Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's cabinet, the Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported. The bill would eliminate the distinction between "soft" drugs, such as marijuana, and...

Students may help tobacco prevention efforts.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Findings in the Sept./Oct. issue of the American Journal of Health Education suggest that a prevention program that encourages students to discourage smoking among their peers may help boost prevention efforts, Health Behavior News Service...

Montana officials concerned over meth-related crime. (methamphetamine).(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Prison officials in Montana are concerned that methamphetamine-related crimes may cause an increase in the number of prison inmates despite efforts to manage prison population growth, the Associated Press reported. State officials told the...

Kennedy bill would eliminate student aid ban.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Sen. Edward Kennedy (D.-MA) has introduced a bill that includes a provision that would remove the ban on federal aid for students who have been convicted of drug crimes, the Legal Action Center reported. S.1793, the "College Quality,...

Harvard panel to investigate alcohol abuse on campus.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Harvard University plans to convene a panel to investigate alcohol abuse on campus in response to an increase in the number of students seeking care for alcohol poisoning, the Associated Press reported. The number of undergraduates admitted to...

Sex among young men associated with drug use.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Findings in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health indicate that drug use is common among young men who have sex with men, Health Behavior News reported. Researchers found that two-thirds of young men who have sex with men...

Study questions alcoholism rates among American Indians.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Researchers reporting in the November issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research have found that alcoholism rates among American Indians may not be as high as previously reported, Health Behavior News Service reported. Researchers...

N.C. Supreme Court stays cocaine possession decision.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... The North Carolina Supreme Court has issued a stay on a lower-court 2ruling that would have made cocaine possession a misdemeanor, the Associated Press reported. The State Court of Appeals had ruled that North Carolina law conflicted on whether...

Tanzania to build rehabilitation center.(Briefly Note)(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... The Tanzanian government plans to build a rehabilitation center for drug addicts, the Xinhua News Agency reported, based on reports from the local newspaper, Daily News. The center would offer counseling, treatment and rehabilitation services...

Coming up.(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... The Hazelden Foundation will present "Women Healing: Reigniting the Spirit" Dec. 5 and 6 in Chicago. For more information, call (888) 257-7800, ext. 4429 or 4462; e-mail womenhealing@hazelden.org; or visit www.womenhealing.org. Alcoholism...

In case you haven't heard ...(Brief Article)
November 24, 2003... Men may be closer than women to adopting as permanent habits smoking cessation and exercise, according to an article in the American Journal of Health Behavior and reported by Health Behavior News Service. A study of 554 low-income minorities...