Working to Prevent Substance Abuse in Portland, Maine

Have you become your teen's drug dealer? What's in your medicine cabinet?

2010-12-03T11:31:00.002-05:00

This presentation was created by Ronni Katz and Amanda Edgar for the 11/29/10 CADCA town hall.

Have you become your teen's drug dealer? What's in your medicine cabinet?

View more presentations from Amanda Edgar.
Please visit us on Slideshare to view 2 other presentations from 11/29/10: www.slideshare.net/portlandprevention

Community Forum on Rx Drug Abuse: 11/29/10

2010-11-29T12:25:00.000-05:00

On Monday November 29, 2010 from 6:30-8:00 at King Middle School, we will gather with members of the Portland community to discuss the risks of prescription drug abuse among teens. This event is sponsored by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and King Pharmaceuticals as well as the City of Portland's Public Health Division (HHSD) and the Portland Public Schools (PPS).

With support from panelists Ronni Katz (City of Portland's Substance Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator), Kevin Cashman (Maine DEA) and Karen Simone (Director, Northern New England Poison Center), parents and concerned adults will be able to learn about current trends, tips for talking with teens, Rx abuse warning signs and proper disposal methods.

Here are some highlights regarding the importance of this community discussion:

*Nationally, as many as one in five teens say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it. Every day, almost 2, 500 teens abuse an Rx medication for the 1st time.

(The Partnership at DrugFree.org)

*Last year in Cumberland County, nearly 11% of high-schoolers reporting using an Rx drug without a doctor's prescription.

(Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey, MIYHS)

*More than 70% of teens who abuse Rx drugs report they got them from a friend or family member (SAMHSA).

*40% of teens report that, even if not prescribed by a doctor., Rx drugs are safer to use than illegal drugs (CADCA).

*Parents/adults CAN reduce risk by keeping track of their meds/safely disposing of unused meds, talking to their teens and knowing the warning signs of Rx drug abuse - all of which will be addressed @ the forum.

We thank CADCA & King Pharmaceuticals for being a part of this national initiative to reduce prescription drug abuse among teens. To learn more about CADCA's efforts, visit: http://www.cadca.org/resources/detail/rx-abuse-prevention-toolkit

Find Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/portlandprevention
Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/portprevent

Public Health in the Correctional Setting: Challenges & Opportunities

2010-10-12T15:35:00.001-04:00

Presentation from the 2010 Maine Public Health Association's annual meeting (http://www.mainepublichealth.org)

Public Health in the Correctional Setting: Challenges & Opportunities

View more presentations from Amanda Edgar.

Release from Prison & the Risk of Overdose: New Research

2010-06-23T13:46:00.000-04:00

When we do our educational groups at the Cumberland County Jail and the Maine Correctional Center in Windham, we stress the importance of learning about tolerance and the risks associated with lowered tolerance upon release.

Drug and alcohol tolerance is typically lowered upon release from facilities such as prison or detox (see "Loss of tolerance and overdose mortality after inpatient opiate detoxification: follow up study") but there is research citing that release from prison/jail puts a person at highest risk for overdose. Below is the most recent published research, followed by prior publications/articles.

"Meta-analysis of drug-related deaths soon after release from prison"
(ABSTRACT, Addiction, June 23, 2010)
"Release from Prison - A High Risk of Death for Former Inmates"
(NE J of Medicine, 2007)
"Heroin users released from methadone detox or jail may be at higher risk for overdose, according to UCSF researchers"
(UCSF, 2001)
"Preventing Fatal Overdose"- Powerpoint slideshow
(NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services)
"Mortality from overdose among injecting drug users recently released from prison: database linkage study"
(British Medical Journal, 1998)

While the information is alarming, it is important to note that there are things people can do to reduce their risk of overdose upon release. Here are a few things we share with incarcerated individuals during our groups:

Do a little less if you haven’t used lately. Even if it’s only been a few days, your body may react to the drug like it did when you first began to use. If your health has worsened or you’ve lost weight since your last use, consider that too when measuring your dose
Take the drug in a way that gets you high more slowly—snorting heroin or cocaine rather than injecting it, for example
Try to use with someone who knows what to do in case you go out. If you must use alone, let a friend know so they can check in on you
Try to find out as much as you can about the stuff you plan to use: it may have gotten stronger since the last time you tried it
Be careful if you’re using a new drug, as it will be hard to know how much to do. Try to use with someone who has some experience with the drug you’re doing, and with new users.
Taken from: http://www.harmreduction.org/downloads/od2000.pdf

For more detailed information about our project, visit our website http://substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov/phopp.asp; if you'd like to learn more about the Harm Reduction Coalition (a leader in overdose prevention education), visit http://www.harmreduction.org.

The Intersection Between Partner Violence & Substance Abuse: Reports & Awareness

2010-02-05T13:35:00.001-05:00

There has been a lot of chatter among our "friends" and "followers" about the connection between alcohol/substance use and domestic/intimate partner violence over the past couple of weeks. Since February has been declared National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, I thought it important to highlight some of the research as well as some of the resources.

It seems, surprising or not, that there is a direct link between DV and substance use. Does this mean substance abuse CAUSES domestic violence? Is it the other way around? Does this give abusers an "excuse" to abuse? Please feel free to discuss (AND SHARE OTHER RESOURCES) here.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month - http://www.teendvmonth.org/index.html

National Sexual Violence Resource Center - http://www.nsvrc.org/

"Effect of co-occurring disorders and intimate partner violence on substance abuse treatment outcomes" J of Substance Abuse Treatment Volume 38, Issue 2, Pages 97-202 (March 2010)

"Does Alcohol Involvement Increase the Severity of Intimate Partner Violence?" (Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Volume 34, Issue 2, February 2010)

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: DV and Substance Abuse - http://www.ncadv.org/files/SubstanceAbuse.pdf

Socioeconomic status & health risks

2010-01-21T13:59:00.000-05:00

This blog post stems from an article that was posted this morning by @LaDonna Coy from a ScienceDaily article entitled "Low Socioeconomic Status Affects Cortisol Levels in Children Over Time" (January 21, 2010). When we think of the challenges children face, it's important to keep in mind the influence of environmental factors but to still explore how we can build assets and have meaningful relationships with children despite - or maybe because - of their situations.

While reading this particular article, I was reminded of the PBS Series "Unnatural Causes" which addressed themes of racism, infant mortality, poverty, diabetes and the impact of chronic stress on the health of our nation. If you have some time, I encourage you to read the article and view the trailer of this film. In addition, I encourage you to think of ways YOU can (and/or continue to) build assets in your community so that youth - and communities - can thrive!

Learn more about the 40 Development Assets and Thriving & Sparks from Search Institute

Chronic Pain: Risk Management

2010-01-19T14:46:00.001-05:00

Over the course of the last hour I came across three separate yet related articles that address the issues regarding the treatment and management of chronic pain. Below you'll find links to each article so please feel free to offer your perspective about what patients chronic pain patients might need to function, what doctors are up against and the addiction & overdose risks attached to these particular drugs (Oxycontin, methadone, Vicodin, etc).

Pain Management Fails Due to Rx Drug Abuse Fears

(Pain-Topics.org, January 8, 2010)

"Millions of Americans with significant acute or chronic pain are being undertreated as physicians fail to provide comprehensive pain treatment, according to recent reviews. The failure is due to inadequate training of physicians, personal biases and, increasingly, fears of prescription analgesic drug abuse." Read On...

Managing the Emotional Aspects of Pain

(Crossroads for Women blog, January 15, 2010)

"A recent article found on CNN.com talked about how living with chronic pain can hurt personal relationships. Michael E. Geisser, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan, states in the article, “It has been shown that relationships in which one partner has chronic pain tend to be more strained, have more marital distress, more conflict, and a greater likelihood for divorce.” Read On...

Even Legitimate Opioid Use May Cause Overdose

(Reuters Health, January 19, 2010)

"Perhaps it's not surprising, but people who take high doses of opioid painkillers even for legitimate medical reasons are at risk of overdosing, new research shows." Read On...

For local and national treatment options, please visit SAMHSA's Treatment Locator at: www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov . In Maine you can also dial 211 or visit www.211maine.org

For parents, a child’s addiction also brings social stigma (Patriot Ledger)

2010-01-12T12:16:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: NOPE TaskForce)

The Patriot Ledger

Posted Jan 09, 2010

BRAINTREE — Bill Brids wakes up every morning knowing that today could be the day his 20-year-old son goes back to heroin. He knows that it could be the day his son dies. It started at 16, when Dave Brids dipped into his mother’s stash of pills. She was dying of cancer. “I was drinking, and one night we couldn’t get beers,” Dave Brids said. “So I tried the drugs (Oxycontin), and I fell in love.” He didn’t know that what he was taking was essentially the same drug he swore he’d never use. Heroin was for junkies. “I looked at it as smoking weed and drinking beer,” Dave Brids said. “Little did I know it was a pharmaceutical form of heroin.”

Read the full story HERE

If you would like more information on treatment options and support for anyone suffering from opiate addiction visit any of these sites:

SAMHSA's Treatment Locator -

http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

Narcotics Anonymous (Maine) -

www.namaine.org

Maine Office of Substance Abuse -

www.maineosa.org

Portland Public Health Division -
http://substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov/resourcesforsouthernme.pdf

Peer Pressure is What Made Me Use Drugs and Alcohol (INTERVENE @ DrugFree.org)

2010-01-04T12:43:00.001-05:00

"As a young girl, two of the more traumatic things I went through were growing up with an alcoholic parent and my parents’ divorce. I tried to stuff the void I experienced with drugs and alcohol. I never even considered the idea that I might become an alcoholic or drug addict, and I swore to myself that I would never end up like my father. However, as I would later find out, the cards were stacked against me. My family’s long history of drug and alcohol addictions played a huge role in where I ultimately ended up. The lifestyle itself was so familiar to me that it didn’t even register that I wouldn’t be able to stand up to the pressure to succumb to it."

Read the full post: http://intervene.drugfree.org/2009/12/peer-pressure-is-what-made-me-use-drugs-and-alcohol/

Parent reports underage drinking party (21 Reasons)

2009-12-16T11:39:00.001-05:00

From 21 Reasons Talk Blog:

"Over the weekend, Portland police broke up an underage drinking party, thanks to the report of a parent whose teen was involved:

Charges stem from Portland teen party

PORTLAND – Police broke up a party during the weekend involving 35 to 40 teenagers, mostly from Deering and Portland high schools. Police were called to 16 Hope Ave. at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, after the parent of a teenager who had been drinking at the party reported it, police said …Police issued a court summons to a 16-year-old for furnishing the alcohol. [A father and son] were ordered to appear in court on charges of furnishing a place for minors to drink.

Reporting a party can be difficult choice for a parent, and we appreciate this parent’s decision to prioritize the health and safety of the young people involved. It’s up to each one of us to help make sure youth are safe, and we all are responsible for reporting dangerous situations—like underage drinking parties.

To those who are wondering, “What’s the big deal as long as they’re not driving?...
READ THE FULL POST HERE

Learn more about preventing underage drinking by visiting www.maineparents.net or www.21reasons.org

Many Parents Encourage Underage Drinking, Australian Study Finds (ScienceDaily)

2009-12-08T10:04:00.000-05:00

ScienceDaily (Dec. 7, 2009) — Half of Australian adults and 63 per cent of Australians on a higher income believe 15- to 17-year-olds should be allowed to consume alcohol under parental supervision at home, according to the latest MBF Healthwatch survey.

Read the full article HERE...

What these Australian parents are missing is that there are other significant risks to underage drinkers such as: poor school performance, addiction, violence, suicides, sexual assault, falls, drowning...

To learn more about how you can prevent underage drinking here in Maine, visit www.maineparents.net

To learn more about the risks and consequences of underage drinking, visit www.niaaa.nih.nida.gov

A Stocked Bar For Holidays Can Be Introduction To Addiction

2009-12-04T10:34:00.000-05:00

Most people would not believe that a fully stocked refrigerator and bar could precede an alcohol or drug addiction later in life.

A survey by SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) in June 2008 revealed that 650,000 underage drinkers in May 2008 were given alcohol by their parents or guardians. “In far too many instances parents directly enable their children’s underage drinking,” said Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service in June 2008. “Proper parental guidance alone may not be the complete solution to this devastating public health problem but it is a critical part,” Dr. Galson stated.

Read the rest of the article HERE

To learn more about preventing underage drinking in Maine, visit www.maineparents.net

If you are a local business and would like FREE educational workshops about preventing underage drinking and substance abuse held for your staff during work/lunch hours (food provided), please contact portlandprevention@yahoo.com or call (207) 874-8965.

Tips for Preventing the Holiday Blues, Staying Sober (Hazelden)

2009-11-25T13:48:00.000-05:00

"Most people know the holidays can be a period of emotional highs and lows. Loneliness, anxiety, happiness and sadness are common feelings, sometimes experienced in startling succession. The bad news is the holiday blues can trigger relapse for people recovering from alcoholism and other drug addiction. The good news is the blues can be remedied by planning ahead.

"Why do the blues hit during this otherwise festive season? Doing too much or too little and being separated from loved ones at this special time can lead to sadness during the holiday season. Many recovering people associate the holidays with memories of overindulgence, perhaps of big benders that resulted in relationship problems or great personal losses.

"Whether you're in recovery or not, developing a holiday plan to help prevent the blues, one that will confront unpleasant memories before they threaten your holiday experience. Your plan should include improved self-care, enhanced support from others, and healthy ways to celebrate. Here are a few suggestions to achieve a happy, sober holiday season..."

CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST

Here are some additional links to learn more about living in recovery during the Holidays:

"Enjoying Holidays in Sobriety" (A Personal Recovery Story)

"Holiday Tips: Avoid Uncomfortable Places"

More Safe Holiday Tips...

Area resources for addiction treatment & recovery support:

Maine Alliance for Addiction Recovery

SAMHSA's Treatment Locator

The Straight Dope: Studies link parental monitoring w/decreased marijuana usage (ScienceDaily)

2009-11-20T12:48:00.000-05:00

ScienceDaily (Nov. 17, 2009) — "Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug by adolescents, with almost 42% of high school seniors admitting to having experimented with it. Continued marijuana use may result in a number of serious consequences including depression, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. As such, it is critical to prevent marijuana use by adolescents and numerous behavioral and medical scientists have been trying to establish the best means of prevention."

To find out more about prevention tips for parents, visit http://www.maineparents.net!

Texts 2 U?

2009-11-19T14:21:00.001-05:00

The Portland Public Health Division's (HHSD) Substance Abuse Prevention Program is trying to gather information from parents/parenting adults to see if they'd like to receive a substance abuse prevention-focused message sent to their phone via text on a monthly basis. (Messages would be conversation starters, tips for getting involved, informational statistics about teen substance use, and more.)

We appreciate your feedback as it will guide us in our decision-making process about whether or not this would be a valuable tool to parents working to address teen substance use.

Click Here for the Anonymous 3-Question Survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=G6nz3pD0Z_2b2ECri_2bOUxDiA_3d_3d

The messages just keep coming...

2009-11-12T15:30:00.000-05:00

The more and more we search the 'net and blogs, we keep coming across a very universal message when it comes to teens: parental involvement matters. Whether it's about teen pregnancy prevention, substance abuse prevention or a variety of other topics, parents - your voice matters! Below are links to a few articles about the influence parents have. Want to know more about what you can do as a Maine parent or caregiver? Find Out More, Do More at MaineParents.net

From Child Trends
Parents Matter: The Role of Parents in Teens' Decisions about Sex
"Positive parent-teen relationships, high parental awareness and monitoring of whom their children are with, and family dinner routines are all linked to delayed sex among teens, according to a new Child Trends research brief. The brief, Parents Matter: The Role of Parents in Teens' Decisions about Sex, explores how parenting practices that occur before adolescents have had sexual intercourse are associated with the probability of first sex by age 16."

From CESAR FAX
Students With Parents Who Set and Enforce Clear Rules

Less Likely to Report Illicit Drug Use
"Youths whose parents set clear rules for them are less likely to report using illicit drugs, according to data from the 2008-09 PRIDE Survey. Middle and high school students* whose parents set clear rules for them “a lot” or “often” were less likely to report using illicit drugs in the past year (12% and 21%, respectively) than students whose parents never set clear rules (49%)."

From CASA's Family Day
The Power of Parenting
"Whether you’re cooking a gourmet meal, ordering food from your favorite take-out place or eating on the go, rest assured that what your kids really want during dinnertime is YOU! Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what’s on their mind. The more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs."

From The Int'l Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity
Parental influences on adolescent physical activity: a longitudinal study
"Strategies to promote physical activity among adolescents should focus on increasing levels of family cohesion, parental engagement, parent-child communication and adolescent self-esteem."

Live from the 2009 MAPSA Convention!

2009-11-06T14:51:00.009-05:00

The Maine Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (MAPSA) is holding its annual prevention convention in Bangor, Maine and Portland Prevention was there! This year's convention is entitled "Powerful Prevention For ME" and is the state’s premier convention focused on issues that address substance abuse prevention in our communities.

The morning's keynote speaker, Kim Laraby from ETHOS Marketing, was fantastic and talked a lot about the how and the why of coalition "storytelling."

Frank Lyons of BC Consulting updated the audience on upcoming changes to Maine's Liquor Law & Enforcement and how coalitions can continue to support the efforts of law enforcement officials in their efforts to prevent underage drinking.

Workshop & breakout sessions topics:
*Using Program Evaluation to Improve and Help Sustain Prevention Programs (Day One)
*Mixing Substances and Inhalant Abuse (NNE Poison Control)
*Prescription Monitoring Program and One County’s Success (PMP/ MaineGeneral)
*Drug Endangered Children: Critical Collaborations (DHHS / MDEA)
*and MORE!

Download any of the presentations or learn more about the sessions here: http://www.masap.org/site/prevention.asp

Here is our Slideshare.net link to our presentation and our supplemental resource list for social media marketing for coalitions.

Building Assets into Halloween

2009-10-29T13:40:00.003-04:00

From the blog, Giving Youth the Asset Edge

"Halloween offers an opportunity to move beyond candy to old fashion porch sitting and friendship building. The list of 40 Developmental Assets provide guidelines for how this year’s Halloween experience can be enjoyable for the kid in all of us and help build a caring neighborhood (asset #4). Halloween is a great opportunity for getting to know neighbors, have fun and make the holiday last a little bit longer."

Click HERE to read more...

NIDA Reaches Out to Teens During "Talk About Prescriptions Month"

2009-10-14T14:54:00.001-04:00

October is "Talk About Prescriptions Month," and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is launching a prescription drug abuse education video to promote the observance.

In the new video, NIDA scientists Cindy Miner, Ph.D., and Joni Rutter, Ph.D., explain the risks and dangers of abusing painkillers. By watching the video featured on the NIDA for Teens Web site, teens can learn about these dangers and some safety tips to keep in mind when they get a prescription from their doctors.

Every day in the United States, 2,500 American teens age 12 to 17 illegally take a prescription pain reliever for the first time. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem across the United States. According to a NIDA survey, more than 16 million Americans age 12 and older took a prescription pain reliever, tranquilizer, stimulant, or sedative-just for the effect-at least once in the previous year.

In addition to the new painkillers video, NIDA offers teens other resources about the dangers of prescription drug abuse, such as the Sara Bellum Blog. For more information on prescription drug abuse, visit the NIDA Web site.

Portland collecting old meds on Thursday

2009-10-07T13:23:00.001-04:00

Submitted by John Richardson (PORTLAND PRESS HERALD) on Wed, 10/07/2009

Old and unwanted medications will be collected for safe disposal at the Portland Expo on Thursday.

Portland officials are encouraging residents to sort through their medicine cabinets and bring in any over-the-counter or prescription drugs that are expired or no longer used by the household. Veterinary medicines also will be collected.

The event is intended to raise awareness about the risks associated with leaving expired medications in the home and the consequences of disposing of medications improperly by flushing them or throwing them in the trash.

If not properly disposed of, the medications can be used illegally or cause accidental poisoning. And, if flushed down a toilet or put in a landfill, they can eventually contaminate water supplies.

Medications should be brought in their original containers if possible. Individual privacy will be protected by removing any personal information. Labels should not be removed before drop-off, because they identify substances and drug classes.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Portland Exposition Building on Park Avenue.

Portland Celebrates National Recovery Month

2009-09-23T10:35:00.002-04:00

9/22/2009 - NEWS ADVISORY
City of Portland
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
www.portlandmaine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-756-8173, 207-272-4477 (cell) nicoleclegg@portlandmaine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2009

Portland Celebrates National Recovery Month
The Overdose Prevention Project, a Program of the City of Portland, Health & Human Services Department, Public Health Division, holds 5th annual Recovery & Wellness Resource Fair

What: Tomorrow, the City of Portland Overdose Prevention Project’s annual Recovery & Wellness Resource Fair will be held for community members accessing Preble Street Resource Center’s many services. The Fair offers access to more than twenty area service providers, free food and a raffle to nearly one hundred people each year.

“We know that addiction is a devastating disease with significant costs to individuals and communities. Holding this event offers participants a unique opportunity to access services they may not use daily and also allows us to spread the message that recovery is possible,” stated Amanda Edgar, of the City of Portland (HHSD) Public Health Division’s Overdose Prevention Project.

National Recovery Month honors the millions of people who are in recovery and highlights that recovery works in our communities as the solution for addiction. This year, various service agencies across Maine will be hosting Recovery Month events. The events are scheduled throughout September and will be held in Bangor, Augusta, China Lake, and Portland.

For more information about the Recovery & Wellness Resource Fair, contact Amanda Edgar, Community Health Specialist for the Overdose Prevention Project at (207) 756-8053 or visit www.facebook.com/portlandprevention.

When: September 23, 2009
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Where: Wayside Soup Kitchen
252 Oxford Street, Portland

###

FASD Awareness Day September 9th

2009-09-09T13:34:00.002-04:00

From FASDay.com:
Every year on September 9th, International FASD Awareness Day is observed. Proclamations are issued in countries, states, provinces, and towns all around the world. Bells are rung at 9:09 a.m. in every time zone from New Zealand to Alaska. People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

The first FASDay was celebrated on 9/9/99. This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol. Anytime is a good time to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Learn more at: http://fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/pressroom/fasdcoming.cfm

Young People Invited to Submit After-School Projects for Do Something Grants

2009-09-09T10:44:00.001-04:00

Do Something and JCPenney have teamed up to support youth-led afterschool programs and projects across the United States.

The program partners will award ten grants of $500 each and five grand-prize grants of $1,000 each to young people who have started afterschool activities that help youth in their community.

Visit the Do Something Web site for complete program information and project posting guidelines.

Our Pages Have Been Updated!

2009-08-26T14:49:00.005-04:00

Check out our newly-updated webpages reflecting our commitment to supporting women who are pregnant and opiate-addicted as well as our area listings of National Recovery Month celebrations!

NEW! Portland, Maine Substance Abuse Prevention Page: Celebrating National Recovery Month

NEW! Portland Women's Task Force: Treating Opiate Addiction During Pregnancy

Binge drinking a problem for older adults too (Reuters Health)

2009-08-17T13:08:00.003-04:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Binge drinking is usually seen as a problem of college campuses, but many older adults may be overindulging in alcohol as well, a study published Monday suggests.

Using data from a government survey of nearly 11,000 Americans age 50 and up, researchers found that 23 percent of men between the ages of 50 and 64 admitted to binge drinking in the past month, as did roughly 9 percent of women.

Among adults age 65 and older, more than 14 percent of men and 3 percent of women reported bingeing -- defined as having five or more drinks on one occasion, on at least one day in the past month.

Alcohol binges are often considered a problem of youth. One recent government study found that among U.S. college students between the ages of 18 and 24, 45 percent reported a recent drinking binge.

But the new findings, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, show that older adults can be susceptible too.

READ ON...

For more information on substance use in the 18-25 year-old population, visit SAMHSA or Maine's own "How U R" (a resource for anyone interested in learning more about how substance abuse impacts the LGBTI community) at www.howur.org

Portland youths caught doing good things to get ticket - for a reward

2009-08-12T10:50:00.005-04:00

Check out the August 12, 2009 article featuring Positive Tickets from the Portland Press Herald

Yay! We're getting media coverage for our super-exciting project here in Portland! Thanks to ALL of the One Maine One Portland members & partners, the Portland Police Department and Mike Clifford & Margaret Jones for making this happen!

Learn More About POSITIVE TICKETS in BC, Richmond, Canada
Learn More About our Coalition at: www.substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov

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Can texting bring teens, parents closer 2gether?

2009-08-04T11:47:00.003-04:00

(Hat tip to YPulse Essentials Blog)

Lisa Schnecker, Salt Lake (UT) Tribune)

Traditionally, asking teens to do chores has been a tricky venture.

But when Paula Fox asked her 15-year-old daughter to unload the dishwasher recently, her daughter simply replied "fine." No attitude. No sulking -- at least not any that Fox could see. The exchange was brief and simple.

It was done via a cell phone text message.

"It's way easier to do over a text than when I ask her to do it person," said the Salt Lake County mom. "I don't get the rolled eyes or have to hear 'I know, Mom.' Maybe there's a little bit of avoidance there, but it works for both of us."

While many worry the rise of text messaging will lead to the downfall of social skills and relationships, some say it can actually help parents and teens connect. At an age when many kids give their parents the cold shoulder, texting can actually lead to more communication and help diffuse tense situations, said Alyson Schafer, a Toronto-based psychotherapist and author of several parenting books.

"It doesn't detract from our face-to-face interactions," Schafer said. "I see it as being additive and enhancing the existing relationship. [The teen years are] when we know they need the most parental support and communication tends to break down." READ ON...

FMI about connecting with teens visit: www.maineparents.net or the Partnership for a Drug Free America at www.drugfree.org

Philadelphia's "Recovery Transformation Video"

2009-07-31T14:13:00.003-04:00

View the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health & Mental Retardation Services "Recovery Transformation Video" and see how Philadelphia’s Recovery Transformation continues to have a positive impact on the lives of people with behavioral health needs.

Great video about recovery-oriented systems of care: Check it out HERE

(Hat tip to Wired In UK)

Dual Disorders Rarely Treated Properly

2009-07-29T11:59:00.002-04:00

By Tom Jackman

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

"He didn't need to die, he just needed to get better."
The parents of Danny Watt, who died in April 2008, describe their son's struggles with mental illness and the treatment they believe failed him.

Click HERE for the full Washington Post story and HERE for the 5 min video from Danny's parents

Dentists Seen as Source for Prescription Pain Pills

2009-07-27T14:07:00.002-04:00

Dentists Seen as Source for Prescription Pain Pills

Individuals addicted to prescription pain medications often turn to dentists as a source for drugs like codeine, Vicodin and OxyContin, CNN reported July 21.

Typically, users will work their way through the phone book, calling dentist after dentist complaining of tooth pain and asking for a prescription. "I kind of found out on my own that a dentist will prescribe you painkillers over the phone, instead of a doctor who you would most likely have to go in and see," said Kenny Morrison, a Los Angeles chef who ironically got addicted to pain pills after having dental work, taking up to 25 pills daily at his worst point. READ ON.

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Hope, Help & Healing: Using Media to Connect People with Help for Addiction - Part 1 of 2 | Reclaiming Futures Every Day

2009-07-14T13:25:00.003-04:00

[Steve Pasierb is President and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. This is Part 1 of a 2-part post. -Ed.]

"A research-based communications exploratory by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) produced a set of 10 “lessons learned” that can be applicable to all working to communicate with the public on addiction treatment. It also became the foundation of the Partnership’s ongoing collaboration with the Treatment Research Institute (TRI), which has produced a range of innovative, useful new intervention tools like Time To Act."

Go to: Hope, Help & Healing: Using Media to Connect People with Help for Addiction - Part 1 of 2 | Reclaiming Futures Every Day

Go to: Part 2 of 2

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Prison Nursery Programs a Growing Trend in Women’s Prisons (WPA)

2009-07-08T11:33:00.002-04:00

(Hat Tip to Corrections.com E-zine)

Many Mothers and Babies Could Also Succeed in Community-Based Programs

"The Women’s Prison Association (WPA) has released the first-ever national report on prison nursery programs. The report examines the expansion of prison nursery programs across the U.S. These programs allow incarcerated women to keep their newborns with them in prison for a finite period of time. The report also looks at community-based residential parenting programs, which allow women to serve criminal justice sentences with their infants in a non-prison setting." READ ON...

The report, Mothers, Infants and Imprisonment: A National Look at Prison Nurseries and Community–Based Alternatives, is available online at www.wpaonline.org.

The Strength to Intervene (PDFA Decoder)

2009-07-01T12:13:00.003-04:00

Janice Lynch Schuster: “I insisted that first one child and then another be admitted to a substance-abuse recovery program, a residential program that specializes in treating children, like mine, who are alcoholics and drug addicts. Just writing that is painful and foreign; it is as difficult as speaking in the snake’s tongue. The language of addiction is full of loss — lost opportunities, lost lives, lost potential, lost families, lost time. Now both children are in what is called recovery — they have been clean and sober, one for about eight weeks and the other for scarcely more than two.”

From Joe Keenan at The Partnership for a Drug-Free America: "For those of you who can relate to Schuster’s story, I highly encourage you to check out Intervene, our newly launched blog here at the Partnership. We’re so proud of Intervene because it’s more than just a website – it’s a supportive community of parents and caring adults concerned about a beloved teen or young adult’s drug use. Right now, we have some very inspiring guest bloggers posting, including two authors with new books out and one wonderful woman who has been running marathons all over the world to raise funds and awareness for drug addiction and treatment."

Intervene: A Community for Parents Concerned about their Teens' Alcohol & Drug Use ~ www.intervene.drugfree.org

Former Wash. inmate sues state for labor shackling (AP)

2009-06-26T10:06:00.003-04:00

By RACHEL LA CORTE, Associated Press Writer Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Writer – Thu Jun 25, 10:21 pm ET

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A former Washington state prison inmate who says she was shackled during childbirth sued the state Thursday, saying her constitutional rights were violated.

Seattle-based women's rights organization Legal Voice filed the federal lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections on behalf of Casandra Brawley, who was four months pregnant when she was jailed at the Washington Corrections Center for Women near Gig Harbor in December 2006.

Brawley said she was shackled by a metal chain around her stomach during transportation to the hospital, then fastened by a leg iron to a hospital bed throughout several hours of labor.

The suit alleges her restraints were removed during an emergency cesarean section only after a physician insisted, but then were replaced after the procedure.

"Yeah, I've made some mistakes and wrong decisions," Brawley said Thursday of the shoplifting conviction that sent her to prison. "But I am still a person and I didn't feel like I should be treated like a caged animal." Read On...

FMI on rights of incarcerated women during pregnancy/labor visit: National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW) or the Rebecca Project for Human Rights

Could Youth Drug Use Be Making a Comeback?

2009-06-19T11:27:00.001-04:00

(Reclaiming Futures Blog, June 18, 2009)

Is drug use among high school-age teens about to soar? Probably, according to an analysis of historical data performed by Carnevale Associates, LLC.

The analysis, which appears in the firm’s policy brief, “Could Youth Drug Use Be Making a Comeback?,” shows that shortly after youth fear and disapproval of marijuana use diminished in the 1990s, teen marijuana use jumped over 30 percentage points between 1992 and 1997. After youth attitudes reversed, teen marijuana use dropped dramatically, falling 29 percent before bottoming out in 2006.

Read On..

Intervention Reduces Delinquent Teenage Pregancy Rates

2009-06-05T10:51:00.000-04:00

ScienceDaily (June 3, 2009) — A program aimed at reducing criminal behavior in juvenile justice teens has yielded a surprising side benefit. The program is also reducing the teens' rate of pregnancy, according to a new study out this week.

Read More...

Illegal use of Rx drugs an 'epidemic'

2009-05-28T11:16:00.001-04:00

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

2009-05-19T12:54:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-12T11:04:00.000-04:00

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

2009-05-11T12:40:00.002-04:00

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)

2009-05-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

(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

2009-05-07T10:28:00.002-04:00

"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."

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

2009-05-07T09:40:00.002-04:00

"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

Massachusetts Anti-Overdose Drug Program Sees Results

2009-04-28T09:25:00.003-04:00

"Officials in Massachusetts say a program that allows nonprofessionals to administer the anti-overdose drug Narcan has helped arrest the growing number of drug overdose deaths in the state, WBUR reported April 22.

"On average, two people die daily in Massachusetts as a result of an overdose of opioids like heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl, experts say. But the number of drug overdose deaths remained flat between 2006 and 2007 -- defying a trend which has seen yearly double-digit increases in heroin deaths over the past 15 years." Read the Full Article from JoinTogether.org

FMI About Harm Reduction, OD and Narcan, visit: www.harmreduction.org and check out their S.K.O.O.P program and materials

www.substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov/phopp.asp

Recent Articles Highlighting Medical Amnesty

2009-04-24T11:09:00.003-04:00

University of Minnesota (eSchool News)

University of Oregon (Daily Emerald)

George Washington University (Washington Post)

Emerson College (Boston.com)

BU Students React to Emerson College Policy (BU Today)

Find out More about University/College Medical Amnesty Policies by searching topics online: medical amnesty, college alcohol policy, good Samaritan policies

Medical Amnesty & Good Samaritan Policies: The Cases for and Against

2009-04-24T11:05:00.003-04:00

From the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention:

“Medical amnesty” or “good Samaritan” policies are health protection strategies used on some campuses to encourage students to seek medical attention for a fellow student suffering an alcohol or other drug (AOD) overdose. Under these policies, students are not sanctioned by the university for AOD violations.

Many campuses use the terms “medical amnesty” and “good Samaritan” interchangeably. Generally speaking, the policies provide protection from campus sanctions for violating AOD policies to one or more of the following: (1) the individual in distress, (2) a bystander who seeks medical assistance for an intoxicated student, (3) a campus organization or group that calls for help for a member or guest.

These policies and their application differ from campus to campus, based on each institution’s individualized needs. Additionally, medical amnesty and good Samaritan policies concern only campus-based policies and sanctions. Students may still be subject to legal consequences for violating AOD laws.

Addiction Behind Bars (NY Times Editorial)

2009-04-21T14:56:00.001-04:00

(Hat Tip: The Second Road)

April 12, 2009
"The United States must do more to curb the spread of diseases like AIDS and hepatitis C in prison, where infection rates are high and inmates can easily spread disease through unprotected sex or by sharing needles. Drug treatment in prison is clearly part of the solution. But by some estimates, fewer than one in five inmates who need formal treatment are actually getting it. That’s alarming, given that about half the prison population suffers from drug abuse or dependency problems."
Read On...

Places to Play in Portland

2009-04-09T08:53:00.001-04:00

From WCSH6

PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- The City of Portland has released a places to play map. It lists hundreds of free or low cost activities for kids and adults to enjoy during the four seasons. The map identifies basketball and tennis courts, swimming pools, dog parks and beaches that are open to the public.

The new map also has information about city parks as well as a complete list of playgrounds. There are also some suggestions for activities the whole family can enjoy year round.

Maps are available for free at the city's community centers, City Hall, and Portland public libraries.

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO!

"Working Alcoholics Cause Headaches for Companies --Alcohol Awareness Month Brings the Sobering Reality of Workplace Alcoholism"

2009-04-03T08:38:00.002-04:00

(Hat Tip: Raise The Bottom Blog / CNBC.com)

"April is Alcohol Awareness Month and one way companies are getting involved is with public awareness campaigns about workplace alcoholism. The cost of alcoholism and other drug addictions in the U.S. workforce exceeds $100 billion a year, according to the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI). Part of Alcohol Awareness Month is educating companies in identifying the signs of an alcoholic and help problem drinkers.

"Most people wrongly assume that if an alcoholic employee does not drink at work there is no harm to the company since the abuse takes place on his/her own time.

"'But damage does occur because alcoholics have reduced mental function, distorted perception, poor judgment and performance, even during work hours when they are not drinking,' explains Arthur Jackson, author of Raise the Bottom: How to Keep Secret Alcoholics from Damaging Your Business." Read On...

CUMBERLAND COUNTY BUSINESS OWNERS: If you would like to learn more about drug-free workplace policy development and/or how to support employees with substance abuse issues, contact Amanda Edgar at (207) 756-8053 to discuss how your local Healthy Maine Partnership can help!

Acupuncture Helps Addicted Inmates (Baltimore Sun)

2009-03-24T14:08:00.001-04:00

"Beyond the iron gate, the fence and the razor wire, 10 inmates in maroon uniforms sit in stillness, listening to the serene sounds of sitar music. Eyes closed, hands folded, they await the tiny pricks of acupuncture needles being inserted delicately in their ears.

"Ancient Chinese medicine came to Baltimore's jail 16 years ago with the promise of curbing the cravings of drug addiction. Since then, acupuncture has been the centerpiece of a treatment program that serves nearly 700 inmates each year.

"Modern science has not found solid evidence that it works. Still, the inmates claim that with acupuncture, all they crave are the meditative moments it brings. They say it soothes them and helps clear their cluttered minds to find the strength to confront their addiction." Read On...

(Hat tip: Benoit Denizet-Lewis' blog: "America Anonymous")

National Youth Violence Prevention Week: March 23-March 27, 2009

2009-03-18T10:13:00.002-04:00

"During this week-long national education initiative, various activities will demonstrate the positive role young people can have in making their schools and communities safer. With the support of several national premier youth-serving organizations, each day of the week will focus on a specific violence prevention strategy. These include promoting respect and tolerance, anger management, resolving conflicts peacefully, supporting safety, and uniting in action."

Learn More at: National Youth Violence Prevention Week or visit the National Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) website

"A Higher Hurdle: Barriers to Employment for Formerly Incarcerated Women"

2009-03-16T09:48:00.003-04:00

From Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice, UC Berkeley School of Law...

"Today there are more than two million incarcerated men, women, and children in the United States, with more than 167,000 men and women incarcerated in California’s 33 adult prisons alone. In 2008, one in every 100 Americans is incarcerated, with higher rates of incarceration for men and women of color, particularly African Americans. As a result of disproportionate arrest rates and punitive responses to drug and property crimes, women comprise the fastest-growing segment of the incarcerated population. In California, two-thirds of incarcerated women are mothers of children under the age of 18, compared to about half of the population of incarcerated men."
View the (PDF) Report

Amnesty policies provoke debate - News

2009-03-13T14:09:00.000-04:00

Cornell University pioneered a Medical Amnesty Policy (MAP) in 2002 to deal with drug and alcohol abuse and the medical emergencies that result from it. The policy, also referred to as a "good Samaritan" policy, allows students to call for transportation to the infirmary or hospital for themselves or friends without fear that the school will take judicial action against them, in the hope that students will be more willing to seek medical attention for a drug or alcohol related illness. Since then, over 90 schools have adopted similar policies, including Emerson College in Boston, which changed its policy several months ago. Recently, Boston University began debate over the adoption of a similar policy, but has not reached a conclusion.

Read More from the College Media Network

America's Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness

2009-03-10T11:41:00.009-04:00

"The National Center on Family Homelessness' new report, America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness, offers comprehensive state-by-state data on the status of homeless children. The report documents the extent of child homelessness, describes the plight of these children, profiles and ranks the states, and proposes solutions. 'Children without homes are on the frontline of the nation’s economic crisis. These numbers will grow as home foreclosures continue to rise,' said Ellen L. Bassuk, M.D., president of the National Center on Family Homelessness. 'Our report underlines the need for every state—as well as the Obama Administration and Congress—to provide equal opportunities for all American children to grow and thrive in the safety and security of their own homes.'"

Visit "America's Youngest Outcasts" at www.homelesschildrenamerica.org and check out the interactive map to see your State's profile.

National Center on Family Homelessness Website: www.familyhomelessness.org

Don't Put Your Health in the Hands of Crooks (FBI)

2009-03-04T09:07:00.003-05:00

It couldn’t be easier—ordering prescription drugs online with a few clicks of the mouse and having them delivered right to your door, without ever having to see a doctor.

But is it safe? Is it legal? Often not. And you need to know the risks.

Yes, there are plenty of legitimate U.S. pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies (including online ones) that follow all the laws and regulations and put public safety first. But there are many that don’t—they are just out to make a fast buck at your expense.

Read On...

Shelter director wins wide praise (PPH)

2009-03-02T10:20:00.002-05:00

By TOM BELL, Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald - March 2, 2009

"Josh O'Brien has made Oxford Street safer, residents say; other agencies laud his efforts to get people off the streets. Outside the Oxford Street Shelter on a recent night, a crowd of men form a line as they wait for the doors to open. Many look disheveled, the outward signs of lives in disarray. Inside, the shelter is as orderly as a Marine barracks. Every pillow on each of the 154 bed mats is precisely arranged. Josh O'Brien adjusts any pillow that seems at all out of kilter." Read On...

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

2009-02-26T11:36:00.003-05:00

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)

2009-02-18T09:28:00.002-05:00

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)

2009-02-18T08:54:00.003-05:00

"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)

2009-02-17T09:40:00.003-05:00

"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

2009-02-12T13:00:00.002-05:00

"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)

2009-02-10T09:46:00.004-05:00

"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)

2009-02-10T09:19:00.002-05:00

"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

2009-02-06T11:39:00.003-05:00

"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

2009-02-06T10:12:00.002-05:00

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

2009-02-06T10:08:00.002-05:00

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)

2009-02-05T14:12:00.002-05:00

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!

Time To Act

2009-01-30T10:09:00.002-05:00

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has launched yet another fascinatingly-accessible tool for parents seeking resources for teens regarding substance abuse prevention. The PDFA's latest effort is for 1) Parents who THINK their child is using and 2) Parents who KNOW their child is using.

http://timetoact.drugfree.org/

This new site offers interactive options such as video segments from leading doctors and psychologists, 'signs and symptoms' checker, risk factors (family, school, peer), mock situations teens are likely to find themselves in, as well as common misperceptions about alcohol & drug use. There are also checklists for parents, tips on how to handle conversations, setting limits, monitoring and seeking outside help.

Check it out or visit our timetotalkportlandmaine on Yahoo! Groups to JOIN THE DISCUSSION with Cumberland County parents and adults!

Advocacy Partnership Exchange (APEx): Methadone Discussion on 2/5 in Portland

2009-01-28T13:27:00.003-05:00

Overdose Prevention Project Hosts Methadone Discussion
Workshop to be held at Preble Street Resource Center

On Thursday February 5, 2009, the City of Portland’s Health & Human Services Department Public Health Division’s Overdose Prevention Project will hold its 2nd annual Advocacy Partnership Exchange (APEx) workshop at Preble Street Resource Center. These workshops provide people accessing Preble Street’s resources with the opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with service providers in a discussion-style forum.

Based on community outreach interaction, member input and Preble Street staff feedback, the selected theme for this workshop is "Q & A: Dispelling the Myths of Methadone and Medication Assisted Treatment." Staff representatives from Merrimack River Medical Services, Discovery House and CAP Quality Care will serve as panel members and answer questions regarding addiction and opiate-replacement therapies. “We’re excited for any opportunity to increase awareness about addiction and the many treatment options that are available,” stated Portland’s Overdose Prevention Project’s Amanda Edgar.

When: February 5, 2009
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Where: Preble Street Resource Center
18 Portland Street, Portland

For more information on the workshop or the Overdose Prevention Project, contact Amanda Edgar at 207-756-8053 or via email.

Methadone Patients Against Hysteria & Further Restrictions: SIGN THE PETITION!

2009-01-28T13:15:00.002-05:00

Sponsored by the National Alliance of Methadone Advocates (NAMA), this petition is going strong with over 2,500 signatures - the goal is 10,000!

Excerpt from the Petition:
"There has been much written of late about the rise in deaths due to the abuse of Methadone. We lament these deaths, but feel that there has arisen an hysteria that proposes to restrict futher the prescription of this life-saving medication to the detriment of the 250,000 patients who receive this drug daily in addiction treatment programs across the United States. An overdose due to a person's recreational use of illicitly obtained methadone is NOT the fault of the drug, but of the person abusing the drug. Accidental overdoses by persons legitimately prescribed the drug for pain management purposes is again, not the fault of the drug, but of medical personnel who may not be educating patients enough to the dangers of such a long-acting analgesic. Deaths due to the recreational abuse of the drug lies with the abuser, not the substance." View the Entire Petition

(Hat tip: ARM-ME Blog)

Students keeping liquor sales up despite recession

2009-01-26T08:30:00.003-05:00

From Curtis Burrhus-Clay of the Texas Christian University Daily Skiff (January 22, 2009)

"The recession may be compelling many Americans to alter their spending habits, but it certainly isn't keeping students from purchasing alcohol.

While many businesses around the nation are experiencing alarming decreases in sales, several reports have shown that the alcohol industry looks to be relatively stable. One local liquor store manager said sales have increased about 5 percent from last year and that he's not at all surprised by the trend.

'Typically, people tend to drink in good times and in bad times," said Lee Labovitz manager of Kings Liquor on West Berry Street. 'We've actually shown a gain from last year.'"

Read On...

What are your thoughts? Do you agree? Disagree? Share your comments...

What's the most effective juvenile justice policy?

2009-01-22T10:32:00.004-05:00

Practitioners say it's drug treatment.

"What works in juvenile justice? That's always a big question. After every youth violence tragedy, government officials are asked what they intend to do about teen crime. Academics and experts are asked how to reduce delinquency, how to lower recidivism, and which programs and policies are most effective? When we asked juvenile justice practitioners these questions in a recent study, their answer was substance abuse treatment." Read the Full Article from Reclaiming Futures' Jeff Butts

"Hope for Addicts" - from Jason Schwartz @ Addiction & Recovery News

2009-01-21T08:34:00.005-05:00

Here are a few highlights from the new WhiteHouse.gov website regarding President Obama's policies on civil rights, sentencing disparities, and reducing recidivism. As posted on January 20, 2009 by Jason Schwartz of the Addiction & Recovery News blog, "It's a start."

Dr. Jeffrey Junig takes on the Suboxone-haters

2009-01-02T08:54:00.004-05:00

In order to best serve the people I work with, I am always trying to learn as much as I can about addiction and treatment options for addicts. A site that I frequent for such information is from Dr. Jeffrey Junig, a psychiatrist and recovering opiate-addict from Wisconsin who blogs at suboxonetalkzone.com

Dr. Junig's no-nonsense approach, experience, and honesty offer professionals, addicts, and the general public clear answers to their questions about addiction and Suboxone. This week, Dr. Junig posted a YouTube video response to the ever-present anti-Suboxone question, "Isn't it just trading one drug for another?" Dr. Junig's well-thought out and informative video-reply simply addresses the question, "Why do you care so much about people using Suboxone?"

Listen to Dr. Junig's detailed explanation about Suboxone on YouTube

Getting Connected without Getting Overwhelmed

2008-12-30T15:36:00.004-05:00

The January issue of the Overdose Prevention Project's e-newsletter will be going out soon and based upon my ever-growing appreciation for blogging and info-sharing, I'm dedicating an entire section on how to use RSS feeds, subscribe to blogs, etc. I've had a lot of fun with this realm and am looking forward to keeping folks informed. Once the e-newsletter has gone out, it will then be archived on our webpage and I will also make it available on this blog.

I look forward to keeping everyone informed about our ongoing prevention efforts and community collaborations. Have a wonderful, fun-filled 2009!

~Amanda

Visit Our Archives!

2008-12-08T10:41:00.000-05:00

Want to know what our coalitions have been up to for the past three years? By clicking this link, you will have access to all of the unique, colorful and info-packed newsletters which also include our special editions that have highlighted:

Incarcerated women,
Community alerts,
National Recovery Month,
Reconnecting Youth and
MORE!

If you are looking for more resources and/or information about our efforts or partners, please visit our website: www.substanceabuse.portlandmaine.gov

Time to Text

2008-11-26T14:46:00.001-05:00

I love this one!

"Do you text your teens? If not, you may be missing out on everyday opportunities to connect with the teens you care about, especially on tough issues like drugs and alcohol. New research from the Partnership and MetLife Foundation shows that when it comes to communication, today's generation of teens is far more likely to rely on text messaging (63%) than social networking sites like Facebook (38%) And teens don't only want to hear from their friends-a majority of teens-67 percent-were open to receiving texts from their parents after school-a time when teens are most likely to be unsupervised, a factor that increases the likelihood of risky behaviors.

While nothing takes the place of a face-to-face conversation, texting can help start a conversation with a reluctant teen or reinforce talks you've already had. Plus, it's a great way to keep in touch with kids when they're away from home at college, camp or anytime. Need help getting started?" Check out the Partnership for a Drug-Free America's TIME TO TEXT Guide

Moving Forward...

2008-11-26T14:41:00.000-05:00

A ton of information is listed on our website - from resources to treatment facilities to partner listings - so from here on out, we'll be posting only NEW information relevant to our work as substance abuse prevention providers.

We are an asset-building based organization that believes in respect for all as we work to prevent substance abuse while providing education to our partners and communities.

Welcome!

2008-11-25T11:56:00.002-05:00

Welcome to our Substance Abuse Prevention blog!

While we feel our webpage is quite comprehensive and accessible, it's sometimes hard to stay updated and maintain connections so we've started this blog to filter relevant info regarding our 3 programs:
The One Maine One Portland Coalition
Portland's Overdose Prevention Project &
The Portland Women's Taskforce.

Posts will include updates from our various partners, national list-servs and other forms of communication. We hope you find useful information on our site and we are always accessible via email: aedgar (at) portlandmaine (dot) gov

Happy blogging!