Announcements

Public Policy Statement on Women, Alcohol and Other Drugs, and Pregnancy

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is deeply committed to the prevention of alcohol and other drug-related harm and to the health and well-being of mothers and their children, including the prevention of addiction in women. For the pregnant woman with a substance use disorder (SUD), ASAM also recognizes that the SUD is typically well established prior to conception. Although addiction in women occurs in all ethnic groups and social classes, it frequently occurs in the complex context of psychiatric co-morbidity, interpersonal violence, poverty, poor nutrition, inadequate health care and stressful life experiences.

Because of the potential risk of adverse effects on fetal development following exposure to alcohol and other drugs (including nicotine, cocaine and other stimulants, marijuana, and opioids), the woman who uses drugs or alcohol and who is pregnant or may become pregnant is an especially important candidate for intervention, education, and treatment as may be indicated. As the threshold for harm is lower during pregnancy, efforts should be made to identify, educate, and treat, if indicated, even the casual user of drugs, including alcohol and nicotine, if she is pregnant or may become pregnant.

To effectively minimize the risk of fetal exposure to drugs or alcohol, substance abuse prevention programs should target all women of childbearing age. Similarly, women of reproductive age in treatment for substance use disorders should receive education about the effects of alcohol and drugs on reproduction and pregnancy and should receive counseling regarding the importance of pregnancy planning. These women should be appropriately referred for contraceptive or pregnancy planning services.

ASAM recognizes that substance-related disorders occurring during pregnancy are best addressed by a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses the woman's, the child's, and society's interests. ASAM supports treatment of the pregnant woman with substance use disorders rather than criminalization of prenatal substance use, whenever possible. Incarceration of pregnant women as a means of preventing fetal exposure to alcohol and other drug use may compromise both maternal and fetal health and inhibit the pregnant woman's opportunity to receive effective treatments to address her long-term recovery from her substance-related disorder.

This statement addresses three aspects of substance use and addiction in women of childbearing age, with an emphasis of the potential adverse effects of substance use and substance use disorders during pregnancy. The first section highlights the harms that alcohol and other drugs may cause to the woman and her developing fetus. The second section provides policy recommendations. The final section provides a summary statement regarding the use of alcohol during pregnancy.

Mayo Clinic partners with advocacy organizations to create tools to help recognize youth mental health disorders

Action Signs toolkit will help parents and educators easily identify signs of youth mental health disorders.

Mayo Clinic researchers - in partnership with numerous national mental health advocacy organizations - are issuing new simple-to-understand tools to help identify youth who may have mental health disorders.

Issuing these tools is consistent with the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General call in 2001 to develop a set of easily identifiable mental health disorder warning signs among youth for use by parents, professionals and community members.

Despite well-documented levels of emotional and behavioral concerns in the nation's youth, studies have repeatedly shown that up to 75 percent of youth with mental health disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, anxiety, and eating disorders are usually not identified, and youth do not receive the care they need.

After surveying more than 6,000 parents and children about mental health services in the United States during the past decade, researchers created a mental health disorder Action Signs tool kit to help easily identify symptoms for youth who may be experiencing mental disorders. Click here for a copy. The findings and epidemiology that led to the toolkit are published in the journal Pediatrics on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011.

SAMHSA awards $22.5 million to advance state substance abuse prevention planning

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced today 46 grant awards for $22.5 million over the next year to help states, tribes and territories enhance their substance abuse prevention efforts.

"We stand at a crossroads in our nation's efforts to prevent substance abuse and addiction," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "The nation's most recent survey data from SAMHSA shows an uptick in substance abuse in America. These new grants are designed to help states and better position communities to reach America's young people before they become involved with alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco and abuse of prescription drugs."

The strategic prevention framework, built over the years by SAMHSA in collaboration with the states forms the foundation of the nation's substance abuse prevention service delivery system. These new grants will help states conduct planning activities for the future that focus on new emerging challenges in preventing substance abuse and new opportunities for enhancing data collection, analysis and reporting systems, coordinating services, and providing technical assistance and training.

This grant program is part of SAMHSA's Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Strategic Initiative. Grant awards are subject to both availability of funds and progress achieved by the awardees.

Federal agencies join forces to award $13 million to enhance drug courts

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) at the U.S. Department of Justice announced today 10 new grant awards to enhance adult drug court services, coordination and treatment. Drug courts provide an alternative to incarceration for people involved with the criminal justice system and in need of substance abuse treatment services.

Building on the drug court model, SAMHSA and BJA developed a funding approach for courts that simplifies the application process and improves coordination of the services designed to help people overcome addictions. The grants will be used to provide alcohol and drug treatment, recovery support services supporting substance abuse treatment, screening, assessment, case management, and program coordination to adult defendants/offenders.

"Through the drug court grant program, communities are able to leverage the power of the criminal justice system to reduce recidivism and substance abuse among nonviolent offenders and to increase the likelihood of successful rehabilitation" said BJA Director Denise E. O'Donnell. "This is accomplished by applying early, continuous, and intensive judicially-supervised treatment, mandatory drug testing, and appropriate sanctions and other recovery support services."

"All too often the first place people get help for behavioral health problems is the criminal justice system. While we work to improve early identification in the health system, courts are one of the places people abusing alcohol and using drugs illegally show up," said SAMHSA Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde. "Through these new grants we meet people where they are and the court system is one venue available to help people on the path towards recovery and a productive life."

Under this program, grantees will receive two separate awards; BJA will fund the drug court component and SAMHSA will fund the substance abuse treatment component. BJA is awarding 10 one-time grants for a total of $3 million for the entire three year grant period. SAMHSA is awarding 10 new grants for up to a total of $9.6 million over the next three years. The grantees may receive up to $325,000 each year, up to three years from SAMHSA. The actual award amounts may vary and continuation awards are subject to availability of funds and progress achieved by awardees. The program is part of SAMHSA's Strategic Initiative on Trauma and Justice.

SAMHSA awards up to $14 million in System of Care Expansion Planning Grants for Children and Youth with Serious Mental Health Conditions and their Families

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is awarding up to $14 million for planning grants to expand Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families (Short Title: System of Care Expansion Planning Grants).

The purpose of these grants is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for improving and expanding services provided by systems of care for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families.

A "system of care" is an organizational philosophy and framework that is designed to create a network of effective community-based services and supports to improve the lives of children and youth with or at risk of serious mental health conditions and their families. Systems of care build meaningful partnerships with families and youth, address cultural and linguistic needs, and use evidence-based practices to help children, youth and families function better at home, in school, in the community and throughout life.

SAMHSA awards up to $27.7 million in grants to help provide services to those who are chronically homeless

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced today 20 new grants totaling up to $27.7 million, over three years, to local organizations working to reduce chronic homelessness in their communities.

This grant program is designed to reduce the barriers that persons who are chronically homeless with mental and substance use disorders and their families experience while obtaining treatment and stable housing. The resources provided through the grant will support intensive individualized treatment services designed to increase recovery and sustain permanent supportive housing.

"These grants will help rebuild the lives of people and families who are chronically homeless because of a behavioral health problem," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde., J.D. "By providing housing that supports recovery from these health conditions, we can move people off of the streets and into successful fulfilling lives."

SAMHSA's Recovery Support Strategic Initiative identifies housing as one of the four key elements of recovery. The 20 awardees will receive up to $500,000 per year for up to three years. Continuation of these awards is subject to availability of funds.

SAMHSA announces grants awards totaling up to $13.2 million to build on Health Information Technology investments

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing up to $13.2 million in new grants to support the expansion of health information technology (HIT) in health care settings that serve people with mental and substance use disorders.

As part of this new initiative, 47 community health centers working to integrate primary care and behavioral health services will receive a one year grant for $200,000. The grant will be used to develop health information technology infrastructure and expand the use of electronic health records (EHRs). Once the EHR systems are in place, patients and providers can have ready access to the latest information on effective treatments and support systems, and exchange health information through secure means with appropriate patient permission.

In addition, SAMHSA is announcing a $3.8 million grant award to assist community health centers and state designated agencies with their efforts to implement electronic health records. The grant award is being made to the National Council on Community Behavioral Health Care to enhance SAMHSA efforts underway to integrate primary and behavioral health care in community based settings.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Undergraduate/Graduate Certificate Program

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is a growing issue for families across the country. Teachers and other service providers want and need more intense training devoted entirely to FASD. Children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are in schools, daycares, and mental health agencies across the state and nation. The courses are aligned with research-based best practices in the field of ASD.

SAMHSA announces leadership changes in its Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) and solicits nominations for new member

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing changes in the membership of the SAMHSA Tribal Technical Advisory Committee. Two new members are being added to the Committee -- Martha Interpreter-Baylish of the San Carlos Apache Tribe representing the Phoenix Area and Joe Garcia of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo representing the Albuquerque Area. SAMHSA looks forward to working with these newest members who will bring a wealth of information and experiences from Indian Country to the Committee.

The SAMHSA TTAC was chartered in 2008 to enhance the government to government relationship by serving as an advisory body to SAMHSA.

SAMHSA also welcomes two new alternate representatives to the TTAC: Keith Massaway from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for the Bemidji Area and Sherri Lee Williams from the Lummi Tribe for the Portland Area.

SAMHSA expresses its gratitude to two departing members of the Committee -- Isidro Lopez from Tohono O'odham Nation and Gary Batton from Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for their exemplary service and commitment to the behavioral health needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

The departure of these members opens up two vacancies on the SAMHSA TTAC and SAMHSA is seeking committee nominees. Nominees must be elected/appointed tribal representatives from the Tucson and the Oklahoma Indian Health Service regional areas (representation on the Committee is drawn from the geographic regions served by the Indian Health Service and from two national American Indian/Alaska Native organizations). Interested persons requesting information on the nomination process and the TTAC should contact Sheila Cooper, SAMHSA Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs at (240) 276 - 2005 or at sheila.cooper@samhsa.hhs.gov.

SAMHSA introduces new application process for block grants giving states greater flexibility in allocating resources to address behavioral health needs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a new application process for its major block grant programs the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant. The change is designed to provide states greater flexibility to allocate resources for substance abuse and mental illness prevention, treatment and recovery services in their communities.

Until now the two SAMHSA block grant programs have been administered somewhat differently by separate SAMHSA centers. As a result states have had different -- and often duplicative -- processes for accepting, planning and accounting for these grants. The new process will streamline application and funding procedures by promoting uniform application, assurance and reporting dates across both block grants and offer states and territories the option to submit one coordinated plan for both grants.

This streamlined application effort is part of a larger series of innovative reforms SAMHSA is proposing to enhance the states' ability to effectively apply these block grants -- which constitute roughly 75-percent of SAMHSA's $3.4 billion budget. Many of these proposals were outlined in a Federal Register notice issued on April 11, 2011.

"In this time of budget cutbacks, especially for vital behavioral health services, it is more important than ever that we implement shrewd strategies for making the most of these precious resources," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "By reforming the block grants now in ways that empower the states, we are positioning these resources to be a critical component of our future health system."

For detailed information about proposed changes to the block grant programs, including their application policies, one can go to the Federal register notice at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-11/pdf/2011-8520.pdf.

SAMHSA awards up to $40 million in grants to expand and strengthen behavioral health services to help individuals achieve recovery and obtain stable housing

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the award of 23 grants totaling approximately $40 million over five years to community service organizations across the country that deliver behavioral health services to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness because of mental health and substance abuse issues. The services will help these individuals achieve recovery and obtain stable housing.

The Center for Excellence at APHA 2009

Representatives from SAMHSA's FASD Center for Excellence spoke at the 2009 Meeting & Expo of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Last year marked the 137th annual APHA meeting, which convened in Philadelphia from November 7 through November 11. Speakers from the Center presented on topics including prevalence of FASD, effects of alcohol exposure, clinical and genetic factors relating to the diagnosis of FASD, and trends and approaches in prevention.

APHA's annual Meeting & Expo is the oldest and largest gathering of public health professionals in the world, attracting more than 13,000 national and international physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, researchers, epidemiologists, and related health specialists. To learn more about the conference, visit http://www.apha.org/meetings.

Updated SAMHSA Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs Now Available

National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2009, updated and recently released from SAMHSA, provides information on thousands of alcohol and drug treatment programs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 5 U.S. territories.

The National Directory includes a nationwide inventory of public and private substance abuse and alcoholism treatment programs and facilities that are licensed, certified, or otherwise approved by substance abuse agencies in each state.

Organized in a state-by-state format, the National Directory is a quick reference for health care providers, social workers, managed care organizations, and the general public. It provides information on more than 11,000 community substance abuse treatment programs.

Important information on levels of care and types of facilities includes those with programs for adolescents, persons with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and pregnant women.

In addition, information is available on forms of payment accepted, special language services available with select providers, and whether methadone or buprenorphine therapy is offered.

The updated directory complements SAMHSA's internet-based Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator- the online service, which is updated regularly. The online "Locator" may contain more current information. It provides searchable road maps to the nearest treatment facilities, complete addresses, phone numbers, and specific information on services available.

The electronic, searchable version of the National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs is available on the SAMHSA Web site.
http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

Native American Center for Excellence to Strengthen Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts Throughout Native American Communities

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced its financial and technical sponsorship of the Native American Center for Excellence, Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Center - a first-of-its-kind national Native American-run project to promote effective substance abuse prevention programs in Native American communities throughout the United States. Once it is established, the center's database will be accessible through SAMHSA's Web site.

"This program will further empower tribal communities and foster cooperation and scientific innovation among Native American substance abuse prevention and mental health service providers," said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D.

The Programs of Regional and National Significance contract supporting the center is funded at $1 million for one year and provides two additional option years (contingent on the availability of funds).

The center will serve as the repository for the best available information on effective services and strategies for preventing substance abuse and related disorders in Native American populations. It will also identify innovative and promising programs and practices that prevent substance abuse disorders and related problems among Native Americans. The center will provide these programs with technical support and additional opportunities for demonstrating their efficacy.

HHS awards $26.2 million to expand primary care to individuals with behavioral health disorders

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today awarded more than $26.2 million in grants to support and promote better primary care and behavioral health services for individuals with mental illnesses or substance use disorders. The majority of the grants are funded by the Affordable Care Act's Prevention and Public Health Fund to improve health status by improving the coordination of healthcare services delivered in publicly funded community mental health and other community-based behavioral health settings.

The Road to Recovery 2010 Multimedia Series

The Road to Recovery 2010 series will air eight Webcasts supporting the 20th annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month). In addition to the Webcasts, visitors can pose questions about each Webcast to an expert in the field through our interactive feature, Ask the Expert. DVDs and videocassette tapes are available for a nominal cost-recovery fee, and can be ordered online.

RIA Researcher Awarded $1.8 Million to Study the Implications of Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol on Later Risk of Addiction

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Roh-Yu Shen, senior research scientist at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA), has received a $1.8 million grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to continue her study of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

The award will support a five-year investigation of the effects of prenatal ethanol -- or alcohol -- exposure on later behaviors associated with an increased risk for addiction in animal models.

Findings from this research will be used to understand the risk factors of human addiction and, ultimately, the study will add to the body of knowledge about brain mechanisms that lead to increased risk of addiction following prenatal ethanol exposure.