News from the States
- Ohio announces initiative to combat substance abuse and addiction in the workplace
Around the Agencies
- CDC releases 2013 mortality data showing increase in heroin deaths
- BJA announces FY 2015 guidelines for the Second Chance Act Statewide Recidivism Reduction Strategic Planning Program
- SAMHSA’s HIT team announces plan to develop new data sharing technologies for patients in OTPs
- SAMHSA awards grant to NAADAC for new minority fellowship program for addiction counselors
- SAMHSA announces release of Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant
In the News
- RAND releases report on State insights on marijuana legalization
Upcoming Events
- 5th annual National Drug Facts Week to be held January 26 – February 1
News from NASADAD
- NASADAD welcomes new Public Policy Intern Brian Denten
News from the States
Ohio announces initiative to combat substance abuse and addiction in the workplace
Ohio announced the initiative to combat substance abuse and addiction in the workplace as a new branch of its “Start Talking!” program. Titled “Start Talking! BIZ (Business Impact Zone),” the new program provides a collection of tools designed for Ohio businesses struggling with problems related to substance abuse – including videos, PowerPoint presentations, and biweekly tips. The initiative seeks to stimulate employee discussion about addiction and encourage struggling employees to seek help. Studies estimate that substance abuse creates a significant drag on the economy, with approximately $81 billion lost annually attributed to decreases in employee productivity stemming from addiction.
Around the Agencies
CDC releases 2013 mortality data showing increase in heroin deaths
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the data on January 12th. Deaths attributed to prescription painkillers have remained stable since 2012, yet deaths associated with heroin use continue to increase. Heroin-related deaths increased 39% since 2012, maintaining a three year trend. The FY 2015 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget provides $12 million to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to broaden treatment programs for opioid addiction (with medication-assisted treatment as an allowable use) and $20 million through the CDC to continue prevention of prescription drug abuse. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a toolkit for law enforcement describing the use of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug as part of its response to the growing opioid problem. SAMHSA has also released an opioid overdose toolkit.
BJA announces FY 2015 guidelines for the Second Chance Act Statewide Recidivism Reduction Strategic Planning Program
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) announced the guidelines for Statewide Recidivism Reduction (SRR) grants in FY 2015. Grants will provide up to $100,000 in funding for State correctional agencies developing Statewide recidivism reduction plans. Grantees will need to identify the causes of recidivism in their respective States, and develop reduction goals that review current programs and involve evidence-based practices. Select grantees that complete the SRR may be invited by BJA to submit applications for grants of up to $1 million for implementation. The deadline for applications is March 10th, 2015. The BJA is also hosting a webinar on this topic January 20th, 2015.
SAMHSA’s HIT team announces plan to develop new data sharing technologies for patients in OTPs
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMSHA) Health Information Technology Team (HIT) is partnering with SAMHSA’s Division of Pharmacologic Therapies to develop new data sharing technology for patients in opioid treatment programs (OTP). Success in OTPs is largely oriented around continued access to care – these new technologies will help patients during service interruptions. Patient dignity and privacy will be prioritized in these new systems. Request for Contracts (RFC) will be issued on February 15, 2015.
SAMHSA awards grant to NAADAC for new minority fellowship program for addiction counselors
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) awarded a $3.2 million grant ($800,000 per year for four years) to The Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) at the end of November 2014. The grant creates a fellowship called “Now is the Time: Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counselors (NITT-MFP-AC)” that seeks to increase the number of Master’s level addiction counselors available to minority populations. The grant will provide tuition stipends, training, and professional guidance to graduate students in their final year of study with a proven interest in working with underserved groups. The NMFP-AC desires to reduce health disparities by realigning the training of addiction professionals to better focus on the unique needs of minority populations.
SAMHSA announces release of Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the release of the grant on January 16th. The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program has two primary goals: to establish and strengthen collaboration among communities and nonprofit agencies; and to enable State, local, and tribal governments to support community coalitions’ efforts to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse. Applications are due by March 18th and grantees will receive up to $125,000 per year.
In the News
RAND releases report on State insights on marijuana legalization
Vermont commissioned the report, “Considering Marijuana Legalization: Insights for Vermont and Other Jurisdictions,” to learn about the various consequences of legalizing marijuana. The report does not provide an opinion on legalization, but rather provides a factual basis to discuss the effects of various changes to State marijuana laws. The report provides an overview of marijuana policy generally, marijuana policy in Vermont, consequences of marijuana use on health and the criminal justice system, taxation and regulatory schemes, and much more. Using lessons from other States, the report provides insight into how States have dealt with the complexities of marijuana policies. NASADAD recently released a new fact sheet on the effects of marijuana.
Upcoming Events
5th Annual National Drug Facts Week to be held January 26 – February 1
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) announced that the 5th annual National Drugs Facts Week will be held from January 26th to February 1st, and invites all interested parties to host an event for teens. The week provides an opportunity for youth to learn the facts about drug addiction and engage with area experts. Registered events will receive support from NIDA staff, including science-based materials, activity ideas, and national recognition on the official 2015 map for the National Drug Facts Week. Register an event here.
News from NASADAD
NASADAD welcomes new Public Policy Intern Brian Denten
We are very pleased to announce the addition of Brian Denten to the NASADAD Public Policy team! Brian will be joining us as an intern this semester and will work on a variety of public policy projects, including writing the D.C. Update. Brian is a first-year graduate student at American University, studying for a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Prior to joining NASADAD, Brian interned for the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, tracking legislation and collecting data on youth sentencing issues. We are very excited to have him on board!
If you’d like to get in touch with Brian, he can be reached at bdenten@nasadad.org or 202-293-0090 ext. 4877.