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D.C. Update – March 20, 2015

Around the Agencies

  • CDC issues report on suicide trends among persons aged 10-24 years
  • DOJ now accepting applications for FY 2015 Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adults with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders grants
  • SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Program Supplement for Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC): Center of Excellence (CoE) on Behavioral Health for Pregnant and Postpartum Women (PPW) and their Families grants
  • SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Targeted Capacity Expansion: Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations at High-Risk for HIV/AIDS grants
  • SAMHSA’s Suicide Safe smartphone application now available on iOS and Android
  • SAMHSA releases gambling problem advisory publication discussing connection to other conditions, read this carefully as it is very detailed and pertinent.
  • HHS estimates 16.4 million adults have gained health care through the ACA

Upcoming Events

  • National Rx Drug Abuse Summit to be held April 6-9, 2015 in Atlanta, GA
  • ONDCP announces webinars on dangers of synthetic drugs

 

Around the Agencies

CDC issues report on suicide trends among persons aged 10-24 years
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report on suicide trends among persons aged 10-24 years from 1994-2012 this past week. The report found that suicide is the second leading cause of death among this age group. Firearms, suffocation (including hanging), and poisoning (including drug overdose) are the three most common suicide methods in the United States. Suicide rates by suffocation increased by 6.7% for females and 2.2% for males within this period. The report concludes that the increased prevalence of suffocation as a suicide method requires a greater emphasis on early suicide prevention strategies.

DOJ now accepting applications for FY 2015 Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adults with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders grants
The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adults with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders grants. Grant funds should be used for programs structured to improve treatment for adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Funding will be prioritized for programs expanding treatment during the reentry process, as well as expanding screening and assessment in jails and prisons. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on March 31, 2015.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Program Supplement for Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC): Center of Excellence (CoE) on Behavioral Health for Pregnant and Postpartum Women (PPW) and their Families grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Program Supplement for Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC): Center of Excellence (Coe) on Behavioral Health for Pregnant and Postpartum Women (PPW) and their Families grants. Funding is available for current grantees from the FY 2012 ATTC grant program to help develop and improve the behavioral healthcare workforce serving pregnant and parenting women and their families. Only one funding award is available. Applications are due by Monday, May 11, 2015.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Targeted Capacity Expansion: Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations at High-Risk for HIV/AIDS grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Targeted Capacity Expansion: Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations at High-Risk for HIV/AIDS grants. Grant funding should be used to expand substance use disorder treatment, co-occurring mental health, and HIV programs for high-risk populations. The program aims to reduce the risk of HIV and other associated viral infections among high-risk populations. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $500,000. Applications are due by Thursday, May, 2015.

SAMHSA’s Suicide Safe smartphone application now available on iOS and Android
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released its new Suicide Safe smartphone application this past week. The application was created to help primary care and behavioral health providers better understand suicide prevention strategies and discuss suicide risk with their patients. The application is available for free on iOS and Android mobile devices.

SAMHSA releases gambling problem advisory publication discussing connection to other conditions
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new advisory publication summarizing the relationship between gambling problems and other conditions such as substance use and mental health disorders this past week. The advisory hopes to assist providers in recognizing gambling disorders and assisting patients who have them. New screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies are also discussed.

HHS estimates 16.4 million adults have gained health care through the ACA
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an analysis this past week suggesting that 16.4 million adults have gained health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The provision allowing young adults to stay on a parent’s coverage until age 26 is believed to have covered 2.3 million people and the marketplaces providing the remaining coverage. The report began tracking data since the start of the first open enrollment period in October 2013.

Upcoming Events

National Rx Drug Abuse Summit to be held April 6-9, 2015 in Atlanta, GA
The National Rx Drug Abuse Summit will be held April 6-9, 2015 in Atlanta, GA at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. The summit is the largest national meeting of substance use disorder professionals, State agencies, academics, businesses, educators, and leaders. Collaboration and discussion are emphasized throughout the event. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will moderate two sessions during the event: Cross-System Collaboration To Address Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse and SAMHSA’s Approach to Addressing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

ONDCP announces webinars on dangers of synthetic drugs
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has announced two webinars discussing the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids (“Spice”) and cathinones (“Bath Salts”). The webinars will be hosted by Mary Lou Leary, ONDCP’s Deputy Director for State, local, and Tribal Affairs. The first webinar will discuss the manufacturing and distribution processes for these drugs as well as ongoing Federal regulatory procedures. The second webinar will focus on local efforts to prevent the distribution of synthetic drugs. The first webinar will take place on Wednesday, April 8, from 1-2 p.m. EST. The date for the second webinar is forthcoming.

Should you have any questions, or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Robert Morrison, Executive Director, (202) 293-0090 or Colleen Haller, Public Policy Associate, at (202) 293-0090.