Around the Agencies

• BJA releases grant announcement for Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Grant Program
• OWH publishes paper on opioid use, misuse, and overdose in women
• NIAAA releases alert on Alcohol’s Effects on Immunity

News from the States

• Ohio experiences decline in opioid prescribing and dispensing in 2016
• Louisiana issues standing order for naloxone

In the News

• Regulatory freezes impact final rule on confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records
• NGA sends letter to Congress with recommendations on how to approach health care reform
• AHA urges action to stabilize 2017 Health Insurance Marketplaces
• NASHP releases overview of ACA provisions and their repeal implications for States

Upcoming Events

• SAMHSA webinar on therapeutic relationships in women’s services
• PDMP TTAC webinar on Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Grant Program

 

Around the Agencies

BJA releases grant announcement for Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Grant Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it is accepting applications for the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Grant Program. The grant program will support the planning and implementation of comprehensive strategies to address the opioid crisis. This grant program is associated with one of the provisions (section 201) in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which was signed into law in July 2016.

The grant program has six categories: 1) Overdose Outreach Projects; 2) Technology-assisted Treatment Projects; 3) System-level Diversion and Alternatives to Incarceration Projects; 4) Statewide Planning, Coordination, and Implementation Projects; 5) Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Implementation and Enhancement Projects; and 6) Data-driven Responses to Prescription Drug Misuse.

For category 4—Statewide Planning, Coordination, and Implementation Projects– eligible applicants are the State Administering Agency (SAA) responsible for directing criminal justice planning or the State Alcohol and Substance Abuse Agency (Single State Authority, or SSA). For category 2—Technology-assisted Treatment Projects—applicants are limited to State agencies. State agencies include State administrative offices, State criminal justice agencies, and other State agencies involved with the provision of substance use disorder services to justice-involved individuals such as the SAA, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and the SSA.

The deadline to submit an application is April 25, 2017.

View the competitive grant announcement and learn more about each of the six categories here.

Access NASADAD’s section-by-section summary of CARA here.

OWH publishes paper on opioid use, misuse, and overdose in women

Office on Women’s Health (OWH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a white paper titled, “Opioid Use, Misuse, and Overdose in Women.” The paper presents what is currently known about the opioid crisis, describes promising practices for addressing opioid use disorder prevention and treatment for women, and identifies gaps in research. The report was developed as part of an initiative supported by OWH to examine prevention, treatment, and recovery issues for women who have an opioid addiction, and/or have experienced and opioid overdose.

Read the white paper here.

NIAAA releases alert on Alcohol’s Effects on Immunity

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has released an alcohol alert on Alcohol’s Effects on Immunity—Increasing the Risks for Infection and Injury. Because of alcohol’s effects on the immune system, individuals who consume excess alcohol are at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, may have more complications after surgery, and often take longer to recover from illness, compared with those who drink at lower levels. According to the document, disruptions in immune system function also contribute to long-term organ damage associated with alcohol consumption. The alcohol alert reviews the normal functioning and processes of the immune system and describes how alcohol interferes with these functions.

Read the alcohol alert here.

News from the States

Ohio experiences decline in opioid prescribing and dispensing in 2016

The Ohio State Board of Pharmacy’s Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) has  released a report noting that opioid prescribing in the State declined for a fourth consecutive year in 2016. Between 2012 and 2016, the total number of opioids dispensed in Ohio decreased by 162 million doses (20.4 percent), from a peak of 793 million doses to 631 million doses. The number of opioid prescriptions provided to Ohio patients also decreased by 20 percent during the same period. The report also finds a 78.2 percent decrease in the amount of people engaged in the practice of “doctor shopping” since 2012. Additionally, the use of OARRS continued to increase, reaching an all-time high of 24.1 million requests in 2016.

Read the full 2016 OARRS report here.

Louisiana issues standing order for naloxone

The State of Louisiana has issued a standing order for naloxone, which allows for participating pharmacists to dispense naloxone to laypeople, including caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals who use opioids. This standing order also includes directions on how to administer naloxone to someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose. The standing order is the result of legislation that made it legal for medical professionals to prescribe naloxone.

In a press release, Governor John Bel Edwards stated that, “As we continue to work to address the addiction problem, this standing order is one step we can take to help reduce the number of unnecessary deaths.” Naloxone accessibility and distribution is one of the key strategies in the opioid prevention and treatment state plan, notes Dr. Janice Petersen, State Director for Louisiana and member of NASADAD.

Read more about the standing order here.

In the News

Regulatory freezes impact final rule on confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records

The Administration has issued a memorandum delaying implementation of all new and pending federal regulations. This regulatory freeze impacts the recently-released Final Rule modernizing federal regulations that govern the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records (42 CFR Part 2). It also freezes the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) seeking comment on additional proposed changes to those regulations. The Final Rule and SNPRM were released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and published in the Federal Register on Jan. 18, 2017. The confidentiality Final Rule was scheduled to take effect on February 17^th, but as a result of the regulatory freeze, it will not become effective until March 20^th at the earliest.

Read the Administration’s memorandum here.

Read the Final Rule here.

NGA sends letter to Congress with recommendations on how to approach health care reform

The leaders of the National Governors Association (NGA) have sent a letter to Congress with recommendations on how to approach health care reform. In the letter, NGA Chair Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) and Vice Chair Gov. Brian Sandoval (R-NV) encouraged Congress to “maintain an open and robust dialog with governors” as they debate potential changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The governors also state that, “It is essential that Congress allows sufficient time for States to review and respond to proposed changes, build on current State efforts, ensure a smooth transition, and minimize budgetary impacts to States.” The letter was sent to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA); Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Greg Walden (R-OR); Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Kevin Brady (R-TX); and Chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Virginia Foxx (R-NC).

Read the full letter here.

AHA urges action to stabilize 2017 Health Insurance Marketplaces

Last week the American Hospital Association (AHA) released a statement urging Congress to work with the Administration to stabilize the Health Insurance Marketplaces for 2017. The statement, which was submitted to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for a hearing on stabilizing the individual health insurance market, noted that, “More than 11.5 million Americans signed up for 2017 health coverage through the federal and State marketplaces by late December, and the final number is expected to increase when accounting for January enrollments.” The association recommended that Congress and the Administration continue payment of the cost-sharing reductions; maintain and strengthen the special enrollment periods; maintain and build on recent changes to the risk adjustment program; increase access to coverage through third-party payment of premiums; and support the development of State-level marketplace solutions.

Read the full statement here.

NASHP releases overview of ACA provisions and their repeal implications for States

The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) has released a chart outlining provisions within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the implications that repealing those provisions would have on States. The overarching categories covered in the chart include: Federal support/enforcement to expand coverage; Medicaid; Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); Delivery System Reforms; Provider Payments; Provider Workforce; Quality Improvement; and Population Health. NASHP states that as a result of ACA repeal, “There could be changes to benefits offered through health plans. Without assurance that all plans include comprehensive benefits, consumers may experience challenges in purchasing plans that meet their health needs.”

View the chart here.

Upcoming Events

SAMHSA webinar on therapeutic relationships in women’s services

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is hosting a webinar on The Power of Authentic Therapeutic Relationships in Women’s Services. This is the first in a five-part Relationships Matter! series, which explores the role of relationships in the lives of women experiencing mental health and substance use issues. This webinar will focus on the therapeutic relationships that help women engage in services and recovery.  Topics will include: why relationships matter; trust and rapport in service delivery; defining and creating therapeutic alliance; peers and peer relationships; cultural understanding and responsiveness; managing relationships within group settings; and building connections.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 14^th at 2:00pm EST.

Register for the webinar here.

PDMP TTAC webinar on Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Grant Program

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Training and technical Assistance Center is hosting a webinar for those interested in applying for the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Grant Program. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 21^st at 1:00pm EST. The webinar will feature a presentation from Tara Kunkel, Senior Policy Analyst at the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) within the Department of Justice (DOJ), who will provide an overview of the grant and explain the application process. To register, send an email with your name, agency/business name, and telephone number to info@pdmpassist.org. During the week of the meeting, a link will be sent with login instructions to those who have registered.

Should you have any questions, or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Robert Morrison, Executive Director, or Shalini Wickramatilake-Templeman, Federal Affairs Manager, at (202) 293-0090.

 

In the News

• President Trump signs executive order to minimize burden of Affordable Care Act

Around the Agencies

• SAMHSA releases Protecting Our Infants Act Report to Congress, seeks public comment
• Under Obama Administration ONDCP releases Changing the Language of Addiction
• National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2017-2020

News from the States

• Governor Christie declares opioid addiction a public health crisis in State of New Jersey
• Ohio developing a new Health and Opioid-Abuse Prevention Education (HOPE) Curriculum
• Ohio Students Invited to Create Videos to Support Start Talking! Drug Prevention Initiative

Stakeholder Spotlight

• Resources from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

 

In the News

President Trump signs executive order to minimize burden of Affordable Care Act

On his first day in office last Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order “Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) Pending Repeal.” President Trump states that, “It is the policy of my Administration to seek the prompt repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.” The order notes that until the ACA is repealed, the executive branch must take actions to “minimize the unwarranted and regulatory burdens of the Act, and prepare to afford the States more flexibility and control to create a more free and open healthcare market.” The order also calls for the leaders of all federal agencies to prevent any ACA actions that would cause any regulatory or fiscal burden.

Read the entire executive order here.

Around the Agencies

SAMHSA releases Protecting Our Infants Act Report to Congress, seeks public comment

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced the release of the Protecting Our Infants Act Report to Congress in the Federal Register. The Protecting Our Infants Act—originally sponsored by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the Senate and Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) in the House—was signed into law in 2015 to address neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). The Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit to Congress a report on: 1) the planning and coordination related to prenatal opioid use within HHS; and 2) a strategy to address gaps, overlap, and duplication among Federal programs related to NAS and substance use disorder treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women.

The report to Congress released by SAMHSA includes:

• An overview of prenatal opioid exposure and NAS (Part 1).
• A description of HHS surveillance, research, service delivery, education, and coordination activities for prenatal opioid exposure and NAS, as well as current gaps in HHS programs and recommendations for addressing them (Part 2).
• Clinical recommendations for identifying, preventing, and treating prenatal opioid exposure and NAS (Part 3).
• A strategy to address gaps, overlap, and duplication among federal programs, and to effectively address prenatal opioid exposure and NAS (Part 4).

HHS seeks public comment on the strategy (Part 4) by February 13^th. Relevant public comment will be incorporated into the final version of the report, which will be published on the HHS website by May 25, 2017.

Read the Federal Register announcement here.

Access SAMHSA’s report to Congress here.

Under Obama Administration ONDCP releases Changing the Language of Addiction

Earlier this month, under the Obama Administration, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released Changing the Language of Addiction. The document is meant to help federal agencies learn about and incorporate the use of non-stigmatizing language related to substance use in their communications. In particular, the document explains the following terms: substance use disorder; person with a substance use disorder; person in recovery; and medication-assisted treatment. The document was developed in consultation with external researchers, providers, policy advisors, as well as consumer stakeholders.

The document is preceded by a memorandum from then-Director of ONDCP, Michael Botticelli, to the heads of executive departments and agencies. In the memo, Director Botticelli encourages executive branch agencies to consider using the guidance included in the document.

Read the memo and document here.

Dr. Volkow blogs about Taking Stock of NIDA’s Achievements and Looking to the Future

Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Dr. Nora Volkow, published a blog post last week highlighting NIDA’s major accomplishments in 2016 and some of the challenges and opportunities for the future. She notes that in 2016, NIDA launched the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, achieved several milestones that will aid in the fight against the opioid overdose, and funded many research studies focused on opioid addiction and treatment. She writes that, “In 2017, we will continue our hard work in addressing the opioid epidemic both by developing new pain and addiction treatment strategies and by improving the delivery of evidence-based treatments through implementation science.”

Read the entire blog post here.

HHS releases National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2017-2020

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released an updated National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan for 2017 through 2020. The Action Plan serves as a roadmap for addressing viral hepatitis in the United States, taking into account recent trends in viral hepatitis infections and deaths, as well as the latest strategies for prevention and treatment. In addition to HHS, the Action Plan was developed collaboratively by federal partners from the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Justice (DOJ), and Veterans Affairs (VA), with input from nonfederal stakeholders.

The updated plan outlines four major goals, strategies to achieve those goals, and indicators to help track progress: 1) Prevent new viral hepatitis infections; 2) Reduce deaths and improve the health of people living with viral hepatitis; 3) Reduce viral hepatitis health disparities; and 4) Coordinate, monitor, and report on implementation of viral hepatitis activities.

Access the Action Plan here.

News from the States

Governor Christie declares opioid addiction a public health crisis in State of New Jersey

Last week Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey signed an executive order declaring the State’s opioid addiction problem a public health crisis. In addition to the declaration, the executive order creates a Drug Abuse Task Force that will include eight members from various sectors of State government. The Task Force is charged with developing and executing a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to combat the drug use epidemic by working across the government. Additionally, the Task Force will review current policies that preclude individuals from receiving treatment and make recommendations to remove barriers to substance use disorder treatment.

Read then entire executive order here.

Read more about the declaration here.

 

Ohio developing a new Health and Opioid-Abuse Prevention Education (HOPE) Curriculum

The Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (OAHPERD) is collaborating with the Start Talking! drug prevention program to develop a new Health and Opioid Abuse Prevention Education (HOPE) Curriculum for Ohio students in grades K-12. The curriculum, which will be made available later this year, will include lesson plans, assessment tools, instruction materials, teacher guides, and ideas for community and parent engagement.

Learn more about the HOPE Curriculum here.

Ohio Students Invited to Create Videos to Support Start Talking! Drug Prevention Initiative

Ohio’s Drug Free Action Alliance and the Start Talking! drug prevention program are holding a contest for 6^th-12^th graders to create 60-second videos offering tips on how adults and youth can have open conversations about substance use. The contest, called “Start Recording & Start Talking,” is being held until March 3^rd. Contestants produce and submit their own informational videos that share tips and on how youth can avoid drug use.

Learn more about the contest here.

Stakeholder Spotlight

Resources from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (formerly the Partnership for a Drug-Free America) has focused in recent years on serving the parents and families of young people who have started using drugs and alcohol, providing them with online and offline resources developed by the Partnership in collaboration with researchers and clinicians. The Partnership aims to address addiction—with current focus on the opioid crisis—by providing families and communities with the tools they need to prevent substance use disorders.

The Partnership has compiled many facts, figures, and resources below:

1. Parents and families are vitally important players in addressing today’s opioid epidemic –and substance use disorders in general — with practical, effective solutions.

1. 90% of addictions begin in adolescence
2. Nearly 7 million young people 12-25 struggle with substance use disorders, and 10 million are past month users of illicit drugs.
3. Family support and engagement is a critical factor in getting a loved one into treatment and supporting recovery.

1. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids offers parents/caregivers of teens and young adults who are struggling with substance use the ability to:

1. Engage with other parents who have been there, and with expert researchers and clinicians
   1. Toll-free telephone helpline at 855-DRUGFREE (Monday -Friday, 9am – 6pm)
   2. Peer to peer coaching by trained parents (referrals through helpline)

• Parent blog at http://www.drugfree.org/parent-blog/

1. Get science-based information and guidance: drugfree.org/get-information
2. Find the right help for their son or daughter: drugfree.org/get-help

1. The Partnership also provides tools and resources for addressing the opioid crisis at the State and local level.

1. Resources hub created with regional High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs) at drugfree.org/heroin
2. In-person parent coach trainings, in collaboration with clinicians from the Center for Motivation and Change (contact Kevin Collins at kevin_collins@drugfree.org)

 

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Should you have any questions, or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Robert Morrison, Executive Director, or Shalini Wickramatilake-Templeman, Federal Affairs Manager, at (202) 293-0090.

 

In the News

• National Academy of Sciences releases report on Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
• Harvard and NYU release results from joint study on impact of ACA repeal on individuals with mental health or substance use disorder

Around the Agencies

• Update of APIS website includes new information on State alcohol and marijuana policies
• GAO report on States’ timeliness for screening newborns for conditions that may require treatment

Capitol Hill Happenings

• Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus has new co-chairs, seeks new members
• House and Senate leaders send letter to Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) on Medicaid eligibility and benefits

Upcoming Events

• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation webinar on Evolving Treatment Practices to Address the Opioid Crisis
• Association for Community Health Improvement (ACHI) webinar on Substance Use Prevention
• CDC conference call on the cost of injury in the United States
• OJJDP webinar series on newly released Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines

 

In the News

National Academy of Sciences releases report on Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Last week the National Academy of Sciences released a report on The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. The report provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to the health effects and potential medical uses of cannabis. It also outlines gaps in current knowledge, summarizing and prioritizing pressing research needs. The report provides an overview of cannabis, prevalence of use, regulation, and the current policy landscape; therapeutic effects of cannabis; the effect of cannabis on specific health issues, such as cancer, cardiometabolic problems, and others; mental health effects of cannabis and the relationship between cannabis use and other substance use; and other issues.

The entire report is accessible online here.

Harvard and NYU release results from joint study on impact of ACA repeal on individuals with mental health or substance use disorder

The Harvard University Medical School and New York University have released results from a joint study on the possible implications of repealing the Affordable Care Act for individuals with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. Researchers released three tables: 1) individuals with mental illness and/or substance use disorder needs who are enrolled in Health Insurance Marketplace Exchanges or Medicaid expansion program; 2) opioid-related mortality, prescription opioid use, and Buprenorphine-based medication-assisted treatment; and 3) U.S. reductions in covered users of behavioral health care and spending covered by insurance programs. Researchers also released a document with an interpretation of the tables.

Access the data tables here.

Read the researchers’ interpretation of results here.

Around the Agencies

Update of APIS website includes new information on State alcohol and marijuana policies

The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS), which is a project of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), has announced its annual update of State-by-State alcohol and cannabis policies. The update includes substantive changes in State alcohol and marijuana policy statutes and regulations that occurred though January 1, 2016. Overarching categories of updated State policies include: underage drinking; retail sales; taxation; pregnancy and alcohol; alcoholic beverage pricing; blood alcohol concentration limits; alcohol control systems; transportation; health care services and financing; and cannabis policy.

Access the updated APIS website here.

GAO report on States’ timeliness for screening newborns for conditions that may require treatment

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report on States’ timeliness for screening newborns within recommended goals to detect conditions that may require treatment. In 2015 the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children recommended time-frame goals for newborn screening, such as reporting all results within 7 days of birth. The GAO report summarizes data provided by 38 states for 2012-2015, showing that States generally had not met the HHS committee’s suggested benchmark of meeting each time-frame goal for at least 95 percent of specimens. GAO notes that every year, over 12,000 newborns are born with heritable or other conditions that require early detection and treatment.

Read the full report here.

Capitol Hill Happenings

Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus has new co-chairs, seeks new members

The House of Representatives Addiction, Treatment and Recovery (ATR) Caucus, which has been chaired by Congressmen Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), has two new additional co-chairs, Congressmen Dave Joyce (R-OH) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). The four co-chairs sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to all members of Congress last week urging them to join the Caucus. The goal of the ATR Caucus is to educate and raise awareness among lawmakers about addiction prevention and treatment, and change the stigma associated with substance use and mental health disorders.

House and Senate leaders send letter to Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) on Medicaid eligibility and benefits

Last week bicameral leaders sent a letter to the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) on Medicaid eligibility and benefits. Specifically, the letter requests that MACPAC analyze the optional Medicaid eligibility and benefit categories that States have chosen to cover, and analyze spending for those categories. The letter was signed by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT; Chair of the Finance Committee), Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR; Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee), Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA; Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee), and Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX; Chair of the Health Subcommittee within the Energy and Commerce Committee).

The signatories write that, “…it is important to better understand the optional eligibility groups and optional benefits States are covering. Clearly, some optional benefits – such as prescription drug coverage – are important for virtually all beneficiaries. Yet other benefits may be more necessary as a covered benefit for a subset of beneficiaries. However, this information is not easily discernable in one source for each state. Instead, this information exists across multiple, disaggregated sources that make meaningful review a challenge.”

Read the full letter here.

Upcoming Events

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation webinar on Evolving Treatment Practices to Address the Opioid Crisis

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation will be hosting a webinar on January 18^th at 1:00pm EST on Evolving Treatment Practices to Address the Opioid Crisis. The webinar will help participants learn how medication-assisted treatment (MAT), along with other evidence-based treatment practices, has improved treatment outcomes. Presenters include Audrey Klein, Executive Director of the Butler Center for Research, and Cathy Stone, Manager of the Comprehensive Opioid Response with the Twelve Steps (COR-12) program.

Register for the webinar here.

Association for Community Health Improvement (ACHI) webinar on Substance Use Prevention

The Association for Community Health Improvement (ACHI) will be hosting a webinar on the research behind substance use prevention and highlight the State of Utah for its efforts to address the opioid crisis and underage drinking. The webinar will feature a presentation by Dr. Bethany Deeds from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), who will provide an overview of how evidence-based prevention can be used to develop policies and interventions to address the needs of communities. Additionally, Craig PoVey (National Prevention Network member from Utah) and Laura Nichols will describe opioid misuse prevention efforts and an underage drinking campaign in Utah. Jane Sanville from the Executive Office of the President will moderate the panel. The webinar will be held on January 19^th from 2:00–3:00pm EST.

Register for the webinar here.

CDC conference call on the cost of injury in the United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Injury Prevention and Control will be hosting a conference call to discuss key findings and implications of a recently released Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) article on the cost of injury in the United States. The publication notes that in 2014, a total of 199,756 fatal injuries occurred in the United States, associated with $227 billion in lifetime medical and job-related costs. The report reviews the State-level economic burdens of injuries. The CDC conference call will feature a presentation by Dr. Curtis Florence, Lead Health Economist, and Sara Patterson, Associate Director for Policy. The call will be held on Wednesday, January 18^th from 10:00am–10:45am EST.

There is no need to register for the call; please use the following dial-in information:

• Conference Bridge Line: 877-937-6089
• Participant Code: 6673907

 

If you have any questions about the call, please contact Kinzie Lee at hli6@cdc.gov.

Read the MMWR article here.

OJJDP webinar series on newly released Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) are hosting a three-part webinar series to discuss the newly released Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines. The guidelines aim to support judges and professional court staff, youth with substance use disorders, and their families. The goal of the guidelines is to “synthesize evidence from juvenile drug treatment courts (JDTCs) to determine the implementation components associated with the best outcomes and to supplement this understanding with research from related fields and interventions serving the same target population” (youth with substance use disorders at medium to high risk for reoffending).

The webinar topics and dates are as follows:

• Overview: The New Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines – Wednesday, January 25^th at 1:30pm EST.
• Part 1: New Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines: Implications for Practice – Wednesday, February 8^th at 1:30pm EST.
• Part 2: New Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines: Implications for Practice – Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 1:30pm EST.

 

Register for the webinars here.

 

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Should you have any questions, or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Robert Morrison, Executive Director, or Shalini Wickramatilake-Templeman, Federal Affairs Manager, at (202) 293-0090.

In the News

• Stateline article highlights State responses to increased alcohol consumption by women
• Legal Action Center launches Parity Hotline in NY to help individuals with mental health and substance use disorders understand and enforce their rights

News from Capitol Hill

• House leadership send letter Governors and Health Insurance Commissioners seeking input on health care reform

Around the Agencies

• AHRQ releases brief on MAT in Primary Care Settings
• OJJDP Releases Guidelines for Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts

Stakeholder Spotlight

• Catching Up with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

 

In the News

Stateline article highlights State responses to increased alcohol consumption by women

Last month Stateline published an article on the increased number of women who consume alcohol, highlighting State efforts to target problem drinking among women. The article notes that according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the percentage of women who drink alcohol (currently 69%) has increased 22 percent in the past 15 years, while the percentage of adult men who drink has remained about the same (77%). Additionally, female binge drinking has risen 12% in the past decade.

The article outlines the negative effects of alcohol use in women, such as the potential for developing an alcohol use disorder; increased risk for heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and cancer; and potential for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The article highlights alcohol use screening programs in Delaware, North Carolina, and Colorado, noting that States are attempting to better educate women and their health care providers about drinking.

Read the full article here.

Legal Action Center launches Parity Hotline in NY to help individuals with mental health and substance use disorders understand and enforce their rights

 

The Legal Action Center (LAC) has launched a Parity Hotline to help New York residents understand and enforce their rights under the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). MHPAEA, enacted in 2008, requires health insurers to offer substance use and mental health disorder coverage that on par with other medical benefits. The purpose of MHPAEA is to end health insurance discrimination against individuals with mental health and substance use disorders and improve access to the care they need. LAC’s Parity Hotline will provide information and advice to health care providers, social services providers, advocates, and attorneys in New York related to parity issues.

The phone number for the Parity Hotline is: 212-243-1313.

Access LAC’s parity resources here.

News from Capitol Hill

House leadership send letter Governors and Health Insurance Commissioners seeking input on health care reform

Last month Republican leaders of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Governors and State health insurance commissioners regarding health care reform. The letter notes that House Republicans are working to enact “health care reforms that lower costs, improve quality, empower States and individuals, and bring our health care system into the 21^st Century.” The letter seeks input and recommendations from Governors and commissioners in both Medicaid expansion and non-expansion States based on their experiences overseeing the health insurance markets and Medicaid programs. Governors and commissioners are to provide their responses by Friday, January 6^th. The letter also notes that every Governor and health insurance commissioner will be invited to a meeting early this year to further discuss ideas to reform the health care system.

The letter was signed by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA); Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Kevin Brady (R-TX); outgoing Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Fred Upton (R-MI); outgoing Chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce, John Kline (R-MN); Chair-Elect of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Greg Walden (R-OR); and Chair-Elect of the Committee on Education and Workforce, Virginia Foxx (R-NC).

Read the full letter here.

Around the Agencies

AHRQ releases brief on MAT in Primary Care Settings

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a technical brief on Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Models of Care for Opioid Use Disorder in Primary Care Settings. The brief describes promising and innovative MAT models of care in primary care settings; describes barriers to MAT implementation; summarizes the evidence available on MAT delivery in primary care settings; identifies gaps in the evidence base; and guides future research.

In summarizing models of MAT, authors used a framework with four primary components: the pharmacological component, the psychosocial services component, the integration/coordination component, and the educational/outreach component. The innovative models of MAT highlighted in the brief include: the use of designated non-physician staff to perform the key integration/coordination role; tiered care models with centralized intake and stabilization of patients with ongoing management in community settings; screening and induction performed in emergency department, inpatient, or prenatal settings with subsequent referral to community settings; community-based stakeholder engagement to develop practice standards and improve quality of care; and use of Internet-based learning networks.

Henrick Harwood, Director of Research and Program Applications at NASADAD, provided input on the AHRQ brief.

Access the full technical brief here.

OJJDP Releases Guidelines for Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) within the Department of Justice (DOJ) has released guidelines for Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts. OJJDP developed the guidelines to support judges and professional court staff, youth with substance use disorders, and their families. The goal of the guidelines is to “synthesize evidence from juvenile drug treatment courts (JDTCs) to determine the implementation components associated with the best outcomes and to supplement this understanding with research from related fields and interventions serving the same target population” (youth with substance use disorders at medium to high risk for reoffending). OJJDP is planning to support juvenile drug treatment courts in the implementation and testing of these guidelines through training, technical assistance, and programmatic initiatives.

As part of the rollout, OJJDP is hosting a three-part webinar series to review guidelines in detail. The first webinar, which will provide a general overview of the guidelines, will be held on January 25^th. The second and third webinars will provide an in-depth review of the guidelines, and will be held on February 8^th and February 22^nd, respectively.

Access the guidelines here.

Register for the upcoming webinars here.

Stakeholder Spotlight

The D.C. Update from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) is now featuring a “Stakeholder Spotlight” to highlight the work of a stakeholder group with which NASADAD works closely. In these spotlights we will include background on an organization that impacts the substance use disorder field and describe NASADAD’s collaborative efforts with them. This week we’re catching up with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).

Catching Up with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

The Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is a membership organization representing community substance use disorder prevention coalitions. The organization’s mission is to “strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally.”   CADCA has members in every U.S. State and territory, as well as 23 countries around the world. The organization provides technical assistance and training to its members, provides public policy advocacy, develops and implements media strategies and marketing programs, and hosts special events.

One of CADCA’s special events is the annual CADCA National Leadership Forum, which is a training conference for coalition members, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, education institutions, law enforcement professionals, and faith-based leaders. The next Forum will be held February 6-9, 2017 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, close to Washington, DC. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will convene its 13th Annual Prevention Day on February 6^th in conjunction with the CADCA’s National Leadership Forum. During Prevention Day, SAMHSA will share its prevention priorities for the coming year and provide participants with training, technical assistance, and resources to address prevention issues.

CADCA is led by a Board of Directors, which consists of 19 individuals who represent the range of CADCA’s membership: representatives from State and local drug prevention coalitions, State substance abuse and mental health services, addiction treatment programs, post-secondary training institutions, the military, the court system, sports teams, businesses, and organizations serving specific racial and ethnic populations. CADCA also has a Coalition Advisory Committee, made up of 14 coalition leaders from across the country, to serve as a link between local coalitions and CADCA staff. The Advisory Committee ensures that CADCA’s programs accurately and effectively represent the concerns of the coalitions at the community-level.

CADCA is one of NASADAD’s most important partners. NASADAD coordinates with CADCA on a regular basis on issues related to substance use disorders, especially prevention. We are appreciative of the leadership of Chairman and CEO, General Arthur Dean, and well as Sue Thau, Public Policy Consultant for CADCA.

Learn more about CADCA here.

Read more about the CADCA National Leadership Forum here.

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Should you have any questions, or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Robert Morrison, Executive Director, or Shalini Wickramatilake-Templeman, Federal Affairs Manager, at (202) 293-0090.