Around the Agencies

• CMCS and HRSA release informational bulletin on maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting services coverage
• CDC and Governors seek stricter limits on painkiller prescribing
• CDC releases new Prevention Status Report
• NIAAA study finds significant increase in marijuana use and marijuana use disorders between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013

In the News

• NDCI releases prescription drug misuse fact sheet
• Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine releases substance use resources for parents and adolescents

News from NASADAD

• NASADAD requests comments on 42 CFR Part 2 Proposed Rulemaking

Around the Agencies

CMCS and HRSA release informational bulletin on maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting services coverage
The Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services (CMCS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released an informational bulletin describing best practices for the development of evidence-based home visiting programs for maternal, infant, and early childhood services last week. The bulletin aims to help States design benefit packages for pregnant women and families. The Affordable Care Act created the first national Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, allowing States, tribal organizations, and non-profit organizations to apply for federal grants assisting evidence-based home services. Services include child and adult screening for mental health and substance use disorders, case management, and caregiver training. The program has more than doubled in size since its creation, and is now implemented in 26 percent of counties across the United States as of July 2015.

Read the full bulletin here.

CDC and Governors seek stricter limits on painkiller prescribing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the National Governors Association (NGA) are seeking stricter limits on painkiller prescribing, as reported by the Pew Charitable Trusts. The CDC recently issued a draft proposal that would change prescribing guidelines to encourage doctors to utilize drug-free treatment options and non-opioid pain relievers for chronic pain and related conditions before prescribing opioid pain medication. The NGA unanimously approved the CDC initiative, with Governor Peter Shumlin of Vermont noting that opioid pain medication presents the biggest drug control problem currently facing the United States. The CDC’s proposed guidelines advise prescribing three days’ worth of pain medication instead of the commonly prescribed 30-day supply in order to prevent diversion of extra pills.

Read the full article here.

CDC releases new Prevention Status Report
Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new Prevention Status Report for all 50 States and Washington, DC. The CDC’s Prevention Status Report outlines the current status of public health policies as well as best practices for dealing with notable public health problems. This Prevention Status Report contains information on alcohol-related harms, prescription drug overdose, and tobacco use. The reports for each State compare State-level data versus national averages and provide ratings on the regulations surrounding each State’s prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP).

Access the new Prevention Status Report here.

NIAAA study finds significant increase in marijuana use and marijuana use disorders between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has published a study finding a significant increase in both marijuana use and marijuana use disorders between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013. Past-year prevalence of marijuana use was 4.1 percent in 2001-2002 compared to 9.5 percent in 2012-2013. Past-year prevalence of marijuana use disorders experienced a similar increase, with 1.5 percent past-year incidence in 2001-2002 compared to 2.9 percent in 2012-2013. Both increases were found to be statistically significant. The study asserts that “nearly 3 of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder in 2012-2013.” This increase was attributed to the growing prevalence of marijuana use among adults.

Read the full study here.

In the News

NDCI releases prescription drug misuse fact sheet
The National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) has released a new fact sheet on prescription drug misuse. The fact sheet, titled “Understanding and Detecting Prescription Drug Misuse and Misuse Disorders” outlines the characteristics of the most commonly misused prescription drugs and their associated symptoms of misuse. The NDCI fact sheet also includes treatment suggestions, including medication assisted treatment (MAT), for individuals who may have developed a substance use disorder.

Read the full fact sheet here.

Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine releases substance use resources for parents and adolescents
The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) has released new resources on substance use for parents and adolescents. The resources compile existing SAHM resources on substance use, support groups, and treatment service locators for both adolescents and their parents. Both resources also provide external links to other organizations working on issues related to substance use and substance use disorders.

Access the SAHM resource for adolescents here.

Access the SAHM resource for parents of adolescents here.

News from NASADAD

NASADAD requests comments on 42 CFR Part 2 Proposed Rulemaking
During last Monday’s NASADAD’s All States Public Policy call, guests from the Legal Action Center spoke about 42 CFR Part 2 and the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by HHS, which was published in the Federal Register on February 9^th. During the call, it was suggested that NASADAD consider commenting on the proposed rule as an Association. Comments on the proposed rule are due by 5 pm on Monday, April 11^th.

In order for NASADAD to meet the deadline, we request that any comments for the Association’s consideration be submitted by COB Friday, March 18^th to swickramatilake@nasadad.org. Comments will then be summarized for the Board of Directors to review at their next meeting March 24^th-25^th. The Board may also review other groups’ statements that have been made available at that point. The Legal Action Center will be releasing a template for the field to use in crafting comments on the proposed rule. The template will likely be released in the next 2 weeks, and NASADAD will send it to membership as soon as possible.

More information about confidentiality can be found on the NASADAD website, including comments by other organizations regarding potential changes to 42 CFR Part 2.

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

News from the States

• Marijuana legalization bill advances in Vermont State Senate
• Connecticut pediatricians support proposal allowing limited medical marijuana for minors with specific medical conditions

In the News

• AMA President Steven Stack calls for medical community to address opioid epidemic
• NGA and AMA release joint statement calling for response to opioid epidemic
• MaineGeneral Health CMO testifies at Senate hearing on opioid use among senior citizens

News from NASADAD

• NASADAD updates SAPT Block Grant and Prevention Set-Aside fact sheets
• NASADAD attends National Association of Counties briefing on criminal justice reform

News from the States

Marijuana legalization bill advances in Vermont State Senate
A bill that would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 or older advanced in the Vermont State Senate last week. The proposed legislation would create retail licenses for businesses to sell marijuana products. The bill passed the Senate with a 17-12 vote, with opposition from both Democrats and Republicans; some Senators think the bill goes too far in increasing access to marijuana, and others think that the bill should allow Vermonters to grow small amounts of marijuana on their own. The legislation, which has support from Governor Peter Shumlin, will next move to the Vermont House of Representatives.

Read more about this story here.

Connecticut pediatricians support proposal allowing limited medical marijuana for minors with specific medical conditions
The Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics announced their support for a proposed bill that would provide access to non-smokable medical marijuana to minors with specific medical conditions, including epilepsy and terminal illnesses requiring end-of-life hospital care.  The Connecticut Chapter opposed a similar measure last year, but changed policies after a hearing featuring testimony from pediatric neurologists and parents of children affected by seizure disorders and terminal illnesses. Minors would be required to receive approval from their parents, primary care providers, and healthcare specialists before being granted access to medical marijuana.

Read more about this story here.

In the News

AMA President Steven Stack calls for medical community to address opioid epidemic
American Medical Association President Steven Stack released a press release calling for the medical community to address the opioid epidemic earlier this month. Mr. Stack notes that over the past 15 years the United States has experienced over 250,000 fatal overdoses, with 30,000 in the last year alone. The press release outlines five specific steps for medical professionals to take in addressing the epidemic, including: 1) registration for State prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs); 2) the enhancement of education and training surrounding safe prescribing practices; 3) the co-prescription of naloxone to patients at risk of an overdose; 4) the expansion of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) related training programs; and 5) speaking out against mental health and substance use disorder stigma. The AMA has previously convened a taskforce comprised of State and specialty associations, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Dental Association to identify and implement opioid-related best practices.

Read the full press release here.

NGA and AMA release joint statement calling for response to opioid epidemic
The National Governors Association (NGA) and American Medical Association (AMA) released a joint statement calling for a coordinated response to the opioid epidemic. The statement outlines several priorities for addressing the opioid crisis, including: greater integration and funding of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), more effective education and training on substance use disorders and pain management in medical schools, increased workforce development, closing the of the substance use disorder treatment gap, and expanded naloxone access.

Read the full statement here.

MaineGeneral Health CMO testifies at Senate hearing on opioid use among senior citizens
MaineGeneral Health Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Senior Vice President Steven Diaz, M.D. testified at a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing last week. Mr. Diaz’s department witnessed ten patients aged 65 years or older experience opioid overdoses in the last year, more than double the average of past years. Mr. Diaz recommended that opioid pain medication should not be the default treatment for elderly patients suffering from chronic pain, instead suggesting that a combination of alternative treatment and therapy should be pursued. Mr. Diaz’s testimony also noted the shortage of substance use disorder specialists in rural areas throughout Maine and the rest of the country. This shortage further exacerbates the opioid epidemic as individuals in need of treatment are unable to access treatment services.

View the full Senate hearing here.

News from NASADAD

NASADAD updates SAPT Block Grant and Prevention Set-Aside fact sheets
NASADAD released updated versions of its Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant and SAPT Block Grant Prevention Set-Aside fact sheets last week. The new versions contain updated information on FY 2015 and FY 2016 SAPTBG funding levels and analysis of the most recent substance use trends across the country. Over the last 10 years, SAPTBG funding has not kept up with health care inflation, resulting in a 26 percent decrease in the real value of funding when adjusted for inflation as of FY 2015.

Read the updated SAPT Block Grant fact sheet here.

Read the updated SAPT Block Grant Prevention Set-Aside fact sheet here.

NASADAD attends National Association of Counties briefing on criminal justice reform
Brian Denten, Public Policy Intern, attended the briefing hosted by the National Association of Counties (NaCo) on Tuesday, February 23^rd. The briefing included several State and local officials who spoke about new approaches to criminal justice. Speakers highlighted the need for enhanced substance use disorder and mental health services, noting that many people with mental health and substance use conditions are placed in the criminal justice system due to a lack of alternatives. Supervisor Don Knabe of Los Angeles asserted that, as a result of California’s “re-alignment” strategy that has sent more incarcerated individuals to county and local jails to deal with the State’s prison overpopulation, Los Angeles county jails are now the largest psychiatric treatment facility in the country. Other speakers noted the need for equity in sentencing and greater investment in reentry services for those entering society following periods of incarceration.

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) spoke in support of the Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015 (S. 993), which recently passed the Senate and is waiting to be brought to the House floor. This legislation creates several Department of Justice administered grant programs targeting recidivism, expanding the mental health and substance use disorder workforce, and creating new treatment and prevention programs. NaCo concluded the briefing with an additional call for eliminating the restrictions surrounding Medicaid and Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals.

Speakers:

• Senator Al Franken (D- MN)
• Commissioner Sallie Clark, El Paso County, Colorado
• Chairman John Eaves, Fulton County, Georgia
• Commissioner Sally Heyman, Miami-Dade County, Florida
• Supervisor Don Knabe, Los Angeles County, California
• Mayor Mark Luttrell, Shelby county, Tennessee

Watch a video of the briefing here.

Read more about the Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act of 2015 here.

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

News from NASADAD

• NASADAD updates opioids fact sheet
• NASADAD updates DOJ priority programs fact sheet
• NASADAD attends Washington Post event on criminal justice

News from the States

• New York releases new tool tracking substance use disorder treatment bed availability in real time

Around the Agencies

• FDA officials call for review of agency opioid policies
• SAMHSA releases new resource for understanding mental health and substance use disorder benefits
• SAMHSA announces FY 2016 Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success grant program
• NIDA releases Strategic Plan for 2016-2020

In the News

• AHA names Wayne Young as chair of 2016 Constituency Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services
• National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws updates reports on marijuana legislation

News from NASADAD

NASADAD updates opioids fact sheet
NASADAD released an updated version of its opioids fact sheet last week. The fact sheet describes the latest statistics surrounding the ongoing opioid crisis, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive federal and State response in reducing the number of deaths resulting from overdoses.  Best treatment practices and important federal programs addressing opioid use disorders are also discussed in the fact sheet.

Read the fact sheet here.

NASADAD updates DOJ priority programs fact sheet
NASADAD released an updated version of its Department of Justice (DOJ) priority programs fact sheet last week. The fact sheet describes the important programs dealing with substance use disorders within the DOJ, including the Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program, the Second Chance Act, and the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program, among several others. The funding histories and websites of each respective programs are also provided.

Read the fact sheet here.

NASADAD attends Washington Post event on criminal justice reform

Brian Denten, Public Policy Intern, attended a Washington Post event on criminal justice reform last week. During the event, titled “Out of Jail, Into Society,” speakers emphasized the importance of revising mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines and improving reentry programs in boosting the outcomes of incarcerated individuals once they exit the criminal justice system. Members of both parties asserted that criminal justice reform is a bipartisan issue, and can be addressed at the federal level through legislation such as the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 (S. 123). Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, spoke extensively on breaking the school to prison pipeline and improving early childhood education as a method for reducing the number of individuals incarcerated within the United States.

Speakers:

• Holly Harris; Executive Director, U.S. Justice Action Network
• Valerie Jarrett; Senior Advisor to the President
• Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
• Secretary of Corrections John E. Wetzel, Pennsylvania
• Glenn E. Martin; Founder and President, JustLeadershipUSA
• Teresa Hodge; Co-founder, Mission: Launch, Inc.
• Bernard B. Kerik; Founder, ACCJR.org; Former NYC Police and Correction Commissioner

News from the States

New York releases new tool tracking substance use disorder treatment bed availability in real time
New York Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, of which NASADAD member Arlene González-Sánchez is Commissioner, has released a new web-based tool for tracking substance use disorder treatment bed availability. The Bed Availability Dashboard collects data on bed availability from State-certified substance use disorder providers in real time before making the information available on the web application. The tool allows users to search for beds by region, age, and gender. Commissioner González-Sánchez states that, “connecting New Yorkers to addiction services is one of our top priorities. I encourage all New Yorkers in need of help to take advantage of this valuable resource to begin the journey towards recovery. Treatment is available and recovery is possible.” The Bed Availability Dashboard is the latest in a series of policies addressing substance use disorders in New York State.

Access the new tool here.

Around the Agencies

FDA officials call for review of agency opioid policies
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Medical Products and Tobacco, Dr. Robert Califf, and other FDA officials called for a reassessment of FDA opioid policies regarding opioid mediations last week. The agency’s plan includes a re-examination of the risk-benefit policies guiding opioid prescriptions, a convening of experts before approving new opioid medications, development of new prescription opioid labels, and the expansion of access to naloxone and medication-assisted treatment drugs. The FDA plans to work with other stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive overview is completed.

Read the full press release here.

SAMHSA releases new resource for understanding mental health and substance use disorder benefits
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new resource to help consumers better understand mental health and substance use disorder benefits last week. The pamphlet, titled “Parity of Mental Health and Substance Use Benefits with Other Benefits” examines the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the standards it created. The resource discusses why mental health and substance use disorder benefit claims may be denied, and how to effectively file an appeal if necessary.

Download the resource here.

SAMHSA announces FY 2016 Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success grant program
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for the FY 2016 Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success Grant program. The program intends to address underage drinking among persons aged 12 to 20 and prescription drug misuse among persons aged 12 to 25. SAMHSA is offering up to three grant awards ranging from $318,543 to $1,230,000 per year for up to five years.

Read more about this grant program here.

NIDA releases Strategic Plan for 2016-2020
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) released its 2016-2020 Strategic Plan for advancing addiction science last week. The plan outlines the steps NIDA will take to utilize the latest technologies for the improvement of substance use disorder treatment outcomes. Four goals are identified within the plan: identifying the biological and behavioral causes and consequences of drug use and substance use disorders, developing new strategies for drug use prevention, developing new treatments (including medications, therapies, vaccines, and manipulation of brain activity), and increasing the reach of NIDA research and programs.

Access the strategic plan here.

In the News

AHA names Wayne Young as chair of 2016 Constituency Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has announced that Wayne Young will serve as the organization’s Constituency Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services chair for 2016. Mr. Young currently serves as a Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health within the JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas. As an AHA chair, Mr. Young will work with a 17-person governing council to identify ways to best utilize AHA resources to improve the quality, efficiency, and delivery of psychiatric and substance use disorder services.

Read the full press release here.

National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws updates reports on marijuana legislation
The National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) has updated its series of reports on medicinal, legal, and illegal marijuana legislation for 2016. The reports summarize ongoing and future efforts to regulate both the medical marijuana and legal marijuana industries at the State level. Two new reports are now available: one detailing legislation on the personal non-medical use of marijuana, and another summarizing legislation on medical marijuana use.

Read the non-medical use report here.

Read the medical marijuana report here.

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

News from the States

• Pennsylvania releases opioid prescribing guidelines for geriatric pain, obstetrics & gynecology pain treatment
• Vermont releases health impact assessment on marijuana regulation
• CVS announces plans to offer over-the-counter naloxone in Ohio pharmacies

Around the Agencies

• SAMHSA announces Kimberly Johnson, PhD, as new Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
• CMS releases Informational Bulletin on prescription opioid medications
• CDC releases Vital Signs report on alcohol and pregnancy

In the News

• National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws updates reports on marijuana legislation

News from the States

Pennsylvania releases opioid prescribing guidelines for geriatric pain, obstetrics & gynecology pain treatment
Pennsylvania’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, of which NASADAD member Gary Tennis is Secretary, released two new opioid prescribing guidelines last month—one  for geriatric pain and another for obstetrics & gynecology pain. The guidelines seek to help healthcare providers determine when to prescribe opioid pain relievers for patients versus other treatment options. The geriatric pain guidelines assert that overreliance on opioid treatment often results in inadequate pain control and misuse potential, and that “therapy for chronic pain with long acting opioids should be avoided in older adults.” If opioid therapy is selected as a treatment plan, dosages should begin low and increase over time.

The obstetrics & gynecology pain treatment prescribing guidelines recommend that all pregnant and postpartum women receive a brief screening for substance use disorders prior to opioid treatment, and that healthcare providers consider the risk of pregnancy before prescribing opioid painkillers to women of childbearing age. The guidelines address opioid painkiller usage by women who are breastfeeding, recommending that only select opioids be used.

Access the Prescribing Guidelines for Geriatric Pain here.

Access the Prescribing Guidelines for Obstetrics and Gynecology Pain Treatment here.

Vermont releases health impact assessment on marijuana regulation
Last month Vermont’s Department of Health, of which NASADAD member Barbara Cimaglio is Deputy Commissioner, released its health impact assessment on marijuana regulation. In 2014, Vermont hired the RAND Corporation to investigate the financial and policy implications of regulating marijuana, and the report provides an overview of the potential impact of regulated and taxed marijuana on the prevalence of mental health disorders, traffic safety problems, substance use disorders, and academic outcomes. Vermont’s State legislature is currently considering a bill that would regulate marijuana for adult use.

Read the full report here.

CVS announces plans to offer over-the-counter naloxone in Ohio pharmacies
The pharmacy chain CVS announced plans to offer over-the-counter naloxone in its Ohio locations last week. Beginning in late March, all CVS Pharmacy locations in Ohio will make naloxone available over-the-counter without a prescription. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Michael Botticelli joined CVS in making the announcement, underlining the importance of expanding naloxone availability in reducing opioid overdoses.

Read more about this story here.

Around the Agencies

SAMHSA announces Kimberly Johnson, PhD, as new Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Last week the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced a new Director for its Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Kimberly Johnson, PhD. A former NASADAD member for the State of Maine, Dr. Johnson has dedicated her career to developing and promoting effective and innovative substance use disorder treatment services, programs and practices.  Currently, Dr. Johnson serves as co-director of the national office that coordinates the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC).  In addition, she serves as director of operations of CHESS/Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) located at the University of Wisconsin.  NASADAD looks forward to working with Dr. Johnson in her new role.

View SAMHSA’s press release about the appointment here.

CMS releases Informational Bulletin on prescription opioid medications
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Informational Bulletin discussing the health risks associated with prescription opioid medications last week. The bulletin describes the unique impact opioids have on Medicaid and Medicare populations, stating that “Medicaid beneficiaries are prescribed painkillers at twice the rate of non-Medicaid patients and are at three-to-six times the risk of prescription painkiller overdose.” CMS expresses that Medicaid and Medicare can help fight the opioid overdose epidemic through the adoption of smarter pain management strategies, including provider education, preferred drug lists, step therapy, prior authorization, and quantity limits. The bulletin recommends that State Medicaid programs work to improve access to naloxone by placing naloxone on Medicaid preferred drug lists and expanding community-based naloxone distribution programs.

View the full bulletin here.

CDC releases Vital Signs report on alcohol and pregnancy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new Vital Signs report on alcohol and pregnancy last week. The report notes the complications that may arise as a result of using alcohol during pregnancy, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). The CDC recommends healthcare professionals provide alcohol use disorder screening and counseling to women of childbearing age, and that women planning to get pregnant stop drinking alcohol.

Read the full report here.

In the News

National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws updates reports on marijuana legislation
The National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL) has updated its series of reports on medicinal, legal, and illegal marijuana legislation for 2016. The reports summarize ongoing and future efforts to regulate both the medical marijuana and legal marijuana industries at the State level. Two reports for 2016 are available: one summarizing follow-up legislation in States that have legalized the personal usage of marijuana (Alaska, Colorado, District of Columbia, and Oregon), and one summarizing legislation decriminalizing or lowering penalties for illicit, personal non-medical use. Reports on medicinal and personal marijuana legislation in 2016 are forthcoming.

Read the follow-up legislation report here.

Read the decriminalization report here.

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

News from the States

• Ohio releases acute pain opioid prescribing guidelines

Around the Agencies

• SAMHSA report confirms importance of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant in wake of Medicaid expansion
• CMS offers technical assistance for State agencies working to improve home and community-based services
• SAMHSA releases updated version of opioid overdose prevention toolkit

In the News

• Chuck Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections releases final report on criminal justice reform
• Legal Action Center survey finds majority of Americans support expansion of substance use disorder treatment
• High schools across the country move to offer opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone for free
• White House names Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to lead new interagency effort on opioid epidemic

News from NASADAD

• NASADAD releases FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Summary
• NASADAD releases results of 2016 Public Policy Survey

News from the States

Ohio releases acute pain opioid prescribing guidelines
The Ohio Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team, which includes Tracy Plouck, Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, has released new opioid prescribing guidelines for acute pain. The guidelines highlight non-opioid treatment alternatives for acute and chronic pain conditions. They recommend that opioid pharmacologic treatment be reserved for severe medical conditions and used in conjunction with other types of therapy. The Governor’s Cabinet Opiate Action Team developed the new guidelines with the input of clinical professionals and healthcare providers as part of Ohio’s plan to reduce the misuse and overprescribing of opioid pain relievers.

View the new guidelines here.

Around the Agencies

SAMHSA report confirms importance of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant in wake of Medicaid expansion
A Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report released last week confirmed the importance of Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant funding in the wake of State Medicaid expansions. The report used Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2012 data to examine the insurance rates of individuals treated in State substance use disorder treatment facilities prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). SAMHSA found that “58.3 percent did not have health insurance, 25.6 percent had Medicaid coverage, and 16.0 percent had some other type of health insurance.” SAMHSA’s report asserts that it is unlikely that the State Medicaid expansions facilitated by the ACA will be able to cover all of the individuals without health insurance as of 2012. The report states that vulnerable populations, including the homeless and individuals within the criminal justice system, will continue to rely on public funding such as the SAPT Block Grant in order to receive substance use disorder treatment.

Read the full report here.

CMS offers technical assistance for State agencies working to improve home and community-based services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a flyer describing the technical assistance available for State agencies working to improve home and community-based services (HCBS) last week. CMS has partnered with New Editions Consulting, Inc. to offer a wide variety of services to State agencies, including strategic planning, community integration, population targeting, and program implementation. CMS plans for the new technical services to help guide program development by clarifying CMS’s requirements for HCBS and related services.

View the services available here.

SAMHSA releases updated version of opioid overdose prevention toolkit
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released an updated version of their opioid overdose prevention toolkit last week. The toolkit aims to educate first responders, physicians, patients, and family members on the best methods for facilitating opioid overdose prevention. The updated toolkit includes information on the intranasal spray version of naloxone, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last year.

Download the toolkit here.

In the News

Chuck Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections releases final report on criminal justice reform
The Chuck Colson Task Force on Federal Corrections released its final report on criminal justice reform last week. The report concluded over a year of analysis and stakeholder engagement conducted by a nine-person, bipartisan panel created by Congress to investigate the criminal justice system. The report asserts that the current federal and State criminal justice systems fail to adequately rehabilitate incarcerated individuals, leading to a cycle of criminality that fails to adequately maintain public safety. The Task Force highlights the large cost saving potential of criminal justice reform in the report, stating that over $5 billion in savings can be achieved if the full recommendations are approved. The recommendations include broad sentencing reform, more judicious use of incarceration, and greater emphasis on evidence-based reintegration programs for incarcerated individuals reentering society.

Read the full report here.

Legal Action Center survey finds majority of Americans support expansion of substance use disorder treatment
The Legal Action Center (LAC) released the results of a survey measuring American attitudes towards substance use disorders last week, finding that a majority of Americans support policies expanding the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. The survey found that “57 percent of Americans support a presidential candidate who says additional investment is needed for more education, prevention, and treatment of drug and alcohol addiction; 63 percent of Americans believe ‘we put too many non-violent drug offenders in prison instead of treating their addiction’; and 78 percent of Americans believe ‘we need to treat drug and alcohol addiction more as a health problem and less as a criminal problem.’” The LAC released a new report discussing national drug and alcohol policy in conjunction with the survey findings.

Read the full survey results here.

Read the LAC report “The Roadmap for Promoting Health and Justice: A Smarter, More Effective National Drug and Alcohol Policy” here.

High schools across the country move to offer opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone for free
Many States across the country have moved to offer naloxone for free in high schools, according to a Partnership for Drug-Free Kids article released last week. New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Delaware now allow school nurses to carry naloxone in their inventory of medications. The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) stated in June that “the incorporation of naloxone into school emergency preparedness and response plans is a school nurse role.” Despite the evidence of naloxone’s success in reversing opioid overdoses, many States continue to not stock naloxone in high schools.

Read the full article here.

White House appoints Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to lead new interagency effort on opioid use disorders
Earlier this month, the White House announced that Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will lead a new interagency effort addressing the opioid crisis. The announcement is part of a larger effort to centralize federal decision-making on substance use disorders as opioid overdose rates have continued to rise across the country. Secretary Vilsack stated that while a long-term solution to the opioid crisis will be implemented by the next President, the Obama Administration intends to “develop a comprehensive strategy and elevate the issue in the American consciousness.” NASADAD sent a letter to Secretary Vilsack last week thanking him for his leadership and underlining the importance of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant in establishing State treatment and prevention programs. The letter requests that the Secretary coordinate with State substance abuse agencies and leverage State expertise while developing new federal policies. The letter is attached to this email.

Read the full story here.

News from NASADAD

NASADAD releases FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Summary
NASADAD released a summary of the FY 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act last week. The summary includes a series of charts outlining the final FY 2016 appropriations for the programs and agencies involved with substance use disorders. The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant received a $38.2 million increase compared to FY 2015, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) received a $26.6 million decrease compared to FY 2015, and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) received a $36.0 million increase compared to FY 2016. The Obama Administration plans to release the proposed FY 2017 budget on February 9^th.

Read NASADAD’s FY 2016 appropriations summary here.

NASADAD releases results of 2016 Public Policy Survey
NASADAD has compiled and released results of its annual Public Policy Survey. The survey is intended to determine the federal funding and legislative priorities of State Directors and component group leadership. The survey is also designed to acquire feedback on the services and products provided by NASADAD’ Public Policy Department. Policy staff use the survey results as a guide for prioritizing work throughout 2016.

View the 2016 Survey results here.

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