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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.

D.C. Update – March 17, 2015

News from NASADAD

  • NASADAD updates section-by-section analysis of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015
  • NASADAD launches new, user-friendly website
  • NASADAD sends comments to SAMHSA on Proposed 2016/17 SAPT Block Grant Application

Around the Agencies

  • SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 “Now is the Time” Project AWARE – Community grants
  • NHTSA survey reports increased rates of drugged driving
  • CMS launches new network for value-based payment models

In the News

  • Maryland Governor Hogan (R) forms emergency task force in response to heroin epidemic
  • Washington, DC marijuana legalization goes into effect

Upcoming Events

  • SAMHSA announces transitions of care webinar to be held Thursday, March 19th

News from NASADAD

NASADAD updates section-by-section analysis of Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015
The bill, the “Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015 (S. 524/H.R. 953),” was introduced in February by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in the Senate and by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) in the House. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Al Franken (D-MN), and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) co-sponsored the legislation in the Senate and Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Tom Marino (R-PA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), David Joyce (R-OH), Frank Guinta (R-NH), and John Sarbanes (D-MD) in the House. The bill includes key initiatives related to prevention, treatment, recovery, criminal justice, and fatal overdose prevention. The provisions address important topics including prescribing best practices; treatment alternatives to incarceration; medication-assisted treatment; recovery services for youth and recovery communities; population-specific initiatives that focus on pregnant and parenting women, families, veterans, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system; and other comprehensive approaches to reducing opioid misuse. Read the full section-by-section analysis here.

NASADAD launches new, more user-friendly website
NASADAD has launched a new version of its website, seeking to make the resource more user friendly.  Recently, the Association has generated a number of Fact Sheets and policy briefs on a range of issues that will be housed on the site.  Some examples include:

NASADAD will continue to generate additional products and news that shall be featured on the web page.  If there are comments or questions about the web page, please contact NASADAD.

NASADAD sends comments to SAMHSA on Proposed 2016/17 SAPT Block Grant Application
NASADAD sent the comments to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on Wednesday, March 4th. The comments come in response to SAMHSA’s request for comment on their proposed 2016/2017 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) Block Grant application.

Around the Agencies

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 “Now is the Time” Project AWARE – Community grants
SAMHSA is now accepting applications for FY 2015 “Now is the Time” Project AWARE – Community (NITT-AWARE-C) grants. This program provides funding to train teachers and other individuals that interact with youth through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) programs. This grant program seeks to increase knowledge about mental health among policy makers and administrators. More than 20 percent of children are estimated to experience serious mental disorders at some point in their life. Applications are due by Friday, May 1st, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $125,000 per year for up to 3 years.

NHTSA survey reports increased rates of drugged driving
A recent survey from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found growing rates of drugged driving across the United States. While the percentage of drunk drivers has declined almost one-third since 2007, the 2014 survey found that about one-in-four of both weekday and weekend drivers tested positive for at least one drug (illicit or medication) that impairs driving safety. Weekend nighttime drivers with drugs in their system rose from 16.3 percent in 2007 to 20 percent in 2014. The amount of drivers with marijuana found in their system grew by almost 50 percent between 2007 and 2014.

CMS launches new network for value-based payment models
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network this past week. This network will provide a forum for public-private partnerships to meet and exceed Medicare goals to increase value-based and alternative payment models. Payers, providers, employers, purchasers, and state partners are invited to register for the network to begin reporting on progress towards alternative payment models.

In the News

Maryland Governor Hogan (R) forms emergency task force in response to heroin epidemic
Governor Hogan of Maryland announced new plans to combat rising heroin deaths this past week. The governor will form a new emergency task force and “coordinating council” of State officials to provide recommendations before December 1st. Governor Hogan’s cousin recently passed away from a heroin overdose, compelling Maryland to seek new alternatives for substance use disorder programs. Hogan acknowledges substance use disorders as a disease, and continues to stress the importance of balancing law enforcement and treatment services when dealing with individuals struggling with substance abuse. Kaleo, a Richmond-based pharmaceutical company, recently donated 10,000 doses of naloxone, a medication to reverse heroin or opioid overdoses to Maryland. Kaleo is the maker of “Evzio,” a naloxone auto-injector. Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford has been put in charge of the heroin response effort.

Washington, D.C. marijuana legalization goes into effect
Marijuana was legalized in Washington D.C. last Thursday, February 26 at 12:01 a.m., despite warnings from Republican Congressional leaders. Washington D.C. passed Initiative 71 last November as a ballot initiative, legalizing marijuana for adults over the age of 21. Congress blocked the city from setting up a regulation and sales system similar to Colorado and Washington State, fearing an abundance of marijuana in the Capitol. Initiative 71 allows for adults to consume and grow marijuana in their own homes, but still prohibits individuals from purchasing, selling, or consuming the drug in public. D.C. residents will be able to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and grow up to three plants. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has moved to outlaw “cannabis clubs” and restaurants to prevent a “gray market” for marijuana.

Upcoming Events

SAMHSA announces transitions of care webinar to be held Thursday, March 19th
SAMHSA has announced the “Bridging the Divide: Improving Transitions of Care to Reduce Hospital Readmissions” webinar to be held Thursday, March 19th at 2:00-3:30 PM ET. The webinar will cover new transition care models, initiatives, and payment incentives to facilitate increased communication between inpatient and outpatient healthcare providers. Tips for better management of treatment planning, in addition to methods of discussing care management with family members, will also be discussed.

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.