News from NASADAD

• NASADAD presents to Governors’ Criminal Justice Policy Advisors
• NASADAD attends House Energy and Commerce Committee – Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on opioid issues
• NASADAD attends Medicaid Coalition Meeting on the federal Medicaid budget and Medicaid expansion
• NASADAD attends Alliance for Health Reform briefing on innovation in the private and public sectors

Around the Agencies

• New SAMHSA report reveals increased rates of heroin use over the past decade
• SAMHSA now accepting applications for the FY 2015 Program Supplements for Violence Intervention to Enhance Lives grant program
• SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Statewide Peer Networks for Recovery and Resiliency Grants
• HHS now accepting applications for FY 2015 Community Interoperability and Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program grants

In the News

• New study finds high rates of missed diagnoses for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
• Carolyn Hardin named interim CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals
• Breaking Addiction Act of 2015 introduced to eliminate the IMD exclusion and increase State flexibility for substance use disorder treatment
• HIV outbreak in southeastern Indiana linked to oxymorphone injection

News from NASADAD

NASADAD presents to Governors’ Criminal Justice Policy Advisors
Rob Morrison, Executive Director presented to a committee of the National Governors Association on Thursday, April 23^rd. The committee is made up of Governors’ Criminal Justice Policy Advisors. Mr. Morrison provided information from NASADAD’s 2014 member inquiry on State responses to prescription drugs and heroin abuse, as well as information on NASADAD’s priorities and criminal justice examples. Policy Advisors from 11 States participated on the call: AL, AZ, KY, NC, NH, NJ, NM, OR, TN, VA, and WV.

NASADAD attends House Energy and Commerce Committee – Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on opioid issues
Rob Morrison, Executive Director, Colleen Haller, Public Policy Associate, and Brian Denten, Public Policy intern attended the hearing. The hearing featured testimony from practitioners and researchers in the substance use disorder field on the increased prevalence of opioid use disorders. Both Representatives and panelists discussed the importance of determining the efficacy of treatment services such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and others in achieving recovery. Increasing parity for mental health and substance use disorders, training physicians on prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) usage, and improving interstate interoperability with PDMPs were also discussed. Chairman Murphy (R-PA) concluded the hearing with a summary of discussed topics and a reaffirmation of his commitment to rethinking the government’s approach to substance use disorders. View the background memo for the meeting here, and the video of the hearing here.

Panelists:

• Robert L. DuPont, M.D.; President, Institute for Behavior and Health
• Marvin D. Seppala, M.D.; Chief Medical Officer, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
• Laurence M. Westreich, M.D.; President, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
• Anna Lembke, M.D.; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University Medical Center Psychiatry Department
• Adam Bisaga, M.D.; Columbia Universal Medical Center, NYS Psychiatric Instiute
• Patrice Harris, M.D.; American Medical Association

 

NASADAD attends Alliance for Health Reform briefing on innovation in the private and public sectors
Brian Denten, Public Policy Intern attended the meeting. Panelists discussed ongoing innovations in health care delivery, and focused on the cost savings gained from shifts toward alternative care organizations versus fee-for-service models. Several panelists identified the increase of clinical analytics as a critical area of growth for the health care industry. The panel concluded with a discussion of current and future methods for identifying innovations in both the private and public sectors, and identified barriers that prolong successful implementation of new innovations including cultural resistance in the health care industry and inefficient regulation processes.

NASADAD attends Medicaid Coalition Meeting on the federal Medicaid budget and Medicaid expansion
Brian Denten, Public Policy Intern attended the meeting hosted by Families USA. The meeting focused on the federal budget and potential threats to Medicaid and the ongoing process of States participating in the Medicaid expansion. Speakers from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) discussed the recent implementation process for Medicaid expansion via waivers in Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan. CBPP noted that these States allowed some or all of their expansion population to enroll in private coverage offered through the health insurance marketplaces. Speakers went on to discuss the federal government’s efforts to scale back State proposals to limit certain health benefits, and the federal government’s rejection of State proposals to condition Medicaid eligibility on participation in work search activities.

Panelists:

• Ellen Nissenbaum; Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, CBPP
• Judy Solomon, Vice President for Health Policy, CBPP
• Jessica Schubel, Senior Policy Analyst, CBPP
• Patrick Willard, Field Director, Families USA

Around the Agencies

New SAMHSA report reveals increased rates of heroin use over the past decade
A new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report released this week revealed growing rates of heroin use over the past decade in the United States. The number of people aged 12 or older receiving treatment for heroin use in the past year has risen from 277,000 people in 2002 to 526,000 people in 2013. SAMHSA warns this drastic increase may stretch the capacity of treatment providers to deliver quality care. The study further notes that the data does not support anecdotal evidence that efforts to prevent illegal misuse of prescription opioids have led more people to use heroin. In 2013, 169,000 people began using heroin for the first time; matching first-time users recorded in most years since 2002.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for the FY 2015 Program Supplements for Violence Intervention to Enhance Lives grant program
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for the FY 2015 Program Supplements for violence Intervention to Enhance Lives grant program. Grant funding should be used to help grantees from the Targeted Capacity Expansion: Substance Abuse Treatment for Racial/Ethnic Minority Women at High Risk for HIV/AIDS (TCE – HIV: Minority Women) expand their programs.  The Violence Intervention to Enhance Lives (VITEL) portion of the supplemental grant program should be used to upgrade existing substance use disorder treatment services by including intimate partner violence (IPV) screening. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of $70,000 per year. Applications are due by Monday, June 22, 2015.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Statewide Peer Networks for Recovery and Resiliency grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for the FY 2015 Statewide Peer Networks for Recovery and Resiliency grant program. Grant funding should be used to create and enhance Statewide mental health and substance use disorder recovery networks to improve access to and the quality of treatment programs. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $100,000 for a 1 year period. Applications are due by Tuesday, June 23, 2015.

HHS now accepting applications for FY 2015 Community Interoperability and Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program grants
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Community Interoperability and Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program grants. Grant funding should be used to support and expand community efforts to improve the accessibility and use of health information. This program will also expand the number of non-eligible care providers to send, receive, find, and use electronic health information in an appropriate and standardized manner. ONC encourages applicants to propose projects that could be emulated in other communities, and are cross-jurisdictional, interstate, or regional in nature. Up to 10 community organizations, State or local government agencies, or other community groups will receive funding. Applications are due by June 15, 2015.

In the News

New study finds high rates of missed diagnoses for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
A new study published in Pediatrics has discovered high rates of missed diagnoses for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The study examined a sample of foster or adoptive care children, finding that 86 percent of cases with FASD diagnoses were unrecognized (80%) or misdiagnosed (6%). This research suggests that health care providers need increased education to better recognize alcohol-related disorders in patients and provide proper screening and treatment options.

Carolyn Hardin named interim CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals
Carolyn Hardin was named interim CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) this past week. Carolyn will serve as interim CEO while the NADCP Board of Directors continues its search for a permanent replacement. Carolyn is temporarily leaving her position as Senior Director of the National Drug Court Institute (NCDI), where she has overseen the development of all training, technical assistance, and academic publications on behalf of NADCP for the past eight years.

Breaking Addiction Act of 2015 introduced to eliminate the IMD exclusion and increase State flexibility for substance use disorder treatment
The Breaking Addiction Act of 2015 was introduced this past week by Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) to eliminate the institutions for mental disease (IMD) exclusion and increase State flexibility for substance use disorder treatments. Current federal law prohibits Medicaid from matching payments for inpatient treatment facilities with more than 16 beds. The Breaking Addiction Act of 2015 would eliminate this exclusion, and allow States to facilitate reimbursements to IMD facilities with up to 60 beds. Read a FAQ about the bill here.

HIV outbreak in southeastern Indiana linked to oxymorphone injection
A recent HIV outbreak in a rural southeastern Indiana county has been linked to syringe-sharing partners injecting the prescription opioid oxymorphone. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has diagnosed HIV infection in 135 people in the county’s 4,200 person community. Investigators determined the average patient to be 35 years old and male. A small number of pregnant women are among those diagnosed. The ISDH notes that injection drug use in this county is a multi-generational activity, with up to three generations of a family injecting together. Indiana has worked with local health care providers and law enforcement officials to launch a public education campaign, short-term syringe exchange, and support for comprehensive medical care including HIV and hepatitis C treatment as part of its response to the outbreak.

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.

News from NASADAD

• NASADAD releases fact sheet on the SAPT Block Grant prevention set-aside
• Preparing for September 2015 and Recovery Month
• NASADAD becomes supporting organization for Guard Your Health
• NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on prenatal alcohol exposure

Around the Agencies

• HRSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Rural Opioid Overdose Reversal Grant Program
• SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Statewide Peer Networks for Recovery and Resiliency grants
• SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Offender Reentry Program 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 report examines illicit drug use trends in the workplace
• NIDA releases online course on prescription opioid misuse
• CDC study investigates increase in deaths involving opioid analgesics
• CDC study traces tobacco trends among middle and high school students, finding increased usage of e-cigarettes

In the News

• National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors releases new resource on health department infectious disease programs and substance use disorders
• 2015 Ramstad-Kennedy Award seeks SSA director nominations – Due May 1st
• Steve Pasierb steps down as CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
• Ohio Senate Health and Human Services Committee hears testimony for legislation expanded naloxone access
• Michael Botticelli visits Northern Kentucky to speak on opioid crisis
• American Journal of Public Health study suggests increase in alcohol taxes leads to decrease in drunk-driving related car accidents
• States discuss need for increased funding of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders
• NIDA sees prevention potential in new heroin vaccine

Upcoming Events

• Altarum Institute hosts roundtable on the future of community-based solutions for substance use disorders
• SAMHSA announces webinar on analyzing SAMHSA public-use data
• SAMHSA announces webinar on hepatitis C prevention among people with opioid use disorders
• CMS and SAMHSA announce webinar on proposed parity rule for Medicaid and CHIP

News from NASADAD

NASADAD releases fact sheet on the SAPT Block Grant prevention set-aside
The Public Policy Department released the fact sheet on Friday, April 17^th after collaborating with several NASADAD staff and the NASADAD membership. The fact sheet provides information about the prevention set-aside and sheds light on how State substance abuse agencies fund substance abuse prevention. The SAPT Block Grant prevention set-aside makes up almost 70% of funding for primary substance abuse prevention funding managed by State substance abuse agencies. In 6 States, the set-aside makes up 100% of primary prevention funding. Other sources of funding include State funds, and a small amount of funding from local sources and Medicaid. The fact sheet also details the types of activities funded by the prevention set-aside and positive outcomes associated with the funding.

Preparing for September 2015 and Recovery Month
As you may know, each September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. In collaboration with Recovery Planning Month Partners, and federal agencies such as the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), NASADAD works with the membership to promote actions in States across the country to celebrate recovery. For 2015, the theme is “Join the Voices of Recovery: Visible, Valuable, and Local.” We understand members have been working hard to engage in marches, rallies, town hall meetings, and other events over the years. We are writing to promote Recovery Month in 2015 and to help share information and resources along the way. One particular way to promote Recovery Month has been for Governors to issue proclamations. As you approve and release proclamations, please forward a copy to NASADAD (ecampbell@nasadad.org) and SAMHSA (recoverymonth@samhsa.hhs.gov).

We have included a sample proclamation from 2014 issued by Virginia below.

Alcohol and Drug Recovery Month

9/1/2014

WHEREAS, substance abuse disorders are serious but treatable issues that impact Virginians; and

WHEREAS, more than 530,000 Virginians in need of substance abuse services could benefit from treatment; and

WHEREAS, Virginians seeking treatment for addiction need affordable, individualized treatment programs that offer appropriate referrals as well as access to treatment services; and

WHEREAS,  every $1 invested in treatment results in a return of $4 to $7 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft; and

WHEREAS, with positive support and encouragement, people struggling with an addiction can recover and lead healthy and productive lives; and

WHEREAS, untreated substance abuse disorders negatively affect individuals, families, and communities while also impacting the criminal justice system, child welfare system, family and social service agencies, and faith-based and community organizations; and

WHEREAS, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services are participating in the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month; and

WHEREAS, this year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out”; and

WHEREAS, Alcohol and Drug Recovery Month is an opportunity to encourage those dealing with substance abuse disorders to seek treatment, and to recognize the work of those providing affordable treatment programs in Virginia and across the country;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terence R. McAuliffe, do hereby recognize September 2014 as ALCOHOL AND DRUG RECOVERY MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

NASADAD becomes supporting organization for Guard Your Health
NASADAD became a supporting organization for Guard Your Health, an Army National Guard program aiming to connect National Guard soldiers and family members to information and resources on health and medical readiness, this past week. The Guard Your Health program stresses each solider and family member’s personal responsibility to maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Guard Your Health’s website features resources and community forums discussing nutrition, exercise, stress, sleep, dental health, and family resilience.

NASADAD attends Capitol Hill briefing on prenatal alcohol exposure
Rob Morrison, Executive Director and Shalini Wickramatilake-Templeman, Research Analyst attended the briefing hosted by the Friends of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). A number of speakers presented, including Dr. George Koob (Director of NIAAA), Dr. Kenneth Warren (Deputy Director of NIAAA), Dr. Edward Riley (San Diego State University, Department of Psychology), and Kathleen Tavenner Mitchell (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). The presenters provided information on NIAAA’s work relating to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), the history of alcohol exposure during pregnancy, current FASD research trends, and personal experiences.

Around the Agencies

HRSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Rural Opioid Overdose Reversal Grant Program
The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is now accepting applications for the FY 2015 Rural Opioid Overdose Reversal Grant Program. Grant funding should be used to reduce mortality rates associated with opioid overdoses in rural areas by increasing access to naloxone and other opioid overdose reversal devices. The program also aims to educate and train licensed health care professionals on how to identify and reverse opioid overdoses and to help refer at-risk populations to appropriate substance use treatment centers.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Statewide Peer Networks for Recovery and Resiliency grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for the FY 2015 Statewide Peer Networks for Recovery and Resiliency grant program. Grant funding should be used to create and enhance Statewide mental health and substance use disorder recovery networks to improve access to and the quality of treatment programs. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $100,000 for a 1 year period. Applications are due by Tuesday, June 23, 2015.

SAMHSA now accepting applications for FY 2015 Offender Reentry Program grants
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is now accepting applications for FY 2015 Offender Reentry Program grants. Grant funds should be used to expand access to substance use disorder treatment and reentry programs to sentenced offenders who are returning to their communities from incarceration. Applicants are expected to form coalitions with relevant stakeholders to create programs easing the transition from incarceration to substance use disorder treatment programs. Applications are due by Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Grantees will be awarded an anticipated amount of up to $400,000 per year.

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 per year. Applications are due by Thursday, May 14, 2015.

SAMHSA report examines illicit drug use trends in the workplace
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a report analyzing illicit drug use trends in the workplace this past week. The report found that substance use disorders among employees are associated with negative behaviors such as absenteeism and frequent employee turnover. The lowest rates of heavy alcohol use were found in education, health care, social assistance, and public administration. Conversely, according to stats laid out by site like https://www.hagstromdrilling.com.au/,  the highest rates of heavy alcohol use were found in mining, construction, and the service industry.

NIDA releases online course on prescription opioid misuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has partnered with the Institute for Research, Education, and Training in Addictions (IRETA) to create a free online course about the prevalence of prescription opioid misuse. The course, The Prevalence of Prescription Opioid Misuse: Doctor Shopping, Co-ingestion, and Exposure, aims to familiarize health care professionals about recent clinically relevant findings from research on opioid misuse and related behaviors. Content includes a discussion of the demographics behind prescription opioid misuse, rates of opioid exposure among teens, and the prevalence of opioid co-ingestion with other substances.

CDC study investigates increase in deaths involving opioid analgesics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study this past week investigating the increasing number of deaths involving opioid analgesics in New York State. The study examined poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics from 2003-2012, finding that 70.7% of deaths involving opioid analgesics in 2012 involved at least one other drug – most frequently benzodiazepines. Opioid analgesic-related deaths increased in both number and as a percentage of all drug poisoning deaths throughout the period examined. Greater mortality rates were found in men and Medicaid enrollees. The study recommends increased investment in a networked Statewide system to prevent the misuse of prescription medications.

CDC study traces tobacco trends among middle and high school students, finding increased usage of e-cigarettes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study this past week tracing tobacco usage trends among middle and high school students. The study found that e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among both populations in 2014. From 2011-2014, e-cigarettes and hookah saw statistically significant increases in popularity among students while cigarettes and cigars saw decreases in usage. These changes in usage rates offset each other, resulting in no change in overall tobacco use for this population. The CDC estimates that 4.6 million middle and high school students use tobacco products. The study recommends continued implementation of proven tobacco prevention strategies.

In the News

National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors releases new resource on health department infectious disease programs and substance use disorders
The National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) released a new resource discussing opportunities for health department infectious disease programs to increase coverage for individuals with substance use disorders. Produced with support from the MAC AIDS Fund, Maximizing Health, Minimizing Harm: The Role of Public Health Programs in Drug User Health recommends broader access to HIV and hepatitis testing for people at risk. The resource further recommends expanded medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, and greater cooperation with State and local police departments.

2015 Ramstad-Kennedy Award seeks SSA director nominations – Due May 1st
The 2015 Ramstad-Kennedy Award seeks Single State Agency (SSA) director nominations for this year’s award. Created in 2008, the Ramstad-Kennedy Award seeks to honor SSA directors that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in support of recovery and Recovery Month by supporting and expanding the number and impact of Recovery Month activities in their respective states. The 2015 Ramstad-Kennedy Award will be presented on June 5, 2015 at the national conference of the National Association of State and Alcohol Abuse Directors (NASADAD). The application form is due by May 1, 2015 to SSARMAward@nacoa.org.

Steve Pasierb steps down as CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
Following 24 years of service, Steve Pasierb has stepped down as CEO of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids on March 31^st. Steve joined the Partnership in March 1991 to replicate his successful media-based drug prevention campaign in Maryland on a national scale. Becoming CEO in 2001, Steve helped lead the Partnership of Drug-Free Kids in creating impactful communications and delivering programs that made measurable differences in national drug prevention. Steve is moving on to a new position as the President and CEO of the Toy Industry Association, and will be replaced by Marcia Lee Taylor as interim President and CEO. Marcia previously worked as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Partnership of Drug-Free Kids.

Ohio Senate Health and Human Services Committee hears testimony for legislation expanding naloxone access
The Ohio Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony for HB 4 this past week, a bill aiming to expand access to naloxone. HB 4 would give physicians the ability to allow pharmacists or pharmacy interns to dispense naloxone without a prescription to people at risk under certain circumstances. The bill would also grant immunity from criminal liability to family members and friends of people at risk when obtaining and administering naloxone during opioid overdoses. If the bill is passed, the Ohio Department of Health will develop a standardized protocol for pharmacies dispensing naloxone without prescription.

Michael Botticelli visits Northern Kentucky to speak on the opioid crisis
Michael Botticelli, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), visited Northern Kentucky last week to speak about the stigma around using medication to treat substance use disorders. Addressing the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Botticelli also stated his support for using naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. United States Senator Mitch McConnell (R – KY) joined Mr. Botticelli, expressing his belief that managing the opioid crisis goes beyond partisan debate. The ONDCP recently changed its policy to require that State drug courts receiving federal funds include medication-assisted treatment.

American Journal of Public Health study suggests increase in alcohol taxes leads to decrease in drunk-driving related car accidents
The American Journal of Public Health published a study this past week linking increases in alcohol taxes to a decline in drunk-driving related car accidents. The study observed the effects of a 2009 increase in alcohol taxes in Illinois. Following the tax increase, deadly drunk-driving accidents declined 9.9% per month , culminating in a 26% overall decrease. Drivers younger than 30 years old showed a 37% decrease in drunk-driving accidents, compared to only a 23% decrease for drivers older than 30 years old. The study notes that differences between gender and race were not significant.

States discuss need for increased funding of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders
States continued to make their case for increased funding of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction in an Addiction Professional article this past week. Facing a proposed $40 million spending cut  for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) for FY 2016, States will face new difficulties in adequately funding treatment programs. Mark Stringer, SSA in Missouri and NASADAD’s Board President, has focused on training providers to think of substance use disorders as treatable health conditions. Mr. Stringer suggests collaborating with fellow State agencies to advocate for increased financial resources. Barbara Cimaglio, deputy commissioner for the Vermont Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs (VT SSA), oversees a unique program that provides a model for innovative substance use disorder treatment. Vermont uses a “hub-and-spoke” system, in which central hubs evaluate and treat patients with substance use disorders before sending them to other treatment locations. This program was set up in part by an Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision that expanded funding for health homes. Increasing funding for substance use disorder treatment remains a priority among many State substance abuse agencies.

NIDA sees prevention potential in new heroin vaccine
The National institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) discussed the potential of a new heroin vaccine this past week. The vaccine seeks to prevent heroin-related substance use disorders in high-risk individuals by creating antibodies that prevent the drug from activating the body’s receptors. Early laboratory trials on rats have proved successful in preventing rats from effectively using heroin. Nora D. Volkow, director of NIDA, cautions that until human trials are completed, the efficacy of the vaccine for humans remains unknown. Ms. Volkow remains optimistic that with the right level of investment, the vaccine could prove successful.

Upcoming Events

Altarum Institute hosts roundtable on the future of community-based solutions for substance use disorders
The Altarum Institute will host a roundtable discussion on the future of community-based solutions for substance use disorders on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Senators Whitehouse (D-RI) and Portman (R-OH) are invited to speak at the event. Other speakers include Michael Botticelli, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and Tom Coderre of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The roundtable will focus on recent developments in the recovery community and participants will discuss the need for increased resources to increase treatment capacity. The event will be held at the Pew Charitable Trusts Conference Center, and will be available online via Webinar. NASADAD is a co-sponsor of the event. Registration is due by Tuesday, May 5, 2014.

SAMHSA announces webinar on analyzing SAMHSA public-use data
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a new webinar on analyzing SAMHSA public-use data this week. The webinar will discuss the basics of “analyzing SAMHSA public-use data with Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA) on the SAMHSA website.” Presenters will explain how to use SDA for variable recoding and computation, comparison of means, and regression. The webinar will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 1p.m. Eastern Time.

SAMHSA announces webinar on hepatitis C prevention among people with opioid use disorders
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced a new webinar on hepatitis C prevention among people with opioid use disorders this past week. The HHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infections Disease Policy (OHAIDP) will host the webinar. Cases of acute hepatitis C have increased by 75% from 2010 to 2012. A large part of this increase comes from young people with opioid use disorders moving to injecting drugs after a history of oral opioid prescription drug misuse. The webinar will highlight current hepatitis C trends, tools and prevention messages, and new prevention research. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 from 1 – 2p.m. Eastern Time.

CMS and SAMHSA announce webinar on proposed parity rule for Medicaid and CHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have announced a new webinar on the proposed rule to align private mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements with Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The webinar will focus on informing consumers and providers about the details of the proposed rule and the comment submission process. John O’Brien (CMS) and Christopher Carroll (National Liaison Branch Chief, Office of Policy Planning and Prevention, SAMHSA) will speak during the webinar. The webinar will be held Friday, April 24, 2015 from 2 – 3p.m. Eastern Time. The deadline for submitting comments on the rule is June 9, 2015.

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.

Around the Agencies

• CMS announces mental health and addiction parity rules for Medicaid and CHIP

In the News

• American Lung Association releases report on new health care options for quitting tobacco
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality releases resources to improve mental health, substance use disorder, and primary care integration
• New report in American Journal of Public Health suggests increased health risks associated with underage drinkers and “alcopops”

 

Around the Agencies

CMS announces mental health and addiction parity rules for Medicaid and CHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the parity rules for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) this past week. The rules will align mental health and substance use disorder benefits for low-income Americans with those already required of private health plans from the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Under the newly proposed rule, “all beneficiaries who receive services through managed care organizations or under alternative benefit plans have access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits regardless of whether services are provided through the managed care organization or another service deliver system” (CMS press release). The rule also requires that States inform enrollees the reason associated with any denial of reimbursement for mental health or substance use disorder services.

In the News

American Lung Association releases report on new health care options for quitting tobacco
The American Lung Association released the new report, State Health Insurance Marketplace Plans: New Opportunities to Help Smokers Quit this past week. The report discusses new options smokers have for quitting under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The report suggests that State health insurance marketplaces are not providing the coverage required under the ACA to quit smoking, including access to FDA-approved medications used to help individuals quit using tobacco. The FDA currently recommends nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, nasal sprays, inhalers, and bupropion and varenicline for quitting tobacco.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality releases resources to improve mental health, substance use disorder care,  and primary care integration
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released resources discussing suggestions for improving the integration of mental health, substance use disorder care, and primary care this past week. The first resource, “A Guidebook of Professional Practices for Behavioral Health and Primary Care Integration,” establishes several best professional practices that integrated primary care organizations have used to improve integration. The second resource, “Provider and Practice-Level Competencies for Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care: A Literature Review,” lists different approaches practices, providers, and staff can take to promote integration efforts.

New report in American Journal of Public Health suggests increased health risks associated with underage drinkers and “alcopops”
A new report in the American Journal of Public Health suggests increased health risks for underage drinkers of “alcopops.” Alcopops are carbonated, sweet pre-mixed/ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages such as Four Loko, Joose, and Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Alcopops contain higher concentrations of alcohol than traditional beer, and sometimes contain the equivalent of 4-5 standard drinks per container. The study suggests that underage drinkers that exclusively drink alcopops are more likely to engage in heavy episodic drinking and suffer from alcohol-related injuries.

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.