1.
) U.S. DRUG PARAPHERNALIA INDUSTRY TAKES HIT AFTER FEDERAL INDICTMENTS
Attorney General John Ashcroft announced Monday the indictment of 27
individuals on charges of trafficking in illegal drug paraphernalia,
paralyzing the distribution network that supplies close to half of the
country’s drug paraphernalia. The charges resulted from a U.S.
investigation called “Operation Pipe Dreams,” and include
10 indictments against national distributors of drug paraphernalia.
Seven indictments involve businesses located in Western Pennsylvania.
The Drug Enforcement
Administration led the investigation, assisted by other government agencies.
Authorities say the defendants disguised the drug paraphernalia as common
objects, including lipsticks and highlighters, to escape detection.
For more details,
read the Department of Justice’s news release at http://cadca.org/PressGallery/PressReleases/PipedreamsRelease02243.pdf.
2.)
20 PERCENT OF U.S. DRINKERS ARE UNDERAGE, STUDY REVEALS
Underage drinkers account for 20 percent
of the nation’s alcohol consumption, according to new, revised
statistics from Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction
and Substance Abuse (CASA). After re-analyzing three sets of data from
1999, researchers discounted their earlier estimate of 25 percent. The
latest study also shows “excessive” drinking by adults –
more than two drinks a day – totaled 30.4 percent, or $34.4 billion.
The
latest study appears in the February 26 issue of the Journal of the
American Medical Association. To read the entire study, visit http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v289n8/rfull/joc22321.html.
3.)
SAMHSA REPORTS ON U.S. DRUG TRENDS, DEATHS
SAMHSA released new figures from its Drug
Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), revealing significant trends in substance
abuse. The report breaks down the figures from 21 major U.S. metropolitan
areas by drug category, drug name, and city. The report provides revised
estimates for 1994-2000.
Here are the number
of drug-related fatal cases in 2001 and significant findings from each
city.
· 854 deaths in Chicago, a drop from 869 in 2000,
514 mentions of cocaine in 2001
· 312 deaths in San Diego, 164 mentions of narcotic
pain medications
· 453 deaths in Phoenix, a drop from 587 deaths
in 2000
· 310 deaths in Denver, with 126 mentions of cocaine
· 486 deaths in Baltimore, drop from 557 deaths
in 1999, 349 mentions of heroin in 2001
To view the death rates of other cities, and to view the latest DAWN report
in its entirety,
http://www.samhsa.gov/oas/dawn/TrndED/2001/Text/TrndEDtxt.PDF.
4.)
WHITE HOUSE TO HOLD FAITH-BASED, COMMUNITY INITIATIVE CONFERENCE
The White House
will hold the last of five one-day conferences in Chicago at the Hilton
Hotel on March 14, from 8:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The conference is designed
to help organizations learn more about faith-based and community initiatives.
It will be co-sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services,
and will provide information regarding federal resources available to
faith-based and community organizations.
To
find out more information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/conferences.html.
To register, visit
http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/chicagoregistrationform.pdf.
Attendance is free and will be limited to the first 1,500 people who
pre-register. CADCA encourages members who work with faith-based organizations
to consider attending this conference.
5.)
$2.5 MILLION AVAILABLE TO BEEF UP SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
SAMHSA announced up to 14 awards totaling
$2.5 million will be handed out by its Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
(CSAT), in order to improve client access to and retention in substance
abuse treatment. The grants are designed to help implement clinical
and administrative practices.
The
average annual award will range from $175,000 to $200,000 in total costs.
Each agreement will be for a period of up to three years. Public and
private nonprofit organizations, state or local governments and community-
and/or faith-based groups are invited to apply. Applications are available
online at http://www.samhsa.gov.
The deadline to apply is May 12, 2003. To find out more information,
contact scable@samhsa.gov or
shudak@samhsa.gov.
6.)
MTV POLL FINDS YOUTH ARE CONCERNED WITH IRAQ WAR, DRUG USE
A poll commissioned by MTV shows that young
Americans (people aged 14 to 24) are equally concerned about the possibility
of war with Iraq as they are with drug use and abuse. In recent years,
drug use has been of chief concern to young people. Following war and
drugs, the economy, safe sex/premarital sex/teen pregnancy, education,
violence and peer pressure were other issues of concern.
To
read more about the poll, visit http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1469947/20030212/index.jhtml?headlines=true.
7.)
FINAL FY 2003 FUNDING LEVELS DETERMINED
CADCA's public policy department sent out
a "Legislative Update" on Monday, February 24th that contained
the final FY 2003 funding levels for the programs of interest to our
field. Due to the fact that the timing of the FY 2003 appropriations
process was unique, we sent the Update (usually reserved for paid members
only) to everyone on CADCA's distribution list. From this point on,
we will resume sending "Legislative Updates" to paid members
only and post them on our website in the "Members Only Section."
For
information on how to become a CADCA member, please visit CADCA's website
at http://cadca.org/JoinCADCA/JoinCADCA.htm
or contact John Harrison, Vice President of Membership and Office Administration,
at (703) 706-0560 ext. 244.
8.)
CADCA ANNOUNCES DATES FOR MID-YEAR TRAINING INSTITUTE
CADCA will hold its second annual Mid-Year Training Institute in San
Francisco, July 27-31, 2003. “Leadership, Linkages & Learning:
Gateway to Coalition Results” will take place at the Renaissance
Park 55 Hotel. Located in the heart of famed Union Square, the Renaissance
provides sweeping views of the Bay, uncompromising access to the City’s
famed sights and dining, and luxurious accommodations.
The cost is $325
for CADCA members and $525 for nonmembers. Stay tuned to our website
at http://cadca.org for full
details on course offerings and event specifics.
9.)
SHOUT YOUR CAPITOL HILL DAY SUCCESSES FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS
CADCA's National Leadership Forum XIII was more successful than ever
this year, and one of the most popular events was Capitol Hill Day.
Coalition leaders from around the nation proudly wore bright orange
CADCA buttons, visible all over Capitol Hill. CADCA members met with
members of their Congressional delegation to educate them about the
substance abuse issues in their communities.
Capitol Hill Day
ended with a spectacular Congressional Reception where the Speaker of
the House, J. Dennis Hastert accepted CADCA's Congressional Leadership
Award for his continuous support of community based substance abuse
prevention. CADCA was honored that several members of Congress attended,
as well as Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, who briefly addressed
the crowd.
After such an eventful
day – we want to hear about your Capitol Hill Meetings! Please
email (kkochheiser@cadca.org)
or fax (703-706-0565) us information about your successful meetings.
Please be sure to include which legislator(s) you met, what you discussed
and any local news stories that appeared as result of your meetings.
We want to compile your success stories and use them to motivate others
to cultivate Congressional Champions for our field!
10.)
CSAP SEEKING DIRECTOR OF STATE AND COMMUNITY SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
SAMHSA is looking to fill the position of Director of CSAP's Division
of State and Community Systems Development. Applications will be accepted
through March 7. The Director will develop and/or enhance State and
community-wide substance abuse prevention programs, ensure maximum utilization
of fiscal and human resources; and encourage program development in
neglected prevention and intervention areas, among other duties.
Applications must
be received by March 7. To find out more about the position, visit http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ftva.asp?OPMControl=TV6277.
Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and CADCA are registered trademarks.
Use by permission of CADCA only.
