1) CASA REPORT AND SAMHSA STATEMENT ON UNDERAGE DRINKING
On Tuesday, February 26, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) released a report titled Teen Tipplers: America's Underage Drinking Epidemic. The 145-page report, the result of two years of research and analysis, found that more than five million high schoolers (31 percent) say they binge drink at least once a month. The gender gap in alcohol consumption that for generations separated girls and boys has disappeared among younger teens: male and female ninth graders are just as likely to drink (40 percent vs. 41 percent) and to binge drink (22 percent vs. 20 percent).
The report includes a survey of 900 adults that reveals that Americans overwhelmingly support cracking down on underage drinking:
The report outlines the effect of teen drinking on alcohol consumption later in life, the ways teens access alcohol while underage, and the influence of the entertainment industry on teens and their drinking behaviors.
The complete report can be viewed in PDF format at http://www.casacolumbia.org/usr_doc/Underaged.pdf.
Later on Tuesday, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a statement regarding the interpretation of the data used in the CASA study. To view that statement, go to http://www.samhsa.gov/news/news.html, click on "Current 2002 News Releases," then click on "Statement by the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration on CASA Report on Underage Drinking."
CADCA released a press release containing information about CADCA resources for curbing underage drinking, and citing positive examples of community coalitions tackling this problem in their areas. To view the release, go to http://www.cadca.org/PressGallery/PressReleases/ReactiontoCASAUnderageDrinkingReport.htm.
2)
STRATEGIZER
#39 NOW AVAILABLE
CADCA's latest Strategizer, Coalition Building 103: Strategic Planning, is now available. The publication is number 39 in the Strategizer series and covers topics including: how to gather community input, setting a timeline, writing a mission statement, developing operational steps, establishing accountability, and evaluating outcomes. Strategizer 39 costs $2 for CADCA members and $5 for non-members, plus shipping. To order a copy of the manual, please contact Nana Elliott at (800) 54-CADCA or nelliott@cadca.org, or order online at http://www.cadca.org/Publications/Publications.htm.
3) COMPREHENSIVE REPORT PROVIDES FIRST EVER LOOK AT ILLICIT DRUG LAWS IN ALL 50 STATES AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
A new report released on February 15 indicates that state statutory drug laws vary significantly across the United States, contradicting a commonly held assumption that state drug policies follow federal drug policy. State law is important because the majority of drug offenders are tried in state courts. Illicit Drug Policies: Selected Laws from the 50 States is the first comprehensive reference guide to illicit drug laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It documents on a state-by-state basis each state's scheduling and penalty provisions for selected drugs, as well as medical marijuana. It also identifies disparities in federal and state controlled substance scheduling.
The research team of Impacteen, Andrews University, The MayaTech Corporation, and RAND will use their findings as a basis to conduct further research. Future endeavors will center on collecting environmental data (how cases are processed based on sentencing guidelines, discrepancies between arrests and imprisonment, etc.), data on how teenagers are typically processed and their attitudes and use behavior, and an evaluation of sentencing vs. treatment in terms of effectively reducing substance abuse.
Highlights of the chart book and a downloadable version are available on CADCA's website at http://www.cadca.org/Publications/OnlinePublications/IllicitDrugPolicies/IllicitDrugPolicies.htm or visit www.andrews.edu/BHSC/impacteen-illicitdrugteam to request a copy.
4) CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: COMMUNITY-CAMPUS PARTNERSHIPS FOR HEALTH FELLOWS
The Community-Campus Partnerships for Health Fellows Program is designed to support academic administrators, faculty and community-based professionals who provide leadership in service-learning (SL), community-based participatory research (CBPR), and community-campus partnerships in their field and/or discipline.
Community based professionals, academic administrators, and faculty with significant knowledge and expertise in building and sustaining service-learning, community based participatory research, and community-campus partnerships are encouraged to apply for a fellowship with CCPH. CCPH members and CCPH non-members are welcome to apply. The expected outcome of the CCPH Fellows program is to advance and support these concepts in the context of health professions education and practice.
CCPH Fellows will receive $5,000 for a one-year fellowship period (May 2002-May 2003) with the potential for a second year of funding. Funding for CCPH Fellows is designed to provide support for time spent participating in Fellow related activities. Fellows will also receive a certificate of recognition upon completing the fellowship.
The deadline for receipt
of applications is April 1, 2002. For more details concerning the CCPH Fellows
program, the responsibilities of CCPH Fellows, and the application procedures,
visit http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/ccph/fellows.html.
Contact Rachel Vaughn, Program Coordinator, at rvaughn@u.washington.edu,
with any questions.
5) REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN NEW MEXICO MARCH 11-14
The New Mexico Department of Health, Behavioral Health Services Division, will be sponsoring the 14th Annual Southwest Regional Behavioral Health Conference on March 11-14, 2002 at the Sheraton Old Town Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Workshop topics will include a wide variety of issues related to substance abuse, mental illness, and other behavioral dysfunctions. CADCA will be present to distribute information and present a workshop. CEU's will be offered for participants. For more information or to register, go to www.health.state.nm.us or call 505-856-1717.
6) RECENT INTERNATIONAL VISITOR AT CADCA
On February 8, Mr. Liu Huiming
from the People's Republic of China (PRC) visited CADCA for a meeting with General
Arthur Dean, Chairman and CEO of CADCA, through the U.S. State Department International
Visitor Program. Mr. Liu is the Deputy Chief, Drug Prohibition Section, Jilin
Province, PRC. He is in charge of developing public education programs both
in anti-drug and rehabilitation situations for his province. General Dean gave
him a brief overview of CADCA, and answered a number of questions posed by Liu
ranging from prevention programs and anti-drug campaigns to relationships with
our federal partners.
7) TREATMENT COORDINATOR POSITION AVAILABLE
The National Drug Commission in Bermuda sponsors the Bermuda Prevention Network, which has a position available for a Treatment Coordinator. The Treatment Coordinator, acting under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, has the primary responsibility of overseeing the ongoing development and implementation of a comprehensive drug treatment strategy for Bermuda.
Specifically, the Treatment Coordinator will work with other Executive Officers of the National Drug Commission (NDC) and with community partners to recommend to the NDC Board essential quality control measures, information recording systems, modifications to existing services and system enhancements.
Applicants should be thoroughly familiar with all aspects of substance abuse treatment delivery and management, program accreditation, certification of professionals, program evaluation, and health/treatment system design. It is essential that applicants be prepared to work flexible hours, including evening and weekends. The deadline for applications is March 20, 2002. Direct questions or send resumes to Cristina Wineinger, Chief Executive Officer, at 441-292-3049 (phone), 441-295-2066 (fax) or CWineinger@ndc.bm.
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FEBRUARY QUESTION OF THE MONTH Did you visit Capitol
Hill during Forum XII? If so, what was your experience? If you did not
choose to visit Capitol Hill, why not, and what can CADCA do to encourage
you to go during future Forums? Please email your
answers and comments to Kay Green at kgreen@cadca.org.
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OTHER USEFUL CADCA LINKS
If you are not a regular member of CADCA, or would like to learn more about our services, please visit: http://www.cadca.org/JoinCADCA/JoinCADCA.htm
Interested in the latest progress on legislation that affects coalitions and anti-drug efforts? Then go to: http://www.cadca.org/CoalitionToolkit/PublicPolicy/PublicPolicy.htm
To find out what’s going on with community anti-drug coalitions and events related to the substance abuse field, check out: http://www.cadca.org/Events/Events.htm
If you are receiving this e-newsletter by a forward and would like to subscribe yourself or know someone else that would be interested, click on: http://www.cadca.org/CoalitionToolkit/EmailNetwork/EmailNetwork.htm