1)
GIRLS GET HOOKED ON DRUGS FASTER,
REPORT SHOWS
A new report
released yesterday reveals that girls and young women get addicted to
drugs and alcohol faster and use them for different reasons than boys.
Researchers from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
at Columbia University (CASA) surveyed females between age 8 and 22.
They found that 45 percent of high school girls drink alcohol, while
49 percent of boys do. The survey also found that more girls abuse prescription
drugs than boys.
Girls were more likely motivated
to experiment with substances to reduce stress or deal with depression,
while boys cave in to peer pressure and seek a heightened social status,
the study said. CASA chairman Joseph A. Califano, Jr., said most U.S.
treatment centers offer unisex services that fail to tailor to the specialized
needs of female users.
To read more about
CASA’s survey, visit http://www.casacolumbia.org/newsletter1457/
newsletter_show.htm?doc_id=147504.
2)
WALTERS MEETS WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE LEADERS TO DISCUSS TREATMENT PLAN
John P. Walters,
director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy,
hosted a meeting yesterday to discuss President Bush’s Recovery
Now initiative with drug demand reduction constituents. The $600 million
initiative, which would be implemented over three years, calls for a
grant process for states to manage the details of implementing the program.
SAMHSA and CSAT are developing the initiative’s operational procedures.
“The plan will increase the number of addicts
who receive treatment and the number of providers of treatment while
improving the quality of treatment programs,” Director Walters
said.
To read more about
the President’s initiative, and reactions to it, visit http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press03/020503.html.
To review CADCA’s reaction to the initiative, visit http://www.cadca.org/PressGallery/
PressReleases/CADCAapplaudsBush.htm.
3)
TEENS MORE LIKELY TO SEE ALCOHOL COMMERICIALS, STUDY FINDS
A new study finds the wrong
type of ads from the alcohol industry are reaching America’s youth.
It shows that youth were 60 times more likely to see alcoholic beverage
commercials than the responsibility ads created by the alcohol industry.
For every drinking and driving prevention ad, alcohol companies aired
172 product promotion ads, researchers say. For every legal drinking
ad in 2001, 179 product ads aired.
The study was conducted by
the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University.
You can read the entire report at http://camy.org/research/drops0203.
4)
TEN FELLOWSHIP POSITIONS AVAILABLE FROM DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP
Developing Leadership in
Reducing Substance Abuse, a program that nurtures the next generation
of public health leaders in substance abuse prevention, is accepting
applications for ten fellowship positions for a three-year period that
begins in July 2003. A mentor will be assigned to each fellow, who will
work together on at least one project. Each fellow will have an account
of $25,000 per year to be used for a personalized program of career
development and a community agency project.
Developing Leadership,
a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, addresses
substance abuse through education, advocacy, service delivery, and policy
research. Applications are due by February 28, 2003. To find out more
information, or to receive an application package, visit http://www.saleaders.org/leaderhome.htm.
5)
CDC REPORT SHOWS DROP IN SECONDHAND SMOKE
A Centers for Disease Control
report shows a dramatic drop in nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand
smoke. Cotinine levels dropped 58 percent for children, 55 percent for
adults for teens and 75 percent for adults. However, the report indicates
that African-Americans were exposed to twice the level of secondhand
smoke than white and Mexican-American adults. The report found a need
for concentrated efforts to children and non-Hispanic blacks from exposure.
Public health experts
say recent crackdowns on smoking in restaurants, public buildings and
common areas contributed to the slide in secondhand smoke exposure.
Blood and urine samples were collected from the 2,500 who participated
in the survey. To read the entire exposure report, visit http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport.
6)
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE COMPUTERS
The Beaumont Foundation
will be giving out almost $400 million in computer equipment starting
in 2003. Government and community organizations are eligible to apply
for community technology grants. A separate grant program for individuals
is also available. Persons with disabilities and those who are homebound
because of disability or illness are especially encouraged to apply
for these individual grants. Information on individual grants is also
available online but persons interested in those grants should apply
by calling 1-866-505-COMP(2667). Grant applications are accepted up
to March 31, 2003.
7)
BROWN NAMED ACTING DEA ADMINISTRATOR
John B. Brown, III
has assumed the position of Acting Administrator at the DEA. Brown who
had been Deputy Administrator, replaces Asa Hutchinson, who was sworn
in last week as Undersecretary of Transportation and Border Security
at the Department of Homeland Security. Brown began his career as a
DEA agent in Buffalo, NY.
Brown is scheduled
to speak at CADCA’s National Leadership Forum during the opening
plenary session on Wednesday, February 12.
8)
2002 EXEMPLARY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM AWARDS APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED
SAMHSA’s Center for
Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), in collaboration with the National
Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), the
National Prevention Network (NPN), and CADCA, is pleased to announce
the Call for Applications for the 2002 Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention
Awards for Innovative Programs. Since its inception over two decades
ago, the Exemplary Awards Program has sought to identify and honor outstanding
achievements in substance abuse prevention.
Over the years, more than
100 programs have been selected as Exemplary Award winners and they
have operated in such diverse settings as community-based organizations,
schools, college campuses, and workplaces. The deadline to submit applications
is March 31, 2003. To request an application, contact Tanyanic Brown,
at 703.706.0560, ext. 242 or email tbrown@cadca.org.
9)
ALCOHOL SCREENING DAY 2003 TAKES PLACE APRIL 10
Organizers of National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD),
which takes place on April 10, are now offering materials to conduct
the event in your community. NASD is a free outreach, education, and
screening program designed to screen for at-risk drinking and other
alcohol problems, and refer those in need for further evaluation. Organizers
suggest conducting the screenings in heavy traffic areas, such as hospital
lobbies or college campus gathering spots.
NASD planners suggest conducting your local screening
in April to take advantage of a national publicity outreach program.
To find out more about NASD, or to register, visit http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/alcohol.asp.
10)
PRE-REGISTRATION CLOSED FOR FORUM XIII
It’s too late to pre-register
for CADCA’s National Leadership Forum XIII. But if you plan on
attending next week, you can register on-site. There will be an additional
$50 service charge to all registrations processed at the Omni Shoreham
Hotel. Also, there are still a few spots available for free pre-conference
sessions on February 11, 2003.
For more information
on the schedule of events at the Forum, visit http://www.cadca.org/Events/Forum/Agenda/Agenda.htm.
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