1.
NIDA STUDY FINDS HEART DISEASE LINK AMONG COCAINE USERS
NIDA scientists find that cocaine abusers
have elevated levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Elevated levels
of CRP are associated with inflammation, a factor that is known to contribute
to heart disease.
The researchers found that 45 percent of the participants
had serum CRP levels above the normal range of the general population.
Those with elevated CRP had greater endothelial abnormalities and more
coronary calcification than those with normal CRP levels.
The study was published by lead investigator Dr. Shenghan
Lai at Johns Hopkins University in the April 2003 issue of the International
Journal of Cardiology. For a complete summary of this study, visit www.drugabuse.gov/newsroom/03/NS-0523.html.
2.
JUNE 4 WEBCAST: "ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE AND THE CULTURES OF ADDICTION"
Participate in the upcoming Recovery Month online
discussion, " Alcohol and Drug Use and the Cultures of Addiction"
from 3 to 4 p.m. EST at http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2003/multimedia/.
A panel of experts will explore how these supportive "cultures"
nurture and solidify excessive alcohol use and illicit drug-taking behavior.
The Panelists include: Linda Kaplan, Executive Director
of The Danya Institute; June Gertig, Director of the Collaboration and
Stakeholder Development, Recovery Community Support Services Project;
Sis Wenger, Executive Director of the National Association for Children
of Alcoholics; and Joe Powell, President of the Association of Persons
Affected by Addiction.
Post your questions for our host in advance or any
time during the chat at http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2003/multimedia/chatformsubmit.aspx.
If you are unable to participate in the chat, a transcript will be available
within 48 hours after the chat at http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2003/multimedia/.
A Recovery Month Webcast on this topic may be viewed at any time at
http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2003/multimedia/w.aspx?ID=202.
3.
A MATTER OF DEGREE (AMOD) TO HIGHLIGHT "LESSONS LEARNED" IN
JUNE 11 WEBCAST
A Matter of Degree (AMOD) will present a webcast
from the University of Delaware, June 11 from 2 pm to 3 pm EDT. The
webcast will include a panel of 10 AMOD campus-community partnerships
that will share their successes, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
AMOD representatives will discuss:
- How key interventions and strategies were utilized, including community
organizing, media advocacy, research and data, enhanced enforcement
and political strategies
- Obstacles and challenges and how they were overcome
- The importance of support and leadership from top levels of government
and campus administration
- What AMOD project directors would do differently the next time.
Web cast panelists will include: Tracy Bachman, Building
Responsibility Campus/Community Coalition, University of Delaware in
Newark; Carolyn Cavitt, Stepping Up, University of Iowa in Iowa City;
Maddy Eadline, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA; Lisa Erk, former
National Communications Director, A Matter of Degree; Tom Workman, NU
Directions, University of Nebraska in Lincoln; Richard Yoast, A Matter
of Degree and AMA Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse.
A Matter of Degree is the national effort to reduce high-risk
drinking among college students. This national pilot project is designed
to test an innovative approach to reducing college high-risk drinking
and its harmful consequences for campus-communities.
The broadcast will be available at
www.alcoholpolicysolutions.net and archived at that address for
four months. A preview of the event is now accessible at http://www.alcoholpolicysolutions.net
(click the "Live Webcast" headline near the top of the homepage).
4. NEW STUDY SAYS INMATES FACE BIG OBSTACLES IN SOCIETY
The Sentencing Study Project found that some laws effect released prisoners
ability to refrain from relapsing into addiction. Among the laws that
the study concludes work against released prisoners are the Higher Education
Act of 1998, which prohibits anyone convicted of drug-related offenses
from receiving student loans, and a 1996 federal law that bans people
convicted of drug offenses from ever again receiving family welfare
benefits and food stamps.
The Sentencing Project study is one of 16 essays and reports that were
collected in a 355-page book, "Invisible Punishment: The Collateral
Consequences of Mass Incarceration." For more information visit,
www.jointogether.org/y/0,2521,563417,00.html.
5.
SIGN UP NOW TO BECOME PART OF COALITION DATABASE
The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Ad
Council are linking interested individuals and community groups to local
anti-drug coalitions that refer people to a Web site and toll-free number.
The web site features a searchable database that allows visitors to
locate an anti-drug coalition in their community, read success stories
and find out how to get involved with or start a coalition. The specially
designed zip code-based search featuring almost 650 anti-drug coalitions
was developed in collaboration with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of
America (CADCA) and the Drug-Free Communities Programs.
Eligible coalitions can be included in the anti-drug database at no
cost. To sign up for web site and toll free numbers connecting volunteers
to local coalitions, visit: www.helpyourcommunity.org
or call, 1-877-KIDS-313. For more information, including eligibility
requirements and an online application, visit www.helpyourcommunity.org/contact_us.
6.
NEW STUDY REVIEWS COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS
A new literature review of 32 community-based prevention programs conducted
by the Center for Applied Public Health, Department of Sociomedical
Sciences, Mailman School of Columbia University examines a number of
issues to aid in understanding the limits and potential of community
health promotion programs.
The study found that the accomplishments of HIV programs reviewed indicate
that obtaining considerable community input for the development and
delivery of interventions and focusing on changing social norms as a
means of altering individual behavior should be considered critical
aspects of community-based health promotion.
The main purpose of the study is to assess what
has been learned to date regarding the contributions of community-based
interventions to public health, with an overall goal of providing insight
into the nature of community change, as both a process and an outcome
of health promotion efforts. The study also examined community anti
drug coalition studies like Fighting Back and community partnerships,
and characteristics of successful programs.
The study appeared in the April 2003 issue of American Journal of Public
Health, Vol 93, No. 4. Requests for reprints should be sent to Cheryl
Merzel, DrPH, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University,
722 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032 or send email to cm449@columbia.edu.
7.
SAMHSA WILL LAUNCH TOO SMART TO START (TSTS) IN JUNE
"Too Smart To Start" is a public education campaign that focuses
on preventing nine to 13 year olds from underage alcohol use. The program,
which will start in June, aims to increase the perception of harm, parent-child
communications and public disapproval of underage alcohol use.
CADCA is a proud partner in this initiative, a product of an interagency
agreement between SAMHSA and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
These national organizations have come together to disseminate materials
to community-based affiliates – 10 out of the 11 lead sites are
CADCA member community coalitions.
For more information visit www.samhsa.gov/media/content/wklyrpt.htm.
