Every month, we’re bringing you the top news in addiction treatment and justice services from publications around the country. In addition, we’ll share what we’re reading as our team creates and updates evidence-based curricula and training for our partners around the world.
Addiction Treatment | Justice Services | What We're Reading
Addiction Treatment
Headline
FDA approves extended-release injection for opioid use disorder
What
Brixadi (buprenorphine) extended-release injection has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe opioid use disorder. The newly approved weekly formulation at a lower strength provides an alternative for individuals in recovery who could benefit from a weekly injection to help them stay committed to their treatment.
Why this matters
Increasing the number of treatment options for opioid use disorder is one effective way to address the opioid epidemic. Brixadi and other drugs developed to support MAT/MOUD may also help lower the costs of life-saving opioid treatments over time.
Headline
HHS publishes national model standards for substance use, mental health and family peer worker certifications
What
The national model standards, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aim to expedite the widespread acceptance, acknowledgment and incorporation of peer workers throughout the entire healthcare system. Peer workers are individuals who have personally dealt with substance use or mental health challenges and utilize their own lived experiences to assist others. Peer workers play a vital role in overdose prevention and crisis intervention. They can help in the promotion of recovery, resiliency and well-being.
Why this matters
These standards will facilitate the increased involvement of peer workers as valued collaborators in the provision of mental health and substance use services.
Headline
Teens rarely receive addiction medication in U.S. treatment centers
What
A recent study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) provides insights into the factors influencing reluctance toward the use of buprenorphine among adolescents. The American Society of Addiction Medicine supports the inclusion of buprenorphine as a treatment option for opioid use disorder among younger individuals.
Why this matters
The stigma surrounding opioid use disorders and effective treatment is still influencing how we support those in need. Adolescents are a unique population that need to be considered with any MAT/MOUD treatment in order to effectively individualize care and provide the support needed.
Justice Services
Headline
Gender-responsive summit
What
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) recently brought together a variety of researchers, community stakeholders and practitioners to discuss gender-responsive approaches in corrections. An action plan to guide NIC’s work was developed along with plans for the creation of a Gender-Responsive Network.
Why this matters
Increased focus on gender-responsive programming demonstrates a growing, industry-wide shift to individualized care. One size does not fit all and NIC’s work will be central to supporting justice-involved women’s successful outcomes.
Headline
We are All Rise
What
The NADCP Board of Directors unanimously voted to change the organization’s name to All Rise to better capture the organization’s mission and vision. Additionally, All Rise has created a new division, the Center for Advancing Justice, to add to its previous three.
Why this matters
The new name represents a cultural shift in values and organizational identity, showcasing how all justice-involved persons deserve a chance to reenter successfully.
Headline
Justice Department releases new tool to manage substance withdrawals in jails
What
A joint effort by The Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) has released the Guidelines for Managing Substance Withdrawal in Jails: A Tool for Local Government Officials, Jail Administrators, Correctional Officers and Health Care Professionals.
Why this matters
Correctional staff can face life-saving situations in their daily work life. This pioneering document reinforces the BJA and NIC’s effort to enhance the availability of evidence-based treatment for individuals in the criminal justice system suffering from substance use disorders and those at risk of overdose.
Headline
Juvenile court statistics 2020
What
The content of this report focuses on the cases of delinquency and petitioned status offenses that were addressed by juvenile courts in the United States from 2005 to 2020. The report estimates the load of delinquency cases using automated case records and court-level statistics.
Why this matters
The report includes powerful insights such as “the number of delinquency cases processed by juvenile courts decreased 69% in the 16 years between 2005 and 2020” — data like this can be used to study what has worked and what has not in juvenile justice policy and practices.
What We’re Reading
Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans
Although more than 18 million people of Asian descent live in the U.S., they are the racial group least likely to seek out mental health services. Clinical psychologist Jenny T. Wang tells her story of reclaiming mental health as a Taiwanese American while offering insights and evidence-based tools for other Asian Americans and immigrants. In this book, she gives readers permission to question, feel, rage, say no, take up space, choose, play, fail, grieve – and finally, to define their own idea of what it means to come home.