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
New NIH study reveals shared genetic markers underlying substance use disorders
What
A new National Institute of Health (NIH) study has identified shared genetic markers that contribute to the development of multiple substance use disorders (co-occurring conditions). Research data was collected from more than 1.2 million people, finding that genetic risk factors for alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use disorders overlap significantly.
Why this Matters
The study suggests that substance use disorders may have a common genetic basis. Improved treatment approaches and integrated prevention may produce more meaningful outcomes once these results are analyzed and put into practice.
Headline
A roadblock to life-saving addiction treatment is gone. Now what?
What
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has removed a regulatory hurdle that made it difficult for people struggling with opioid addiction to access buprenorphine. The old regulation, the X waiver, required doctors to undergo additional training and apply for a special waiver in order to prescribe buprenorphine. Many hope this will increase access to life-saving treatment for people with opioid use disorder.
Why this Matters
Training will still be required for substance use disorders. Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act requires addiction treatment practitioners to complete a total of at least 8 hours of training on opioid or other substance use disorders. There are 3 ways this can be satisfied, which include having board certifications.
Headline
ASAM responds to U.S. Senate HELP committee's request for solutions to healthcare workforce shortages
What
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has submitted a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) in response to a Request for Information on the healthcare workforce. The letter urges lawmakers to address the workforce shortages while increasing access to addiction treatment services.
Why this Matters
There is no question that addiction treatment is experiencing mass personnel shortages. ASAM’s letter is a key step in ensuring that the addiction treatment workforce is both capable and staffed to combat the opioid crisis.
Justice Services
Headline
BJA and the CSG Justice Center launch initiative to help state corrections agencies expand data analysis capacity
What
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center have launched a new initiative aimed at helping state corrections agencies expand their data analysis capacity via technical assistance and support in developing or enhancing capabilities. The hope is this will enable improved data-informed decision-making, thereby improving outcomes for individuals involved in the justice system.
Why this Matters
Good data collection is vital for any decision-making process. By expanding these services, more state corrections agencies will be able to inform local policy and decision-makers on best practices for supporting incarcerated adults in custody.
Headline
Emerging relevance of neuroscience in corrections
What
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has highlighted neuroscience research that sheds light on correctional officer wellness and barriers to reentry. Such insights have the potential to inform more effective interventions and treatment approaches for individuals involved in the justice system.
Key Findings
The correctional officer studies show that workplace stressors and increased working hours were major sources of stress for officers, and that this significantly impacted mental processing during day-to-day tasks. The study on adults in custody indicated that up to two-thirds of the incarcerated population are suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), and that this likely compounds criminogenic needs. NIJ recommends specific interventions to support the reentry of adults in custody with TBI.
Headline
Jail populations, violent crime and COVID-19: Findings from the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC)
What
This publication examines the impact of COVID-19 on jail populations and violent crime in the United States within “SJC” cities. The report recommends investing in alternatives to incarceration and providing resources to communities impacted by crime and incarceration.
Key Findings
SJC cities are cities that have demonstrated the ability to keep more individuals out of jail, address racial disparities and materially support reentry by following The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge. Since the advent of COVID-19, they have served as a model for reducing violence from those released from jail or in pretrial despite the pandemic reducing jail populations.
What We’re Reading: The ASAM Criteria
Fresh off the press, the ASAM Criteria Implementation Guide can help programs improve quality of care in manageable increments aligned with each program’s unique goals and challenges. ASAM chose the Network for Improvement of Addiction Treatment (NIATx) model because it is a tested, proven model of quality improvement (QI) in addiction treatment programs. Straightforward and using familiar tools, the NIATx process quickly produces observable results, which can be tested for quality and create a competitive advantage.