Every month, we’re bringing you the top news in addiction treatment and justice services from publications around the country.
Addiction treatment | Justice services | What we're reading
Addiction treatment
Tribal nations invest opioid settlement funds in traditional healing to treat addiction
What
Native American nations are using opioid settlement funds to support traditional healing practices, such as sweat lodges and cultural ceremonies, to help individuals recover from addiction. These funds come from more than $1.5 billion in settlement funds paid to hundreds of tribes by health care companies. These initiatives aim to reinvigorate cultural pride and provide a more holistic approach to recovery.
A closer look
The overdose crisis disproportionally affects Native Americans, who had the highest overdose death rates from 2020-2022 of any racial group. Traditional healing is seen by initiative leaders as vital for addressing addiction; public health experts cite intergenerational trauma and cultural disruption as key causes of the crisis.
Read more | Explore our treatment solutions for tribal populations
Public comment open through June 3 on the "ASAM Clinical Considerations for Engagement and Retention of Non-abstinent Patients in Substance Use Treatment" document
What
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is seeking feedback on this document, developed to support treatment engagement and retention, particularly in clients who are unable or unwilling to commit to sustained abstinence. The document includes an in-depth look at 10 best-practice recommendations for treatment engagement and retention.
2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and companion infographic now available
What
Conducted annually, the NSDUH from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides nationally representative data on the use of drugs (including alcohol and tobacco), substance use disorders and mental health issues. It also reports on the US receipt of substance use and mental health treatment. The expansive 2022 survey is now available.
View the infographic | Explore the full survey
Justice services
Drug-impaired driving: The contribution of emerging and under-tested drugs
What
While alcohol is often associated with impaired driving, in 2022, an estimated 13.6 million people drove under the influence of illicit drugs. This detailed study from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) demonstrates how frequently DUID cases involve a drug other than alcohol, examining how both Tier I and Tier II drugs contribute to impaired driving in over 2,500 cases.
Source: National Institute of Justice
Read more | Explore our solutions for impaired driving
2022 datasets now available from the Federal Justice Statistics Program
What
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has released 18 datasets from the Federal Justice Statistics Program (FJSP) for 2022.
A closer look
The FJSP provides comprehensive information about the workload, activities and outcomes associated with federal criminal cases. It tracks seven stages of federal criminal case processing, including:
- Arrest: The apprehension of a suspect by a federal law enforcement agency.
- Prosecution: The investigation of criminal matters.
- Pretrial Release: The release or detention of defendants before adjudication.
- Adjudication: The criminal court proceedings up to case disposition.
- Sentencing: The imposition of sentences on convicted defendants.
- Appeals: The filing and termination of appeal cases.
- Corrections: Supervision of offenders (probation, supervised release or parole) and incarceration.
New resource to connect people returning to the community to health care services
What
The US Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) have released a new Coverage to Care (C2C) resource to help individuals re-entering the community connect to health coverage and services.
A closer look
The guide, "Returning to the Community: Health Care After Incarceration," assists individuals in understanding their physical and behavioral health needs, navigating health care services pre- and post-release, learning about insurance types and applying for coverage. This resource was developed based on community feedback to address the gap in health care knowledge and access for those re-entering the community. It emphasizes the importance of addressing health care needs alongside other immediate concerns like housing and employment.
Download the guide | Explore our reentry-focused solutions (located under "Reentry Preparation")
What we're reading
Jordy Fisher, a Writer and Editor at The Change Companies, recommends An American Marriage by Tayari Jones.
"A fictional but resonant look at the effects incarceration and racial disparities can have on a family. Told in part through letters exchanged between an incarcerated husband and his wife on the outside, this book is subtle, heartbreaking and hopeful."