Every month, we’re bringing you the top news in addiction treatment and justice services from publications around the country.
Addiction Treatment | Justice Services
Headline
SAMHSA announces nearly $35 million in grant awards for comprehensive behavioral health care and HIV prevention and care for historically underserved populations
What
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), operating under the umbrella of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), recently allocated $35 million in grant funding. This financial injection aims to facilitate the provision of crucial behavioral health services and comprehensive HIV prevention and care within communities that have historically faced significant challenges in accessing such resources.
Why these funds matter
These strategic funding initiatives underscore the ongoing commitment of the HHS and SAMHSA to address the critical healthcare needs of marginalized communities, particularly focusing on the intersection of behavioral health and the HIV epidemic within vulnerable populations.
Read more | Download the Grant Toolkit
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Officials agree: Use settlement funds to curb youth addiction. But the 'how' gets hairy.
What
There is a growing consensus that a shift toward prevention-focused initiatives within the school environment is necessary. Schools are taking a proactive step in combating the alarming rise in opioid overdoses by stocking naloxone; however, recognizing the need for a more comprehensive approach, both county and school officials have embarked on a multifaceted strategy to confront the underlying issues using opioid settlement funds.
Learning from what did not work
Empirical investigations have revealed that certain preventive programs, such as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, have yielded counterproductive outcomes, inadvertently leading to consequences contrary to their intended purpose. These findings underscore the critical importance of implementing evidence-based strategies and educational interventions that demonstrate tangible effectiveness in preventing the initiation of substance misuse among youth.
Read more | Learn about our adolescent addiction treatment and prevention solution
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Broadening your scope of care: A focus on prevention - NAADAC free webinar series
What
NAADAC is conducting a series of prevention-focused webinars starting in November. The webinars are free to attend and offer CEUs. Current topics include Moving Upstream Using Effective Strategies and Cannabis Policy and Prevention in the Era of Commercial Cannabis. Three others are planned with details forthcoming.
Read more | Browse additional webinars from The Change Companies
Headline
Climate disruptions are especially dangerous for the opioid epidemic
What
Populations suffering from opioid addiction are typically excluded from discussions on climate change impacts. The article emphasizes that during environmental crises, drug users face heightened social and economic challenges leading to poor health outcomes, and climate change will likely disrupt the illegal drug supply chain, making drugs more dangerous and deadly. Potential solutions include designing climate literacy programs for drug users, developing housing policies that consider climate change impacts and making harm reduction programs more widely accessible.
More research is still needed
The article also emphasizes the lack of research on the intersection between climate change and substance use, despite the dire need for implementable solutions. Actionable next steps include the development of tailored educational materials for drug users, building up climate-related emergency reserves for housing programs and providing deeper support for harm reduction services and treatment.
Read more | Learn how to support opioid abatement
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The basics: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) programs in jails
What
The article discusses the pressing issue of opioid use disorder (OUD) in correctional facilities and emphasizes the need for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) programs. It explains the components and benefits of MOUD, including its positive impact on inmate behavior, post-release rehabilitation and recidivism rates. The article also underscores the legal importance and community collaboration necessary for the successful implementation of MOUD programs in jails.
Expand your understanding of this topic
The Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD): Critical Considerations for Your Jail Facility webinar highlights the necessity of implementing Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) programs in correctional facilities to address the significant percentage of inmates suffering from opioid use disorder. It emphasizes the importance of FDA-approved medications and the key components of successful MOUD programs, including managing challenges such as medication diversion and stakeholder buy-in.
Read more | Learn about our jails solution
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Justice Department to award more than $96.7 million in grants to American Indian and Alaska Native communities
What
The Justice Department awarded 182 grants totaling over $96.7 million to 111 American Indian and Alaska Native communities through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS). The grants aim to strengthen law enforcement, decrease violence, support tribal youth programs and provide services for crime victims. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) oversee the administration of these awards.
Read more | View our American Indian and Alaska Native treatment curricula
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Juvenile justice toolkit
What
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) offers an array of resources, including updated 50-state law compilations, reports on key issues, podcasts and news about innovative developments in juvenile justice. These resources serve to educate and inform policymakers about various youth justice matters.
Read more | Learn about our juvenile justice solution