News Releases and Fact Sheets

• Department of Labor Encourages Employers to Send a Safe and Sober Message about Workplace Parties this Holiday Season
  The Department of Labor's Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program has a special Web page that addresses steps employers can take during the holiday season and all year round to prevent impaired driving in their communities and send their employees a message about workplace parties, drinking and staying sober and safe.
  (12/1/05)
  
  
• Johnson Institute Cites Eight Innovators for Contributions, Successes at America Honors Recovery Luncheon in Washington, D.C.
  These eight pioneers were honored for their groundbreaking techniques to help conquer alcohol and other drug addiction September 22 during ceremonies at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., at the second annual America Honors Recovery luncheon sponsored by the Johnson Institute.
  View luncheon video (9/22/05)



• SAMHSA Releases New Treatment Improvement Protocol on Medication-Assisted Treatment for Drug Abuse
  A new Treatment Improvement Protocol, TIP 43, released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides treatment providers, physicians and other medical personnel with the latest information on medication-assisted treatment for people addicted to opiates, largely prescription narcotics or heroin.
  View press briefing video (10/25/05)
  
  
• Johnson Institute Cites Eight Innovators for Contributions, Successes at America Honors Recovery Luncheon in Washington, D.C.
  These eight pioneers were honored for their groundbreaking techniques to help conquer alcohol and other drug addiction September 22 during ceremonies at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., at the second annual America Honors Recovery luncheon sponsored by the Johnson Institute.
  View luncheon video (9/22/05)



• 2004 Survey Found More Methamphetamine Users Meet Criteria for Dependence and Abuse
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today released data showing that the prevalence of methamphetamine use in 2004 was similar to the number of users in the prior two years. But, the new 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health also showed that the number of past month methamphetamine users who met criteria for illicit drug dependence or abuse in the past 12 months increased sharply. (9/22/05)



• Youth Drug Use Continues to Decline
  Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced a 9 percent decline in illicit drug use among American youth between the ages of 12 and 17 from 2002 to 2004. Marijuana use also declined by 7 percent among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 during this same period. (9/8/05)



• National Survey on Drug Abuse to be Released at Recovery Month Press Conference
  The release of the 2004 survey is the highlight of the annual National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month press conference that ushers in a month long observance lauding the gains made by those in recovery from alcohol and drug abuse, as well as treatment providers. (9/1/05)



• HHS Awards $16.2 Million for Methamphetamine Abuse Treatment
  HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced 11 new, three-year grants to provide treatment for methamphetamine abuse and other emerging drugs for adults residing in rural communities. The grants, awarded by HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), total $5.4 million for the first year and approximately $16.2 million for all three years. (8/19/05)



• $19.2 Million Announced For Substance Abuse Treatment For Juveniles and Young Adults Returning from Incarceration
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced over $19.2 million in grants over four years to support substance abuse treatment and related services for juveniles and young adults returning to their families and communities from incarceration. The grants are designed to provide substance abuse treatment to both juveniles and young offenders up to age 24. (8/9/05)



• SAMHSA Announces Over $19 Million for 16 Grants to Better Coordinate Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Administrator Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W., today announced grant awards to 16 states totaling more than $19 million over three years to build capacity to provide effective and affordable substance abuse treatment for youth and their families. In addition to increasing access to treatment services for young people, each state will create a staff position dedicated to ensuring resources available for substance abuse treatment are being used in the most efficient manner possible. (8/3/05)



• Clinical Support System Available to Assist Physicians who Treat Patients Dependent on Opiates
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the availability of the Physician Clinical Support System (PCSS) to assist physicians who prescribe or dispense buprenorphine to their patients dependent on heroin or prescription drugs containing opiates. (7/27/05)



• Unprecedented Federal Alignment Announced to Help Provide People with Mental Illness Opportunity for Recovery
  The federal government is aligning resources in an unprecedented collaborative effort to help ensure that people with mental illness have every opportunity for recovery. Six cabinet level departments - Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration have detailed 70 specific steps in a mental health action agenda released today. (7/22/05)



• Under the Influence: The Film Series
  Days of Wine and Roses, one of the all-time great Warner Brothers films, will be the premiere presentation of Under the Influence: The Film Series, an unprecedented showcase of feature films and documentaries in which addiction and recovery play leading roles. The film's legendary director, Blake Edwards, will be on hand to introduce his 1962 film, considered a trailblazer in it's treatment of alcoholism and the possibility of recovery.
  Following the screening, Mr. Edwards will discuss his own recovery. (7/21/05)



• Recovery Month PSAs Highlight Success of Alcohol and Drug Treatment
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today unveiled television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) to be used as part of the 16 th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month observance in September. Recovery Month spotlights the need for alcohol and drug abuse treatment and recovery, and honors both those in recovery and treatment providers. (7/12/05)



• SAMHSA Announces $15.5 Million for Brief Interventions to Deal with College Students at Risk of Substance Abuse
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the award of 12 grants totaling $15.5 million over three years to combat underage drinking and drug abuse by promoting innovative screening, brief interventions and referral to treatment of college and university students with a high risk of substance use disorders. (7/6/05)



• A Third of 21-25 year old Drivers Drank or Used Drugs
  About one in three adult drivers ages 21 to 25 have driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the past year, according to a new report, released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These data also show that 16.6 percent of adult drivers ages 21 or older (30.7 million persons) reported driving while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs during the past year. (6/30/05)



• Data on Drug Deaths in 32 Cities and Six States Released by SAMHSA
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration today unveiled findings on drug-related mortality from the 2003 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) that provide a picture of deaths involving recent drug use in six states and 32 metropolitan areas. Among the metropolitan areas, Baltimore and Albuquerque had the highest rates of drug misuse deaths, exceeding 200 deaths per one million population. Another 14 areas had drug misuse death rates that exceeded 100 deaths per one million population. (6/7/05)



• Admissions for Drug Treatment Up for Older Adults: SAMHSA and FDA Start New Ad Campaign-Do the Right Dose
  Admissions for substance abuse treatment increased by 32 percent among older adults over the eight-year period 1995-2002, concludes a new study released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (5/5/05)



• Updated Directory of Drug, Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs Available
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) updated guide to finding local substance abuse treatment programs is now available. The guide, National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Programs 2005, provides information on thousands of alcohol and drug treatment programs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and four U.S. territories. (5/3/05)



• SAMHSA Reaching Out to Prospective Grantees
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced that it is sending an e-mail letter to persons known to be interested in SAMHSA grants to inform them that they can file for grants online at www.grants.gov. (4/22/05)



• New Online SAMHSA Publication Focuses on Mental Health Transformation
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the online availability of Mental Health Transformation Trends: A Periodic Briefing. (4/18/05)



• Most in Treatment for Alcohol Abuse Started Drinking Early
  Early alcohol intoxication can lead to a need for substance abuse treatment later in life. That is the conclusion of a new analysis by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA found that among those persons ages 21 and older admitted to treatment for alcohol dependence or abuse in 2002, 88 percent were first intoxicated before age 21. (4/14/05)



• Education Initiative on Substance Abuse Coming to MS: Buprenorphine considered major breakthrough in addiction to painkillers, heroin
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will come to Jackson State University, in Jackson, Mississippi, on April 18 as part of its four-stop education initiative, "New Paths to Recovery," to inform physicians and the public about buprenorphine, a new office-based medical treatment for addiction to prescription pain relievers and other opiate drugs. (4/11/05)



• SAMHSA Releases "Know Your Rights" Brochure
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has introduced a new brochure for people in substance use disorders treatment and recovery, their allies, advocates, and employers. (4/8/05)



• SAMHSA Issues Group Therapy Guide for Substance Use Disorders Treatment
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today unveiled a comprehensive guide on the use of group therapy in the treatment of substance use disorders. The consensus panel that created "Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy" emphasized that group therapy is effective treatment and is a cost effective way to deliver treatment. (3/22/05)



• Inhalant Use Is Associated With Other Substance Use and Delinquency
  Inhalant use by 12 and 13 year olds is a marker for future drug use and delinquent behavior, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), released today at a press conference by the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition to kick off National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week. (3/15/05)



• Admissions to Treatment for Marijuana Abuse Increase Sharply
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced a new trend report showing that admission rates for treatment for marijuana as a primary substance of abuse increased 162 percent nationally between 1992 and 2002. (3/4/05)



• $6.3 Million Available to Fund Family and Juvenile Drug Courts
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the availability of FY 2005 funds for family and juvenile treatment drug courts. (2/16/05)



• 2003 Survey Found Over 1 Million People Recently Used Stimulants Non-Medically
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today released data showing that an estimated 1.2 million persons ages 12 or older used methamphetamine or prescription stimulants non-medically in the past month in 2003. (2/4/05)



• Many Patients Have Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders -- Both Must Be Addressed for Successful Treatment
  A new Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that 50-75 percent of patients in substance abuse treatment programs have co-occurring mental illness while 20-50 percent of those treated in mental health settings have co-occurring substance abuse. (1/31/05)



• State Standards for Counselors and Prevention Professionals Outlined in New SAMHSA Publication
  The publication contains a national overview of state-by-state information on licensing, certification, and credentialing standards for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, programs, counselors and prevention professionals. (1/26/05)



• SAMHSA to Release New Treatment Improvement Protocol on Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders at Media Round Table in Washington
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will hold a press round table to discuss co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders and unveil its new Treatment Improvement Protocol, Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with Co-Occurring Disorders, TIP 42, on January 31 at 9:30 A.M. in the National Press Club. (1/25/05)



• $20.6 Million Available for Substance Abuse, HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Programs for Minority Populations
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the availability of FY 2005 funds for cooperative agreements to help prevent the onset of substance abuse, and the transmission of HIV and hepatitis, among minority populations in communities with a high prevalence of substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis. (1/13/05)



• SAMHSA Notices of Grant Funding and Requests for Applications No Longer Published in Federal Register
  Effective January 3, 2005, SAMHSA will only post NOFAs and RFAs on the SAMHSA website at www.samhsa.gov and at www.Grants.gov. (1/4/05)