News Releases

• Youth Drug Use Continues Downward Slide Older Adult Rates of Use Increase
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration today announced that current illicit drug use among youth ages 12-17 continues to decline. The rate has been moving downward from 11.6 percent using drugs in the past month in 2002 to 11.2 percent in 2003, 10.6 percent in 2004 and 9.9 percent in 2005. This initial report from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), released at the annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Observance, focuses on significant trends in substance abuse and mental health problems since 2002. (9/7/2006)



• SAMHSA Awards $9.8 million for Peer to Peer Recovery Support Services
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the award of seven Recovery Support Services grants totaling $9.8 million over four years. These grants to community-based organizations are designed to deliver and evaluate peer-to-peer recovery support services that help prevent relapse and promote sustained recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders. (9/6/2006)



• National Survey on Drug Abuse to be Released at Recovery Month Press Conference
  The Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will unveil the new National Survey on Drug Use and Health at a press conference on Thursday, September 7. The annual survey, formerly called the "Household Survey" is the largest of its kind, and is the government's primary vehicle for determining how many persons are abusing illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco. The release of the 2005 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. (9/1/2006)



• New Exhibit Opens at SAMHSA: The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases From a State Hospital Attic
  In observance of "The Year of the Consumer 2006", the exhibition The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases From a State Hospital Attic debuts on September 11th at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Rockville, Maryland. Previews of the exhibit begin September 1st. (8/31/2006)



• MEDIA ADVISORY: National Service Leaders To Tour Gulf During Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
  Eight members of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation will tour recovering areas of the Gulf Coast August 28-30, along with seven members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The group will take part in events commemorating the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, visit hurricane recovery operations, and thank volunteers for their extraordinary contributions during the first year of relief efforts. (8/25/2006)



• Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People with Stimulant Use Disorders Outlined in New SAMHSA Publication Package
  A structured approach for treating adults who abuse or are dependent on methamphetamine or cocaine is outlined in the new publications package Matrix Intensive Outpatient Treatment for People with Stimulant Use Disorders (IOP) released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (8/15/2006)



• Under the Influence: The Film Series (PDF)
  Under the Influence: The Film Series, an unprecedented touring showcase of feature films and documentaries in which addiction and recovery play leading roles, will kick off the 17th annual National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Washington, D.C., on September 6, 2006. Under the Influence, presented by The Recovery Network Foundation, aims to advance the national discussion on addiction-recovery and extinguish the stigma surrounding this disease, which has prevented people from getting the help they need. The series promotes the concept that addiction is a disease and it stresses the benefits of treatment, including medication in conjunction with addiction counseling - all of which can help lead to a solid recovery and prevent relapse. Under the Influence also embraces the importance of family and reconnection as central to a sustained recovery. (8/10/2006)
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• U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Hosts Drug-Free Workplace Alliance Signing Event at New U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters
  U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today was joined by leaders from five labor unions and five contractor associations at the new headquarters of the U.S. Census Bureau for a signing ceremony to further expand the existing multi-union Drug-Free Workplace Alliance. Established in October 2004, the Drug-Free Workplace Alliance is the Department of Labor's first-ever cooperative agreement focusing exclusively on improving worker safety in the construction industry through drug-free workplace programs. (7/10/2006)



• SAMHSA Releases a Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) on Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today released a new Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP 45) "Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment." The new TIP provides clinicians with the latest information on detoxification; emphasizes that by itself, detoxification does not constitute complete substance abuse treatment; and identifies the necessity for linking patients in detoxification with substance abuse treatment services. (6/13/06)



• SAMHSA Alerts Field to Dangerous Drug Combo
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued an action alert to substance abuse treatment and prevention professionals about a new combination of street drugs with a potentially lethal effect. The addition of fentanyl, a powerful narcotic analgesic, to heroin or cocaine being sold on the streets is believed to be the cause of clusters of drug-related deaths and even greater numbers of overdoses in east coast and midwest cities in the past few months. (6/8/06)



• 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 2006, 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. (5/30/06)



• SAMHSA Expands Matrix of Program Priorities
  To meet the evolving needs of the fields of substance abuse and mental health services, Charles Curie, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), today announced the release of a revised matrix of agency program priorities and cross-cutting management principles. (5/2/06)



• SAMHSA Expands Matrix of Program Priorities
  To meet the evolving needs of the fields of substance abuse and mental health services, Charles Curie, Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), today announced the release of a revised matrix of agency program priorities and cross-cutting management principles. (5/2/06)



• Treatment Admissions Continue to Rise for Methamphetamine and Prescription Narcotics in 2004
  New data released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show admissions to substance abuse treatment involving methamphetamine and narcotic pain medications continued to rise in 2004. Methamphetamine admissions to treatment rose 11 percent between 2003 and 2004, and 25 percent between 2002 and 2004. For opiates other than heroin, there was a 21 percent increase in admissions to treatment since 2003 and a 42 percent increase from 2002-2004. Opiates other than heroin are largely prescription pain medications. (4/24/06)



• SAMHSA News Describes Successful Treatment Drug Court Alternative to Incarceration
  Treatment drug courts provide a successful alternative to incarceration for defendants who constantly cycle between addiction leading to crime, incarceration, release, relapse, and recidivism. This month's cover story in the March-April 2006 issue of SAMHSA News highlights treatment drug courts -- often referred to simply as drug courts -- funded since the late 1990s by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (4/19/06)



• SAMHSA Seeks Nominations of Mental Health Consumers to Honor at Second Annual Voice Awards
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today invited the general public to nominate mental health consumers for recognition at the 2006 Voice Awards. The Voice Awards acknowledge the leadership of mental health consumers - individuals who have received or are receiving mental health services for a mental health problem - in helping to raise awareness and understanding of mental health problems, thus reducing stigma and discrimination nationwide. The awards program also recognizes the writers and producers of television programs and movies that provide accurate portrayals of people with mental health problems. (3/24/06)



• National Conference Focuses on the Behavioral Health Needs of Returning Veterans and Their Families
  As veterans return from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, some of the men and women, and their families, may need help re-establishing their lives and re-connecting with their communities. To help local community substance abuse and mental health service providers best address the complex needs of this diverse population, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in conjunction with Therapeutic Communities of America (TCA) will convene "The Road Home: The National Behavioral Health Conference on Returning Veterans and Their Families-Restoring Hope and Building Resiliency, March 16-18 in Washington, D.C. (3/7/06)



• Admissions to Treatment for Methamphetamine Abuse Rise Sharply
  Admissions to treatment for methamphetamine abuse have increased nationally, moving across the country from West to East. States in the Midwest and South that had few admissions due to methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 1993 are now experiencing high rates of admissions. Methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions have increased nationally from1993-2003, from 13 to 56 admissions per 100,000 population ages 12 and older. These findings are part of a report released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from continued analysis of the 2003 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). (3/2/06)



• Education Initiative on Substance Abuse Coming to Houston: Buprenorphine considered major breakthrough in addiction to narcotic painkillers, heroin
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will come to Houston on March 9 to informphysicians and the public about buprenorphine, a new office-based medical treatment for addiction to prescription pain relievers and other opiate drugs, such as heroin. The forum will offer information about the science of buprenorphine and the federal requirements for establishing this new office-based treatment. (3/2/06)



• $5.6 Million Available for Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT)
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of FY 2006 funds for cooperative agreements to expand and enhance state substance abuse treatment systems to include screening, brief intervention, referral, and brief treatment (SBIRT) in general medical and other community settings. The grants will support clinically appropriate services for persons at risk for or diagnosed with a substance use disorder. It will also identify systems and policy changes that will increase access to treatment in generalist and specialist settings. (3/1/06)



• Retirees in Treatment More Likely to Abuse Alcohol than Drugs
  Data from 29 states and other jurisdictions indicate that four out of five current retirees in substance abuse treatment needed treatment for alcohol as their primary substance of abuse in 2003. (2/9/06)



• Newsletter Highlights Screening As an Adjunct to Treatment
  This month's front page story in SAMHSA News highlights the success of grants funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand the continuum of care and reduce the incidence of drug use -- often before it leads to deeper dependency. (2/6/06)



• $9.7 Million Available for Treatment of Homeless
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of FY 2006 funds for development of programs that provide comprehensive drug, alcohol and mental health treatment systems for persons who are homeless. (2/6/06)



• $2.5 Million Available for Peer-to-Peer Recovery Support Services
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announces the availability of FY 2006 funds for grants to deliver and evaluate peer-to-peer recovery services that help prevent relapse and promote sustained recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders. (2/2/06)



• More People in Drug Abuse Treatment Began Drug Use Before Age 13
  More people in treatment for drug abuse, other than alcohol abuse, began using at least one of their problem drugs prior to the age of 13. The data over the past decade show that in 1993, 12 percent of admissions to treatment for drugs (114,462 people) began using their substances before age 13. (1/26/06)



• SAMHSA Launches Partners for Recovery Website Site offers news and resources on recovery
  The new Partners for Recovery website, www.pfr.samhsa.gov, facilitates communication and resource-sharing for organizations and groups that help individuals and families achieve and maintain recovery. (1/25/06)



• SAMHSA News Offers Index of Year's Top Substance Abuse/Mental Health Stories
  The latest issue of SAMHSA News, the newsletter of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, includes a readily searchable index to some of the top stories of 2005 about the federal government's efforts to prevent and treat mental and addictive disorders. (12/30/05)