Guest Post By:  R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
This October marks the second annual National Substance Abuse Prevention Month – an observance to highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention in individual and community health and to remember those who lost their lives to substance abuse.  The Office of National Drug Control Policy joins President Obama in celebrating National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and encourages prevention efforts this month and all year long to ensure the health of teens and young adults.
Millions of Americans …

Written By: Wilmarie Hernandez, Consumer Affairs, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
On August 15, SAMHA hosted a forum on Young People in Recovery (YPR).  The panel discussion, moderated by Ivette Torres, Associate Director, Consumer Affairs, featured three young adults, Sarah Nerad, Danielle Tarino and Benjamin Chin.
Sarah, Danielle and Ben shared their personal recovery stories as well as the programs and organizations that helped them in their recovery process.
“By the time I was in high school everything seemed normal on the outside and I knew that is what I needed to maintain …

Are strategies the same for preventing substance abuse and supporting recovery for service members, veterans and their families as they are for the civilian population?
You can find out on June 7th, from 2:00-3:30 (ET).  SAMHSA’s Military Families Strategic Initiative Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) Technical Assistance Center is hosting a webinar that will provide suggestions for approaching the issue of substance abuse prevention and recovery support, addressing gaps, and removing barriers to building systems that are informed by military culture.  Michelle Cleary, Project Associate for the SMVF TA …

Cross-posted from Aids.Gov

Written By: Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Our colleagues at SAMHSA have just released a new Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP), Addressing Viral Hepatitis in People With Substance Use Disorders. This is an important and helpful step toward achieving the fifth goal of the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, which calls on us to ensure that persons who use drugs have access to viral hepatitis …

Written By: Pamela S. Hyde, SAMHSA Administrator
Entertainment news reports during the past week have centered the Nation’s attention on substance abuse, addiction, and the vital need for recovery by millions of Americans. Positive stories of recovery are all around us in everyday life, but it’s always tragic when someone’s life is cut short.
During these times it is important that we remember the success stories of those in recovery because they provide a truer perspective of the real hope treatment can provide, and can spur individuals, families and communities toward taking …