The passing of former president Gerald Ford has left his wife Betty to continue her work at the rehabilitation center that bears her name, alone. Betty Ford shocked the nation when she publicly admitted her addiction to prescription medication, but it opened the door for many to seek treatment for their own addictions. To date, the Betty Ford Center has treated over 76,000 people.

"Though her daughter, Susan Ford Bales, took over as chairwoman of the center in 2005, the 88-year-old Betty Ford remains involved in operations and spends at least two days a week there talking to patients and staff."

Betty Ford's courage in admitting her addiction so many years ago removed the stigma of addiction, and thousands of people have sought treatment because of her bravery. Read more online.

Young adults struggling to get past their destructive behaviors and move forward into adulthood may benefit from a substance abuse treatment program like Passages to Recovery. Passages is set in the beautiful wilderness of central Utah and incorporates an innovative holistic approach to help young adults with substance abuse, anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties.

After spending six weeks in the wilderness, students can continue to work on their sobriety and recovery at an aftercare program for young adults like NorthStar Center. NorthStar offers a two-phase program which emphasizes a strong academic component; responsibility as an integral part of being a young adult; and recreation as an important aspect of living a sober and balanced life.

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Parents are often told to "look for the signs" of substance abuse or addiction in their children. But what signs should you be looking for? The National Institute on Drug Abuse has put together a short list of behaviors of which parents should be aware. Though items on the list sounds a little "clinical", the information is good and helpful. Read more at NIDH.gov.

If you suspect that your son or daughter is experimenting with drugs or alcohol, an outdoor wilderness therapy program with substance abuse counseling may help them before they become serious addicts. Learn more about wilderness therapy programs at Wilderness Programs Info.

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The 2006 Monitoring the Future survey has revealed that marijuana use among eighth, tenth, and 12th graders is 25% lower than it was in 2001. Cigarette and alcohol use have also decreased. Unfortunately, not all the news was good.

"However, of significant concern is the finding that past-year use of Vicodin remained high among all three grades, with nearly one in ten high school seniors using it in the past year."

The first survey on non-medical uses of cold and cough medicine also showed that over 4% of eighth graders reported using it to get high. Read more online.

SunHawk Academy, a substance abuse boarding school, helps teenagers struggling with drug use get back on track. A licensed adolescent residential treatment center, SunHawk combines individual and group therapy, accredited academics, and family development workshops to help troubled teens and their families.

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A recent study by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse found that 4.8% of those who responded to a survey admitted to driving within two hours of smoking marijuana.

"The report also said that young people who drive under the influence of marijuana dont think they will get caught."

Young people often don't think their driving is as impaired by marijuana as it is by drinking. Read more at Canada.com.

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The Office of National Drug Control Policy has been granted approval to study expanding the use of drug courts into places like public schools.

"The study on drug courts will show how programs like it basically expose youth and teens to the 'real world' consequences of drug abuse."

After observing a drug court, students are asked to write about the experience and about their own or others' drug and alcohol use. So far, students have been very responsive. Read more at NWANews.com.

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The Substance Abuse Center of Sedgwick County, Kansas has received a $153,000 contract to help pregnant women who use drugs or alcohol have health babies.

"Women who follow the guidelines - keeping doctor appointments, being drug-free on tests, attending therapy groups - are eligible for incentives such as maternity clothes or baby items."

Since learning of the contract back in October, the Center has identified 19 potential clients. The program's capacity is thirty. Learn more online.

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Prevention First is a non-profit agency that educates the public on violence and substance abuse. Barbara Sprechman, director of community services, recently presented some facts and tips to a group of concerned New Jersey parents.

"More than 30 percent of unplanned pregnancies occur while those involved are under the influence of alcohol and other drugs."

Barbara encourages parents to present a "unified front", to know what their kids are doing, and who they're hanging out with. Read more online.

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A report in the December issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reports that abuse of dextromethorphan, a drug commonly found in cold medicine, increased 10-fold from 1999 to 2004.

"Since the late 1990's, dextromethorphan abuse has increased among adolescents, in part because the drug is easily accessible and is perceived to be safe."

Severe side effects are reported with high doses of the drug, including high blood pressure, agitation, loss of muscle control, and psychosis. The increased use is mainly attributed to the fact that cold medicines containing the drug are sold over the counter. Read more at ScienceDaily.com.

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A recent survey by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy found that the majority of parents have difficulty engaging in meaningful conversations about drug use with their teens.

"'This poll reinforces a disconcerting trend we're seeing with parents today. Too many parents are avoiding tough conversations - or tough stances - because they're afraid of jeopardizing their relationship with their teens,' said John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy."

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has a web site, TheAntiDrug.com, that gives parents helpful hints and starter conversations to make things a little easier. Read more at MedicalNewsToday.com.

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It's a commonly held belief that marijuana use by teens predicts, on some level, future drug and alcohol abuse. A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh is challenging that belief. After studying 214 boys for 12 years, the team at Pitt found that nearly a quarter of the boys exhibited a reverse pattern; using marijuana before they'd ever smoked a cigarette or had one drink.

"This evidence supports what's known as the common liability model, an emerging theory that states the likelihood that someone will transition to the use of illegal drugs is determined not by the preceding use of a particular drug but instead by the user's individual tendencies and environmental circumstances."

Dr. Ralph Tarter, Ph.D., lead author of the study, believes this proves that anti-drug campaigns need to spend less time talking about the drugs themselves, and more time talking about parenting skills and personal character. Read more at ScienceDaily.com.

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A Utah web site that was launched just two short months ago has already received over 300,000 hits. One of the most unique aspects of the site is a secured folder feature that allows patients to share personal information with people of their choosing.

"'It's the first opportunity where people's mental-health-care givers can talk with their physical-health-care givers,' [Jack] Tanner said. 'The doctors on both sides can view the information and better coordinate treatment.'"

Every county in Utah has a home page where area-specific doctors and treatment centers can be found. There is also a library of articles about addiction and ways to seek treatment. Read more at SLTrib.com.

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An herb known as Salvia, which causes hallucinations similar to LSD, may soon be banned in the state of Maine. It is listed only as a 'drug of concern' by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

"Kimberly Johnson of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse said a state ban is a good idea, because there's no point in waiting for the feds to take action."

Salvia is a member of the mint family and is sometimes called "Magic Mint".

Read more online.

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