Maury County, Tennessee is launching two separate anti-drug programs that both have the same focus - replacing negative substance abuse habits with positive behaviors. One of the programs, led by the Tennessee chapter of the Drug Free Clubs of America, will reward middle and high school students for remaining drug free.

"Volunteers in the program agree to take a periodical, random urine drug screening to ensure they live up to their pledge to remain drug-free. 'For volunteering to take these screenings, we give them a photo ID card they can use at all kinds of local and national businesses', said Holly Davis, Tennessee Representative of DFCA."

The other program, Centerstone's Project SELF is a six month program for students with substance abuse disorders. Read more at ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

Labels: anti-drug_programs, behaviors, schools

Shawn Bridges, a former truck driver whose body was ravaged by years of methamphetamine use, passed away this week. But not before his long and painful journey was chronicled and made into a 29-minute documentary. His hope was that his story would keep others away from the highly addictive drug.

"He was extremely satisfied, wanting to do more in getting the word out and showing kids what meth harm does."

Shawn was bedridden most of his final year, fed through a feeding tube. During his last few months, his family says he often slurred his words, and sometimes wasn't able to speak at all. Chris Rossetti, who filmed the original documentary, plans to produce a sequel that will chronicle Shawn's final year, in hopes that this final message will keep kids from making the same mistake that eventually cost Shawn his life. Read more online.

Labels: death, long_term_drug_use, meth

Researchers from a London Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behavior have begun looking for alternative solutions to the problem of risky behavior among teens. Many of them feel that current methods have only had limited success.

"...trials in both Australia and the United States showed that projects which aimed to improve school ethos helped improve the health behaviors of their students... The US study reported a 34% reduction in a combined measure of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use among boys, plus significant benefits regarding condom use, frequency of sex, violence and truancy."

More and more school officials are beginning to understand the importance of improving the overall culture in schools, and work to improve things like teacher-student communication. Read more online.

Labels: communication, risky_behaviors, schools

Police and substance abuse officials in western states are beginning to report the appearance of candy-flavored methamphetamine. Strawberry, chocolate, and cola are among the flavors being marketed to younger people.

"They [meth dealers] are having a tough time selling this product, especially to younger people. What do people in marketing do when they have a tough time selling a product? They have to come up with some sort of gimmick."

It's believed that meth dealers hope to increase the drug's appeal, and make it seem less dangerous by making it smell and taste like candy. Read more at USAToday.com.

Labels: children, marketing, meth

Former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Joseph A. Califano has released a new book titled High Society. In it, he states that fundamental changes need to occur in the ways that we think about and deal with substance abuse and addiction.

"The problem can be addressed only by a revolution in the nation's criminal justice, medical, educational and social service systems, as well as foreign-policy priorities, Califano says."

He also believes that parents must realize how much influence they can really have over their children's decisions regarding drugs and alcohol. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University estimates that alcohol use, abuse and addiction cost $313 million annually, and that doesn't include any illegal drugs. Read more at TheAdvertiser.com.

Labels: alcohol, cost_of_addiction, legal drugs

The American Academy of Pediatrics has changed its policy on school drug testing and now says it is a bad idea. The physicians' group pointed to inaccurate results, cheating and the loss of children’s trust in adults as reasons to avoid having schools screen children for illegal drugs.

This represents a switch in the Academy's ten-year-old policy on drug testing.

Screening for drugs is a complex process prone to errors, and has not been shown to decrease children's use of illegal use, according to the new statement. This statement appears in the March issue of the Academy's journal, Pediatrics.

Labels: American Academy of Pediatrics, drug testing, drug use

Millions of underage children are using alcoholic beverages, according to United States Surgeon General Kenneth Moitsugu. Nearly 7.2 million children are considered binge drinkers, meaning they drink more than five drinks in one sitting.

In a press release dated March 6, 2007, Moitsugu calls for "a change in the culture and attitudes toward drinking in America. We can no longer ignore what alcohol is doing to our children." While there has been a drop in the use of illegal drugs and tobacco among America's youth, underage drinking is still a problem, partly because adults tolerate it.

Moitsugu said that new research shows that alcohol is harmful to adolescent brain development. In addition, those who start drinking before age 15 years are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems as adults.

Labels: alcohol, binge drinking, underage drinking

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has designated April as Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose is to not only raise awareness, but give people an opportunity to be tested for signs of alcoholism.

"To recognize the serious problem of alcohol abuse... April 8 marks the annual observance of National Alcohol Screening Day. At locations across the United States, people can be screened – anonymously – to see if their drinking habits may be risky."

More than 203,000 people participated last year at over 5,400 screening sites nationwide. Read more online.

Labels: alcohol, awareness, drug testing

On January 26, psychotherapist Elizabeth Jorgensen was the keynote speaker at Harvard University's Conference on Mental Health in Schools. She presented several ideas that, when used in combination, help create a more positive and a safer environment at school.

"School climate can culture can have a measurable effect in reducing violence and correlates with overall higher student achievement, Jorgensen said."

An atmosphere of trust, individual attention, and boundaries shows students that the teachers and administrators care and take an interest in their success both in and out of school. Read more at NewsTimes.com.

Labels: mental health, research, schools

Of the more than 7 1/2 million people who attended college in 2005, 1.8 million met the medical criteria for substance abuse or dependence. The report was released by the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University and says this number is about 2 1/2 times the national average.

"[The center's president, Joseph Califano Jr.] said nearly two-thirds of college student drinkers began drinking in high school, and 8% began in junior high."

Use of prescription drugs has skyrocketed among college students, as has marijuana use. Read more at Freep.com.

Labels: binge drinking, college, high school, students

David Nevins, son of HBO executive Sheila Nevins, has struggled with substance abuse for years. He's been sober for about a year now, but only after suffering through a decade of rehab, psychiatric treatment, and relapses. Nevins' experiences with her son made her realize how little she knew or understood about addiction and substance abuse, which inspired her to launch an HBO documentary serried called "Addiction".

"The short films that are a part of 'Addictions' include [Jon] Alpert's look at a busy Saturday night in a Dallas emergency room; [Rory] Kennedy and Liz Garbus' examination of brain imaging; and [D.A.] Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus' piece on opiate addiction."

The film airs on HBO on Thursday night, and all of the short films will be available for download from HBO's website. Read more online.

Labels: addiction, media, recovery

A study conducted by University of Iowa researchers indicates that genetic testing could reveal a person's potential to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. Researchers are quick to point out, however, that results of the tests don't mean that a person has no choice in the matter.

"'Having a particular gene expression change does not by itself predict that a person will act a certain way. However, it can indicate who might have a greater biological basis for engaging in behaviors such as smoking and alcohol or marijuana use,' [Dr. Robert] Philibert said."

Philibert and his colleagues recognize that there are ethical concerns, but harmful choices could also be avoided because doctors could use this information to develop personalized prevention plans. Read more at MedicalNewsToday.com.

Labels: biological_causes, genetic_testing, prevention

Trend watchers say 40 is the new 30. At Flatbread Co. in Portland, make that the new 21. Restaurant patrons who look under 40 are carded when they order drinks, even if they've been old enough to buy beer for decades. The national obsession with youth is making it harder to tell how old someone is, say the restaurant's owners. And they would rather be wrong about someone's age than be sorry. Read more online.

Labels: alcohol, carding, id

Currently most school districts in the U.S. don't allow charter school students to participate in public school-based athletic programs unless a co-op agreement exists between the two schools. But a new Minnesota legislative bill would give students attending recovery-based schools the chance to participate.

"Any need for a co-op agreement would be dissolved under [State Rep. Mary Liz] Holberg's bill if the student is attending a recovery-focused high school after successfully completing a licensed treatment program for alcohol or substance abuse, mental illness or emotional disturbance."

The rules prohibiting substance abuse would still apply and be enforced for any student participating in sports programs. Holberg believes that giving the kids healthy, productive ways to spend their time as their battling substance abuse will aid in their recovery. Read more at TwinCitites.com.

Labels: athletics, public_schools, sports

In Muscatine, Iowa, the local chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) is asking students to act as positive role models for their peers.

"Swanson said he thinks students who use alcohol or become involved in other harmful activities should feel comfortable asking for help. He's hoping an active S.A.D.D. group would provide encouragement for students who want to leave drugs and alcohol out of the social equation."

By offering social clubs and activities that are substance free, the students of S.A.D.D. can provide healthy alternatives for their fellow students.

Read more online.

Labels: healthy_alternatives, role_models, SADD

The Desert Sands Unified School District board, located in the Palm Springs area of Southern California, will soon be voting on whether or not they will allow drug-sniffing dogs in local middle and high schools. Administrators, teachers, and parents are battling a rise of reported incidents of student drug possessions.

Proponents of the idea say using drug-sniffing dogs "gives parents, teachers and law enforcement officers another opportunity to nip drug use in the bud - while kids are still young and somewhat impressionable."

Many schools across the nation already use drug-sniffing dogs with much success. Administrators of districts already using dogs as deterrents agree that their schools face less drug problems. They say that drug-sniffing dogs are one of the most effective ways to keep drugs off school campuses. Read more from the Desert Sun.

Labels: drug-sniffing dogs, schools

Dr. Jeff Dalley and his colleagues at the University of Cambridge Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute has discovered that certain brain chemistry changes pre-date drug use in addicts and actually cause some people to be pre-disposed to addiction.

"Understanding the neurological changes that help trigger and sustain addiction is key to developing effective prevention and treatment. Numerous studies have noted a myriad of differences in the brain of drug addicts verses healthy individuals, but "it's been basically impossible to know which ones were there before they started to take the drug and which were a consequence of the exposure to the drug," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse."

Understanding the conditions which lead to drug addiction will change the way drug use and addiction are treated. Read more online.

Labels: addiction, research, treatment

The teenager that once openly shared the details of his life, now takes to locking his bedroom door. He begins sleeping in late and goes about the house with a glazed look. There are suddenly new friends on the scene but you don't know their names or their numbers. Read more online.

Labels: alcohol, legal drugs, prescription drugs