Just before it broke for the holidays, Congress passed a bill that severely cut federal funding of drug task forces nationwide. Programs that combat illegal drug trafficking, substance abuse, gang activity and violent crime were significantly affected.

"In Nebraska, the money has supported nine regional drug task forces and one statewide drug task force since the early 1990s... The cutbacks put in jeopardy about three dozen investigators, said Mike Behm of the Nebraska Crime Commission. In addition, the task forces face uncertainty."

The Byrne anti-drug grants were one of the most affected, being cut from $525 million in 2007 to just $170.4 million in 2008. The Bush administration said the cuts were made because the program has not proven effective.

Labels: laws, task_forces, funding

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Pregnant rats that ingest alcohol give birth to offspring that are attracted to that substance, according to a new study from the State University of New York.

Scientists have already shown that for humans, the best predictor of teen and adult alcoholism is having a mother who drank during pregnancy.

The theory of the new study is that mammals can 'learn' that alcohol is something good even in utero, according to Professor Steven Youngentob. He and his colleagues point out that the senses are among the first systems to develop. A fetus may "learn" by smell and sight what to eat and drink according to what its mother ingests.

"All that information gets transmitted to the fetus during gestation or lactation," Dr. Youngentob explained. He believes this adaptation probably works in humans as well as rats.

If a young rat was not exposed to alcohol by adulthood, it lost its attraction. This study appears in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience.

Boarding schools for teens with substance abuse and addiction problems can help by offering a powerful combination of therapy and accredited academics.

Labels: alcohol_abuse, mothers, influences

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A pilot drug treatment program that got added to the Texas state budget last year has yet to get off the ground, and some experts are speculating as to the program's potential for real success.

"The drug therapy, called Prometa, is a costly combination of drugs and nutritional supplements each approved by the Food and Drug Administration individually, but never evaluated as a combination to treat substance abuse. Many drug treatment experts fear that the regimen was rushed to market and that Texas lawmakers fell for the marketing pitch, The Dallas Morning News reported Monday."

The Prometa program is intended to treat meth addiction, and corrections departments in some smaller counties have considered making it a mandatory condition of release for convicts. Still, many experts site the lack of adequate clinical trials and maintain that the program has not been proven effective. Read more at KSAT.com.

Labels: treatment, meth

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For seven years now, Macomb County (Michigan) Sheriff Mark Hackel visited with a class of eight-graders to talk about peer pressure and the dangers of giving in to it and to curiosity about teen drug and alcohol abuse.

"After telling the story of a recent drunken driving accident that took the life of 18-year-old Armada High School senior Emilee Floer, he let the group try on a pair of Fatal Vision goggles, which simulate the vision of a person who's highly intoxicated, and made them 'walk the line,' heel to toe."

All who tried to take the test failed miserably, and one student commented that he "never wants to feel like that again". Read more at CandgNews.com.

Labels: prevention, pressure, experimentation

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A new study published in the Journal of Prevention Science finds that the reason a teenager drinks is important as to whether or not he or she becomes an alcoholic.

Lori Palen, chief researcher in the study done at Pennsylvania State University, surveyed 1877 high school seniors and found that 75% drink. One-third said they drink for the thrill of it, 36% to experiment, and 15% to relax.

However, the minority (18%) reported drinking for multiple reasons, such as an inability to deal with anger and frustration, experienced more problems with alcohol. They were more likely to have started drinking as early as sixth grade, and more likely to drink on a daily basis.

Teens who have difficulty controlling their emotions and dealing with their feelings may benefit from a residential treatment center that offers therapy and academics. SunHawk Academy is a residential treatment program in a boarding school setting that caters to the needs of teens with substance abuse problems.

Labels: alcohol_abuse, risky_behaviors, pressure

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"An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure" the old saying goes. But when dealing with teen drug and alcohol use, what exactly is an "ounce of prevention"? According to one columnist, it equates to a little parental nosiness.

"As more families trend toward everybody leading separate lives, it's become easier for children to lead secret lives. Research consistently indicates and alarming disconnect between parental perceptions of their children's drinking and drugging behavior, and the hidden underside of their children's lives."

Not only parents, but grandparents can get more involved in the lives of adolescents. Ask questions, spend time together, and find out as much as possible about who their friends are and what they do together. Read more at TheWorldLink.com.

Labels: parents, privacy, communication

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Megan Overstreet is a student at Northridge High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, and she has some (potentially) surprising news for parents; it's often easier for kids to get drugs in school than anywhere else.

"While polling my 11th-grade English class, I found that 52 percent of the students had been offered drugs since starting high school. Yet the most shocking statistic is that 88 percent of the students knew exactly who to talk to if they wanted drugs...'I could text some people and literally have it in my hands by the end of the school day.'"

Overstreet goes on to suggest that parents have far more influence in their teens' decisions than they realize. By taking an active interest in a child's life, asking questions, and knowing who their friends are, parents can help their teenagers avoid substance abuse pitfalls.

Labels: schools, influences, drug_use

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This weekend, the University of Virginia (UVa) will host APPLE  Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership Education  a conference aimed at sharing the UVa substance abuse prevention model that was developed for athletic teams. Representatives from about 40 colleges and universities are expected to attend.

"[Co-director Susan] Bruce said she hopes those schools will then be able to follow the University's example to develop and implement their own substance abuse programs. 'One of the exciting things about the conference is that many of the attendees will be student-athletes,' Bruce said."

One of the keynote speakers at this year's conference, Travis Apgar, Associate Dean of Students at Cornell University, will discuss hazing and its detrimental effects on students' mental health.

Labels: prevention, athletics, college_students

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In this Q&A from the LaCrosse Tribune, Family columnist Colleen O'Reilly advises a parent who's worried about her 15-year-old daughter and the friends she's making. How do you talk to a daughter whose friends are using drugs? How do you help her avoid the same pitfall?

"Since your main concern seems to be avoidance, I suggest that you make a date where you will not be interrupted. You want this to be important. During your date, you will express your honest concerns for your daughter and admit you are powerless to make her decisions. Continue by saying that you want her to know she can use you as an excuse if she is invited to partake. Many teens like being able to say that their parents will 'kill them if they use.'..."

Getting a teen involved in extra-curricular activities can help, too. Most school clubs and teams have strict rules about drug and alcohol use, which gives a student another great "out" if approached about trying an illegal substance.

NorthStar Center offers adolescent drug treatment to teens and young adults.

Labels: prevention, friends, pressure

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The latest Monitoring the Future survey has found that prescription drug use among teenagers is still on the rise. Painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin were among the most popular.

"'For teenagers nowadays, prescription drugs are becoming more of a problem than illicit street drugs', said Russell Bush, Medical Director for the Lapeer County Health Department. 'We periodically have overdose and deaths in this country from prescription medication, or mixing of prescription medication with illicit drugs, and/or alcohol.'"

The mixing of prescription and illicit drugs often amplifies the effects of the prescription drug and can cause near-euphoric feelings.

NorthStar Center offers addiction recovery programs to older teens and young adults. Their substance abuse treatment center helps adolescents get on the road to health and success.

Labels: teenagers, prescription_drugs

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Researchers at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center recently study the depression's effect on alcohol and cigarette use. Four-hundred-and-sixty-two people participated in the study, which documented initial alcohol and cigarette use, the measured use six months after participants had completed cessation treatment.

"Among those who were depressed, the odds of drinking, the next time you checked in with them six months later, were 1.5 times greater than the odds of drinking for individuals without significant depressive symptoms."

Though depression had a significant effect on alcohol use, cigarette use was not affected. The study's lead author, Molly Kodl, says the results underscore the importance of assessing a patient's depressive tendencies when he or she enters a treatment program.

Teenage depression is a real and scary thing. If your teen is experiencing signs of depression, you have to act quickly to get them the help they need. A residential treatment program that offers a full assessment of behaviors and emotions can help.

Labels: alcohol_abuse, treatment, depression

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Santa Barbara may become the fourth city in California to pass what's being called the Social Host Ordinance (SHO). This ordinance would hold parents or guardians accountable when underage drinking takes place at a party.

"First, a minimum of two people is considered a party. Second, a $1,000 fine will be charged to the host when minors are caught with alcohol. If the host is a minor, parents or guardians are held liable... Adults will be charged regardless of their knowledge of the event or of any intention of underage alcoholic possession or consumption."

The ordinance is still in a draft stage in Santa Barbara, but several organizations are already in support.

Want to learn more about parental liability? Read about Parental Liability for Underage Drivers at DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: parents, parties, liability

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For the month of January, the Wellness Connection of Hanover, New Hampshire will focus on educating the community about substance abuse. Several events are planned throughout the month.

"Town Hall Meeting: Substance Abuse in Hanover" will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 15. A panel of experts from the fields of education, medical, mental health and the legal profession, will discuss the aspects of substance abuse. An open forum will be available for those with questions and concerns."

Another forum on January 24th will cover substance abuse trends. All related events are free to the public.

Want to learn more about teen substance abuse? Visit DrugRehabTreatment.com.

Labels: prevention, community_programs, education

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A recent national study found that one in three of the most popular songs from 2005 contained references to drug or alcohol use. Rap music was the biggest culprit, followed by country. But do these references actually cause substance abuse in adolescents?

"'We don't know if it really makes a difference,' said study author and University of Pittsburgh Assistant Professor of Medicine Dr. Brian Primack. Maybe kids listen to song with alcohol, and it doesn't affect them one way or another. Maybe it affects them a great deal...'"

Primack goes on to say that the important thing is for us to talk to kids about what's right and what wrong in terms of drug and alcohol use.

Labels: music, influences

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Utah's Governor has asked the Legislature for enough money to expand a program called Project Empower into four more counties across the state. The program is aimed at reducing alcohol and substance abuse among teens, and the expansion would cost over $700,000.

"Weber Human Services officials said the program has helped reduce depression, separation anxiety, anti-social behaviors  all risk factors for dangerous behaviors."

Project Empower works with high-risk offenders who are one step away from juvenile prison. Programs such as this one often reduce the rate of repeat criminal activity by about 30 percent.

Labels: prevention, treatment, risky_behaviors

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