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In 2006, 23.6 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem (9.6 percent of the persons aged 12 or older). Of these, 2.5 million (10.8 percent of those who needed treatment) received treatment at a specialty facility. Thus, 21.2 million persons (8.6 percent of the population aged 12 or older) needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem but did not receive it. These estimates are similar to the estimates for 2005.* see the rest of the NIDA article here
“…The new atmosphere is most apparent vis-à-vis the Obama administration’s move away from “war on drugs” rhetoric and toward a harm-reduction strategy. Gil Kerlikowske, the new head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, has made it clear that he prefers treatment over punishment for drug users”… “We need to ask, Is there a more sensible approach?” argues Norm Stamper, who, like Kerlikowske, is a former chief of police of Seattle who believes the criminal justice system is broken. “And the answer is prevention and education and treatment.”…read the entire article here.
Throughout the 1990’s, journalist Gary Webb had uncovered evidence implicating the CIA’s complicity in drug running. His passing in 2004 left suspicion. Numerous reports followed Webb’s investigations including this late 90’s NBC news report. An old problem now only a bigger problem today. On fire for solutions. Content contributed by Bill Ford and Janusz Grajewski.
Interesting perspective on America’s war on drugs by 22-year-old Janusz Grajewski of Hamburg, Germany, previously residing in Tucson, Arizona: “I have always had the opinion that drug abuse is a medical problem. One only needs to look at Holland to see that hard drug addiction can be dealt with in a humane manner”…read the rest of Janusz’s article. Click here.
Here is an interesting rehab alternative for addicts in a farm setting. This story is posted by Marcia Tiede. Check out the story here
June 11, 2009 – Highlights of Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on Sen. Webb’s Criminal Justice Bill. Sweeping movement at federal level, to review the entire prison- sentencing policies across America. Hopes are to engage addict offenders in early treatment of drug addiction and identify offenders with dual diagnosis. See also special reports. Parade Magazine and Fact Sheet.
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Substance abuse treatment services for offenders are not widely available in all phases of the correctional system, according to the first set of findings from a national survey funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – Read the story here. …a big fire needs burning here and check out the recent HealthReformCore Consensus Principles by SAMHSA.
Written by Ted Jackson of Treatment Magazine
There has been increasing talk over the past couple of years about how Suboxone, the hugely successful drug for the treatment of opiate addiction, is being abused. Read more
Inform state leaders about the true cost of substance abuse. Click here.
A link submitted by Mary Ann to contact U.S Senate by email supporting recovery. Check it out here and also in the side bar.
“Join Together” is an advocacy and lobby support website for addiction treatment in healthcare reform. Now, more than ever, the outlook for addiction treatment finding a place in mainstream healthcare policy is growing very positive. This link provides an update on what the ongoing healthcare debates will mean to millions of Americans impacted by the burgeoning world of drug and alcohol addiction. Click here.
The near 1000 page bill can be made sense of in these two blogs: Health Care Blog and Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review. Check them out.
Addiction is ugly. Leonardo DiCapro rocks in this old youtube clip from the movie, “The Basketball Diaries.” Check it out here.
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