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Dayton’s Reclaiming Futures Program ‘Natural Helpers’
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Reclaiming Futures program relies on natural helpers to assist teens with substance abuse problems who are also in the juvenile justice system. Natural helpers are trained volunteers who find a connection between their personal interests and the youth they are coupled with. This article interviews natural helpers in Dayton, Ohio, one of ten Reclaiming Futures sites in the country.
++++++++++ Teen Marijuana-Psychosis Link
Recent research points to adolescence as a particularly risky time to smoke marijuana for those genetically predisposed to mental illness. Brain scientists theorize that marijuana may induce temporary changes in brain chemistry that, when reinforced over time, become permanent. ++++++++++ Potent Mexican Meth Replaces the Homegrown Product
State laws restricting access to medication that can be used to make methamphetamine have been successful in wiping out neighborhood meth labs, but the defunct local labs are rapidly being replaced by an influx of cheap, potent methamphetamine from Mexico. ++++++++++ The Developing Methamphetamine Problem: Selected CESAR methamphetamine publications from 1996 to 2005. CESAR, the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland, has compiled a selection of CESAR methamphetamine publications from 1996 to 2005 and makes it available for download. It looks to be about 25 pages in length. Pdf file. ++++++++++ Ankle bracelets monitor alcohol use in Florida
Judges are using ankle bracelets that monitor alcohol use at all hours of the day and night to enforce orders not to use alcohol. The bracelets sample perspiration for signs of alcohol use. Testing results are communicated via the Internet. Judges are using to enforce orders not to use alcohol. for signs of alcohol use. Testing results are communicated via the Internet. +++++++++ Use of Illicit Substances and Low Family Income Best Predictors of Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse among U.S. Youths One page CESAR FAX report available online at the link above. ++++++++++ Township Directory
The directory gives the names of parents of rural Southington Township in Ohio who have signed up and promise they will not make unsafe things available at any parties being held in their homes. If a parent is listed in the directory, the parent agrees to keep children safe from alcohol, drugs, firearms, tobacco and violent video games and videos. ++++++++++ National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Web site for those concerned about children whose caretakers manufacture, deal drugs, or use them and by doing so physically or psychologically endanger children. Resources here include a national medical protocol and how to start a DEC program. ++++++++++ Meth Baby Death Sentence Overturned The Hawaii Supreme Court unanimously overturned the manslaughter conviction of a methamphetamine-addicted mother whose baby died as a newborn. Treyson Aiwohi died two days after birth. The Honolulu medical examiner found high levels of methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system. Tayshea Aiwohi admitted using meth just before giving birth. Aiwohi’s appeal drew national attention from drug treatment groups and health professionals. The Supreme Court’s decision is available via a pdf file in the article linked above. ++++++++++ Meth and the Family and Meth and Sex Two feature articles from the Phoenix New Times examine programs for meth abusing moms to reunite them with their children and the increase in pregnancy and HIV rates among meth users. Ice, Ice Baby Meth and Sex ++++++++++ Drug Exposed Infants
Twenty years of medical research have shown the prenatal effects of cocaine to be far less severe than the “crack baby” legends suggest. Now the myth has resurfaced with the spread of methamphetamine and new stories about “meth babies” and “ice babies.” Ninety doctors and psychologists recently signed an open letter urging the media to avoid these labels, which lack scientific validity and stigmatize children. This article suggests that the greater issue may be child neglect. Judge Sharon McCully, Utah district court judge and past president of NCJFCJ, estimates about 90% of the mothers she sees in child welfare case are addicted to meth. She says, “We do know is mom is using meth, the kids are neglected. These parents become consumed with the next high and sleep for hours when they finally crash. They may not abuse their kids, but they often neglect them.”
++++++++++ Mexico Cuts Pseudophedrine Imports by 40% This Year Health officials in Mexico said the country has been importing more pseudophedrine than its citizens need for cold medicine and imports will be cut from 224 tons in 2005 to 134 tons in 2005. The new policy is among the boldest by any country to prevent diversion of the cold-medicine ingredient by drug traffickers. ++++++++++ The Snowman T-Shirt
A snowman t-shirt, the rights to which are held by rapper Young Jeezy ,symbolizes those who sell snow (cocaine) on the street. Anti-drug groups and education officials are alarmed. They say sales of the t-shirt and others like it are part of sophisticated marketing campaigns for a drug culture that parents and teachers are not likely to understand. ++++++++++ Financial Benefits of Substance Abuse Treatment Every dollar sent on substance abuse treatment generates $7 in monetary benefits for society, according to a new study from researchers at UCLA. The study adds to a growing body of research that shows the benefits of substance abuse treatment. ++++++++++ Two Special FBI Reports
Arrest of Juveniles for Drug Abuse Violations 1994-2003 – Statistics and information by number of arrests, age and sex, age and race, males and females. 15 pages
Infant Victims: An Exploratory Study – Infants are occasionally the target of violence when violence occurs between other persons. This study explores these criminal acts. 9 pages.
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Drug Courts May Be an Effective Tool for Communities Facing Methamphetamine Problems
The latest issue of CESAR FAX, a single page weekly newssheet for the substance abuse field, reports on how drug courts are being used in several states to adjudicate methamphetamine-using offenders.
++++++++++ Australian Reports on Drug use by Juvenile Offenders The Australian Institute of Criminology has released two publications from its research project on the drug use careers of juvenile offenders. Alcohol, drugs and crime: study of juveniles in detention - examines the offending and drug use histories of 371 young offenders incarcerated in juvenile detention centers across Australia. Key findings from the Drug use Careers of Juvenile Offenders study – summary of the research. 6 page pdf file.
++++++++++ The Meth Epidemic: Hype vs. Reality Many experts worry that the recent reporting on meth's connection to child abuse may erode public support for drug treatment programs and family-strengthening services that can keep children out of foster care, just as hyped reporting on crack cocaine did in the 1980s and '90s. In July, more than 90 leading physicians, scientists and treatment specialists urged that public polcies on meth "be based on science, not presumption or prejudice. ++++++++++ Geographical Variation in Methamphetamine Use CESAR FAX examines methamphetamine use by region of the United States. It is highest in the western United States and lowest in the Northeast. An estimated 1.4 million persons reported using methamphetamine in the past year, ranging from 2.2% in Nevada to 0.04% in Connecticut. One page fact sheet with map. ++++++++++
Young Children of Substance Users: The Case for Alcohol and Other Drug Education The Spring 2005 issue of The Source, the newsletter of the National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center, is devoted entirely to this subject. The newsletter is 28 pages packed with information, some superb programs, a preschool drug prevention program, resources, curricula, program materials, books, etc. – all on this subject. ++++++++++ Using an Indicator Reporting Program to Reduce Alcohol and Drug Problems in Your Community Join Together has just released the 2005 edition of “How do we know we are making a difference? A community, alcohol, tobacco, and drug indicators handbook.” The handbook assists communities to develop indicator reporting programs to identify their most important local substance use problems, boost fundraising efforts, focut community prevention and treatment strategies, and measure the impact of new policies and programs. The handbook, together with a web site, will teach you how to use this tool. The handbook can be ordered at the web site. Click on the link above. ++++++++++ Recommendations for Success: New Hampshire’s Strategy to Reduce Underage Alcohol Problems New Futures of New Hampshire has released a roadmap on underage drinking with close to 50 recommendations for individuals, communities, and the state as a whole. New Hampshire is one of the first states in the nation to lay out a single state strategy on underage drinking. The recs are in five categories: public information, education, opportunities for limiting access, coordination, and research and evaluation. New Hampshire’s plan is available for download (22 pages. Pdf file) at the New Futures web site. Click on the link above and again at “Reducing Underage Alcohol Problems.” ++++++++++ |
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