Prescription Pain Reliever Misuse Increases Among Young Adults from 2002 to 2007
02/29/2009
Adults aged 18 to 25 currently using pain relievers for non-medical reasons increased from 4.1 percent in 2002 to 4.6 percent in 2007, according to a report based on a series of nationwide surveys.

Click here to read full article

SAMHSA Offers First in New Series of Informational Kits to Help Promote Evidenced-Based Mental Health Practices
1/15/2009
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering a new Assertive Community Treatment Knowledge Informing Transformation (ACT KIT) packet as the first in a new series of Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge Informing Transformation (EBP KIT) packets.

Click here to read full article

New Nationwide Report Reveals that 5 Million People Participate in Self-Help Groups Each Year
11/24/2008
New data indicate that 2.3 million people who participate in self-help groups for alcohol or illicit drug use currently abstain from use of these substances. Based on a nationwide survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the report offers other data highlighting the use and benefits of these groups.

Click here to read full article

Final Federal Workplace Drug Testing Guidelines Allow Broader Use of Urine Specimen Testing
11/24/2008

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today published a Final Notice of Revisions to its Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Guidelines). The Guidelines establish the scientific and technical guidelines for the Federal workplace drug testing programs and establish standards for certification of laboratories engaged in drug testing for Federal agencies by addressing the collection and testing of urine specimens, the requirements for the certification of Instrumented Initial Test Facilities (IITFs), and the role of and standards for collectors and Medical Review Officers (MROs).

Click here to read full article

New SAMHSA White Paper Examines the Relationship between
Suicide and Substance Abuse
11/21/2008

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new white paper focusing on the current state of knowledge about the interrelationship between substance abuse and suicide. Entitled “Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention: Evidence & Implications,” the document stresses substance abuse as a risk-factor for suicide and suicide attempts and the importance of continued learning about this connection to help prevent suicidal behavior.

Click here to read full article