Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Court Treatment System Is Found to Help Drug Offenders Stay Clean
New York Times article - "Nonviolent drug offenders who complete judge-supervised treatment programs are significantly less likely to commit crimes again than those who serve prison time, according to a new study by an independent research arm of the New York State court system. The study underscores what New York's chief judge, officials at the United States Justice Department and local judges across the country have believed for years, without the benefit of formal research: that state-run 'drug courts' offering court-supervised treatment programs are far better at preventing future criminal behavior than prison is, and that they do so at a fraction of the cost." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

A Much Neglected Risk Factor In Elderly Mental Disorders
Article in Current Opinion in Psychiatry at Medscape - "...While mild to moderate levels of alcohol consumption have a protective effect on the occurrence of dementia, the concurrence of alcohol use disorders, depression and suicide in the elderly has important implications for prevention and treatment. Pharmacotherapy and relapse prevention strategies should be made available to the elderly with alcohol use disorders." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Community Leaders Identify Mental Health System as One of Most Overburdened Community Resources Finds Campaign for Mind of America
PR Newswire press release - "One-third of community leaders nationwide identified mental health treatment system and services as one of the most overburdened community resources, according to a Peter D. Hart Research survey released today by the Campaign for the Mind of America. The Campaign for the Mind of America, chaired by NAMI -- The Nation's Voice on Mental Illness, is a multi-year national and state initiative to increase access to mental health treatment services by changing public policies and priorities at the federal and state levels." See also the resources on the Campaign for Mind of America at the NAMI web site.