Tuesday, October 07, 2003

Steep Rise in Abuse of Legal Drugs
ABC News story - "SAMHSA estimates 9 million people now abuse prescription drugs, meaning they use them for non-medical, and often recreational, purposes. Three million abusers are kids between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. And the abuse can be deadly: Prescription drugs now play a factor in a quarter of all overdose deaths reported in the United States. U.S. drug officials say this represents a dramatic surge — one that took them by surprise. It has presented a whole new set of challenges, such as a lack of law-enforcement resources to track down shadowy Internet sites and unethical doctors and pharmacists. Another key issue: finding a way to balance any law-enforcement measures with the needs of legitimate online pharmacies that have helped the elderly and others save money and time."  
  

HHS Announces $1.5 Million to Promote Exemplary Mental Health Practices in Communities
SAMHSA press release - "Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced 10 one-year grants totaling $1.5 million to promote the adoption of exemplary mental health practices in communities around the country. These grants are designed to help support consensus building, infrastructure development, and training activities for the delivery of services to children with serious emotional disturbance, adults with serious mental illness and those with co-occurring substance disorders."