Recent News

A Community Approach to Xylazine and Other Novel Psychoactive Substances: An ORN Regional Summit was held on March 1, 2024, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Opioid Response Network (ORN) hosted a pivotal community event aimed at tackling the rising issue of xylazine and other novel psychoactive substances. The ORN collaborated with several esteemed partners including the West […]

The Dialogue is a product of The Danya Institute and is designed to inform behavioral and mental health professionals of news and upcoming events in the HHS Region 3/Central East region. This electronic newsletter is disseminated bi-monthly on the first Tuesday. We welcome any feedback and encourage you to submit topics and ideas for future issues of […]

We Live it Every Day By guest writer Jan Brown, Founder/Executive Director of SpiritWorks Foundation Center for the Soul I was recently in a meeting regarding DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] education and curriculum development. One of the people in attendance told the group, “People are getting burnt out by the topic”.  Appalled, I did not do well to manage my […]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021 provides the most recent surveillance data, as well as 10-year trends, on health behaviors and experiences among high school students in the United States (U.S.) related to adolescent health and well-being. These include sexual behaviors, substance use, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, experiences […]

New NIH study reveals shared genetic markers underlying substance use disorders Breakthrough findings could lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies for multiple substance use disorders By combing through genomic data of over 1 million people, scientists have identified genes commonly inherited across addiction disorders, regardless of the substance being used. This dataset – […]

SAMHSA released it's latest National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS), 2021: Data on Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Facilities in February 2023. The N‑SUMHSS is a voluntary annual survey of all active substance use and mental health facilities in the United States, its territories, and D.C. The annual report presents findings […]

From National Council for Mental Wellbeing: The Public Safety-led Community-oriented Overdose Prevention Efforts (PS-COPE) Toolkit is a new approach to overdose prevention and response for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. It combines three proven models to enhance overdose prevention and response: trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented systems of care and procedural justice. Learn more.

SAMHSA Applauds Expansion of Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) applauds provisions included in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 117-328) that will significantly expand access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The act, signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 29, […]

SAMHSA has issued a new guide on “Expanding access to and use of behavioral health services for people at risk for or experiencing homelessness”. This guide highlights strategies for behavioral health and housing providers to conduct outreach and engage with individuals experiencing homelessness, initiate use of behavioral health treatment as they wait to receive stable housing and […]

2021 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Releases Conducted annually, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides nationally representative data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs; substance use disorders; receipt of substance use treatment; mental health issues; and the use of mental health services among the civilian, noninstitutionalized […]

  SAMHSA released the guide Adapting Evidence-based Practices for Under-resourced Populations in September 2022. This guide focuses on research supporting adaptations of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for under-resourced populations. Adaptations involve tailoring care, programs, and services to the cultural, social, gender, and demographic contexts of the people served to yield positive outcomes.

  The FDA Overdose Prevention Framework consists of four overarching priorities that align with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Overdose Prevention Strategy to address the public health emergency as it continues to evolve. The overdose crisis is an evolving public health crisis; as such, FDA continues to evaluate our approach and make adjustments according […]

A SAMHSA Advisory: Expanding Implementation of Mental Health Awareness Trainings in the Workplace promotes the implementation of MHATs by targeting the workplace more broadly, from traditional settings to places in the community people go all the time. Released: August 2022.  

  Check out CDC's new feature article Improving Tobacco-Related Health Disparities.   "For decades, tobacco companies have used promotions, targeted marketing, and other tactics to unfairly increase access to and appeal of tobacco products for certain population groups. Discrimination, poverty, and other social conditions have also been linked to tobacco product use and can make […]

The White House released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) Federal Implementation Plan the week of August 22, 2022. More federal departments and agencies participated in the national HIV response than in the past, which demonstrates federal agencies’ commitments to meet the Strategy’s goals. The plan introduces five new NHAS indicators of progress focused on quality […]

CDC's new alcohol screening tool allows adults to anonymously check their drinking & create a personalized change plan. States and communities can use proven strategies to create social & physical environments that reduce excessive alcohol use & its impact. Excessive alcohol use was responsible for more than 140,000 deaths in the United States each year […]

CDC Vitalsigns Differences Grew by Race, Ethnicity, and Other Factors According to a new report from the CDC, drug overdose data show troubling trends and widening disparities between different population groups. In a year's time, overdose death rates increased 44% for Black people and 39% for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people, most of which had no evidence […]

Gaudenzia Open Delaware’s Only Inpatient Treatment Facility for Pregnant & Parenting Women Pregnant & Parenting Women Addiction Treatment On July 1, 2022, Delaware opened its first residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment center for moms or moms-to-be in Claymont. Gaudenzia, one of the nation's largest non-profit SUD treatment centers serving approximately 15,000 people each year, recognized […]

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Infographic This infographic shows the different types of medications prescribed for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction. Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction Medications for opioid overdose, withdrawal, and addiction are safe, effective and save lives. The National Institute on Drug Abuse supports research to develop new medicines and delivery […]

The Telehealth for Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit: Guidance to Support High-Quality Care, released in October 2021, focuses on buprenorphine (typically formulated as buprenorphine/naloxone, hereafter termed buprenorphine) and adjunctive psychotherapy treatment options for OUD and does not cover methadone treatment or XR-naltrexone. The primary goal of this toolkit is to provide clinically relevant information to support […]

SAMHSA's recently released [October 2021] resource guide, Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth, reviews the literature on prevention of marijuana use among youth, distill the research into recommendations for practice, and provide examples of the ways these recommendations can be implemented. A priority topic for SAMHSA is preventing marijuana use among youth. This guide reviews the […]

To help remediate the impacts of the rising rates of drugs adulterated or laced with fentanyl, the National Council Medical Director Institute (MDI) issued a new publication, “Guidance on Handling the Increasing Prevalence of Drugs Adulterated or Laced with Fentanyl.” Fentanyl and its analogs are currently the primary drivers of deaths in the opioid overdose […]

Shatterproof’s Addiction Language Guide is a comprehensive tool aimed to highlight stigmatizing language, replacing it with person-first terminology. After a thorough, in-depth review of literature, common words such as “addict” and less common stigmatizing words such as “relapse” were compiled by Shatterproof staff. It was then reviewed by the National Academy of Medicine. February 9, […]

HRSA recently released Caring for Women with Opioid Use Disorder: A Toolkit for Organization Leaders and Providers. The toolkit is a guide to help health care and social service organization leaders and providers improve care coordination for women with OUD in HRSA-supported programs. The information in this toolkit may also apply to other settings of care. […]