Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
Section Newsletter
Spring 2010
Chair's Message
Chair’s Message
ATOD History of Change
Ann Mahony
A productive and energizing two-day ATOD mid-year meeting was held in April in Washington, D.C. The ATOD Section’s charge was twofold: to plan the ATOD Annual Meeting program, which was launched and developed ATOD Program Chair Dr. Lawrence Brown; and, to begin planning the ATOD Section’s 25th Anniversary celebration in Denver to which all Section members are encouraged to attend. Kudos to Lawrence for creating a well conceived meeting leading to a thoughtful and creative annual program during his first year as Program Chair.
Day two of the mid-year meeting was highlighted by Dr. Keith Humphreys’ presentation, “Policies that promote effective systems of care for substance use disorders.” Serving as a senior advisor for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Dr. Humphreys presented the sea of change in the substance use disorders treatment system across system formulation, delivery, policy development and reimbursement. Dr. Humphreys noted the expansion of brief intervention and treatment models for substance use disorders, which are increasingly being adopted, adapted and replicated in a range of primary care settings, such as college student health, trauma centers, community health centers, primary care practices, and emergency departments. To achieve both an expansion of the quantity of care as well as better quality of care, five elements of care were presented to embed the specialty care for substance use disorders treatment within the health care system during the transition to health reform. The elements are: making specialty substance abuse care subject to the quality and process regulations of other medical interventions; bring staff and resources to meet these standards; allowing for choice to reflect the U.S. market-based insurance system; working toward better integration of substance care and other medical care from the outset; achieving a more unified approach to health technology; and, decreasing stigma associated with accessing care. The Veteran’s Administration model of care was cited as an example that integrates its substance use disorder care within its larger health care system. Initial expansion of this model is proposed via the President’s 2011 budget to include the Health Resources and Services Administration Community Health Centers and the Indian Health Service clinics. To obtain copies of Dr. Humphrey’s slides, you are welcome to e-mail me at: agmpublichealth@gmail.com.
The mid-year meeting group then moved to a lively discussion to begin planning the AOD/ATOD section’s 25th anniversary which will be celebrated in Denver. Before the mid-year meeting, I had started to review APHA’s archives to learn how the Alcohol and Other Drug Special Interest Group, or AOD SPIG, made the transition to become a Section in 1985. Within a year, the AOD Section’s 11 session Annual Meeting program was presented at the APHA Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. The momentum to include Tobacco in the AOD Section became more clear as addiction, behavioral health and public health science advanced, as well as progress in decreasing smoking rates and secondhand smoke exposure through new tobacco control policies such as smoking bans and tobacco taxes. In 1990, the AOD Section officially became the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs or ATOD Section. As we move to our 25th Anniversary celebration, send me your recollections of the ATOD Section’s successes. In the next newsletter, my column will highlight the Section’s many forward thinking policy successes.
See you in Denver!
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ATOD Program
Preparation of the 2010 ATOD Program, Denver
By Lawrence Brown
With the 25th Anniversary of ATOD occurring in 2010, the mid-year meeting to determine the oral and poster sessions took on added significance. In addition to a wide array of presentations by researchers and students selected from more than 300 high quality abstract submissions, there will be presentations related to the 25th Anniversary of the ATOD Section. This will include invited groups, such as the National Institute Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary during April of this year.
In an effort to obtain a wider audience attending ATOD sessions at the 2010 Annual Meeting, a more aggressive approach to co-sponsorship will be initiated. ATOD will actively seek to co-sponsor other sessions from the various Sections, Caucuses and Forums within APHA, while directly presenting our sessions to these other groups for their co-sponsorship. In an organization as large and diverse as APHA, we believe that this effort at cross-pollination has the potential to enhance everyone’s meeting and work experience. If this initiative proves to be of value, ATOD will present recommendations for modifying the Program Chair website to facilitate this process.
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Heath Reform Brief
Health and Behavioral Health Brief
By Kathye Gorosh
The recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act in March 2010 follows the passage of the Wellstone-Domenici Parity Act. In May, the Office of National Drug Control Policy announced their 2010 Drug Control Strategy (www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov), which takes a "balanced approach of prevention, treatment and enforcement to effectively address the serious drug challenges faced by our Nation today."
At long last, there will be real opportunities to de-stigmatize addiction and to expand access to addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Although we all have our own sources of information and ways in which we keep up with new legislation, I would like to share some key links that provide succinct information:
1. For a summary of the Health Reform Law and timeline for implementation – review the information from The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/public_policy_update_newsletter/april_22_2010#hcr
2. For a description of how Behavioral Health is addressed in Health Reform – go to: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/healthcare_reform and then scroll down to Fact Sheets: Healthcare Reform and Behavioral Health: Responding to New Demands and Emerging Health Crises.
The Open Society Institute notes that the "the new law includes several provisions to address the addiction treatment gap:
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Addiction treatment included in the basic benefit package.
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Parity requirements extend to all group and individual plans, as well as future health insurance exchanges.
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Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health are included in chronic disease prevention initiatives.
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Workforce development initiatives to include a focus on addiction treatment services."
As health reform rolls out over the coming years, behavioral health care providers will see and experience a changing landscape. The paradigm of addiction service delivery will most certainly change and our field needs to be prepared. The importance of collaboration between health and human service agencies will be more important than ever.
Take Action -- Please be pro-active: stay in touch with your legislators – in their district or on Capitol Hill.
Watch for information from the ATOD Section – join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/APHA-ATOD-Section/101252503240336.
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Social Media
Social Media Updates
By Andrea Frydl
Though many of you are aware of our social media efforts, we wanted to remind you to join us on Facebook or Twitter if you have not done so.
Facebook is a great way to collaboratively share information, news items, links, videos and other media with our members. We encourage you to join our Facebook page if you have not yet done so. You can find us on facebook.com by typing in APHA ATOD or by going to http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/APHA-ATOD-Section/101252503240336. If you have already joined, you can help spread the word by passing on the information to people you know would be interested such as friends, colleagues, or classmates interested in alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Much like Facebook, Twitter is another tool we are using to communicate with interested parties. It's a short and sweet way to send out updates and news items to our twitter followers. Please follow us by going to twitter.com and typing in "APHA_ATOD".
Lastly, ATOD has a slideshare account. Slideshare.net is a website devoted to sharing documents, presentations and other information in an easy-to-use platform. We have loaded several PowerPoint presentations and posters from our members and we encourage you to view them at http://www.slideshare.net/APHAATOD. We welcome your material from prior meetings and conferences. If you're willing to share and you'd like your presentations, posters or other documents loaded to slideshare, please email us at aphaatod@gmail.com. We'll post them on your behalf!
We Want To Hear From You!
If you have comments or suggestions for improving our social media tools or if you would like us to post something for you, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our e-mail address is aphaatod@gmail.com.
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SAMHSA Resources
SAMHSA Resources
Submitted by Tricia Penalosa
Substance Abuse among Hispanic Adults
NSDUH10-0610 Report June 10, 2010 available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18362
Substance Use among Asian Adults
NSDUH10-0520 Report May 20, 2010 available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18349
Puerto Rican Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment
TEDS10-0422 Report April 22, 2010 available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18343
Differences in Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions between Mexican-American Males and Females
TEDS10-0505 Report May 5, 2010 available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18344
Real Kids are Curious about Alcohol
SMA10-4523 Report available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18324
SMA10-4524 Report available in Spanish at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18325
2010 Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever! Recovery Month Toolkit
SMA10-4555 Toolkit available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18351
SAMHSA News - Parity: Screening, Brief Interventions: New Populations, New Effectiveness Data
SAM10-181 News January/February 2010, Vol. 18, No. 1 available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18321
SAMHSA News - Take Action in Your Community
SAM10-182 News March/April 2010, Vol. 18, No. 2 available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18346
The Next Step Towards a Better Life
SMA10-4474 Booklet available at: http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=18241
Sign up now to receive e-mail updates from SAMHSA about new publications, grants, press releases, and upcoming events!
Visit www.samhsa.gov/enetwork to join.
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APIS Website
APIS Announces New Website Design
From NIAAA
The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS), a project by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, announces a new, user-friendly website. Users will find the same reliable APIS information in a fresh, streamlined design that simplifies access to APIS data.
APIS continues to provide detailed state-by-state and federal information for 35 policies. The presentation of this information is now anchored by a new APIS homepage with links to all policy topics.
A new, tab-based format provides direct access to:
· Background on each policy topic.
· Data on statutes and regulations for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States on a specific date.
· Changes in statutes and regulations over time across the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and applicable federal law.
· A timeline view of changes over time.
· Maps and charts depicting a current snapshot of policies in each jurisdiction and numbers of jurisdictions with statutes and regulations over time.
· Policy variable definitions.
· Detailed instructions for using the site, including how to filter and sort data, how to interpret the changes over time data, how to understand important row notes and jurisdiction notes, and how to download data.
In addition, users will continue to have ready access to APIS materials to contextualize, interpret, and use APIS data including:
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Background on alcohol policy.
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Enforcement and compliance information.
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Alcohol-Highway Safety Digest data.
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National Institutes of Health program announcements.
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Available related data sets.
The new APIS website is now available at: http://www.alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/.
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FDA Education
FDA Center for Tobacco Products Retailer Education Campaign Web Dialogue
A summary of the May 26 FDA Web Dialogue on the Development of a Tobacco Retailer Education Campaign is available. We appreciate your input. The insights from our participants will help us communicate more effectively with retailers. Please continue the conversation on messages and communication channels at our FDA Tobacco Ideas website where you can post ideas, respond to others and vote.
FDA has posted a new Draft Guidance on Compliance with Regulations Restricting the Sale and Distribution of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco to Protect Children and Adolescents to assist manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and others who sell cigarettes and/or smokeless tobacco in understanding the final regulation and to explain what they should do in order to comply with the regulations. We hope this answers many of your questions.
To receive information and updates from the Center for Tobacco Products, please sign up for our email updates. If you have questions, please e-mail AskCTP@fda.hhs.gov or call 1-877-CTP-1373.
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Smokefree Women
Smokefree Women
The National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree Women team is launching “Celebrating Smokefree Voices,” a YouTube video contest, to capture the quitting experiences and reasons for quitting smoking among women and friends/families across the United States.
For more information, please visit: http://women.smokefree.gov.
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Healthier America
A Healthier America: One Community at a Time
Find out how you can be a part of the Healthiest Nation in One Generation: www.nphw.org/nphw10/home1.htm.
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Transportation and Public Health
APHA Initiatives on Transportation and Public Health
As we all appreciate, our health is profoundly affected by our transportation decisions and options. Limited opportunities for physical activity, higher exposure to poor air quality, higher incidences of adult and childhood obesity and greater prevalence of asthma and cardiovascular disease are a few of the inequities brought by poor transportation policies. As part of our effort to enhance crosscutting activity and knowledge among various APHA members and sections, APHA is developing advocacy materials and helpful information related to the links between transportation and public health.
If anyone is interested in learning more about this initiative, sharing success stories or lessons learned, or establishing a new Forum on Transportation and Public Health, please reach out to us!
Interested members are asked to contact Eloisa Raynault at eloisa.raynault@apha.org.
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New Book
Inside The Outbreaks
By Mark Pendergrast
Check out this new book on the history of the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) of the CDC.
For more info, please visit: http://markpendergrast.com/.
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Job Opportunities
Career/Job Opportunities
I. ONDCP vacancy announcements:
a. Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Supply Reduction
b. Policy Analyst, Office of Demand Reduction/Treatment Branch
c. Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Demand Reduction/Prevention Branch
For more information, please visit: http://www.usajobs.gov/.
II. National Cancer Institute’s Tobacco Control Research Branch announcements:
Three scientific positions available at the NCI’s Tobacco Control Research Branch. TCRB seeks candidates with expertise in a variety of areas of tobacco control research including tobacco use prevention, cessation, nicotine dependence, tobacco control policy, and the interplay between behavioral and biological factors in tobacco initiation and use/dependence. Scientists will contribute to the development of a national research agenda in tobacco control science, and will be required to:
- Develop research initiatives;
- Participate in national and international tobacco control activities and initiatives;
- Disseminate current state of the science to a variety of audiences;
- Manage a research grant portfolio relevant to area of expertise; and
- Interact with and guide applicants and grantees.
- Full-time positions exist for dynamic, collaborative scientists with:
- Doctoral level training (PhD, ScD, DrPH, MD or equivalent) in Behavioral or Social Sciences or related fields;
- At least two or more years of post doctoral fellowship or five or more years of work experience;
- Research experience specific to one or more content areas of tobacco control science;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
- The ability to apply scientific expertise to emerging issues in cancer prevention and control.
TCRB is located in Rockville, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits are provided, and a relocation package is negotiable. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. NCI/NIH is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about the TCRB mission, please visit: http://tobaccocontrol.cancer.gov.
For additional information please contact: Cathy L. Backinger, PhD, MPH, Chief, Tobacco Control Research Branch, at backingc@mail.nih.gov; Glen Morgan, PhD, at gmorgan@nih.gov; or Michele Bloch, MD, PhD, at blochm@mail.nih.gov.
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UCSF Training
Postdoctoral Traineeship in Drug Abuse Treatment/Services Training Program
University of California, San Francisco
Positions as Postdoctoral Scholars in drug abuse treatment and services research are available at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Psychiatry. Traineeship appointments in this active, multidisciplinary research environment are for two years, with the possibility of a third year. Stipends are funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Postdoctoral Scholars work with a preceptor to design and implement studies on the treatment of drug dependence, including nicotine dependence. Scholars also have the opportunity to select a specific area of focus for independent research projects. Current faculty research interests include trials of efficacy and effectiveness of psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments of drug abuse; diagnostic techniques and research on treatments tailored for HIV-positive drug abusers and drug abusers with psychiatric and medical disorders; research on provision of services to drug-abusing populations; innovative methodology, including Internet-based studies; instrument development in drug abuse; and treatment of complex patients in innovative settings. The Department prioritizes the training of psychiatrists, women, and minorities for academic research careers.
James Sorensen, PhD, and Sharon Hall, PhD, serve as Director and Associate Director, respectively; Co-Directors include Steven Batki, MD, Kevin Delucchi, PhD, Joseph Guydish, PhD, Carmen Masson, PhD, and Constance Weisner, DrPH.
The application period is open until positions are filled. To be considered for a traineeship, please e-mail your CV, research statement, and samples of representative work to barbara.paschke@ucsf.edu. Two letters of recommendation can be emailed as signed PDF documents, or sent by mail to:
Postdoctoral Training Program in Drug Abuse Treatment/Services Research
University of California, San Francisco
3180 18th Street, Ste. 205
San Francisco, CA 94110
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CASAA Training
Postdoctoral Positions in Alcohol Research Training: Change Methods & Mechanisms
University of New Mexico
The Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA) has received notice that, effective July 1, 2010, we will be funded for a new 5-year pre- and postdoctoral NIAAA Institutional Research Training grant. The goal of the grant is to prepare future NIH scientists to conduct research to (1) elucidate the processes of change in drinking behavior, (2) develop and test effective methods to effect change through self-change, treatment and indicated prevention, and (3) develop and test models to disseminate knowledge of effective interventions to diverse populations. The grant will support four pre-doctoral fellows and two post-doctoral fellows in the first year. Pre-doctoral fellows will come from the Department of Psychology. Post-doctoral fellows may come from any discipline relevant to the goals of the training program. Fellows must work with one of the core training faculty: Barbara S. McCrady (PI and training program director), Michael Bogenschutz, Kent Kiehl, Phil May, Theresa Moyers, J. Scott Tonigan, Kamilla Venner, or W. Gill Woodall.
We have openings to support two post-doctoral fellows in the upcoming academic year. Applicants must meet the following criteria: (1) minimum verbal, quantitative, and advanced GRE scores at the 60th percentile, with exceptions considered for applicants for whom English is a second language, or who have specific and documented disabilities or other individual characteristics that affect their performance on standardized tests; (2) demonstrated interest in the alcohol field as evidenced by prior coursework, research, and/or clinical experience; (3) have a record of research productivity as evidenced by research presentations and peer-reviewed publications (4) be committed to a career in alcohol. Multiple years of funding are available. All fellows must be US citizens or permanent resident aliens.
As training fellows, fellows must be engaged in full-time research training, participate in a weekly Addictions seminar, define a training plan and achieve specific competencies during the year, and limit outside employment. For continued support post doctoral fellows will be expected to prepare and successfully submit an NIH application. The grant provides a NIH-defined stipend of based on years since doctoral degree, tuition remission, support for professional travel up to $2,000 for the year, and support for training- and research-related expenses.
Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, a one-page statement of interest, letter stating their qualifications for and interest in the training grant, most recent GRE scores, and their graduate transcripts to Barbara McCrady. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until positions have been filled. Electronic or paper applications will be accepted. Funding may begin on July 1, August 1, or Sept. 1, 2010.
Submit applications to:
Barbara S. McCrady, PhD
Distinguished Professor of Psychology
Director, Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA)
University of New Mexico
MSC11 6280
2650 Yale Blvd. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
fax: (505) 925-2301
bmccrady@unm.edu
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Newsletter Materials
Newsletter Articles Requested
This is your newsletter, so please send us information you would like to share with your colleagues. We're interested in summaries of conferences, commentaries on articles, research or policies and announcements about conferences. If you have important news, we'd like to hear about it and publish it in the APHA-ATOD Section Newsletter.
Please e-mail your news to Meelee Kim at mlkim@brandeis.edu. The deadline for our next issue, the 2010 Fall Issue, will be mid September.
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Listserv
ATOD Listserv Available
The ATOD Section has set up a listserv to help members communicate with each other on matters relating to policy, practice and research in the areas our Section covers. The listserv is a way to quickly inform others of developments, solicit assistance on matters of ATOD policy and its implementation and alert our members to opportunities and events of interest.
Control of the listserv will remain exclusively with the ATOD Section, and all listings will be kept strictly confidential. Messages will be disseminated only after the sender and message content have been "vetted" as appropriate for our Section.
To join the listserv, e-mail your name and e-mail address to Listserv Coordinator Mary Brolin at brolin@brandeis.edu.
To provide a message for posting (after vetting), e-mail the material to Listserv Coordinator Mary Brolin at brolin@brandeis.edu. You do not have to be a member of the Listserv to post messages.
Tell your colleagues about upcoming events, conferences, programs, research, opportunities or anything you are interested in. If your e-mail address changes or you wish to unsubscribe, e-mail Mary as well.
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E-mail Update
Keep Your E-mail Address Up to Date
E-mail has become a primary means of communication within our Section and APHA. Please notify APHA of any changes in your e-mail address or other contact information at www.apha.org. If you are part of the ATOD Listserv, please notify Mary Brolin at brolin@brandeis.edu of any changes in your e-mail address.
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Leadership Contact Information
Section Leadership Contact Information
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Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Newsletter Archives