THE GOOD NEWS

The NH Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results released in December showing a continuing trend of decreases in the proportion of high school students who report they ever had a drink of alcohol. The 1993 (earliest available) rate of 80% “lifetime drinking” has declined steadily to a rate in 2009 of 68%. Even more promising, fewer students report having their first drink before age 13. That rate has been cut in half since 1993, to just under 15% today. 

“Current” (past 30 day) and “binge” (5 or more drinks in a couple of hours) drinking rates have not seem the same steady progress, but both the rates did drop between 2007 and 2009, a period of increased investment in and attention to this topic in New Hampshire. Can we pinpoint one reason for the decline? No. Instead, between Recommendations for Success: New Hampshire’s Strategy to Reduce Underage Alcohol Problems, grants for Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws, Underage Drinking Town Hall Meetings, the Strategic Prevention Framework, and STOP Act grants, we can share the credit. Congratulations to the many agencies, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the safety and health of our youth!

Progress of course does not mean we are done. Now, is not the time to rest. It is the time to carefully evaluate our efforts and continue with effective strategies.
http://www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/instruction/HealthHIVAIDS/youthrisk.htm

 NEW FUTURES NEWS

We look forward to welcoming Amy Pepin LICSW, CPS to the New Futures team later in the month. Among her many accomplishments, Amy stewarded the growth of adolescent substance abuse prevention and treatment programming at Child and Family Services and recently served as the President of the NH Alcohol and other Drug Service Provider’s Association.  http://www.new-futures.org/news/18/61/Amy-Pepin-to-Join-New-Futures-Staff.html

We are also pleased to announce that our colleague Tym Rourke has been nominated to Chair the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment.  Tym is the former executive director at Makin' It Happen and is currently the Director of Programs at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. 

On January 25th the Justice Reinvestment Workgroup received a new report providing policy options that would improve public safety and reduce re-incarceration rates. The report concluded that the majority of individuals in jails and prisons have either addiction or mental health disorders (or both) and that treatment and other support services for these disorders are severely under-funded in New Hampshire. http://justicereinvestment.org/states/new_hampshire/pubmaps-nh

New Futures Community Leadership Initiative (CLI) continues to build a network of advocates in New Hampshire to reduce underage alcohol problems and increase access to treatment - and we want you! Participation in CLI begins with a one-day leadership retreat designed to provide information and enhance advocacy skills.

March 11, 2010                     Nashua (Nashua Country Club)

April 14, 2010                        Plymouth (Common Man)

Apply now or contact Linda King at 658-2770 to learn more.

 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The 2010 Legislative Session is in full swing. All House and Senate bills are now available. The next month looks to be very busy. The following list of many of the bills we are tracking includes the New Futures position, and the date/time of upcoming hearings (to the extent that they have been scheduled). The most significant bills are listed first with the remainder in numerical order. A 2010 Legislative Tracking Document will be updated weekly on our website.

HB 410 (relative to the licensing of alcohol and drug counselors) authorizes qualified master’s level prepared alcohol and drug counselors to provide treatment to individuals who suffer from a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental illness. It also makes a number of technical changes to the regulation of licensed alcohol and drug counselors. New Futures strongly supports the bill as amended by the House on 1/13/10. The bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee which held a public hearing on 1/28/10.

SB 475 (relative to alcoholic beverage advertising restrictions). This bill would dramatically increase the amount and nature of alcohol advertising by repealing all restrictions both on “Happy Hour” advertising and on signage. Because the research on the impact of increased exposure to alcohol advertising on underage youth is so clear, New Futures will vigorously oppose SB 475. The public hearing on SB 475 could be on Tuesday, February 16th in the Senate Commerce Committee.

SB 331 was introduced at the request of New Futures to require the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment to create a task force to examine ways to better leverage state funds to improve access to substance use disorder treatment for Medicaid eligible individuals. We support this bill, which has its public hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee at 8:30 AM on 2/2/10.   

HB 1664 would make significant budget reductions in the SFY 2011 state budget including cutting $1 M from the Alcohol Fund in SFY 2011. The bill had a public hearing on 1/19/10 and New Futures testified in opposition.    

SB 181 is intended to repeal the transfer of the liquor commission enforcement bureau to the department of safety and also creates a committee to study the administrative structure and adjudicative process at the liquor commission. New Futures strongly supports keeping the Bureau of Enforcement and Licensing within the Liquor Commission and supports this amended bill. SB 181 has passed the Senate and may face some opposition in the House. 

SB 398 (relative to prohibited sales of alcoholic beverages). The goal of SB 398 is to reduce the penalty for sales that occur during compliance checks from misdemeanor to violation level offenses. The Senate Judiciary will have an amended bill, which we support, for its 2/2/10 hearing. 

SB 375 (relative to warning statements concerning drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy). SB 375 establishes minimum lettering size for the warning statements required to be posted wherever alcohol is sold. The hearing in the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee is on 2/2/10 at 2:20 PM. 

SB 325 (relative to loitering by intoxicated persons) was introduced at the request of on-premise licensees with the goal of allowing them to keep an intoxicated person inside while they call for a ride, notify law enforcement, or take other steps. Under current law they believe their only option is to remove the intoxicated patron outside. SB 325 does not have any impact on the liability of the licensee for sale to a minor or an intoxicated person. The hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee is on 2/2/10 at 3:00 PM. 

HB 1493 establishes a committee to study comprehensive mental health parity. New Futures has worked with the sponsor to add parity for the treatment of substance use disorders to the work of the study committee and will support the bill at the public hearing in the House Commerce Committee on 2/2/10 at 11:00 AM. Insurance parity is a critical factor increasing access to substance use disorder treatment.

 RESOURCES/OPPORTUNITIES

a.      The Power of Advocacy, a New Newsletter in New Hampshire The NH Center for Non-Profits has launched a quarterly update on advocacy by and for the nonprofit sector. Join the mailing list, or update your profile to receive this resource.

b.      Pleasure Unwoven: A Personal Journey About Addiction by Kevin McCauley This 70-minute video essay uses the backdrop of Utah's state and national parks to explore, in easily understood visual images, the neuroscience and history of understanding addiction as a disease from which people can and do recover. http://web.me.com/kevintmccauley/Pleasure_Unwoven/Home.html 

The guide provides step-by-step suggestions for creating an SBI program in trauma centers, many of which are now required to do so by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. http://www.cdc.gov/InjuryResponse/alcohol-screening/resources.html

AddictionEd.org is an international reference catalogue of distance education opportunities in fields relating to addiction. This site was developed and is maintainted by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network. http://addictionEd.org

This single, open access page, provides news and analysis of healthcare reform in general as well as special legislative proposals. It includes costs and what physicians and patients are saying. There is no excuse not to be informed. http://healthcarereform.nejm.org

ONDCP expects to award approximately $18.75 million for 150 new competing grants to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, March 19, 2010. http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1001215249.aspx

 IN THE NEWS

The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend.  For more information, email naranonnh@gmail.com.

The Maine Substance Abuse Services Commission released the first ever Report Card modeled after Join Together’s 2006 Blueprint for the States. Commissioners hope the report will spur policy change in the state. http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/about/sascblueprint.htm

While attention has been focused on the youth culture of binge drinking in Denmark and the UK, home drinking and wine drinking into middle age have increased. This argues for a more nuanced understanding of alcohol, women’s changing lives and drinking cultures. http://prb.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/56/4/415

After a peak in the 1980s, a variety of policy changes led to decreased consumption. Increased heavy drinking among young adults today presents asignificant challenge for alcohol policy and may indicate a sustained increase in future US alcohol consumption.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2728753/pdf/nihms85317.pdf

The Russian government has set a minimum price for vodka that more than doubles the cost of the cheapest vodka on the market in an effort to fight rampant alcoholism. Similar efforts are underway in the UK. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/01/russia-raises-price-vodka-alcoholism

Higher cigarette prices and smoke-free laws have not succeeded in eliminating smoking, but it has compelled a growing number of smokers to light up less frequently and publicly. There is the suggestion that light smoking is now a stable state for some.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704055104574652532909276794.html

Community-based organizations that have been exemplary in implementing evidence-based addiction and mental-health interventions may apply for the 2010 Science and Service Awards from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/1001065017.aspx

A recent study led by neuroscientist Susan Tapert of the University of California, San Diego compared the brain scans of teens who drink heavily with the scans of teens who don't. Bingeing just once or twice per month correlated with real brain differences.

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Southern NH Medical Center in Nashua

Nar-Anon’s program of recovery is adapted from Narcotics Anonymous and uses Nar-Anon's Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts.The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. For more information, contact Ann at 759-9063 or naranonnh@gmail.com.

February 17, May 5, August 11, or November 17, 8:30 – 4:00 p.m., Concord, NH

This introductory training on addiction is designed to raise awareness and understanding of the dynamics and impact of addiction. It will cover the neurological basis of addiction; mental, behavioral, emotional and spiritual dimensions; stages of change; recovery; motivational techniques and resources. www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/ATOD/e5-conference-Training.htm

February 18, May 6, August 12, or November 18, 8:30 a.m. – noon, Concord NH

This session explores how the addiction of an individual affects the entire family system. Special attention will be paid to the effects on the children in the family and discussion will center on strategies and resources to help increase their resiliency and coping skills. www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/ATOD/e5-conference-Training.htm

February 27 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Derry

February 28 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Portsmouth

The Suicide Prevention Council invites you to join them for a classic film followed by a discussion facilitated by Humanist Maren Tirabassi for those who wish to participate. This is an opportunity to discuss both artistic values and personal feelings about suicide. http://www.new-futures.org/uploads/FilmSeries.pdf

March 2, 2010, 8:00 a.m. at the Boston University School of Medicine

This is one in a series of trainings being provided by experienced professionals skilled in SBI and sponsored by NHTSA and SAMHSA. SBI provides opportunities for early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur. http://sbirt.samhsa.gov/

March 2, 2010 from 9:00a.m. – noon at Casey Family Services, Concord.

An esteemed panel of presenters will address the challenges and opportunities faced by NH National Guard and Reserves who are preparing for one of their largest deployments. Register by February 18, 2010 by emailing Becky Austin or Chris Cummings, or calling 228-0547. www.nhnasw.org

March 11, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Nashua

Participants learn how to insert and assert themselves in the NH legislative process with a focus on New Futures' two key issues - reducing underage alcohol problems and increasing access to treatment and recovery. Become an advocate for policy change. http://www.new-futures.org/community-leadership-initiative/recent-events.html

March 20th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Derry

March 21st from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Portsmouth

The Suicide Prevention Council invites you to join them for a classic film followed by a discussion facilitated by Humanist Maren Tirabassi for those who wish to participate. This is an opportunity to both discuss artistic values and personal feelings about suicide. http://www.new-futures.org/uploads/FilmSeries.pdf

April 14, 2010 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in Plymouth

Participants learn how to insert and assert themselves in the NH legislative process with a focus on New Futures' two key issues - reducing underage alcohol problems and increasing access to treatment and recovery. Become an advocate for policy change. http://www.new-futures.org/community-leadership-initiative/recent-events.html