Juvenile Indigent Defense System Failing Kids It's Meant to Protect - Weekly Roundup

adolescent-substance-abuse-treatment_old-TVAdolescent Substance Abuse Treatment - News and Research Updates

  • How the confidentiality of patients who obtain substance abuse treatment will be handled under health reform (and electronic health records in particular) continues to be the focus of controversy, according to Join Together. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued a document covering "frequently-asked questions," and will hold a stakeholders' meeting on August 4th to provide more clarification. Last February, I posted that some health reform advocates want to do away with federal confidentiality regulations under 42 CFR in favor of relevant HIPAA regulations. They say they're concerned that the burden of complying will discourage mainstream doctors from screening patients and providing brief intervention for alcohol and drug issues. 
  • If you're like me, you can't wait to attend the Joint Meeting on Adolescent Treatment Effectiveness (JMATE) this year. --Er, what's that? It doesn't fit your budget? Not to worry: you can apply for a need-based travel grant to attend JMATE 2010. Also, five recognition awards will be given to those furthering the cause of evidence-based treatment, and I bet you know someone who deserves your nomination. But hurry, because the deadline for the travel and recognition awards is July 28, 2010. 
  • The real story with this University of Missouri study wasn't its conclusion, but its starting point. It's not a surprise that focusing on improving family relationships or a youth's religious involvement (broadly defined) can help teens in the justice system who have alcohol and drug problems. But the study focused on Native American youth because "the rate of illicit drug use among American-Indian adolescents age 12-17 is approximately 19 percent, significantly higher than rates for Whites, Blacks and Hispanics (around 10 percent) and Asians (6.7 percent), according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services." Talk about a horrifying health disparity!  (Hat tip to Robert O. Ackley.)

 
Juvenile Justice Reform - Related News

 

Updated: February 08 2018