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NEW WEBSITE OFFERS STUDENT
FINANCIAL AID ADVICE
(January 2003) Jonathan
Anthony Askew, Associate editor, 410 664 1684, of www.StudentCollegeLoan.com,
announced their Internet debut last month, enabling users
to find appropriate financial aid programs and resources
that address their unique needs. He stated: "We also
offer tips and guides for student loan refinancing, student
debt consolidation and tips for better money management to
help manage existing loans more effectively with minimal
accrued debt." [Courtesy of PRWeb]
NEW STUDY PROVIDES CLUES ON COCAINE
AND DEPRESSION
(January 2003) The Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, (CADCA), reports a
new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry ,
may explain why chronic cocaine users suffer from higher
rates of depression than non-users. The study revealed that
frequent cocaine use harms brain circuits that help produce
the sense of pleasure by, in effect, destroying the cells
associated with the “high” it produces. Researchers from
the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs
Medical Center studied brain samples taken from autopsies
from long-term, heavy cocaine users. The study’s researchers
were unable to verify whether the brain impairment was caused
by years of use or just recent use before death.
SINGLE-SESSION DEBRIEFING FOR PTSD
PREVENTION STUDIED
(January 2003) Journal
Watch, Psychiatry, published by the Massachusetts Medical
Society, reports a meta-analysis using data from seven studies
to evaluate the efficacy of single-session debriefing, either
group or individual, within one month of trauma, in preventing
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and non-PTSD psychopathology.
Results suggest that single-session debriefing does not improve
natural psychological recovery after a traumatic event, which
“echoes results found in Cochrane Collaboration reviews.
Editorialists questioned the value of offering unproven prophylactic
treatment in such circumstances, especially when strong natural
supports exist and spontaneous resolution is common. They
referred specifically to the “more than 9000 counselors who
flooded New York City after September 11, 2001, advocating
intervention for anyone connected to the World Trade Center
attacks. The meta-analysis was published by van Emmerik AAP
et al. in Lancet 2002 Sep 7;360:766-71.
NIDA REPORT ON MARIJUANA UNCOVERS
HARMFUL TRUTH
(January 2003) The National Institute
on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has issued a comprehensive research
report on the negative effects of marijuana, according
to the Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, (CADCA). The report
reveals that more than 2 million Americans could be considered
dependent on marijuana and provides further evidence that
marijuana is harmful. It also explores how the drug can cause
physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral changes and harm
the lungs.
PENNSYLVANIA TOWN LOOKS TO BAN TEEN
SMOKING
(January 2003) The town of Robesona,
Pennsylvania is considering a proposal to ban teen smokers
from lighting up in public. Teens who violate the ordinance,
if passed, would be fined $50. The Borough Council has decided
to delay enacting the law while its attorney determines whether
the proposal conflicts with a state law that pre-empts local
anti-tobacco ordinances. Teens face penalties simply for
buying tobacco products in Pennsylvania. However, Robesonia
would be the first municipality in the state to impose a
ban on teen smoking in public. Reported by the Community
Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, (CADCA).
FIRST INTERNATIONAL POSITIVE BEHAVIOR
SUPPORT CONFERENCE
(January 08, 2003) Storie
Miller, Communications, Department of Child and Family
Studies, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute,
reports: The First International Conference on Positive Behavior
Support is scheduled for March 27-29, 2003 in Orlando, Florida.
Current information, practical applications, and research
findings regarding the full range of successful applications
of PBS will be available at what is anticipated to be the
largest conference devoted to positive behavior support ever
assembled. In addition to the keynote addresses, the conference
will feature over 80 breakout sessions devoted to topics
such as early interventions, family support and collaboration,
quality of life, school-wide applications, measuring outcomes
and self-determination. Conference
Registration and hotel reservations are available online.
For specific inquiries, contact Cindy
Hipple, Conference Assistant at: 813/974-0637; Fax: 813/974-6115.
The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council has funded
registration fee reimbursement scholarships for 75 family
members and/or individuals with developmental disabilities
who reside in Florida. The conference is sponsored by the
NIDRR Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Positive
Behavior Support, the OSEP Technical Assistance Center on
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, and Florida¹s
Positive Behavior Support Project funded by the Florida DOE.
NEW GUIDE FOR SELECTING SUBSTANCE-ABUSE
TREATMENT
(January 17, 2003) Drug
Strategies, a nonprofit research institute, has published
a new guide to provide information for parents who need to
choose a youth-oriented substance abuse treatment. “Treating
Teens: A Guide to Adolescent Drug Programs” examines 144
programs nationwide and nine elements crucial to treating
adolescents, such as qualified staff and family involvement.
The guide also provides regional program descriptions, and
provides an in-depth look at programs that work. The guide
was made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation.
CASA CONFERENCE EXPLORES PAIN MANAGEMENT
(January 17, 2003) The National Center
on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University
will explore the relationship between pain management and
substance abuse and addiction at a conference on February
27, at the Zena and Michael A. Weiner Conference Center in
New York. Experts will discuss how treatment providers, state
and federal governments, and the pain management and insurance
industries can handle the balance between adequate pain management
and substance abuse. Topics include “Pain and Addiction:
Is It All in the Brain?” and the “Marketing of Pain Relief.”
In addition, several prominent TV reporters will be moderating,
including NBC’s Robert Bazell, CNBC’s Larry Kudlow and CNN’s
Elizabeth Cohen. For more information click
here.
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