A Starting Point

We envision a society in which adults value all youth and feel a special sense of connection and responsibility to youth and their families stuggling with substance abuse problems. These youth, of all races, ethnic groups, genders and stages, would be treated with dignity and where stigma, accompanying attitudes, discrimination and other barriers to the development of drug-free identity are eliminated.

We envision a society in which the substance abuse problems of young people are regarded as the most urgent of public health concerns, a treatable condition for which youth deserve treatment immediately, and for whom there is great faith that each can overcome to ultimately succeed in spite of their challenges. We envision a society in which high-quality services for alcohol and drug problems, and meaningful opportunities to connect with the community are widely available and where adolescent treatment is recognized as a specialized field of expertise.

Adapted to focus on youth from Changing the Conversation, November (2000), CSAT by L. Nissen (2004)

ASK THE EXPERT
his project is meant to provide you with an easy way to learn more about a variety of evidence based practices and to provide a forum for asking questions and receiving answers from developers of and experts in those practices.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
STOP Act Grants Fund Youth Alcohol Prevention
Up to 80 grants will be awarded to youth alcohol prevention programs under the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) Act, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has announced.

Project TREAT

Article

12th graders have different motivation for drinking alcohol

Characteristics of Adolescents Who Use Cannabis But Not Tobacco
Cannabis is associated with tobacco use and has been described as a "gateway" drug. But, whether adolescents who use cannabis only differ from those who use both cannabis and tobacco is unclear.

Drug Experimentation Not Normal RAND Studies Suggest
Kids who abstain from marijuana use are not emotionally or socially troubled, whereas those who use alcohol or other drugs while alone tend to suffer a range of psychosocial and behavioral problems.

CNN - Experts: Pills becoming the new marijuana on campus

A Toolkit for Providers
Understanding Links between Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse
(NCTSN)

STOPPING A KID KILLER NEWSWEEK
A concoction called 'cheese' has led to 21 deaths in the Dallas area, and authorities worry it will spread. Cheese is made by grinding up cold medication and mixing it with black-tar heroin Read...

Teens Report Using Drugs More Often Than Alcohol in Cars

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Institute on Behavioral Research