Opioid Addiction Treatment
Three free booklets on medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction are available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The booklets have information on medication options, proper use of medications, common side effects, and the process of recovery. “The Facts About Naltrexone for Treatment of Opioid Addiction,” “The Facts About Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction,” and “Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction: Facts for Families and Friends,” can be ordered at
Coping With Medical Debt
Families USA is offering a free, downloadable consumer guide, “Your Medical Bills: A Consumer's Guide to Coping With Medical Debt,” which provides step-by-step guidance to people who are overwhelmed by medical bills. To download the guide, visit the Families USA Web site at
www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/medical-debt-guide.pdf
$39 Million in Grants Awarded
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded grants totaling $39 million over the next 3 years to help 26 Community Treatment and Services Centers nationwide meet the special needs of children who suffer from or are at risk for traumatic stress. For more information, visit
Grants Awarded to Drug Courts
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded more than $38.2 million over 3 years to expand the services of 44 adult drug courts nationwide. These special dockets focus on those who are in the criminal justice system largely because of underlying substance abuse problems. For more information, visit
SAMHSA Grants Awarded
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded six grants totaling about $1.2 million over 3 years to state-based organizations in Ohio, West Virginia, Arkansas, Oregon, Illinois, and North Dakota that serve children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbances. For more information, visit
Drug Coverage for Unemployed
Pfizer Inc. is offering the “Maintain” program to help eligible, newly unemployed Americans without prescription coverage who are in financial need continue to get their Pfizer medications free of charge for up to 12 months or until they become insured, whichever comes first. For more information, visit Pfizer Inc. at
Suicide Prevention
The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering a new manual, “Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment,” which is No. 50 in its Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) series. This free manual is available online at
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat5.chapter.93877
TIP for Substance Abuse Tx
The free, three-part Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) No. 52, “Clinical Supervision and Professional Development of the Substance Abuse Counselor,” is now available. For more information, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at
New Anti-Meth Campaign
The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy is launching a new Anti-Meth Campaign for young adults. A downloadable handbook and customizable public service announcements are available for free. For more information, visit the ONDCP Web site at
http://www.methresources.gov/index.html
NIA Fact Sheet on Smell and Taste
The National Institute on Aging is offering a fact sheet titled “Smell and Taste: Spice of Life.” It describes the importance of smell and taste, possible causes of change in these senses and ways to deal with them, and tips for eating a healthful diet when changes in taste occur during cancer therapy. To download or order free copies, visit
www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/smell.htm
Resources for LGBT Seniors
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is creating the first national resource center to help communities provide services to older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. For more information, visit the Administration on Aging's Web site at