Recent News

Author: Amy Shanahan, MS, CADC  Evidence-based practices (EBPs) are critical in addiction treatment, using scientific research to guide clinical decisions and improve patient outcomes. Despite their effectiveness, widespread adoption of EBPs is hindered by challenges such as limited resources, lack of training, provider resistance, and systemic barriers1. To address these issues, targeted strategies like increased […]

A new study of nearly 10,000 adolescents has identified distinct differences in the brain structures of those who used substances before age 15 compared to those who did not. The journal JAMA Network Open  published the National Institutes of Health-funded study on December 30, 2024. Learn more.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is launching a working group to the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse (NACDA) consisting of people with lived or living experience (PWLLE) with drug use. Primary purpose of the group: to advise on strategies for enhancing and increasing meaningful engagement of PWLLE with drug use in NIDA-funded […]

Addiction and behavioral health professionals who have repeated contact with trauma survivors can themselves experience vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma is “second hand” trauma that is passed on to workers when they interact with individuals who experienced trauma “firsthand” or encounter information about the trauma1. The VOTE Index is an instrument developed to identify: Although measuring […]

This Practical Guide presents strategies and best practices for expanding the community-based behavioral health workforce through increased use of Community-initiated care (CIC) and behavioral health support specialists (BHSS). This strategy has demonstrated promise in addressing behavioral health disparities in underserved communities.

SAMHSA’s Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) has released the DAWN Network Watch. When drug names are identified in DAWN’s substance-related emergency department visit data, they are checked against DAWN’s drug database (Drug Reference Vocabulary). Any drug name or street name not currently listed in the database is added. This Network Watch presents drug street names […]

November highlights both National Homelessness Awareness Month and National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. In recognition of these observances, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has unveiled a new Homelessness Awareness Month Toolkit. This resource is designed to enhance efforts supporting adults, children, and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, […]

Understanding Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults: A Focus on Opioid and Alcohol UseBy: Mardoche Sidor, MD; Annelle Primm, MD, MPH; Jacob Appel, MD Meet James: At 68, James had worked hard throughout his life, but recent years have been challenging. After losing his job due to economic shifts, he began using opioids prescribed for […]

The Central East ATTC has collaborated with the Mid-Atlantic Aids Education Training Center (MAAETC) and the STD/HIV Prevention Training Center at John's Hopkins to sponsor the trainers listed below for various topics throughout the EMS series hosted from July 2024 through April 2025. Please click on the flyer to be redirected to the series landing […]

A Syndemic Approach to Training and Technical Assistance in the Central East By Andrew Wilson, Co-Project Director Central East ATTC With World Hepatitis Day this month, we (the SAMHSA Region 3 ATTC) would like to highlight the interconnected health challenges that our communities face that has come to be known as a syndemic and collaborative […]

The Central ATTC supports and celebrates May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month we are happy to share the following article written for the Central East ATTC by Vishesh Agarwal, M.D.  From Stigma to Support: Addressing SUD and Mental Health Needs in AAPI Populations “My daughter won’t be able to […]

A Community Approach to Xylazine and Other Novel Psychoactive Substances: An ORN Regional Summit was held on March 1, 2024, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Opioid Response Network (ORN) hosted a pivotal community event aimed at tackling the rising issue of xylazine and other novel psychoactive substances. The ORN collaborated with several esteemed partners including the West […]

The Dialogue is a product of The Danya Institute and is designed to inform behavioral and mental health professionals of news and upcoming events in the HHS Region 3/Central East region. This electronic newsletter is disseminated bi-monthly on the first Tuesday. We welcome any feedback and encourage you to submit topics and ideas for future issues of […]

We Live it Every Day By guest writer Jan Brown, Founder/Executive Director of SpiritWorks Foundation Center for the Soul I was recently in a meeting regarding DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] education and curriculum development. One of the people in attendance told the group, “People are getting burnt out by the topic”.  Appalled, I did not do well to manage my […]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021 provides the most recent surveillance data, as well as 10-year trends, on health behaviors and experiences among high school students in the United States (U.S.) related to adolescent health and well-being. These include sexual behaviors, substance use, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, experiences […]

New NIH study reveals shared genetic markers underlying substance use disorders Breakthrough findings could lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies for multiple substance use disorders By combing through genomic data of over 1 million people, scientists have identified genes commonly inherited across addiction disorders, regardless of the substance being used. This dataset – […]

SAMHSA released it's latest National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS), 2021: Data on Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Facilities in February 2023. The N‑SUMHSS is a voluntary annual survey of all active substance use and mental health facilities in the United States, its territories, and D.C. The annual report presents findings […]

From National Council for Mental Wellbeing: The Public Safety-led Community-oriented Overdose Prevention Efforts (PS-COPE) Toolkit is a new approach to overdose prevention and response for Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities. It combines three proven models to enhance overdose prevention and response: trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented systems of care and procedural justice. Learn more.

SAMHSA Applauds Expansion of Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) applauds provisions included in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 117-328) that will significantly expand access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The act, signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 29, […]

SAMHSA has issued a new guide on “Expanding access to and use of behavioral health services for people at risk for or experiencing homelessness”. This guide highlights strategies for behavioral health and housing providers to conduct outreach and engage with individuals experiencing homelessness, initiate use of behavioral health treatment as they wait to receive stable housing and […]

2021 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Releases Conducted annually, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides nationally representative data on the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs; substance use disorders; receipt of substance use treatment; mental health issues; and the use of mental health services among the civilian, noninstitutionalized […]

  SAMHSA released the guide Adapting Evidence-based Practices for Under-resourced Populations in September 2022. This guide focuses on research supporting adaptations of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for under-resourced populations. Adaptations involve tailoring care, programs, and services to the cultural, social, gender, and demographic contexts of the people served to yield positive outcomes.

  The FDA Overdose Prevention Framework consists of four overarching priorities that align with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Overdose Prevention Strategy to address the public health emergency as it continues to evolve. The overdose crisis is an evolving public health crisis; as such, FDA continues to evaluate our approach and make adjustments according […]

A SAMHSA Advisory: Expanding Implementation of Mental Health Awareness Trainings in the Workplace promotes the implementation of MHATs by targeting the workplace more broadly, from traditional settings to places in the community people go all the time. Released: August 2022.