Advisory

Education Initiative on Substance Abuse Coming to MS

Buprenorphine considered major breakthrough in addiction to painkillers, heroin

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will come to Jackson State University, in Jackson, Mississippi, on April 18 as part of its four-stop education initiative, “New Paths to Recovery,” to inform physicians and the public about buprenorphine, a new office-based medical treatment for addiction to prescription pain relievers and other opiate drugs.  The forum will offer information about the science of buprenorphine and the federal requirements for establishing this new office-based treatment. 

SAMHSA has targeted four states with rural areas impacted by drug abuse or opiate dependence problems in a continued effort to get more physicians, pharmacists and treatment providers familiar with this new medication-assisted treatment option.  SAMHSA is working in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and the Jackson State University, Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition.

According to nationwide data from SAMHSA’s 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 4.9 percent of the population misuse prescription pain relievers.  The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that diversion of pharmaceutical drugs is of significant concern in Mississippi, with OxyContin abuse continuing to rise. 

The Mississippi community education event will be followed by a buprenorphine training session for interested physicians on May 14th in New Orleans, Louisiana. SAMHSA is sponsoring physician-training opportunities in collaboration with four organizations: the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the American Academy of Osteopathic Addiction Medicine (AAOAM), the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). 

WHO: Speakers for the event will include:

• Harvey Johnson Jr., Mayor of Jackson, MS

• Anton Bizzell, M.D., Medical Director, Division of Pharmacologic Therapies, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, DHHS

• Herbert Loving, Director, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Mississippi Department of Mental Health

• Albert Hendrix, Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Mental Health

• Kenison Roy III, M.D., FASAM, Medical Director, Addiction Recovery Resources of New Orleans and Addiction Medicine Associates, Inc.

• Kenneth Cronin, M.D., Medical Director, St. Dominic’s Chemical Dependency Center

• Gary Carr, M.D.

• Person in Recovery

WHEN: Monday, April 18, 2005, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

WHERE: Jackson State University, Mississippi e-Center, 1230 Raymond Rd., Jackson, Mississippi, 39204          

SAMHSA, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States.

 

This page was last updated on 13 April, 2005
SAMHSA is An Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service