Advisory

Newsletter Highlights Screening As an Adjunct to Treatment

Screening for possible substance abuse in patients who present for other conditions at community clinics, hospital emergency rooms, and primary care settings can help prevent potentially more serious substance use disorders in the future. This month's front page story in SAMHSA News highlights the success of grants funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand the continuum of care and reduce the incidence of drug use -- often before it leads to deeper dependency.

Also in this issue, Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Public Health Dr. Faizullah Kakar describes efforts to strengthen and rebuild mental health services in his country with SAMHSA encouragement and assistance. As part of this, he discusses the potential impact of Afghan cultural traditions on mental health treatment.

In addition, the issue announces an upcoming conference, "The Road Home," sponsored by SAMHSA, to discuss ways to help returning war veterans and their families. The newsletter presents the findings of two SAMHSA statistical reports concerning substance use among veterans.

Other article topics include a mental health campaign to support survivors of the Gulf Coast hurricanes, plans for addressing the emotional consequences of a possible flu pandemic; and the SAMHSA initiative to transform the mental health service system through activities of states.

The January/February 2006 issue is available online at http://www.samhsa.gov/SAMHSA_News/index.asp. SAMHSA News is published bimonthly in both hard copy and electronic format. To receive a free subscription by mail, telephone 1 (888) 577-8977 (toll-free) or (240) 221-4001 in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

SAMHSA, is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions, treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

SAMHSA is An Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service