E d u c a t i on a l
ART I CL ES
THE TURNING POINT PREDICTING RISK
TO END THE OPOID EPIDEMIC SENSE OF URGENCY
STILL AFFECTIVE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
AFTER 80 YEARS, AA STIL WORKS
8 STARTING YOUNG FIRST YEARS
ARE VACCINES THE ANSWER LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
T he Economic After-math of the COVID-19 Virus on African American Communities O ccupational segregation, discrimination in the workplace, and exploitation exacerbate economic downturns in communities of color, such as the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by disrupting jobs, hurting small companies, and increasing income shocks and unanticipated expenses. Many Black Americans are still reeling from the economic repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic, which began more than a year ago. Nearly half of Black Americans believe the pandemic’s economic impact will make accomplishing their financial objectives more difficult in the long run. Furthermore, four out of ten Black adults live in a household that has lost a job or wages since the Coronavirus outbreak began. In the United States, decades of systemic racism in economic, educational, and housing policies have resulted in a significant racial wealth inequality. Prior to the pandemic, the average Black household had a net worth of between $17,100 and $20,765, compared to $171,000 for the average white family. In addition, black households have far less liquidity than white households. Households may be unable to absorb unexpected expenses and survive long term negative income shocks if they lack wealth and liquidity. As a result, many black families said they would be unable to “cover their current month’s bills’’ if faced with a $400 emergency expense. During economic downturns, many families of color struggle to keep their financial footing without assistance. People of color are also far more likely to be forced to face housing insecurity during the present economic slump, including eviction and foreclosure, due to a lack of liquid assets and uncertain work prospects. For homeowners, the CARES Act’s 60-day moratorium on foreclosures on all federally backed mortgages will not be adequate. Many Black homes are already in a bad financial state, and this pandemic will simply make matters worse. The pandemic has taken a devastating toll on the American economy. Millions of people in the United States have lost their jobs, and many businesses are battling to stay afloat. Thankfully, federal, state, and municipal governments have shown an enthusiasm to lessen the pandemic’s economic effects. However, officials should adopt the following policies to defend persons of color.
MENTAL HEALTH Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Black Americans P eople of color have been disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths are 2 to 5 times greater in African American communities in the United States than in white populations. While the pandemic’s disproportionate physical health toll has been well documented, evidence on the pandemic’s mental health toll is scarce. On the one hand, COVID-19 has been viewed by
many as an all-too-common disease, wreaking havoc on communities, killing people, and inflicting financial and emotional hardship for people from all walks of life around the world. However, in the United States, African American communities have been particularly hit hard by both economic losses and mortality from COVID-19 due to legal, social and economic injustices across society, as well as gaps in physical health and access to adequate medical treatment. Intergenerational trauma and systematic racism that black Americans have experienced over the last 400 years have bred conditions that make this historically robust community vulnerable. Those without a safety net of money and family resources have lost health insurance, financial instability, food poverty, and housing as a result of the economic collapse and huge employment losses caused by the pandemic. Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide, as well as poor physical health, are all increased by these stresses and losses.
AfricanAmericanswithmental illnesses are among themost vulnerable, including a higher likelihood of living in poverty, in densely populated areas, or being homeless or incarcerated. They face stigma and marginalization not only because of their mental illness, but also because of prejudice and discrimination based on race and class. The well-publicized and disturbing police brutality instances that have spurred emotionally charged national rallies and a national outcry against racism and injustice have added to the pandemic pressures.
“People of color have been disproportionately affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.”
The OMICRON VARIENT & the Need for More Testing in the African American Community
“Black Americans are roughly two times more likely than the rest of the poplulation to get COVID-19 and die from it. “
D ue to health disparities, Black Americans are roughly two times more likely than the rest of the population to get COVID-19 and die from it. In the last two months, the number of African Americans fearful that the pandemic’sworst is yet to come has risen dramatically. COVID-19infectionsaredisproportionately affecting Black communities once again. Since Dec. 26, the rate of infections has been twice as high among Black people as it has been among white people. At the beginning of December, caserates intheBlackcommunity were lower than in the white population, but with the Omicron variety, they rose significantly faster.
Disparities in hospitalizations are increasingly emerging as a result of higher infection rates. Hospitalization rates among Blacks were roughly double those of whites from January 1 to January 17. The pandemic has impacted students, businesses, employees, and homeowners alike, with 61 percent of African Americans concerned about lost revenue as a result of the current pandemic. As the deadly Delta, Lambda, and Omicron varieties wreak havoc over the world, it’s more crucial than ever to safeguard yourself and your community. COVID-19 and its variations can cause serious disease, hospitalization, and death. Testing, immunizations, boosters, and masks are the best tools we have to avoid severe sickness, hospitalization, and death. Equity must be ingrained in our pandemic response from the start, and we must continue to focus on delivering life-saving resources to historically neglected populations during this new outbreak. Now, more than ever, is the time to redouble our efforts to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. The confirmed new Omicron variety is spreading swiftly, and in order to combat it, we must arm ourselves with information and continue to get vaccinated, wash our hands, wear masks, and maintain social distance. This is also precisely why it is of the utmost importance to ensure that there are increased testing facilities and options implemented in African American communities in order to assure that they are equally protected as well in the hopes that we can all come together to once and for all put an end to this Pandemic.
IMPACT THE of COVID-19 on African American Treatment Programs The Impact of Covid-19 on African American Treatment Programs T he coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed long-standing discrepancies in health care for people of color, as well as amplifying social and economic variables that lead to poor health. According to recent news reports, the epidemic is disproportionately affecting people of color, exacerbating longstanding racial inequities. According to CDC case statistics as of April 15, 2020, African Americans, who make up 13% of the total US population (US Census Bureau, 2018) accounted for 30% of COVID-19 cases. Similarly, African Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 hospitalization rates. Disparities in documented cases and deaths exist between states with higher African American populations accounted for a disproportionately high number of those directly affected by COVID-19 according to Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020; CDC, 2020; US Census Bureau. Adding to the Problems of Behavioral Health The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to racial and ethnic inequities in mental health treatment access. While their incidence of behavioral health illnesses may not differ considerably from the overall population, African Americans have significantly less access to mental health and drug abuse treatment. The COVID-19 epidemic will put people with behavioral health disorders at even greater risk, given the current barriers to care for African Americans related to social determinants of health. African Americans also have less access to essential treatment, are more likely to discontinue treatment early, and receive less culturally sensitive care. When it comes to substance abuse, Black communities are still dealing with the opioid epidemic while also dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. African Americans have inadequate access to substance abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. While they have similar rates of opioid addiction as the overall population, African Americans have had the highest increase in the rate of non-methadone synthetic opioid overdose deaths in recent years. What Action Needs to be Taken There are a number of strategies needed to avoid disruptions in substance use treatment and recovery programs, expand tele-health capacity, and help people with COVID-19 who have substance use disorders and major mental illnesses. Relapses and higher rates of hepatitis and HIV can be triggered by disrupting recovery support groups, closing clinics, and eliminating harm reduction activities like syringe service programs.
“ When it comes to substance abuse, Black communities are still dealing with the opioid epidemic while also dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
[ 3 2 ] M O O R E & M O O R E
S capegoating B lack P eople & The American Opioid Crisis
have began to level off while rates for Black deaths are increasing. This shift in demographics highlights how the response and treatment of opioid use is failing Black Americans. The opioid crisis began with a steep rise in prescribing of opioid painkillers. This primarily affected white communities as they were more likely to be prescribed opioids than Black people. Even if Black people had access to care, the stigmatization against Black people makes prescribers less
likely to prescribe them opioids. This stigma, as well as disparities in public policy and penalization of substance use, make it harder for Black Americans with opioid use disorder to get treated. In Black communities, the predominant opioid is heroin, rather than prescription opioids. Heroin arrests exceed those for diverted prescription opioids and Black people are more likely to be imprisoned after drug arrests than to be diverted
L ike many recent drug policies, the recent “opioid crisis” has disproportionately affected Black people. 136 people die everyday from opioid overdose. From 2018 to 2019, the rate of opioid deaths among Black people increased by 38%. Rates for other racial and ethnic groups did not rise. In the earlier years of the opioid crisis, African- Americans had lower rates of overdose deaths than whites, but in recent years, rates of death for whites
“Because much of the focus on the opioid epidemic is on diverted prescriptiondrugsandnotintravenousdruguse,thosepartakeinthelatter are more likely to receive jail time than treatment.”
into treatment programs. Thus, fear of punishment means many do not seek help. Because much of the focus on the opioid epidemic is on diverted prescription drugs and not intravenous drug use, those partake in the latter are more likely to receive jail time than treatment. For those that do seek treatment, African-Americans experience significant delays entering treatment
compared to whites. For them, it can take 4 to 5 years of waiting on waitlists, during which they continue to struggle with addiction and leaving time for the possibility of a fatal overdose to occur. Once in treatment, African-Americans are 77% less likely to receive bruprenorphine. Instead, methadone is the most common medication prescribed for Black individuals. Methadone is a much more restricted treatment regimen, which creates barriers and limitations in accessibility and ability to follow through with treatment. Methadone patients are required to show up in person daily in a clinic to be administered the medication, which makes holding down a job, taking care of children or other obligations difficult. For many AfricanAmericans in inner cities, treatment facilities may also be far away and lack of transportation creates hurdles in accessing treatment. Public policy and policing have scapegoated Blacks, casting blame and stigma over them when in reality rates of use are similar between Black people and White people. And lack of access to treatment have let them fall through the cracks, resulting in higher rates of overdose among the Black population.
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“Public policy and policing have scapegoated Blacks, casting blame and stigma over them, when in reality rates of use are similar.”
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[ 2 6 ] M O O R E & M O O R E
S ubstance A buse D isorder & M ental H ealth R ecovery in A frican- A merican Y outh
F indings from the Institute of Medicine have shown minority youth have less access to, and lower quality of, behavioral health services. The reasons for this, like many racial disparities, stem from a combination of factors, including lack of insurance, lack of parental involvement, school oversight, geography and income level. Communities of color, due to decades of barriers in access to care, may be more tolerant of suffering and less likely to seek help or treatment. A study on help-seeking attitudes in behavioral health care found more negative attitudes among younger English-speaking Latinos and African Americans than non-Latino Whites. Additionally, communities with higher percentages of African-American and Latino residents are four times more likely than non-Latino White communities to have a shortage of healthcare providers, regardless of community income. On top of that, many African-Americans lack insurance. More than 60% of uninsured children are African- American or Latino. However, even in cases of equal insurance coverage, disparities still exist. In Tennessee, for example, more white youth than black youth used Medicaid substance abuse services. And in Maryland, African-American youths with Medicaid were less likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication. It could be that some of these disparities
“The majority of behavioral health services youth receive are recived either at school or at the request of school personnel.”
also lie in the school system. Schools are the first line for early detection of behavioral health problems.The majority of behavioral health services youth receive are received either at school or at the request of school personnel. In a cross-sectional sample of adolescents using school-based health clinics, half of the population serviced were minority youth (22% Black and 28% Latino). Unfortunately minority youth are often under-identified by their schools.
A F R I C A N - A M E R I C A N Y O U T H
Besides schools, parents are also the ones deciding to engage in treatment services for their children. But for many African- American youth, parental mental illness, substance abuse and number of children in the home are barriers to receiving behavioral health services. Additionally, parent perceptions of what is typical or appropriate behavior may influence their willingness to seek treatment and affect service disparities. Minority parents may be less likely to label symptoms as problems that need professional care or to medicalize problems. Adding to the uncertainty of seeking diagnosis could be comorbidity. African- Americans and the minority adolescents in substance abuse treatment programs are more likely to have cooccurring mental health diagnoses (e.g. depression or traumatic stress), even when factoring in family substance abuse, juvenile justice involvement and single-parent households.
Disparities exist even past access to treatment and through treatment completion as well. Evidence from the Treatment Episodes Data Set (2001– 2004) of over 73,000 adolescents showed significantly lower treatment completion rates among African Americans (33.5%) and Latinos (39.4%) compared to non- Latino Whites (45.1%). African Americans also spent 50% less time in treatment (mean 8.4 weeks for African Americans vs. 16.3 weeks for non-Latino Whites). This could be due to family conflict, lack of transportation or lack of preferred treatment methods. Matching treatment with patients’ needs is critical to ensure successful follow through of treatment and reduce post- treatment substance use. In a study of 1147 students, AfricanAmerican and other minority students more often preferred individual treatment sessions for secondary prevention of alcohol abuse compared to their White peers. This suggests that for such a vulnerable
Matching treatment with patients’ needs is critical to ensure successful follow through of treatment and reduce post- treatment substance abuse. experiences with treatment programs, racism, the legal system and oppression may affect the type of treatment they are willing to receive and adhere to. population, it is important to provide them with a safe space for disclosure and settings that reduce the likelihood of racism or stigma. Their previous
T rauma & A ddiction in A frican- A merican W omen T rauma diction in A frica erican W omen “AFR I CAN-AMER I CAN WOMEN WI TH ADD I CT ION PROBLEMS FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS .”
“Significantly more substance abusing women report being battered, experiencing homelessness and other traumatic events.”
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It’s clear that African-American Women with substance use disorder are underserved and under treated. The mortality rate for alcohol related deaths for African-American women has been reported to be under- served
between 2-4 times as high as the rate for white women.
T raditionally much of the research on substance abuse has focused on white men. Consequently, African-American women with addiction problems fall through the cracks. Yet the traumas these women, combined with lack of support, are often are the cause of addiction. In studies done on substance abuse in African-American women, significantly more substance abusing women report being battered, experiencing homelessness and other traumatic events. African-American
to the oppression of African-American programs has limited the effectiveness of recovery efforts for those in treatment (Saulnier, 1996). That is, of course, only relevant for those that make it to treatment. For the most part, poverty and social structures are barriers to psychological services and addiction recovery. Many treatment centers are costly, far away from urban inner cities and many African-American women lack the ability or resources to access them. Stigma contributes to lack of treatment as well. African-American women are often seen as the sole providers of the family, nurturers and caretakers. This creates a lot of pressure and stress to maintain the household, though, without relying on outside help. There is a correlation between African-American women who abuse substances and isolation and lack of social support. In fact, lack of community and social support is often one of the main factors for relapse. Spirituality plays a role as well, as spirituality is a key coping mechanism for many African-American women. Ones that report abusing substances, however, also reported less
U N D E R - S E R V E D
“African-American women with histories of “African-American
women with histories of substance abuse are more likely to report history of parental substance abuse and childhood abuse. Additionally, they also report less involvement in spiritual practices and less social support systems in their life, as well as more stressful life events, including incidents of racism.
substance abuse are more likely to report history of parental substance abuse and childhood abuse.” ”
For many African-American women, racism contributes to their alcohol and drug consumption, as they turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with incidents of racism, internalized racism, and the aftereffects of trauma. Treatment programs fail to address these factors. Lack of recognition and attention
involvement with the church and less spiritual practices. African-American women who are active and involved in a church have more disapproving attitudes of drug and alcohol use. For recovering African-American alcoholics, spirituality is an essential component to maintaining sobriety. It’s clear that African-American Women with substance use disorder are underserved and under treated. The mortality rate for alcohol related deaths for African-American women has been reported to be between 2-4 times as high as the rate for white women. More needs to be done to address and treat addiction in the African-American community and specifically, with African-American women.
[ 1 6 ] M O O R E & M O O R E
Recovery and Rehabilitation
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It is estimated that ifwe combined jobs, education, andstablehousingsuccess,reentryoutcomeswould improve by nearly 33%.
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A frican-Americans are incarcerated at rates much higher than other racial and ethnic groups. In 2016, Black males accounted for 41.3% of all prisoners in state and federal prisons in the US. Discrepancies in incarceration rates can be traced back to racial biases in public policy, structural inequality and economic disparity. The current design of the justice system does more to keep people in than rehabilitate. The inequality and economic disparity in predominantly Black urban communities create conditions in which crime fosters. Additionally, the over-policing of Black males, failing educational systems, and the breakup of Black families because of the removal of Black fathers contribute to the lack of opportunity, resources and support. Recidivism rates are high. 43% of inmates return to prison within three years of release. A study in Florida found that for Black males returning to communities with high rates of racial inequality upon release from prison, the likelihood of reengagement in crime increased. The reentry process, or the process of reintegration back into society after re- lease from incarceration, is markedly difficult for Black people, with many factors at play. Restrictions in
R E H A B I L I T A T I O N
government assistance, lack of access to resources, therapy or substance use treatment programs, limited family or community su- pport, the intersectionality of race and criminal status as well as stigma, mental health and culture all affect their reentry. The restrictions placed on formerly incarcerated indi- viduals include disenfran- chisement, public service ineligibility, student loan restrictions, child custody restrictions, employment restrictions, housing restric- tions and felon registration laws. Research has proven that employers are often unlikely to hire formerly incarcerated individuals, especially minorities. Even employers who do not conduct background checks are likely to avoid specific
groups, such as underedu- cated Black men, due to ste- reotypes. One study found that having a criminal record reduced the likeli- hood of getting called back for a job by 50%. Thus, without stable housing and employment opportunities, many are forced to return to criminal behavior to make ends meet. Once re-entering prison, the cycle continues, making it harder to climb the ladder out. Those who re-enter prison are more likely to lack family support, not receive post-secondary education and to experience basic needs insecurities. Re-entry terms are often longer as well, on top of the already longer sentences Black males face compared to Whites.
Incarceration takes a toll on mental health. Research has shown even psychologically healthy individuals could become sadistic or depres- sed when placed in a pri- son-like environment (Stan- ford Prison Experiment, 1973). The rate of mental illness in those incarcerated is three times the national average, yet programs in prison facilities are lacking and most receive no su- pport upon release. Stigma and hegemonic masculinity also mean Black males are less likely to seek help. The solution, then, is to meet people where they’re at. It is estimated that if we combined jobs, education, and stable housing success, reentry outcomes would improve by nearly 33%.
“Once re-entering prison, the cycle continues, making it harder to climb the ladder out.”
“Therateofmentalillnessinthoseincarceratedisthreetimes the national average, yet programs in prison facilities are lacking and most receive no support upon release.”
P overty & A ddiction P enalization i n A
frican-American s
addiction Penalization
African-Americans are more likely to get penalized, instead of treated, for using substances.
When people are arrested for drug-related crimes, they are faced with criminal penalties such as incarceration.
E ver since the “War on Drugs” of the 1970s, extreme punitive measures for substance use has disproportionately affected African-Americans. Though at this time there was less data from psychologists on substance abuse disorder, the measures put in place continue to penalize and oppress the Black community as well as make it harder for them to seek treatment. In recent years, the largest percentage increase in drug overdose deaths has been in the African-American population. Our continued treatment of substance abuse as a crime rather than a health disorder is directly to blame for that. Black and Hispanic individuals are more likely to be imprisoned after drug arrests than to be diverted into treatment programs like their White counterparts. Additionally, imprisonment leads to a higher risk of overdose upon release. During the time of incarceration, one loses tolerance and upon release, the same dose that they may have tolerated before now becomes fatal. Statistics show that African-Americans are not any more likely to use
substances than White people, but they are the ones who get penalized instead of treated. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, “6.9% of African Americans have a substance use disorder, compared to 7.4% of the total population, and 3.4% of African Americans have an illicit drug use disorder compared to 3% of the population.” But in penalization, African- Americans are incarcerated six times as often as White individuals. Black males also spend more time incarcerated than White males for similar crimes. Of the 12 million incarcerated total in state and federal prisons today, one-fifth were incarcerated for drug related offenses. Following the punitive measures put in place in the 197s, the 1980s and 1990s saw the greatest divergence in rates of African-Americans and Whites incarcerated. This time period was when the incarceration policies of the War on Drugs were most pursued. For example, harsher penalties for crack cocaine were given than for powder cocaine, despite them being the same drug. But crack cocaine had higher rates of
Percents
In penalization, African-Americans are incarcerated six times as often as White individuals.
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“6.9% of African Americans have a substance use disorder, compared to 7.4% of the total population” . f f i -
use in urban communities of color. Furthermore, during the “opioid crisis” response, arrests for heroin exceeded those of diverted prescription opioids, which are more accessible to White communities. And finally, Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than White people, despite, again, similar rates of use. The penalization of addiction keeps many stuck in the cycle of poverty and substance abuse. Policies like the Gramm Amendment to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 gave states the option to ban anyone with a felony drug conviction from ever receiving TANF or Food Stamps. Several states have also enforced laws that prevent formerly incarcerated individuals from receiving housing assistance. Without assistance, stable housing,
“6.9% of African Americans have a substance use disorder, compared to 7.4% of the total population” “3.4% of African-Americans have an illicit rug use disorder compared to 3% of he population.”
or employment opportunities after release from prison, many turn to the same substances use and/or sale as before. Though some states are beginning the process of decriminalizing drugs and treating substance abuse as a health
disorder, the federal policies of years prior still continue to affect African-Americans to this day, penalizing them more than their White counterparts for what should be treated as a health disorder. It is clear now that penalizing addiction does not work.
The Unconventional Social Changes Resulting From the Black Lives Matter Movement NO
S tatues were taken down, at least 13 cities and states have banned the use of chokehold restraints among officers and police budgets are under review. Black Lives Matter activists and demonstrators are arguably the most prominent drivers behind these decisions, as they have demanded consistent attention remains on these cases until change results. While these efforts have brought federal and state decisions toward racial justice, they have also led to a number of private companies and businesses incorporating measures for racial equality into their practices. In many ways, these changes were in areas outside the movement’s direct, intentional efforts against racism and police brutality. Throughout 2020, 47 states announced they would recognize Juneteenth as an annual state holiday. The day celebrated among Black people as the official end to slavery would also become a paid holiday for many companies. As protests calling for justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor continued, the Associated Press (AP) marked suggested changes to the word “Black” in its Stylebook. The guide publishes standard rules for journalistic writing and announced the word should be capitalized to follow its standards of writing. The agency said “white” should remain uncapitalized. It stated white people generally have “much less shared history and culture” and are not discriminated against because of their skin color. While the AP’s decision seems to be revolutionary since itaffects publications and news sources across the country, the agency isn’t the first to make the shift. National media outlets and publications including BuzzFeed, Business Insider and Huffington Post had previously made the switch. They’re the latest to join a line of Black publications that have been capitalizing the word for decades. Using the uppercase letter brings mindful attention to the reason for the capitalization, even if a reader is casually browsing through the copy.
Ebony Magazine, a monthly publication geared toward African Americans, has been using the capitalized version since before the 1970s. In the film and entertainment industry, some companies revisited the ethics of their productions. HBO Max temporarily removed “Gone with the Wind” from its streaming options. When the film later returned to the platform, there was an introduction preceding it informing viewers of its controversial nature and that it could be an “uncomfortable and even painful” experience for some viewers. “Little Britain,” a British sketch comedy series, was also removed from Netflix and other international streaming platforms due to its derogatory depictions of people of color. As protests stirred around police brutality, the reality documentary series “COPS” was also removed from TV listings. Other companies, like PepsiCo, the parent company of Quaker Oats, made the decision to move forward in rebranding some of their familiar products. The food and beverage corporation would remove the face of a smiling Aunt Jemima that appeared on syrup bottles in grocery stores across the country for 130 years. The picture was said to be a version of slavery- time images that were later represented in minstrel shows. Brands like Uncle Ben’s and Mrs. Butterworth’s followed suit and redesigned their product logos and opted for alternative names that were less suggestive of segregated histories. While brand redesigns and grammatical style amendments were notable changes among these companies, these revisions not only depict an optimistic movement toward positive and racially conscious efforts. They also represent the meaning of years of struggle and efforts that led to the need to call for these changes.
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PREVENTION
Youth Prevention Education YOS believes that addressing a potential threat before it becomes a problem is the best way to impact positive change. Substance Abuse Prevention curriculum - This program offers an evidenced-based curriculum designed to reduce the onset of the first experience with alcohol and other drugs, and to change youths’ perceptions about using substances. The curriculum is typically delivered in a school or community based setting. Booster courses are offered to students in subsequent grades to follow up on learned lessons from their original curriculum. If you are an educator or representative of a school, and would like to offer any of our curricula to your students, please contact us here. Pregnancy Prevention curriculum - The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) offers comprehensive sex education in
the world around them and to become an active participant in it. YOS participates in the City of Chicago’s One Summer Chicago summer employment program, by serving as a worksite and by hiring youth directly to work at YOS. We have computer labs available to youth to complete their homework and/or apply for jobs. Over the past few years, YOS has employed hundreds of youth and guided them through managing their responsibilities. Please refer to www.onesummerchicago.org for applications and deadlines. Health and Wellness YOS believes that a youth is the sum of his or her parts, including the head, the heart and the body. As a comprehensive youth agency, YOS works to not only address mental health but well-rounded youth with physical health and well being. Hands-on interactive programming offers positive social interactions, which cultivates creativity and collaboration
school settings for middle and high school students. Abstinence education is our first method of education. Our program also covers effective contraception methods. YOS uses multiple approaches to encourage youth to delay their first sexual experience, to reduce first time teenage pregnancy, to prevent second time births and sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. The YOS Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) program provides supplemental activities that educate youth on how to make proud choices. Booster courses are offered to students in subsequent grades to follow up on learned lessons from their original curriculum. Summer Employment YOS believes that jobs for youth afford them the opportunity to see
through mentorship and education opportunities.
Urban Gardening YOS’ Austin office has a community garden with raised plant beds and fruit trees. It’s safe and calm space for youth to engage in their community while learning about nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Thank you in large part to our primary funders of this project, Feeding Mouths, Filling Minds. If you or a group would like to volunteer or donate to our garden, please contact us here. Community Outreach YOS believes that our communities are our biggest resources. YOS’s community partners include schools and educators, coalitions, community-based organizations and social service agencies. We seek to aid groups by offering training workshops and assistance needed to support youth and families as they address and overcome difficult issues. YOS staff also serves on various boards and coalitions. See all of our partners here.
YOS’s Prevention services help youth and families develop the skills and opportunities they need to make good choices and pursue positive activities.
INSERT 2 StartingYoung Insight into adolescent addiction comes as new guidelines urge early prevention
Treatment providers have known for years that adolescents are more susceptible to drug use and consequently, addiction. But now they might know why. Researchers recently discovered a specific pathway in the brain that makes adolescents more prone to problematic substance use, which could lead to stronger prevention efforts. By studying how cocaine affected the behavior of young and adult mice differently, researchers found that a mechanism in the brain which regulates specific protein production also controls addictive behaviors. By manipulating that mechanism, researchers were able to mitigate cocaine’s addictive effects. “Now we have a bidirectional switch that can turn on and off the cocaine-induced changes in the brain,” says lead researcher Dr. Mauro Costa-Mattioli of the Baylor College of Medicine.
“ The excitement of this study is that now perhaps we have a signalling pathway that could be targeted for the treatment of addiction. ”
- Dr. Mauro Costa-Mattioli, Baylor College of Medicine
One size fits all What’s most exciting about the study is that the pathway does not appear to be specific to cocaine. A second study examining nicotine returned similar results, leading researchers to believe any treatments targeting the pathway would be effective for all substances. “In the case of nicotine, it’s exactly the same thing,” Dr. Costa-Mattioli says. “All the drugs of abuse, they reduce the activity, they hijack or change this mechanism.” Researchers say they’re still interested to see if the mechanism plays a role in the transition from social substance use to more problematic use. But they say simply identifying such a crucial link of the substance use chain could lead to significant prevention methods. “Of course, the excitement of this study is that now perhaps we have a signalling pathway that could be targeted for the treatment of addiction,” Dr. Costa-Mattioli says.
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Total improvement Experts say the benefits of implementing early intervention efforts far outweigh the cost. Although limited data exists, studies show investing just one dollar can produce anywhere from a few dollars to $26 in cost savings down the road. “Thus a well-designed, well- implemented early childhood intervention can dramatically benefit the community and society as well as improve children’s and families’ quality of life,” Dr. Volkow says. But the benefits of early intervention go beyond substance abuse. Experts say many of the risk factors for substance abuse are the same indicators for other social, behavioral and academic problems. They say creating a prevention program to address and reduce the risk of substance abuse will pay big dividends across the board. “Interventions designed to reduce early risk factors show benefits in a wide range of areas,” Dr. Volkow says. “Including improved personal and social functioning, better performance in school, and less involvement with the juvenile justice system or mental health services.”
“ Early childhood intervention can dramatically benefit the community and society as well as improve children ’ s and families ’ quality of life. ” - Dr. Nora Volkow, NIDA director
First eight years To address adolescent drug use, experts say prevention efforts have to start earlier than most would expect.The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the government’s top agency on substance use, recently released new guidelines suggesting prevention education should start in the first eight years of a child’s life. Officials acknowledge that early childhood is not a time period normally associated with drug use. But they say factors with family, school and community environments can shape development of certain emotional and behavioral issues that can manifest in substance abuse problems even decades later. “Central to intervening early is the idea of shifting the balance of risk and protective factors in a way that builds a foundation for optimal social development and resilience,” says NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow.
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“The concept of addiction as a disease of the brain challenges deeply ingrained values about self-determination and personal responsibility.” – Dr. Nora Volkow, Dr. George Koob, Dr. AThomas McLellan
INSERT 3 Fighting for the Brain Disease Model Model can complicate messaging in treatment plans
Fighting public opinion can be an uphill battle, sometimes even a futile one. Despite years of progress and scientific advancements, researchers and treatment providers still find themselves having to convince the general public that substance use disorder is a disease. But it’s a message that can often complicate treatment plans as much as it seeks to inform.
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Setting the Record Straight Earlier this year, three of the nation’s leading drug experts wrote a paper seeking to explain, once and for all, how substance use affects the brain in the same way as similar diseases. In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow, NIAAA Director Dr. George Koob, and Treatment Research Institute founder Dr. AThomas McLellan say they hope to reaffirm the brain disease model while simultaneously addressing common misconceptions about addiction. “The concept of addiction as a disease of the brain challenges deeply ingrained values about self-determination and personal responsibility that frame drug use as a voluntary, hedonistic act,” the authors write. The authors argue that public skepticism about the brain disease model comes from researchers’ inability to articulately describe the relationship between changes in neurobiology and the behaviors associated with addiction. Although countless scientific studies have proven the brain disease model to be accurate and effective, the authors admit more work may be needed to change public perception. “A more comprehensive understanding of the brain disease model of addiction may help to moderate some of the moral judgment attached to addictive behaviors and foster more scientific and public health–oriented approaches to prevention and treatment,” the authors write.
“You have to emphasize the responsibility on the part of the person, but you also have to explain why the behaviors are happening.” – Bob Rohret, MARRCH executive director
Scientific studies attest that a person’s brain chemistry can be altered as a result of addiction.This fact can provide a needed explanation as to why continued use can still be a problem for people who clearly desire to get clean. “When you start to apply an explanation of why certain behaviors occur,” Rohret says, “it provides people some comfort in understanding why they’re doing what they’re doing.” Mixed Messages But as confident as many in the medical community are about the nature of substance abuse disorder, the idea that addiction is a disease presents something of a double-edged sword for treatment providers. “The messaging has to be sort of finessed,” says Bob Rohret, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health (MARRCH). “You have to emphasize the responsibility on the part of the person, but you also have to explain why the behaviors are happening.” Rohret says treatment providers have to inform those in recovery about the nature of their disease, while also making sure knowledge of that disease doesn’t become a crutch or an excuse for inaction. When presented correctly, Rohret says patients should understand their addiction and responsibility toward it in much the same way someone with heart disease may understand their affliction. Although they cannot change the biological makeup of their body immediately, they can make behavioral changes and take actionable steps that lead to more positive outcomes.
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Integrated treatment works best for victims of sexual abuse who are also addicts. Researchers have found a dramatic link between the
“ 1 out of every
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occurrence of sexual abuse and substance abuse. According to alcoholrehab.com, “sexual abuse victims are three times more likely to suffer depression, six times more likely to suffer PTSD, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol and 26 times more likely to abuse drugs than those who have not been sexually abused.” They go on to say that one out of every six women and one in 33 men in America have been the victim of sexual assault or rape in their lifetime.
6 women and one in 33 men in America have been the victim of sexual assault or rape in their lifetime. ” -alcoholrehab.com
Integrated treatment
Treatment centers are beginning to recognize the need for integrated treatment techniques for victims undergoing substance abuse recovery. Since there’s such a high prevalence of sexual abuse among addicts, integrated treatment offers a fuller recovery for sexual abuse victims. Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one common form of treatment. In CBT, individuals are offered psychoeducation, therapy instructing and empowering them to deal with their condition in an optimal way. Stress management tools are also helpful. Individuals can be taught to change their situations or their reactions and how to maintain appropriate personal boundaries. The regulation of emotions can be a challenge for a person who has been sexually abused. In CBT, clients learn what emotions are socially tolerable and they learn how to be flexible enough to permit some spontaneity. Survivors are also taught how to delay emotional reactions as necessary. 30
Individuals can be taught to change their situations or their reactions, and how to take good care of themselves.
Integrated treatment for those suffering from substance abuse addiction and sexual abuse greatly increases the chance that this person will remain sober for the long haul.They can also experience greater joy and healing than if they were treated for substance abuse alone. Those in recovery are also urged to write down leisure activities they find enjoyable and engage in those activities regularly. Clients are also encouraged to use journaling and inspirational reading to further grow in their recovery. Finally, having a supportive group of friends and family will help an individual recover emotionally from this kind of trauma. Telling their story One effective aspect of CBT is for the person to do a “trauma narrative.” In addition to telling their story by the spoken word or writing it down, they can also use drawing, painting or other art forms to communicate the trauma.The narrative can then be shared with a safe person, like a trained therapist or substance abuse counselor.The hope is that the survivor will be able to let go of some of the trauma. Healing can then take place. Another facet of CBT is behavior management training. Clients are encouraged to stay calm in an emotionally charged situation, manage their own responses, learn what limits are appropriate, handle challenging questions and learn how to prevent physical confrontations with others. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), survivors are also encouraged to do what they can to heal themselves. Good sleep and nutrition, exercise, and regular routines like starting and ending the day in a peaceful way are a good place to start for people from this background.
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“It’s really just about being around like-minded people and developing that ‘we’ as a support system.”
– Dr. Gerard Love, Slippery Rock University
INSERT 5 “It’s really just about being around like-minded people and developing that ‘we’ as a support system,” Dr. Love says. Dr. Love says simply having a recovery space
“Universities are supposed to be about dialogue, and having this is a great opportunity for dialogue,” Dr. Love says. “Bringing this whole notion of addiction out of the shadows and increasing understanding, I think will be a good byproduct of this.”
on a college campus could help change perceptions about recovery and remove the stigma surrounding addiction.
Of cials at the University of Minnesota – Rochester will also be opening a new recovery LLC for the fall 2016 semester. Of cials say it’s necessary to provide recovering students with the tools they need to succeed academically and in their personal lives. “Historically, students who are in recovery really struggle to come back to campus without that [supportive housing] program,” says Kris Barry, the school’s health and wellness advocate. The LLC will house six to 10 students and feature evidence-based recovery programming. Of cials say the LLC speaks to the school’s mission as a health-focused university. But more than that, they say they hope to foster a culture of personal growth among all students, particularly those in recovery. “I see them as being leaders here on campus and then taking that and changing the dialogue about addiction,” Barry says. “We know that the traditional college experience can be hostile to the goals of anyone in recovery, and we want to support them as much as possible.”
Boyd Austin says student communities centered on recovery provide a welcome relief for students to explore their university in a supportive and positive way. “It o ers a space, it o ers a culture, it o ers a community of people who are engaging in college in the same way,” Boyd Austin says.
Experts say universities are increasingly adding recovery programs focused on creating a community among students, but ones incorporating housing are still few and far between. “This started about 30 years ago, but it has really taken off in the last 10 years,” says Amy Boyd Austin, president-elect of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education.
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