Stimulant Treatment of Children with ADHD Reduces Subsequent Substance Abuse

A study by researchers at Harvard University has provided more evidence that using stimulant medications such as methylphenidate to treat children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may reduce their risk of developing drug and alcohol use disorders later in life. For more information about the study, visit
http://www.drugabuse.gov/Newsroom/03/NS-03.html.

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Out-of-School-Time Program Evaluations

Harvard Family Research Project has expanded its database of profiles of out-of-school time program evaluations. The database now has profiles of 59 evaluations of 38 out-of-school time programs, which can be searched on a wide range of criteria. See the database at http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/afterschool/evaldatabase.html

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Study Supports Treatment Over Prison for Drug Crimes

New research concludes that drug crimes can be greatly reduced if nonviolent drug offenders are sent to treatment rather than prison. For more information about this study, visit: http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0,1854,562202,00.html

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Partnership Survey Shows Encouraging Signs on Attitudes, Use

A recent study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America shows that Ecstasy use among teens in 2002 has leveled off, after a 71 percent increase between 1999 and 2001. The study shows that use of other drugs, including marijuana, inhalants, alcohol, and tobacco has decreased in recent years while use of other illicit drugs, such as cocaine/crack, heroin, and methamphetamine held steady in 2002. Additionally, the perceived risk among teens associated with use of marijuana and methamphetamine has increased. For more information about the results of this survey, visit: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/449668 (Medscape is a free service provided by WebMD; registration is required).

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Online Survey of Parent Employment Experiences

The Common Ground Project is interested in learning about how parents caring for children with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) manage both employment and family responsibilities. The information will be used to inform employers and human resource professionals about the work-family experiences and needs of employed parents or those seeking employment who are caring for children with EBD. The Project will also provide suggestions and strategies for finding and keeping a job when a parent is caring for a child with an EBD. View the survey at http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgPEsurvey.htm

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Data Trends: Tampa and Portland
Data Trends is produced to increase the dissemination of current research findings in children’s mental health services. Here are new releases:

Tampa

The Well Being of Our Nation: An Inter-Generational Vision of Effective Mental Health Services and Supports

This report, issued by the National Council on Disability, examines some of the root causes of the crisis in mental health and seeks to “connect the dots” concerning the dysfunction of a number of public systems that are charged with providing mental health services and supports for children, youth, adults, and seniors who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses. One of the most significant findings of this report is that children and youth who experience dysfunction at the hands of mental health and educational systems are much more likely to become dependent on failing systems that are supposed to serve adults. To read the report, visit
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/pdf/mentalhealth.pdf.

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The Impact of Childhood Psychopathology Interventions on Subsequent Substance Abuse: Policy Implications, Comments, and Recommendations

Data Trends report #74 summarizes this article, which makes a strong case for the potential value that interventions for children and adolescent with mental disorders have on subsequent substance abuse and other problems. The article follows upon four articles that deal with risks and outcomes in substance-abuse research; adolescent substance use, dependence, and comorbidity; the evidence base for treatment of internalizing disorders; and the evidence-base for treatment of externalizing disorders. To view the summary, visit http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcpubs/datatrends/summary_74.pdf.

For all Data Trends produced by the Research and Training Center on Children’s Mental Health at the University of South Florida, see http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcpubs/datatrendshp.htm.

Portland

From Incarceration to Community: Challenges and Factors Associated with Success in Transition

This article describes a study on 12-month post-incarceration experiences of youth in the Transition Research on Adjudicated Youth in Community Settings research project, a four-year study focused on the transition of youth from detention by the Oregon Youth Authority to the community. The study describes the role of special education status, engagement in the community, and gender in predicting recidivism. Results offered preliminary support for the idea that youth exiting incarceration settings need services both to prevent recidivism and to promote engagement and that males and females have potentially different service needs. To view the summary of this study, go to http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/PDF/dt70.pdf.

Visit the Data Trends web page at the link below to view all Data Trends produced by the Research and Training Center on Family Support and Child Mental Health. Each Data Trends article is available in both web format and Adobe Acrobat format from this main page: http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgDataTrends.shtml.