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SAMHSA’s Award-Winning Newsletter
March/April 2010, Volume 18, Number 2 

Image of a crowd of people looking at a billboard

Awareness Campaigns on Underage Drinking. Suicide Prevention. Mental Health.

Powerful Prevention messages from SAMHSA, in collaboration with the Ad Council, are raising awareness and expanding community outreach on three critical public health issues.

The national multimedia campaigns include “Talk Early. Talk Often. Get Others Involved.” on underage drinking; “Get Through Tough Times” on suicide prevention among youth age 13 to 17; and “Stories That Heal” on mental health issues among African Americans. The goal of each campaign is to help start conversations among parents and children, young people and their peers, and communities nationwide.

“By launching these media campaigns, our Agency is focusing on helping families, colleagues, friends, and individuals learn ways to talk about these issues and figure out ways to make a difference in someone’s life,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.

A private, nonprofit organization, the Ad Council marshals talent from the advertising industry and business community to produce public service campaigns on behalf of Government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Each campaign includes print, television, and radio public service announcements (PSAs) as well as interactive and resource-rich Web sites with useful tools. Using research conducted with the various target audiences, SAMHSA and the Ad Council determined specific messages that would resonate most effectively and spur people to action.


  Cover Story & Related Articles  
Take Action in Your Community

Take Action in Your Community

Three new campaigns bring powerful prevention messages to communities.


  From the Administrator  
Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.

Considering Language in Our Field

Do you use certain terms to describe our field? See terms.


  More on Underage Drinking  
Sober Truth on Underage Drinking

Sober Truth on Underage Drinking

The STOP program is making a difference. Read about grantees in Ohio, Connecticut, and Wisconsin.

Town Hall Meetings Continue To Expand

Nearly 1,800 communities across the Nation recently met to discuss underage drinking.


State Estimates on Underage Drinking

State by state, the numbers differ on children and alcohol use.



  Women & Substance Abuse  
Treatment Improvement Protocol 51

Treatment Improvement Protocol 51

Gender makes a difference. TIP 51 can help providers offer women effective, up-to-date treatment.

Pregnant Teen Admissions

Pregnant Teen Admissions

Comparing data from 1992 and 2007 on admission rates.


  Treatment Updates  
Uninsured Workers: Recent Data

Uninsured Workers: Data

Who needs treatment for substance abuse?

Free Treatment Available

Some facilities offer substance abuse treatment at no charge or a sliding scale fee.


Opioid Treatment Programs: Two Reports

Opioid Treatment Programs: Two Reports

Methadone maintenance, buprenorphine maintenance. What are the similarities and differences among OTPs?



  Evidence-Based Practices  
Evidence-Based Practices KITs

Evidence-Based Practices KITs

The Knowledge Information Transformation (KIT) series offers new KITs.


  Budget  
Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

The Agency outlines a budget request totaling $3.7 billion.

More on the Budget . . .

Established programs, new initiatives, and SAMHSA’s Budget Authority by Activity and the Agency’s Congressional Justification.



  Grants Updates  
Promoting Mental Health Recovery

Promoting Mental Health

Five behavioral health care provider associations recently received funding.


  Media & Messages  
Art & Children’s Mental Health

Art & Children’s Mental Health

Every day is Children’s Mental Health Day: “My Feelings Are a Work of Art.”

1-800-273-TALK Is the Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK Is the Lifeline

Share the Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s number on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Minds on the Edge

Minds on the Edge

Facing mental illness is the subject of a PBS program.


  Recovery Month  
Flyers Available

Flyers Available

For 2010 celebrations, the flyers are available in print and online.


  Inhalants  
Inhalant Use & Respiratory Conditions

Inhalant Use & Respiratory Conditions

Thousands of children age 12 to 17 with pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma used inhalants.