Rural Teens Who Volunteer, Help Others Have Lower Levels of Substance Use

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 report the highest rates of substance use and dependence, according to the National Survey on Drug Use & Health. A new study from the University of Missouri found that rural adolescents who engage in pro-social behaviors, such as volunteering and helping others, are less likely to use substances as young adults.

Gustavo Carlo, Millsap Professor of Diversity in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, examined data from surveys given to a group of rural youths from junior high school to young adulthood. Carlo found that pro-social behaviors serve as protective factors against adolescents engaging in risky behaviors. Thus, teens who engage in more pro-social behaviors are less likely to get drunk or use marijuana as young adults.

"Pro-social behaviors are good for society and communities, but also they are a marker of moral development," Carlo said. "Parents want their kids to be kind, selfless, considerate and respectful. We now have evidence that these pro-social behaviors make adolescents less likely to break moral codes and engage in illegal activities like getting drunk and smoking marijuana."

The study focused on rural youths because previous research indicates they may be more apt to use illicit substances earlier, putting them at risk for developing addiction problems as adults. Rural communities tend to be more spread out, making it difficult for adolescents to get transportation to events and activities. In addition, rural communities often have less access to recreation centers, spaces for meetings, volunteers to run programs and funding for organized activities.

"There is a tendency for youths to take part in risky behaviors if they are not engaged in positive, structured activities," Carlo said. "Many rural communities have suffered from the economic downturn and are unable to offer opportunities for youth activities. Financial stress can also affect the psychological health of parents making them less cognizant of how children spend their time."

Carlo says the research has important implications for substance use prevention and intervention programs aimed at teens.

"Research shows that prevention programs are more effective and economical," Carlo said. "If we can develop programs that foster pro-social behaviors, we know the programs will decrease the likelihood that adolescents will use substances in adulthood.

The study, "The Longitudinal Relationships Between Rural Adolescents' Pro-social Behaviors and Young Adult Substance Use," was published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

NIDA Study Finds Sustained Buprenorphine/Naloxone Effective at Treating Painkiller Abuse

People addicted to prescription painkillers reduce their opioid abuse when given sustained treatment with the medication buprenorphine plus naloxone (Suboxone), according to research published in yesterday’s Archives of General Psychiatry and conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health. The study, which was the first randomized large scale clinical trial using a medication for the treatment of prescription opioid abuse, also showed that the addition of intensive opioid dependence counseling provided no added benefit.

"The study suggests that patients addicted to prescription opioid painkillers can be effectively treated in primary care settings using Suboxone," said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. "However, once the medication was discontinued, patients had a high rate of relapse — so, more research is needed to determine how to sustain recovery among patients addicted to opioid medications."

Pain medications are beneficial when used as prescribed, but they have significant abuse liability, especially when taken for non-medical reasons. This study examined whether the FDA-approved medication Suboxone could help combat this growing problem. Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine to reduce opioid craving plus naloxone, which causes withdrawal symptoms in someone addicted to opioids if Suboxone were taken by a route other than orally, as prescribed. This combination was specifically designed to prevent abuse and diversion of buprenorphine and was one of the first to be eligible for prescribing under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act, which permits specially trained physicians to prescribe certain FDA approved medications for the treatment of opioid addiction.

In the study, more than 600 treatment-seeking outpatients addicted to prescription opioids received Suboxone in combination with brief standard medical management, in which physicians evaluated treatment effectiveness and recommended abstinence and self-help participation. Half of the participants also received varying intensities of addiction counseling as provided by trained substance abuse or mental health professionals.

Results showed that approximately 49 percent of participants reduced prescription painkiller abuse during extended (at least 12-week) Suboxone treatment. This success rate dropped to 8.6 percent once Suboxone was discontinued. Reductions in prescription painkiller abuse were seen regardless of whether or not the patient reported suffering chronic pain, and participants who received intensive addiction counseling did not show better outcomes when compared to those who did not receive this additional counseling.

The study can be found online at http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/archgenpsychiatry.2011.121

Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition Hosts Training for Law Enforcement

Moundsville, WV – The Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition (MCADC) hosted two Highway Drug Interdiction trainings for law enforcement on October 24 -25 and October 26 – 27 at the Moundsville Training Center. The Highway Interdiction Training Specialists (HITS) based out of Texas presented the trainings.

Law enforcement from across 6 counties attended the training sessions, including; 23 law enforcement that attended the “Criminal Patrol/Drug Interdiction” course on October 24 – 25. As well as, 26 law enforcement in attendance for the “Advanced Roadside Interview Techniques For Patrol Officers” course on October 26 – 27. Each two-day course credited law enforcement attendees with 16 CEU hours for their continued education requirements. “First of all, I would like to thank the Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition for sponsoring this invaluable training for law enforcement officers responsible for the safety of the community,” said Ronnie Stiltner, HITS Training Specialist.

“The training that Highway Interdiction Training Specialists Inc. provided to the officers from Marshall County and the surrounding area will play an instrumental role in how the police continue to impact the drug problem from a patrol perspective. The courses taught to these officers provides them with the training they need in order to detect drug offenses as well as other criminal activity that a person may be trying to conceal when contacted or stopped for a traffic offense,” said Stiltner.

Literally hundreds of thousands of patrol officers throughout the country conduct traffic stops on a daily basis. In fact, traffic enforcement is one of the most important public services performed by uniformed patrol officers. The majority of those motorists that are stopped are productive citizens of the community who have merely committed a traffic infraction. However, the remaining traffic stops involve those who are committing crime. The officer is tasked with conducting positive encounters with motorists as well as challenged with apprehending those who are committing unlawful acts. Many of these unlawful acts are not readily evident and require awareness and interview skills by the officer to uncover or detect the criminal activity; without those skills the officer is apt to unknowingly release those who are committing crime.

“The Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition recognizes that there are many ways to help prevent substance abuse in our community. We know that working with law enforcement to better recognize those who may be transporting drugs into our community is an important issue,” said Jon Lewis, Drug Free Communities Coordinator.

Throughout the trainings, officers learned effective ways to communicate with people and to watch for deceptive behavior that allows them to assess someone for criminal activity. They also gained an understanding of the pervasive drug problem and proven techniques that allow them to seize drugs and arrest those responsible for making them available. The techniques and understanding that the officers received provides a professional law enforcement approach to the drug problem in the area.

“Officers will be able to go back to their respective agencies and immediately apply the training that will show for itself with positive results,” said Stiltner. “The Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition is a great example of how law enforcement and the community work together to solve problems. I would like to thank everyone for an excellent training session. The officers were outstanding and greatly participated in answering questions and getting involved in the discussions during class.”

The HITS Specialists were paid for with Federal Drug Free Communities funds.

The MCADC is a non-profit organization working to make Marshall County a safe and drug-free community. For more information on substance abuse prevention or the MCADC, please contact (304) 845-3300 or visit www.marshallcountyfrn.com.