Communiqu� #20
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PIONEER PROFILE: BROWARD ADDICTION RECOVERY CENTER

If you find a behavioral health facility that is doing a good job helping smokers quit, chances are you will find a strong, committed champion. Broward Addiction Recovery Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is no exception.  Broward is helping many of its clients in the medical detox, day-treatment, and residential treatment programs quit tobacco, and Ed Smith is helping many of them do it.  Smith, a counselor who has worked in all parts of the agency, has been at Broward for over 24 years since his own "mid-life conversion," he said. He has helped thousands of individuals overcome their addiction.

The residential program where he works is a publicly funded, 92- bed, up to 60- day program. About half of the clients are court-ordered, and at least half are dually-diagnosed. A third of them are aged 18 to 24. But what makes this center and individual noteworthy is that Broward Addiction Recovery residential unit and its campus have been tobacco-free for 5 years, and Smith is the champion who led the way.

"I remember when anyone who didn't smoke was deemed anti-social,  Smith reported. "We used to give away tobacco. Breaks were synonymous with smoking. We were actually encouraging smokers to smoke and creating new smokers in the system."  He said, reflecting on how much things have changed over the years, "When I realized 90% of our target population uses tobacco and more people die from tobacco related illness than alcohol, drug and suicide combined, I knew things had to change."

And change they did. Ten years ago, Smith found the support and funding to start "the process" as he puts it, rather than the "event" of taking the grounds tobacco-free. "We implemented our plan deliberately and methodically, providing ample training for staff, many focus groups for clients. There was of course much anxiety and fear (from staff, not so much for the clients)," he recalled.   He became the tobacco-addiction specialist, at first part-time, then later full-time. Armed with DVD's, spirometer, and CO detectors, Ed began providing direct service and education to staff and clientele whether they smoked or not.  The biggest push back came from staff, but once myths were dispelled, defensive employees became supportive staff and slowly but surely the grounds officially went tobacco-free, July 5, 2005. "We have done pretty good, especially at the detox and residential units- though there's been an ongoing contest with the clients who smuggle and smoke, we have learned although policy is key to treating nicotine addiction, it must be continually re-sold to clients, staff and new staff," he recalled.

Although there have been many ups and downs, budget cuts included, and great difficulty enforcing tobacco-free grounds at our outpatient sites, Ed noted many positive changes over the years. Babies who are born to pregnant clients are now getting a better start in life. What was once known as the "Smoke Pit" has become the "Serenity Garden."  "It seems to me that our clients are more successful with their overall recovery without cigarettes to hold them back and some are so surprised to see that they could indeed quit smoking for an extended period of time, they are encouraged to stay quit after discharge," he said.


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Turning their "smoke-pit" into the "serenity garden" is one example of how Broward began the process of going tobacco-free.

And most recently, Broward's tobacco-free initiative has once more gained momentum due to two major developments: 1) the arrival of a new, highly-motivated director who stoutly supports treating nicotine just like any other drug and 2) the SAMHSA 100 Pioneers project. The director "breathed new life" into the tobacco-addiction program and especially the tobacco-free-grounds policy, declared Ed. "The policy has been rewritten and will be installed soon - "this time with teeth!  The SAMHSA 100 Pioneers project "has brought blessed energy and excellent material into our world."

Broward County Treatment Center used its Pioneer funding to purchase and distribute 1 800 QUIT NOW cards and a small brochure they designed for clients initially presenting for services. All clients, whether accepted for treatment or not, are asked if they smoke, advised to quit, handed a brochure and referred to the quitline for help. "No one leaves without the minimum counseling," said Ed.

may2010rightsideBroward Treatment Center and Ed Smith represent a growing trend in addictions care which recognizes tobacco use as a part of substance abuse. A recent Survey from NASADAD suggests that more agencies are going tobacco free and the tides are changing. People are ready. "I feel grateful to be working where I am, doing what I do," he concluded.

For more information on how Broward Addiction Recovery Center went tobacco free contact Ed Smith at 954-345-3925 x 286 or e-mail [email protected].

Brochure created for Broward clients who smoke.

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NASADAD Releases Report Describing how State Substance Abuse Agencies Address Tobacco Cessation in the Context of Treating Other Addictive Disorders


State alcohol and drug agencies are implementing smoke-free policies and helping smokers quit in increasing numbers, according to a new report issued May 3 by the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) Division of Research and Program Applications.  The report, entitled "Tobacco Cessation in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities: Single State Agency (or SSA) Tobacco Policies," was developed by NASADAD with SCLC funding.  It is available on the NASADAD website at www.nasadad.org. The document can be accessed directly by clicking here.
 
NASADAD examined State smoking policies within substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facilities, and the challenges faced in implementing policies.  The report describes the ways that States have worked with providers to integrate the treatment of tobacco dependence into the context of treating other addictive disorders.  The report finds that few State substance abuse agency directors have been given the authority and responsibility to address tobacco cessation among the general populace; instead, this duty resides within agencies with broader mandates.
 
Over the past fifteen years, a number of State substance abuse agencies have established policies and initiatives to promote smoking cessation within the context of substance use disorder treatment, and others are in the process to develop and implement policies/plans.  Most States (as many as 41) do not allow smoking within SUD treatment facilities, and in 12 States, the SSA has formulated a specific policy banning smoking in SUD treatment facilities. 
 
There are also many tobacco cessation resources available to people with SUDs, and to SUD treatment providers. In more than half of the States (26), the State substance abuse agency has administered resources for tobacco cessation including: TA/training/toolkits for providers (26 States); online resources/Quitlines (19 States); and NRTs/counseling (10 States).  Though the State substance abuse agency is the lead agency on tobacco cessation in only five States, in many States (at least 42), another agency provides tobacco cessation resources to clients with SUDs and SUD treatment providers. 

For questions about the report Contact Kara Mandell, Research Analyst at 202-293-0090.
Interactive Tool Will Provide Latest Data on State Smoking Laws and Tobacco Control Spending

A new interactive map from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation gives policy-makers and advocates a nationwide picture of continuing state efforts on key tobacco control policies.

The "map" is actually three distinct maps, each focusing on a different aspect of tobacco policy: state-by-state breakdowns on smoke-free laws, cigarette tax rates and total tobacco control spending. The breakdowns include population, timeline and other information to help present a complete picture of each state's efforts.

The new map uses data from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Americans for Non-Smokers' Rights and will be updated as new information becomes available. The tool is easily shareable by hyperlink or embeddable code.

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View the map.


View the video: Five Questions with Michelle Larkin, Leader, Public Health Team,  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
 
Nation's health chief lists tobacco as a top prioriy
 
On Tuesday, May 11, 2010, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that preventing and reducing tobacco use is a strategic initiative for the Department of Health & Human Services. Details can be found at Secretary's Strategic Initiatives.  
 
 
In This Issue
Pioneer Profile
NASADAD Releases New Report
New Interactive Tobacco Map Launched
HHS Declares Preventing and Reducing Tobacco Use a Priority





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Toolkit on Tobacco Treatment for Persons with Substance Use Disorders.
Click here
to download!





 

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NASMHPD Tobacco-Free Living in Psychiatric Settings toolkit

Show your commitment to health by becoming and remaining tobacco-free. Tobacco-free Living in Psychiatric Settings NASMHPD Toolkit - provides practical tips for converting facilities to smokefree status. Visit the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors website for more NASMHPD publications. 











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NAMI: Hearts and Mind Wellness program launched

The National Alliance on
Mental Illness, Hearts & Minds education program is an online, interactive, educational initiative promoting the idea of wellness
 in the mind and body.

Visit the NAMI website

  for details and access to the new Hearts and Mind video.







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The Behavioral Health and Wellness Program of the University of Colorado Denver has a new website.

Click here for a variety of
tools and resources including Peer to Peer Tobacco Training and Steps to Implementing  Tobacco-Free Policies in Behavioral Health Facilities. 








quite now

The 1-800 QUIT NOW
wallet card is similar in size and feel to a credit card and offers motivational language urging smokers to call the nation's free, effective, tobacco cessation counseling lines.

Visit to the
Smoking Cessation Leadership Center to order.








become ex

A new way to think
about quitting...


www.becomeanex.org 
EX is a whole new way to think about quitting smoking - it's about re-learning life without cigarettes.  

The free EX plan is based on personal experiences from ex-smokers, as well as the latest scientific research from the experts at
Mayo Clinic.

Visit www.becomeanex.org

 

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Have some news you would like to share? Send us your updates.
Smoking Cessation Leadership Center
University of California, San Francisco

Please continue to send us your updates (ie. Newsletter articles, provider traiings, presentations, etc.)
We will collect all the information, share with all partners, and post updates on the SCLC website.

Questions or Comments?
Contact [email protected]