The Edge:  

A Resource for Iowa's Behavioral Health Professionals 

 
2013 Edition, Volume 10                           


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Greetings! 

The Edge, a news scan for Behavioral Health Professionals in Iowa  strives to provide a glimpse of new trends, changes on the horizon in the field of substance abuse and problem gambling, and opportunities to increase your knowledge! 

We hope you enjoy this edition of The Edge!  Please continue to forward it to colleagues you think would be interested! 

The Edge is a weekly media scan that is distributed by the Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center (ISAIC).  If you have articles of value that you'd like to share with others across the state, or feedback regarding the content, format, or method of distribution, please email them to Emily at the address below.

Emily Blomme, ISAIC Program Manager 
[email protected]

Bob Kerksieck, IDPH
[email protected]

Are you familiar with ISASA? 

 

The Iowa Substance Abuse Supervisors Association fosters the development and professional growth of current and future prevention and treatment supervisors through communication, cooperation, and education of its membership. For more information about ISASA please visit our website: www.isasaiowa.org 

 

Look for our table at the Governor's Conference on April 2, 2013!


Substance Abuse:
Noteworthy Articles
 and Studies

More than half of Iowans favor allowing sick people to use marijuana as medicine, but the idea is not as popular as it used to be, according to The Des Moines Register's latest Iowa Poll.
 
Combined 2003 to 2011 data indicate that blacks were less likely than persons of other racial and ethnic groups to need alcohol use treatment in the past year (6.8 vs. 7.8 percent) but more likely to need illicit drug use treatment (4.1 vs. 3.0 percent).
 

Researchers at Columbia University in New York are studying a new treatment for marijuana dependence.

Margaret Haney, PhD, led a study of 11 people, which has not yet been published, of a synthetic version of THC-the active ingredient in marijuana-called nabilone. Marijuana-dependent patients received either a placebo or one of two doses of nabilone.


Mental Health Law Increases Access To Substance Abuse Treatment, But Costs Rising
 A law that makes it easier for Americans to gain access to mental health and substance abuse services is working to get patients hospital care, but rapidly rising out-of-pocket costs could deter many from treatment, new research indicates. 

 

The readiness of addiction treatment agencies for health care reform

To gauge the addiction treatment field's readiness for health reform, the authors developed a Health Reform Readiness Index (HRRI) survey for addiction treatment agencies. Addiction treatment administrators and providers from around the United States completed the survey located on the  http://www.niatx.net website. Respondents self-assessed their agencies based on 13 conditions pertinent to health reform readiness, and received a confidential score and instant feedback.  

 

  

 



Problem Gambling: 
Noteworthy Articles
 and Studies
 
Spending High For Iowa Casinos
A new state report says expenditures by Iowa's 18 state-regulated casinos hit $1.14 billion last year. It was the first year since 2008 that the casinos spent more than $1 billion.

More Casinos: More Problem Gamblers?

A 2012 study conducted for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre looked at results to more than 200 problem-gambling surveys between 1977 and 2011. It found that, from a baseline of about 2 percent in the late '80s, problem gambling rates in the United States peaked at about 4 percent in the mid 90s.

The report's conclusion found a connection between casino availability and problem gambling, though over time the rates tended to decrease.

 

Linn County, IA - Vote Yes Passes
Linn County voters have spoken: The majority of them want a casino in the county. 

Vote Yes received 61 percent of the votes cast in Tuesday's referendum. Vote No garnered just 39 percent in the expensive special election. The finals numbers show Vote Yes with 36,876 votes. Vote No received 23,391.  

 

Possible Cedar Rapids Casino Location Revealed They're looking at city owned plots of land on the west side of the Cedar River. Right now, they say about six to ten acres of land would be enough for what they want to build. They're considering land both north and south of I-380. Backers said they do not expect the acquire all the property they are considering.

 

 Iowa Poll: Iowans' approval not in the cards for online gambling  An overwhelming majority of Iowans believe the state would be making a bad bet by legalizing Internet gambling, according to The Des Moines Register's latest Iowa Poll.

 

 
 
Upcoming Trainings and Materials 

 

 ISAIC Training Calendar
Trainings around the state in the field of Behavioral Health, including national webinars and online train

ISAIC's new page for Professionals includes links to online libraries and databases, open positions in the field, and statewide training calendar.  Check back often for updates and submit open positions and upcoming trainings to be posted!

 

 Beyond Bereaved: Understanding and Identifying Traumatic Grief   in Children and Adolescents   Wednesday, March 13 at 1:30pm CDT (no Pre-registration needed) Child traumatic grief (CTG) is a condition that children and adolescents may develop following the death of a significant person under circumstances perceived as traumatic. This presentation provides an overview of CTG, including how it is distinguished from uncomplicated bereavement. The presenters will use clinical case examples to illustrate these concepts.

 

Governor's Conference on Substance Abuse

April 2-3, 2013 Community Choice Credit Union Conference Center-Veterans Memorial.
Des Moines, IA.

Iowa Drug Endangered Children's Conference
April 8, 2013 - at the Meadows Events Center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.  For Registration go to: https://www.blankchildrens.org/classes-and-events.aspx

From "Pathological Gambling" to "Gambling Disorder:" 

Changes in the DSM-5

April 24th, 1-2pm CST. One of the most anticipated events in the mental health field is the publication of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in May 2013. Many of the changes have caused great debate and "Pathological Gambling" is no exception with substantial changes in classification, name of the disorder and number of symptoms required for a diagnosis. Are we ready for these changes? Registration available soon!  

 

Supervision is available to professionals outside of NYS for a fee of $15 per session.  Please contact Michelle Hadden at [email protected] for more information.

 

Did you miss a NCRG Webinar?  You can view archived webinars here.

Interested in getting Certified?  Click to find information about Iowa Problem Gambling Certification  or National Problem Gambling Certification 
 



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