The Edge:  

A Resource for Iowa's Behavioral Health Professionals 

 
2013 Edition, Volume 20                           


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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]


Iowa Prevention Workforce Survey

  

You may have already received information about the Iowa Prevention Workforce Survey. If so, please use this as a reminder to complete the survey!  If not, please read below and participate in the Iowa Prevention Workforce Survey.

 

The link at the bottom of this e-mail will take you to the prevention workforce development survey we told you about a few days ago. Please click on the link and complete the survey as soon as possible.

 

The information from the survey will be instrumental in the development of a plan to effectively support prevention professional development in Iowa.

 

The survey will take about 20-25 minutes to complete.  The Iowa Certification Board has authorized granting .5 continuing education hours for completion of the survey.

 

Your responses will be submitted anonymously and will be combined with all the other responses from coalition leaders, prevention providers to develop a statewide profile of who delivers substance abuse prevention services in Iowa and what their strengths and training needs are. Responses will be compiled by the end of June and will be shared with the Iowa prevention community.

 

Please contact Julie Hibben at Iowa Department of Public Health, e-mail [email protected] , if you have any questions.

 


 

Binge Drinking
Substance Abuse:
Noteworthy Articles
 and Studies
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says the new recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) that states lower allowable blood-alcohol levels for drivers is not the most effective way to eliminate drunk driving, The Christian Science Monitor reports.
 
Substance or drug abuse has been quite prevalent in government and civic agency-run schools, thanks to the easy and cheap access students enjoy to addictive substances such as whitener and nail polish remover (thinner).

Drug prevention interventions targeting minority ethnic populations: issues raised by 33 case studies  This Thematic paper contains the results of a study that examined drug prevention interventions for minority ethnic populations in 29 European countries. A total of 33 interventions were reported to the study and the issues they raise are presented and discussed in the paper. The results will inform the EMCDDA's plans for 2013-15 in terms of monitoring drug prevention interventions particularly in three areas: data collection, design and quality, and the dissemination of knowledge.
 
Just two weeks before DSM-5 is due to appear, the National Institute of Mental Health, the world's largest funding agency for research into mental health, has indicated that it is withdrawing support for the manual.



Problem Gambling: 
Noteworthy Articles
 and Studies
 
A crackdown on Internet slot machine parlors has their owners pointing fingers at the token-wagering arcade and pizza chain.

he Illinois Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would bring much-need revenue to the cash-strapped state by expanding gambling and giving Chicago its first casino.

As the nation's first legal, pay-to-play poker Web site embarks on a 30-day trial period, players from every state and Europe are logging on, even as casino companies, tech developers, regulators and lawmakers alike examine the technology for strengths and flaws.

The unrelenting spread of casino gambling across America is reaping billions of dollars for the industry and government coffers but is also creating more compulsive gamblers. Addiction experts say the sums spent by states for treatment and counseling are too little to keep pace.
 
 
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!

 

Dr. Mee Lee Presentation: Updated ASAM Criteria  In case you missed it -- What's New in the ASAM Criteria.   

 

Nat'l Trends in Problem Gambling & Responsible Gaming Webinar Training  May 22, 2013 12:30pm-2PM Central. Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) in Washington, D.C.  His presentation covers such important and controversial topics such as prevalence of gambling addiction, responsible gaming & partnerships, public opinion, services funding and internet/social gambling.  He will discuss the implications of these trends for program and policy.

 

Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse

June 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri

The three-day, multi-state summit features internationally and nationally renowned experts in the fields of problem gambling, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Last year, the conference hosted more than 200 attendees from throughout the country. 

 

6th Annual National Rural Substance Abuse Prevention Conference 

August 7-9, 2013, Lancaster, SC. $150 for the three day event, includes breakfasts and working lunches.  Buy two registrations and get the third for free.  

Prevention of Youth Substance Abuse in Rural Communities is the only national conference that focuses on the unique challenges of prevention from a rural context.  The three day annual conference includes nationally recognized keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and optional evening activities.  The theme of this year's conference will focus on exploring future trends in prevention, including environmental prevention strategies and use of technology.  

 

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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