The Edge:  

A Resource for Iowa's Behavioral Health Professionals 

 
2013 Edition, Volume 21                           


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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
Retro Report: In the 1980s, many government officials, scientists and journalists warned that the country would be plagued by a generation of "crack babies." They were wrong.
 
SACRAMENTO, Calif.-The investigative arm of the state Senate reported Monday that it found nearly two dozen registered sex offenders serving as substance abuse counselors in California, which lacks procedures to screen them out.
 
The National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB), is recommending all 50 states lower blood-alcohol thresholds for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05.  Although these are advisory recommendations that do not carry any force of law, the NTSB is hoping states will comply to help reduce the 10,000 deaths per year related to alcohol impaired driving.
 
PBS NewsHour recently aired a report on prescription drug abuse that led viewers to ask many questions. We asked the CDC to answer them.  
 



Problem Gambling: 
Noteworthy Articles
 and Studies
 
Problem gambling imposes serious costs on the community but we understand surprisingly little about how individuals perceive the risks associated with gambling.
 
The DSM-5 and the Biological Underpinnings of Problem Gambling: What Science Can Tell Us-and What It Means Dr. Potenza has made a significant impact on problem gambling research over the last 15 years. He has been part of two DSM-5 research work groups and the majority of this work has focused on understanding the clinical and neurobiological underpinnings of gambling and related disorders, and their co-occurrences with other mental health disorders. 
 

Four high-stakes gamblers who collectively lost more than $2 million playing roulette at the Fallsview Casino have lost their bid to get their money back. The players were trying to sue the casino and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, claiming the casino's floating ball policy on roulette tables was illegal.

 

Illinois Lottery Partners with Problem Gambling Awareness Organizations to form the Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling

In its effort to curb excessive play and problem gambling, the Illinois Lottery has reached out to members of the gaming and treatment community to form the Illinois Alliance on Problem Gambling. The Alliance was formally introduced on May 3 at the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. This coalition demonstrates a new level of collaboration between the gaming industry and treatment community. 

 
 
 
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. 

 

Presentation: Prevention in Problem Gambling by Williams et al

Prevention of Problem Gambling: A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence and Best Practices.

 

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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