health and counseling edition - the Youth Advocacy Division

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FALL 2008 COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK: HEALTH AND COUNSELING EDITION ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE: THE BUREAU OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES Margaret Giovannetti Adolescence is a difficult time, during which youth transition toward the expectations and experiences of adulthood. In order to achieve healthy maturity, youth must be granted room to experience life and experiment with how they fit in among their family, peers, and society. Often, young adults are afforded certain freedoms before they understand the consequences of their choices and actions. This potential pitfall can be exacerbated if young people lack caring adults or mentors in their lives who can model positive behavior. Without a trusted and responsible adult to be an important role model and sounding board, many youth struggle with decision-making and have no one with whom to discuss important life choices. When youth begin making choices concerning alcohol, drugs, and other substances, positive role models and clear decision-making is imperative. For those youth who lack adequate supports and are at-risk to develop substance abuse issues, there is danger for long-term, sustained problems. Alcohol and substance abuse is obviously a major detriment to young people’s ability to achieve positive life outcomes. Despite a bombardment of anti-drug and alcohol education that youth receive from teachers, doctors, television, and in-school and afterschool Margaret Giovannetti is the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services Adolescent Service Coordinator. programs, substance abuse remains a widespread problem and can be a principal factor in the interruption of physical and cognitive development. Under the influence of drugs and alcohol, youth can find themselves in compromising situations which may lead to courtinvolvement and/or poor health. Adolescent drinking and drug use is often associated with sexual activity, unwanted sexual activity, suicide attempts, weapons possession, and physical fights. A 2005 survey of Massachusetts students in grades 9-12 showed that in the 30 days prior to the survey, nearly half of students (48%) drank alcohol, 27% had five or more drinks in a row (the definition of binge drinking), and 28% rode in a car driven by someone who had been drinking. One-third of students had bought, been offered, or been given an illegal drug on school property within the previous year. Between 2003 and 2005, there was no meaningful reduction in the use of drugs. The effects of alcohol and substance abuse on youth are far reaching. Alcohol use is related to lower levels of academic achievement. Seventy-two percent of youth in Massachusetts correctional services have been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. Of those youth in Massachusetts who meet the criteria for a mental health disorder, 49% regularly abuse substances. In all likelihood, your client has or is at risk for developing alcohol or substance abuse issues. As professionals dedicated to helping youth develop into healthy adults, there are steps to take to help youth avoid the trap of alcohol and substance abuse. SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG MASSACHUSETTS TEENS A 2005 survey of students in grades 9-12 showed that in the last 30 days¹: Nearly half (48%) drank alcohol 27% had five or more drinks in a row (the definition of binge drinking) 28% rode in a car driven by someone who had been drinking 30% had bought or been offered or given an illegal drug on school property in the last year There was no meaningful reduction in students’ drinking or use of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, crack or freebase between 2004 and 2005 HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS OF TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE Alcohol use is related to lower levels of academic achievement Nearly three quarters (72%) of youth in Massachusetts Correctional Services have substance use disorders Nearly half (49%) of youth with mental health needs in the state regularly use substances Adolescent drinking is associated with: current drug use, recent sex, unwanted sex contact, suicide attempts, carrying weapons, and physical fights ¹2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/hprograms/yrbs/05/default.html 10 www.youthadvocacyproject.org
COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK: HEALTH AND COUNSELING EDITION FALL 2008 Through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), youth-serving professionals can access a range of substance abuse services targeting youth and young adults. BSAS designs, implements, and oversees programs, policies, and initiatives created to address substance abuse issues. It is the goal of BSAS to build and maintain a supportive and comprehensive continuum of substance abuse care for youth and young adults that is developmentally-appropriate and not simply based on adult models of care. To achieve this goal, BSAS created the Office of Youth and Young Adult Services (OYYAS). OYYAS has redesigned the system of care to better facilitate the prompt referral of youth to appropriate services. BSAS-funded programs utilize genderspecific and trauma-informed evidence-based practices, are youth-centric, and encourage family and caregiver involvement. Multi-service coordination with other state agencies and youth service providers helps efforts to bridge gaps in substance abuse care. By accessing BSAS and working with the multi-disciplinary staff, an approach to treatment can be developed and implemented, helping your client get on the road to recovery. One of the accomplishments of BSAS’s youth-centric reforms has been the re-structuring of adolescent residential treatment programs and the implementation of Central Intake and Care Coordination (CICC). Through CICC, youth who require a residential placement are assigned to a program based on a thorough assessment of their substance use, as well as their social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health status. If it is found that residential treatment is not appropriate for the youth, CICC staff can assist in making a referral to a more suitable level of care. To refer a client for treatment, contact the Central Intake and Care Coordination office at (617) 661-3991, or toll free at (866) 705-2807. RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT THE BOSTON TENPOINT COALITION COMMUNITY RE-ENTRY INITATIVE The TenPoint Coalition works to promote positive lifestyle changes with court-involved youth. Its Community Re-Entry Initiative mentors and provides basic services for young ex-offenders. TenPoint has been proven to reduce recidivism rates by exposing participants to opportunities in education, health services, and employment. Staff and volunteers work with organizations such as the District’s Attorney’s office and the Department of Revenue. TenPoint’s “collaborative community reentry strategy” provides a support mechanism to encourage those who are considered the least likely to succeed. Boston TenPoint Coalition 215 Forest Hills Street Jamaica, MA 02130 (617) 524-4331 www.bostontenpoint.org Residential programs facilitated by OYYAS are short-term substance abuse treatment facilities for medically stable youth between the ages of 13 and 17. Such treatment is appropriate for high-risk youth facing the consequences of alcohol and other drug use, and whose issues have not been resolved in less intense, community -based care. These programs work to combat a number of issues facing the client, such as anger management, risky or self-destructive behavior, and eating and other disorders. Each youth participates in highly structured, developmentallyappropriate clinical services on the individual, group, and family levels. An in-house Educational Coordinator sets academic objectives with the young person’s school. When a client leaves the residential program, continuing care services are provided to assist the youth in recovery. Services include relapse prevention education, follow-up plans, and integration with community resources or outpatient programs. (Continued on page 12) www.youthadvocacyproject.org 11
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