Treating newborns dependent on painkillers

At the Odyssey House Family Centers of Excellence, we treat a range of women with substance use disorders, including those who are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are taking care of young children. In his letter in today's New York Times, Dr. Peter Provet, President of Odyssey House, comments on a recent front page article that highlights the lack of educational and treatment resources for young women who become pregnant while addicted to prescription opiates.

To the Editor:

It is troubling to read how little progress has been made in understanding the impact in utero exposure to addictive drugs can have on babies born to pregnant substance abusers. In the 1990s concern was expressed over a potential lost generation of "crack babies." Treatment organizations responded as best they could with programs for women and children that provided links to medical and child development services and with programs that tackle the mother's poverty, poor education and lack of job skills.

But despite data supporting increased financing of prevention services and treatment programs that target pregnant substance abusers, limited resources and stigma discourage women from seeking treatment for fear of having the baby removed from their care.

Renewed effort must be made to reach drug-troubled women before they get pregnant, and in the event they are expecting a child, community clinics and hospitals need to be educated about addiction treatment and where to refer both mother and baby for long-term care.

PETER PROVET
President, Odyssey House
New York, April 11, 2011

Click here to read the original article, "Newly Born, and Withdrawing from Painkillers" (April 9, 2011), on The New York Times website.

Lock Your Meds campaign comes to Odyssey House

Melanie R., a young woman in treatment at the Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue Teen Girls Program, was interviewed last night about prescription drug abuse by Dr. Jay Adlersberg, WABC-7's health and medical reporter. Melanie spoke about how easy it is for teenagers to get prescription drugs, showing how important it is for adults to lock up their medications.
The segment highlighted the Lock Your Meds campaign and the rising rate of prescription drug abuse among teenagers. Lock Your Meds is a national multi-media campaign designed to make adults aware that they are the "unwitting suppliers" of prescription medications being used in unintended ways, especially by young people. The campaign is produced by National Family Partnership.

Treating Women and Girls

Earlier this month, the White House Council on Women and Girls released the first comprehensive report on the status of women in the United States since 1963. The report shows that while women have made great strides over the last 50 years, there continue to be areas where they face unique challenges. Dealing with substance abuse is one such area.

Research shows that women and girls face specific challenges in substance abuse treatment and require customized prevention, treatment and recovery programs. In recognition of these challenges, Odyssey House offers several programs that meet the needs of women and adolescent girls. In 1973, we opened the first residential center for addicted mothers and their children so parents don’t have to choose between caring for their children and seeking the treatment they need. Additionally, in 2007 we opened the Lafayette Avenue Teen Girls program, the city's first publicly funded all-girls residential center. This program offers girls the individualized support and attention they need to grow into healthy young women.

Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, understands the importance of providing treatment services tailored for women and girls. In his response to the White House report, Director Kerlikowske said, "By expanding access to evidence- and gender-based treatment services that address the unique needs of women, particularly parenting women, we strengthen American families and communities."

For more information on substance abuse in women and girls, click here for a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

Rachel's journey from addict to advocate

Rachel entered Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue when she was 18 years old. While in treatment, Rachel earned her GED, completed vocational training, and gained custody of her daughter. Now 22, she is training to become a substance abuse counselor and is an advocate for young women in the juvenile justice system.
Click here to read Rachel's story.

Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue offers a gender-specific approach for achieving lasting sobriety so they can get back on track with schooling and other life goals. Girls live and learn in a peer-driven environment that provides family-like structure and support. Supervised by a multi-disciplinary team of counselors, teachers, and health care personnel, girls receive the individualized support and attention they need to grow into healthy young women.

Classical music from Bach to Jay-Z

Teens at the Leadership Center were treated to a special performance last week by a trio of students from The Juilliard School. Two violinists and a pianist came to the facility and performed a variety of classical pieces for the boys.

It was more than a recital, though. The musicians interacted with the residents, talking to them about their musical interests, introducing them to famous composers, and even taking requests for everything from the Pirates of the Caribbean and Titanic theme songs to Jay-Z and Coldplay.

This the third visit by Juilliard students as part of the Gluck Community Service Fellowship (GCSF), a program that provides for more than 450 performances at 47 New York City health care facilities each year. Each visit has brought a different group of students, exposing residents to a variety of disciplines.

The residents have responded very well to the performances, connecting with the musicians and asking questions about their instruments and training. One resident, Reginald, said that he is motivated to go to college, pursue a musical career and volunteer his time to others. Louis likes the performances because they expose him to new things and “change his thought process.”

Shalawn Barry, a social worker at the Leadership Center, applied for the program because she thought it would help keep residents engaged in treatment. “I think it’s important to expose our teens to new experiences to enhance their educational and social experiences while at Odyssey House,” said Ms. Barry.