Drug abuse in the elderly

In his letter in Saturday's New York Times, Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet writes that the number of those who fit the criteria for substance abuse is expected to double in the next five years.

The people included in " More Older Adults Are Struggling With Substance Abuse" (Business Day, Oct. 4) are to be commended for coming forward to speak about a growing problem that affects the well-being of millions of Americans.

For too long, addiction has been dismissed as a moral failing, and sufferers have been blamed, shunned and arrested. The stigma of addiction is such that many older people whose lives have unraveled because of alcohol and/or drug abuse do not get the help they need until a crisis alerts caregivers to the urgency of the situation.

For the lucky few with access to private insurance or resources to pay for treatment, the prognosis is positive, and the long-term health, economic and family struggles can be reversed. But this is not the case for the overwhelming majority of older adults, and the situation is likely to get worse, as the number of those who fit the criteria for substance abuse is expected to double over the next five years.

Public treatment programs that offer a range of low-cost residential, outpatient and peer recovery services are a necessary and wise investment.

PETER PROVET

President and Chief Executive

Odyssey House

Drug Facts: High School and Youth Trends

As National Drug Facts Week winds down, here's a look at why the goal to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse for teens is so important. The data below is a summary from the latest Monitoring the Future survey, from NIDA's website.

Illicit Drug Use

Illicit drug use among teenagers remains high, largely due to increasing popularity of marijuana. After a long period of decline, marijuana use by adolescents has been on the increase. In 2013, 7% of 8th graders, 18% of 10th graders, and 22.7% of 12th graders used marijuana in the past month, up from 5.8%, 13.8% and 19.4% in 2008. Daily use has also increased: 6.5% of 12th graders now use marijuana every day, compared to 5% in the mid-2000s.

Rising marijuana use reflects changing perceptions and attitudes. Young people are showing less disapproval of marijuana use and decreased perception that marijuana is dangerous. The growing perception of marijuana as a safe drug may reflect recent movements to legalize the drug for medical and adult recreational use in many states.

New synthetic drugs are a cause for concern, but their use is not increasing. Synthetic marijuana (also known as Spice or K2)—referring to herbal mixtures laced with synthetic chemicals similar to THC—was added to the MTF survey in 2011, when 11.4% of high school seniors reported using it in the past year; in 2013, it had dropped to 7.9%. These mixtures could be obtained legally until 2012 and are still wrongly perceived as a safe alternative to marijuana. The synthetic stimulants known as “bath salts” were added to the survey in 2012; in 2013, just 0.9% of seniors had used these drugs in the past year.

Non-medical use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines remains a significant part of the teen drug problem. In 2013, 15% of high-school seniors used a prescription drug non-medically in the past year. The survey shows continued abuse of Adderall, commonly used to treat ADHD, with 7.4% of seniors reporting taking it for non-medical reasons in the past year. However, only 2.3% of seniors report abuse of Ritalin, another ADHD medication. Abuse of the opioid pain reliever Vicodin has shown a marked decrease in the last 10 years, now measured at 5.3% for high school seniors, compared to 10.5% in 2003.

Positive trends in the past several years include reduced use of inhalants and less use of cocaine, especially crack cocaine. Past-year inhalant use by younger teens continued a downward trend in 2013, with 5.2% of 8th graders and 3.5% of 10th graders reporting use. Five-year trends of past-year cocaine use across all grades showed a drop as well. Other drugs, such as heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA) and hallucinogens, are holding fairly steady.

Alcohol

Alcohol use among teens remains at historically low levels. In 2013, 3.5% of 8th graders, 12.8% of 10th graders, and 26% of 12th graders reported getting drunk in the past month, continuing a downward trend from previous years. Significant declines include sharp drops from previous years in daily alcohol use by 10th and 12th graders (0.9% and 2.2%, respectively, in 2013). In 2013, 22.1% of high school seniors reported binge drinking (defined as 5 or more drinks in a row in the past 2 weeks)—a drop of almost one-third since the late 1990s.

Tobacco

Fewer teens smoke cigarettes than smoke marijuana. Cigarette smoking by high school students peaked in 1996–1997 and has declined continuously since then. In 2013, 9.6% of students surveyed by MTF were current (past-month) cigarette smokers—the lowest teen smoking has been in the history of the survey. By comparison, 15.6% were current marijuana smokers.

Other forms of smoked tobacco are becoming popular, however. The use of hookah water pipes and small cigars has raised public health concerns and has recently been added to the MTF survey. In 2013, 21.4% of 12th graders had smoked a hookah at some point in the past year, an increase from 18.3% in 2012, and 20.4% had smoked a small cigar.

Learn More

Complete MTF survey results are available at www.monitoringthefuture.org. For more information on the survey and its findings, also visit www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/monitoring-future.

Let’s Shatter the Myths about Drug Abuse

Have you heard the news? The National Institute on Drug Abuse is holding the third annual National Drug Facts Week from January 27 - February 2, 2014. Taking part in National Drug Facts Week means you have the opportunity to help shatter the myths about drug use for teens.

Every day, teens are bombarded with conflicting messages that may leave them feeling confused and unsure of who to ask for information about drug use. With 7.4% of teens reporting abuse of prescription drugs in the past year and 22.6% of 12th graders reporting using marijuana in the past month, it’s crucial to reach teens with the facts.

Wondering how you can take part? There are plenty of ways to get involved in National Drug Facts Week. You can:

• Host a local event in your community -- don’t forget to register it online
• Distribute the Drugs: Shatter the Myths booklet to teens
• Take the National Drug IQ Challenge, which is updated each year
• Become a social media partner

For more ideas and the latest news, visit the National Drug Facts Week website.

Marijuana use is unsafe

Roni Caryn Rabin’s article on the health effects of marijuana use (“Legalizing of Marijuana Raises Health Concerns,” New York Times, Jan. 7) reflects the confusion of the messaging surrounding the drug as it morphs from a criminal justice issue and into a public health one. 

Encouraging teens to hold off on trying marijuana until they’re older, in lieu of teaching them that marijuana is dangerous, is irresponsible. Teenagers and young adults need stronger guidance. Effective public health initiatives, such as smoking cessation, require simple, clear messages that are consistent, repeated often, and actionable – there is no room for nuance. The message should be clear: marijuana use is unsafe.

Monitoring the Future survey shows rates stable or down for most drugs

Rates of drug use among teenagers have decreased for most drugs, the 2012 Monitoring the Future* (MTF) survey found. The survey also revealed an alarming decline in the perceived risks of substance abuse, which can lead to future increases in use.

Despite some increases in drug use over the past several years, rates of drug use among young people today are far lower than they were in the late 1970s. This year’s MTF survey also shows several declines between 2011 and 2012, and rates for some of these drugs in some grades are at their lowest levels since the 1990s.

Aggressive prevention efforts and effective treatment programs have been essential in the reduction of drug use among youth but this weakening of attitudes demonstrates the continued need for education, prevention and guidance toward effective treatment. Adult influencers, such as parents, doctors and coaches, and institutions such as treatment programs and schools, have a critical role to play in helping young people understand the dangers of drug use and encouraging them to make healthy decisions.

* The Monitoring the Future (MTF) study is an annual survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in the United States. The study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse with a grant to the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. Visit the MTF website to see the full survey result or download a fact sheet from the Office of National Drug Control Policy here (pdf).

Marijuana use on the rise among teens

A new report by the Partnership at Drugfree.org found marijuana use increasing among teenagers. According to the survey, nearly 1 in 10 are smoking pot 20 or more times a month, increasing from 5 percent in 2008 to 9 percent in 2011.

“These findings are deeply disturbing as the increases we’re seeing in heavy, regular marijuana use among high school students can spell real trouble for these teens later on,” said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “Heavy use of marijuana – particularly beginning in adolescence – brings the risk of serious problems and our data show it is linked to involvement with alcohol and other drugs as well. Kids who begin using drugs or alcohol as teenagers are more likely to struggle with substance use disorders when compared to those who start using after the teenage years.”

To read the Associated Press article about the research findings, click here. The full survey results can be found on Drugfree.org.

Odyssey House operates two gender-specific facilities for young adults with substance use disorders. If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, contact our Admissions Department at (212) 987-5100.

Drug testing welfare recipients

In a letter to USA TODAY, Dr. Peter Provet urges lawmakers to reconsider legislation requiring welfare recipients to take drug tests and calling instead for greater treatment and prevention funding.

It's poor public policy to test welfare recipients for drugs

USA TODAY's article "States consider drug testing welfare recipients" prompts the question: Why stop at poor people who receive public benefits? For example, why not test all students in state-funded schools and mothers who give birth in publicly funded hospitals?

In Arizona and Missouri, an individual is tested if there is reason to believe he or she is a substance abuser. The legislation proposed in Colorado would test all applicants for the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. This stigmatizes poor families and is ultimately a losing battle. Money should be dedicated to more prevention, education, treatment, and broad public-relations campaigns that extol the benefits of a wellness lifestyle and drug-free life.

Testing might seem like an easy and convenient solution. But it is often counterproductive, expensive and a poor substitute for sound public policy.

Peter Provet, president & CEO; Odyssey House; New York City
Odyssey House is a non-profit social services organization.

Taxing medical marijuana

In a letter to The New York Times, Dr. Peter Provet urges municipalities that collect taxes from medical marijuana businesses to direct some of that additional revenue to under-funded treatment and prevention programs.

To the Editor:

"Struggling Cities Turn to a Crop for Cash" (news article, Feb. 12) doesn't mention a major issue of concern that has to be considered before claims of attractive financial benefits from taxing medical marijuana can be made.

In the states mentioned - California, Colorado, Maine and Oregon - 3.2 million people are not receiving the treatment services they need for drug abuse and dependence. California alone accounts for 2.3 million people with untreated substance abuse disorders.

Before hard-pressed municipalities, in these and other states around the country, look at medical marijuana as a new source of tax revenue to finance essential services, taxpayers should be given the opportunity to consider allocating some of this money to under-supported treatment and prevention programs.

This will not mitigate the effects of untreated substance abuse, but it will help send a clear message to young people that marijuana, prescribed or not, has addictive potential that too often requires intensive treatment.

PETER PROVET
President and Chief Executive
Odyssey House
New York, Feb. 13, 2012

To see additional comments on this issue by Peter B. Bensinger, former administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Robert L. DuPont, former director and founder of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, please click here.

Underage drinking widespread in NYC

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) released a study that found widespread drinking among teens in New York City. One-third of teens admit to drinking alcohol in the past month, and half of those admitted to binge drinking (consuming five or more drinks at one time). Drug use was also more prevalent, with 9% of minors surveyed saying they had tried cocaine and 11% ecstasy, compared with less than 1% for nondrinkers.

Elizabeth Dahlem from News 12 Bronx visited Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue to follow up on the study and speak to Faina, one of the girls in treatment, about her experiences with alcohol. Ms. Dahlem also spoke to Susan Plaza, director of housing and mental health services at Odyssey House, about how parents can keep their teens safe.




Odyssey House offers two gender-specific treatment facilities for close to 80 teenagers in residential settings. Young adults in treatment at Odyssey House live and learn in a peer-driven environment that provides family-like structure and support. Not only do participants address their patterns of substance abuse, they also confront the behavioral problems from which they have sought refuge in drugs and learn to live harmoniously as part of a community.

VIDEO: Dr. Provet on Ch. 7 Eyewitness News

Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet was interviewed yesterday afternoon by ABC Eyewitness News on the suspected drug-related death of pop singer Amy Winehouse and her struggles with addiction. Watch the video below and let us know what you think in the comments.

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.

Obama: Drug abuse is a public health issue

Odyssey House welcomes President Obama’s position that drug abuse should be treated as a public health problem; that drug policy has been too focused on arrests, incarceration, and interdiction; and that he favors demand reduction but not legalization.

President Obama explained his stances on drug policy during a recent YouTube question-and-answer session.



The President said, “I am not in favor of legalization. I am a strong believer that we have to think more about drugs as a public health problem. When you think about other damaging activities in our society - smoking, drunk driving, making sure you're wearing seatbelts - typically we've made huge strides over the last 20, 30 years by changing people's attitudes. And on drugs I think that a lot of times we have been so focused on arrest, incarceration, interdiction that we don't spend as much time thinking about ‘how do we shrink demand?’”

He said he would like to see more resources could go towards drug rehabilitation so that those looking for help from a treatment program do not have to wait for months for assistance, and that there should be a way of steering nonviolent, first-time drug offenders “into the straight and narrow,” through drug courts or similar programs.

Odyssey House has long viewed substance use disorders as a public health issue and offers tailored treatment programs for a diverse range of individuals and families.

Teens attend town hall meeting on prescription drug abuse

Last week, 30 Odyssey House clients from the Teen Leadership Center attended a town hall meeting in Albany to discuss prescription drug abuse. It was a great learning experience - the teens learned how to identify prescription drug abuse and how to find and access prevention and treatment services. There were approximately 400 attendees, including treatment professionals, state agency representatives, law enforcement officials and community members. The panel discussion was lead by Jeff VanVonderen, an interventionist on A&E's Intervention; Billy Fusco, executive director of Dynamic Youth Community; District Attorney David Soares; and Brooke Schewe, Statewide System of Care Director for Families Together.

According to the panel, prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in New York State - surveys have found that 18% of high school seniors in NY abuse prescription drugs, compared to 13% nationwide. The Drug Abuse Warning Network, which tracks drug-related emergency room visits, reports that prescription drugs account for more ER visits than marijuana and heroin combined. The drugs most commonly abused by teens are OxyContin, Vicodin, Xanax and Adderall.

Sponsored by Time Warner Cable, A&E and the Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Providers of New York State, the town hall included a screening of an episode of Intervention. The meeting was filmed and will be aired on Time Warner's Local On Demand stations throughout New York sometime in June. We'll post more information as we get it. For photos from the event, visit the OASAS page on Facebook.