NCJ Number
157444
Date Published
1995
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the work and some findings of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is responsible for the majority of national surveys that assess the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse, monitor the Nation's service capacity and use, and evaluate the impact that substance abuse has on the most costly medical care-treatment delivered in the emergency departments of acute care hospitals.
Abstract
The author summarizes the findings of two of the most recent surveys that frame the most pressing substance-abuse problems in the Nation. To meet the demands of health care reform, SAMHSA anticipates enhancing data-collection efforts to provide more accurate and timely information to health-care providers, scientists, policymakers, and regional and corporate health alliances. Three focus areas identified for immediate action are an expansion of current data systems, improved data systems that more accurately monitor substance abuse treatment and prevention service capacity and use, and continued development of clinical guidelines to translate service research findings into practical service delivery models. Some of the most vexing methodological problems in prevention research are also identified in this paper. SAMHSA is in the process of developing an interagency agreement with the drug abuse, alcohol, and mental health institutes (NIDA, NIAAA, and NIMH) to ensure the Nation's research agenda has relevance to its service needs. Some initial questions that will be addressed are listed by the author. Some of SAMHSA's efforts to identify the most effective practices in the prevention of substance abuse are also described. 13 references