February 3 2012 IBH President Featured in Join Together Newsletter   Join Together and the Partnership at Drugfree.org featured a commentary by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. on a new paradigm for long-term outcomes of substance abuse treatment. The new paradigm includes long-term monitoring with swift, certain and serious consequences for any detection of drug or alcohol use. Using this paradigm the Physician Health Programs have set a new standard for long-term recovery. A similar approach has been used by Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) yielding outstanding results. Read more.

January 31 2012 Police Seek Help Identifying Drugged Drivers   Senators Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas have proposed that federal funding in a pending transportation funding bill be used for research and to train police officers to identify drugged drivers. In addition to illegal drugs, prescription drug abuse poses a threat to the nation's roads. National self-report and roadside surveys have clearly demonstrated that drugged driving is a serious public health and public safety problem. Read more.

January 31 2012 American Society of Addiction Medicine Releases Public Policy Statement on Measures to Counteract Prescription Drug Diversion, Misuse and Addiction   In a new public policy statement, ASAM recommends specific components be included in any public policy response to the growing problem of prescription drug addiction, diversion, misuse and overdose deaths. The new policy calls for mandatory education for prescribers of all controlled substance, patient education, full use of state prescription drug monitoring programs and continued research on the patterns of manufacture, distribution and sales of psychoactive drugs which have the potential for diversion and misuse. Public Policy Statement.

January 23, 2012 Recovery on College Campuses   The New York Times examines the new and growing development of recovery programs on college campuses and features IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. The modern college campus is home to a population of people at the peak age for the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Recovery programs on campus are an important step to reduce substance abuse and to promote life-long recovery from substance abuse. Read more.

January 17, 2012 IBH President's Letter to the Editor on Marijuana Study   A letter to the editor by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was published online by The Washington Times. Headlines streaming from a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that marijuana is safe. Dr. DuPont notes that overlooked in the media is the large body of evidence of serious negative effects of marijuana use, including those related to cognitive and physical impairment, psychosis and motor vehicle crashes. Read more.

December 29, 2011 The Fix Focuses on "America's Killer Med Crisis"   For the first time in U.S. history, deaths from prescription drugs outnumber deaths from motor vehicle crashes. Prescription drug overdoses are at fault for nine out of ten drug poisonings as reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Opioid analgesics were involved in more than 50% of all drug poisoning deaths in 2008. The Fix provides an overview of the latest CDC report and what is being done to manage this growing problem. Xanax, OxyContin and Vicodin are the top three drugs considered most dangerous based on the number of drug-involved emergency room visits reported in 2009. Read more. Drug Poisoning Deaths in the United States.

December 27, 2011 The Crime Report names HOPE Probation One of Top Ten Most Significant Criminal Justice Stories of 2011   For 2011, The Crime Report selected "developments in criminal justice policy, practice and theory that challenge preconceptions and break new ground." Among these top innovations is HOPE Probation which provides a new model for community corrections. The Crime Report summarizes the HOPE model well: "Set clear expectations and limits, establish consequences for non-compliance and deliver the consequences quickly and consistently when rules are violated." HOPE has produced remarkable outcomes, reducing illegal drug use, reducing recidivism and reducing crime. Read more. HOPE Probation.

December 22, 2011 Economic Cost of illicit Drug Use to Society Tops $193 Billion   The 2011 National Drug Threat Assessment released by the U.S. Department of Justice's National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) estimates that the economic cost of illicit drug use to society in 2007 was over $193 billion. This includes direct and indirect public costs related to lost productivity ($120.3 billion), crime ($61.4 billion), and heath ($11.4 billion). As the Assessment reports, the demand for illicit drugs in the United States is rising, particularly among young people. Overall, illegal drugs are increasingly available, as are controlled prescription drugs. The negative consequences associated with abuse of prescription drugs have also increased substantially. Read more.

December 20, 2011 Youth Marijuana Use Continues to Rise - The Impact of "Medical Marijuana" Policies and Legalization Efforts on Youth   Results of the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study showed that marijuana remains the most widely used illegal drug among youth, with significant increases in recent years. This pattern is not surprising because there are few clear messages to the public regarding the negative consequences of marijuana use or its synthetic alternatives. Clear cultural messages regarding binge drinking and tobacco use have resulted in decreased rates of use. Similar "no use" messages must be sent to youth regarding illegal drugs, and in particular marijuana, its synthetic alternative, and nonmedical prescription drug use. Read more.

December 8, 2011 New IBH Commentary on Marijuana Impaired Driving   While "medical marijuana" and marijuana legalization are common topics in the news, little attention is given to a large and growing body of research showing that marijuana impaired driving is a major cause of crashes, injuries and deaths. The large and ever-growing evidence that marijuana use is a significant contributor to highway crashes and deaths should be highlighted in any discussion of "medical marijuana" laws or marijuana legalization, which by all accounts increase this drug's availability and use. Read more. Visit StopDruggedDriving.org.

December 6, 2011 Presidential Proclamation Announces National Impaired Driving Prevention Month   President Barack Obama announced December 2011 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The Obama Administration is committed to decreasing the incidence of drugged driving by 10% over the next 5 years as outlined in the 2010 and 2011 National Drug Control Strategies released by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. ONDCP is collaborating with state and local governments to "bolster enforcement efforts, implement more effective legislation, and support successful, evidence-based prevention programs" to reduce the number of impaired drivers on the nation's roads. Read more.

November 28, 2011 HOPE Probation Advances Criminal Justice Reform   A new publication from the Center for Court Innovation and the US Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, entitled Small Experiments, Big Change, features a remarkable program in Hawaii developed by Judge Steven S. Alm. Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) is an example of how a small, local initiative can have the potential for far-reaching and transformative large scale reform within the criminal justice system. Five years ago IBH identified HOPE Probation and its management of offenders at high-risk of violating probation - including those with histories of substance abuse - as a model program for wide implementation in the criminal justice system. IBH commends the Center for Court Innovation and the Bureau of Justice Assistance for their outstanding promotion of innovative and effective criminal justice programs including HOPE Probation. Read more. Small Experiments, Big Change.

November 25, 2011 Medical Marijuana: The Government's View   In a letter to the editor published in The New York Times, Rafael Lemaitre, Associate Director for Public Affairs at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, clearly states that the issue of "medical marijuana" comes down to how we approve medications as safe and effective for use in the United States. The position of the Obama administration on "medical marijuana" is clear: "The medication approval process should remain above the political fray. Smoked marijuana does not meet scientific standards for safe and effective medicine, and marijuana use and distribution remain illegal under federal law for any purpose." Read more.

November 16, 2011 Letter to The New York Times on "Reefer Madness" - Marijuana Has Nothing to Do With Medicine   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. and Former Drug Enforcement Administrator Peter Bensinger submitted an unpublished letter to The New York Times in response to an op-ed which criticized federal law and policies regarding "medical marijuana" authored by Ethan Nadelmann, Director of Drug Policy Alliance. Dr. DuPont and Mr. Bensinger explain that "medical marijuana" is a serious threat to the nation's science-based drug approval and closed distribution system through pharmacies. The Obama administration deserves praise for their efforts to protect the public health by shutting down enterprises that profit from marijuana through cultivation, sales and distribution under the false flag of "medicine." Read more.

November 15, 2011 California Medical Association is Misguided in its Support of Rescheduling and the Legalization of Marijuana   The California Medical Association (CMA) has released policy recommendations related to marijuana which would make this illegal drug widely available for "medical" and nonmedical use. Because legalization of marijuana is not in the interest of the public's health, the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. encourages the CMA to reconsider its position. Through ballot and legislative initiatives, several states, including California, have approved the use of "medical marijuana" when recommended by a physician. This places physicians in an untenable position as gatekeepers to the unmonitored use of a widely abused illegal drug. There is no future for smoked marijuana as a medicine. Moreover, marijuana should not be rescheduled out of Schedule I precisely because it fits the definition of drugs that belong in Schedule I - drugs which are widely abused and lack FDA-approved medical uses. Marijuana should not be legalized for any use. Read more.

November 9, 2011 White House Releases Statement on Recent Petitions Supporting the Legalization of Marijuana   Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Gil Kerlikowske released an official White House response to recent petitions regarding legalizing marijuana in the United States. "When the President took office, he directed all of his policymakers to develop policies based on science and research, not ideology or politics. So our concern about marijuana is based on what the science tells us about the drug's effects." The science shows that marijuana is not a benign drug. ONDCP recognizes that "legalizing marijuana would not provide the answer to any of the health, social, youth education, criminal justice, and community quality of life challenges with drug use." That is why the President's National Drug Control Strategy is both a balanced and comprehensive policy. Read more.

November 2, 2011 Centers for Disease Control Release New Information on Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the U.S.   Deaths from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past decade. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined, largely due to the nonmedical use of prescription painkillers. In 2010, about 12 million Americans age 12 or older reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year. The number of overdose deaths have dramatically increased in tandem with increases in prescription drug sales and treatment admissions. Read more.

October 27, 2011 American Society of Addiction Medicine Reiterates ASAM Marijuana Policy Positions   The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) issued a press release reiterating its marijuana policy positions. "ASAM opposes any changes in law and regulation that would lead to a sudden significant increase in the availability of any dependence-producing drug (outside of a medically-prescribed setting for therapeutic indications). This policy includes marijuana, a mood-altering drug capable of producing dependence as well as serious negative mental, emotional, behavioral and physical consequences." Read more.

October 25, 2011 California Medical Association's Decision Not Based on Public Health   Kevin Sabet, Ph.D., former Senior Policy Advisor to the Director at the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) published an op-ed in the Huffington Post about the public policy recommendations of the California Medical Association (CMA) which called for marijuana legalization. "Medical groups - themselves understandably increasingly impatient with both the current scientific process for medication approval and the political process that puts them in a tough bind - should focus their angst on speeding up that effort. Legalizing marijuana, however, and risking large increases in use and addiction, represents a hasty solution sure to compromise both the public health and safety." Read more.

October 21, 2011 IBH President's Letter to The Lancet on "Addiction: A Complex Disorder"   In August 2011, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. submitted a letter to The Lancet regarding a commentary on addiction. His unpublished correspondence to the journal notes that the article overlooked three key ideas: Addiction is caused by excessive use of addictive substances or related behaviors; no matter how biologically driven, addicts are fully responsible for any act of addictive behavior; and, addictive behavior is powerfully affected by the environment in which it occurs. Many efforts aiming for compassion instead perversely result in harming addicts and retarding recovery. Recovery is always possible and it always requires the efforts of the addicted people themselves. Read more.

October 17, 2011 Mothers Against Drunk Driving Teams with Office of National Drug Control Policy to Combat Drugged Driving   ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske, and Jan Withers, National President of MADD announced a new partnership to raise public awareness regarding the consequences of drugged driving. MADD has launched a national effort to provide support to the victims of poly-abuse and drugged driving and to recognize law enforcement officers for their achievements in drugged driving enforcement. ONDCP also released new resources produced by ONDCP for parents and teens aimed at educating young drivers regarding the perils of driving while under the influence of drugs. Read more. ONDCP's Teen Drugged Driving Activity Guide.

October 14, 2011 Drug Testing Welfare Recipients - An Important Drug Prevention Strategy   It has been noted in the press that a number of states have initiated programs that tie welfare payments to the recipients' successfully passing drug testing screens for illegal drugs. Testing has been construed by some as an inappropriate invasion of privacy as well as an attempt by states to cut their budgets by no longer funding services to people suffering from addiction. In contrast to these negative views, it is our belief that it is not disrespectful or harmful to welfare recipients to conduct a drug test. Allowing individuals to receive public assistance and to use illegal drugs is not helpful to them or to their families. Drug abuse is a major public health problem that can be prevented, identified and treated. The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. supports the policies of states that have implemented strong, compassionate drug testing programs for welfare recipients. These states are showing a commitment to reducing illegal drug use by using this effective prevention strategy. Read more. A letter to the editor by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D., was published in The New York Times on this topic.

October 10, 2011 Marijuana Use May Double the Risk of Motor Vehicle Crashes   A new meta-analysis of epidemiological studies shows that drivers who test positive for marijuana or report driving within three hours of using marijuana are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes. Researchers also found evidence that crash risk increases with the concentration of marijuana-produced compounds in the urine and the frequency of self-reported marijuana use. This study published in Epidemiological Reviews has significant implications for laws and enforcement related to both drugged driving and "medical marijuana." Read more.

October 6, 2011 IBH Releases Teen Marijuana Prevention Video   The Institute for Behavior and Health has made a short video that encourages parents to be clear and direct in talking with their teens about why they should not use marijuana. It provides the latest research on teen marijuana use, including research that shows that teens do listen to their parents and that parents do make a difference. We hope that this empowering message will be helpful to parents and to their teens. Watch the video.

September 29, 2011 World Federation Against Drugs Releases Response to Inaccurate and Vague Report of Global Commission on Drug Policy   A self-appointed Global Commission on Drug Policy released a report proposing eleven recommendations to achieve its goal of "reducing the harm caused by drugs to people and societies". The foundation on which the Global Commission's proposals rest is both subtle and ominous: the Commission does not seek to reduce the use of illegal drugs, but instead proposes strategies to normalize and to reduce the "harms" resulting from illegal drug use, largely through legalization and decriminalization of illegal drugs. The World Federation Against Drugs supports strategies that seek to reduce illegal drug use and the serious negative consequences that result from drug use. WFAD works to reverse the drug abuse epidemic by supporting the drug-free goal and the drug abuse prevention treaties of the United Nations. Read More. WFAD Website.

September 28, 2011 Office of National Drug Control Policy Recognizes National Association of Drug Court Professionals as Key Leader in Addressing Drugged Driving   The latest issue of the DWI Court Reporter, a publication of the National Center for DWI Courts, highlights steps taken by the Office of National Drug Policy to reduce drugged driving and to promote and enforce drugged driving laws. ONDCP has made reducing drugged driving by 10% by 2015 a national priority. ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske commends the leadership provided by the National Association of Drug Court Professions to recognize drugged driving as a national issue. NADCP now supports the admission of individuals who present a pattern of substance dependency and are convicted of operating under the influence of an impairing substance other than alcohol into DWI Courts and Drug Courts. Read More.

September 23, 2011 Drug Deaths Outnumber Traffic Fatalities in U.S.   The LA Times reports that preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows drug-induced deaths now outnumber motor vehicle crashes as a cause of death. This is a result of years of decreases in the number of traffic deaths and increases in the number of drug deaths, with a total of 37,485 drug-induced deaths in 2009. This change is due to increases in prescription drug abuse, particularly prescription opioid analgesics. The number of prescriptions have increased as well. Read More.

September 13, 2011 Drugged Driving Due to Prescription Drug Abuse Rising in Palm Beach County, FL   Prescription drugs are playing larger roles in traffic crashes in Palm Beach, Florida. In particular, Xanax and Oxycodone are commonly found in deadly crashes -- often in combination with alcohol. Few drivers prosecuted for drugged driving have prescriptions. Rates of drugged driving are hard to gauge and likely underreported because some enforcement agencies do not distinguish between drug impairment and alcohol impairment. Read More.

September 9, 2011 Illicit Drug Use, Marijuana Use on the Rise   Illicit drug use increased over 11% between 2008 and 2010 according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In 2010, 8.9% of Americans 12 or older used an illegal drug in the past month. Rates of marijuana use largely contributed to this overall increase, with current marijuana use increasing nearly 19% during this two-year span. Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Kerlikowske said "emerging evidence reveals potential links between state laws permitting access to smoked medical marijuana and higher rate of marijuana use." Rates of nonmedical prescription drug use, hallucinogens and inhalants remained steady while current rates of cocaine and methamphetamine decreased. Read More. 2010 NSDUH.

September 2, 2011 New Campaign Targets Drugged Drivers in Colorado   Two studies show that marijuana use is higher among both adolescents and adults in states that permit "medical marijuana." A total of 8.6% of youth age 12 to 17 use marijuana in states with "medical marijuana," compared with 6.9% among youth in states without such laws. In addition, the odds of an adult age 18 or older suffering marijuana abuse or dependence are nearly twice as high in states with medical marijuana laws compared with those without such laws. Read More.

August 24, 2011 New Campaign Targets Drugged Drivers in Colorado   This month the Colorado Department of Transportation launched a new high-visibility drugged driving campaign. The campaign comes at a critical time with Colorado law enforcement officers reporting increases in the number of drivers under the influence of marijuana and a rise in the number of "medical marijuana" users on the roads. Campaign billboards and posters send strong messages to the public about the dangers of drugged driving and its consequences. Read More. Colorado DOT Campaign Website.

August 15, 2011 IBH President Letter to the Editor Published, "Medical Marijuana" is Bad Medicine and Bad Public Policy   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. published a letter to the editor in the Portland Herald Press in response to an op-ed which favored "medical marijuana". In his letter, Dr. DuPont notes that sound medical practice requires that medicines meet well-established standards to determine that they are safe and effective before they are approved for use by sick patients. This system includes the requirement that medicines be approved by the FDA and be distributed in a closed system to limit abuse and diversion. Undermining that system as "medical marijuana" does, is bad public policy and bad medicine. Read more.

August 8, 2011 National Report on Drug Courts and Other Problem-Solving Court Programs in the United States   A new report by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals presents data from two rigorous national surveys providing the aggregate number and types of operational Drug Courts and other Problem-Solving Court programs throughout the United States. The report provides an in-depth synthesis of recent research findings related to the most prevalent Drug Court models. Additional sections report national Drug Court capacity, average graduation rates, participation costs, as well as drug-of-choice trends among Drug Court participants in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Drug Courts and other Problem-Solving Courts provide close monitoring and intensive treatment, among other services, to offenders with serious drug and alcohol problems who are under supervision of the criminal justice system. Drug Courts reduce drug use, reduce crime and save money. Read more.

August 4, 2011 ONDCP Leaders Speak Out Against Misguided "War on Drugs" Rhetoric; Legalization of Drugs is Not in the Interest of Public Health or Public Safety   Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske and Deputy Director of the Office of State, Local and Tribal Affairs Ben Tucker each recently published letters to the editor about the so-called "war on drugs". As Director Kerlikowske wrote, "the 'war on drugs' rhetoric represents an overly simplistic approach to a complex public health and public safety problem." As Tucker noted, "drug legalization would be disastrous to public health policy because it would increase availability and increase use of a substance that we know to be harmful." The high costs of illegal drug use would vastly increase under a decriminalization or legalization scheme. ONDCP has outlined a strong national strategy to work toward the important public health and safety goal of reducing illegal drug use. Read more. Read the 2011 National Drug Control Strategy.

July 19, 2011 The US Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration Each Affirm Their Positions on "Medical Marijuana"   The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its parent organization, the Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued separate rejections of the use of marijuana as a medicine. Sixteen states now permit the use of so-called "medical marijuana" by individuals with a recommendation from a doctor for such use. The communications from the DOJ and DEA are consistent with a US Supreme Court ruling that that federal law supersedes state law for the sale and distribution of "medical marijuana." They each commit the resources of the federal government to the continued enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act, a vital public health law. Read more.

July 12, 2011 IBH Response to Global Commission on Drug Policy Report   The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. released a commentary on the Global Commission on Drug Policy's report that is focused on US drug policy. The Global Commission abandons efforts to reduce the use of illegal drugs, instead proposes strategies to normalize the use of currently illegal drugs and to reduce its resulting "harms", largely through legalization and decriminalization. These recommendations are a serious threat to public health and to public safety. The unarticulated consequence of the Global Commission's recommendations is that illegal drugs would become more widely and cheaply available leading to increased drug-caused harm. The future of drug policy in the United States is not to remove the criminal justice system from drug policy. It is to find better ways for law enforcement and treatment programs to work together to build upon the successes of the nation's non-partisan drug control strategy that balances demand reduction and supply reduction. IBH supports innovative programs that leverage the criminal justice system to reduce drug use, reduce recidivism, and reduce incarceration. Read more.

July 7, 2011 LA Times Reports Stoned Driving is Uncharted Territory   The Los Angeles Times brought much-needed attention to the problem of drugged driving. With 16 states permitting marijuana use for "medical" purposes, the role of marijuana in crashes is a growing concern. As Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske said, "Marijuana is a significant and important contributing factor in a number of fatal accidents." New research is being conducted on the role of marijuana in drugged driving and drugged driving laws are being refined. IBH promotes zero tolerance per se drugged driving laws as the most effective way to reduce drugged driving. Read more. On July 9, 2011, a Letter to the Editor on the article by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was published.

July 5, 2011 Joseph Califano, Jr. and William Bennett Promote Prevention to Deter Drug Use and Explain Why Legalization is Not the Answer   In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Joseph Califano, Jr., founder and Chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, and William Bennett, former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, discuss the many problems with proposals to legalize drugs. Drug legalization will only make harmful substances cheaper, easier to obtain, and more socially acceptable to use. Califano and Bennett strongly support greater emphasis on prevention and public-health initiatives to reduce drug use, especially among children and teens. As they state, "Drugs are not dangerous because they are illegal; they are illegal because they are dangerous." Read more. In a CNN editorial William Bennett notes that normalizing, de-stigmatizing, and legalizing illegal drugs lowers their price and increases their use. Legalization is surely not the answer to reducing the drug abuse epidemic.

June 30, 2011 "Drugged Driving - The Hidden Dangers" Webcast   The Multijurisdictional Task Force Training program presents an hour-long webcast entitled Drugged Driving: The Hidden Dangers. Experts include Stephen Talpins, IBH Vice President and Former Prosecutor, Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., Senior Policy Advisor at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Tim McClure Jr., Investigator and Drug Recognition Expert, and Dr. Marilyn Huestis, Senior Investigator and Chief, Chemistry and Drug Metabolism Section of the Intramural Research Program at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The group discuss the problem of drugged driving including the most prevalent drugs, challenges in roadside identification of impaired driving, and the Delaware's Office of Highway Safety efforts to raise awareness for the issue. Watch the webcast.

June 27, 2011 ONDCP and NIDA Release IBH White Paper on Drugged Driving   The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., with support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Office of National Drug Control Policy, developed a White Paper that summarizes the information currently available about drugged driving and provides a perspective regarding future research needs. IBH convened an expert committee to develop this report, which included top leaders across a broad spectrum of related disciplines such as research, public policy, and law enforcement. Read more.

June 21, 2011 Drugged Driver Killed Police Officer After Smoking Marijuana, Sentenced to 5 to 15 Years in Prison   Justin Malik had marijuana in his system when he turned his car into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, killing off-duty police officer Chris Yonker in October, 2008. Malik was convicted of impaired driving causing death and driving with a suspended license causing death in Michigan's Barry County Circuit Court. He admitted to smoking marijuana 5 hours before the crash, testing positive at 4 ng of THC and a low BAC of 0.01. Drugged driving due to marijuana use remains a public health and safety problem. Marijuana is not a harmless drug. Read more.

June 20, 2011 IBH President Participates in Drug Policy Debate at the Cato Institute   The Cato Institute held a debate entitled "Resolved: America Should Legalize Drugs" on June 15, 2011 in Washington, DC. Supporting the position of drug legalization was Jeffrey Miron, Ph.D., Senior Fellow at Cato. IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. represented the opposing side, against legalization of all drugs. Dr. DuPont advocated for improving the current bipartisan, restrictive drug policy which has had great success in reducing illegal drug use in the United States. Watch the debate.

June 16, 2011 Crime Rates Up in Montana Because of "Medical Marijuana"   Mark Long, head of Montana Department of Justice's narcotics bureau, reported crime has increased in 78% of the state's jurisdictions since "medical marijuana" became legal in Montana. The lack of regulation of the drug has caused numerous problems, including many "medical marijuana" caregivers making large profits from selling the drug out of state. The misuse of the state's "medical marijuana" program spurred the passage of Senate Bill 423 which will put an end to legally buying and selling "medical marijuana" in Montana beginning July 1, 2011. Read more.

June 16, 2011 ADAM II Report Shows Link Between Drug Use and Crime   The Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM II) program conducts interviews and collects urine specimens in police booking facilities with adult male arrestees within 48 hours of their arrest. The 2010 report confirms drug use is much higher among the criminal justice population than the general public. In the 10 participating cities/localities, more than half of study participants tested positive for at least one illicit drug or medication, ranging from 52% in Washington, D.C. to 83% in Chicago, Illinois, illustrating the link between drug use and crime and highlighting the importance of Obama Administration drug policies designed to break the cycle of drug use, arrest, incarceration, release, and re-arrest. Read more.

June 13, 2011 Former DEA Administrator Refutes Statement that "War on Drugs Has Failed"   Peter Bensinger, former Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Board Member of the Institute for Behavior and Health, authored an op-ed published in the Chicago SunTimes, setting straight the facts about the so-called failed "war on drugs." Rates of past month illegal drug use have dropped 20% since 1978; 92% of Americans do not use illegal drugs. Critics of the "war on drugs" promote marijuana legalization to reduce incarceration rates; however, as Mr. Bensinger points out, less than 1% of all inmates in state prisons in the US are there because of marijuana use or possession. Drug abuse is a public health problem, but removing criminal sanctions will open the floodgates of use and abuse. More prevention and treatment efforts are needed. Read more.

June 2, 2011 "Medical Marijuana" and Drugged Driving   In a newly revised commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. addresses the important questions surrounding the effects of "medical marijuana" on drugged driving detection and enforcement. Lawmakers in Colorado recently considered setting a blood-content threshold for marijuana for drivers because of "medical marijuana" laws. Research clearly shows that setting any blood-content threshold is not a viable option because most drivers arrested for suspicion of drugged driving would not reach the threshold for detection. IBH strongly supports the national standard of zero tolerance that has been successfully used for commercial drivers; "medical marijuana" is not recognized as a defense for a positive drug test. The zero tolerance standard for marijuana and any other illegal drug of abuse for all drivers is the best way to keep our highways safe. Read more.

June 1, 2011 The Netherlands Consider Banning Tourists from Cannabis Coffee Shops   The World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) recently interviewed Frans Koopmans, policy expert of the Addiction Centre of the Mental Health Organization "De Hoop" about the proposed policy changes in the Netherlands to restrict coffee shops from providing cannabis (marijuana) to tourists. The number of coffee shops in the Netherlands has decreased in recent years to approximately 600, though coffee shops remain popular among tourists. Under the proposed changes in law, coffee shops could only provide cannabis to residents of Netherlands and specifically to those who are members of a given coffee shop. Koopmans reports that while rates of cannabis use have stabilized in the Netherlands, the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis abuse and dependence is increasing. The Dutch government will rule on the proposed changes in July 2011. Interview with Frans Koopmans. Read more.

May 26, 2011 Illicit Drug Use Costs United States More Than $193 Billion Each Year   The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) released in 2011 The Economic Impact of Illicit Drug Use on American Society. Using the most recent data available, NDIC estimates that illicit drug use cost over $193 billion in 2007 from three principle areas: Crime $61 billion; Health $11 billion, and Productivity $120 billion. The implications for policy support those laid out in the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy. As the report notes, "strong law enforcement efforts that reduce cultivation, production and distribution of illicit drugs both limit consumer access and enhance public safety. Prepared communities that support comprehensive local prevention initiatives reduce the probability that individuals will initiate drug use. And a well-developed system of specialty treatment services ultimately to break the cycle of drug use and criminality." Read more.

May 19, 2011 Successful Oxford House Provides Sober Living, New House Targets Latinos   Oxford House, a nationwide network of addiction recovery homes, has opened its first residences in Illinois specifically for Latinos - a population that has been difficult to reach with traditional treatment strategies. Oxford House provides structure, autonomy and camaraderie to its residents in a sober living environment with outstanding results. Read more. Oxford House International.

May 9, 2011 Montana Signs Into Law New 24/7 Sobriety Program   The Montana Governor recently signed into law House Bill 106 to create a statewide testing program for repeat DUI offenders. Based on the South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety program, offenders will be alcohol breath tested twice a day, every day, at their own expense from the time arrested until their sentence is completed. The bill received strong bipartisan support, passing by a count of 97-2. It comes after Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock introduced the state to a pilot 24/7 Sobriety program in Lewis & Clark County, Montana. Read more.

April 22, 2011 Department of Justice Takes Strong Stance Against "Medical Marijuana" Dispensaries; They Remain Illegal Under Federal Law and Are Subject to Prosecution   The state of Washington is currently considering legislation to permit its Departments of Health and Agriculture to license persons to dispense, produce and process marijuana for medical use. This spurred WA Governor Christine Gregoire to seek written guidance from US Attorney General Eric Holder on the Department of Justice's position on enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). WA US Attorneys Jenny A. Durkan and Michael C. Ormsby responded with a clear message that the Drug Enforcement Administration has "the authority to enforce the CSA vigorously against individuals and organizations that participate in unlawful manufacturing and distribution activity involving marijuana, even if such activities are permitted under state law." This letter confirms the sense of other memoranda from the Department of Justice making it clear that (1) State law does not supersede federal law, and, (2) "Medical marijuana" dispensaries are in violation of federal law, thereby demonstrating a strong commitment to enforcing the CSA and US treaty obligation. Read more.

April 22, 2011 A Path Forward to Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse   On April 19, 2011, the Obama Administration released an impressive national plan to reduce prescription drug abuse, the nation's fastest-growing drug problem. Expanding on 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, the new Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan identifies four areas for action to reduce prescription drug abuse: education, monitoring, proper disposal, and enforcement. The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. applauds the Obama Administration for this historic effort to put a stop to this ongoing public health epidemic. Read more. Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan.

April 6, 2011 United States and Sweden Form an Alliance to Support the Swedish; Swedish Drug Policy is a Model for the US and the World   R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the United States White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), met with counterdrug officials from Sweden while at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Austria to discuss global drug policy. This meeting of US and Swedish drug officials exemplified the developing partnership between these two nations which cooperated in a wide range of initiatives at the CND this year. The Swedish approach to drug policy is an important model for the US and for the world. It is a balance of restrictive policy with a public health approach and has achieved remarkable success, including very low rates of illegal drug use. Read more. World Federation Against Drugs Report from the CND.

March 29, 2011 UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs Passes Resolution to Prevent Drugged Driving   Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske co-led a US Delegation attending the United Nations' Commission on Narcotic Drugs meeting in Vienna, Austria. At the Commission, Director Kerlikowske and the US Delegation introduced a historic resolution that calls for the international community to work together to prevent drugged driving. Read more. CND Resolution.

March 25, 2011 Sweden's Drug Control Policy is Model for the United States   At the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske met with high-level counterdrug officials representing Sweden. Director Kerlikowske highlighted both nations' common experiences with drug use, and showcased Sweden's successful balanced public health approach and opposition to drug legalization. He said, "Sweden's commitments to drug education, treatment for drug addicts, and enforcement efforts have led to significant decreases in drug use over the past three decades, and serve as a successful model for our efforts in the United States." Read more.

March 18, 2011 IBH Releases Recommendations for "Medical Marijuana" Regulations Regarding the Role of Physicians; Supports ASAM "Medical Marijuana" White Paper   The Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. supports the American Society of Addiction Medicine's recommendation that physicians stand down from recommending the use of marijuana as a medical treatment. The recently released ASAM White Paper on "medical marijuana" acknowledges that some physicians are already involved with the medical care of patients who are using marijuana for the conditions for which the physicians are seeing the patients. Recognizing that this circumstance exists, IBH sets forth new guidelines that are derived from ASAM's recommendations. They are intended to be useful for physicians working with patients using marijuana, as well as for future state legislation and for state authorities who are monitoring the practice of medicine. Read more. ASAM White Paper.

March 14, 2011 Efficacy of South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project   An evaluation findings report on the long-term effects of South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project upon DUI recidivism demonstrates that the program is very successful in addressing offender sobriety while individuals are in the program. Participants who participate in twice-daily breath tests have lower rates of DUI recidivism when compared to individuals who do not participate in the program. For repeat offenders, even minimal days of participation in 24/7 Sobriety positively impact recidivism rates and individuals with at least 30 days or program participation demonstrate a greater reduction in recidivism. Read more.

March 4, 2011 Governor O'Malley's Administration Opposes "Medical Marijuana" in Maryland   The chief public health advisor of Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley expressed great concerns over the "medical marijuana" bill in Maryland, calling for several years of research and planning before considering making the drug available. Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Secretary of Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, testified at a House Judiciary Committee that the proposed bill is not adequate. The position of the O'Malley administration has changed after supporting a similar bill last year before Dr. Sharfstein joined the department and conducted a more thorough analysis. Read more.

March 3, 2011 "Medical Marijuana" Repeal Efforts in Montana   To rally support for the repeal of "medical marijuana" in Montana, Safe Community Safe Kids was established. Cherrie Brady, Laura Needham and Susan Smith, leaders of the Billings-based organization, published an editorial in the Billings Gazette describing the negative impact "medical marijuana" has had on Montana's youth. Montana now has the second-highest teen marijuana use rates in the US and many teen "medical marijuana" cardholders sell the drug to their peers. Read more. Visit Safe Community Safe Kids.

February 23, 2011 "Medical Marijuana" Does Not Impact Mexican Drug Traffic   Despite the fact that 14 states and the District of Columbia permit "medical marijuana," Mexican drug trafficking has not been impacted by domestically grown marijuana for "medical" purposes. Mexican cartels derive 15% to 26% of their revenue from marijuana, earning as much as $2 billion a year. Enforcement groups confirm that legalization of marijuana would not deter cartels from finding and exploiting US markets. "Medical marijuana" does real harm to the United States by encouraging marijuana use especially, but not only, by youth. Read more.

February 22, 2011 Federal Court in Michigan Dismisses "Medical Marijuana" User's Claims Arising from Positive Drug Test   A federal court ruled that a Wal-mart employee who was terminated after testing positive for marijuana which he obtained and used pursuant to Michigan's "medical marijuana" law has no legal claims against his employer. The "medical marijuana" law of Michigan provides only a defense against state prosecution and not a defense against adverse employment actions. Marijuana remains a federally scheduled illegal drug of abuse. Read more.

February 18, 2011 States Pass Bills Mandating Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients   State legislatures in a number of states including Missouri, West Virginia, Kansas, Kentucky, and Illinois will be voting on bills to require welfare recipients submit to drug tests. These bills would change the way states relate to welfare recipients. Similar to workplace drug testing in which employers often require staff to undergo drug tests, welfare recipients will have to demonstrate that they are drug-free before receiving state funds. Read more.

February 17, 2011 Montana State Rep David Howard in Favor of Repealing "Medical Marijuana"   In an excellent editorial published in the Billings Gazette, Montana State Representative David Howard recommends that the state legislature consider repealing medical marijuana. He notes that Montana currently has 28,362 medical marijuana users. Most users are between the ages of 21 and 30 with less than 2% over the age of 70. Three-quarters of these users were issued cards for "severe or chronic" pain. He goes on to document the negative impact of Montana's medical marijuana: increased rates of youth marijuana use, increased number of school dropouts, and law enforcement struggling to combat problems associated with "legal" use of medical marijuana. Nearly one in ten Montanans on parole or probation carries a medical marijuana card. It is clear that "medical marijuana" is a guise for legalization. Read more. The Associated Press reports Montanans are concerned about the spread of "medical marijuana" in normally healthy college students, an abundance of pot shops and concerns among police that excess of medical-grade marijuana is being exported illegally out of the state. AP article.

February 16, 2011 The Challenge of Prescription Drugs: How to Ensure Access Without Excess   In the latest issue of ONDCP Update, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy discusses the problem of prescription drug abuse with Joseph Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Diversion Control at the Drug Enforcement Administration. Prescription drugs are the second-most abused category of drugs in the United States. To combat the illegal diversion of prescription drugs, DEA has expanded its Tactical Diversion Squads (TDS) around the country to assist diversion regulatory groups through criminal investigations and regulatory inspections. Another challenge is the proliferation of clinics that operate under the guise of providing "pain management" but whose real activities are outside the scope of legitimate medical practice. State legislation that strengthens regulatory authority for state agencies and provides for increased regulatory control over programs is an important part of reducing the diversion of pharmaceuticals to the illicit market. Read more.

February 11, 2011 IBH President Discusses Drugged Driving at the 2011 CADCA Leadership Forum   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was part of a joint presentation entitled Drugged Driving: Confronting An Epidemic. Dr. DuPont explored why the problem of drugged driving has previously been overlooked and why it is a national priority now. He documented the prevalence of drugged driving among different driving populations including seriously injured, fatally injured and randomly stopped drivers. He explained why there cannot be an impairment standard for illegal drugs as there is for alcohol and what ideas and programs organizations like CADCA among other can promote to address this public health and safety problem. PowerPoint Presentation.

February 11, 2011 In Montana, a Bid to End Medical Use of Marijuana   The Montana House of Representatives voted to repeal the state's six-year-old medical marijuana law. The state Senate will also consider the measure. There is widespread agreement among legislators and residents that medical marijuana has become something very different than it was originally envisioned to be. Medical marijuana has encouraged and increased nonmedical marijuana use. Since late 2009 the number of medical marijuana patients in Montana has quadrupled. Read more.

February 10, 2011 Emergency Department Visits for Prescription Drug Misuse Exceed Visits for Illicit Drug Use   A new CESAR Fax reports that the estimated number of emergency department (ED) visits involving the misuse or abuse of pharmaceuticals increased significantly from 2004 to 2009, surpassing the number of ED visits for illicit drug misuse or abuse. In 2009 more than 1.2 million ED visits were related to prescription drugs. Nearly half involved pain relievers. Prescription drug abuse is the defining drug problem of the 21st century. Read more.

February 4, 2011 Substance Abuse is a Major Factor in Child Abuse and Neglect   A new press release issued by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF) put a spotlight on the role of substance abuse in child abuse and neglect. According to the Florida Child Abuse Death Review Committee, approximately 50% to 80% of all child abuse and neglect cases involve some degree of substance abuse by caregivers. Substance abuse a parent or guardian continues to be one of the highest risk factors for child fatality. Read more. In 2009, IBH published a commentary on The Impact of Drug Use on Child Abuse and Neglect.

February 1, 2011 U.S. Drug Czar Discusses the Obama Administration's Public Health Approach to Drug Policy   In a new editorial, R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) explains that drugs do not only threaten public safety, but they also pose an extremely complex and dynamic challenge to public health. This outlook on drug use has shifted how the U.S. addresses drug control - employing evidenced base strategies, providing communities with the capacity to prevent drug use and drug-related crimes, funding alternatives to incarceration and using corrections programs involving swift, certain, but modest sanctions to monitor and support drug-involved offenders. Director Kerlikowske clearly states that "legalizing drugs is not the answer" and that this opposition to legalization is born out of the recognition that the U.S. drug problem is a major public health threat. Read more. National Drug Control Strategy.

February 1, 2011 Past Month Alcohol Use Among U.S. 8th, 10th, and 12th Graders Reaches Record Low   The latest CESAR Fax reports that past month use of alcohol has reached record lows among 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students according to data from the Monitoring the Future study. Prevalence of alcohol use by 12th graders has decreased from its peak of 72.1% in 1978 to 41.2% in 2010. A total of 13.8% of 8th graders and 28.9% of 10th graders used alcohol in the past month, the lowest figures since these grades were first included in the study in 1991. In addition, binge drinking (defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks) continues to decrease in all three grades. Read more. Monitoring the Future.

January 25, 2011 Montana House Judiciary Committee Endorses Bill to Expand 24/7 Sobriety Program   Montana House Bill 106 was unanimously endorsed by the House Judiciary Committee today which would direct the State Justice Department to help expand the 24/7 Sobriety Program that has been implemented in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. With strong bipartisan support, this measure will head to the House floor. If passed, the program would require second and subsequent DUI offenders to take a breath test twice a day, every day, from the day they are arrested until they are sentenced. The 24/7 Sobriety Program has had great success in South Dakota in reducing DUI recidivism. Read more. South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Program.

January 20, 2011 Marijuana, Schizophrenia and Jared Loughner   A new commentary by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. and Bertha K. Madras, Ph.D., Professor of Psychobiology at Harvard Medical School, discusses the largely overlooked fact that Jared Loughner, the gunman in the recent Tucson, Arizona mass-shooting, was a heavy marijuana user. The connection between marijuana use and schizophrenia is well documented. The combination of serious mental illness and substance abuse, both of which Jared Loughner appears to suffer, worsens both disorders. This combination plays a major role in the violence that is sometimes associated with schizophrenia. One message that must be heard amidst the chatter over this tragedy is that marijuana is not a harmless recreational drug. Read more.

January 17, 2011 Medical Marijuana Laws Result in Increased Teen Drug Use in Colorado   Since Colorado passed its medical marijuana law, rates of marijuana use have dramatically increased, particularly among youth. Clinicians in treatment centers are treating many more teens for marijuana addiction. The number of treatment referrals have tripled in one Colorado medical center, with 83% of teens who smoke marijuana daily reporting that they obtained it from a medical marijuana patient. It is well known that as a drug becomes more widely available, use goes up. National rates of marijuana have recently increased among youth and as Arizona implements its medical marijuana program, officials are rightly concerned that illegal marijuana use rates will rise, following in Colorado's footsteps. Read more.

January 17, 2011 Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana is a Growing Problem   A drugged driver in Montana was recently convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence and received a 30-year jail sentence in Montana. The driver was not under the influence of alcohol, but rather, had smoked marijuana earlier that day. As a state with laws permitting the use of "medical marijuana," the number of people legally smoking marijuana in Montana has nearly tripled in the last 15 months. Marijuana use by drivers poses a serious risk to public health and public safety with 13% of Montana motorists involved in fatal crashes used marijuana. Read more.

January 13, 2011 Exposure to Anti-Drug Messages Among Teens Drops by Two-Thirds as Drug Use Goes Up   The University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Study (MTF) of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders found a large decline in teen's recalled exposure to drug abuse prevention messages over the past seven years. The new data have been released at a time when teens themselves report finding the drug-prevention messages to be effective. The perception among teens that regular marijuana use is harmful decreased among all grades but declined the most among the youngest group of 8th graders. As perception of harm of drug use decreases, rates of drug use increase. Clear prevention messages are needed to help educate youth on the dangers of drug use and deter future use. Read more.

January 10, 2011 IBH Applauds Obama Administration for Addressing Prescription Drug Abuse   The Institute for Behavior and Health applauds the Obama Administration and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) for implementing new strategies to reduce prescription drug abuse in the US. IBH also suggests encouraging pharmaceutical companies to produce abuse-resistance formulas for prescription drugs and to monitor product-specific rates of nonmedical use to ensure that these formulations are truly abuse-resistant and to better target the products that have especially high levels of nonmedical use relative to their rates of medical use. Read more.

January 7, 2011 White House Drug Policy Director Highlights Growing Public Health Toll of the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic   New data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) shows that visits by individuals to hospital emergency rooms involving the misuse or abuse of pharmaceutical drugs have doubled over the past five years, now totaling 1.2 million. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Gil Kerlikowske announced that the Obama Administration is mounting an unprecedented government-wide effort to combat this public health epidemic. Efforts include increasing prescription drug return, take-back and disposal programs across the country, expanding state-based prescription monitoring programs, educating prescribers about opiate painkiller prescribing, and assisting states in cracking down on doctor shopping and "pill mills." Read more. Proper Disposal of Prescription Drugs. DAWN Report.

January 5, 2011 Changes in Treatment Admissions Show Increases in Marijuana, Other Illicit Drug Treatment   The Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reveals large regional shifts in rates of admissions to drug treatment between 1998 and 2008, even as national rates remained steady. The admissions for treatment of illegal drugs increased nationally. Marijuana treatment admissions rose 30% across all regions, but were highest in the West North Central and Middle Atlantic states. Every region saw a rise in admissions for abuse of pain relievers as well as a drop in admission rates for cocaine use, which fell 23% nationally. The percent of patients seeking admission for alcohol as a primary drug dropped 15% nationally but remained steady in West North Central states. Read more. SAMHSA Press Release. TEDS Report.

December 30, 2010 Time to Again Mobilize Against Marijuana   In a new editorial, the Christian Science Monitor urges a renewed mobilization against the pro-drug lobby which seeks to legalize marijuana and other currently illegal drugs. CSM urges the Obama administration to act preemptively to federal action against any state that moves to make marijuana legal. Although California's Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana did not pass, well-funded efforts to pass a similar measure in 2012 are underway. Medical marijuana initiatives are a branch of the pro-drug lobby and are normalizing drug use. As CSM states, the culture of pot acceptance must be reversed in America. Read more.

December 22, 2010 Michele M. Leonhart Confirmed by Senate as DEA Administrator   The United States Senate unanimously voted to confirm Michele M. Leonhart as the 10th Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). She has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. After serving with the Baltimore Police Department, she joined DEA in 1980. She is the first female DEA Special Agent to rise through the ranks of the agency to become its Administrator, and only the second woman to lead the agency. The Institute for Behavior and Health applauds Administrator Leonhart who has held the position of DEA's Acting Administrator since November 2007. Read more.

December 20, 2010 CESAR Fax Shows Recent Increases in Drug Involvement Among Fatally Injured Drivers   The latest CESAR Fax published by the University of Maryland, College Park shows that the percentage of fatally injured drivers testing positive for drugs has increased over the last five years. Each year between 56% and 65% of drivers fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes were tested for the presence of drugs in their systems. In 2009, 33% of drivers with known test results tested positive for at least one drug compared to 28% in 2005. In 2009 marijuana was the most prevalent drug found in this population. Approximately 28% of fatally injured drivers who tested positive were positive for marijuana. This data indicates that drugged driving remains a national and growing problem on the nation's roads. Read more.

December 14, 2010 More Teens Smoke Marijuana Than Cigarettes; Increases in Marijuana Use Reflect Changes in Attitudes, Policies   Lloyd Johnston, lead investigator of the Monitoring the Future (MTF) Study, released new data today on youth substance use rates for 2010 at a press conference with the directors of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). More high school seniors smoked marijuana than cigarettes in the past 30 days. In addition, daily marijuana use increased significantly among 8th, 10th and 12th graders, with about one in 16 seniors using marijuana daily or near-daily. As can be expected with increases in marijuana use, across all grades youth had more favorable attitudes toward marijuana. These changes in rates of use and attitudes are likely directly related to the many changes to state laws permitting "medical marijuana" and the many well-publicized efforts to legalize the drug. Read more. MTF Press Release and Graphs. NIDA Press Release.

December 14, 2010 The Compelling Traffic Safety Media Campaign of Victoria Australia   The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) of the Australian province of Victoria has a long history of dynamic, graphic television ads related to traffic safety, including impaired driving. The first TAC commercial went to air in 1989 when there were 776 traffic fatalities. After 20 years, the number has fallen to 303. In a 20-year compilation of commercials, TAC delivers a clear holiday message to the public: Drive Safely. Impaired driving costs lives and these ads demonstrate Australia's leadership in delivering safety messages related to alcohol- and drug-impaired driving to the public. Compilation Ad. All TAC Victoria Ads.

December 13, 2010 Lowering the Drinking Age is Unlikely to Curb College Binge Drinking   A new study shows that lowering the drinking age is unlikely to reduce rates of binge drinking among college students. This new information contradicts the Amethyst Initiative which has been signed by 135 college presidents and urges lawmakers to reconsider the legal drinking age. Student misperception of "normal" drinking and the level of enforcement of underage drinking laws were factors in determining the effect of a lower drinking age. As ScienceDaily notes, lowering the drinking age would not only affect college students but all currently underage young adults. If the drinking age was lower, more young adults would have access to alcohol and alcohol-related problems would likely increase. Read more.

December 7, 2010 Learning from Experience - Implications of Long-term Trends in Illegal Drug Use in the United States   In a new commentary IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. tracks the long-term trends in illegal drug use from the 1970's to the present and discusses the changes in US drug policy and culture that influenced these changes. Based on the previous experience from 1973 to 1979, the current dramatic rise in the toleration and the corresponding rising levels of illegal drug use can be predicted to generate a renewed and broadly-based opposition. Read more.

December 3, 2010 Presidential Proclamation Addresses Drugged Driving -- A National Priority   In a presidential proclamation, President Barack Obama named the month of December National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. This proclamation coincides with the recent release by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) of new data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). While the number of drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes has declined over the past five years, the number of drivers positive for drugs has increased by 5%. Reducing drugged driving is now a national priority; this important goal and its related action steps will enhance and extend the vitally important drunk driving prevention efforts. Presidential Proclamation. Related Articles.

December 3, 2010 DWI Conviction for Cocaine Hangover Breaks New Ground in Prosecution of Drugged Drivers   Prosecutors in Bergen County, New Jersey recently obtained a conviction against a man who was accused of driving with a "cocaine hangover" when he caused an accident that seriously injured another person. The driver had a blood-alcohol level of zero but tested positive for cocaine. This case reinforces the per se standard for illegal use where the presence of an illegal drug in a driver's body is an offense. A forensic toxicologist notes that being drunk or high on drugs is not the only way to be intoxicated further supporting the prosecution of the driver. This case also notes the importance of drug testing all drivers suspected of impaired driving. Read more.

November 30, 2010 One Third of Fatally Injured Drivers Recently Used Drugs   A new report released by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that one third of all drug tests on drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents were positive for drugs in 2009. Although drug involvement does not imply driver impairment or indicate that drug use was the cause of the crash, the large presence of drugs among drivers is of great concern. Reducing drugged driving has been named a national priority for the United States and this data reflects the immense presence of both illegal and prescription drugs which can have impairing effects. Read more. Report.

November 29, 2010 More Teens Getting Dangerous Prescriptions   The chance that a teenager or young adult will receive a prescription for a controlled medication has nearly doubled in the last 15 years in the U.S., according to a new report. The study focused on prescriptions for controlled medications, defined as drugs that have the potential for abuse, and whose use is therefore regulated by the government. The findings are concerning because teenagers and young adults are more likely than any other group to abuse prescription medicines. Nearly one in eight teenagers and one in three adults in their 20s say they have used prescription drugs recreationally at some point in their lifetimes. Surveys show that up to 36 percent of college students pass on their controlled medications to others. Read more.

November 29, 2010 American Cancer Society Position Statement on the Medical Use of Marijuana   In its position statement on medical marijuana, the American Cancer Society (ACS) identifies two common methods of administration: marijuana cigarettes and synthetic compounds including THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, available by prescription. The ACS is supportive of more research into the benefits of cannabinoids; however, the ACS does not advocate the use of inhaled marijuana or the legalization of marijuana. Its position on medical marijuana is largely based on the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) review of the scientific evidence to assess potential health benefits and risks of marijuana and its constituent cannabinoids. Read more.

November 28, 2010 Study Finds Strategies to Reduce College Drinking   A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that highly visible cooperative projects, in which colleges and their surrounding communities target off-campus drinking settings, can reduce harmful alcohol use among college students. In a sample of 14 large public universities in California, policy and enforcement interventions were implemented in half of the schools. Interventions included nuisance party enforcement operations, surveillance to prevent alcohol sales to minors, drunken driving checkpoints, social host ordinances, and use of campus and local media to increase the visibility of the interventions. Read more. More information about College Drinking - Changing the Culture.

November 19, 2010 World Drug Report: Tracking Global Drug Consumption and Supply   The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), is the guardian of the world drug treaties which are the foundation of drug laws and policies in the United States and around the world. UNODC publishes the annual World Drug Report of is a picture of the global drug problem and a report-card for the world on the modern drug epidemic. In a new commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. reviews trends in drug use globally and in the United States. Read more.

November 15, 2010 Midterm Election Results Oppose Marijuana   The November 2010 elections in California gained nationwide attention when voters killed the Regulate, Control & Tax Cannabis Act, better known as Proposition 19 which sought to legalize marijuana. Predictably, the defeat of this ballot initiative has not deterred the campaign to legalize marijuana in California where supporters already have set their sights on 2012, interpreting their good showing in this initial effort as a victory. Medical marijuana initiatives in South Dakota and Oregon were also defeated. The increasing visibility of drug policy that results from these repeated political battles is an opportunity for greater public education about the value of the nation's effective bipartisan, balanced and restrictive drug prevention policies. These policies can and should be improved, but the United States is poorly served by encouraging wider use of the currently illegal drugs including marijuana. Read more.

November 11, 2010 Sharp Rise in Drug Incidents in Colorado Schools and the Role of Medical Marijuana   The number of drug violations shot up dramatically in Colorado schools during the 2009-2010 school year, reversing a decade of steady declines. Enforcement officials are tying the surge to the proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries in the past 18 months and the growing registry of Coloradans who may legally smoke marijuana. The increase in access to marijuana and the changing, permissive attitudes towards the drug by youth may be two of the biggest factors in this increase of violations. The number of marijuana-related referrals of youth to substance abuse treatment has also increased substantially. The use of "medical marijuana" both legally and illegally by students is of great concern as the effects of medical marijuana on youth are beginning to show. Read more.

November 10, 2010 Random Student Drug Testing Helps, Not Harms Students   In a new commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. explores current school-based drug testing practices and defines random student drug testing (RSDT), a non-punitive model used as part of a school's comprehensive drug prevention program. The policies, procedures and intentions of RSDT programs often are misunderstood. Most of the opposition to RSDT is based on an admirable desire to protect youth; while commendable, this concern is misguided. RSDT programs allow for identification and intervention of drug use, keeping students in school and on track with their education. It helps, not harms, them. Read more. IBH's RSDT website Prevention Not Punishment.

November 8, 2010 HOPE Probation Identified as an Innovative Approach for Successful Future Demand Reduction   The Mexican drug violence is funded by billions of dollars from American drug users. What can be done to curb the flow of money from the US to the Mexican drug cartels? In a recent paper issued by the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Peter Reuter, Ph.D. analyzes the limitations of current strategies to make dramatic reductions in illegal drug use rates. The combination of mandated abstinence from illegal drugs and certain, immediate, short-term sanctions for any illegal drug use or other violations of probation and parole have been pioneered over the past 6 years by Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE). HOPE has successfully been implemented for all types of offenders in Hawaii yielding impressive results and is the one strategy with great promise for reducing drug use and demand. Read IBH Commentary. Read Reuter Paper.

November 1, 2010 Increased Prescription Drug Abuse in the Workplace: Critical Distinctions   The front page New York Times article "Drug testing poses quandary for employers" (October 24, 2010) usefully discusses the increasingly widespread problem of prescription drug abuse in the workplace. However, as IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. discusses in a new commentary, failure to make two important distinctions makes the article unnecessarily disturbing. It first fails to distinguish between two groups of employees who test positive for prescribed controlled substances -- those who have valid prescriptions for the tested drugs and those who do not. The second important distinction not made in the article is between drug testing in the absence of observed impairment or specific problems such as accidents that may be drug-related on the one hand, and testing with individualized suspicion on the other hand. Read more. Read article.

October 29, 2010 New IBH Fact Sheet on Marijuana: Marijuana Use is a Serious Threat to Public Health   In a new fact sheet on marijuana, IBH outlines the many problems and consequences of marijuana use. Billionaire George Soros recently announced his support for Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana in California for personal use. His arguments in support of the measure ignore the serious damages that marijuana use causes each year to Americans of all ages and the fact that both "medical marijuana" and marijuana legalization increase rates of marijuana use. The assumption in these pro-marijuana efforts is that prohibition causes serious problems and that marijuana use is benign. The fact is that marijuana use is a serious threat to public health, and in particular, to the health of young people. Read more.

October 29, 2010 Prop 19: Indifference to Public Health   In a new article Bertha K. Madras, Ph.D., Professor at Harvard Medical School and former Deputy Director for Demand Reduction of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, discusses how California's Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana for personal use shows an indifference to public health. She explores the many serious flaws with the ballot initiative and why marijuana should not be legalized for personal or "medical" use. Read more.

October 28, 2010 BBC Features South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project   In a news video and accompanying article, BBC examines South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project, an innovative program focused on reducing alcohol and drug use among Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenders. Utilizing twice-daily alcohol breath tests and transdermal drug monitoring bracelets, participants in the 24/7 Sobriety program are closely monitored to help ensure that they adhere to the zero-tolerance program policy. Any detected alcohol or drug use is met with an immediate short-term jail stay. The 24/7 Sobriety Project has produced remarkable results. The program is being piloted in four other states and the United Kingdom is considering adopting this program. Watch video. Read more.

October 27, 2010 Number of Teen Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes Drops   A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the number of fatal crashes involving 16- and 17-year old drivers dropped by more than a third between 2004 and 2008. However, crashes still remain the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, though most are preventable. Graduating licensing programs can be partially credited with the recent decline in fatal crashes involving these young drivers. Parental involvement is also a key factor that can protect teen drivers. Read more.

October 26, 2010 Early Marijuana Use Related to Later Illicit Drug Abuse and Dependence   The latest CESAR Fax shows that adults who first started using marijuana at or before the age of 14 are most likely to have abused or been dependent on illicit drugs in the past year. Adults who first used marijuana at age 14 or younger were six times more likely to meet the criteria for past year illicit drug abuse or dependence than those who first used marijuana when they were 18 or older (12.6% vs. 2.1%) and almost twice as likely as those who started between the ages of 15 and 17 (12.6% vs. 6.6%). These findings demonstrate the importance of early prevention efforts to reduce illicit drug abuse and dependence. Read more.

October 21, 2010 White House Turns Attention to Teens and Drugs   The federal government's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported that teenagers are using marijuana more often and at younger ages. To learn more about what the survey and results mean for the nation's youth, NPR host Michel Martin spoke with Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House National Office of Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Director Kerlikowske points to the public attention equating medicine and marijuana which is sending the wrong message to youth as well as the legislative changes across the US to increase access to marijuana for "medical" and personal use. The Obama Administration and ONDCP are fervently opposed to marijuana legalization and are focusing on new drug prevention efforts to change the direction of the current upswing of youth drug use rates. Read more.

October 20, 2010 National Black Church Initiative Urges All African Americans in California to Vote Against Proposition 19   The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 34,000 churches, condemns the NAACP and their support of California's Proposition 19 effort to legalize marijuana. In a new press release NBCI says that the Black church is not in the business of endorsing illegal substances such as marijuana. Rev. Anthony Evans, president of the NBCI said, "Prop 19, if passed, will continue to kill the Black family and undermine the great work on the Black church." Rev. Evans and NBCI stand firmly in opposition to Prop 19 and what they believe to be the devastating effect on the Black family and today's younger generations. Drugs are just one avenue through which young people make bad decisions, keeping them outside of society accepted roles. Read more.

October 15, 2010 Attorney General Strongly Opposes Legalization of Marijuana   This week Attorney General Eric Holder responded to the August 2010 letter from former administrators of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) asking him to intervene with California's Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana. In the Attorney General's letter to the former administrators, he makes clear that the Department of Justice strongly opposes Prop 19 and will remain firmly committed to enforcing the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in all states including California, even if the state measure is passed. Former DEA administrators Robert C. Bonner and Peter Bensinger held a press conference to make the letter from the Attorney General public. Read more.

October 15, 2010 RAND Study Shows Marijuana Legalization in California Would Not Reduce Drug Trafficking   A new RAND Corporation study shows that legalizing marijuana in California will not dramatically reduce the drug revenues collected by Mexican drug trafficking organizations from sales to the United States as proponents of legalization claim. The study found that the often-cited claim that marijuana accounts for 60% of gross drug export revenues from Mexican drug trafficking organizations not credible. RAND estimates that legalization of marijuana in California would only cut the total drug export revenues by perhaps 2% to 4%. News Release. Full Report.

October 10, 2010 Hawaii's HOPE Probation Program Demonstrates Effectiveness of Swift and Certain Consequences   The latest CESAR Fax issued by the University of Maryland highlights Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE), a high-intensity supervision program in which probationers receive swift, predictable sanctions for each detected violation of probation. An evaluation found that compared to a control group of probationers receiving probation-as-usual, HOPE probationers were less likely to be arrested for a new crime, use drugs, miss appointments with their probation officer or have their probation revoked. IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. presented findings from the HOPE program at the Technology, Crime & Terrorism Symposium at the University of Maryland on October 5, 2010. Read more. Read full report.

October 7, 2010 Former DEA Administrators on California Pot Initiative: Don't Forget About Federal Law   Following up on their September 2010 joint letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, all nine former DEA administrations contributed to a new editorial featured in the Wall Street Journal against the proposed legislation Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana in California. If passed in November, Prop 19 will be in direct conflict with the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), a federal law that makes the production and sale of marijuana a federal crime. CSA states that federal law overrides state law when there is a positive conflict between the two jurisdictions. Former administrators encourage the Department of Justice to act quickly to prevent Prop 19 from becoming law. Read more. Joint letter.

September 30, 2010 Drinking and Driving Remains a National Problem; Reducing it Must Remain a National Priority   The National Survey of Drinking and Driving revealed that in the past year one fifth (20%) of Americans age 16 and older drove a car within two hours of consuming alcohol; 13% reported past month drinking-driving trips. These figures have not significantly changed since 1993, demonstrating that drinking-driving remains a significant problem in the US. The combination of alcohol and drug use by drivers is a large problem not addressed by the survey. Drunk driving is by definition illegal drug use and is a focus of concern for IBH, as is drugged driving. Driving after consuming alcohol and/or illegal drugs is a danger to public health and public safety. Reducing drunk and drugged driving must remain a national priority. Read more.

September 28, 2010 Drug Legalization in Mexico is Not a Panacea for Reducing Violence and Suppressing Organized Crime   Vanda Felbab-Brown, Ph.D., Foreign Policy Fellow at the Bookings Institution, a public policy organization that conducts independent research, explains that legalization under Mexico's current conditions could exacerbate violence and increase the power of drug trafficking organizations. Legalization would likely not produce large tax revenues, nor would it liberate law enforcement to focus on other issues or become less corrupt. A "gray marijuana market" would likely develop. Simply put, legalization will increase drug use and thereby increase the social costs of use. Read more.

September 27, 2010 Obama Administration Clearly Opposed to Marijuana Legalization, Medical Marijuana   Kevin Sabet, Special Advisor to the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, made it clear while at the Montana Supreme Court Administrator's annual drug court conference, that the Obama administration strongly opposes legalization of marijuana. In addition, the administration and does not support the circumvention of the well established Food and Drug Administration drug approval process now taking place for medical marijuana. Sabet said that legalization proponents have created a "false dichotomy" by suggesting the only alternatives are marijuana legalization or a harsh, punitive approach that emphasizes incarceration. The Obama administration favors an approach that pairs treatment with law enforcement to reduce illegal drug use and addiction. Read more.

September 26, 2010 A Call For A New National Youth Drug Use Prevention Campaign   In a new article, former drug czar William J. Bennett, anti-drug activist Alexandra Datig and Claremont Institute fellow Seth Leibsohn address the rising drug use rates among youth. Illicit drug abuse negatively affects children, schools, workplaces and society; however, as authors state, the nation's leaders are silent, the culture makes laugh lines of drug use and serious numbers of serious people are advocating for legalization. Efforts to legalize marijuana only reinforce the message that drug use is not serious and they have contributed to the increases seen in rates of youth drug use. Authors ask the country's national and cultural leaders to start a national campaign to reduce youth drug use. Read more.

September 23, 2010 80% of Pro-Drug Lobby Bills Defeated in 2010   Of the 133 pro-drug bills introduced in 2010, 107 or 80% were successfully defeated. Save Our Society's 2010 legislative report tracks legislation in each state and demonstrates the remarkable efforts of organizations and individuals to stop permissive drug laws, which will increase illegal drug use, from being passed. Read more. Save Our Society From Drugs (S.O.S.)

September 22, 2010 IBH Teams with Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association, Bensinger DuPont & Associates and Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association in Opposition to Marijuana Legalization   The workplace repercussions of Proposition 19 to legalize marijuana in California have not been fully identified. In a new joint commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. teams with DATIA Chairman David M. Martin, Ph.D., BDA Senior Vice President Al Beaubier, and SAPAA President Mary Hines to explore the many problems marijuana legalization will pose to employers. Authors call for employers to take an active stance against the marijuana legalization initiative for the health and safety of their employees and the public. Read more.

September 21, 2010 Rise in Drug Use Tied to Relaxed View Toward Pot   A new article from NPR explains that the claims of marijuana as a harmless drug are having a significant effect: decreasing the public's perception of risk of drug use and increasing rates of use. In this article, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. concludes that the rates of drug use will continue to increase and will eventually recreate the bipartisan opposition to illegal drug use that was seen between 1979 and 1991 which turned around the nation's highest rates of drug use to its lowest. Read more.

September 20, 2010 National Rates of Drug Use Rise Sharply: Implications for US Drug Policy   The nation's scorecard, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), shows a disturbing new trend in drug use by persons aged 12 and older in the United States. From 2008 to 2009, the number of past month or "current" illegal drug users increased 9% to 21.8 million people, representing 8.7% of the population. This single year increase in illegal drug use is closely tied to increases in marijuana use. Increases were also seen in stimulant and methamphetamine use and Ecstasy, while the nonmedical use of prescription drugs remains of great concern. In a new IBH commentary, Robert L. DuPont, M.D. explores the drug policy implications of these increasing rates of drug use. Just as the rising rate of illegal drug use in the 1970's led to successful efforts to turn the upward trend around, so IBH predicts that the current upward trend in rates of use will spark a renewed commitment to reduce illegal drug use. Read more. Full NSDUH Report.

September 14, 2010 Concerned Organizations Against Proposition 19 Hold News Conference at National Press Club   Former DEA Administrators against California Proposition 19 were accompanied by over a dozen law enforcement, prevention, treatment and community-based organizations to hold a press conference on September 13, 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington DC. Among these organizations was the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. IBH President Robert L. DuPont shared his prepared remarks against Prop 19. Letter to Attorney General Eric Holder. Press Release. Articles on the news conference were featured on CNN and in the New York Times .

September 13, 2010 Heritage Foundation: Legalizing Marijuana - Why Citizens Should Just Say No   In a new legal memorandum published by the Heritage Foundation, author Charles D. Stimson explores the many reasons why legalizing marijuana is bad public policy. California's Proposition 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 (RCTCA) addresses neither the practical problems of implementation nor the fact that federal law prohibits marijuana production, distribution and possession. Policies like RCTCA aimed at legalizing marijuana will result in a myriad of unintended but predicable consequences including increased usage by minors, additional drug trafficking by criminal syndicates, and an increase in crime. The social costs of legalizing marijuana will dwarf the meager taxes raised. Read more.

September 10, 2010 Former DEA Chiefs Say Obama Should Sue Over California Marijuana Legalization Just Like Arizona Immigration La   In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, all nine former DEA administrators said legalizing marijuana in California presents the same threat to federal authority as Arizona's recent immigration law. The letter calls for the Justice Department to forcefully come out against California's Proposition 19 and if it is passed, says the Obama administration should sue the state. Read more. In a letter to the editor and related commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont raised this important point.

September 10, 2010 Mexico Takes on the Drug Cartels   In an op-ed featured in the Wall Street Journal, Robert C. Bonner explains how the United States needs to agree on a strategy with Mexico to defeat its violent and destructive drug cartels which feed the US drug market. Bonner describes Mexico's current and growing efforts which include judicial reform and calls for a coordinated effort with the US government agencies to bring greater security and prosperity for both nations. Read more.

September 8, 2010 Medical Marijuana Café Owner Arrested for Drugged Driving   A Michigan man and owner of a medical marijuana-friendly café was arrested for drugged driving after swerving across the center line and failing sobriety tests. The driver also had two pills which the arresting officer says was hashish; it is unclear whether hashish is legal under Michigan's medical marijuana law. Impaired driving due to use of marijuana, including medical marijuana, is a significant problem which must be addressed. Read more.

August 30, 2010 South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project Is Saving Lives   In Newsweek, Keith Humphreys, Ph.D. and Mark A.R. Kleiman, Ph.D. describe the 24/7 Sobriety Project in South Dakota, an innovative program for people convicted of repeat drunk-driving offenses. The full impact of the 4 year-old program is coming to light. While alcohol-related road deaths have held steady for a decade in other states, drunk-driving fatalities in South Dakota fell from twice the national average, 70, in 2006 to just 34 in 2008. In a follow-up article featured on The Reality-Based Community blog, Humphreys describes his 3-day trip observing the 24/7 Sobriety Project in action. The 24/7 Sobriety Project is a new paradigm for DWI offender management. Instead of trying to stop offenders from driving drunk which cannot be monitored effectively, this program sets the standard of no alcohol or drug use which can be monitored effectively using available alcohol and drug testing technology. Not only does the 24/7 Sobriety Project save lives, but it also is affordable and reduces prison costs. Newsweek article. Blog article.

August 30, 2010 International Association of Chiefs of Police President Speaks Out Against Marijuana Legalization and Medical Marijuana   IACP President Michael Carroll issued a statement against California's push to legalize marijuana through Proposition 19. The IACP has a long history of opposing drug legalization legislation. The public is not being fully apprised of the negative effects that will occur if marijuana is legalized or if the patchwork medical marijuana legislation continue. President Carroll encourages police chiefs, state police heads and sheriffs to speak out on the dangers of the movement towards legalization. Read more.

August 29, 2010 Robert L. DuPont, M.D. on Addiction, Treatment, Recovery and a Life of Service   The modern field of addiction treatment came alive as a national system of care in the early 1970's through a unique federal/state/local community partnership that continues to evolve today. IBH President Robert L. DuPont is an individual who was at the center of this birthing and who has continued to serve in this field for four decades. In a 2010 interview featured in Counselor magazine, William L. White, MA explores the life, times, and ideas of Dr. Robert DuPont. Read more.

August 27, 2010 Drug Czars Unite in Opposition to California's Proposition 19   Current Office of National Drug Control Director Gil Kerlikowske joins former drug czars John Walters, Barry McCaffrey, Lee Brown, Bob Martinez and William Bennett in opposition to Proposition 19 which seeks to legalize marijuana in California. Their commentary featured in the LA Times explains how the expected tax revenue from marijuana will be wiped out by increases in health care and criminal justice costs. Legalizing marijuana is not smart public health policy. Read more.

August 23, 2010 Legalizing Marijuana is Bad for California   In an editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle, Susan Manheimer, President of California Police Chiefs Association and San Mateo Police Chief, explains why legalizing marijuana is bad for California. Proposition 19, the initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use in California, threatens communities already beset by drug abuse and narcotics trafficking and will undermine public health and public safety. Read more. No On Prop 19.

August 22, 2010 More than One Quarter of Public School Students Attend Gang- and Drug-Infected Schools   A new study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) documents the expanding extend and damaging results of widespread teen drug use in schools. Compared to teens attending gang- and drug-free schools, teens who attend schools infected with both gangs and drugs are: 5 times likelier to use marijuana; 3 times likelier to drink; 12 times likelier to smoke; 3 times likelier to be able to get marijuana within an hour or less, and 5 times likelier to get it within a day or less. IBH supports implementing random student drug testing (RSDT) to reduce student drug use, to reinforce drug education, and to identify drug-using students in order to get them help to become and stay drug-free. Read more. CASA Study. More on Random Student Drug Testing.

August 18, 2010 The Scope of Federal Control Over Controlled Substances and the Prescription Drug Approval Process   In a new IBH article, President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. explains how current cannabis distribution schemes contravene accepted scientific standards and conflict with both federal and international laws governing the development of medications containing substances with abuse liability. Such a blatant circumvention of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) is a dangerous precedent undermining more than a century of public health legislation. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA), together with the FDCA, provides an integrated regulatory system to ensure that substances with abuse liability 1) may be incorporated into prescribed medications that have been developed in accordance with strict scientific standards and 2) are manufactured, distributed, and used solely for medical and scientific purposes. Cannabis is the most widely abused drug in the world. The current "medical marijuana" movement encourages the view that marijuana is not only safe but healthy. This is likely to encourage large increases in nonmedical use, especially among youth. It is therefore particularly essential that these regulatory structures be maintained and supported. Read more.

August 12, 2010 Random Student Drug Testing Study Shows Program Effectiveness   The U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences conducted an experimental evaluation of mandatory random student drug testing (MRSDT) programs. Researchers compared students who participated in activities which made them subject to MRSDT to students in the same activities in schools without testing programs. Contrary to news reports that high school drug testing showed no long-term effects on drug use, this study demonstrated the value of MRSDT. Students subject to MRSDT reported a statistically significant lower rate of past 30-day use of substances included in their schools' drug testing panels than comparable students in schools without MRSDT. IBH Commentary. Executive Summary. Full Report.

August 6, 2010 House of Representatives Hears Testimony on Efficacy of Drug Courts   Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D., Chief of Science, Law & Policy at the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, offered his testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on July 22, 2010. At the hearing entitled Quitting Hard Habits: Efforts to Expand and Improve Alternatives to Incarceration for Drug-Involved Offenders, Dr. Marlowe focused his testimony drug courts, their effectiveness, and recommendations for improving outcomes. Read more.

August 5, 2010 Marijuana Legalization's Unintended Consequences   Keith Humphreys, Ph.D., a psychiatry professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and former advisor in the Obama Administration's White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, explains how the proposed legalization of marijuana would be detrimental to public health in a recent podcast. Read more. Listen to Podcast.

August 5, 2010 Drugs and Alcohol are a Deadly Mix   Calvina Fay, the Executive Director of the Drug Free America Foundation Inc., published a outstanding letter to the editor of the St. Petersburg Times in response to a crash causing four fatalities due to a substance-impaired driver. Fay notes that although alcohol is the leading substance of abuse found among drivers in fatal DUI crashes, marijuana is the second most commonly found substance. Drugged driving is a growing national concern that must be addressed. Read more.

August 3, 2010 Obama Administration's Double Standard in Dealing with Arizona's Immigration Laws and Medical Marijuana   The Obama Administration sued the state of Arizona over its new immigration law because it is in conflict with federal law because the power to set immigration policy and enforce it resides with the federal government and not the states. The same is true for medical marijuana laws, which blatantly violate federal law and international treaties to which the United States is a signatory. In a published letter to the editor in The Washington Post and in a new IBH commentary, Robert L. DuPont, M.D. asks why the federal government has not taken similar action against California and the other states which have legalized medical marijuana. Passing and implementing medical marijuana laws not only exacerbates the problem of marijuana abuse but it also undermines federal law governing the approval of medicines Letter to the Editor. IBH Commentary.

August 2, 2010 The US Demand for Illegal Drugs is Fueling Mexican Violence   Violence and terrorism are deeply rooted in modern globalized drug trafficking. Mexican drug-related violence spills over the United States-Mexico border and fills the media news virtually every day. Reducing drug-related violence is a leading argument for the legalization of marijuana, particularly in California. Drug-related violence undermines public safety and destabilizes civil law in the US and in countries around the world. In a new commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. explains why legalization of marijuana would not reduce drug-related violence and how demand reduction strategies can deal more effectively with the modern drug abuse epidemic. Read more.

July 30, 2010 Trucker in Fatal Crash Under Influence of Marijuana   Colorado police report that one of the truck drivers in a double-fatal crash in Commerce City last May was under the influence of marijuana. Due to marijuana intoxication, the driver lost his ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, resulting in the deadly crash. In a state where marijuana is legal for medical use, police are investigating whether the driver had a medical marijuana license. Medical marijuana poses an increased threat to highway safety and potential increases in rates of drugged driving. Read more.

July 27, 2010 The Facts About Decriminalization of Drugs in Portugal   Portugal's law to decriminalize illegal substances turned 10 years old this month. In light of the recent attention and applause it has received by advocates of decriminalization, it is important to read the real facts about decriminalization in Portugal. Released on the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) website, Manuel Pinto Coelho, M.D., President of the Association for a Drug Free Portugal, outlines the many overlooked problems of decriminalization and drug use rates in Portugal. Read more.

July 26, 2010 New York Times Highlights Problem of Impaired Driving Due to Prescription Drugs   As a new article in the New York Times shows, police commonly struggle with the challenge of prosecuting individuals driving under the influence of prescription drugs, despite it being a significant problem on the nation's roads. Some states have made it illegal to drive with any detectable level of prohibited drugs in the blood but setting limits for prescription medications is complicated. Improving the detection, enforcement, and prosecution of drugged drivers is essential to reduce this ongoing problem as is increasing public awareness of the dangers of drugged driving. Read more.

July 23, 2010 Number of Emergency Department Visits Involving Nonmedical Use of Pain Relievers More Than Doubled from 2004 to 2008   The nonmedical use of prescription drugs is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States. The estimated number of emergency department visits involving the nonmedical use of narcotic pain relievers increased from 144,644 in 2004 to 305,885 in 2008, according to a recent report from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). This increase was driven by increases in visits involving the three most reported narcotic pain relievers: oxycodone (152% increase), hydrocodone products (123% increase), and methadone (73% increase). Read more.

July 20, 2010 Joint Statement in Opposition to the Vienna Declaration   In anticipation of the International AIDS Conference from July 18-23, 2010, the Vienna Declaration was released by a group of non-governmental organizations and signed by private individuals to outline a global strategy to deal with the modern drug epidemic. The Vienna Declaration is based on three false premises: 1) that the criminalization of illegal drug use fuels the HIV/AIDS epidemic, 2) that criminal justice and heath promotion are conflicting approaches to drug policy, and 3) that the major costs of illegal drug use are those generated by the criminal justice system. The Institute for Behavior and Health along with the World Federation Against Drugs, Drug Free America Foundation, International Task Force on Strategic Drug Policy and Drug Free Projects Coalition, has just released a joint statement in opposition to the Vienna Declaration. Read Joint Statement. Read Vienna Declaration.

July 12, 2010 ONDCP Update Highlights Drugged Driving, Drug Courts, and New Prevention Campaign   In its latest edition of ONDCP Update, the Office of National Drug Control Policy highlights its work to raise drugged driving awareness at a recent news conference which included special guest and professional race driver Sarah Fisher. ONDCP also underscores the importance of drug courts in reducing drug abuse and its consequences. In addition, ONDCP recently kicked off the new Above the Influence (ATI) national drug prevention campaign. Over the next several months, the ATI Campaign will roll out programs in over 20 cities across the U.S. Read more.

July 11, 2010 Research Review Shows Lack of Support for Medical Use of Crude Smoked Cannabis   Despite the widespread public interest in the therapeutic potential of herbal cannabis, little rigorous data exist on its use for specific, chronic medical conditions. In the latest edition of the Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice, Dr. Andrea Barthwell examines the findings of the body of research supported by the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California San Diego and raises issues about the adequacy of the data and findings to support conclusions drawn from the studies. The data alone fail to make the case that crude, smoked cannabis should be available to patients Read more.

July 6, 2010 New Study Shows High Prevalence of Doctor Shopping for Prescription Drugs   A new study determined the prevalence of multiple providers for different controlled substances using the largest electronic prescription monitoring program in the United States. Analysis found a 2-fold increase in the likelihood of individuals receiving opioids from multiple providers or "doctor shopping" when they were also being simultaneously prescribed a single additional class of a controlled substance, such as benzodiazepines or amphetamines. When there was more than one additional drug class involved, there was a 13-fold increase for individuals seeing multiple providers. This study demonstrates the high prevalence of doctor shopping in the growing problem of nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Read more. Read Article Abstract.

July 6, 2010 How many does the U.S. imprison for drug use, and who are they?   Proponents of marijuana legalization claim that hundreds of thousands of Americans are in prison for using marijuana. However, Jonathan P. Caulkins and Eric L. Sevigny accurately show in their article entitled "How many does the US imprison for drug use, and who are they?" that less than one half of a percent (0.1-0.2%) of the U.S. prison population is incarcerated for marijuana use. This article published in Contemporary Drug Problems refutes the false claim pro-legalization groups use to justify the legalization of the drug. Read more.

July 1, 2010 Random Drug Testing Protects Patients and Medical Personnel   A new MSNBC article highlights the ongoing addiction problems of medical personnel and the negative effects on job performance and patient care. When addicted health care workers use drugs of abuse, they put their patients at risk. While medical personnel may have to pass an initial drug test as part of the hiring process, they are not required by law to be randomly screened for drugs. In a new commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. explores how the random drug testing of medical personnel can save careers and families as well as protect patients. Read more. Read MSNBC article.

June 24, 2010 Medical Marijuana in NY - Sheep's Clothing for the Wolf of Legalization   Joe Califano, Chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), commends New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for calling the "medical marijuana" bill before the New York state legislature a quintessential example of political hypocrisy. He and Mayor Bloomberg do not support the bill which is tied into the state's budget legislation. In a new article, Califano explains the many problems with the bill and how medical marijuana will do great harm to the state of New York. Read more.

June 24, 2010 White House Fills Drug Policy Leadership Roles   The U.S. Senate confirmed Benjamin B. Tucker to be the new Deputy Director of State, Local and Tribal Drug Affairs at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Also confirmed was David K. Mineta to be the Deputy Director of Demand Reduction at ONDCP. IBH endorses the confirmation of these qualified leaders who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to support ONDCP in achieving the ambitious goals outlined in the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy. Read Tucker Press Release. Read Mineta Press Release.

June 23, 2010 Study Shows 111% Increase in Emergency Department Visits Involving Nonmedical Use of Prescription Pain Relievers   The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that from 2004 to 2008 the estimated number of emergency department visits linked to the nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers rose from 144,644 visits to 305,885 visits a year. In this same time, the number of visits to hospital emergency departments involving nonmedical use of prescription narcotic pain relievers more than doubled, rising 111%. The nonmedical use of prescription drugs is the fastest growing drug problem in the U.S Read more. Read Report.

June 22, 2010 Rates of Medical Marijuana Use Have Increased in Montana and Among Parolees   Since passing medical marijuana legislation in November, 2004, the number of medical marijuana users in Montana has substantially increased. In 2005, 176 marijuana cards were issued compared to nearly 15,000 (1.25% of the state population) marijuana cards. Currently an astounding 9% of Montanans on parole possess medical marijuana cards, including those with histories of drug offenses. As the Independent Record reports, justice officials are concerned about false reports of chronic pain in order to obtain marijuana cards among the entire Montana population as well as how the criminal justice system will deal with increases in the number of parolees in the community who are using medical marijuana. Read more. Montana Parolees & Marijuana Statistics.

June 18, 2010 Pot Smoking Can Worsen Schizophrenia   A new study comparing schizophrenic and healthy marijuana users shows the symptoms of schizophrenia are worsened after using marijuana. There is already substantial evidence that smoking marijuana triggers symptoms of schizophrenia in people at risk for mental illness. This study further supports the connection between marijuana and mental illness. Read more. Read Abstract.

June 16, 2010 Marijuana Dispensaries and the Federal Government: Recommendations to the Obama Administration   In 2009, Andrea G. Barthwell, M.D. and Michael C. Barnes, Esq. published recommendations on marijuana dispensaries to the Obama Administration. Medical marijuana dispensaries are proliferating at a rapid rate -- a cause for concern, given the potential for such operations to take advantage of desperate patients and put seriously ill patients at affirmative risk. Local jurisdictions do not have sufficient resources to deal with these abuses. In a two part publication, authors explain how the federal government can help rather than hinder the treatment of medical patients and describe the fundamental problems with permitting marijuana dispensaries. Read Part I. Read Part II.

June 8, 2010 County Sheriffs of Colorado and Colorado Drug Investigators Association Issue Questions and Answers on Medical Marijuana Distribution Centers   Since February 2009, the number of marijuana dispensaries in Colorado has increased dramatically, as have the number of medical marijuana patients. The County Sheriffs of Colorado and Colorado Drug Investigators Association address critical questions about medical marijuana distribution centers in a new issue paper to inform cities and counties as they determine whether to ban or approve distribution centers. The conclusion drawn from answering key questions about dispensaries is that the benefits to communities of banning dispensaries far outweigh the disadvantages. Read more.

June 7, 2010 The Involvement of Marijuana in California Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes   In a new research paper, California data on drivers involved in passenger vehicle fatal crashes using marijuana were analyzed to determine the impact on traffic safety and to provide information on the possible impact of an initiative, the Tax and Regulate Cannabis Initiative (TC2010) which is on the California ballot in November 2010 to reform and partially legalize marijuana. Researchers found that for the five years following the establishment of the Medical Marijuana Program in 2004, there were 1,240 fatalities in fatal crashes, compared to 631 fatalities for the five years prior, for an increase of almost 100%. Authors also concluded that if TC2010 passes, the estimated annual tax income on marijuana of $1.4 billion will pale in comparison to an estimated $4 billion or more in economic loss from marijuana-related fatal crashes. Read more. Read Press Release.

May 20, 2010 National Institute on Drug Abuse Focuses on Drugged Driving   The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) held a meeting entitled Drugged Driving: Future Research Directions on March 19, 2010. NIDA released the meeting summary which describes presentations made by leaders in drug policy and in drugged driving. The Institute for Behavior and Health has teamed with NIDA to write a White Paper on what is known today about the problem of drugged driving and to develop recommendations for new research to fill the most policy-relevant gaps in knowledge. Read Meeting Summary.

May 19, 2010 IBH President Discusses Benefits of Zero Tolerance in Addiction Programs and the Criminal Justice System   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. is featured in a new article entitled "Zero Tolerance Links Addiction Program for Physicians, Convicts" by Sherry Boschert. Dr. DuPont describes the success physicians health programs (PHP) have utilizing intensive monitoring that includes zero tolerance of drug and alcohol use and ongoing random drug testing. These successful strategies are also used in innovative criminal justice system programs including South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project and Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE). Read more.

May 17, 2010 National Drug Control Strategy Sets a New Course for U.S. Drug Policy   Focused on community-based prevention, treatment, and law enforcement, the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy outlines ambitious plans to improve both public health and public safety. In a new IBH Commentary, President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. describes the important, new direction for drug policy in the United States taken by the Obama Administration and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director R. Gil Kerlikowske. Read more.

May 11, 2010 IBH Endorses National Drug Control Strategy   In the just-released 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) identified community-based prevention, early intervention, integration of drug treatment into health care, and breaking the cycle of drug use, crime, and incarceration as fundamental goals for the Obama Administration. Through these initiatives, the strategy named reducing drugged driving and reducing prescription drug abuse, two of the Institute for Behavior and Health's signature issues, as key priorities. Read more. Read Executive Summary. Read Full National Strategy. ONDCP Responds to Mischaracterization of Strategy.

May 10, 2010 Medical Society of New York House of Delegates Does Not Reaffirm Their Previous Position on Medical Marijuana   The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) was recently asked by the New York Society of Addiction Medicine (NYSAM) to reexamine their support for smoked medical marijuana and instead to support the position of the American Medical Association (AMA) that calls for research but does not support smoking marijuana. The AMA opposes smoking marijuana for medical reasons and supports only medications tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Delegates refused to reaffirm the old policy and instead asked the Society leadership to study the matter further. The refusal to support the current position was an important message to the New York State Assembly and Senate that they too should re-examine this matter and support only the use of medicines that are proven to be safe and effective by the FDA. Read more. Read Policy Statement.

May 4, 2010 ONDCP Update Highlights Developments in International Drug Policy   The March-April issue of ONDCP Update, published by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, features articles on recent developments in international drug policy. An important development includes the recent joint declaration signed by U.S. and Mexican leaders to work together to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and the consequences of drug use in both countries. This issue also features an article on the 53rd Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) held in Vienna, Austria. Two resolutions focused on topics central to the Obama Administration's drug control strategy were passed; these included community-based prevention and reducing prescription drug abuse. Read more.

April 27, 2010 Swedish Parliament Rules in Favor of Random Student Drug Testing   Stockholm News has tracked developments in laws related to RSDT in Sweden. Most recently, on April 26, 2010, the Ombudsman of Swedish Parliament ruled in favor of RSDT, declaring that it is not against the Constitution to drug test students if consent is obtained from both students and parents. This voluntary RSDT program model may now be used in schools across Sweden. Read more.

April 25, 2010 IBH President Publishes Article Against DC Medical Marijuana Legalization in Washington Post   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was featured in the Local Opinion section of the April 25, 2010 edition of the Washington Post. Entitled, "Medical marijuana is a big step toward legalizing pot," this brief editorial outlines the problems with DC's recent move to pass medical marijuana legislation. Read more.

April 22, 2010 New York State Association of Chiefs of Police Oppose Medical Marijuana Senate Bill   The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police strongly oppose the recent Senate Bill S4041-B which proposes to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes in NY. As the Association's memorandum says, "Legalizing the sale of 'medical marijuana' by allowing medical personnel to sell the controlled substance would only contribute to an already existing and growing crime problem related to excess drug use in our communities." IBH supports the Association's position on the bill and suggests that states debating medical marijuana legislation consider the impairing effects of marijuana use and its impact on future crime. Medical marijuana is not good policy for public health or public safety Read more. Read bill S4041-B.

April 20, 2010 New American Society of Addiction Medicine Public Policy Statement on Medical Marijuana   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. presented at the 2010 American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Annual Conference in San Francisco and was co-chair of the ASAM Medical Marijuana Task Force. At the conference, the ASAM Board of Directors passed a new public policy statement on medical marijuana.

April 19, 2010 IBH President Featured in CNBC Special Report Marijuana & Money   As part of the Marijuana & Money special report, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. explains "Why We Should Not Legalize Marijuana." He explains that contrary to the beliefs of those who advocate for marijuana legalization, the current balanced, restrictive, and bipartisan drug policies of the United States are working reasonably well and they have contributed to reductions in the rate of marijuana use in our nation. Reducing marijuana use is essential to improving the nation's health, education, and productivity. New policies can greatly improve current performance of prevention strategies which, far from failing, has protected millions of people from the many adverse effects of marijuana use. Legalizing marijuana is not a smart public health or public safety strategy for any state or for our nation. Read more. Visit site.

April 13, 2010 South Dakota 24/7 Sobriety Project Featured in Highway to Justice   An article on South Dakota's 24/7 Sobriety Project, the innovative court-based management program for DUI offenders, was recently featured in the first American Bar Association (ABA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) newsletter of 2010. Co-authors include IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D., Judge and Former Attorney General of South Dakota Larry Long, and Stephen K. Talpins, CEO of the National Partnership on Alcohol Misuse and Crime. Read more.

April 11, 2010 More in NH Die from Prescription Overdoses than Car Crashes   New Hampshire is one of a growing number of states where prescription drug overdose deaths now outnumber traffic-related deaths. Drugs were illegally obtained in more than half of all prescription-overdose cases. At the national level, prescription drug use is the leading cause of overdose deaths which have doubled since 1995. National overdose data. Read more.

April 2, 2010 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Drug-Impaired Driving Report to Congress   R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), recently discussed U.S. drug policy issues and outlined the current drug use problems facing the nation. In this C-SPAN interview, Director Kerlikowske answered questions from the public and discussed the development of the soon-to-be-released National Drug Control Strategy. Watch the interview.

March 30, 2010 National Drug Threat Assessment 2010 Names Non-Medical Use of Controlled Prescription Drugs As Rising Threat   The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) released the National Drug Threat Assessment 2010 detailing drug trafficking and abuse trends within the United States. Among the emerging issues in drug trafficking and use is the non-medical use of controlled prescription drugs, a key priority of the Institute for Behavior and Health. More state and local law enforcement agencies are reporting these drugs as their greatest drug threat (9.8%) while the number of prescription opioid-related deaths in the U.S. has increased 98% in four years. Read more. Read full report.

March 29, 2010 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Drug-Impaired Driving Report to Congress   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report to Congress entitled, Drug-Impaired Driving - Understanding the Problem and Ways to Reduce It, in accordance with the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA). The report summarizes a series of studies undertaken by NHTSA on prevention, detection, and prosecution of driving under the influence of drugs; issues associated with determining what drugs impair driving; difficulties in relating blood levels of drugs and impairment; lack of information about what drugs are frequently used by drivers and what drugs elevate crash risk; problems in obtaining representative data about current enforcement, prosecution and adjudication of drug-impaired driving; training for law enforcement officers in recognizing drug-impaired drivers; review of drug-Impaired driving laws, and what is known about the role of drugs as causal factors in traffic crashes. It highlights the need for further research and concludes with recommendations to better address the problem of drug-impaired driving. Read more.

March 16, 2010 Why Marijuana Legalization Would Compromise Public Health and Public Safety   R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) delivered a speech to the California Police Chiefs Association Conference on March 4, 2010 in San Jose, CA entitled Why Marijuana Legalization Would Compromise Public Health and Public Safety. Director Kerlikowske clearly outlined the many problems with legalizing marijuana in California, a state with a strong legalization agenda. ONDCP is focused on reducing the demand for drugs, including marijuana, and transforming drug abuse treatment in the criminal justice system through programs like drug courts and HOPE probation. Read more.

March 12, 2010 Evidence on Cannabis Impairment and Flying   The journal Bandolier features a review of literature entitled Cannabis and Flying which documents cannabis impairment in pilots. Four different studies tracked the level of impairment in pilots as they participated in flying simulations. Cannabis impairment lasted up to 24 hours after smoking. This review has serious implications for dealing with cannabis-related drugged driving and efforts to legalize the drug. It is clear that marijuana has a dangerous impairing effect on users. Read more.

March 11, 2010 Teen Drug Use On the Rise   The 2009 Parents and Teens Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) shows reverses in decade-long declines in teen abuse of drugs and alcohol. Key findings include past month alcohol use increased 11%, past year ecstasy use increased 67%, and past year marijuana use increased 19% from 2008 to 2009. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and MetLife Foundation cite changes in teen attitudes, particularly in belief in benefits and acceptability of drug and alcohol use, as likely contributors to changes in substance use Read more. Read 2009 PATS.

March 9, 2010 Drug-Impaired Driving Due to Prescription Drug Use   Stephen K. Talpins, Chief Executive Officer of the National Partnership on Alcohol Misuse and Crime (NPAMC) and IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D., discuss the problem of drug-impaired driving due to prescription drug use in a new IBH commentary. Authors also offer suggestions for how to reduce this ongoing public health and safety problem with a combination of education and law enforcement. Read more.

March 8, 2010 Encouraging Words from ONDCP Director at United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs   R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, delivered an encouraging opening statement to the 53rd United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Among the priorities discussed were drugged driving, prescription drug abuse, and expanding programs within the U.S. criminal justice system to reduce drug use and incarceration. All of these issues reflect IBH priorities. Read more.

March 8, 2010 Active U.S. Military Personnel Report a Dramatic Increase in the Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs   In its latest issue of the ONDCP Update, the Office of National Drug Control Policy highlights new data released from the Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel. These new data show that the current rate of illegal drug use in the military has increased to nearly 12% in 2008. However, the use of purely illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin among military personnel has not changed. The increase in the overall drug use rate is due to a significant increase in the nonmedical use of prescription drugs, with 11% of active-duty military personnel self-reporting past month use. This percentage has tripled in just three years since the last survey conducted in 2005. One of the primary priorities of U.S. drug policy in the 21st century is to reduce non-medical use of prescribed controlled substances. These new military data signal the urgency of this objective. Read more.

February 23, 2010 U.N. International Narcotics Control Board Warns of Prescription Drug Abuse   Reuters reports that according to the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board, globally more people abuse prescription drugs than heroin, cocaine and ecstasy combined. In its recently released annual report, the INCB explores the extent of this growing international drug problem which has already reached dangerous proportions in the United States. IBH agrees with the INCP President, Sevil Atasoy, that "preventing drug abuse is a crucial area of demand reduction." Read more. Read full report.

February 23, 2010 To Test or Not to Test? Drug Testing Teachers: The View of the Superintendent.   In response to court decisions that permit pre-employment and suspicionless drug testing of teachers, this study surveyed school superintendents to learn if they were implementing drug-testing policies. While most superintendents believed that they have the authority to implement teacher drug testing, most were not implementing such policies. Most superintendents believed that the drug problem among teachers was not large enough to warrant action, but many reserved the right to revisit the implementation of such policies if the circumstances in their school district changed. Read more.

February 23, 2010 The Connection Between Substance Use and High School Dropout Rates   This new IBH commentary explores the impact of alcohol and drug use on academic achievement. Pre-adolescence and adolescence are high-risk years for alcohol and drug abuse. Early initiation of alcohol and drug use is associated with more problem-generating behavior and more sustained use. It is also a primary risk factor for dropping out of school. While the dropout rate in the United States continues to make headline news, the connection between alcohol and drug use and dropping out is being ignored, not only by the media but by virtually all of the experts who study -- and lament -- the nation's high dropout rate. Our nation must act far more effectively to reduce teenage alcohol and drug use to improve the nation's competitive position in the global economy and to save and improve the lives of our youth. Read more.

February 11, 2010 Medical Marijuana Laws Hurt Teens   Dr. Christian Thurstone, a psychiatrist specializing in adolescent substance abuse, explains how the medical marijuana laws of Colorado are hurting teens in an interview with NPR. Since the state passed medical marijuana legislation, Dr. Thurstone has seen significant increases in marijuana-based referrals to his adolescent substance abuse treatment program in Denver. Medical marijuana legislation is a backdoor route to legalization that has serious implications for users. Read more.

February 10, 2010 Keep the Drug Czar   Deforest Rathbone, Chairman of the National Institute of Citizen Anti-drug Policy, confronts Timothy Lynch's proposal to eliminate the office of the drug czar known as the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In Rathbone's letter to the editor, he explains the important role the drug czar has played in U.S. drug policy to reduce illegal drug use and improve public health Read more.

February 9, 2010 The Implications of Baby Boomers' Drug Use   AOL News reports that rates of marijuana use and the non-medical use of prescription drugs are increasing among older populations, with nearly 5% of Americans over age 50 reporting past month use. This drug use not only has implications for increased health complications for this aging generation, but also has serious implications for future drug treatment needs. Read more.

February 4, 2010 IBH President Discusses Drug Testing in Clinical Settings   An article by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. on drug testing in clinical settings is featured in the Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice. Drug testing, the pinnacle of modern biotechnology, has evolved beyond urine testing to include testing in hair, saliva, and sweat and has moved out of the laboratory to include on-site testing with results available in a few minutes. Alcohol and drug abusers characteristically lie about their substance use to anyone who might want them to stop their use. Drug testing is now highly reliable in detecting the recent use of specific drugs as well as alcohol, thereby greatly enhancing substance abuse treatment and prevention. Drug testing is also useful in schools and in family-based efforts to prevent drug use. The biology of substance abuse as well as the technology of testing needs to be understood by anyone seeking to use testing to detect the recent use of addicting substances. Read more.

February 4, 2010 New Study Shows Tough Laws and Treatment are Top Deterrents Against DUI Offenders   A University of Montana study that targeted repeat DUI offenders shows that tougher laws and chemical dependency treatment are the strongest deterrents to chronic drunken driving. In Montana where a DUI becomes a felony after the fourth offense, felony DUI offenders say that penalties for initial DUIs are not tough enough. Read more. Read the full report.

January 25, 2010 UNODC Executive Director underlines need for a multilateral approach to international drug control   Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, recently addressed the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Asking that the international drug control regime be updated for the 21st century, he reported the many drug control accomplishments and stated the need for a multilateral approach with a stronger focus on health. Read more. Read Costa's remarks in full.

January 23, 2010 Medical Marijuana is Not Medicine   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. submitted a letter to the editor in response to the Wall Street Journal article, Is Marijuana A Medicine? (January 18, 2010) and corresponding graphic. To characterize smoked marijuana as a medicine implies that it is safe. Smoke is neither safe nor effective as a delivery system for any medicine. Marijuana use is the major cause of substance abuse and dependence and the leading reason for admission to substance abuse treatment in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration regulates and approves medicines as safe and effective. It is not compassionate to remove this protection from seriously ill patients. Read more.

January 22, 2010 Addressing Medical Marijuana in the News   The issue of medical marijuana has flooded the news when New Jersey became the 14th state to permit marijuana use for "medical" purposes. However, marijuana remains a Schedule I, illegal drug of abuse. The Institute for Behavior and Health does not support marijuana use for any purpose. Both the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Drug Enforcement Administration do not support marijuana use or medical marijuana. Read the ONDCP fact sheet and DEA fact sheet. Legislation that allows the use of medical marijuana is a thinly disguised way to legalize the use of smoked marijuana by virtually anyone of any age. Smoked marijuana is not a medicine. In October 2009 ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske clearly stated that the legalization of marijuana is a "non-starter." Read more.

January 20, 2010 Office of National Drug Control Policy Update on National Strategy   The new ONDCP Update reports that the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy will call for curbing drug abuse through community-based prevention, science-based treatment, addiction-recovery programs, law enforcement efforts, and other means to reduce drug availability. The Update emphasizes the importance of recovery and addressing the problem of drugged driving. Read more.

January 18, 2010 U.S. High School Seniors' Perception of Harm from Regular Marijuana Use Decreasing   The University of Maryland's CESAR Fax reports that 52% of high school seniors thought that there was a great risk of harm from smoking marijuana regularly, down from 58% in 2006. Previous data show that as perceived risk decreases, use increases, illustrating the importance of presenting realistic information about the risks and consequences of marijuana use to youth. Read more.

January 13, 2010 New Senate Bill Aims to Reduce Drug Use Among Unemployed   Senator David Thomas of South Carolina has proposed a new bill that will require any person receiving unemployment benefits to submit to a drug test. Current illegal drug users receiving benefits will be required to attend and complete treatment before benefits are restored. They must also abstain from use, demonstrated through passing follow-up random drug tests. IBH supports this bill which addresses drug use among this at-risk population. Helping unemployed persons become and stay drug-free will improve both their lives and their future prospects for employment. Read more.

January 10, 2010 Spotlight on HOPE Probation   Jeffrey Rosen discusses how programs focused on deterrence like Hawaii's Opportunity for Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) reduce crime and may have the ability to transform the criminal justice system. Leaders in both public policy and criminal justice are changing the way people think about parole, probation, gang violence and drug markets. Read more.

January 8, 2010 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Releases State-by-State Analysis of Laws Dealing With Driving Under the Influence of Drugs   This study by reviewed each State statute regarding drug-impaired driving as of December 2008. There is a high degree of variability across the States in the ways they approach drug-impaired driving. Current laws in many States contain provisions making it difficult to identify, prosecute, or convict drug-impaired drivers. Read more.

December 30, 2009 IBH Addresses the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 2010-2015 Long Range Strategic Planning   IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. along with Barry K. Logan, Ph.D., Stephen K. Talpins, J.D., and J. Michael Walsh, Ph.D. responded to NHTSA's request for comment to its long range strategic plans related to drugged driving. These experts describe their recommendations for drugged driving efforts related to public education, enforcement, drug testing, prosecution, courtroom testimony, laws, sentencing, research, and future-based technology Read more.

December 20, 2009 Teens Smoking More Pot, Less Tobacco   The Washington Times reports rates of marijuana use have recently increased, with more youth smoking marijuana than tobacco. Read more. President of Drug-Free Kids: America's Challenge Joyce Nalepka published a letter in response to the article, entitled The Pot Thickens which features a quote from IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. Read more.

December 17, 2009 Marijuana Use Up, Perception of Risk of Marijuana Use Down Among American Youth   Self-reported rates of youth drug use have recently demonstrated two notable, opposing trends. Within the last two years youth marijuana use has increased while use of other illegal drugs has decreased or remained stagnant. Underlying the recent rise in use is a fall in the perception of risk from marijuana use and rise in perception of risk from other illegal drugs. The glaring disparity between the trends in perception of risk of marijuana use and of using other illegal drugs with age reflects the favorable mainstream media coverage of drug policy "reformists" who advocate for medical marijuana and marijuana legalization. Simply put, these movements are based on the false premise that marijuana is different from other drugs of abuse. Read more.

December 14, 2009 New, Bipartisan Efforts to Address the Criminal Justice System   The Hill discusses bipartisan approaches to address problems within the U.S. criminal justice system including high rates of drug-related crime and recidivism. A new, bipartisan bill asks for a national effort to replicate the impressive results of HOPE Probation. Read more.

December 13, 2009 Prisons of Our Own Making: The Need for Reform in the Criminal Justice System   This New York Times op-ed discusses the problems of sentencing within the U.S. criminal justice system, highlighting the work of Mark Kleiman, Ph.D. He takes a new approach to fighting crime, advocating for programs that utilize immediate, short-term consequences for violations of parole and probation. Read more. Programs like HOPE Probation and 24/7 Sobriety utilize these strategies to reduce drug-related crime. Read more.

December 8, 2009 The Future of Drug Policy in the United States   Drug policy discussions often start with the question, "Do you favor jail or treatment?" as if the future of drug policy rests on the answer. This is a false dichotomy. The future of drug policy is not a choice between the criminal justice system and substance abuse treatment. A better policy will be created by identifying new ways to reduce the demand for illegal drugs including more cost-effective ways for the criminal justice system to reduce crime and incarceration Read more.

December 4, 2009 Presidential Proclamation Announces December as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month   In a recent proclamation announcing December, 2009 as the National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, President Barack Obama recognizes the growing problem of drugged driving. Addressing impaired driving, due to drugs and/or alcohol, is a drug policy priority of the Obama Administration. Read more.

December 4, 2009 The Impact of Drug Use on Child Abuse and Neglect   The high rate of substance abuse in child neglect and abuse cases highlights the importance of reducing illegal drug use and alcohol abuse in the United States.  Protecting children is a priority for the U.S. and reducing substance abuse is one key way to make a positive impact on this at-risk population.  The price that is paid by these abused children and society as a whole, including taxpayers, is cause for action. Read more.

November 22, 2009 Cracking Down on Drunken Driving in New York State   New York State recently passed a new law to address drunk driving, making it a felony to drive while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle and mandating the use of ignition interlock devices for convicted drunk drivers. IBH supports efforts to reduce drunk driving but encourages states like New York to not overlook the issue of drugged driving. Inspired by recent alcohol and drug-related fatal car crashes, new policies and laws need to include drug use in their definitions of intoxication and prosecute drugged drivers along with drunk drivers. Read more.

November 19, 2009 High Rates of Drugged Driving: Implications for Legalizing Marijuana   The California Assembly Committee on Public Safety held a meeting on October 28, 2009 which focused on public safety issues related to legalizing marijuana. A press conference was held immediately prior to this meeting, at which a press release issued by the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. was read. IBH does not support the legalization of marijuana. The high rate of drugged driving in the U.S. is just one of the many reasons why legalizing marijuana would threaten public safety. Read more.

November 9, 2009 New HOPE Legislation Aims to Reduce Drug Use, Recidivism   Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Ted Poe (R-TX) introduced legislation that will create a new program to fight drug use and crime. Entitled the Honest Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) Initiative Act and based the innovative HOPE program of Hawaii, IBH supports this new piece of legislation. Read the press release printed in the American Chronicle and the letter of support IBH President Robert L. DuPont, MD sent to Congressman Schiff.

October 23, 2009 Reflections on Random Student Drug Testing Supreme Court Case: Both Support and Criticisms Remain   When random student drug testing (RSDT) programs were just beginning to have a presence in public schools in the United States, the town of Tecumseh in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma made history opening the door for students invovled in extracurricular activities to participate in these programs. Tecumseh looks back on the local court case against the testing program which ingnited the landmark Supreme Court case. Read more.

October 19, 2009 California Police Chief Stands Up Against Legalization   California is capturing national media coverage as the state debates legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana. Legislation on this relies on a dubious study which suggests potential revenue gains but neglects to identify societal costs associated with legal marijuana. In a response to a supportive article in the Sacramento Bee, Police Chief Scott C. Kirkland addresses what the study neglected. IBH is convinced that the costs of such a move to legalize marijuana or any other currently illegal drug vastly outweigh any potential benefits. No state can afford to legalize marijuana -- or any other dangerous illicit drug. The social costs -- and financial costs -- would be astounding. Read more.

October 19, 2009 Drug Policy Changes, The Swedish Way   Legalizing drugs is not a new idea. It was legal drugs that prompted the more restrictive policies that are sometimes dismissed as "prohibition." An historical, global perspective can inform the current debate on the legalization of drugs. Swedish drug policy is well established and offers an alternative to either harsh punishment or legalization and holds real promise as a model for many other nations in the world as they cope with the menacing and divisive modern epidemic problem of nonmedical drug use.  Per Johansson, Secretary of the Board of the World Federation Against Drugs and IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. wrote an unpublished letter to the editor on global drug policy Read more.

October 9, 2009 Cocaine Vaccine Shows Promise for Treating Addicts   Immunization with an experimental anti-cocaine vaccine resulted in a substantial reduction in cocaine use in 38 percent of vaccinated patients in a clinical trial supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The study is the first successful, placebo-controlled demonstration of a vaccine against an illicit drug of abuse. Read more.

October 8, 2009 Russian Teens to be Tested for Drugs at School   Russia has taken a new approach to drug testing as a means of drug use prevention and identification of users in schools. With support from the Russian President, schools will test all students for drugs as part of standard medical examinations. This is a great first step in student drug testing efforts abroad. Read more.

October 7, 2009 Prescription Drug Use is Leading Cause of Overdose Deaths   Deaths related to opioid prescription drugs (painkillers) have tripled from 1999 to 2006, rising from 4,000 to 13,800. The national number of overdose deaths grew to 39,000, nearly doubling since in this time with opioid painkillers contributing to almost 40% of all overdose deaths. Improved regulation of these drugs by physicians is necessary, as are improved policies surrounding these drugs. Read more. IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. is quoted in a related USA Today article on this topic. Read the full report from Centers for Disease Control.

October 6, 2009 Half of Addicts Quit After 6 Months of Treatment   A recent study of more than 14,600 patients addicted to heroin, crack cocaine, or both in England's treatment programs found that about half stopped using the drugs after six months. Weighing in on this finding is Thomas McLellan, PhD, Deputy Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy who suggests continued, long-term management of these addicts. The drug treatment provided to patients in England extends beyond the time fram of short-term treatment commonly provided in the United States and may be more cost-effective in the long run. Read more.

October 2, 2009 Drug Use Continues to be Significant Danger to Public Health; Overdose Deaths Outnumber Traffic Deaths in 16 States   A new report from the Centers for Disease Control puts the enormity of drug deaths into perspective by comparing them to the widely appreciated number of traffic deaths each year. The report shows that more people have died from drug overdoses than traffic deaths in 16 states. The national rate of traffic deaths fell 6.5% since 1999 while overdose deaths nearly doubled in that time. Prescription drugs play a critical role in the number of overdoses and IBH connects this finding to both national drug policy and the role of drugged driving in traffic deaths. Read more.

September 23, 2009 Mandatory Alcohol Testing Associated with Reduction in Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes Among Commercial Drivers   Researchers determined the risk of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes among commercial drivers from 1982 through 2006 by comparing the rates of fatal crashes before and after the mandatory alcohol testing program. There was a 23% reduction in fatal crashes that involved alcohol among commercial drivers during the period of testing. Surprisingly this study does not contain data on the relationship of the use of other drugs in fatal crashes even though drug tests are included for a very good reason: drugged driving is a major problem for commercial drivers, as it is for all drivers. Read more.

September 15, 2009 What Will Mexico's Drug Laws Do? Responses to Mexico's new law that decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin have been mixed.   Other countries in Latin America are considering similar changes in their laws, prompting both negative and positive feedback. Tony Payan, Jorge Castaneda, Calvina Fay, Peter Reuter and Ethan Nadelmann weigh in on this issue. Read more.

September 10, 2009 Wall Street Journal article Mexico Eases Ban on Drug Possession ignites questions on what impact new laws will have on the domestic consumption of illegal drugs and drug-related violence.   IBH President Robert L. DuPont submitted an unpublished letter to the editor in response to the Wall Street Journal's recent article on drug policy and laws in Mexico. "The violence that is tearing apart Mexico is 100% funded by the users of illegal drugs. President Calderon and President Obama recently targeted American demand for drugs as a key driver of this violence. In light of Mexico Eases Ban on Drug Possession (August 22) we must ask: What effect do the Mexicans think their decision to decriminalize personal consumption of illegal drugs will have on their domestic consumption of illegal drugs and thus on their drug-related violence?" Read more.

September 8, 2009 HOPE Probation continues to reduce illegal drug use and new crimes by offenders on probation.   Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) is being considered as a model in several states and could soon double in size in Hawaii. "This isn't a program -- it's a revolution... As a recidivism prevention program, it's unmatched, and as a drug treatment program, it's unmatched." Read more. The Hawaii Star Bulletin also featured a recent editorial on why Hope Deserves Support. Read more.

August 27, 2009 Drugged driving becomes a national priority in the United Kingdom: New education campaign sets precedent for United States.   The United Kingdom's Department for Transport (DfT) recently launched a £2.3 million campaign to address drugged driving. Entitled THINK! Drug Drive, this campaign reinforces key educational, legal, and policy messages to the public. Read more.

August 1, 2009 Mark H. Moore explains that "Actually, Prohibition Was a Success"   This 1989 New York Times article discusses how prohibition was not a "failure," but rather a successful public health initiative. IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. provides commentary on how this important article relates to the legalization issues of today. Read more.

July 30, 2009 IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. featured in European Cities Against Drugs publication   IBH has continued to expand its international efforts to reduce drug abuse and increase prevention abroad. Jorgen Sviden, Director of the European Cities Against Drugs (ECAD), interviewed Dr. DuPont who discussed international drug policy and the Swedish and American drug experiences. Dr. DuPont was also recently named Chair of the North American Section of World Forum Against Drugs (WFAD). Read more.

July 27, 2009 National Survey Confirms that Drugged Driving is Significantly More Widespread than Drunk Driving   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report on the 2007 National Roadside Survey of alcohol and drug use by drivers. In a random sample of weekend nighttime drivers across the contiguous 48 states, researchers found that 16.3% of weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for drugs, compared to 2.2% of drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) at or above the legal limit of 0.08 g/dL. Drugs were present more than 7 times as frequently as alcohol in those surveyed. Read more. Read the full research report

June 16, 2009 Could youth drug use be making a comeback?   Rates of youth drug use which have continually declined since the late 1990s have leveled off. The recent softening of youth attitudes on perceived risks of drug use has created a great concern that youth drug use may begin to rise. This policy brief describes the inverse relationship between youth drug use and youth disapproval of use and offers effective solutions to address youth drug use at the local and national levels. Read more.

June 11, 2009 The Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program (ADAM II) annual report confirms the long expected link between drug use and crime.   Interview and drug testing data from male arrestees across the U.S. show drug use is much higher among this population than the general public. In the 10 metropolitan areas surveyed, 49% to 87% of arrestees tested positive for at least one illegal substance. A range of 15% to 40% tested positive for more than one drug. IBH is working to improve quality and access to drug treatment in the criminal justice system to reduce illegal drug use among this population. Read more. The Center for Substance Abuse Research released its July issue of CESAR FAX, ONDCP Brings Back ADAM Program.

June 7, 2009 Policy consultant Kevin Sabet weighs in on the implications of legalizing marijuana, confronting the commonly overlooked costs that trump the anticipated monetary benefits from taxing this dangerous drug.   Legalization would likely increase rates of marijuana use ­ as seen with currently legal drugs alcohol and tobacco ­ and will not decrease the levels of drug-related violence. Sabet offers drug prevention efforts in the criminal justice system as part of a research-based solution to addressing this important issue. Read more.

May 18, 2009 Harm Reduction in Action: With one of the most liberal drug policies in Europe, the UK has seen significant increases in rates of problem drug use.   The Government has repeatedly declared that it is fighting a War on Drugs. The data presented here show that this is a Phoney War. It is currently spending £1.5 billion a year on its drugs policy. Yet enforcement of drugs laws is weak and underfunded, while treatment policy is counter-productive. The UK drug problem is the worst in Europe. The UK has one of the highest levels of recreational drug use. There are over ten Problem Drug Users (PDUs) per 1,000 of the adult population, compared to 4.5 in Sweden or 3.2 in the Netherlands Read more.

May 8, 2009 Jonathan Caulkins, PhD and Kevin A. Sabet, PhD respond to The Lancet's recent essay "The war on drugs: A devastating public-policy disaster," suggesting a "mend it, don't end it" approach to prohibition.   Recent events at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs offered an opportunity for many drug policy groups, including Wood et al.'s (2009) recent article in the Lancet, to espouse the superiority of certain favored policy recommendations as scientifically established. The reality is that our ability as scientists to predict how policy changes will affect drug markets, drug use, and related problems is quite limited. Read more.

Apr 14, 2009: ONDCP names A. Thomas McLellan, Ph.D., as its new Deputy Director; read about this accomplished national leader in drug treatment research and McGovern Award recipient   The nomination of Tom McLellan, Ph.D., to be Deputy Director of ONDCP is the most important White House appointment for substance abuse treatment in over a decade. Tom is widely recognized as the leading drug treatment researcher in the world. This appointment brings great credit to the Obama administration. It fulfills the President's ambition to bring new ideas to solve long-neglected, urgent national priorities.Read more.

Apr 2, 2009: "The Obama Administration's New Strategy to Curb Drug-Related Violence" is IBH's commentary focusing on evolving U.S. drug policy against dangerous drug cartels in Mexico   Bipartisan efforts to contain illegal drug use in the US have shown success that few public health efforts can match. However US demand for drugs remains high enough to keep traffickers in businesses year after year. There is much to do in order to continue and improve demand reduction efforts including gathering support for such an approach. The US needs to reduce the use of illegal drugs at home to make a significant impact in decreasing international drug trafficking. Read more.

Mar 24, 2009: IBH's Commentary on The Economist's article, "How to Stop the Drug Wars," examines pro-legalization myths and considers "What's Wrong with Legalizing Illegal Drugs"   The Economist, in its March 7-13, 2009 cover story, "How to Stop the Drug Wars," has escalated 20 years of increasing support for legalizing illegal drugs by calling this the "least bad solution." "Prohibition has failed," opens the lead article, one of a collection of reports in this issue. The facts are otherwise. On the contrary, restrictive drug policies are working reasonably well. In the US, illegal drug use has been cut from 14% of Americans aged 12 and older in 1979 to 8% in 2007. Far from a failure this is a result that any public health program can envy. Read more.

Mar 9, 2009: Commentary by Robert DuPont, M.D., on Barack Obama's statements and approach on medical marijuana   During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama commented on the issue of medical marijuana. His words on the campaign trail were instructive and likely indicative of his administration's policy position in the coming months. While supporters of medical marijuana often present Obama's words out of their original context, this IBH Commentary reflects Obama's thoughtful and deliberate choice of words about this important issue. Read more.

Mar 1, 2009: from Science Daily: IBH and the Treatment Research Institute conduct landmark study of effective models of treatment for drug- addicted physicians   Doctors who become addicted to alcohol and other drugs can be treated successfully and returned to medical practice with the help of special programs that couple referral to treatment and monitoring with rapid responses to noncompliance, University of Florida researchers report. The study is the first national-level analysis of such Physician Health Programs, and confirms they are effective alternatives to simply punishing drug-addicted doctors. Read more.

Feb 12, 2009: Seattle Police Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske, a distinguished law enforcement leader, named next White House Drug Czar   The position of White House Drug Czar holds abundant challenges for a man whose career is distinguished by the breadth of his vision, his ability to implement cutting-edge programs, and his skill as a communicator who can mobilize wide support. Kerlikowske will step into a minefield of controversies over the future of drug prevention policies, but these daunting challenges will present significant opportunities for new ideas in drug abuse prevention. Read more.

Feb 4, 2009: As a result of using marijuana, 2008 Olympic medalist Michael Phelps has set a different kind of example to young people   The Washington Post writer Michael Wilbon examines eight-time 2008 Olympic medalist Michael Phelps' decision to smoke marijuana and the impact of this decision. As a result of smoking marijuana, Michael Phelps has become a different kind of role model by showing how much young people have to lose as a result of using marijuana. Read more. Also read about "Why Marijuana Use by Celebrities is a Big Deal" along with the Baltimore Sun's article offering some perspective on this complex and frustrating issue. Read more.

Dec 23, 2008: Drug Rehabilitation or Revolving Door?: A New York Times article examines the costly world of addiction treatment and the demands on treatment programs to demonstrate efficacy   Four million Americans receive drug treatment at a cost of $20 billion per year, 2/3 of which is paid for by taxpayers. For too many people, treatment as an expensive revolving door, as described in this article. While "evidence-based" treatment is a step in the right direction, the key to getting better treatment is described late in the article when it discusses the program run by the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. This program monitors treatment for results, including the simplest of all results, the percentage of patients who stay in treatment until it is completed. This new focus on accountability of treatment is welcome, and long overdue. Read more.

Dec 11, 2008: ONDCP has just released a new report providing evidence that a bipartisan, balanced drug prevention strategy is succeeding in Making the Drug Problem Smaller   A major preoccupation of parents since the 1960s, the problem of illegal drug use has been implicated in everything from urban crime to undermining worker productivity and lowering SAT scores. The good news is that drug use is down, in some cases down sharply, with the use of some drugs at or near historic lows. Drug use among young people has only been lower in three of the past 17 years. Evidence is building that these reductions in drug use, which have largely erased the run-up that began in 1993, are the result of innovations in the way we educate young people about the harms of illegal drugs provide help to drugs, those already embarked on a career of drug use, and interdict the drugs and drug traffickers seeking to compromise the integrity of our borders. Read more.

Dec 10, 2008: Innovative Probation Changes Criminal Justice Outcomes: Success of Project HOPE Reduces Drug Use Among Offenders   HOPE (Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement), a new program that has been implemented in Honolulu, successfully links the criminal justice system to substance abuse treatment when needed. This program has the potential to command strong bipartisan support and substantially extend the reach of drug courts. HOPE holds the promise of significantly reducing the demand for illegal drugs, crime, and prison populations across the US. Read more. Access the Project HOPE website directly from this link.

Sept 8, 2008: Battle Over the Furture of Drug Abuse Prevention: A Presentation by Robert L. DuPont, M.D. at the World Forum Against Drugs (WFAD) in Stockholm, Sweden   More than 600 delegates representing over 80 countries attended the meeting of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) in Stockholm, Sweden, at which IBH president Robert L. DuPont, M.D. delivered the plenary address: The Battle Over the Future of Drug Abuse Prevention. Read more. He also authored an article in the WFAD newsletter encouraging attendees to sign the declaration. The declaration of WFAD has been published and can be read here.