Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Friday, November 13, 2009

New Reports Highlight Important Gender Differences in Substance Use and Mental Health for Adolescents in Each State and the District of Columbia


The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has developed 52 new short reports providing key information about the level of substance use and mental health problems and treatment among adolescents (age 12 to 17 years) in each state, the District of Columbia and for the country as a whole. The reports provide first-of-a-kind, state–by–state breakdowns by gender on substance abuse and mental health problems experienced by adolescents. In addition, the reports provide data on adolescent treatment facilities and admission factors for each state, the District of Columbia and for the country as a whole.

“These reports provide state and local authorities vital information about substance using behaviors and service needs of adolescents in their communities,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “The public health community can use these data to develop programs targeted to the specific needs of adolescent boys and girls.”

Entitled Adolescent Behavioral Health: States in Brief, the reports provide the following information for each individual state, the District of Columbia and the country as a whole through a variety of charts, graphs and accompanying text:

  • Adolescents’ risk perceptions associated with substance use
  • Prevalence of illicit substance and alcohol use
  • Number and type of substance abuse treatment facilities
  • Numbers and trends on those seeking treatment for substance abuse
  • Levels of those needing, but not receiving substance abuse treatment
  • Levels of underage smoking
  • Mental health indicators

The data included in these States in Brief reports are drawn from three large national surveys sponsored by SAMHSA - the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the Treatment Episode Data Set and the National Survey on Substance Abuse Treatment Services.

These reports are available on the web at http://samhsa.gov/statesinbrief/

________________________________________


at