JMATE 2012: Day 2 Takeaways

It's (almost)the end of day two at JMATE, which means we'd like to share our takeaways with you. Today started early and goes late and we are still processing everything we've learned so far. That being said, here are some very quick takeaways from the day:
Susan Richardson, National Executive Director, Reclaiming Futures

• Recovery is possible!
• Traumatized youth have witnessed adults behaving badly. Their bad behavior is a coping mechanism. 
• Don't ask youth "what's wrong with you?" instead ask "what happened to you?"
• If drugs hijacked the brain, could music help in building new neural pathways? YES - there is a dopamine release with music.

 
Cora Crary, Learning Collaborative Manager, Reclaiming Futures

• School-based health services allow disadvantaged youth to access care for sensitive issues -- and improves attendance.
• Now more than ever substance abuse providers need to stay informed on current policies AND ensure they are telling policymakers what they are seeing and what they need.
• Witnessing domestic violence is one of the most common causes of trauma -- and infants are not immune.
• Schools should mandate drug education for parents and staff -- and ensure that practical information, including resource and supports are provided -- rather than just statistics and policies.
• Sometimes just asking a parent how you can help them goes a long way in engaging them.
• Music and drugs travel the same pathways -- and so music can be a tool for treatment
• The Seven Nations Healing Lodge has a fantastic hip hop-based treatment program that really meets their clients where they are.

 
Liz Wu, Blog Editor, Reclaiming Futures

• Over 90% of adults with substance abuse disorders started using before they turned 18 years old and the earlier they start the longer they use.
• More people are dying from drug use than car or gun wound accidents.
• Trauma has the potential to overwhelm a person's ability to cope. And 92% of incarcerated youth have experienced trauma - a higher rate than veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq.
• Music (and the arts) can heal traumatized kids and help them to work through their pain.
• Social media opens doors to reduce the stigma of addiction. 

Liz Wu is a Digital Accounts Manager at Prichard Communications, where she oversees digital outreach for Reclaiming Futures and edits Reclaiming Futures Every Day. Before joining the Prichard team, Liz established the West Coast communications presence for the New America Foundation, where she managed all media relations, event planning and social media outreach for their 6 domestic policy programs. Liz received a B.A. in both Peace and Conflict Studies and German from the University of California at Berkeley. She tweets from @LizSF.