JMATE 2012: Opportunities for Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention in Schools

This morning's plenary on substance abuse prevention and intervention in schools began with remarks from Dr. Mary Wakefield, the Administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Dr. Wakefield shared some astonishing fact, including:

• Over 90% of adults with substance abuse disorders started using before 18 years old – the earlier they start the longer they use
• Only 1 in 20 kids with substance disorders is currently getting treatment
• Over half of teens with mental health disorders also abuse substances
• 3 out of 4 young people receiving substance use treatment also suffer from co-occuring mental health disorder(s)
• 1.8 million youth receive health care at community clinics, 2/3 of whom are receiving mental health treatment

One effective way to provide substance abuse treatment and mental health services is through schools. The students

are already there and schools are often located in accessible parts of the community. However, less than three percent of public schools have mental health centers, said Dr. Sharon H. Stephan, co-director of the Center for School Mental Health. In order to address this disparity, the Center for School Mental Health works with schools to establish partnerships with community health and mental health organizations in order to provide these services. Dr. Stephan added that these partnerships build on existing school programs, services and strategies which allows them to be more effective and accessible. In fact, schools have become the de facto mental health system for our children.
Providing mental health services to students is crucial, explained Dr. Stephan, because one in five students will experience mental health problems that cause at least mild impairment. One in ten will experience mental health problems that cause severe impairment. Without treatment, traumatized kids are more likely to abuse substances.
The good news is that School Based Health Care (SBHC) centers are spreading to schools across the country. SBHC's serve not only students, but also parents, siblings, school faculty and students from other schools, said Laura Brey, director of programs and professional services at the national assembly on school-based health care. SBHC's work with medical sponsors and are in pre-schools, kindergartens, middle schools and high schools. There are over 2,200 across the country.
Mike Dennis, senior research psychologist and director of the GAIN coordinating center, ended the panel by reiterating the importance of preventing and treating substance abuse early on. Most people struggling with substance abuse started between the ages of 12 - 20. And when they start using at a young age, there is a higher likelihood that they will become addicted and struggle with substances for a long time. That being said, treatment can be very effective! And within 12 months, the cost of providing school-based substance abuse treatment is offset by cost of savings to society and medical centers. 
 

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.