Trainings and Resources

As HIV transmission via injection drugs are increasing, knowing the variation in which the the transmission occurs can be beneficial in treatment and intervention. Authors of the study look into the frequency and distribution of HIV transmission behaviors among people who use drugs in rural areas to possibly determine if interventions could be universally effective. Data collected in the study suggests that there are many variations in the transmission behaviors.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has new resources available when supporting pregnant and parenting people with substance use disorders. Each resource supplements the SAMHSA Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women with Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants publication.

The Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions (funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and operated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing) and the School-Based Health Alliance now has a guide to help mental health organizations have successful partnerships with schools as a way to help the mental health and substance use care for K-12 students. The guide provides information to consider, as well as resource recommendations.

Researchers interviewed 20 individuals – clinicians, peer support specialists, cultural practitioners, and others familiar with OUD treatment – in a Minnesota tribal community.  The Cascade of Care model measures the quality of outcomes at each stage of treatment, from diagnosis to long-term maintenance, and was first proposed in 1998 as an approach to care for HIV/AIDS. 

A recent study, Stigmatizing Imagery For Substance Use Disorders: A Qualitative Exploration, explored the use of stigmatizing and non-stigmatizing imagery in the field of substance use disorders and law enforcement. While the discussion of stigmatizing language has been around, the discussion of stigmatizing imagery is important to have as it may have effects on treatment, recovery, and reintegration. The qualitative study interviewed people with lived substance use disorder experience who identified stigmatizing imagery and the possible implications it could have.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released a plan in response to fentanyl being adulterated or associated with xylazine, which was declared as an emerging drug threat in April 2023. Due to the effect of combining these substances, people may be less responsive to naloxone in an overdose situation. The response plan includes evidence-based prevention, treatment, and supply reduction action steps, goals, and performance measures. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has compiled a Harm Reduction Framework document that will inform the agency's activities, policies, programs, and practices. The framework document includes SAMHSA's six pillars of harm reduction as well as supporting principles and core practice areas. 

The Practical Guide for Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach was developed by SAMHSA. The guide focuses on tools and strategies for implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach across ten domains.

This report provides information on the results of the Cherokee Nation Health Services' (CNHS) hepatitis C elimination program 5 years after implementation. The report finds that the program had success with 99% of patients who completed treatment.

There are multiple systems that can help individuals to address substance use disorder (SUD). A new report from the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown Law Center discusses how these multiple systems are often disjointed which creates barriers for those needing to access services for SUD.