Age at first use is an important predictor of the potential for serious substance abuse problems later in life. The increase in the proportion of admissions for drug use before age 13 should be a wake-up call to parents to speak with their children early and often about the dangers of drug use. |
Age at first use is an important predictor of the potential for serious substance-abuse problems later in life. The increase in the proportion of admissions for drug use before age 13 should be a wake-up call to parents to speak with their children early and often about the dangers of drug use. |
Alcohol abuse among older adults is something few want to talk about or deal with. Too often family members are ashamed of the problem and choose not to address it. |
Health care providers tend not to ask older patients about alcohol abuse if it wasn't a problem in their live in earlier years. Sometimes the symptoms are mistaken for those of dementia, depression, or other problems common to older adults. Unfortunately, too many older persons turn to alcohol as a comfort following the death of a spouse, a divorce, retirement, or some other major life change, unaware that they are markedly affecting the quality of their lives. |
I would call the scope of this disaster, the scale of mental health problems, unprecedented. |
If you begin to talk to them about their drinking once they hit high school, it's probably too late. |
In response to Katrina, SAMHSA has activated its disaster response plan for the Lifeline to ensure all calls are answered. In addition, information on the Lifeline is being distributed in the impacted areas through established national, state and local networks to help make the number widely available and accessible to those in need. |
It's a silent epidemic in many ways, overshadowed and ignored perhaps because it is not considered a 'illegal' drug. |
States can tailor an approach based on their own data. |
Suicide is a preventable tragedy. It is a thief that sets no boundaries and seeks victims of all ages; from all racial, religious, ethnic and multi-ethnic groups; across all socio- economic divides; and within urban and rural communities nationwide. As part of our strategy to prevent suicide, President Bush signed into law the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act for youth suicide prevention programs, and as a result, very soon SAMHSA will be awarding grants to several communities to strengthen our prevention efforts. |
The use of inhalants is a big concern since these products are legal and can result in irreparable brain damage or death, |
These new data serve as a wake-up call to parents. Mental health is a critical part of the overall health and well-being of their children. |
These new data show that too many pre-teens and young teens are sniffing or inhaling common everyday household products with potentially disastrous, even deadly results. We hope to use this opportunity to help raise awareness among parents about the potential for danger in their own homes. |