NH DHHS - Governors Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs to Release 5-Year State Strategy to Reduce Substance Use in NH

Concord, NH – The Governors Commission on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse

Prevention, Intervention and Treatment will release its new 5-year strategy

to reduce substance use in New Hampshire on Friday, February 22nd in the

Lobby of the Legislative Office Building in Concord, New Hampshire. The new

State strategy, required by law, sets targets to reduce rates of reported

substance use, as well as increase the number of New Hampshire citizens

seeking substance use disorders treatment who end up receiving care. It

calls for a comprehensive response at the state, regional and local level,

including increased investment in substance use prevention, treatment and

recovery support services.


Speakers include: Attorney General Michael Delaney, Associate Commissioner

of Health and Human Services Nancy Rollins, Richard Ober from the New

Hampshire Charitable Foundation and representatives from the General Court.


DATE            February 22, 2013 11:30 AM

EVENT      Release of 5-Year Strategy to Reduce Substance Use in NH

LOCATION Legislative Office Building, Concord, NH

NH DHHS - State Leadership Group Tackles Growing Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic

Concord, NH – A group of state government, healthcare, community and

business leaders are gathering in Concord, New Hampshire today to develop a

coordinated response to the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in

New Hampshire.



The Governors Commission on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention,

Intervention and Treatment convened the one-day summit as part of their

work to develop a statewide strategic plan to combat what many see as an

epidemic in New Hampshire.



“Prescription drug related deaths, 172 in 2010, have more than quadrupled

over the past decade and a half,” says Joseph Harding, New Hampshire

Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Drug and Alcohol

Services’ Director and Executive Director of the Commission. “It will take

the efforts of many to turn the tide on this issue.”



This summit builds upon other efforts already underway to reduce

prescription drug misuse, including public take-back days, improved

training of medical professionals, as well as efforts by law enforcement

and community groups.



“We’re fortunate in New Hampshire to have many local and state leaders well

aware of the damage prescription drug abuse is having in our communities,”

states Tym Rourke, Chair of the Commission, “The Commission felt that our

best role would be to bring together the threads of efforts underway into a

unified plan.”



When completed, the state’s prescription drug strategy will provide a

unique roadmap to reducing the harm caused by prescription drugs. “Only a

small handful of states have developed such a plan” states Harding. “New

Hampshire can hopefully pave the way for others.



A Federal Prescription Drug Strategy has already been released. Gil

Kirlikowski, the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

will be featured speaker at today’s summit, along with NH Attorney General

Michael Delaney, Dr. Seddon Savage from Dartmouth Medical School, and

several others.


The Commission will release a final version of the New Hampshire

Prescription Drug Strategy in December.

NH DHHS - New Hampshire Observes Red Ribbon Week

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS) is announcing the observance of Red Ribbon Week during the last week in October. Governor John Lynch has proclaimed October 23rd – 31st as Red Ribbon Week in New Hampshire. During this time New Hampshire residents will join with millions throughout the US to acknowledge the red ribbon as a symbol of substance abuse prevention by conducting events to help raise awareness about the issue.

"The dangers of substance abuse are clear, which is why it is so important to focus on education and prevention. Red Ribbon week is a great way to recognize the importance of prevention and recommit ourselves to fighting substance abuse," Gov. Lynch said.

Keene Middle School students will be marching to Central Square in Keene in recognition of the event on Oct. 27th. Other events include red ribbon formations where hundreds of students wear red and form a ribbon on the local athletic field. Spaulding High School’s formation in Rochester is expected to include more than 1,500 people. The Civil Air Patrol will be conducting fly-over’s to take aerial photos of this and five other red ribbon formations on Oct 29th. Many other events, including the planting of more than 15,000 red tulips at locations all over the state, will take place during the week. There will also be substance abuse prevention messages provided through curriculums taught at various schools. BDAS and the NH National Guard’s Counter drug Task Force are sponsoring the events.

“We encourage community members to get involved with one of the ten Regional Networks’ Red Ribbon events,” said Valerie Morgan, BDAS preventions services administrator. “Participation at the local level is the community’s outward sign that they are taking a stand and will not allow illegal drugs to permeate their community. Communities’ stand united in keeping youth safe.” To find an event in your area visit: www.drugfreenh.org

Red Ribbon Week started in 1985 in California. It gained national recognition in 1988. Now, each year during the last week in October, more than 80 million people show their commitment to a healthy, drug-free life by wearing or displaying the Red Ribbon.

For more information about substance abuse prevention or events during Red Ribbon Week visit drugfreeNH.org or contact the NH Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services at 800-804-0909 and ask for Rick Frost or Nancy Jackson-Reno.



NH DOC - Implementation of the Division of Community Corrections Well Underway

(Concord, NH)  New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Division of Community Corrections Director Joseph Diament announced that several important steps have been taken to change the way the offender population is supervised in the community.

“The implementation of the new Division of Community Corrections community based services is well underway.  Seven case managers, three of whom are Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC) have been hired and one additional LADC position remains to be filled,” Director Diament said. 

These counselors are located in the State’s four (highest volume) probation/parole offices.  A clinical supervisor was also appointed to assure that all case management and counseling staff utilize evidence-based practices in an effective, efficient way. An administrator for the federally-funded Second Chance Demonstration Grant has also been appointed.

The community-based staff will provide an important support service for the offender population under Department supervision by working with them to implement individualized case plans and enable the provision of appropriate treatment.  It is expected that, when fully operational and using evidence-based practices, the Division will help lower NH offenders’ recidivism rate and eventually lower the prison population without increasing risk to public safety.

The new Division is also working with sub-grantees of the Second Chance Grant Demonstration Project who will deliver specialized vocational, mental health, and substance abuse services in Merrimack County thanks to a $400,000 federal grant and a generous cash contribution from the NH Charitable Foundation.

“This project allows us to demonstrate that additional services working in concert with probation and parole officers is indeed the most effective approach to maintain public safety and lower correctional costs,” Director Diament said.

NH DHHS Announces Training to Address Substance Abuse Among Teens and Adults

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and DHHS’ Division of Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS) along with the North Country Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and North Country law enforcement are announcing a training aimed at addressing substance abuse among teens and adults in New Hampshire’s North Country.

The training will include a discussion on the current drug trends in the North Country, along with a community forum to solicit ideas, concerns and potential solutions to this problem. There will be a number of speakers including a member of New Hampshire’s Drug Enforcement Agency and North Country Substance Abuse Prevention Professionals.

The training is free and open to the public.

For more information about this event contact Derek Luke at 271-4735 or Derek.s.luke@dhhs.state.nh.us

EVENT A North Country Community Response to Adolescent and Adult Drug Abuse

DATE Wednesday, June 17, 2009 4 – 8 PM

LOCATION White Mountains Community College Berlin, NH