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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) has released new guidance that discusses programs and policies to reduce and prevent vaping among youth and young adults. Vaping has increased among adolescents since 2010 and is more prevalent than traditional cigarettes. In 2019, more than one-quarter of all high school students reported vaping during the past 30 days. In response to these rising statistics, SAMSHA published guidance that includes evidence-based tobacco control strategies that have been adapted for a younger audience. The guide is meant to support health care providers, systems, and communities in preventing vaping. Throughout five chapters, the guide describes relevant research findings, examines emerging and best practices, identifies knowledge gaps and implementation challenges, and offers useful resources. To download the complete guide, click here.
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Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, a nonprofit based in Texas, and Cohen Veterans Network, a nonprofit based in Connecticut, conducted a study that shed light on how the pandemic-driven recession is affecting veterans. Their findings link the rise in unemployment rates with the increase in the number of veterans who die by suicide and could lead to a rise in substance use disorder (SUD) among this population. Within the report, the researchers stated that for every 5% rise in unemployment, up to 550 additional veterans may die by suicide over the next year. Additionally, the recession triggered by COVID-19 may lead to an additional 20,000 veterans who are diagnosed with SUD. Veterans have been disproportionately affected by the recession; unemployment for the general population was at 2.9% while for veterans the unemployment rate was 9.1%. This study highlights another subpopulation in the United States who will face a myriad of negative effects as the pandemic continues.
Many United States institutions have been affected by COVID-19, including the U.S. justice system. As the justice system has moved to a virtual format, there has been growing pressure to maintain timelines and decrease interruptions in court matters as this could have negative impacts on essential services required by individuals across the nation. Given all of these demands, the State Justice Institute (SJI), a private nonprofit established by federal law, has invested heavily in resources to support courts in pandemic planning, response, and recovery activities. SJI is looking to provide funding to projects that aim to help state courts in their COVID-19 responses and recovery with a focus on the future of court operations moving forward. SJI will give priority consideration for funding to applicants that focus on replicating practices which were implemented during the pandemic, such as: the use of technology for innovations such as online dispute resolution, portal development, virtual hearings, and other efforts to allow court business to be conducted outside of the courthouse. For more information on funding and eligibility, click here to view the full application.
Beginning July 1, 2020, the Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) will start to reimburse Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers for administering naloxone. This means that EMS providers may bill for naloxone itself as well as the administration of the drug. EMS providers will be trained on how to document the naloxone’s National Drug code (NDC), found on the side of the drug label, along with other necessary components required for drug claim submission. EMS billing agencies will also receive training on how to properly submit a claim. Trainings begin TODAY, July 21st, and instructions on how to register for the webinars can be found here. For a complete list of the billing details and stipulations, please view the complete program document here. If providers have any questions, please feel free to email dhscertifications@dhs.in.gov or OMPPProviderRelations@fssa.in.gov.
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