The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68333

George Kanuck, CSAT, SAMHSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, RWI, Room 8-175, Roclville, MD 20857, (301) 443-8642, GKanuck@samhsa.gov

Under the Children’s Health Act of 2000, Congress called on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to prepare a report on the current status of treatment for individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. The human, social and economic costs of co-occurring disorders take a toll on the individual experiencing them, the family, the school, the workplace, the community, the State and, ultimately, the nation as a whole. To guide the development of this Report to Congress, SAMHSA’s National Advisory Council’s Subcommittee on Co-Occurring Disorders convened a panel of distinguished experts representing national, State, tribal and local consumers, providers, state substance abuse and mental health authorities, researchers and advocates to offer supporting research, data and editorial comments. This presentation highlights the contents of this 2002 report, documenting the scope of the co-occurring disorders problem, current treatment approaches, best practice models, and prevention efforts. It concludes with a Five Year Blueprint for Action, articulating SAMHSA’s leadership in improving and ensuring care for children, adolescents, adults and older adults living with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders of any degree of severity.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• Describe common elements of COD treatment approaches;
• Report outcomes of these treatment programs across three primary domains: substance abuse, mental health and social functioning; and
• Identify key client characteristics associate with outcomes of COD treatment.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.