Agency for Substance Abuse Policy to hold annual meeting

FRANKFORT, KY –The Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy will hold its annual public hearing to gather comments on the use, distribution and awarding of funds allocated to the KY-ASAP Program from the Kentucky Health Care Improvement Authority (Tobacco Settlement Funds, Phase I and Phase II).

The hearing will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 21 in the First Floor Conference Room of the Office of Drug Control Policy, 125 Holmes Street, Frankfort.

Written comments will also be accepted through August 19. Comments may be sent by mail to Amy Andrews, KY-ASAP State Program Coordinator, Office of Drug Control Policy, 125 Holmes Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, or via e-mail at amy.andrews@ky.gov.

U. Chicago study shows high drug abuse rates in Appalachia

From the Governor's Office for Local Development

According to an ARC commissioned study announced today by Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear and ARC Federal Co-Chair Anne Pope, Appalachia suffers from disproportionately high rates of substance use and mental health disorders, including the alarmingly increasing abuse of prescription painkillers.

Conducted for ARC by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, the study also reveals that Appalachia is doing better than the rest of the nation in terms of access to treatment for substance use and mental health problems.

The study analyzes the disparities in mental health status and substances abuse prevalence, as well as access to treatment services, across the 410 counties and 13 states of Appalachia by using community hospital discharge data, national household survey data, and treatment episode data.

To supplement quantitative data sources, case studies were conducted in partnership with East Tennessee State University (ETSU) to gather additional information.

The study’s findings demonstrate particular disparities associated with Appalachian sub-regions, county economic distress level, and within coal-mining areas that all confirm the presence of a place-based disparity in the Region.

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Depression link to poor driving

Reported by the BBC:

People on anti-depressants may have impaired driving skills, a small US study suggests.

Researchers put 60 people through a driving simulation to test steering, concentration and reactions.

North Dakota University found those on high dose anti-depressant courses had poorer driving skills.

But it was not clear whether it was the pills or the actual condition that caused the impairment and researchers said a larger study was now needed.

The participants were split between those who were not on medication, those taking a low dose course and others on a high dose.

Free health screenings at the KY State Fair

Visitors to the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville this month can get information to help their families’ health and well-being through free screenings and educational activities at the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ (CHFS) exhibit.

The highly interactive display, located in the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center’s South Wing B, features health educators and family services information and encourages guests to make good lifestyle choices. CHFS Secretary Janie Miller said her staff sees the fair as one of the agency’s best outreach opportunities, enabling staff to personally connect with up to 700,000 Kentuckians from all walks of life.

“We are giving visitors the chance to learn that by making good health choices, they can take major steps on the path to wellness,” she said. “And we also show them that many of the assistance programs we offer – like child care subsidies – can make a big difference toward family well-being.”

The fair runs Thursday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 24, and visitors can learn something new every day.

Kentucky Health and Family Services 2008 State Fair Schedule

Daily Programs
· Blood Pressure Monitoring
· General Health Information
· Abuse Prevention and Reporting
· Body Fat Analysis by Kentucky State University staff (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Aug. 14, 15 and 18)

Featured Programs
Thursday, Aug. 14
· Environmental Lead and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Friday, Aug. 15
· Family Preparedness Information
· Comprehensive Cancer Information

Saturday, Aug. 16
· Free Bone Density Screenings/Osteoporosis
· Women’s Health

Sunday, Aug. 17
· Free Bone Density Screenings/Osteoporosis

Monday, Aug. 18
· Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
· Nutrition
· Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs Information

Tuesday, Aug. 19 (Senior Day)
· Physical Activity
· Nutrition
· Department for Aging and Independent Living
· Long-Term Care Ombudsman Information
· Free Blood Sugar/Cholesterol/Blood Pressure Screenings – Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital staff

Wednesday, Aug. 20
· Environmental Lead and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
· Physical Activity
· Special Needs Adoption Program

Thursday, Aug. 21
· Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
· Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
· Quality Child Care Information -- STARS for KIDS NOW

Friday, Aug. 22
· Diabetes
· Tobacco Cessation
· Quality Child Care Information -- STARS for KIDS NOW

Saturday, Aug. 23
· Substance Abuse Prevention - “Fatal Vision” Goggles
· Quality Child Care Information -- STARS for KIDS NOW

Sunday, Aug.24
· Substance Abuse Prevention - “Fatal Vision” Goggles