Press Room

SAMHSA News Release, May 5, 2005
Admissions for Drug Treatment Up for Older Adults SAMHSA and FDA Start New Ad Campaign-Do the Right Dose
Admissions for substance abuse treatment increased by 32 percent among older adults over the eight-year period 1995-2002, concludes a new study released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The DASIS Report: Older Adult Alcohol Admissions: 2003

SAMHSA News Release, July 27, 2004
ER Data Show Many Abuse Oxycodone and Hydrocodone
Forty percent of the 119,000 mentions of narcotic pain medications in emergency rooms involved either oxycodone or hydrocodone in 2002, according to a new report released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA News Release, July 23, 2004
Treatment Admissions for Abuse of Narcotic Pain Medications Doubled in Ten Years
In the ten years between 1992 and 2002 treatment admission rates for abuse of narcotic pain medications more than doubled, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported today. The report, "Treatment Admissions Involving Narcotic Painkillers 2002 Update" shows that these admissions increased for all ages, but especially among people aged 20 to 30.

PCMA Press Release, May 11, 2004
PCMA Applauds New Government Education Initiative to Raise Awareness Among Seniors About Dangers of Prescription Drug Interactions, Alcohol Consumption
A new government education initiative designed to raise awareness among seniors about the dangers of prescription drug interactions and alcohol consumption shines a spotlight on an important issue and builds on the important work pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have pioneered to make prescription drugs safer and more effective for consumers, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

SAMHSA News Release, May 11, 2004
SAMHSA, FDA and AoA Work To Help Keep America's Older Citizens Safe and Healthy and Celebrate Older Americans' Month
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration on Aging (AoA), agencies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), today released public education materials to warn older Americans of the dangers of mixing certain prescription drugs or prescription medications and alcohol.

CASA Press Release, May 11, 2004
Statement from Joseph A. Califano, Jr. Chairman and President of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University and Former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare on the Dangers of Prescription Drugs and Alcohol to Older Americans
"I congratulate the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Food and Drug Administration and the Administration on Aging on the release of As You Age.A Guide to Aging, Medicines, and Alcohol to combat substance abuse among older Americans.

SAMHSA News Advisory, May 4, 2004
SAMHSA, FDA and AoA Work To Help Keep America's Older Citizens Safe and Healthy and Celebrate Older Americans Month
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration on Aging, agencies under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will release public education materials to warn older Americans of the dangers of mixing certain prescription drugs or prescription medications and alcohol.

Voices for Recovery
Gilbert Fitzgerald, person in recovery at Hanley-Hazelden of Hazelden Foundation, an international provider of treatment, recovery, research, training and education, offering programs, services, and publications for individuals, families, and communities affected by chemical dependency.

Doris Terry is a former elementary and high school teacher from Kentucky. In the 1970s Terry was the first State supervisor of health education for the Maryland State Department of Education where she helped develop alcohol education curriculum for high school students. During this time, she identified herself as having a problem with alcohol, and at the age of 50 got onto the "road to recovery."