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Substance Abuse

The substance abuse programs of COG seek to address the problems of alcohol and other drug abuse throughout the Washington metropolitan region as defined by the COG Human Services and Public Safety Policy Committee and its two technical committees, the Drug Prevention, Education, and Intervention Committee and the Drug Intervention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Committee. Two subcommittees convened regularly in the past year: the Dual Diagnosis Subcommittee and the Regional Prevention Conference Subcommittee.

The Substance Abuse program is committed to reducing the harmful implications of alcohol and other drug abuse by strengthening the efforts of public and private organizations in the areas of prevention, treatment, and enforcement. Key elements of the program include

policy and program planning and development;

program coordination and support; and

education and information.

SPECIAL AREAS OF EMPHASIS

Promote regionwide efforts to prevent underage drinking.

Conduct and disseminate research on effective prevention programs.

Conduct a regional prevention conference to foster new collaborative partnerships in prevention.

Provide training for mental health and substance abuse professionals.

RECENT ACTIVITIES

Publication of trends reports:

Annual How Safe are Our Roads? study of drinking and driving, speeding, and safety belt use in the Washington metropolitan area.  The report is a joint project with the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP).

The Youth and Alcohol Data Trend report.

Publication of an information directory:

The Comprehensive Services Directory for Persons in Recovery from Substance Abuse in the Washington Metropolitan Region. A directory of agencies that provide services specifically for substance abusing women and their children. Information provided includes types of services, locations, hours of services, eligibility requirements, methods of payment, foreign language capability and handicapped access.

Publication of policy reports:

Mental and Substance Use Disorders: The Treatment of Dual Diagnosis

The Prevention Solution:  Responding to Substance Abuse in the Washington Metropolitan Region.

TRAINING EFFORTS

"Relapse Prevention for the Dually Diagnosed"

CONTACTS

Nancy Rea, Public Health Program Coordinator
Phone (202) 962-3266
Fax (202) 962-3204