Project Description:
Methamphetamine abuse has reached epidemic proportions across the country but has been a particular problem in rural areas where access to various chemicals needed for the manufacturing process is more available and home and outbuildings are remote and removed from regular scrutiny. In Nebraska, two-thirds of all drug-related Federal sentences were methamphetamine related and referrals for methamphetamine treatment increased 20-fold between 1992 and 2003. Additionally, the State has a shortage of professionals trained to identify, assess, and treatment methamphetamine abuse.
In rural States such as Nebraska, the only treatment resources available to individuals and families are those services provided in the primary health care setting. Unfortunately, physicians are often omitted from educational offerings in methamphetamine abuse. A new "Rural Initiative" has emphasized, however, the expansion of training and technical assistance to medical staff in rural centers to allow these primary care practitioners to better address behavioral health and substance abuse issues in their communities.
Funding from the COPS program will be utilized to address two "strategies" related to methamphetamine abuse: a) partnership development and b) training.
The two primary goals of the "Integrated Systems Against Methamphetamine Abuse" project are to: 1) Expand the basic knowledge levels of rural primary care physicians and related medical personnel regarding symptoms, identification and diagnosis, treatment, and appropriate referral of methamphetamine abusers, and 2) Enhancement and development of the role of rural primary health care personnel in partnerships with law enforcement, social services, families, education, and the court system in the assessment and treatment of methamphetamine abuse, focusing upon young adults and teenagers.
A major strength of this project is the "network" of UNMC faculty, interns, and post-doctoral fellows who are living and practicing in rural communities across the State. These personnel consist of clinical psychologists and counselors who are integrated into primary care practices in 13 different rural communities ranging from 35 to 425 miles away from the UNMC urban campus. These individuals will work with the training program in developing materials, will serve as remote site trainers, will ensure that primary care practices are included in community "teams" addressing methamphetamine abuse, and will also work with physicians in providing services to this population.
Keyword(s):
Mthamphetamine Abuse, identification, treatment, rural applications
Core Function(s):
Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
