Dr. Blumenstein presents at Society for the Study of Social Problems

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice faculty, co-presented at the Society for the Study of Social Problems annual meeting in August in San Francisco, with Jason A. Ford, University of Central Florida.

Their topic was “Depression and Substance Use: The Moderating Influence of Social Class.”

The Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) is an interdisciplinary community of scholars, practitioners, advocates, and students interested in the application of critical, scientific, and humanistic perspectives to the study of vital social problems

Dr. Rosay discusses collaborative research on juvenile substance abuse at Reclaiming Futures event

Far l to r: Bill Hall, moderator, and Susan Richardson, Reclaiming Futures National Executive Director,
open the program.

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center, presented at the panel discussion and reception sponsored by the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and Volunteers of America - Alaska (VOA-Alaska) on November 20, 2012. Dr. Rosay discussed his collaborative research with VOA-Alaska and DJJ on juvenile substance abuse, and the impact on treatment completion and recidivism that the Reclaiming Futures Anchorage program has had in Alaska. Results of the evaluation showed that youth who participated in Reclaiming Futures were more likely to complete treatment, and were less likely to recidivate.

The reception honored the 10th anniversary of Reclaiming Futures and was attended by Susan Richardson, Reclaiming Futures National Executive Director.

The Reclaiming Futures model for juvenile substance abuse treatment has been used in 29 communities, large and small, rural and urban, in 17 states, including one Indian reservation.  It has been used in Anchorage for the past ten years and has brought together judges, juvenile justice professionals, treatment providers and community leaders to identify how juvenile courts can provide substance abuse treatment teens need to help them be successful.

L to r: Dr. André Rosay; Linda Moffitt, Reclaiming Futures
Volunteer; Lee Post, DJJ Juvenile Probation
Supervisor; Glen Kratochvil, VOA Restorative Justice
Director.

Reclaiming Futures is an initiative created in 2001 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that offers a new approach to helping teenagers caught in the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime.  The national office of Reclaiming Futures is housed in the Regional Research Institute of the School of Social Work at Portland State University. www.reclaimingfutures.org.

L to r: Susan Richardson, Reclaiming Futures National
Executive Director; Dr. André Rosay; Karin Schaff, VOA
Alaska Treatment Services Director; Jeff Jessee;
Alaska Mental Health Trust Chief Executive Officer.

 

Dr. Rosay presents at Reclaiming Futures event on juvenile substance abuse treatment

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center, presents at the panel discussion and reception sponsored by the Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice and Volunteers of America - Alaska on November 20, 2012. Dr. Rosay will discuss his research on juvenile substance abuse, and the impact on treatment completion and recidivism that the Reclaiming Futures Anchorage program has had in Alaska .

The Reclaiming Futures model for juvenile substance abuse treatment has been used in 29 communities, large and small, rural and urban, in 17 states, including one Indian reservation.  It has been used in Anchorage for the past ten years and has brought together judges, juvenile justice professionals, treatment providers and community leaders to identify how juvenile courts can provide substance abuse treatment teens need to help them be successful.

Reclaiming Futures is an initiative created in 2001 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that offers a new approach to helping teenagers caught in the cycle of drugs, alcohol and crime.  The national office of Reclaiming Futures is housed in the Regional Research Institute of the School of Social Work at Portland State University. www.reclaimingfutures.org.

Judge Morse and Dr. Rivera discuss substance abuse and the courts for National Criminal Justice Month

Judge Morse explains the philosophy of Wellness Court.

Judge Morse talks to students after the presentation.

Judge William Morse, 3rd Judicial District Superior Court - Wellness Court, and Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice faculty, discussed the issue of substance abuse and the role of the Wellness Court in dealing with the prevalent problem of substance abuse in our society on March 23 as part of National Criminal Justice Month.  Wellness Court is the felony DUI court in Anchorage.

Judge Morse described the sanctions and strategies the court uses to assist individuals in dealing with substance abuse and reentering the community.  Dr. Rivera presented data on national and state-wide trends in substance abuse.

The Justice Center and the UAA Justice Club co-sponsored a series of presentations during March in recognition of National Criminal Justice Month.

All the events were free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public.

L to r: Sam Peters, Justice Club President; Judge William Morse;
Dr. Marny Rivera; Prof. Troy Payne, Justice Club Co-Advisor.

Judge William Morse and Dr. Marny Rivera discuss substance abuse and the courts on March 23

Judge William Morse, Wellness Court, 3rd Judicial District, and Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice faculty, discuss "Substance Abuse and the Courts" - at the third in a series of events for National Criminal Justice Month.  The events are sponsored by the Justice Center and the Justice Club.

Judge Morse and Dr. Rivera look at the role of the Wellness Court in the Therapeutic Courts program in the Alaska Court System and current research regarding substance abuse.Wellness Court is the Felony DUI Court.

Date/time: Friday, March 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307
Parking is free in the library surface lots.

All events are free and open to UAA students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Alaska Meth Ed Project and Justice Center present substance abuse prevention display

The Alaska Meth Education Project, in collaboration with the Justice Center, presents a display and offers resources on substance abuse prevention, treatment options, and jobs in the substance abuse treatment field, on Thursday, June 24, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the UAA/APU Consortium Library.

Substance abuse prevention materials will be on display June 18-28 at the UAA/APU Consortium Library as part of the recognition of International Day against Substance Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (June 26). The Alaska Meth Education Project is supported by the Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Rivera invited to join Alaska substance use prevention workgroup

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, has been invited to join the State of Alaska DHSS, Division of Behavioral Health Epidemiology Workgroup for the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG). This workgroup will be responsible for refining, enhancing, and maintaining the current "Epidemiological Profile of Substance Abuse in Alaska." Their focus will include collecting and analyzing data, developing a prioritization process for selection of data-driven prevention priorities, and working with other state agencies.

This program is part of the federal SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention which has awarded Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grants to:

• prevent the onset and reduce the progression of substance use, including childhood and underage drinking;
• reduce substance abuse-related problems in communities; and
  
• build prevention capacity and infrastructure at the state and community levels.

Dr. Rivera to develop manual for Cengage Learning

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, has been invited by Cengage Learning to develop an instructor's manual for the forthcoming 7th edition of the textbook Drug Use and Abuse: A Comprehensive Introduction. Dr. Howard Abadinsky is the original author of the textbook. Dr. Rivera uses this textbook in the Justice 366 course, Alcohol and Crime.

Dr. Chamard heads subcommittee of Anchorage's Homeless Leadership Team

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice Center faculty, will coordinate the activities of the data subcommittee of the "Causes of Chronic Public Inebriation" work group of the Municipality of Anchorage's Homeless Leadership Team. The primary tasks of the subcommittee are to investigate sources of data concerning chronic public inebriates, gain access to the data, and conduct preliminary analyses to inform decision-making by the Leadership Team.

See the Justice Center's Homelessness bibliography for other information about homelessness.

Justice Center faculty to present at American Society of Criminology in November

Several Justice Center faculty will be making presentations at the American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting in Philadelpha, November 4-7, 2009:

Dr. Sharon Chamard will present on "Chronic Public Inebriate Movement Patterns: Response to Disruptions in Preferred Environments" on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

Dr. Brad Myrstol will present on "The Drug Use Trajectories of Arrestees" on Friday, November 6, 2009.

Dr. Marny Rivera and Jennifer McMullen, Research Assistant, will make a presentation on "Effects of an Anti-Methamphetamine Program" on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Dr. Rivera is the principal investigator for the evaluation project of the Alaska Meth Education Project.

Dr. Rivera authors evaluation of Oregon Adult Drug Court

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, recently authored an evaluation of the Jackson County, Oregon Adult Drug Court titled, “ADC (Adult Drug Court) Recidivism: Definition by Dosage, Level and Conviction Status.” The report was prepared by Dr. Rivera as the evaluator for the Jackson County, Oregon Treatment Courts, with a focus on the impact of treatment dosage (length of time in treatment) on recidivism.

The report examined recidivism (misdemeanor and felony level charges and conviction status) for participants in the drug court after 90 days, 120 days, and 180 days (dosage), and one full year of treatment. An important finding was that a substantial amount of recidivism takes place within the first 90 days of the program, before drug treatment has had an effect on the bodies and behavior of participants. The implication is that it is important to take treatment dosage (length of time in treatment) into consideration when judging the impact of substance use treatment on behavior, such as criminal recidivism.

Justice Center data cited in media reports

Justice Center data was cited recently in media reports by KTUU Channel 2 News and the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Justice Center sexual assault research was cited by KTUU in their August 9, 2009 story concerning a suspected double rapist. Research on domestic violence incidents and the involvement of alcohol was cited on September 2, 2009 in Part 1 of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner series on the problem of chronic inebriates.

Dr. Rivera begins Meth Education Project survey

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty and project manager for the evaluation of the Alaska Meth Education Project, has begun surveying by mail a random sample of 10,000 Alaskan residents. The survey asks residents about their views on the relative risks of meth use and about their familiarity with the ongoing meth education advertising campaign. The results of the survey will be available by fall 2009 and will be posted on the Justice Center website. For more information, please contact Dr. Rivera at 907-786-1126 or afmsr1@uaa.alaska.edu.

Dr. Rivera interviewed by KTUU Channel 2 News

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, was interviewed by Leyla Santiago of Channel 2 News about Alaska alcohol and drug abuse rates in light of the Alaska Department of Corrections' proposed expansion of substance abuse treatment programs. During the May 18, 2009 segment, Dr. Rivera discussed the relationship between substance abuse and crime, and the availability and effectiveness of treatment programs. More information on research on alcohol and drug abuse can be found on the Justice Center website.