Substance abuse is a pattern of use that is harmful to oneself or others. This includes repeated failure to fulfill significant obligations, recurrent use in physically hazardous situations, repeated substance related legal problems, and continued use despite related social/interpersonal problems. Substance abuse can lead to addiction, a chronic disease for which there is no cure, but it is controllable. Substances of abuse include alcohol, nicotine, heroine, cocaine, crystal meth, and marijuana among others. In the US, 1/3 of alcoholics are women, who are less likely than men to disclose hazardous drinking. This is a huge issue since women are at greater risk for quicker and more severe medical consequences from drinking. Female alcoholics have a 50-100% higher death rate than men, and higher levels of depression and anxiety than any other group. It is important to remember addiction is a disease and has public health consequences. Women face unique consequences and challenges to treatment for drug use. There are many programs available for treatment including
-Harm Reduction programs
*Syringe Exchange Program
*Overdose Protection Program
*Medically supervised injection facilities
-Behavioral Therapy
*Counseling, Psychotherapy, Support Groups
-Maintenance Therapies
*Short-term, Long-term
-Drug-Free Treatment (outpatient)
-Short Term Residential
-Therapeutic Communities
-Prison-based Treatment
For more information you can visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse at
http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/treatmeth.html
Title VII is an important act regarding equality for all people in the work place. If you're unaware of Title VII, it prohibits discrimination by covered employers on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex or national origin. Title VII also prohibits discrimination against an individual because of his or her association with another individual of a particular race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. An employer cannot discriminate against a person because
of his interracial association with another, such as by an interracial marriage. For the 2009 budget, President Bush has zeroed out all funding for Title VII programs. NOW is the time to let our representative know that we care about funding for this important program, and are FIGHTING BACK! The National AMSA Women's Health Committee is supporting the continued funding of Title VII, and you can help too by clicking the link below. I want to stress that this is not just an issue for women in the workplace, but people of all ethnic backgrounds. If you get a chance click on the link and electronically support the cause. It literally takes like 2 seconds! Thanks!