ONDCP Designates Alaska HIDTA- First Regional Designation Since 2001

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced the designation covering areas surrounding Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau as the Alaska High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). With this designation, ONDCP established the first new regional HIDTA program since 2001. This designation enables Alaska to receive Federal resources to further the coordination and development of drug control efforts among Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers, and allow local agencies to benefit from ongoing HIDTA initiatives that are working to reduce drug trafficking across the United States.

With the Alaska HIDTA, there are now HIDTAs located in all 50 states, including the Northwest HIDTA, which covers much of Washington State. NW HIDTA is the sponsor of the M-files.org website, which provides information about specific drugs of abuse, prevention and treatment, and criminal justice activity in the region, including the DEA Emerging Threat Report described below.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

DEA Emerging Threat Report

The DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory’s Emerging Trends Program has been compiling data to effectively monitor new psychoactive substance (NPS) trends in the United States through queries of archived seizure and analysis information from drug evidence analyzed by the DEA laboratory system. The attached Annual 2017 Report includes NPS seized and identified in CY2017.

According to NDEWS distribution on this product: "The DEA Emerging Threat Report 2017 Annual" shows that fentanyl and fentanyl-related compounds accounted for approximately 7% of all exhibits seized and analyzed by the DEA lab. There was an approximately 117% increase in fentanyl, fentanyl-related compounds, and other new opioids identifications from 2016 to 2017. To read the full DEA Emerging Trends Program Annual Report and other HIDTA resources go to mfiles.org.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Empowering Native Youth for Health Professional Careers
June 23, 9:00am - 3:00pm
UW South Campus Center

Empowering Youth for Health Careers is a one-day event hosted by both the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) and the UW School of Dentistry to expose Native American students in high school, middle school, and college undergraduates to the healthcare field. This event will consist of numerous hands-on activities specific to Dentistry, Medicine, and Nursing with guidance from current professional students. The event will also include numerous speakers to encourage students to pursue a career in the healthcare field.  

This event is intended only for native youth and is free of charge.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Upcoming Trainings and Events:

Suicide Prevention: What You Need to Know
Employee Assistance Program’s “Live Webinar Series
Date: May 30, 2018 @ 12:00-1:00 PM
Click here for more information

NWATTC Webinar Series: Best Practices in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care
The Case of Pioneer Human Services in Washington State
Date: May 30, 2018, 12 pm-1 pm
More information

Northwest Conference on Behavioral Health & Addictive Disorders
Date: May 30 - June 1, 2018
Bellevue, WA
More information

Northwest Regional Conference
Date: May 31 - June 2, 2018
Portland, OR
More information

Washington Behavioral Healthcare Conference
Date: June 20 - 22, 2018
Kennewick, WA
More information

More Trainings and Events:
ADAI Calendar of training events in Seattle and NW Region.

Jobs in Washington: See ADAI job page.

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Also of Interest:

2017 Drug Use Trends in King County, WA - This report summarizes drug use trends from various sources in King County, Washington including the King Co. Medical Examiner, criminal justice, syringe exchanges, and calls to the state’s Recovery Helpline (UW Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute).

Age-Related Racial Disparity in Suicide Rates Among U.S. Youth (National Institute of Mental Health).

America’s 150-Year Opioid Epidemic (New York Times).

N.I.H. Halts Enrollment in a Study of Drinking Now Under Scrutiny (New York Times).

FDA Approves First Medication to Reduce Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Announces Relaunch of “Search and Rescue” Opioid Prescriber Education Campaign Website (Partnership for Drug-Free Kids).