The misuse of alcohol and drugs is one of the most devastating public health issues faced by New Hampshire (NH) communities today. Substance misuse in the state begins at an early age. In fact, according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), NH has some of the highest nationwide rates of alcohol use, marijuana use, and prescription drug misuse, particularly among youth and young adults (NSDUH 2014). Below demonstrates how NH young adults’ substance use rates compare to the average rates in the Northeast and the United States.
Similar rates of alcohol use, marijuana use, and prescription drug use are observed among the NH youth. The Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS) administered in 2015 indicated striking …show more content…
The effects of substance misuse are widespread, with negative implications for public health and wellbeing, including an alarming cadre of medical, social, safety, and economic costs. According to a recent analysis, substance misuse cost the NH economy over $1.84 billion dollars in 2012, an amount equal to about 2.8 percent of the state’s gross state product or $1,393 dollars for every person in the state. These costs include lost productivity and earnings, increased expenditures for healthcare, and public safety costs. In the same report, it is stated that only about six percent (6%) of individuals who misuse alcohol or drugs in NH currently receive treatment for their substance misuse. In fact, PolEcon Research (2014) contends that doubling the substance abuse treatment rate in NH to 12% is estimated to result in net benefits to the state of between $83 and $196 …show more content…
In response to these outcomes, behavioral health is currently becoming integrated in our primary health care system to optimize and allow for better access to medical services and treatment by NH residents. In New Hampshire, Behavioral Health is becoming incorporated in the Continuum of Care which will be further discussed in the next section .
New Hampshire’s SUD Continuum of Care Initiative
The Continuum of Care for Substance Use Disorders includes health promotion, prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery. When the continuum of care interacts closely with the primary care and behavioral health systems in a community, there are many benefits to the individual and to the community-at-large. Close interaction, characterized by regular, positive communication, bi-directional referrals, interagency agreements, and/or integrated data and billing systems, can lead to many positive outcomes, such
Similar rates of alcohol use, marijuana use, and prescription drug use are observed among the NH youth. The Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS) administered in 2015 indicated striking …show more content…
The effects of substance misuse are widespread, with negative implications for public health and wellbeing, including an alarming cadre of medical, social, safety, and economic costs. According to a recent analysis, substance misuse cost the NH economy over $1.84 billion dollars in 2012, an amount equal to about 2.8 percent of the state’s gross state product or $1,393 dollars for every person in the state. These costs include lost productivity and earnings, increased expenditures for healthcare, and public safety costs. In the same report, it is stated that only about six percent (6%) of individuals who misuse alcohol or drugs in NH currently receive treatment for their substance misuse. In fact, PolEcon Research (2014) contends that doubling the substance abuse treatment rate in NH to 12% is estimated to result in net benefits to the state of between $83 and $196 …show more content…
In response to these outcomes, behavioral health is currently becoming integrated in our primary health care system to optimize and allow for better access to medical services and treatment by NH residents. In New Hampshire, Behavioral Health is becoming incorporated in the Continuum of Care which will be further discussed in the next section .
New Hampshire’s SUD Continuum of Care Initiative
The Continuum of Care for Substance Use Disorders includes health promotion, prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery. When the continuum of care interacts closely with the primary care and behavioral health systems in a community, there are many benefits to the individual and to the community-at-large. Close interaction, characterized by regular, positive communication, bi-directional referrals, interagency agreements, and/or integrated data and billing systems, can lead to many positive outcomes, such