What's New

New Advisory: Preventing Substance Use Among Young Adults with Disabilities

In August, SAMHSA issued an advisory on preventing substance use among young adults with disabilities. In 2021, approximately 3.2 million people ages 14–24 (about 6.8 percent) were living with a physical or mental disability. What’s more, people ages 18–25 are at higher risk for initiating or increasing alcohol and other substance use due to the numerous transitions and significant changes they are experiencing. This advisory highlights the need for primary substance use prevention efforts for young adults ages 18–25 with disabilities, describes factors that may affect the delivery of prevention services, and provides guidance on designing and tailoring programs to meet the needs of this population.

SAMHSA Blog: Back to School: Mental Health Tips and Resources to Help Youth Thrive in—and Out of—the Classroom

A recent blog post by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services Director Anita Everett, M.D., DFAPA, discusses mental health and wellness challenges, tools, and resources for youth approaching a new school year. In the post, Everett points to recently published SAMHSA data showing that nearly 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12–17 reported a major depressive episode in the past year. In addition, adolescents who experienced a major depressive episode were more likely than their peers to have used illicit drugs (28.4 percent vs. 11.6 percent) or marijuana (21.9 percent vs. 8.7 percent). To learn about SAMHSA’s commitment to youth mental health, kids’ online health and safety, ways to ensure positive behavioral health in schools, and additional SAMHSA resources to support youth mental health, read the entire post here.

2024 Red Ribbon Week: Go Red—and Submit Your Video PSA Entry!

As part of DEA’s Red Ribbon Week campaign each year (October 23–31), SAMHSA and DEA invite colleges and universities to create and submit a 30- to 60-second video PSA showcasing their campus’s commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. To access the full contest rules, learn tips from the 2023 winners in a Prevention Profiles podcast, view the winning 2023 entries, and submit your entry (by November 4), visit https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/psacontest. In addition, DEA’s Go Red for Red Ribbon Week initiative encourages community, city, and state leaders to light public landmarks (e.g., buildings, monuments, bridges) in red to raise public awareness and promote a drug-free lifestyle. To learn more and see examples of landmarks that have “gone red” for Red Ribbon Week, visit https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/Go-Red-For-Red-Ribbon-Flyer-2024.pdf.

October 20–26 Is Teen Driver Safety Week

This year, Teen Driver Safety Week is October 20–26. In 2022, 2,514 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver (15–18 years old). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has developed materials educating teens and parents about teen driver safety issues including distracted driving, impaired driving, seat belt safety, speeding, and limiting extra passengers. To download NHTSA’s Teen Driver Safety Week materials, many available in both English and Spanish, visit https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/teen-driver-safety.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023

In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023. The report highlights data on the health behaviors and experiences of U.S. high school students in 2023, changes from 2021 to 2023, and 10-year trends. Similar to what data showed in 2021, the 2023 data point to decreases in students’ substance use and increases in students’ experiences of violence, signs of poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Read the full report to learn more about adolescent health and well-being trends.