August, normally a quiet month due to legislative vacations and the typical end of summer slowdown, was anything but boring. Healthcare reform discussions and strategizing continued with our friends and partners in DC. SAAS successfully wrapped up our fourth annual conference for senior leaders in addiction services in Tucson with positive accolades from attendees and exhibitors. Dr. Thomas McLellan was sworn in as Deputy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Together with ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske, they have hit the ground running, seeking input for the President's 2010 National Drug Control Strategy. As I sat around the table with many of our partners in the field, there was a real sense that they were listening and were interested in what we had to say.

Greetings!

I attended the meeting of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Advisory Committee for Women's Services (ACWS) this week. The primary responsibility of the SAMHSA Advisory Committee for Women's Services is to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to the Administrator of SAMHSA and the Associate Administrator for Women's Services concerning activities carried out by and through the Agency with respect to women's substance use and mental health disorders. The program for the day and a half meeting was excellent and the discussion among the Committee members was thoughtful and informative. Of most interest, I received a draft/preview copy of the new TIP: Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women. I was very impressed with the depth of the research relating to adult women. It is not designed to be a primer on treatment and very deliberately does not repeat information that can be found in other TIPs. It has been approved and is "winding its way" though the SAMHSA process and should be released soon. The meeting also included comprehensive reports from the three centers: CSAT, CSAP, and CMHS on current programs and initiatives focused specifically on Women's issues.

Greetings!

Things continue to be very busy in DC and around the country. The budget and healthcare reform remain at the top of everyone's priority list. Our discussions with legislators focus on the need for additional funding in the system as well as the need to include addiction services in any discussion taking place around healthcare reform. I encourage each of you to communicate these messages to your Congressional delegation locally. Now is the time for increased advocacy efforts around the country. LAC is doing a great job keeping SAAS members informed of Federal legislative activity in DC. Now it is up to everyone in the field--SAAS members, staff, clients, families, and friends of the field, to carry the message locally. If you have questions or need assistance with your Federal advocacy efforts, please do not hesitate to contact me or the staff at LAC for assistance.

Greetings!

Wow, it's already February! We have a new President, new Congress, the beginnings of a new administration, new budget headaches and new opportunities to provide the essential services that our communities need. SAAS is committed to helping our State Associations do the best job possible in supporting their members through rough waters. We will be compiling state budget information as part of our efforts to increase federal funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services. We are also working closely with other partners in our field to be as proactive as possible in the health care reform process, as it is essential that behavioral healthcare benefits be included and access to those services be addressed.