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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced 22 awards totaling $16.2 million over three years to increase the effectiveness of alcohol and drug abuse treatment for adolescents.

The programs receiving these grants will adopt or expand their use of a treatment protocol that combines two types of therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavior Therapy, a five-session protocol, was previously proved to be effective with substance abusing youth.

"Our youth deserve better than the destruction and despair that comes with drug addiction," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "These grants will support the use of effective strategies to reach young people with drug problems and help them start down a healthier, more productive path for their lives."

The grants are part of HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration program to target areas with unmet need for substance abuse treatment. This program is designed for youth ages 12- 21 who meet medical criteria for substance abuse or dependence. The first year of this program will send $5.4 million to 22 projects that will provide treatment to youths within their communities. These grants will be renewable for two more years, depending on outcomes and availability of funding.

"Over the years, research has developed effective treatment strategies that meet the specific needs and challenges of young people with drug problems," SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie said. "Now, we are focusing our resources on bringing these effective, science-based services to community-based practice."

The grantees include:

• Pima Prevention Partnership, Tucson, AZ.
• Prototypes, Culver City, CA.
• Urban Indian Health Board, Oakland, CA.
• State Court Administrator’s Office, Denver, CO.
• Arapahoe House, Inc., Thornton, CO.
• Connecticut Junior Republic, Inc., Litchfield, CT.
• Connecticut Renaissance, Inc., Norwalk, CT.
• Center for Drug Free Living, Orlando, FL.
• Operation Par, Inc., Pinellas Park, FL.
• New England Institute/Addictions Studies, Augusta, ME
• CAB Health and Recovery Services, Inc., Danvers, MA.
• SSTAR, Fall River, MA.
• Child and Family Services, Lansing, MI.
• Oakland Family Services, Pontiac, MI.
• Duke University, Durham, NC.
• Preferred Family Healthcare Inc., Kirksville, MO.
• Butler County ADAS Board, Hamilton, OH
• Tualatin Valley Centers, Portland, OR.
• Houston Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Houston, TX.
• Educational Service District 113, Olympia, WA.
• Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.