100 Pioneers Profile: Freedom from a Deadly Addiction –
Making tobacco-free living part of recovery for people with mental health and substance use disorders -- that is what the 100 Pioneers for Smoking Cessation Virtual Leadership Academy is about and what New York’s Tobacco-Free Initiative is striving toward.
New York is one of the largest states represented by SAMHSA Pioneers, and its prevention, treatment and recovery providers – over 1,500 programs – are making history as all OASAS programs are working to implement tobacco-free policies. Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services stated, “As New York leads the nation with addressing tobacco in the same context as treating all other substance abuse disorders, the state is demonstrating to the country the ability to change the cultural acceptance of tobacco use and treat the deadliest addiction of all. Substance abuse counselors have the knowledge and skills to help individuals working toward recovery deal with their use of addictive substances. These skills are the backbone of the OASAS system of care and directly apply to the treatment of tobacco. The most commonly used models for tobacco treatment combine cognitive behavioral therapy such as motivational enhancement with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).”
The success of the initiative is evident. As of November of this year, 566 programs had been reviewed with 461 in compliance. The proportion of programs in compliance has grown steadily from 60 percent in July 2008 to over 80 percent today. Since implementation, OASAS has provided on-line training to over 5,000 individuals, reached out to present or discuss the regulation to over 10,000 individuals, and offers on-going technical assistance. Working with the Professional Development Program (PDP), Rockefeller College and the University at Albany the OASAS team has reached approximately 1,900 additional individuals.
OASAS established a Tobacco Advisory Group which has proved to be a valuable resource. Composed of clinicians from multiple disciplines, the advisory group encourages subgroups to collaborate to identify issues and work together on strategies and solutions.
Additionally, recognizing the importance of tobacco treatment as part of the full recovery process, OASAS is working with the NYS Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH) on adapting a Wellness Self Management (WSM) program for the behavioral health population. A pilot is scheduled to start this January, and the newly developed version of the WSM curriculum will include information on nicotine and the importance of proper use of language and how best to integrate into each treatment environment. The materials include understanding what helps and hinders recovery and how to live a healthy lifestyle. Each lesson is structured to impart useful information aimed at personalizing the information and formulating action steps to support recovery.
When asked about lessons learned, Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo said, “Monumental cultural change takes time. Leadership support, planning, training and all staff understanding of the importance of integrating tobacco into the context of treating all other addictive disorders are critical elements to changing norms and improving healthier outcomes. Collaboration with other state agencies and providers is key to the overall success.”
“Being part of the 100 Pioneers for Smoking Cessation campaign has presented a valuable opportunity for New York to hear what other states are experiencing, including learning about other successful campaigns." she said.
The 100 Pioneers Campaign is jointly sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center (SCLC), University of California, San Francisco. One hundred Pioneers in the behavioral health field were identified through an application process and provided customized technical assistance including webinars and resources and a stipend to help recognize their efforts. Pioneers range from small residential treatment homes to larger state initiatives but all have one thing in common. All Pioneers are focused on making tobacco-free living part of recovery for people with mental health and substance use disorders.
For more information on the OASAS Tobacco-Free Initiative contact:
Peggy Bonneau, Director of Health and Wellness
(518) 485-2317
PeggyBonneau@oasas.state.ny.us
New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services 1450 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203
To learn more about the SAMHSA 100 Pioneers for Smoking Cessation campaign click here.
DECEMBER 10, 2009 Webinar:
"Building Staff Buy-In for Tobacco-Free Policies”
The next webinar in the SCLC Pioneer series will address best strategies for gaining staff buy-in when creating tobacco-free policies. Staff resistance can be a significant barrier to successfully implementing tobacco-free policies in addiction treatment programs. Bill Panepinto, LMSW, director of the Tobacco Recovery Resource Exchange of Professional Development Program, Rockefeller College, University of Albany will address strategies such as how best to advocate for tobacco-free policies, the importance of tobacco education, and tobacco treatment in addiction programs for all levels of staff. Bill also serves as a member of the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)-New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Providers (ASAP) joint Tobacco Advisory Council, which helps guide systematic implementation of the state’s Tobacco Free Services Regulation.
Co-presenter Julie Sears, Freedom from Smoking coordinator of Phoenix Programs, Inc. in Columbia, MO will share her first-hand experiences in gaining staff buy-in. Julie recently spearheaded the implementation of a tobacco-free policy on outpatient and residential treatment campuses. Effective October 15th, Phoenix Programs is now tobacco-free. Julie is also a SAMHSA Pioneer and has received individual technical assistance using the Tobacco Recovery Resource Exchange services.
Learn how to engage your staff members whose buy-in is critical to the success of your tobacco-free policy: Spaces are filling up fast for Thursday, December 10, 2009, at 11am Pacific Time (2 pm Eastern Time). “Building Staff Buy-In for Tobacco-Free Policies.”
If you have any questions, contact reason.reyes@ucsf.edu or call toll-free 877-509-3786
NEW VIDEO RELEASE
Smoking, Hazards and Solutions in Long-Term care
Smoking presents significant health hazards in the nursing home for residents, staff, and visitors.
“Smoking, Hazards and Solutions in Long-Term Care” provides an overview of the consequences of smoking both to the individual smoker and to the overall quality of care in a residential facility and offers steps to help both staff and residents minimize the disruption caused by smoking. Click here for details on how to purchase your own DVD.