Clearinghouse help line trims hours due to funding cuts

The Washington State Alcohol/Drug Clearinghouse has announced what they hope is a temporary suspension of its 24-hour operation of its help line due to a “severe loss of county funding,” according to D. Ann Forbes, the help line’s executive director. The line is now accessible from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Our intention is to resume 24-hour service as soon as additional funding becomes available,” she added. As a further cost cutting move, the organization will also now start charging for shipping of materials, although the publications themselves will remain free of charge. More information is on their Web site.

ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske praises work
on drug courts at national training conference

Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, addressed 2,500 drug court professionals at the 15th Annual Training Conference of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals on June 11th in Anaheim, Calif. He commended the organization for their commitment to reduce substance abuse and reiterated the Administration’s strong support for drug court, illustrated in the FY2010 Budget and a letter he presented from President Obama marking the 20th anniversary of the first drug court in the United States. (Source: Pushing Back)

New Web site focuses on Meth

The National Methamphetamine Training and Technical Assistance Center has launched a new Web site to serve as a clearinghouse of information about the powerfully addicting drug. Funded by a federal grant, the center is co-directed by Priscilla Lisicich, executive director of the Safe Streets program in Tacoma, and Terree Schmidt-Whelan, executive director of the Pierce County Alliance.