xxAACP Newsletter, Volume 14, Number 4, Fall 2000
AAAP and AACP Join Forces to Develop Task Force on Public Sector Interventions for Substance Use Disorders
The AAAP has long been an organization that has provided leadership in advancing the art and science of addiction treatment and it has been an anchor for psychiatrists involved in education and research in this field. Although these activities have been the primary focus of organizational activities, it has been recognized that the bulk of the organization’s membership are clinicians who are involved with clients from a variety of circumstances in diverse treatment settings. Recent initiatives within the organization have attempted to tap into the experiences and concerns of this membership and to broaden its participation in directing the activities and focus of the AAAP. Part of this initiative has been to bring new faces into positions of leadership for the fresh perspectives that they may provide. There has been a clear commitment to restructuring committee work and to encouraging grassroots participation in their function. Another aspect of the change that is transforming the organization is the development of a capacity to reach out to other organizations with similar interests and to strengthen liaison relationships that have not previously been particularly active or productive.
One product of these changes is the newly formed Joint Task Force on Public Sector Interventions for Substance Use Disorders. The majority of substance use treatment is funded by public dollars in a variety of settings. Substance use continues to be the foremost public health issue of our time and consequently interventions implemented through public systems, whether treatment oriented or preventative, are a significant concern for the AAAP and its membership. Leadership in this area is vital to reforming misguided public policies which have tended to exacerbate public health concerns rather than alleviating them. With this in mind, this task force was formed at the spring Board meeting at the recommendation of Dr. Joyce Tinsley, Chairperson of the Treatment Section. Although the initial task for the group will be to identify its scope of activity and to develop a work plan, there are several projects that come to mind readily which may be part of the group’s activities. The availability and design of addiction treatment in forensic settings, service needs of persons with severe mental illness co-occurring with substance use disorders, the use of case management and other ancillary services, and harm reduction initiatives, are just a few examples of issues the task force may wish to consider and for which it may wish to develop recommendations.
In an effort to enhance the effectiveness of these efforts, the AAAP will join forces with the American Association of Community Psychiatrists (AACP). The AACP, which was formed in 1984, has focused its attention on populations which are impoverished, disempowered, stigmatized and usually under served. Care which is available to these populations is generally provided by public sector systems. Clearly many of the people who fit this description are also effected by substance use disorders. Although the primary focus of these two organizations has been quite distinct, there are significant areas where their interests overlap. The Joint Task Force hopes to take advantage of these common interests and the strengths of both organizations in developing leadership which will have significant influence and impact.
The Task Force will be chaired initially by Wesley Sowers, MD who has served as the AACP-AAAP Liaison for the past five years. Once a membership has been identified, much of the business of the group will take place electronically, which should ensure the broadest participation possible. At least one meeting will be scheduled on an annual basis, most likely during the spring meeting of the APA, for all task force members who are able to attend. Members will be encouraged to establish membership in both sponsoring organizations, but this will not be a requirement for participation. Persons interested in discussing the concept further or who would like to become a member of the Task Force should contact Wesley Sowers by E-mail (sowers@sfhs.edu) or telephone (412-622-6717).
AACP Representative at Large
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