How do your outcomes measure up?

SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration -- a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- has developed National Outcomes Measures for all of its grantees. They are laid out in a clear grid by domain, similar to what a logic model might look like if you tried to model all prevention and treatment programs in one document. States and other grantees report on their success in these outcomes. The outcomes were developed primarily from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). This annual survey collects data from members of U.S. households aged 12 or older. Some interesting national statistics show that that among persons aged 12 to 17 (2004-05): * Seventeen percent reported using alcohol during the past 30 days; however, 78 percent perceived a great risk of harm from having five or more drinks of an alcoholic beverage once or twice a week. * Seven percent reported using marijuana in the past 30 days; however, 83 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds perceived moderate or great risk of harm from smoking marijuana once a month. * The average age of first use among 12- to 17-year-olds who reported using marijuana or alcohol was 13.6 and 13.1, respectively. * Twenty-five percent of persons aged 15 to 17 who were employed would be more likely to work for an employer who randomly tests for drugs and alcohol.