Toxicology testing and results for suicide victims – 13 states, 2004

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Nov. 24, 2006 / 55(46);1245-48. To assess toxicology testing practices and to determine the prevalence of positive results for alcohol or other drugs, CDC analyzed test results of suicide victims in the 13 states that collected data for the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) in 2004. This report summarizes the results of that analysis.

Improving the quality of health care for mental and substance-use conditions: Quality chasm series

This report addresses lack of access to, and coordination and fragmentation of health/mental health services for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. The Committee on Crossing the Quality Chasm: Adaptation to Mental Health and Addictive Disorders recommends that mental health care and substance use care be viewed as part of overall health care since consequences of poor care in either can affect both. They describe a multifaceted and comprehensive strategy to ensure that individuals with mental and substance-use health conditions receive the care that they need to recover.

Endangered youth: A report on suicide among adolescents involved with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems

This report familiarizes professionals from a broad range of agencies with an interdisciplinary framework that addresses the suicide risk factors for children, youth and their families involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Case studies illustrate the challenges confronting families, communities and professionals, while offering opportunities for learning and development of effective service delivery.