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Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices for Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Disorders: The Role of the State Authority

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Abstract

The current climate of increasing performance expectations and diminishing resources, along with innovations in evidence-based practices (EBPs), creates new dilemmas for substance abuse treatment providers, policymakers, funders, and the service delivery system. This paper describes findings from baseline interviews with representatives from 49 state substance abuse authorities (SSAs). Interviews assessed efforts aimed at facilitating EBP adoption in each state and the District of Columbia. Results suggested that SSAs are concentrating more effort on EBP implementation strategies such as education, training, and infrastructure development, and less effort on financial mechanisms, regulations, and accreditation. The majority of SSAs use EBPs as a criterion in their contracts with providers, and just over half reported that EBP use is tied to state funding. To date, Oregon remains the only state with legislation that mandates treatment expenditures for EBPs; North Carolina follows suit with legislation that requires EBP promotion within current resources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. CB 669, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Traci R. Rieckmann PhD, Holly E. Fussell PhD & Nicole M. Stettler BS

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. GH 251, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Anne E. Kovas MPH

Authors
  1. Traci R. Rieckmann PhD
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  2. Anne E. Kovas MPH
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  3. Holly E. Fussell PhD
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  4. Nicole M. Stettler BS
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Traci R. Rieckmann PhD.

Additional information

Research made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation no. 58839. Sections of this work were presented at the American Public Health Association annual meeting, Washington, DC, November 3–7, 2007, and the Western Psychological Association annual meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, May 3–6, 2007.

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Rieckmann, T.R., Kovas, A.E., Fussell, H.E. et al. Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices for Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Disorders: The Role of the State Authority. J Behav Health Serv Res 36, 407–419 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-008-9122-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-008-9122-6

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