Consensus Paper Topic Suggestions

1.      Determine the intent and establish principles for detoxification periods and develop guidelines to determine when a client is physically and mentally capable to participate in programming. 

2.      What are the alternatives to mandatory DUI education programs?   

3.      How does weekend alcohol and other drug use by students affect their school achievement?   

4.      What does the label “at risk” mean?  What criteria should be used to assess whether or not a child is at risk?  What effect does labeling a child “at risk” have on a child's education and performance?   

5.      Do current mandatory minimums selectively target women more than men when it comes to reintegration?  How do mandatory minimums relate to level of involvement in the crime and to men versus women?  

6.      What are the principles of a good protocol when a school suspects a student is adversely affected by substance abuse?   

7.      What are the principles for integrating students back into the school system after returning from treatment?   

8.      Should co-occurring treatment be available in a mental health center as well as in a substance abuse center?  

9.      What might be some of the unintended effects of random drug testing in schools?  How will it affect students’ attitudes?   

10.  What are the principles for ensuring the safety of a child when 1 or more parent/guardian is involved with a substance abuse situation that many endanger the child?   

11.  If drug testing by schools is appropriate, who should be tested and how?   

12.  What strategies should be used to treat elderly clients for substance abuse?  Does this differ from treatment of younger clients and, if so, how?   

13.  What are the pros and cons for co-educational treatment in residential care?   

14.  What should the role of the criminal justice system be in managing and treating substance abuse in our communities?   

15.  What are the pros and cons for different drug use screening procedures?  When should different screening procedures be used?   

16.  What are the medical, dental, and prescription needs of people in treatment and what are the barriers to meeting these needs?  When should treatment be postponed so the client can seek medical attention? 

17.  Do stigmatizing attitudes influence our legislators’ perceptions on funding?   

18.  What are the barriers faced when providing treatment to elderly clients?  What are solutions to these barriers?   

19.  What do we need to ensure a quality workforce in the prevention field?  

20.  Are our legislative policies actually reducing the use of methamphetamine or simply increasing consciousness?   

21.  What are the barriers faced when incarcerating elderly offenders?  What are solutions to these barriers?   

22.  Are sanctions for alcohol and drug use selectively targeting those in school activities and sports in contrast to those not involved in school activities or sports?   

23.  What are the intentions for drug testing in schools?   

24.  Are there evidence-based practices to prevent elderly substance abuse?  If so, what are they?   

25.  How is bullying in schools related to substance abuse?   

26.  Are minimum sentences that are greater than other substances doing anything to impact methamphetamine issues?   

27.  Evaluating caffeine withdrawal and it's affects on level of concentration in treatment.   

28.  Relation between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and other maternal drug use and school aged learning disabilities in relation to No Child Left Behind legislation and other learning outcomes.  

29.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the State Board of Education develop and implement a plan to incorporate evidence-based standards and practices related to prevention and health promotion?  

30.  Success rates of treatment of people when insurance pays, Vs. self pay  vs. Medicaid/block grant.   Are we more or less motivated if our insurance company picks up the tab?  Or is does this have any impact?  Or, are those with insurance more likely to be motivated?  

31.  How could integration of Primary Care, Behavioral Health Services, and Substance Abuse/Treatment services be achieved on the local level?   

32.  Is there evidence that substance abuse treatment works? 

33.  How could the system encourage opportunities for teams of behavioral health, primary care, and substance abuse treatment specialists to work together in a community?   

34.  Encourage community partnerships to deliver evidence-based interventions to promote public health and well-being for all Iowans.   

35.  How could community-based peer support systems for substance abuse after-care and behavioral health services be created?   

36.  Is ATOD field being held to higher accountability than other helping professional fields?   

37.  Could community organizing-based model programs work in ethnic communities in smaller towns and cities?   

38.  Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse issues.  

39.  How could substance abuse prevention model programs be adapted for non-English speaking groups?   

40.  Should every school district develop a policy incorporating age-appropriate prevention and health promotion skills and content in grades K-12?  If so, what should it look like?   

41.  Are substance abuse prevention programs considering gay and lesbian youth?   

42.  Will understanding addiction by the health model affect outcomes?   

43.  How well could community organizing-based environmental change model programs work in rural communities?   

44.  What could be done to increase client engagement?   

45.  What could be the best substance abuse prevention strategies for Iowa?   

46.  What are effective management and treatment strategies for co-occurring disorders in a correctional setting?   

47.  How could primary care providers diagnose and treat substance abuse across the age spectrum?   

48.  Whether or not substance abuse prevention funding should be used to prevent bullying in schools.  If yes, what makes sense.   

49.  What are factors that might promote the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs in small towns and cities?