Drug Use and Mental Health; Target Audience Statement: Primary target audiences for this program will include law enforcement officials, drug prevention specialists, Drug-Free Communities Act grantees, administrators, school drug counselors, treatment providers, drug court members, policy makers, business leaders, coalition volunteers, drug demand reduction coordinators, criminal justice professionals, members of the religious community and other community partners who may be interested. This program is also suitable for Public Access television distribution. Program Summary And Objectives: "Millions of American today receive health care for mental or substance-use problems and illnesses. These conditions are the leading cause of combined disability and death of women and the second highest of men." "Improving the Quality of health Care for Mental and Substance-Use Conditions," Institute of Medicine Report, November 1, 2005; Studies are showing an alarming trend, incidents of mental illness related to drug use are on the rise. It's unclear what came first, did a predisposition to mental illness lead to drug use, or is it the other way around? No matter what, co-occurring disorders are a problem. Especially in the wake of this year's hurricanes and other disasters, mental health and substance abuse professionals need to be poised to provide additional care for those suffering serious mental trauma and who may turn to alcohol and drugs as a result. During this hour-long broadcast, hear from treatment providers about the delicate balance between treating a person's addiction and his or her mental illness. We'll also learn about the stigma attached to mental illness and how coalitions can help fight it. Hear from representatives of the American Psychiatric Association about the group's advocacy of comprehensive and non-discriminatory health insurance coverage of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Learning Objectives: Define co-occurring disorders; Learn about the difficulty treating co-occurring disorders; Discover solutions to the problems both communities and patients face; See how community-based organizations can help improve the local climate to assist those in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health problems; Panelists: Patricia Ordorica, MD - Associate Chief of Staff, Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Central, James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital; Associate Professor Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of South Florida College of Medicine; Director Addictive Disorders Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Univ. of South Florida College of Medicine. Deirdre Forbes - Intake Coordinator for Madison East, part of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Ms. Forbes is in recovery from a co-occurring disorder. SAMHSA Representative - TBA Hosted by: Mary E. Larson, Vice President of Communications and Membership for CADCA This program is made possible through a partnership with the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training (MCTFT) Program at St. Petersburg College, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) and the Florida National Guard, with the technical support of the Satellite Education Network (SEN) at Ft. Lee, VA. Public domain video.