From Serendip

MENTAL HEALTH

Center for Science in Society

Serendip's mental health resource lists are intended to provide access to web materials which we believe are of continuing usefulness in discussions of mental health issues. This "News" section is aimed at helping people be aware of possible "growing points" relevant to mental health discussions, news reports which offer what may become important new perspectives on mental health, relating either to mental health itself or to related social, political, and economic phenomena that impact on it.

• Seriously Ill Join Marijuana Buyers' Clubs for Medicine
  Discusses the debate over legalized marijuana use for medical treatment.

• Schools Are Now Marketers Where Choice Is Taking Hold, April 2001
  An increasing number of school districts around the country are allowing parents to choose their children's school, resulting in schools marketing to the public.

• Promised Sex-Ed Report Languishes
  The Surgeon General laid the groundwork for a far-reaching report on sexual attitudes and education which was never published.

• CDC: Gun Deaths Sharply Down
  lowest level since 1966, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Drug Financial-Aid Law Enforced
  More students who have drug convictions will be denied federal financial aid now that the Bush administration has decided to enforce a law on the books since last July.

• VPC: Analysis of High-Profile Shootings Released
  A Violence Policy Center analysis of firearms used in high-profile shootings finds that most were acquired leagally.

• One in Six American Kids Impoverished, April 2001
  Parents' low-paying jobs and lack of government support are some of the reasons why one of six American children lives in poverty, according to a new report.

• Abortion in India Is Tipping Scales Sharply Against Girls, April 2001
  Early figures from the 2001 census reveal that female fetuses are being regularly aborted, continuing a trend from the 1980's, which has resulted in a fall in the ratio of girls to boys.

• In Some States, Sex Offenders Serve More Than Their Time, April 2001
  The debate over whether and when to release covicted sex offenders.

• New Initiative on Prescription Misuse and Abuse, April, 2001
  NIDA announced a new, nationwide public-health initiative is aimed at raising awareness about recent trends in the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs.

• Gun Violence Prevention Bills Hearing Held in Boston, April 2001
  State Senators Jacques, Creem, Linsky and gun violence survivors will testify on gun violence prevention bills before two legislative committees on Tuesday, April 3.

• A Question of Efficacy: Regulate Gun Owners or Regulate Gun Industry?
  Licensing and registration was a central campaign theme of many candidates who favored stronger gun laws in 2000. Was that message counterproductive?

• Report Finds Insufficient Data on War on Drugs, April 2001
  A report commissioned by the White House said there is insufficient information available to determine the effectiveness and progress of the war on drugs.

• Mentoring Relationships Reduce Youth Drug, Alcohol Use
  A commentary noted that while mentoring programs can be effective in reducing drug and alcohol use among youths, it is important for the U.S. government to provide funding.

• Justice Dept. Requests Continued Funding for Tobacco Lawsuit, April 2001
  The Justice Department is requesting that Congress continue to fund its lawsuit against the tobacco industry, even as the Bush administration decides whether to continue to pursue the case.

• Phillip Morris Supports Limited FDA Tobacco Regulation, April 2001
  Philip Morris, the leading U.S. tobacco company, is lobbying Congress to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco within certain limits.

• New England Groups Seek Common Ground, April 2001
  In New England,gun violence prevention groups are finding value in sharing good news and bad with each other.

• Action Alert: Fairness in Treatment Act, April 2001
  Partnership for Recovery urges constituents to meet with their congress members during spring recess to encourage them to pass the Fairness in Treatment Act 2001.

• Liquor Industry Supporting Lower DUI Standard, April 2001
  The liquor industry has agreed to lobby for legislation that would lower the drunk-driving standard to 0.08 percent.

• International Small Arms Proliferation, April, 2001
  An editorial in the New York Times said leaders must address the wide availability of low-tech weapons, responsible for most of the world's conflict-related killing in the decade since the end of the Cold War.

• Court Throws Out New Orleans' Gun Lawsuit, April 2001
  In a 5-2 ruling, the Louisiana Supreme Court blocked a lawsuit against the gun industry filed by the city of New Orleans.

• The 90's Suburbs of West and South: Denser in One, Sprawling in Other, April 17, 2001
  From The New York Times, this article discusses the transitional nature of suburbs in the United States.

• Before College, Year Off Beckons to Well Off
  As a result of school burn-out, high school graduates should take time off before entering college. From The New York Times, April 17, 2001.

• Rural Hospital Focuses on Its Financial Health, April 17, 2001
  From the New York Times, this article discusses the financial crisis of hospitals and how they are dealing with this problem.

• Pulitzer Prizes Include 3 for News Coverage of Immigration and Ethnic Complexity
  Three Pulitzer Prizes in journalism were were awarded for articles that highlighted the perplexing, sometimes traumatic legacy of immigrationand the country's changing ethnic mix. From the New York Times (April 17, 2001).

• Drug Companies Begin Talks With South Africa, April 18, 2001
  Drug companies have begun negotiating with South African officials to settle a lawsuit seeking to prevent South Africa from importing cheaper anti-AIDS drugs and other medicines, a drug company official confirmed tonight. New York Times.

• Justices Permit Race as a Factor in Redistricting, April 18, 2001
  In a crucial ruling on the role of race in legislative districting, the Supreme Court upheld a North Carolina Congressional district against the accusation that the 47-percent-black district was the product of an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. New York Times.

• Democrats and G.O.P. Hail Court's Districting Decision
  Republicans and Democrats both claimed victory today after the Supreme Court ruled that race could be an element in redistricting decisions so long as it was not the controlling factor. New York Times, April 18, 2001.

Back to Mental Health Project.

These resources lists are being compiled by Christine Tubiak, working with Paul Grobstein, Department of Biology, and James Martin, School of Social Work and Social Research, at Bryn Mawr College. Suggestions for additions to the list are welcome, as are more general thoughts about how to most effectively make available information, and promote conversation, about issues of mental health. Contact ctubiak@brynmawr.edu - pgrobste@brynmawr.edu - jmartin@brynmawr.edu.