2006.04.14

Methamphetamine drug abuse continues to be a issue that especially concerns rural states. Nebraska is no exception. Hank Robinson, the director of UNO's Juvenile Justice Institute, has extensively researched the topic. In this interview he explains how meth comes to Nebraska and what are the best practices to address meth addiction.

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METHAMPHETAMINE USE IN RURAL STATES CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM FOR INDIVIDUALS, FOR FAMILIES, FOR COMMUNITIES.  AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA, RESEARCHERS HAVE BEEN EXAMINING NOT ONLY HOW METH COMES TO OUR STATE, BUT WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES TO ADDRESS METH ADDICTION.  HANK ROBINSON, THE DIRECTOR OF UNO'S JUVENILE JUSTICE INSTITUTE, EXPLAINS WHERE NEBRASKA'S METH USE IS COMPARED TO OTHERS IN THE MIDWEST OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

ROBINSON: "Nebraska's rate of methamphetamine use and treatment admissions has climbed faster than all the other states except for Iowa and Wyoming for a brief period of time."

STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS DONE A GOOD REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF METH MANUFACTURED OR "COOKED" IN NEBRASKA, BUT . . .

ROBINSON: "What remains, however, is that pipeline from California to Illinois that runs right through the heart of Nebraska, and that appears to be the avenue by which most of the methamphetamine comes in through the state."

AND WHILE ALCOHOLISM AND OTHER DRUGS WITH ADDICTIVE PROPERTIES ALSO POSE LARGE SOCIETAL PROBLEMS, METH IS DIFFERENT.

ROBINSON: "It seems like whatever community you go to in the state of Nebraska somebody knows somebody who's life has been wrecked by methamphetamine."

A REPORT ISSUED BY ROBINSON AND OTHER UNO RESEARCHERS TO THE UNICAMERAL A FEW MONTHS AGO DOES OFFER SOMETHING NOT OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH METH – HOPE.

ROBINSON: "You can recover from methamphetamine addiction. And there are success stories all around this state of people who have been able to recover from their addiction to methamphetamine and, with long term support for their recovery, they've been able to abstain from the use of it."

ROBINSON SAYS THE REPORT POINTS TO COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT PLANS BEING THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO HELP METH ADDICTS.

ROBINSON: "From the very outset, when the user's motivation is at its highest to recover, they can address issues of their housing and their relationships with family and friends who are contributing to their ongoing use."

COMMUNITY BASED TREATMENT ALSO HELPS WHEN THOSE IN RECOVERY RELAPSE INTO USING.  ROBINSON SAYS IT'S HELPFUL TO THINK OF RECOVERY AS CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN.  NO ONE WANTS TO SLIP UP AND START AT THE BOTTOM AGAIN.

ROBINSON: "But if there are community and family supports in place, you may lose a few feet.  You may fall down a ways, but as long you're caught before you hit the bottom you're already better off than you would have been.  And you're already that much closer to getting to the top of the mountain."

A FINAL REPORT TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON METH IS CURRENTLY BEING FINALIZED.

2006.08.22
While high school seniors should be enjoying their final year, it's never too early to start thinking about college. Jason Blohm, assistant director for UNO Rescruitment Services, offers a great deal of practical advice for high school students and their parents in this podcast interview. NOTE: This is a true podcast file. This interview is more than eight minutes long.
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2006.07.31
UNO's Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) has just release a new report on state population trends. David Drozd, a CPAR researcher, says that the 2005 Nebraska Population Report points to a continuing and expanding divide between urban and rural counties. Drozd also describes the state's "population fishhook." NOTE: This is a true podcast file. This interview is more than eight minutes long.
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2006.06.14
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is helping keep our state on the cutting edge of the global economy by making connections aroudn the world. A new and growing relationship with the Indian Institutes of Technology brought dozens of students from half way around the world to Omaha to learn from UNO faculty and meet area business leaders, including Warren Buffett. Dr. Deepak Khazanchi, from the UNO College of Information Science and Technology explains. NOTE: This is a true podcast file. This interview is less than 13 minutes long.
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2006.05.12
Nebraska's primary election results are now final. Loree Bykerk, the chair of the UNO Polticial Science Department, in this interview breaks down what happened in the races for Nebraska's U.S. Senate seat and for governer. Bykerk, who has closely followed state politics for years, says the primary results for governor were espeically interesting. NOTE: This is a true podcast file. This information packed interview is just a little over seven minutes.
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2006.05.03
Spring graduation not only is a time for university and college students to celebrate, it is also the season they look for full-time jobs in career areas they are (hopefully) interested in. Bill Swanson, the director UNO's Office of Career Exploration and Outreach, talks about the employment outlook for graduates in Nebraska, preparing for interviews, and common sense job hunting advice. NOTE: This is a true podcast file. This information packed interview is just a little over 11 minutes.
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2006.04.14
Methamphetamine drug abuse continues to be a issue that especially concerns rural states. Nebraska is no exception. Hank Robinson, the director of UNO's Juvenile Justice Institute, has extensively researched the topic. In this interview he explains how meth comes to Nebraska and what are the best practices to address meth addiction.
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2006.04.03
The 16th annual Airline Quality Ratings are out today, April 3. Click on the link below to listen to Dr. Brent Bowen, director of UNO's Aviation Institute. He talks about which airline is top ranked and industry trends. PLEASE NOTE A VIDEO LINK IS ALSO AVAILABLE BELOW.
Link to AQR information page | mp3 audio News Line feed | Video interview feed-dsl | Video link-56K (Both video links use Windows Media Player)

2006.02.22
A service learning class brought high tech help to small businesses in South Omaha last semester. A professor and a student recruiter from the UNO College of Information Science and Technology explain.
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2006.02.01
The Fifth Annual Malcolm X Festival will be held Feb. 15 and 16 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This year's festival will focus on "The Black Woman: Past, Present and Future." Professor Peggy Jones explains.
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2006.01.06
The University of Nebraska at Omaha's Neighborhood Center for Greater Omaha teaches and empowers individuals and area neighborhood associations. Ron Abdouch, the center's director, explains how this unique program operates.
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