title: Lessons learned from the deadly sisters: drug and alcohol treatment disruption, and consequences from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
abstract: This paper reports on the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on drug and alcohol treatment in Texas in 2005-2006. Findings are based on a secondary analysis of administrative data on 567 hurricane-related admissions and on interview data from a sample of 20 staff in 11 treatment programs. Katrina evacuees differed from Rita clients in terms of demographics and primary problem substances and treatment needs, while the experiences of program staff and needed changes to improve disaster readiness were more similar. Additional systematic research is needed to document the intermediate and long-term impacts of the storms in these and other affected areas.
authors.affiliation: Addiction Research Institute, The School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78746, USA. jcmaxwell@mail.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Jane Carlisle
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Podus
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D055872:Surge Capacity; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology