USA

by Lauren Irwin – WNCT Greenville

Roughly one in every three Americans have reported knowing someone who has died of a drug overdose, a new survey found.

The poll, conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, found that 32 percent of people have known someone who has died of a drug overdose. Those who reported knowing someone who has passed away from drug use were also more likely to support policy aimed at curbing addition, per the poll.

The survey results, published Friday in JAMA Network, suggest that an avenue for enacting greater policy change for addiction may be by mobilizing those who lost someone due to drug addiction, researchers wrote.

Experts also noted that opioids — often prescribed by doctors for pain management — especially with the proliferation of powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl and polysubstance, have accelerated the rising rate of overdose deaths in recent years.

Since 1999, more than 1 million people have died of a drug overdose in the United States and while studies are still being conducted on the reasoning, researchers noted that there’s not much known about the impacts on the family or friends of the deceased.

The survey also found that personal overdose loss was more prevalent among groups with lower incomes but did not differ much across political parties.

Nearly 30 percent of Democrats said they lost someone to overdose, while 33 percent of Republicans and 34 percent of independents said the same.

“This cross-sectional study found that 32% of US adults reporting knowing someone who died of a drug overdose and that personal overdose loss was associated with greater odds of endorsing addiction as an important policy issue,” the researchers wrote. “The findings suggest that mobilization of this group may be an avenue to facilitate greater policy change.”

A similar study examined overdose deaths from 2011 to 2021 and estimates that more than 321,000 children in the U.S. have lost a parent to drug overdose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. drug overdose deaths dropped slightly in 2023, the first annual decrease in overdose deaths since 2018. Still, the overall number of deaths is extremely high, with more than 107,000 people dying in 2023 due to the overuse of drugs.

Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/nearly-1-in-3-americans-have-reported-losing-someone-to-a-drug-overdose-study/ar-BB1nsfVP?

Filed under: Addiction,Culture,Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Prevalence,USA :

by Sam Fahmy – January 13, 2025 – Director of Communications, School of Public Health, Georgia State University

More than half of study subjects experienced homelessness in the past six months.

ATLANTA — A new study led by a Georgia State University researcher finds that the opioid epidemic and rural homelessness are exacerbating each other with devastating consequences.

School of Public Health Assistant Professor April Ballard and her colleagues examined data from the Rural Opioid Initiative on more than 3,000 people who use drugs in eight rural areas across 10 states. They found that 54 percent of study participants reported experiencing homelessness in the past six months, a figure that suggests Point in Time Counts used to allocate state and federal funding significantly underestimate homeless populations in rural areas. The findings appear in the January edition of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

“Rural houselessness is very much an issue in the United States, and there are unique challenges that come with it, such as lack of awareness and a lack of resources,” said Ballard, who co-leads GSU’s Center on Health and Homelessness. “When you add the opioid epidemic on top of it, it really exacerbates the problem.”

Ballard explained that the unemployment, financial ruin and loss of family and social networks that often accompany opioid use disorder and injection drug use can precipitate housing instability and homelessness. The uncertain and harsh living conditions experienced by people without stable housing can perpetuate drug use as a coping mechanism. The result can be a self-reinforcing cycle that contributes to poorer health and shorter lifespans.

Ballard and her colleagues found that study subjects with unstable housing were 1.3 times more likely to report being hospitalized for a serious bacterial infection and 1.5 times more likely to overdose than those with stable housing. She explained that a lack of access to clean water to wash the skin and prepare drugs makes infections more likely, and that using drugs alone and furtively can increase the risk of an accidental overdose.

The Rural Opioid Initiative surveyed people about their experiences with homelessness over the past six months, while Point in Time Counts mandated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development quantify the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Despite this methodological difference, Ballard said her study’s findings suggest that Point in Time Counts significantly underestimate homeless populations in rural areas.

In Kentucky, for example, the researchers counted up to five times as many people experiencing homelessness than Point in Time Counts, even though their sample of people who use drugs constituted less than 1 percent of the adult population. In three counties that estimated zero people experiencing homelessness using Point in Time Counts, Ballard and her colleagues quantified more than 100 people who use drugs who had experienced homelessness in the past six months.

The dispersed nature of rural areas makes Point in Time Counts difficult, Ballard acknowledged, but the undercounting of people experiencing homelessness can result in fewer federal and state resources reaching vulnerable people and communities.

“House-lessness in rural areas is a major problem,” Ballard said, “but we’re not allocating resources in a way that is proportionate to the problem.”

The research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse with co-funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Source: https://news.gsu.edu/2025/01/13/study-examines-links-between-opioid-epidemic-and-rural-homelessness/

Filed under: Culture,Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Mental Health,Prevalence,Social Affairs,USA :

Over the last weekend of April 2024, something in Austin’s drug supply went horribly wrong. The first deaths passed largely unnoticed by anyone other than the families and friends of those who consumed the tainted substances. An 8-year-old girl who’d been playing outside her apartment in northeast Travis County on the evening of Sunday, April 28, came home to find her 50-year-old father dead in bed. In a homeless encampment in a wooded area of East Austin, paramedics revived two people with naloxone, the overdose reversal drug known commonly as Narcan. But, hours later, one of them, a 51-year-old woman, was found dead inside her tent—a short walk from a 53-year-old man who likely died around the same time.

A clearer picture wouldn’t emerge, however, until 911 calls began flooding in the following morning.

Most Mondays, the Sixth Street entertainment district would be quietly nursing the hangover from another rowdy weekend, the only souls on the street those who sleep in the shelters, alleys, and sidewalks. But emergency dispatchers were getting repeated reports of people in distress.

The first call came in just after 9 a.m. from someone calmly describing an overdose in an alley. But, as the minutes dragged on, panic crept into the caller’s voice. “I’m scared,” she blurted out. “Oh, my gosh, I’m so fucking scared. Somebody’s going to die because of these people.”

“What happened?” asked the operator.

“Somebody tried to say ‘Don’t call the ambulance,’” the caller responded. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God.”

A little before 10 a.m., a security guard flagged down one of the Austin police officers flooding the district. Two men were sitting on the ground next to a trash bin in an alley near Sixth and Red River Street, slumped forward. Only 20 minutes earlier, both men had been walking and chatting. Now, they weren’t breathing.

The officer administered naloxone and began performing CPR. Paramedics took one to a hospital. The other, 51-year-old Benjamin Arzo Gordon, couldn’t be revived.

The alley where Gordon died had become the epicenter of a mass casualty event. During a two-hour span that Monday morning, at least six others overdosed and were revived with naloxone in a four-block radius in downtown Austin. Over 72 hours, Austin police reported more than 70 overdose calls. Records from Travis County, which includes most of Austin, and neighboring Williamson County indicate that as many as 12 may have died. The culprit: a bad batch of crack cocaine.

Through dozens of open records requests and interviews, the Texas Observer and Texas Community Health News have pieced together what happened during those deadly days—and how changes to state law might have saved lives. Across the capital city, people who consume crack, a stimulant, were suffering symptoms consistent with poisoning from opioids like heroin or fentanyl, the incredibly potent prescription painkiller.

The adulterated crack impacted Central Texans from many walks of life. Among the people who died were a construction worker from Honduras and a young man from Wimberley, who passed away in his parked truck with the engine running. Crack rocks found at the scene of some of the deaths tested positive for fentanyl.

A small, inexpensive item might have averted some of these deaths. Fentanyl testing strips can be used to check for the presence of the synthetic opioid. With an appearance similar to an at-home COVID-19 test, the strips are dipped in water in which a small amount of the drug has been dissolved. A line indicates if fentanyl is present.

But such testing strips are illegal in Texas. They’re considered paraphernalia, and possessing one is a Class C misdemeanor. While the Texas House passed a bill that would have legalized them in 2023, the Senate declined to vote on it.

In general, Texas has been reluctant to embrace the strategy of harm reduction, a broadly defined term for helping people who use drugs without stigmatizing or imposing strict parameters, while also involving drug users in planning and implementation. Harm reduction has been promoted in the United States since at least the 1980s. A classic early example is teaching people who inject drugs to clean needles with bleach, preventing the spread of HIV. The overall approach is sometimes pitched as a means to keep people alive long enough to get off drugs, but many practitioners simply seek to keep substance users safe and healthy, regardless of plans to enter treatment.

Under the administration of President Joe Biden, the federal government embraced aspects of harm reduction. Some states have as well. But policies favored by many Texas officials reflect the singular goal of making it as difficult as possible to use drugs. As it turns out, research and interviews with both experts and users of drugs show, making drug use more difficult also makes it more dangerous. Though Texas ranks low among states in fatal overdose rates, federal data shows the Lone Star State’s rate stayed nearly flat from 2023 to 2024, while overdose deaths fell significantly nationwide.

Among those calling for more humane drug policies in Texas and beyond is a coalition of academics, activists, service providers, and people who use drugs who argue criminalization endangers people with little benefit. Some members of this coalition identify as harm reductionists, while others identify as advocates for drug user health. Some argue that stigma and marginalization do more harm than drugs themselves; many believe that, while kicking drug habits should be the ultimate goal, the best tactic is to meet people where they are. These advocates push for more access to naloxone, legalized drug checking, and reduced stigma so that policymakers, service providers, and drug users and their families can have real conversations about how to stay alive.

In recent months, top Texas officials have not only rejected harm reduction but have also openly antagonized those who practice it.

The prevailing attitude in the state is, “Why should we try and save their lives? They’re just going to use again,” said Joy Rucker, a nationally known advocate who launched Texas’ largest harm reduction nonprofit. In California, where she used to work, harm reduction organizations get robust public funding and operate openly.

“Texas was just a rude awakening,” she said.

A tall, thin Houston native with a quick sense of humor, Benjamin Arzo Gordon had been living on the streets of Austin for years. A January 2024 photo in the Austin American-Statesman shows him with a close-cropped white beard and a gray beanie, at Central Presbyterian Church downtown, looking pensive as he discusses harsh winter weather.

Andi Brauer, who oversees the church’s homeless outreach programs, said Gordon was a regular at weekly free breakfasts, cracking jokes with her and other volunteers and taking a genuine interest in her wellbeing.

“He’d always say, ‘You need to sit down and eat,’” Brauer recalled. “Or, if somebody was sometimes threatening or rude to me, he would say, ‘Don’t mess with Andi.’” She once printed out a photo of the two of them and used it to make a card for him.

In the alley where he died, Gordon was known to stop by with meals from the nearby food truck where he worked. “He used to help people in the alley,” said Loretta, a 55-year-old Austinite who herself suffered an overdose after Gordon.

Bokhee Chun, a Central Presbyterian volunteer, remembered Gordon would sing her hymns. Some months before he passed, Brauer said, Gordon came in to fill out a volunteer application.

Like many who died last April, Gordon was an experienced drug user. His drug of choice, crack, put him at little risk of sudden death by itself. But the crack he smoked that spring day was laced with a substance that has become synonymous with America’s failed drug policies.

In the latter half of last century, as states and the federal government increased penalties for drug sale and use, overdose death rates stayed relatively flat. That raised questions about whether deterrence policies did anything to reduce drug use. Then, this century, overdose rates skyrocketed, driven by synthetic opioids including fentanyl. Fentanyl had been around for decades, but in the 2010s it increasingly caused deaths in northeastern states. As it moved west, the nation’s drug supply transformed.

Initially, fentanyl was used alone or to boost the potency of other opioids and depressants like heroin and prescription pain pills. But, in recent years, people killed by fentanyl are increasingly found to have stimulants like cocaine or methamphetamine in their systems. Explanations for this vary. Stimulants may be intentionally adulterated to hook users on fentanyl. A stimulant user might take opioids to come down. An unsophisticated dealer with a small stimulant supply may add fentanyl to stretch it. And failure to clean scales or surfaces can also mix fentanyl with another drug.

In Texas, overdose rates increased dramatically starting in 2020. From June 2023 to June 2024, more than 5,000 people died of an overdose in the state, with Travis County recording the highest fentanyl-related death rate among Texas’ most populous counties in recent years. Though Texas has one of the lower overdose rates in the nation, deaths in the state declined by less than 3 percent from 2023 to 2024, while the rest of the nation saw a drop of nearly 15 percent, per the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In October, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it recorded a 13-percent drop in the state over the same period—but its figures include only those overdoses deemed accidental, not those labeled intentional, suicide, or of undetermined cause.

Experts also question the general accuracy of Texas’ numbers. In much of the state, underfunded and under-trained justices of the peace are charged with death investigations. Overdoses, which require costly autopsies and toxicology reports, are easy to overlook.

In response to the overdose increase, HHS in 2017 launched the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) initiative. HHS is also part of a state awareness campaign using billboards and social media ads focused on cautionary tales of young Texans who overdosed. At the same time, state leaders have doubled down on criminalization.

In 2023, the Legislature passed a law allowing prosecutors to bring murder charges in fentanyl overdose cases. Critics say this discourages people from reporting emergencies, and research shows such laws harm public health. Some who overdosed in Austin last April had shared drugs, putting survivors at risk of being charged. In 2021, the Legislature passed a good samaritan law ostensibly meant to protect people who call 911 to report an overdose. The law created a defense for people arrested for low-level possession, but it has so many caveats—you can only use it once in your life, it doesn’t apply if you’ve been convicted of a drug-related felony, you can’t use it if you’ve reported another overdose in the last 18 months—that you’d need a flow chart to understand it. Critics say the statute’s of little use.

“The fentanyl-induced or the drug-induced homicide laws, that jacks up the consequences and the intensity so much more,” said Alex White, director of services at the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, an Austin non-profit that does street outreach, operates a drop-in center, and provides supplies including for hygiene and wound care.

Some states, like Maryland and Vermont, make a point of prioritizing input from people who use or have used drugs while crafting policy. Harm reduction advocates say this is lacking in Texas, though HHS does have a low-profile advisory committee that is required to include members who’ve received mental health or addiction treatment.

“If you’re thinking that you know how to serve folks, and you don’t have those folks at the table when you’re trying to serve them, it’s not going to work,” said Stephen Murray, a paramedic and overdose survivor on Massachusetts’ Harm Reduction Advisory Council.

Rapid changes in the drug supply can make it difficult to conclusively track policy impacts. Critics blame Texas’ persistent overdose rate at least partly on punitive laws, but a few western states including liberal Oregon—which famously passed a drug decriminalization ballot measure in 2020—actually saw overdoses increase between 2023 and 2024. To this, some experts and at least one study counter that fentanyl’s delayed arrival on the West Coast has distorted the death rates, and that Oregon specifically did not implement sufficient services alongside decriminalization.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Loretta woke up on the morning of Monday, April 29, in the alley where she often goes to smoke crack and sometimes spends the night. She grew up in East Austin, only blocks away.

Loretta said she lent her pipe that morning to a friend who’d just purchased drugs. Then she heard someone ask, “What’s wrong?” and saw the friend staring up, trance-like.

“He stayed looking at the sky,” Loretta said, reclining and rolling back her eyes to demonstrate. “The next thing I know he just went like this,” she said, as she pantomimed slumping limply to the side. “I was shaking him, and I said, ‘What’s wrong, what’s wrong?’ And after that he just didn’t answer.”

Despite fear she’d be held responsible, Loretta yelled to a friend to call 911. Police and paramedics swarmed the area. Loretta watched as someone else collapsed. “She hurt herself hard on the concrete and I said, ‘Oh, my God, hell no, this is not happening.’”

Soon, an acquaintance ran up to say Loretta’s boyfriend had also collapsed in a nearby portable toilet. “He was slurring like a baby, like a little boy,” Loretta said. “He started to lose consciousness. I slapped him hard. It hurt my hand. And I shook him and I started praying.”

Around the time that Loretta was calling out for help for her boyfriend, and EMTs were trying unsuccessfully to save Gordon, Adam Balboa showed up to work at an Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) station in south Austin. A case manager for a unit focused on substance use, Balboa heard the overdose reports and symptoms being described and knew what would save the most lives. “We needed to flood the downtown area with as much Narcan as possible,” he said.

Opioids in the bloodstream bind to receptors in the brain, creating euphoria. But by a quirk of physiology, excessive opioids bound to those receptors interfere with the body’s ability to measure its need for oxygen, slowing breathing—to the point where it can be fatal. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can keep someone alive. Narcan temporarily blocks the receptors to opioids, essentially short-circuiting an overdose if delivered in time.

The medics and police officers in downtown Austin were running out of naloxone, but Balboa didn’t just want to get them more. He also wanted to get it in the hands of people who use drugs, along with their friends, family, and neighbors. So he and colleagues began throwing together kits containing Narcan, a CPR mask, and instructions, and he hurried downtown with his SUV loaded up with the blue zippered pouches. “Everybody was super receptive,” he said. “They were clipping it to their belts and … going about their normal business.”

As common-sense as that response seems, it’s one strongly associated with harm reduction. By handing out naloxone downtown, Balboa was helping those most vulnerable to the tainted drugs help one another. It’s also a response that would have been impossible a few years ago.

Balboa’s unit is the brainchild of Mike Sasser, a 51-year-old ATCEMS captain who’s been in recovery for 21 years. A longtime paramedic who often worked with Austin’s unhoused population, Sasser became friends in 2018 with Mark Kinzly, a lion of the Texas harm reduction movement. Kinzly, who passed away in 2022, had helped start the Texas Overdose Naloxone Initiative, which was getting grants to distribute the medication. He had a seemingly simple idea for Sasser: ATCEMS could use grant money to buy Narcan, pass it out, and train people how to use it.

“My mind was blown,” Sasser said. “Why have I never thought about this? That would save so many lives.”

ATCEMS doctors then wrote prescriptions that allowed medics to hand out naloxone (today, it’s available over the counter). Sasser’s unit also began reaching out directly to overdose survivors and administering a maintenance drug that reduces opioid cravings, and it now includes two full-time case managers who run an overdose reversal education program called Breathe Now.

All of this fits under the philosophy of harm reduction, which can also include teaching people to use drugs more safely and providing supplies like clean glass pipes, which help prevent disease and infection. Providing food, water, hygiene products, or wound care to people who feel stigmatized in doctor’s offices is another tenet.

“We want to provide people with what they need, so we can build that trust,” said Em Gray, whose NICE Project provides supplies to Austinites, many of them unhoused, and stocks Narcan vending machines. “That’s how we show that we are there for them; we’re there to improve their quality of life, there to reduce their overdose death rates.”

There’s little funding available in Texas for the nonprofits and mutual aid groups that do this work. Across the state, harm reductionists often operate out of backpacks or car trunks.

To the state’s credit, Texas has taken some steps to increase naloxone distribution. TTOR does this with an annual federal grant of about $5.5 million. In 2019, TTOR, whose Narcan distribution program is administered by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, gave about 40 percent of its naloxone to law enforcement agencies—even as research shows it’s more effective to give the medication to laypeople, who are typically first on the scene and present no threat of arrest—an analysis by Texas Community Health News found. By 2022, TTOR’s emphasis had shifted, with law enforcement making up only about 15 percent of its distribution.

But police are still prioritized in Texas’ long-term naloxone plan. Under a different state program started in April 2023, the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) began distributing $75 million worth of the medication over 10 years. That naloxone, donated by a pharmaceutical company as part of a court settlement over opioid deaths, is largely earmarked for first responders. Of the more than 150,000 doses that TDEM distributed from April 2023 to September 2024, 118,000 went to law enforcement agencies, mostly sheriff’s offices. Many of these offices cover areas that lack other harm reduction infrastructure, but records provided by TDEM show sheriffs aren’t using the naloxone. Of 13 counties in which agencies reported using doses from TDEM by September, the highest rate of use was 3 percent. Much of that naloxone will expire later this year. In an email, a TDEM spokesperson said the agency had “yet to turn down a request for naloxone” and that “Administration or disposition of distributed naloxone is up to the receiving entity how they see fit, in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.”

When it set the state’s two-year budget in 2023, the Legislature allocated an additional $18 million in opioid settlement funds to UT Health San Antonio, but it’s not clear the appropriation will be renewed.

In the meantime, harm reductionists rely on a patchwork of naloxone sources, including local governments.

“Had we not saturated Austin with Narcan leading up to [the April] event, then that event would have been a lot more detrimental than it was,” said Sarah Cheatham, a peer support specialist with The Other Ones Foundation, an Austin nonprofit serving the unhoused. “Even when it was hard to get in our hands, we were out there doing this communication for months before this happened.”

By late morning on April 29, the Austin Police Department (APD) had some idea what was happening. Crack rocks and pipes had been found at the scene of a number of overdoses in an area known for its use, and officers had interviewed some who’d been revived with naloxone. They began looking for people seen on surveillance cameras and suspected of selling the tainted crack. While responding to an overdose, detectives found one suspect standing in front of a tent, just a block from police headquarters.

While cops made arrests, harm reductionists tried frantically to figure out what was going on. A little after noon that Monday, Claire Zagorski, a graduate research assistant at the University of Texas at Austin who’s worked in harm reduction for years, messaged a group chat: “Austin folks there’s a bad batch downtown as of this AM. Not sure on specifics but it does respond to naloxone.”

Groups started handing out Narcan and warning the communities they serve, but without any official information from local governments. “We were really just kind of going in blind,” Cheatham said. “We were all talking to each other about, ‘Who’s going to these camps? Where is it happening? Is it happening downtown?’ And I was mainly reaching out to the people that I know.”

Research shows that, given the chance, drug users will reduce their risk of overdose—including by carrying naloxone, not using alone, or taking a small tester dose. But, lacking detailed information, harm reduction workers in Austin were constrained. “It’s distressing that the thing that got everyone activated was me being notified by a backchannel,” Zagorski said.

When local officials finally made public statements hours after the flood of 911 calls, they only addressed some questions. Whatever was killing people was responding to Narcan, officials said, in a news release and press conference. But they were vague about which drug was adulterated, and there was no mention of test strips.

“It was a very chaotic scene at first,” APD Lieutenant Patrick Eastlick told the Observer. “Something we can look at in the future is, if this happens again, that we reach out to these different groups where we can spread the word.”

Open conversations about drugs are difficult in a state where top elected officials are cracking down on services for people who use them. In late November, state Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a headline-grabbing lawsuit to shut down a homeless navigation center at a south Austin church. The suit specifically blames the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance’s needle exchange program for “the prevalence of drug paraphernalia, including used needles, littering the surrounding area.” Drug use around the church “fuels criminality, and creates an environment where nearby homes and businesses are at constant risk of theft,” the complaint states.

Critics say efforts like Paxton’s just push drug use out of sight, creating greater risk. “It sends the message to people who use drugs that they should hide it, they should be kept in the dark and in the closet,” said Aaron Ferguson of the Texas Drug User Health Union. “The closet is a very dangerous place for people who use drugs. It’s where overdoses happen. It’s where stadiums full of people die every year.”

At least two who died in the Austin overdose outbreak were found alone. Family members of at least two others who perished at home told police they didn’t know their loved one had used drugs that day.

How state officials talk about drug use, critics note, also suggests that only some lives matter. For example, in a 2023 legislative hearing, GOP state Senator Drew Springer—in a successful attempt to woo conservative support for requiring school districts to stock naloxone in middle and high schools—distinguished between different groups of Texas children. “I think the general public, when they hear ‘overdosing,’ they think ‘That’s just a druggie, and that’s a druggie kid’s problem,’” he said. “No, it’s your kid’s [problem], because he may be taking a Xanax or an Adderall” without knowing fentanyl was present.

Claudia Dambra, who runs Street Value, a drug user health organization in Houston, criticized messaging that condemns certain substance users. “All it’s doing is creating more separation,” she said. “It feels like this weird, forced social Darwinism. … It feels like they’re picking us off.”

In an email, an HHS spokesperson said the agency does not discriminate: “[HHS] substance use programs offer treatment and recovery support for people, regardless of substance use duration.”After the horror of watching her boyfriend taken away in an ambulance, Loretta wandered through downtown Austin. Near APD HQ, in the area where police had arrested their suspect earlier, she was offered crack that her friend insisted came from a reliable source. Stressed and scared, she took a hit.

“I started getting a headache right away, like oh, my God, I’ve got a migraine or something. And I started throwing up,” she said. “I said, ‘Call the police, I’m sick.’”

Loretta didn’t lose consciousness, but she was vomiting as police questioned her. Eventually, she was taken to a hospital. She would be among the survivors.

Today, Loretta says that she gets test strips from harm reduction organizations, which quietly distribute them despite state law, and she gives them to friends. But, at the time, she knew little about them. Organizations that distribute strips generally can’t use grant money for their purchase, and government agencies, like ATCEMS, don’t distribute them.

Back in 2023, it seemed Texas was poised to legalize the strips. Before that year’s legislative session, Abbott said he supported allowing the tests, and legislators in both chambers introduced bills to legalize equipment for checking a range of drugs. One by Houston-area Republican Tom Oliverson, which was limited to fentanyl strips only, sailed through the House.

Oliverson, an anesthesiologist who has prescribed fentanyl to patients, said he’d heard from family members of people who purchased black-market pills without knowing they included the powerful opioid.

“That’s literally like stepping on a landmine,” Oliverson told the Observer. “You heard a click and the next thing you know, you were gone. Nothing you could have done could have saved you. You didn’t know it was there, right? Except for the fact that there are test strips.”

The bill received tepid support from harm reductionists, who were frustrated by its narrowness. The drug supply is constantly changing: Today, the dangerous veterinary tranquilizer xylazine is increasingly used to supplement other drugs. “We’re really trying to craft language that’s inclusive,” said Cate Graziani, former head of the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance and current co-director of a spinoff advocacy group, Vocal TX. “We don’t want to go back to the Legislature every time we have a new overdose prevention tool.”

Oliverson said the bill only applied to fentanyl “because it is that much more dangerous, because it is that much more powerful. … People say to me, ‘I don’t like the idea of giving people test strips because it gives them confidence in the illegal drugs that they’re buying, and I want to discourage people from using illegal drugs,’” he said. “Well, I want to discourage people from using illegal drugs too, but having them insta-killed by a mislabeled pill that they bought, the first time they took it, is not an effective strategy for recovery.”

While other drug-checking legislation failed that session, Oliverson’s bill passed the House 143-2—but it never received a hearing in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. “They just could not get over the idea that you are making it safer for people to use illegal drugs and that we shouldn’t make it safe for people to use illegal drugs,” Oliverson said, “because they shouldn’t be using illegal drugs at all.”

Oliverson said he’ll introduce a similar bill this session and may rewrite it to include xylazine, but he made it clear he doesn’t support other harm reduction measures like needle exchanges. Such a bill will simply fizzle again, though, barring a change of heart in the Senate, which is run with an iron fist by Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, whose office did not respond to arequest for comment for this article.

“It’s so demoralizing to live in a state where your elected leadership is so unwilling to do something so small as legalizing fentanyl test strips, because there’s so much stigma around drug users,” Graziani said.

By the afternoon of April 29, the tainted crack had made its way to south Austin. Loretta Mooney, another ATCEMS case manager in the substance use unit, was off work but rushed in. Dispatchers could see a new cluster of calls developing on Oltorf Street, east of Interstate 35.

By the time Mooney responded to her first call, at an apartment complex, medics had administered naloxone and revived a woman. Mooney handed out a few doses, then responded to another call from a fast food restaurant across the street. Someone had flagged down police, concerned about a man collapsed against the restaurant’s wall. Officers began CPR and administered Narcan. Mooney gave the man an additional dose and continued life-saving measures. Still, the 53-year-old died.

The situation was starting to look similar to downtown earlier in the day. Teenagers at another apartment complex began waving down Mooney and the officer. They ran over. Mooney administered naloxone to an unconscious woman and helped the officer deploy a breathing bag and mask. After a few minutes, the woman began breathing on her own again.

With Balboa now on his way to meet her and most of the calls near her covered, Mooney came to the same conclusion Balboa had that morning. “I was like, ‘Bring me all the Narcan you have and we’re going to start teaching these kids,’” she said.

On the lower level of a terraced parking lot, Mooney and the officer spread out naloxone kits and gathered the teenagers who had flagged them down.

“I’m telling the kid that came to get me specifically … ‘Because of you, this woman is alive,’” Mooney said. “We’re on the side of [the road] with, you know, ages 10 to 16, teaching them how to use Narcan.”

While Mooney and then Balboa, too, instructed people in the neighborhood how to use naloxone, a new crisis emerged. Some of the people who had bought the tainted crack were now behind the wheel. First responders were rushing to car wrecks and stalled vehicles.

Responding to the new calls, Mooney and Balboa saw the results of their impromptu training. As Balboa headed to a pawn shop where someone was overdosing, he got stopped in traffic. With his lights and sirens going, trying to weave through vehicles, he saw the teenagers they’d trained earlier.

“Before I can clear an intersection, they’d already sprinted over, pulled out a kit, and started giving Narcan,” he said. “Not only were they excited and ready to help and empowered to be able to do so, but when that opportunity finally came for them, they ran at it.”

As evening fell, the dying slowed. Behind closed doors, away from passersby armed with naloxone, however, it wasn’t through yet. A woman staying at a motel on Oltorf woke up during the night and called her 61-year-old husband, only to hear his phone ringing in the bathroom, then find him lying on the floor. The partner of a 57-year-old man got out of bed to get him warm milk after she noticed his nose bleeding, but, when she came back, he wasn’t breathing. A 36-year-old parked his truck in a lot in north Austin; when a security guard called 911 hours later, he was already dead. Around midnight, a son found his 63-year-old father deceased in an Oltorf apartment.

Later that same Tuesday, Loretta was released from the hospital. Downtown again, she found out her boyfriend had also survived and been released.

The following day, a man in southeast Austin woke up in the afternoon to find that a friend he’d let stay in his apartment had died while he slept. After agonizing for nearly two hours, he called the cops. That afternoon, a 34-year-old resident of Williamson County, just north of Austin, was found on the floor of his bedroom, where police found crack laced with fentanyl. Between April 28 and May 6, nine people in Travis County died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and cocaine, according to Travis County Medical Examiner records, in addition to the Williamson County death. At the request of APD, the Travis medical examiner withheld the cause of death in two other fatal overdoses that may have been related.

In the aftermath, APD made a handful of arrests. In some cases, police affidavits show, detectives were following information about who may have sold the tainted crack; in others, undercover officers simply went to known drug markets and arrested anyone who would sell to them. Eastlick, the APD lieutenant, said investigators believe the crack was adulterated at the local level, not higher up the drug supply chain, but that police had been unable to prove anyone intentionally sold tainted drugs. “It was a short surge … so our thinking is that it was not intentional,” he said.

As the tainted substance faded from the Austin drug supply, Cheatham said she and others heard stories of people who overdosed and were revived by naloxone without the authorities ever being alerted. In Austin’s camps and alleys, anonymous drug users helped one another.

Many of those who died remained anonymous as well, victims of an event whose details remained unclear and which took its toll mostly on the sort of people society tends to lose in its cracks.

Brauer and Chun, with the Central Presbyterian church, didn’t learn of Benjamin Arzo Gordon’s death until months afterward, when contacted for this story. In early November, the pair traveled to the indigent burial cemetery in northeast Travis County. In the wide, level graveyard, rows of nondescript markers rested flush to the ground. By Gordon’s, they left a bouquet of artificial flowers and a potted plastic plant.

“Just being able to picture him so clearly, knowing him as somebody that I value, that I enjoyed seeing, that was full of life and laughter despite the situation he was in—to hear about the way that he died of a drug overdose, probably fairly anonymously, just was incredibly sad to me,” Brauer said. “So because I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye … it just felt like something we needed to do to honor him.”

Editor’s Note: This article was produced in collaboration with Texas Community Health News and Public Health Watch. Daniel Carter contributed reporting.

Source: https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/texas-war-on-drug-users-fentanyl-overdoses-narcan-austin/

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Fentanyl,Latest News,Legal Sector,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

by Nora Volkow, Director, NIDA – January 14, 2025

Dr. Nora Volkow outlines a new roadmap for cannabis and cannabis policy research. In this uncertain and rapidly changing landscape, Dr. Volkow emphasizes that research on cannabis and cannabis policy is badly needed to guide individual and public health decision-making.

The greatly increased availability of cannabis over the last two decades has outpaced our understanding of the public-health impacts of the drug. It is now available for medical purposes in most states, and adults may now purchase it for recreational use in nearly half the states. With greater availability has come decreased public perception of harm, as well as increased use.

In this uncertain and rapidly changing landscape, research on cannabis and cannabis policy is badly needed to guide individual and public health decision-making.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that between 2012 and 2019, past-year use of cannabis among people 12 and older rose from 11 percent to over 17 percent, and although trend comparisons aren’t possible because of changes in the survey’s methodology, in 2022, nearly 22 percent of people had used the drug in the past year. Very steep increases are also being seen in the number of people 65 and older who use cannabis.

At the same time, the cannabis industry is producing an ever-wider array of products with varying and sometimes very high concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Greater harms from cannabis use are associated with regular consumption of high-THC doses. And there is a cornucopia of other intoxicating products available to the public, some containing other cannabinoids about which we still know very little.

To create a roadmap for research in this space, NIDA along with the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sponsored an independent consensus study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). The study resulted in a comprehensive report, Public Health Consequences of Changes in the Cannabis Policy Landscape, that was published in September.

The report describes in detail the different regulatory frameworks that exist in different states, and it draws on prior research to identify policies that are likeliest to have the greatest impact protecting public health. Those include approaches like restrictions on retail sales, pricing, and marketing; putting limits or caps on THC content in products; and laws about cannabis-impaired driving. They also could include different forms of taxation and even state monopolies. While state monopolies have not yet been tried with cannabis, they have proven effective at reducing the public health impacts of alcohol.

But the report also underscores that few conclusions can yet be drawn about the impacts of legalization or the different ways it been implemented. It is clear that people are consuming cannabis more and in a wider variety of ways, and there is some evidence of increases in emergency department visits due to accidental ingestion, car accidents, psychotic reactions, and a condition of repeated and severe vomiting (hyperemesis syndrome). But we are hindered in our further understanding because policy details vary so much between states and because data are collected and reported in so many different ways, making interpretation difficult.

Consequently, the report enumerates recommendations for research that should be conducted by federal, state, and tribal agencies to provide greater clarity and inform policy, including several domains within the purview of the NIH.

The report underscores the need for more detailed information on health and safety outcomes associated with specific policy frameworks. This includes more data on outcomes associated with different regulations for how cannabis products are sold and marketed, whether they can be used in public spaces, and whether more restrictive rules about how cannabis can be sold, such as those existing in other countries like Uruguay, are associated with improved health and safety outcomes. Many states have developed approaches to promote health and social equity, including programs to expunge or seal records of cannabis offenses and preferential licensing for individuals or groups most adversely impacted by the disparities in criminal penalties, but whether these programs will achieve their intended goals also requires careful evaluation.

Finally, more research is needed on the health effects of cannabis use by specific groups like youth, pregnant women, older adults, and veterans, and on its effects in individuals with various medical conditions for which medicinal cannabis might be used. Studies are also needed on health effects of the high-potency and synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoid products that are emerging. But the authors underscore that the focus cannot solely be that of risks—it must also include research on potential benefits of cannabis in managing some chronic mental or physical health conditions as well as interactions with prescription drugs that patients may already be taking to manage their health issues.

Much of this research will require or benefit from better surveillance of cannabis cultivation, product sales, and patterns of use. Existing surveillance, as the report points out, has suffered from a lack of funding and coordination, producing gaps in our knowledge. There is also a need for better tests for detecting cannabis impairment. Unlike alcohol, THC remains in the body long after its psychoactive effects have worn off. So, unlike commonly used alcohol sobriety tests, blood tests for cannabis that are currently widely used in law enforcement and employment screening cannot distinguish between recent or past use. Better surveillance and improved tests can inform research on interventions to mitigate risks to health and safety associated with cannabis use. They can also help inform the development of cannabis product safety and quality standards.

Some of the pressing questions identified by the NASEM report are already research priority areas for NIDA. For instance, our medicinal cannabis registry, which was funded starting in 2023, will be able to inform research, policy, and practice by gathering longitudinal data about cannabis use and outcomes from a cohort of people using the drug medicinally. The project will include a program to test the composition and potency of cannabis products used and will integrate registry data with other data sources.

The NIDA-funded Monitoring the Future survey has tracked nationwide cannabis use trends in adolescents and young adults for decades. The survey has recently recorded reduction in teenage use of substances in general, including cannabis, and recent surveys have also shown increases in disapproval of cannabis use and perception of its harms in this age group. However, it continues to show that cannabis is one of the most-used drugs by teenagers, with a quarter of 12^th graders reporting use in the past year.

Since its launch nearly a decade ago, the trans-NIH Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study has been collecting longitudinal data on drug use and its developmental impacts in a large national cohort from late childhood through early adulthood. More recently, ABCD has been complemented by a similar study on the first decade of life, the multi-Institute Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study. HBCD is recruiting a cohort of pregnant participants across the country and will use neuroimaging and other tools to track the impacts of prenatal exposure to cannabis and other environmental influences on the developing brain. By identifying risk and resilience factors for cannabis use in youth, the data from ABCD and HBCD will be extremely valuable in informing prevention programs in these age groups.

Advances in cannabis and cannabis policy research could be aided by wider adoption of the standard 5mg unit of THC required in research studies funded by NIDA and other NIH Institutes. Adoption of this standard was based on the need for consistency across research studies, which will facilitate more real-world-relevant research and translation of findings into policy and clinical practice. Research using this standard could also provide better insights into the effects of cumulative exposure and long-term developmental and cognitive effects of prenatal exposure.

Scientific research should always drive best practices in public health. To that end, NIDA and other NIH institutes will continue to support essential research on cannabis, the health effects of new products, and the effects of policy changes around this drug. It is essential to ensure that, where they are legal, product contents are accurately represented to the consumer in an environment where public health takes precedence over profits.

Source: https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2025/01/new-roadmap-cannabis-cannabis-policy-research

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Effects of Drugs,Latest News,USA :

by Kenneth Griffin, Professor, Department of Global and Community Health,

New research from Professor Kenneth Griffin shows that the Virtual Reality (VR) program helps students handle complex social situations. This success has led to a new research grant to continue the study.

Health-risk behaviors such as binge drinking, drug use, and violence are common among college students. These issues are especially prevalent among first-year students living away from their families for the first time. According to the American Addiction Centers, nearly half of all college students would qualify for at least one substance use disorder.

A pilot and feasibility study by Kenneth W. Griffin and colleagues found that using VR technology to prevent substance misuse and violence is both feasible and engaging. 100% of participants agreed that the program could be implemented on college campuses.

“VR for reducing adolescent risk behaviors is an emerging area of research, focusing mostly on developing VR modules that are appealing and feasible,” Griffin explains. “This study is novel in that it examines the viability of VR technology to provide virtual role-play and skills practice opportunities to supplement an existing evidence-based drug and violence prevention approach.”

VR has been shown to help treat mental health conditions like anxiety, phobias, and PTSD. Griffin and colleagues are testing whether this technology can effectively prevent substance misuse and violence.

In the pilot study, researchers developed a series of VR modules that put users in different virtual social situations. For example, participants might witness someone being drugged at a party or see a classmate cheating. In choosing the best response for each situation, they practice cognitive-behavioral skills for preventing risk behaviors with their virtual peers. These skills may include assertive communication, negotiation, compromise, conflict resolution, or bystander intervention strategies. The VR sessions supplemented online e-learning modules lessons based on the LifeSkills Training program.

Before and after the training, participants took the same assessment. Results showed improved decision-making and stronger anti-violence attitudes.

Due to the program’s success, the research team secured additional grant funding from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Griffin emphasizes the need for more research. “While VR may be a useful tool for reducing youth health risk behaviors, more rigorous controlled trials are needed to determine whether VR technologies can produce behavioral outcomes and the duration of these effects. The new funding will allow us to conduct a rigorous test of this innovative technology for preventing substance misuse and violence among university students.” Griffin says.

The study dovetails with the College of Public Health’s commitment to harnessing the power of immersive technologies to improve health and health education. The College is home to the Center for Immersive Technologies and Simulation. There, students are trained to use VR in nursing, social work, health administration, and public health. Griffin’s study was not conducted in this Center.

“Using virtual reality technology to prevent substance misuse and violence among university students: A pilot and feasibility study” was published in Health Informatics Journal in October 2024. The study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and developed in collaboration with National Health Promotion Associates (NHPA), a research and development company that developed and markets the LifeSkills Training program. Griffin, a former employee and current consultant with NHPA, worked closely with the team in this pilot and feasibility study of the VR modules.

Additional authors, all from NHPA, include: Gilbert J. Botvin, Weill Cornell Medical College; Christopher Williams, Purchase College, State University of New York; Sandra M. Sousa.

Source: https://publichealth.gmu.edu/news/2025-01/virtual-reality-pilot-program-shows-promise-preventing-substance-misuse-and-violence

Filed under: Education,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

Prevention is key, and we cannot forget that today’s marijuana is highly potent. In 2025 and beyond, federal agencies must prioritize public health and safety and work to undo legalization’s harmful consequences.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is positioned to implement a wide range of policy initiatives to prevent marijuana use and hold the industry accountable. For example, marijuana legalization has re-elevated the conversation about second-hand smoke. California recently passed a law permitting “cannabis cafes” in which users can openly smoke marijuana. Second-hand marijuana smoke has been found to be more harmful than second-hand tobacco smoke and contains many of the same cancer-causing substances. Our country has legally and culturally rejected indoor cigarette smoking. HHS must stand on science and reject indoor marijuana smoking by publishing strict guidelines prohibiting it, just as it did with indoor cigarette smoking.

Transparency within the “medical” marijuana industry is also desperately needed. As it did with opioids, HHS should create a registry of medical marijuana recommendation practices and make the information available to the public. The database could include information regarding regional breakdowns, a list of overprescribing doctors, and pot-industry kickbacks received by doctors.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant when it comes to quack doctors. In August, a Spotlight PA article uncovered Pennsylvania medical pot doctors who were doling out thousands of medical marijuana cards per year. These are similar to the “pill mills” that fueled the opioid epidemic.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bucked federal legal precedent around marijuana rescheduling by inventing new, lower standards. Its flawed marijuana rescheduling review was designed to permit marijuana rescheduling. The ramifications of changing this precedent aren’t limited to marijuana; other dangerous drugs (e.g., psychedelics) could be reclassified to a lower schedule based on the new lax standards. HHS should issue internal agency guidance that advises FDA to adhere to the established five-factor test for determining currently accepted medical use. This will ensure that drug scheduling, which has direct implications for the availability of drugs, remains science based.

The Trump-Vance administration must soundly reject moving marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III for one simple reason: marijuana fails to meet the legal definition of a Schedule III drug. It has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of any disease or condition. Moving marijuana to Schedule III is a handout to corporations, as it would allow companies to deduct advertising and other expenses from their taxes, fueling the growth of an industry that profits from addiction.

Far from being a legitimate medicine, marijuana is harming the millions of Americans who misuse it. Given that 3 in 10 users develop a marijuana use disorder, better known as addiction to marijuana, the incoming administration needs to focus on helping connect Americans to treatment.

Federal law enforcement also plays a crucial role in curbing marijuana legalization and its effects. In 2013, the Obama administration issued the Cole Memo, a document that cemented the federal government’s non-enforcement policy on marijuana. The first Trump administration rescinded the memo, but more must be done to enforce federal laws already on the books. The Justice Department has the power to prevent distribution to minors, curtail drugged driving, and investigate state-legal dispensaries being used as a cover for illegal drug trafficking—all things the Obama administration promised to do. By beginning with this targeted enforcement strategy, law enforcement can shut down the operations of the industry’s worst actors.

To promote public safety, the Trump-Vance administration should also crack down on illegal marijuana grows, particularly those in remote areas on federal lands. These operations are often controlled by cartels and poison the surrounding natural environment with toxic chemicals.

We also need a new national anti-drug media campaign, updated for the 21st century. This campaign must broadcast messages widely through traditional and social media and talk about the dangers and truth behind the use of drugs. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the drug policy office within the White House, has a key role to play, too, particularly in drug use prevention. ONDCP helps oversee the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, which is responsible for much of our federally funded drug prevention work. In an era in which drugs are sold and marketed via social media, it’s more important than ever that effective anti-drug prevention messages reach young people. ONDCP also oversees the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, which forms a crucial partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement to curtail drug trafficking. Both these programs’ funding should be protected and prioritized.

A good strategy must focus on all drugs, but we can’t ignore the politically inconvenient ones. If President Trump wants to make America healthy again, the conversation must include marijuana, a drug with an addiction rate of up to 30 percent that is being pushed by a profit-driven industry that desperately needs federal accountability.

Dr. Kevin Sabet is the President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) and a former White House drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton.

SOURCE: https://www.newsweek.com/making-america-healthy-again-must-start-better-drug-policy-opinion-2014657

Filed under: Addiction,Economic,Education,Health,Latest News,Marijuana and Medicine,Political Sector,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

This past year, NIDA commemorated its 50th anniversary, which made me reflect on how far addiction science has come in a half century—from the barest beginnings of an understanding of how drugs work in the brain, and only a few treatment and prevention tools, to a robustly developed science and multiple opportunities to translate that science into clinical practice. Yet the challenges we face around drug use and addiction have never been greater, with annual deaths from overdose that have vastly exceeded anything seen in previous eras and the proliferation of increasingly more potent addictive drugs.

Our 50th year brought hope, as we finally saw evidence of a sustained downturn in drug overdose deaths. From July 2023 to July 2024, the number of fatal overdoses dropped nearly 17 percent, from over 113,000 to 94,000. We still don’t know all the factors contributing to this reversal, so investigating the drivers of this decline will be crucial for sustaining and accelerating the downturn. We also need to recognize that the decline is not homogenous across populations: Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native persons continue to die at increased rates. And 94,000 people dying of overdose in a year is still 94,000 too many.

As we begin a new year, I see four major areas deserving special focus for our efforts: preventing drug use and addiction, preventing overdose, increasing access to effective addiction treatments, and leveraging new technologies to help advance substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and the science of drug use and addiction.

Preventing drug use and addiction

The brain undergoes continuous development from the prenatal period through young adulthood, and substance exposures and myriad other environmental exposures can influence that development. Prenatal drug exposure can lead to learning and behavioral difficulties and raise the risk of later substance use. Adverse childhood experiences, including neglect, abuse, and the impacts of poverty, as well as childhood mental disorders, can negatively impact brain development in ways that make an individual more vulnerable for drug use and addiction. Early drug experimentation in adolescence is also associated with greater risk of developing an SUD.

Early intervention in emerging psychiatric disorders as well as prevention interventions aimed at decreasing risk factors and enhancing protective factors can reduce initiation of drug use and improve a host of mental health outcomes. Research on prevention interventions has shown that mitigating the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage counteracts the effects of poverty on brain development,¹ and some studies have even documented evidence of intergenerational benefits, improving outcomes for the children of the children who received the intervention.² Studies have also shown them to be enormously cost-effective by reducing later costs to healthcare and other services, providing health and economic benefits to communities that put them in place.³

Yet, in the United States, efforts to prevent substance use have been largely fragmented, and the infrastructure and funding required to bring effective programs to scale is lacking. What kinds of policy innovations could we put into place to ensure that everyone who could benefit from evidence-based prevention services has access to them, whether through school, healthcare, justice, or community settings? NIDA, along with other NIH Institutes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, have charged the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with creating an actionable blueprint for supporting the implementation of prevention interventions that promote behavioral health. The report is due out early this year and has the potential for tremendous public health impact.⁴

Preventing overdose

We also need to continue research toward mitigating fatal overdoses. Comprehensive data on overdose reversals do not currently exist, but recipients of SAMHSA State Opioid Response grants alone reported more than 92 thousand overdose reversals with naloxone in the year ending March 31, 2023, and this is likely just a small fraction of the lives saved. We do not yet know the extent to which greater use of naloxone has played a role in the recent declines in overdose fatalities, but this medication, the first intranasal formulation of which was developed by NIDA in partnership with Adapt Pharma, is a real public health success.

NIDA is supporting research to evaluate approaches to naloxone distribution, for instance through mobile vans and peer-run community services that also provide sterile injection equipment to prevent HIV and HCV transmission. We are also supporting research on new approaches to reversing drug overdoses, such as wearable devices that would auto-inject naloxone when an overdose is detected and electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerve to restore breathing, a method already used in resuscitation devices.⁵ We are also supporting research on compounds that could potentially reverse methamphetamine overdoses, such as monoclonal antibodies and molecules called sequestrants that bind and encapsulate methamphetamine in the body.⁶

Improving access to addiction treatment

In 2023, only 14.6 percent of people with an SUD received treatment, and only 18 percent of people with an opioid use disorder (OUD) received medication.⁷ Stigma, along with inadequate coverage of addiction treatment by both public and private insurers, contributes to this gap. To fix this will require partnering with payors to develop and evaluate new models for incentivizing the provision of evidence-based SUD care.

Increased access to methadone is a particularly high priority in the era of fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids. Results from a recent study in British Columbia showed that risk of leaving treatment was lower for methadone than for buprenorphine. Risk of dying was similarly low for both groups.⁸ Currently in the United States, methadone is only available from specialized opioid treatment centers, but studies piloting access through pharmacies have shown promise.

OUD medications also need to be accessible to people with SUD in jails and prisons. Research conducted in justice settings has shown that providing access to all three FDA-approved medications for OUD during incarceration reduced fatal overdose risk after release by nearly 32 percent.⁹ Access to buprenorphine during incarceration was also associated with a 32 percent reduction in recidivism risk.¹⁰ Through NIDA’s Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN), we continue to promote research into innovative models and strategies for integrating medications for OUD in justice settings.

I am also hopeful that we will soon see increased utilization of contingency management for treating stimulant use disorders. Providing incentives for treatment participation and negative drug tests is the most effective treatment we have for methamphetamine and cocaine addictions, but implementation has been hindered by regulatory ambiguities around caps on the dollar value of those incentives. However, demonstration projects underway in four states (California, Washington, Montana, and Delaware) are implementing contingency management with higher incentives and could further bolster evidence for the effectiveness—including cost effectiveness—of this approach.

Leveraging new treatments and technologies

There are many promising new technologies that could transform the treatment of addiction, including central and peripheral neuromodulation approaches. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was already approved by the FDA as an adjunct treatment for smoking cessation and peripheral auricular nerve stimulation was approved for the treatment of acute opioid withdrawal. TMS, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and peripheral vagal nerve stimulation are under investigation for treating other SUDs. Low-intensity focused ultrasound—a non-invasive method that can reach targets deep in the brain—is also showing promise for the treatment of SUD. NIDA is currently funding clinical trials to determine its safety and preliminary efficacy for treating cocaine use disorder¹¹ and OUD with or without co-occurring pain.¹²

Advances in pharmacology have helped identify multiple new targets for treating addiction that are not limited to a specific SUDs like OUD. Instead, these targets aim to modulate brain circuits that are common across addictions; they include among many others D3 receptor partial agonists/antagonists, orexin antagonists and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists. The latter are particularly promising, as these types of drugs, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, are already being used for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Anecdotally, patients taking GLP-1 agonists report less interest in drinking, smoking, or consuming other drugs. Recent studies based on electronic health records have revealed that people with SUDs taking GLP-1 medications to treat their obesity or diabetes had improved outcomes associated with their addiction, such as reduced incidence and recurrence of alcohol use disorder,¹³ reduced health consequences of smoking,¹⁴and reduced opioid overdose risk.¹⁵ NIDA is currently funding randomized clinical studies to assess the efficacy of GLP-1 agonists for the treatment of opioid and stimulant use disorders and for smoking cessation.

Creation of large data sources and repositories in parallel with advances in computation and analytical modeling including AI are helping in the design of new therapeutics based on the 3D molecular structure of addictive drugs and the receptors they interact with.¹⁶ NIDA-funded researchers have published studies showing that AI could be used to provide more timely, comprehensive data on overdose, such as by using social-media to predict overdose deaths.¹⁷ It could be used to enable higher-resolution analyses in basic neuroscience research¹⁸ and facilitate studies using large data sources like electronic health records.¹⁹ AI is also being used to support delivery of behavioral therapies and relapse prevention in virtual chatbots and is being studied in wearable devices. Although there is much work to be done to ensure that AI is deployed safely and ethically, particularly in clinical settings, this technology has considerable potential to enhance and expand access to care.

AI will also be transformative for analyzing big data sets like those being generated by the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development^SM (ABCD) Study and HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study. These landmark NIH-funded studies are gathering vast quantities of neuroimaging, biometric, psychometric, and other data across the first two decades of life. They will be able to answer important questions about the impacts of drugs and other environmental exposures on the developing brain, inform prevention and treatment interventions, and establish a valuable—and unprecedented—baseline of neurodevelopment that will be a crucial resource in pediatric neurology.

The field of addiction science has progressed at a breathtaking pace. These advances could not have been made without the commitment of an interconnected community of people. Researchers, clinicians, policymakers, community groups, and people living with SUDs and the families that support them all play a role in collaboratively finding solutions to some of the most challenging questions in substance use and addiction research. Together, we turn our eye to 2025 and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Filed under: Addiction,Culture,Economic,Education,Health,Latest News,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

by DFAF.org

The Colombo Plan has issued a health alert regarding the growing global threat posed by Benzimidazole (Nitazene) opioids. These highly potent synthetic compounds, which far exceed the strength of fentanyl, are driving significant increases in overdose deaths and public health crises across multiple regions.

Nitazene tablets containing 29 mg of metonitazene (equivalent to containing 145 times the lethal dose of fentanyl) heading to Florida, Connecticut, and Brazil were seized from international express mail. Public health and safety officials are urged to remain vigilant against this emerging danger.

Hear from Thom Browne, CEO of the Colombo Plan, as he addresses this emerging threat during his session at the upcoming National Prevention Summit. This discussion is especially pertinent for Florida. Click here to register for the conference to stay informed and be part of the solution.

Key Insights:

· Potency and Risk: Nitazenes, also known as Benzimidazoles, are synthetic opioids estimated to be 1.5–20 times more potent than fentanyl. A single tablet seized in 2023 contained metonitazene levels equivalent to 290 mg of fentanyl — 145 times the estimated fatal dose.

· Global Spread: Reports from North America, Brazil, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and West Africa reveal a sharp rise in nitazene-related deaths.

· Distribution and Adulteration: Nitazenes are typically found in tablet or powder form, often mixed with fentanyl, other synthetic drugs, or designer benzodiazepines like Bromazolam, further compounding the risks.

· Sample Testing: U.S. Crime Lab data shows 2.6% of analyzed cases (55 exhibits) contained 19 or more substances in addition to the principal nitazene compound.

· Adverse Effects: Like other synthetic opioids, nitazenes cause profound sedation and respiratory depression, often leading to fatal overdoses.

Naloxone and Treatment:

Naloxone remains effective in reversing nitazene overdoses but may require multiple doses due to the drug’s extreme potency.

Emerging Analogs:

Since 2019, a range of nitazene analogs has surfaced in the U.S., including metonitazene, isotonitazene, protonitazene, and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene. The NPS Discovery program at CFSRE tracks these trends quarterly, with protonitazene, metonitazene, and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene among the most common in late 2024.

Call to Action:

Stakeholders must collaborate to monitor, educate, and implement strategies to mitigate the escalating threat of nitazenes. Effective policy, public awareness, and access to life-saving tools like naloxone are critical in addressing this public health emergency, as the spread of these synthetic opioids could significantly worsen the opioid epidemic or spark new outbreaks in unsuspecting countries and regions.

Source: https://www.dfaf.org/

Filed under: Heroin/Methadone,Latest News,Synthetics,USA :

by Miles Martin – milesmartin@ucsd.edu – January 07, 2025

A recent study analyzing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that past-year recreational ketamine use among adults has increased dramatically since 2015, including significant shifts in associations with depression and sociodemographic characteristics such as race, age and education status. Ketamine use has shown promise in clinical trials therapy for several mental illnesses, including treatment-resistant depression, and the new research suggests that ongoing monitoring of recreational use trends is crucial to balancing these clinical benefits against the risk of unmonitored recreational use.

Key findings include:

Overall past-year recreational ketamine use increased by 81.8% from 2015 to 2019 and by 40% from 2021 to 2022.
Adults with depression were 80% more likely to have used ketamine in the past year in 2015-2019, but this association weakened in later years. In 2021-2022, ketamine use increased only among those without depression.
In 2021-2022, adults aged 26-34 were 66% more likely to have used ketamine in the past year compared to adults aged 18-25. Those with college degrees were more than twice as likely to have used ketamine compared to people with a high school education or less.
People were more likely to use ketamine if they used other substances, such as ecstasy/MDMA, GHB, and cocaine.

The researchers recommend expanding prevention outreach to settings like colleges, where younger adults may be at heightened risk, as well as providing education on the harms of polydrug use, particularly in combination with opioids. As medical ketamine becomes more widely available, they also emphasize the need for continued surveillance of recreational ketamine use patterns and further research to understand the factors that contribute to ketamine use.

The study, published online in the Journal of Affective Disorders, was led by Kevin Yang, M.D., a third-year resident physician in the Department of Psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine. The research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Source: https://today.ucsd.edu/story/ketamine-use-on-the-rise-in-u.s-adults-new-trends-emerge

Filed under: Ketamine,Latest News,Prevalence,USA :

In Indiana, Marion, Vanderburgh, Madison and Lake counties had the highest number of residents who listed alcohol as their primary substance upon admission to a facility for treatment. (Adobe Stock)

Public News Service – Terri Dee, Anchor/Producer – Monday, January 6, 2025

One popular New Year’s resolution is to quit alcohol consumption.

Although easier said than done, one recovery center said there are modifications to try if previous attempts are not working. A good start is taking a hard look at what has worked and what has not.

Marissa Sauer, a licensed clinical addiction counselor at Avenues Recovery, a Fort Wayne recovery center, pointed out if there was a simple answer, everybody would use it. She added other influences are linked to alcohol and substance abuse.

“There’s genetics. Were my parents and my grandparents struggling with substances? Does someone have maybe adverse childhood experiences that have led to substances being a coping mechanism of some kind?” Sauer explained. “Maybe there are these mental health diagnoses.”

Sauer mentioned people, places, or things which could inhibit or enable someone to abuse drugs or alcohol, making it complicated to simply walk away. Medication, therapy or conversations with people who have beaten their addictions are all effective measures for recovery.

The US Surgeon General’s 2025 Advisory Report indicates alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer after tobacco and obesity and the public is taking notice.

There is a growing momentum of the “sober curious” movement, avoiding happy hours at bars, ordering a low or no-alcohol drinks known as mocktails, or completely abstaining from alcohol for 30 days for “dry January.” Sauer said longtime substance abusers fear change and she wants them to know there is hope.

“Whether you’re 21 or whether you’re 51, that ability to heal is there,” Sauer emphasized. “The best gift that you could give yourself for a healthy 2025 is to give your loved ones the absolute best version of yourself.”

An Indiana State Epidemiological report from 2021-2022 revealed almost 24% of residents aged 12 and older have participated in binge drinking, with the highest rate among young adults aged 18 to 25.

Source: https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2025-01-06/alcohol-and-drug-abuse-prevention/in-substance-recovery-center-supports-sober-existence/a94456-1

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Latest News,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

KCUR-FM – Radio station – | by Suzanne King – Published December 28, 2024 at 3:55 PM CST

Since Missouri legalized marijuana in 2018, Dr. Bob Batterson has noticed a change in attitudes.

The Children’s Mercy Hospital psychiatrist more often hears from parents wondering if cannabis could help their child’s anxiety, autism or OCD.

“I tell them there are no studies,” said Batterson, the medical associate director of the hospital’s Division of Developmental and Behavioral Health. “A lot of hype, but no studies.”

And even if Children’s Mercy allowed its doctors to prescribe weed (it doesn’t), Batterson wouldn’t know what dose to recommend. He also couldn’t say which patient might experience a marijuana-induced psychotic episode or other serious reaction.

No one could.

Years of federal prohibition and the resulting limits on research mean the science about marijuana is skimpy at best. Public health experts say that should trigger caution in a world where legal marijuana is increasingly accessible and more widely consumed.

“There has been relatively little research on cannabis,” said Steven Teutsch, who chaired a year-long study for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine about the impact legal cannabis is having on public health. “Many of the benefits are often over-promoted and are iffy in many cases. And the harms are often not fully appreciated.”

Despite a well-known and largely accepted narrative that marijuana is safe and not addictive, the reality — especially when people consume greater and stronger amounts of the drug — is often different, health experts said.

Some 30% of cannabis users report having a physical dependency on the drug, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Scientists believe the drug could hurt brain function, heart health and can lead to impaired driving. It also correlates with social anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.

The federal government, which Teutsch said has “ largely been missing in action in all of this,” needs to step in with campaigns to educate the public, with model legislation to help states regulate the drug and with research funding to study health effects — good and bad.

Marijuana rules to protect health up to the states

Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, and classified by federal law as a Schedule I drug, defined as a highly addictive substance with no known medical use. Hearings on a proposal to reclassify it as a Schedule III drug will begin in January.

That change would remove barriers — and free more money — for research that could give doctors a better understanding of the health effects of all those gummies, pre-rolled joints and THC-spiked drinks at your neighborhood dispensary.

It also could pave the way for more drug development. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has only approved three drugs related to cannabis.

Some experts also contend that Congress needs to undo federal law adopted in 2018 that allowed hemp products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, to be sold in gas stations and grocery stores, free from regulatory oversight.

Under the current system, every state with legal weed takes a different approach to the drug.

California became the first to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. And Colorado and Washington led the way in legalizing recreational pot in 2012.

In the years since, only a handful of states, including Kansas, have resisted passing some level of legalization. Missouri voters adopted a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana use in 2018, and one legalizing recreational weed in 2022.

The state has a responsibility, said Dr. Heidi Miller, chief medical officer for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, to make sure people know the risks that come with marijuana.

“Cannabis has multiple potential therapeutic effects, but also potential adverse effects,” she said. “We need to inform the public of what we know and what we don’t know.”

Missouri has budgeted $2.5 million (less than 0.2% of what people in the state spend on weed in a year) for a public information campaign to get this message out.

Miller said the campaign, which is in early planning stages and not yet scheduled, should warn vulnerable populations — young people, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with a personal or family history of mental illness — about the risks of getting high.

It should also alert people, she said, that the marijuana they may have smoked a few decades ago has little resemblance to the potent variety sold at dispensaries.

The stuff sold today may have four times more THC. And that doesn’t include concentrates, which can have THC levels reaching 90%.

“Clearly, the adverse effects are going to be heightened, the higher the potency,” Miller said. “We can’t assume that all cannabis is safe because it’s, quote, natural. We also want folks to understand that cannabis is potentially addictive.”

More people are using cannabis

Since sales began in Missouri four years ago, the Division of Cannabis Regulation says more than $3 billion has been spent on cannabis products in the state. In fiscal year 2024, recreational sales, referred to as “adult use,” reached $1.16 billion, while medical weed sales totaled just under $166 million.

As in other states that have legalized cannabis, use of the drug is on the rise.

Dutchie, a technology company whose software powers the payment platforms and other backend systems in dispensaries, reported that on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving — known in the industry as “Green Wednesday” — average orders in Missouri dispensaries jumped 18% above a regular Wednesday to more than $84.

The number of people using the drug, which experts said will only continue to rise, is raising alarms.

A November 2023 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 61.9 million Americans — 22% of those 12 and older — reported using cannabis in the past year. More than 13 million 18 to 25 year olds — 38% — said they’d used the drug. The same was true for 11.5% of 12 to 17 year olds.

As people consume marijuana more frequently and in higher doses, anecdotal stories related to health problems are becoming more common. They include reports of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a gastrointestinal condition that leads to bouts of vomiting and intense pain, and instances of cannabis-induced psychosis, a mental illness that can lead to violence and suicide.

“They didn’t legalize old school hippy weed,” said Aubree Adams, a Colorado mother whose son became psychotic after using marijuana. “We’re dealing with a really hard drug.”

Every day, Adams said, the organization she founded to educate the public about the dangers of marijuana use, receives inquiries from a handful of families across the country dealing with issues related to marijuana use.

Her organization, Every Brain Matters, is pushing for potency caps on the marijuana being sold in the United States; an end to the sale of edibles, which often look like candy; and a ban on sugary-flavored vapes.

Adams also wants it to be illegal for marijuana companies to market products as medicine that have not been approved for medical use. States need to be out front telling the public the truth, she said.

“I don’t know why we have to sugar coat things and play politics,” she said. “Tell them the truth. Tell them the science.”

Her son is 24 now. He’s come in and out of sobriety since first getting into trouble “dabbing” highly concentrated marijuana when he was 15. She believes he would be fine if he hadn’t used the drug.

“My son fights for his mental well being on a daily basis,” she said.

Adams wants other parents to know the potential risks. And she wants adolescents and young adults — who she believes are a primary target of marijuana companies — to realize what they might be getting into. Doctors say that developing brains are more vulnerable to problems

“This is not a soft drug,” she said. “This is a hard drug that can change your brain chemistry.”

Lack of federal oversight

But getting meaningful regulatory change in an industry that lacks federal oversight is difficult.

Under the current system, every state has its own set of rules about everything from how cannabis products are packaged, tested and sold to what training the budtender at your local cannabis store needs to have. States decide who can buy cannabis, how much someone can buy during a certain period and how potent weed can be.

The states also oversee what’s in the marijuana, including setting maximum levels for contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides. Missouri’s Cannabis Division established rules based on the amendments voters adopted.

The state has licensed 10 private laboratories, which marijuana producers hire to test products for compliance with state rules. Cannabis regulators also are opening a “reference laboratory” by mid-2025 to verify those results.

Because the state legalized weed later than other states, it adopted standards that are among the most stringent in the country, said Anthony David, chief operations officer with Green Precision Analytics, a private marijuana testing lab in Kansas City. Before opening the lab with three partners, he grew marijuana in the Pacific Northwest.

“Cannabis that Missourians are smoking,” he said, “is safer than probably anywhere in the world.”

The National Academies of Sciences’ report on cannabis and public health, which was commissioned by the CDC and the National Institutes of Health, recommended several policy changes states could make to protect the public.

Those include things like limiting the potency of marijuana (Missouri has no such limit), and restricting retail hours at dispensaries. While Kansas City limits how late a dispensary can stay open, the state does not, and some weed shops in neighboring communities offer 24-hour-a-day drive-thrus. Other suggested policies from the report involve implementing strategies to protect kids. In short, they want cannabis products to be controlled much like alcohol and tobacco.

“Almost every state does something right, but there are a lot of things they don’t do,” Teutsch said. “We advise the states to look at what was done for tobacco and alcohol because there’s many years of experience there implementing policies that have a public health focus.”

David G. Evans, a New Jersey attorney representing people who claim they’ve been harmed by marijuana, also believes there is wisdom to be gained from what unfolded in the tobacco industry.

He contends that the legal system needs to step in where regulators have failed. Evans is suing marijuana companies for harming clients and marshalling lawyers across the country to do the same. He hopes the legal actions will bring public awareness about risks of marijuana and rein in the industry.

“The marijuana industry is low-hanging fruit,” Evans said. “They’ve been allowed to be reckless. They’ve not been controlled, not disciplined. And the state governments have played right along with them. Now there’s starting to be a reckoning.”

Source: https://www.ksmu.org/news/2024-12-28/with-weed-legal-missouri-is-now-looking-at-the-public-health-consequences

This story was originally published by The Beacon, a fellow member of the KC Media Collective.

Filed under: Culture,Health,Latest News,Marijuana and Medicine,Mental Health,USA :

New York Times DNYUZ December 26, 2024

The cartel operatives came to the homeless encampment carrying syringes filled with their latest fentanyl formula. The offer was simple, according to two men living at the camp in northwest Mexico: up to $30 for anyone willing to inject themselves with the concoction.

One of the men, Pedro López Camacho, said he volunteered repeatedly — at times the operatives were visiting every day. They watched the drug take effect, Mr. López Camacho said, snapping photos and filming his reaction. He survived, but he said he saw many others who did not.

“When it’s really strong, it knocks you out or kills you,” said Mr. López Camacho of the drugs he and others were given. “The people here died.”

This is how far Mexican cartels will go to dominate the fentanyl business.

Global efforts to crack down on the synthetic opioid have made it harder for these criminal groups to find the chemical compounds they need to produce the drug. The original source, China, has restricted exports of the necessary raw ingredients, pushing the cartels to come up with new and extremely risky ways to maintain fentanyl production and potency.

The experimentation, members of the cartels say, involves combining the drug with a wider range of additives — including animal sedatives and other dangerous anesthetics. To test their results, the criminals who make the fentanyl for the cartels, often called cooks, say they inject their experimental mixtures into human subjects as well as rabbits and chickens.

If the rabbits survive beyond 90 seconds, the drug is deemed too weak to be sold to Americans, according to six cooks and two U.S. Embassy officials who monitor cartel activity. The American officials said that when Mexican law enforcement units have raided fentanyl labs, they have at times found the premises riddled with dead animals used for testing.

“They experiment in the style of Dr. Death,” said Renato Sales, a former national security commissioner in Mexico. “It’s to see the potency of the substance. Like, ‘with this they die, with this they don’t, that’s how we calibrate.’”

To understand how criminal groups have adapted to the crackdown, The New York Times observed fentanyl being made in a lab as well as a safe house, and spent months interviewing several people directly involved in the drug’s production. They included nine cooks, three chemistry students, two high-level operatives and a recruiter working for the Sinaloa Cartel, which the U.S. government blames for fueling the synthetic opioid epidemic.

The people connected to the cartel spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

One cook said he recently started mixing fentanyl with an anesthetic often used in oral surgery. Another said the best additive he had found was a sedative for dogs and cats.

Another cook demonstrated for Times reporters how to produce fentanyl in a cartel safe house in Sinaloa State, in northwest Mexico. He said that if the batch was too weak, he added xylazine, an animal tranquilizer known on the street as “Tranq” — a combination that American officials warn can be deadly. “You inject this into a hen, and if it takes between a minute and a minute and a half to die, that means it came out really good,” the cook said. “If it doesn’t die or takes too long to die, we’ll add xylazine.”

The cooks’ accounts align with data from the Mexican government showing a rise in the use of fentanyl mixed with xylazine and other substances, especially in cities near the U.S. border.

“The illicit market gets much more benefit from its substances by cutting them with different things such as xylazine,” said Alexiz Bojorge Estrada, deputy director of Mexico’s mental health and addiction commission.

“You enhance it and therefore need less product,” said Ms. Bojorge, referring to fentanyl, “and you get more profit.”

U.S. drug researchers have also noticed a rise in what one called “weirder and messier” fentanyl. Having tested hundreds of samples in the United States, they found an increase in the variety of chemical compounds in fentanyl on the streets.

“It’s just a wild west of experimentation,” said Caleb Banta-Green, a research professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who helped coordinate the testing of more than 580 samples of drugs sold as fentanyl in Washington State this year.

He called it “absolute chaos.”

The Experiments: The synthetic opioids that reach American streets often begin in cartel labs, where precision is not always a priority, cooks say. They mix up vats of chemicals in rudimentary cook sites, exposing themselves to toxic substances that make some cooks hallucinate, wretch, pass out and even die. The cartels are actively recruiting university chemistry students to work as cooks. One student employed by the cartel revealed that to test their formulas, the group brought in drug users living on the street and injected them with the synthetic opioid. No one has ever died, the student said, but there have been bad batches. “We’ve had people convulse, or start foaming at the mouth,” the student said.

Mistakes by cooks were met with severe punishment, she added: Armed men locked the offenders in rooms with rats and snakes and left them there for long stretches with no food or water.

The cooks and high-level operatives described the Sinaloa Cartel as a decentralized organization, a collection of so many disparate cells that no single leader or faction had complete control over the group’s fentanyl production.

Some cooks said they wanted to create a standardized product that wouldn’t kill users. Others said they didn’t see the lethality of their product as a problem — but as a marketing tactic.

In a U.S. federal indictment against the sons of the notorious drug lord Joaquín Loera Guzmán (known as El Chapo) who lead a powerful faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, prosecutors said the group sent fentanyl to the United States even after an addict died while testing it in Mexico.

Instead of scaring people off, cartel members, drug users and experts say that many American users rush to buy a particularly deadly batch because they know it will get them high.

“One dies, and 10 more addicts are born,” said one high-level operative for the cartel. “We don’t worry about them.”

The Boss: The boss knew something was wrong when the hens stopped keeling over. He said he’d been in the drug business since he was 12, when he started apprenticing at a heroin processing site.

Now a soft-spoken 22-year-old, the boss said he taught himself how to produce illicit drugs by studying the older, more experienced men he worked with. Eventually, he started his own business with a friend.

The boss said his business grew so fast that soon he was running three fentanyl labs. The drug has made him millions, he said.

Every time he goes to one of his labs, he said he brings four or five rabbits from the local pet store. If the fentanyl his people make is potent enough, he has to inject and kill only one to be sure it is fit for sale.

Two pet store employees in Sinaloa, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from cartel members, confirmed that the cheapest rabbits are known to be purchased for drug testing.

The boss’s other test subjects are hens from a nearby ranch. Many fentanyl cooks test their product on chickens, according to the two U.S. Embassy officials.

Until recently, the boss said every time he injected the hens with fentanyl they would either die, fall over or stumble around as if they were drunk. All the locals knew not to eat the chickens or the eggs from the ranch.

But recently, the animals weren’t having a strong reaction to the drug, even though his process hadn’t changed.

His employees were logging the same hours at the same modest lab in the mountains, starting at 5 a.m. and sleeping there for days on end. They were working with the same equipment — laboratory shakers, trays, large containers and a blender to mix up the final product.

The boss said he eventually concluded that the culprit was a “very diluted” supply of the chemical ingredients from China. The result was a bunk product. “It’s too weak,” he said.

To fix the problem, the boss first tried combining fentanyl with ketamine, a short-acting anesthetic, but said users didn’t like the bitter taste that came with smoking the mix. It worked much better to add procaine, he said, a local anesthetic often used to numb small areas during dental procedures. When asked whether he felt guilty about producing a drug that causes mass death, the boss said all he was doing was giving his customers what they wanted.

“If there weren’t all those people in the United States looking to get high, we wouldn’t sell anything,” he said. “It’s their fault, not ours. We just take advantage of the situation.”

The Cook

One cook we spoke with said he got into the fentanyl business a few years ago to pay off growing debts. At first, the former shop owner regularly got sick from the exposure to the fumes. He said the armed cartel members in charge had no patience for it.

“You may throw up at the beginning when you start, and you take a quick break and take some air,” said the cook, but soon enough “one of them will scream at you to get back to work.”

A boss once shot him just because he didn’t answer a question quickly enough, he said, pulling up his shirt to reveal a stomach scar.

He is constantly experimenting with ways to make fentanyl stronger, tweaking his formula and testing it on his lab assistants, many of whom have become addicted in the process, he said. If the product comes out strong, he passes it on to his supervisors to try.

The cook said he knows all the improvisation adds up to an unpredictable product. Each batch he makes is different, he said, meaning clients who buy the exact same fentanyl pills may get wildly different doses from week to week.

He’s never fully disclosed his job to his family, simply saying he’s off to work and then returning weeks later with a lot of cash. He believes the money and the fear evident in his expression deter any questions.

“There is no retirement here,” the cook said, adding that the cartel would likely kill him for trying to stop. “There is just work and death.”

Source: https://dnyuz.com/2024/12/26/how-mexican-cartels-test-fentanyl-on-vulnerable-people-and-animals/

—
www.drugwatch.org
drug-watch-international@googlegroups.com

Filed under: Crime/Violence/Prison,Fentanyl,Latest News,USA :

Author(s): Hannah Elmore, PharmD,John Handshaw, PharmD, BCACP – December 23, 2024

Pharmacists can help address nicotine addiction by recommending FDA-approved smoking cessation methods and educating on the risks associated with electronic cigarette use.

Electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional smoking. This method, known as vaping, involves inhaling an aerosol that contains nicotine, flavorings, and harmful chemicals including carcinogens, toxic substances, and metals. Nicotine is a highly addictive compound that activates the brain’s reward center by increasing dopamine levels, which creates sensations of pleasure and satisfaction. These euphoric feelings are often what leads to nicotine addiction.¹

Although vaping is often perceived as a safer option, it actually carries significant health risks similar to those of traditional cigarettes. Pharmacists can play a vital role in educating patients on the dangers of vaping and providing guidance on safe and effective smoking cessation methods.

E-cigarettes trace back to the 1960s when British American Tobacco created a smoking device under the codename Ariel. At that time, researchers were already aware of nicotine’s addictive properties, but new evidence linking smoking to lung cancer prompted cigarette companies to try and explore alternative products with less risks. They aimed to create an inhalation device with filters to reduce carcinogens and tar. However, it was discovered that filtered cigarettes were not a healthier alternative because all components of cigarette smoke have proven to be harmful. Additionally, if the device only contained pure nicotine, it would warrant classification as a drug-delivery system, subjecting it to stricter regulations. The company wanted to avoid this in order to bypass the stringent safety evaluations and extensive clinical trials required by drug delivery systems, which would allow the company to reduce their manufacturing costs, speed up production, and take this device to the market quicker. They were able to produce a product with 24% nicotine, which is 6 times the concentration found in traditional cigarettes. Despite this innovation, Ariel was discontinued to protect the company’s profitable traditional cigarette market. This marked the first instance of companies exploring the manipulative potential of nicotine.²

E-cigarettes were officially authorized for sale by the FDA in 2007 with over 460 brands. The most popular brand is Juul, accounting for nearly 75% of the e-cigarettes on the market.^3,4 In 2022, the FDA banned the sale of Juul products due to conflicting evidence regarding its associated risks, including the potential to cause strokes, respiratory failure, seizures, and cases of e-cigarette or vaping-use-associated lung injury (EVALI).⁴ EVALI is a condition in which the lungs become severely damaged and often results in admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) on mechanical ventilation.^3,4

Additionally, there is also a lack of long-term safety data for these products.⁵ Although originally marketed as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, e-cigarettes have not demonstrated efficacy as a smoking cessation aid and rather, have led to a rise in the youth vaping epidemic.¹

There has been a lack of data correlating successful smoking cessation rates among those who use e-cigarettes. There have been a few studies that suggest that vaping may aid in quitting tobacco but is not effective for quitting nicotine use altogether.⁶ One study found that those who utilized e-cigarettes in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and counseling were 24.3% less likely to quit smoking compared to those who used only NRT and counseling. Additionally, those who used e-cigarettes were 15.1% more likely to become dual users utilizing both tobacco and vaping products. Those who are considered dual users are at an even higher risk for health complications including myocardial infarction and a 4-fold increase in developing lung cancer.⁶

In another survey of 800 people who utilized vaping as a smoking cessation agent, it was reported that only 9% successfully quit when asked 1 year later, compared to 19.8% who utilized NRT.^1,7 These findings help highlight that vaping is not a reliable method for eliminating nicotine use entirely and can even lead to utilizing both traditional and electronic cigarette products.⁸

Vaping is now the most commonly used form of nicotine among adolescents. A study was conducted that showed high schoolers who had used e-cigarettes were 16.7% more likely to start smoking cigarettes within the next year.⁹ Nicotine’s impact on the developing brain can cause mood disorders, affect attention and learning, and amplify the desire for other mood-enhancing drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine.¹ In 2018, e-cigarette use among high school students increased by 78%, which led the FDA to enforce stricter regulations on the sale of nicotine products. Despite their efforts, vaping remains a leading challenge that teens face today as they have already fallen victim to nicotine addiction.⁴

The FDA currently lists 7 approved quit aids that are safe and effective for smoking cessation. These include several forms of NRT as well as pharmacologic therapy with bupropion and varenicline. Some of the agents, including the NRT gum, patch, and lozenge, are even available OTC. Pharmacists can play a vital role in smoking cessation, especially in patients who lack access to a primary care provider to obtain prescription medications. Therefore, it is crucial for pharmacists to stay up to date on the current smoking cessation guidelines, dosing recommendations, and counseling points for these agents.

The primary goal of pharmacist-driven smoking cessation should always be to support the patient’s desire to quit smoking. Pharmacists should guide patients toward the FDA-approved agents, either prescription medications through a provider, or OTC therapies in the pharmacy, rather than electronic cigarettes due to lack of supportive data and increased risk for adverse health events. The appropriate selection of FDA-approved agent should be individualized based on the patient’s specific factors, contraindications, and goals of therapy. Pharmacists should educate the patient extensively on the appropriate options for smoking cessation and should not recommend the use of e-cigarettes. However, if a patient decides to use e-cigarettes, pharmacists should still serve as a support system for the patient by being the primary educator and providing extensive counseling on the associated risks of vaping. Patients should be made aware of both the known and unknown adverse reactions associated with electronic cigarettes as well as highlighting that the goal of vaping should be to achieve complete smoking cessation.¹⁰

Vaping e-cigarettes has become a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes, with unknown efficacy and safety surrounding these products.¹⁰ Pharmacists should continue to stay up to date on new literature published on e-cigarettes and should follow the FDA’s suggestions on smoking cessation methods. Pharmacists are the most widely accessible health care professionals available to patients. Therefore, pharmacists have the power and knowledge to be the most influential providers available to advise patients on the correct paths to smoking cessation. By offering education and support, pharmacists can help patients live healthier lives and take steps towards reversing the youth smoking epidemic one education at a time.

Source: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/clearing-the-air-the-influence-of-vaping-on-smoking-cessation

Filed under: Latest News,Prevalence,Tobacco, smoking,USA,Vaping :

The stats: Provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there were 94,112 overdose deaths in the year ending July 2024, a 16.9% decrease from the prior year.

All states except Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Montana and Alaska saw decreases.

What’s being said:

Senior Biden administration officials credited a combination of policies such as higher investment in preventing drug use among young people, making naloxone more accessible, getting more people into treatment early and disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.

The details: It is possible the government’s efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and provide improved prevention, harm reduction and treatment services are beginning to achieve their desired effect.

The White House’s efforts to distribute naloxone have helped reverse 500,000 overdoses.
The administration has been historically supportive of harm reduction, providing support for syringe exchange and drug checking equipment and looking the other way on supervised consumption sites.
It has overhauled methadone regulations, eliminated the buprenorphine waiver requirement and expanded access to treatment via telehealth.

But:

Other potential reasons for the decline include a change in the drug supply and a shift toward more cautious drug use behavior based on years of experience with fentanyl.
Progress could be threatened by the reemergence of carfentanil, which is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl. A CDC study found that overdose deaths with carfentanil remain rare but increased approximately 7-fold from January-June 2023 to January-June 2024.

The larger context: The decrease is the largest in history, but the death toll remains high and disparities persist.

The ~94,000 deaths is nearly 40% more than when deaths began rising in Jan. 2019 and about the same as it was in Jan. 2021, when Biden took office.

Source: White House takes credit for a big drop in fatal overdoses (Politico); Biden officials take credit for ‘largest drop’ in overdose deaths. Experts are more cautious (STAT); Future Threats (Politico)

Source: https://drugfree.org/drug-and-alcohol-news/policy-news-roundup-december-19-2024/

Filed under: Latest News,Prevalence,USA :

Gamblers Anonymous meetings are filling up with people hooked on trading and betting. Apps make it as easy as ordering takeout.

Wall Street Journal by Gunjan Banerji Dec. 20, 2024

A new type of addict is showing up at Gamblers Anonymous meetings across the country: investors hooked on the market’s riskiest trades.

At Gamblers Anonymous in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan, one man called options “the crack cocaine” of the stock market. Another said he faced hundreds of thousands of dollars in trading losses after borrowing from a loan shark to double down on stocks. And one young man brought his mom and girlfriend to celebrate one year since his last bet.

They were among a group of about 60 people, almost all men, who sat in rows of metal folding chairs in a crowded church basement that evening. Some shared their struggle with addiction—not on sports apps or at Las Vegas casinos—but using brokerage apps like Robinhood.

Many of the men, and scores of others around the country, discovered trading and betting during the pandemic boom that began in 2020. Some were drawn in by big wins in meme stocks and other viral stock sensations, leading them into even higher-octane wagers that offer the chance to put up a small amount of cash for a potentially mammoth return—or more often, a crushing loss.

Others bought and sold cryptocurrencies on apps that make trading as easy as ordering takeout on Uber Eats or toiletries on Amazon. In an age where sports betting has become an accepted pastime—accessible by the flick of the thumb on an iPhone app—they found the same rush betting on dogecoin, Tesla or Nvidia as wagering on Patrick Mahomes to carry the Kansas City Chiefs to the Super Bowl.

Doctors and counselors say they are seeing more cases of compulsive gambling in financial markets, or an uncontrollable urge to bet. They expect the problem to worsen. The stock market has climbed 23% this year and bitcoin recently topped $100,000 for the first time, tempting many people to pile into speculative trades. Wall Street keeps introducing newer and riskier ways to play the market through stock options or complex exchange-traded products that use borrowed money and compound the risk for investors.

Some who are desperate to stop trading are turning to self-help groups like Gamblers Anonymous. A GA pamphlet advises members to stay away from bets on stocks, commodities and options as well as raffle tickets and office sports pools. Sometimes members hand over retirement accounts to their spouses.

Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, GA dates back to 1957 and now has hundreds of chapters in every U.S. state. Attendees at local GA meetings from Ponca City, Okla., to Allentown, Pa., subscribe to a 12-step program. It begins with accepting that they are powerless over gambling and can include a financial review in a so-called pressure relief group meeting. New attendees are peppered with calls from others and latch onto veteran members who commit to helping them stay on track.

‘Hi, my name is Mitch’

More than 30 people interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, many of whom regularly attend GA meetings, said they’ve struggled with compulsive gambling in financial markets. At times, the trading led to mood swings, sleepless nights and even depression. Their trades—and spiraling losses—became a shameful secret that they kept from their partners or other loved ones.

I asked Gamblers Anonymous for permission to attend some meetings. Attendees introduced me to the groups at the start of the meetings, and I observed the discussions. Members introduced themselves by their first names, according to GA practices.

“Hi, my name is Mitch, and I’m a compulsive gambler,” one said at a GA meeting this month near Ozone Park, N.Y. “Hi Mitch,” the group responded in unison.

The suburban dad of three, slightly balding with a big smile, stood in front of more than a dozen members in a church basement. He is haunted by the rising price of bitcoin—and the riches that could have been his, he said. Up around 40% since Election Day, bitcoin prices are on a wild ride. What would have happened, he wondered out loud, if he had just left his bitcoin in a digital wallet and handed it over to his wife?

Then he reminded himself and the group that he was never able to just buy and hold. “I needed more and more,” Mitch told the group. “I’m a sick, compulsive gambler. That’s why I keep making these meetings. I don’t trust myself.”

One attendee told him to stop eyeing cryptocurrency prices. Another reminded him of the toll trading had taken on his family and asked: “What’s more important, crypto or your kids?”

The entrepreneur, based in Long Island, N.Y., said cryptocurrencies caught his eye when he was in his late 40s and had gone more than 20 years since placing his last bet. He had sworn off gambling after a penchant for bold bets had led him to Gamblers Anonymous meetings in his early 20s. He invested $100 in bitcoin and watched it soar. He poured thousands of dollars into ether and smaller, more speculative coins. Something kept him from sharing with his GA group that he was trading.

When his portfolio rose above $1 million, he thought to himself, “That’s four Lambos.” He flew to Florida to look at potential vacation homes for his family near Walt Disney World.

Within months, he found himself in a familiar cycle. The rush of adrenaline he got when he bought and sold tokens pushed him to trade more frequently—to the point where he was trading hundreds of times a day—and taking bigger risks. He would wake at 4 a.m. to monitor his portfolio.

He parked his car in the lot of a Long Island shopping plaza near his home to trade in isolation. His neck grew tense from hunching over the screen.

When crypto prices started tumbling, snowballing losses left him sullen. “Sometimes I would get a passing thought as I went to bed: I hope I don’t wake up in the morning,” he said. His portfolio had fallen around $1 million from its peak.

Desperate for a way out, he typed “crypto gambling treatment center” into Google. He confessed to his GA mentors that he had been gambling.

A spiking problem

Pennsylvania’s gambling hotline has fielded more calls tied to gambling in stocks and crypto since 2021 than it did in the prior six years combined. At a New York-based treatment center, Safe Foundation, clinical director Jessica Steinmetz estimates about 10% of patients are seeking help for addictions tied to trading. Before 2020, there were no such patients.

Lyndon Aguiar, a clinical director at Williamsville Wellness, a gambling treatment center in Hanover, Va., said counselors sit down with traders and delete dozens of stock, sports and financial news apps from their phones when they walk in the doors for its inpatient treatment program. The center has seen a 25% increase in gambling tied to markets since 2020, compared with the prior four years. Patients might install Gamban, an app that locks individuals out of gambling on their phones. The app started blocking Robinhood and Webull in July 2021.

A Robinhood spokesperson said it includes “robust safeguards to help customers make informed decisions” and that individuals deserve the freedom to become stewards of their own finances. A spokesperson for Webull said the platform offers educational tools to foster responsible investment decisions.

New patients often suffer from withdrawal symptoms including severe anxiety and depression when they first stop trading, he said. Some start fidgeting or repeatedly tapping their fingers against a table, itching to place a trade.

Abdullah Mahmood, administrative coordinator of a gambling program at the Maryhaven addiction treatment center in Columbus, Ohio, said he has seen several clients enter the treatment center’s doors this year for trading addictions. Options are particularly problematic, he said.

Activity in options is on track to smash another record this year. Trading in contracts expiring the same day, which are the riskiest, has soared to make up more than half of all trades in the market for S&P 500 index options this year, according to figures from SpotGamma. These trades are more electric than traditional stocks, with the potential to rocket higher or plunge to zero within minutes.

Similar to wagering on how many points Mavericks point guard Luka Dončić will score in the first quarter of an NBA game, traders are increasingly using options to speculate how stocks will fare during the trading session, rather than at the closing bell.

This year, “a client came down to my office, suicidal,” Mahmood said. “He had lost $14,000 in just five minutes in options trading on the app Robinhood.”

Doug Royer, 61, has been attending Mahmood’s group counseling sessions every Monday.

He initially entered the center’s doors for help with his drinking. Then, he saw signs for a gambling program while walking the halls of Maryhaven’s treatment center. Immediately, the six figures he lost trading came to mind.

After selling his house in 2022, he had poured thousands of dollars into investments like the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, Lockheed Martin and Texas Pacific Land before amping up the risk with options trading. He traded in and out of companies such as Spirit Airlines and Estée Lauder, while borrowing on margin in an attempt to magnify his bets, brokerage statements show.

Eventually, he said he had almost no money left to trade with after losses in options and lotteries. He said he has been working part-time as a massage therapist near Columbus, Ohio. “It’s very easy to make a lot of money,” Royer said. “It’s also easy to lose everything really fast.”

Addiction counselors say gambling in financial markets often goes undetected and can be tough to track because individuals confuse their actions with investing. Unlike sports betting apps such as FanDuel and DraftKings, most brokerage apps don’t post warnings about gambling or offer hotlines to seek help. The proliferation of financial instruments, along with flashy brokerage apps that make them easy to trade, has also helped some gamblers convince themselves that they weren’t actually placing bets.

The National Council on Problem Gambling started including questions about investing in its annual survey in 2021, after its gambling hotline received an influx of calls during the meme-stock mania. The council’s executive director, Keith Whyte, said NCPG reached out to apps like Robinhood to suggest they adopt consumer protections ingrained in gambling apps. “In some cases, the consumer protections in the gambling industry exceed that in the financial markets,” Whyte said.

Like the anticipation of sex or delicious food, a financial gamble like an options trade can flood your brain with feel-good chemicals, said Brian Knutson, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Stanford University. The bigger the financial payout or tastier the dish, the stronger the rush. That anticipation can keep a trader going back to place another bet, forming a reinforcing habit, added Knutson, who has studied risk-taking in financial markets for more than two decades.

“It’s not just the release, per se, of the dopamine, but the speed of the release that’s reinforcing,” Knutson said.

Chris Cachia, a 38-year-old power-plant technician in Ontario, Canada, got swept up with trading during the meme-stock mania in 2021. After turning around 7,000 Canadian dollars into roughly 50,000 trading stocks like GameStop and BlackBerry, he found short-dated stock options when he went hunting for fatter profits. He scored some early wins. Before long, the thousands he made evaporated and his account sank into a deep hole. Yet he said he couldn’t walk away—he was consumed by a fear of missing out on the riches that others boasted about online.

One week while his wife was traveling, he holed up in his home office for days trading. He grew desperate for a win and bet more money than he had in his brokerage account. It didn’t work out.

The subsequent loss left him so depressed that he skipped his brother’s bachelor party. “It was causing erratic changes in my behavior as I got deeper and deeper in,” Cachia said. “I was basically a full-out gambling addict.” He said he tried to quit countless times since his trading ramped up during the pandemic, deleting brokerage and social-media apps from his phone, only to quickly download them again. He wasn’t able to pull away until his wife threatened to leave him. “She gave me an ultimatum: You need to stop this, or I’m done,” Cachia said.

Source: More Men Are Addicted to the ‘Crack Cocaine’ of the Stock Market – WSJ

www.drugwatch.org
drug-watch-international@googlegroups.com

Filed under: Addiction,Gambling,Latest News,Mental Health,USA :

December 19, 2024 / 73(50);1147–1149

Yijie Chen, PhD¹; Xinyi Jiang, PhD¹; R. Matthew Gladden, PhD¹; Nisha Nataraj, PhD¹; Gery P. Guy Jr., PhD¹; Deborah Dowell, MD¹

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

From 2020 to 2022, among overdose deaths with only illegally manufactured fentanyl (IMF) detected, those with evidence of smoking IMF increased by 78.9%, and those with evidence of injection decreased by 41.6%.

What is added by this report?

From July–December 2017 to January–June 2023, the percentage of persons injecting IMF sharply declined across all U.S. Census Bureau regions, with region-specific differences in magnitude; correspondingly, IMF snorting or sniffing increased in the Northeast, and IMF smoking increased in the Midwest, South, and West regions.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Whereas avoiding injection likely reduces infectious disease transmission, noninjection routes might still contribute to overdose. Provision of locally tailored messaging and linkage to medical treatment is important among persons using IMF through non-injection routes.

During 2019–2023, U.S. overdose deaths involving fentanyl have more than doubled, from an estimated 35,474 in 2019 to 72,219 in 2023 (1). From 2020 to 2022, overdose deaths with only illegally manufactured fentanyl (IMF) detected and evidence of smoking IMF increased by 78.9%; deaths with evidence of injection decreased by 41.6% (2). Smoking, however, could not be linked specifically to IMF use when deaths involved multiple drugs (e.g., methamphetamine co-used with IMF). To characterize IMF administration routes among all persons who use IMF, with or without other drugs, IMF administration routes were examined among adults assessed for substance use treatment who used IMF during the past 30 days.

Investigation and Outcomes

The National Addictions Vigilance Intervention and Prevention Program’s Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version (ASI-MV) tool* includes a convenience sample of adults aged ≥18 years assessed for substance-use treatment. CDC analyzed treatment assessments conducted between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2023, which were restricted to 14 states^† with at least 100 assessments reporting past 30-day IMF use (16,636)^§ and stratified by administration routes (swallowed, snorted or sniffed, smoked, and injected^¶). The percentage of persons reporting each administration route was calculated for 6-month periods by U.S. Census Bureau region.** Significant (p-value <0.05) trends by administration route were identified using Joinpoint (Joinpoint version 5.1.0; National Cancer Institute) and Pearson correlations. This activity was reviewed by CDC, deemed not research, and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.^††

In the Midwest, South, and West U.S. Census Bureau regions, increases in smoking (from 7.8% during July–December 2017 to 38.2% during January–June 2023 [Midwest]; from 15.4% during January–June 2020 to 54.0% during January–June 2023 [South]; and from 45.7% during January–June 2018 to 85.7% during January–June 2023 [West]) were strongly negatively correlated with decreases in injection (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = −0.96; p<0.001 [Midwest]; −0.98; p<0.001 [South]; and −0.74; p<0.01 [West]). Injection decreased from 75.2% during January–June 2020 to 41.2% during January–June 2023 in the Midwest U.S. Census Bureau region; from 54.2% during July–December 2020 to 30.3% during January–June 2023 in the South; and from 65.6% during July–December 2018 to 9.1% during January–June 2023 in the West, but timing of changes across each census region varied (Figure). In the Northeast, increases in snorting or sniffing (from 18.9% during July–December 2017 to 45.5% during January–June 2023) were strongly negatively correlated (r = −0.89; p<0.001) with a decrease in injection (from 83.8% during July–December 2017 to 63.4% during January–June 2023).

Preliminary Conclusions and Actions

Consistent with other fatal overdose investigations (2), the percentage of persons injecting IMF sharply declined across all U.S. Census Bureau regions between 2017 and 2023, although the magnitudes of these declines were region-specific. Some persons who use IMF reportedly believe that smoking is safer than injecting IMF (3). Whereas avoiding injection likely reduces the risk for acquiring bloodborne viruses (e.g., HIV or HCV) and soft tissue infections (2,4), noninjection routes might contribute to overdose or other health problems (e.g., orofacial lesions associated with snorting) (5). Compared with injection, smoking IMF is associated with a higher frequency of use throughout the day and potentially higher daily dosages consumed (3). Substantial shifts to smoking IMF in the Midwest, South, and West, and sniffing or snorting IMF in the Northeast (i.e., Massachusetts) highlight the need to understand local trends in drug use and tailor local messaging, outreach, and linkage to medical care, including effective treatment for opioid use disorder in persons using IMF through noninjection routes.

Corresponding author: Yijie Chen, mns7@cdc.gov.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7350a4.htm?s_cid=mm7350a4_w

¹Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC.

All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Filed under: Fentanyl,Latest News,Prevalence,USA :

Provided by GlobeNewswire Dec 17, 2024 3:33pm

Millburn, NJ, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Thousands of residents from New Jersey and throughout the country, including many health care professionals, are now better informed and prepared to act in the fight against the nationwide opioid crisis thanks to the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series.

The Learning Series’ monthly webinars drew more than 10,000 attendees in 2024, including participants from fields including health care, education and law enforcement, as well as prevention, treatment and recovery professionals Organized by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) in collaboration with the Opioid Education Foundation of America (OEFA) and the Office of Alternative and Community Responses (OACR), the series covers a broad range of topics, from prevention and recovery to trauma, stigma and building resilience in those working on the front lines.

“The attendance represent thousands of people who are now better equipped to make a difference,” said Angelo Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ.

Beyond educating the general public about the opioid epidemic, the series provided tools and strategies specific to health care workers and other professionals in related fields to help them make informed decisions in their work. Participants earned more than 6,000 continuing education credits, a testament to the program’s commitment to empowering professionals to drive real-world change in their communities.

The Learning Series provided credits for various professions including physicians, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, optometrists, social workers, certified health education specialists and EMTs.

In 2024, the webinars brought together experts from various prestigious institutions and organizations, including the New Jersey State Police, the Veterans Affairs Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These speakers, including Christopher M. Jones, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at SAMHSA, shared practical solutions and cutting-edge research, ensuring participants left with insights that could be immediately applied in their communities.

“The Learning Series has grown steadily since it began in 2020, thanks to the incredible speakers and organizations that have shared their time and expertise,” Valente said. “Their contributions have made this series an invaluable resource for professionals in New Jersey and beyond, providing practical strategies and real-world insights to address the opioid crisis.”

The series also serves as part of the annual Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day initiative, held every October 6 to raise awareness about the risks of opioid misuse and educate residents and prescribers statewide. Its growth year over year underscores the need for evidence-based education and practical solutions to combat this epidemic.

The 2025 series will kick off at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025, with a webinar exploring the latest trends in the national opioid crisis. To learn more about Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day and for a schedule of webinars, please visit knockoutday.drugfreenj.org.

Source: https://www.morningstar.com/news/globe-newswire/9320021/2024-learning-series-drives-conversations-and-solutions-in-the-fight-against-opioid-misuse

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Best known for its statewide anti-drug advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication. To date, more than $200 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception the Partnership has garnered 230 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.

Filed under: Heroin/Methadone,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

NIH – December 17, 2024

After declining significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use among adolescents has continued to hold steady at lowered levels for the fourth year in a row, according to the latest results from the Monitoring the Future Survey, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These recent data continue to document stable and declining trends in the use of most drugs among young people.

“This trend in the reduction of substance use among teenagers is unprecedented,” said Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “We must continue to investigate factors that have contributed to this lowered risk of substance use to tailor interventions to support the continuation of this trend.”

Reported use for almost all measured substances decreased dramatically between 2020 and 2021, after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and related changes like school closures and social distancing. In 2022 and 2023, most reported substance use among adolescents held steady at these lowered levels, with similar trends and some decreases in use in 2024.

The Monitoring the Future survey is conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and funded by NIDA. The survey is given annually to students in eighth, 10th, and 12th grades who self-report their substance use behaviors over various time periods, such as past 30 days, past 12 months, and lifetime. The survey also documents students’ perceptions of harm, disapproval of use, and perceived availability of drugs. The survey results are released the same year the data are collected. From February through June 2024, the Monitoring the Future investigators collected 24,257 surveys from students enrolled across 272 public and private schools in the United States.

When breaking down the data by specific drugs, the survey found that adolescents most commonly reported use of alcohol, nicotine vaping, and cannabis in the 12 months prior to the survey, and levels generally declined from or held steady with the lowered use reported over the past few years. Compared to levels reported in 2023, data reported in 2024 show:

Alcohol use remained stable for eighth graders, with 12.9% reporting use in the past 12 months. Alcohol use declined among the other two grades surveyed, with 26.1% of 10th graders reporting alcohol use in the past 12 months (compared to 30.6% in 2023), and 41.7% of 12th graders reporting alcohol use in the past 12 months (compared to 45.7% in 2023).
Nicotine vaping remained stable for eighth and 12th graders, with 9.6% of eighth graders and 21.0% of 12th graders reporting vaping nicotine in the past 12 months. It declined among 10th graders, with 15.4% reporting nicotine vaping in the past 12 months (compared to 17.6% in 2023).
Nicotine pouch use remained stable for eighth graders, with 0.6% reporting use within the past 12 months. It increased among the two older grades with 3.4% of 10th graders reporting nicotine pouch use in the past 12 months (compared to 1.9% in 2023) and 5.9% of 12th graders reporting nicotine pouch use in the past 12 months (compared to 2.9% in 2023).
Cannabis use remained stable for the younger grades, with 7.2% of eighth graders and 15.9% of 10th graders reporting cannabis use in the past 12 months. Cannabis use declined among 12th graders, with 25.8% reporting cannabis use in the past 12 months (compared to 29.0% in 2023). Of note, 5.6% of eighth graders, 11.6% of 10th graders, and 17.6% of 12th graders reported vaping cannabis within the past 12 months, reflecting a stable trend among all three grades.
Delta-8-THC (a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant) use was measured for the first time among eighth and 10th graders in 2024, with 2.9% of eighth graders and 7.9% of 10th graders reporting use within the past 12 months. Reported use of Delta-8-THC among 12th graders remained stable with 12.3% reporting use within the past 12 months.
Any illicit drug use other than marijuana declined among eight graders, with 3.4% reporting use in the past 12 months compared to 4.6% in 2023). It remained stable for the other two grades surveyed, with 4.4% of 10th graders and 6.5% of 12th graders reporting any illicit drug use other than marijuana in the past 12 months. These data build on long-term trends documenting low and declining use of illicit substances reported among teenagers – including past-year use of cocaine, heroin, and misuse of prescription drugs, generally.
Use of narcotics other than heroin (including Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, etc.) are only reported among 12th graders, and decreased in 2024, with 0.6% reporting use within the past 12 months (reflecting an all-time low, down from a high of 9.5% in 2004).
Abstaining, or not using, marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine in the past 30 days, remained stable for eighth graders, with 89.5% reporting abstaining from use of these drugs in the past 30 days prior to the survey. It increased for the two older grades, with 80.2% of 10th graders reporting abstaining from any use of marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine over the past 30 days (compared to 76.9% in 2023) and 67.1% of 12th graders reporting abstaining from use of these drugs in the past 30 days (compared to 62.6% in 2023).

“Kids who were in eighth grade at the start of the pandemic will be graduating from high school this year, and this unique cohort has ushered in the lowest rates of substance use we’ve seen in decades,” said Richard A. Miech, Ph.D., team lead of the Monitoring the Future survey at the University of Michigan. “Even as the drugs, culture, and landscape continue to evolve in future years, the Monitoring the Future survey will continue to nimbly adapt to measure and report on these trends – just as it has done for the past 50 years.”

The results were gathered from a nationally representative sample, and the data were statistically weighted to provide national numbers. This year, 35% of students who took the survey identified as Hispanic. Of those who did not identify as Hispanic, 14% identified as Black or African American, 1% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 4% as Asian, 1% as Middle Eastern, 37% as white, and 7% as more than one of the preceding non-Hispanic categories. The survey also asks respondents to identify as male, female, other, or prefer not to answer. For the 2024 survey, 47% of students identified as male, 49% identified as female, 1% identified as other, and 3% selected the “prefer not to answer” option.

All participating students took the survey via the web – either on tablets or on a computer – with 99% of respondents taking the survey in-person in school in 2024. The 2024 Monitoring the Future data tables highlighting the survey results are available online from the University of Michigan.

The 2024 Monitoring the Future data tables highlighting the survey results are available online from the University of Michigan.

Source: https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2024/12/reported-use-of-most-drugs-among-adolescents-remained-low-in-2024

Filed under: Latest News,Prevalence,USA,Youth :

SAM Drug Report’s Friday Fact report – 11:31 Friday 10th Jan 2025

A study that was published last week in Addictive Behaviors found that alcohol and tobacco are more likely to be used on days when marijuana is used.

The study found that individuals consumed an average of 0.45 more alcoholic drinks on days when marijuana was used, compared to days when marijuana was not used. Similarly, the study found that individuals smoked an average of 0.63 more cigarettes on days when marijuana was used. Both of these findings were statistically significant (p=0.01).

Seeking to explain these findings, the researchers posited that “the impact of cannabis use on the endocannabinoid system may reinforce the use of alcohol and tobacco through mechanisms related to psychological reward.” They added that “bidirectionality must be considered,” given that the use of one substance may influence the effect of an additional substance––it may enhance a high, for example.

The researchers noted that “the observed within-person positive associations between cannabis use and same-day alcohol consumption and cigarettes smoked are consistent with previous research that has shown a tendency for substance use behaviors to co-occur.”

Indeed, cross-tabs from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that those who used marijuana in the past 30 days were three times as likely to have smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days (30.8% vs. 10.4%) and 63% more likely to have used alcohol in the past 30 days (70.7% vs. 43.4%), compared to those who did not use marijuana in the past 30 days.

Source: SAM Drug Report’s Friday Fact report – 11:31 Friday 10th Jan 2025 – The Drug Report’s

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy. We are professionals working in mental health and public health. We are bipartisan. We are medical doctors, lawmakers, treatment providers, preventionists, teachers, law enforcement officers and others who seek a middle road between incarceration and legalization. Our commonsense, third-way approach to marijuana policy is based on reputable science and sound principles of public health and safety.

Filed under: Alcohol,Cannabis/Marijuana,Latest News,Tobacco, smoking,USA :

COMMENT BY NATIONAL DRUG PREVENTION ALLIANCE ON THE ARTICLE BY DREXEL – 15 DECEMBER 2024:

NDPA has significant reservations about his article. Drexel (a ‘private university’ in Philadelphia) are asserting that all drug use is stigmatised ,and that such stigmatisation as they observe should be negated. But other specialists in the field counter by giving comments on stigma/human behaviour etc, as follows:

There is no doubt that language which stigmatises a situation or a person is something to be avoided, and there should be an un-stigmatised opening for people to access healthful interventions, but
Drug use and addiction is a ‘chicken and egg’ situation, and
Writers like this one start half way through the situation, when a person has made a decision to stop being a ‘drug-free’ person; they are already moving down a path which can lead to consequences which were not what they wanted when deciding to use, so
They are already a user, and what one might call the ‘pre-addictive’ stage is ignored. Addicted users are portrayed as no less or more than victims, seduced by profiteering suppliers, which
Circumvents the initial chapter in the story i.e. the stage in which a person decides to use a substance which
In retrospect ca be seen as a bad decision, which should be the target of productive prevention. This is
‘pre the event’ – the heart of the word ‘prevention’ which in its Latin-base (‘praevenire’) means ‘to come before’ – not to come ‘during’!

Take the following paragraph in this paper:

“Awareness of stigma as an impediment to treatment has grown in the last two decades. In the wake of America’s opioid epidemic — when strategic, deceitful marketing, promotion and overprescription of addictive painkillers resulted in millions of individuals unwittingly becoming addicted — the general public began to recognize addiction as a disease to be treated, rather than a moral failure to be punished — as it was often portrayed during the “War on Drugs” in the 1970s and ‘80s”.

Whilst we can harmonise with the authors of this paper in seeking to remove ‘stigma as an impediment to treatment’, we part company with them when they classify all addicts as ‘unwitting victims of deceitful marketing and promotion’. The simple fact is that they made a bad decision, for whatever reason … in some cases suckered, yes, or in other cases not looking down that road and its consequences on themselves and others around them (‘short termism’) – this was not a ‘moral wrong’, it was what it was.

Prevention should therefore assist people to make healthful decisions – the kind of decision which countless former users make for themselves, thereby moving themselves off the ‘pre-addictive’ road onto a healthful one.

This paper does not include this wider picture, and is the less for that.

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DREXEL PRIVATE UNIVERSITY TEXT:

December 11, 2024

Drug addiction has been one of America’s growing public health concerns for decades. Despite the development of effective treatments and support resources, few people who are suffering from a substance use disorder seek help. Reluctance to seek help has been attributed to the stigma often attached to the condition. So, in an effort to address this problem, researchers at Drexel University are raising awareness of the stigmatizing language present in online forums and they have created an artificial intelligence tool to help educate users and offer alternative language.

Presented at the recent Conference on Empirical Methods in Natural Language Processing (EMNLP), the tool uses large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4 and Llama to identify stigmatizing language and suggest alternative wording — the way spelling and grammar checking programs flag typos.

“Stigmatized language is so engrained that people often don’t even know they’re doing it,” said Shadi Rezapour, PhD, an assistant professor in the College of Computing & Informatics who leads Drexel’s Social NLP Lab, and the research that developed the tool. “Words that attack the person, rather than the disease of addiction, only serve to further isolate individuals who are suffering — making it difficult for them to come to grips with the affliction and seek the help they need. Addressing stigmatizing language in online communities is a key first step to educating the public and reducing its use.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, only 7% of people living with substance use disorder receive any form of treatment, despite tens of billions of dollars being allocated to support treatment and recovery programs. Studies show that people who felt they needed treatment did not seek it for fear of being stigmatized.

“Framing addiction as a weakness or failure is neither accurate nor helpful as our society attempts to address this public health crisis,” Rezapour said. “People who have fallen victim in America suffer both from their addiction, as well as a social stigma that has formed around it. As a result, few people seek help, despite significant resources being committed to addiction recovery in recent decades.”

Awareness of stigma as an impediment to treatment has grown in the last two decades. In the wake of America’s opioid epidemic — when strategic, deceitful marketing, promotion and overprescription of addictive painkillers resulted in millions of individuals unwittingly becoming addicted — the general public began to recognize addiction as a disease to be treated, rather than a moral failure to be punished — as it was often portrayed during the “War on Drugs” in the 1970s and ‘80s.

But according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while stigmatizing language in traditional media has decreased over time, its use on social media platforms has increased. The Drexel researchers suggest that encountering such language in an online forum can be particularly harmful because people often turn to these communities to seek comfort and support.

“Despite the potential for support, the digital space can mirror and magnify the very societal stigmas it has the power to dismantle, affecting individuals’ mental health and recovery process adversely,” Rezapour said. “Our objective was to develop a framework that could help to preserve these supportive spaces.”

By harnessing the power of LLMs — the machine learning systems that power chatbots, spelling and grammar checkers, and word suggestion tools— the researchers developed a framework that could potentially help digital forum users become more aware of how their word choices might affect fellow community members suffering from substance use disorder.

To do it, they first set out to understand the forms that stigmatizing language takes on digital forums. The team used manually annotated posts to evaluate an LLM’s ability to detect and revise problematic language patterns in online discussions about substance abuse.

Once it has able to classify language to a high degree of accuracy, they employed it on more than 1.2 million posts from four popular Reddit forums. The model identified more than 3,000 posts with some form of stigmatizing language toward people with substance use disorder.

Using this dataset as a guide, the team prepared its GPT-4 LLM to become an agent of change. Incorporating non-stigmatizing language guidance from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the researchers prompt-engineered the model to offer a non-stigmatizing alternative whenever it encountered stigmatizing language in a post. Suggestions focused on using sympathetic narratives, removing blame and highlighting structural barriers to treatment.

The programs ultimately produced more than 1,600 de-stigmatized phrases, each paired as an alternative to a type of stigmatizing language.

destigmatized text

Using a combination of human reviewers and natural language processing programs, the team evaluated the model on the overall quality of the responses, extended de-stigmatization, and fidelity to the original post.

“Fidelity to the original post is very important,” said Layla Bouzoubaa, a doctoral student in the College of Computing & Informatics who was a lead author of the research. “The last thing we want to do is remove agency from any user or censor their authentic voice. What we envision for this pipeline is that if it were integrated onto a social media platform, for example, it will merely offer an alternate way to phrase their text if their text contains stigmatizing language towards people who use drugs. The user can choose to accept this or not. Kind of like a Grammarly for bad language.”

Bouzoubaa also noted the importance of providing clear, transparent explanations of why the suggestions were offered and strong privacy protections of user data when it comes to widespread adoption of the program.

To promote transparency in the process, as well as helping to educate users, the team took the step of incorporating an explanation layer in the model so that when it identified an instance of stigmatizing language it would automatically provide a detailed explanation for its classification, based on the four elements of stigma identified in the initial analysis of Reddit posts.

“We believe this automated feedback may feel less judgmental or confrontational than direct human feedback, potentially making users more receptive to the suggested changes,” Bouzoubaa said.

This effort is the most recent addition to the group’s foundational work examining how people share personal stories online about experiences with drugs and the communities that have formed around these conversations on Reddit.

“To our knowledge, there has not been any research on addressing or countering the language people use (computationally) that can make people in a vulnerable population feel stigmatized against,” Bouzoubaa said. “I think this is the biggest advantage of LLM technology and the benefit of our work. The idea behind this work is not overly complex; however, we are using LLMs as a tool to reach lengths that we could never achieve before on a problem that is also very challenging and that is where the novelty and strength of our work lies.”

In addition to making public the programs, the dataset of posts with stigmatizing language, as well as the de-stigmatized alternatives, the researchers plan to continue their work by studying how stigma is perceived and felt in the lived experiences of people with substance use disorders.

In addition to Rezapour and Bouzoubaa, Elham Aghakhani contributed to this research.

Read the full paper here: https://aclanthology.org/2024.emnlp-main.516/

This is an RTE component

Contact: Britt Faulstick –

Filed under: Addiction,Cannabis/Marijuana,Culture,Education,Health,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,Social Affairs,USA,Youth :

Few patients know about evidence-based treatment—or have or seek access to it

Fact Sheet December 13, 2024

Projects:Substance Use Prevention and Treatment

Alcohol is the leading driver of substance use-related fatalities in America: Each year, frequent or excessive drinking causes approximately 178,000 deaths.¹ Excessive alcohol use is common in the United States among people who drink: In 2022, of the 137 million Americans who reported drinking in the last 30 days, 45% reported binge drinking (five or more drinks in a sitting for men; four for women).² Such excessive drinking is associated with health problems such as injuries, alcohol poisoning, cardiovascular conditions, mental health problems, and certain cancers.³

In 2020, many people increased their drinking because of COVID-19-related stressors, including social isolation, which led to a 26% increase in alcohol-related deaths during the first year of the pandemic.⁴

Figure 1

Alcohol‑Related Deaths Have Increased Since 2016

Growth is driven by increases in both acute and chronic causes of death

Notes: Chronic causes of death include illness related to excessive alcohol use such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and diseases of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Acute causes include alcohol-related poisonings, car crashes, and suicide.

Source: Marissa B. Esser et al., “Deaths From Excessive Alcohol Use—United States, 2016-2021,” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 73, no. 8154-61, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7308a1.htm#T1_down

Nationwide, nearly 30 million people are estimated to have alcohol use disorder (AUD); it is the most common substance use disorder. AUD is a treatable, chronic health condition characterized by a person’s inability to reduce or quit drinking despite negative social, professional, or health effects.⁵ While no single cause is responsible for developing AUD, a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors can increase an individual’s risk, including a family history of the disorder.⁶

There are well-established guidelines for AUD screening and treatment, including questions that can be asked by a person’s health care team, medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), behavioral therapies, and recovery supports, but these approaches often are not put into practice.⁷ When policies encourage the adoption of screening and evidence-based medicines for AUD, particularly in primary care, the burden of alcohol-related health problems can be reduced across the country.⁸

The Spectrum of Unhealthy Alcohol Use

For adults of legal drinking age, U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that they choose not to drink or drink in moderation, defined as two drinks or fewer in a day for men, and one drink or fewer in a day for women.⁹ One drink is defined as 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol—the amount in a 12-ounce beer containing 5% alcohol, a 5-ounce glass of wine containing 12% alcohol, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.¹⁰

Consumption patterns exceeding these recommended levels are considered:

Heavy drinking, defined by the number of drinks consumed per week: 15 or more for men, and eight or more for women.¹¹
Binge drinking, defined by the number of drinks consumed in a single sitting: five or more for men, and four or more for women.¹²

Alcohol use disorder is defined by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as having symptoms of two or more diagnostic criteria within a 12-month period.¹³ The diagnostic criteria assess behaviors such as trying to stop drinking but being unable to, alcohol cravings, and the extent to which drinking interferes with an individual’s life.¹⁴ AUD can be mild (meeting two or three criteria), moderate (meeting four or five criteria), or severe (six or more criteria).¹⁵

Identifying and preventing AUD

Primary care providers are well positioned to recognize the signs of unsafe drinking in their patients. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that these providers screen adults 18 years and older for alcohol misuse.¹⁶ One commonly used evidence-based approach, SBIRT—or screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment—is a series of steps that help providers identify and address a patient’s problematic substance use.¹⁷

Using a screening questionnaire, a provider can determine whether a patient is at risk and, if so, can deliver periodic brief behavioral interventions in an office setting. Such interventions have been shown to reduce heavy alcohol use among adolescents, adults, and older adults.¹⁸ When a patient meets the criteria for AUD, providers can offer medication, connect them to specialty treatment, refer them to recovery supports such as Alcoholics Anonymous or other mutual-help groups, or all of the above, depending on a patient’s needs and preferences.¹⁹ When these interventions are used in primary care settings, they can reduce heavy alcohol use.²⁰

While screening for AUD is common, few providers follow up when a patient reports problematic alcohol use. From 2015 to 2019, 70% of people with AUD were asked about their alcohol use in health care settings, but just 12% of them received information or advice about reducing their alcohol use.²¹ Only 5% were referred to treatment.²²

Emergency departments (EDs) are another important setting for identifying AUD, and to maintain accreditation they are required to screen at least 80% of all patients for alcohol use.²³ Alcohol is the most common cause of substance-related ED visits, meaning many people in these settings are engaged in excessive or risky alcohol consumption and could be linked to care.²⁴

The use of SBIRT in the ED can also reduce alcohol use, especially for people without severe alcohol problems.²⁵ Providers who use SBIRT can help patients reduce future ED visits and also some negative consequences associated with alcohol use, such as injuries.²⁶

Commonly cited barriers to using SBIRT in these health care settings include competing priorities and insufficient treatment capacity in the community when patients need referrals. Conversely, SBIRT use increases with strong leadership and provider buy-in, collaboration across departments and treatment settings, and sufficient privacy to discuss substance use with patients.²⁷

Jails and prisons should also screen for AUD, as well as other SUDs, to assess clinical needs and connect individuals with care. However, screening practices may not be evidence based. A review of the intake forms used to screen individuals in a sample of jails in 2018-19 found that some did not ask about SUD at all, and of those that did, they did not use validated tools accepted for use in health care and SUD treatment settings.²⁸

Withdrawal management

Up to half of all people with AUD experience some withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop drinking.²⁹ For many, common symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, and insomnia are mild.³⁰ For a small percentage, however, withdrawal can be fatal if not managed appropriately.³¹ These individuals can experience seizures or a condition called alcohol withdrawal delirium (also referred to as delirium tremens), which causes patients to be confused and experience heart problems and other symptoms; if untreated, it can be fatal.³² People with moderate withdrawal symptoms can also require medical management to address symptoms such as tremors in addition to anxiety, sweating, and insomnia.³³

To determine whether a patient with AUD is at risk of severe withdrawal or would benefit from help managing symptoms, the American Society of Addiction Medicine recommends that providers evaluate patients with positive AUD screens for their level of withdrawal risk.³⁴ Based on this evaluation, providers can offer or connect patients to the appropriate level of withdrawal management.³⁵

At a minimum, high-quality withdrawal management includes clinical monitoring and medications to address symptoms.³⁶ Providers may also offer behavioral therapies.³⁷ Depending on the severity of a patient’s symptoms and the presence of co-occurring conditions such as severe cardiovascular or liver disease that require a higher level of care, withdrawal management can be provided on either an inpatient or an outpatient basis.³⁸

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the National Institute of Corrections, jails should also use evidence-based standards of care to address alcohol withdrawal. These standards include screening and assessing individuals who are at risk for withdrawal and, if the jail cannot provide appropriate care, transferring them to an ED or hospital.³⁹

Withdrawal management on its own is not effective in treating AUD, and without additional services after discharge, most people will return to alcohol use.⁴⁰ Because of this, providers should also connect people with follow-up care, such as residential or outpatient treatment, after withdrawal management to improve outcomes. Continued care helps patients sustain abstinence, reduces their risk of arrests and homelessness, and improves employment outcomes.⁴¹

Patients face multiple barriers to this follow-up care, however. For example, withdrawal management providers from the Veterans Health Administration cited long wait times for follow-up care, inadequate housing, and lack of integration between withdrawal management and outpatient services as reasons patients couldn’t access services.⁴² Patients have also cited barriers such as failure of the withdrawal management provider to arrange continued care, lengths of stay that were too short to allow for recovery to begin, insufficient residential treatment capacity for continued care, and inadequate housing.⁴³

Promising practices for improving care continuity include: providing peer recovery coaches—people with lived expertise of substance use disorder who can help patients navigate treatment and recovery; psychosocial services that increase the motivation to continue treatment; initiating medication treatment before discharge; reminder phone calls; and “warm handoffs,” in which patients are physically accompanied from withdrawal management to the next level of care.⁴⁴

Treating AUD

In 2023, 29 million people in the U.S. met the criteria for AUD, but less than 1 in 10 received any form of treatment.⁴⁵ Formal treatment may not be necessary for people with milder AUD and strong support systems.⁴⁶ But people who do seek out care can face a range of barriers, including stigma, lack of knowledge about what treatment looks like and where to get it, cost, lack of access, long wait times, and care that doesn’t meet their cultural needs.⁴⁷

For those who need it, AUD treatment can include a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, and social supports designed to help patients reach their recovery goals, which can range from abstaining from alcohol to reducing consumption.⁴⁸

While for many the goal of treatment is to stop using alcohol entirely, supporting non-abstinence treatment goals is also important, because reduced alcohol consumption is associated with important health benefits such as lower blood pressure, improved liver functioning, and better mental health.⁴⁹

Services for treating AUD—including medication and behavioral therapy—can be offered across the continuum of care, from primary care to intensive inpatient treatment, depending on a patient’s individual needs.⁵⁰

Medications

Medications for AUD help patients reduce or cease alcohol consumption based on their individual treatment goals and can help improve health outcomes.⁵¹ Medications can be particularly helpful for people experiencing cravings or a return to drinking, or people for whom behavioral therapy alone has not been successful.⁵² But medications are not often used: Of the 30 million people with AUD in 2022, approximately 2% (or 634,000 people) were treated with medication.⁵³

The FDA has approved three medications to treat AUD:

Naltrexone reduces cravings in people with AUD.⁵⁴ This medication is also approved to treat opioid use disorder, and because it blocks the effects of opioids and can cause opioid withdrawal, patients who use these substances must be abstinent from opioids for one to two weeks prior to starting this treatment for AUD.⁵⁵ It can be taken daily or as needed in a pill or as a monthly injection.⁵⁶ Oral naltrexone is effective at reducing the percentage of days spent drinking, the percentage of days spent drinking heavily, and a return to any drinking.⁵⁷ Injectable naltrexone can reduce the number of days spent drinking and the number of heavy drinking days.⁵⁸ Additionally, naltrexone can reduce the incidence of alcohol-associated liver disease—an often-fatal complication of heavy alcohol use—and slow the disease’s progression in people who already have it.⁵⁹
Acamprosate is taken as a pill.⁶⁰ It reduces alcohol craving and helps people with AUD abstain from drinking.⁶¹ It reduces the likelihood of a return to any drinking and number of drinking days.⁶²
Disulfiram deters alcohol use by inducing nausea and vomiting and other negative symptoms if a person drinks while using it.⁶³ It is also taken as a pill.⁶⁴ There is insufficient data to determine whether a treatment is more effective than a placebo at preventing relapses in alcohol consumption or other related issues.⁶⁵ However, for some individuals, knowing they will get sick from consuming alcohol while taking disulfiram can increase motivation to abstain.⁶⁶ As medication adherence is a challenge for patients, supervised administration of disulfiram by another person—for example, a spouse—can improve outcomes in patients who are compliant.⁶⁷

Additionally, some medications used “off-label” (meaning they were approved for treating other conditions) have also effectively addressed AUD. A systematic review found that topiramate, a medication approved for treating epilepsy and migraines, had the strongest evidence among off-label drugs for reducing both any drinking and heavy drinking days.⁶⁸ Like naltrexone, it can reduce the incidence of alcohol-related liver disease.⁶⁹

Despite the benefits that medications provide, they remain an underutilized tool for a variety of reasons—such as lack of knowledge among patients and providers, stigma against the use of medication, and failure of pharmacies to stock the drugs.⁷⁰

Behavioral therapies

Behavioral therapies can also help individuals manage AUD, and they support medication adherence:

Motivational enhancement therapy focuses on steering people through the stages of change⁷¹ by reinforcing their motivation to modify personal drinking behaviors.⁷²
Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses people’s feelings about themselves and their relationships with others and helps to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to drinking, including recognizing internal and external triggers. It focuses on developing and practicing coping strategies to manage these triggers and prevent continued alcohol use.⁷³
Contingency management uses positive reinforcement to motivate abstinence or other healthy behavioral changes.⁷⁴ It can help people who drink heavily to reduce their alcohol use.⁷⁵

All of these approaches can help address AUD, and no one treatment has proved more effective than another in treating this complicated condition.⁷⁶ Combining behavioral therapies with other approaches such as medication and recovery supports, as described below, can improve their efficacy.⁷⁷

Recovery supports

Peer support specialists and mutual-help groups can also help people achieve their personal recovery goals:

Peer support specialists are individuals with lived expertise in recovery from a substance use disorder who provide a variety of nonclinical services, including emotional support and referrals to community resources.⁷⁸ The inclusion of peer support specialists in AUD treatment programs has been found to significantly reduce alcohol use and increase attendance in outpatient care.⁷⁹
Mutual-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), support individuals dealing with a shared problem. People may seek out these groups more than behavioral or medication treatment for AUD because they can join on their own time and at no cost, and they may better cater to people’s needs related to varying gender identities, ages, or races.⁸⁰ Observational research shows that voluntary attendance at peer-led AA groups can be as effective as behavioral treatments in reducing drinking.⁸¹

People with AUD can use recovery supports on their own, in combination with behavioral treatment or medication, or as a method to maintain recovery when leaving residential treatment or withdrawal management.⁸²

While the U.S. records more than 178,000 alcohol-related deaths each year, some populations have a higher risk of alcohol-related deaths, and others face greater barriers to treatment.⁸³

American Indian and Alaska Native communities

Despite seeking treatment at higher rates than other racial/ethnic groups, American Indian and Alaska Native people have the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths.⁸⁴

Figure 2

American Indian and Alaska Native Individuals Have Persistently Higher Alcohol‑Related Death Rates Compared With Other Racial and Ethnic Groups

Alcohol‑related deaths per 100,000 people

Risk factors that impact these communities and can contribute to these deaths include historical and ongoing trauma from colonization, the challenges of navigating both native and mainstream American cultural contexts, poverty resulting from forced relocation, and higher rates of mental health conditions than in the general population.⁸⁵ Substances, including alcohol, are sometimes used to cope with these challenges.⁸⁶

However, American Indian/Alaska Native communities also have rich protective factors such as their cultures, languages, traditions, and connections to elders, which can help reduce negative outcomes associated with alcohol use, especially when treatment services incorporate and build on these strengths.⁸⁷

For example, interviews with American Indian/Alaska Native patients with AUD in the Pacific Northwest revealed that many participants preferred Native-led treatment environments that incorporated traditional healing practices and recommended the expansion of such services.⁸⁸

To improve alcohol-related outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives, policymakers and health care providers must develop a greater understanding of the barriers and strengths of these diverse communities and support the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. The federal Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health defines such an approach as “services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices, and needs of diverse patients.”⁸⁹

People living in rural areas

Rural communities are another group disproportionately affected by AUD. People living in rural areas have higher alcohol-related mortality rates than urban residents but are often less likely to receive care.⁹⁰ They face treatment challenges including limited options for care; concerns about privacy while navigating treatment in small, close knit communities; and transportation barriers.⁹¹

Figure 3

Alcohol‑Related Deaths Have Increased Faster in Rural Areas

2012‑22 change in alcohol‑induced death rate per 100,000 by urban and rural areas

Telemedicine can help mitigate these barriers to care.⁹² Cognitive behavioral therapy and medications for AUD can be delivered effectively in virtual settings.⁹³ People with AUD can also benefit from virtual mutual-help meetings, though some find greater value in face-to-face gatherings.⁹⁴

Despite the value of virtual care delivery, people living in rural areas also often have limited access to broadband internet, which can make these interventions challenging to use.⁹⁵ Because of this, better access to in-person care is also needed.

Next steps

To improve screening and treatment for patients with AUD, policymakers, payers, and providers should consider strategies to:

Conduct universal screenings for unhealthy alcohol use and appropriately follow up when those screenings indicate a problem. Less than 20% of people with AUD proactively seek care, so health care providers shouldn’t wait for patients to ask them for help.⁹⁶
Connect people with continued care after withdrawal management so that they can begin their recovery. People leaving withdrawal management settings should have a treatment plan that meets their needs—whether that’s behavioral treatment, recovery supports, medication, or a combination of these approaches.
Further the use of medications for AUD. With just 2% of people with AUD receiving medication, significant opportunities exist to increase utilization and improve outcomes.⁹⁷
Address disparities through culturally competent treatment and increased access in rural areas. The populations most impacted by AUD should have access to care that meets their needs and preferences.

AUD is a common and treatable health condition that often goes unrecognized or unaddressed. Policymakers can improve the health of their communities by supporting providers in increasing the use of evidence-based treatment approaches.⁹⁸

If you are concerned about your alcohol consumption, you can use the Check Your Drinking tool created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assess your drinking levels and make a plan to reduce your use.

Source: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2024/12/americas-most-common-drug-problem-unhealthy-alcohol-use

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Drug use-various effects,Drugs and Accidents,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

PublishedDec 16, 2024 – Contact:Jared Culligan – jculligan@nahb.org

This December, join NAHB in recognizing National Drunk and Drug Impaired Driving Prevention Month and be aware of the devastating consequences that result from impaired driving.

From 2018 to 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded more than 4,700 deaths in drunk driving traffic crashes during the month of December. In addition, a study by NHTSA found more than 54% of injured drivers had some amount of alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of the incident.

Although this month focuses primarily on reducing impaired driving on the road, it’s also crucial to extend this conversation to safety in the workplace and how drunk and drug-impaired driving can impact the construction industry.

What can your organization do to prevent drunk and drug-impaired driving incidents?

Provide education and training materials on the effects of certain substances.
Perform post-incident drug and alcohol testing and have a recovery-ready workplace to engage and support employees in stopping substance misuse whenever possible.

NAHB has several Video Toolbox Talks available in English and Spanish regarding drunk and drug-impaired driving. Please be sure to check out our content and help spread awareness as we approach the holidays:

In addition, several government establishments are promoting materials during this time of year. Check out their available resources:

If you know of anybody that needs immediate help, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Source: https://www.nahb.org/blog/2024/12/promote-safe-driving-resources

Filed under: Alcohol,Crime/Violence/Prison,Drug use-various effects,Drugs and Accidents,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

by Brian Anthony Hernandez

Published on December 28, 2024 08:00AM EST

Teen cigarette use in 2024 was the lowest ever recorded since the Monitoring the Future study started tracking it in the 1970s. A national study discovered that teens in the United States consumed significantly less alcohol and drugs in 2024 compared to past years.

Teen alcohol use has steadily decreased from 2000 to 2024 — falling from 73% to 42% in 12th grade, 65% to 26% in 10th grade and 43% to 13% in 8th grade — according to data from Monitoring the Future (MTF), an annual federally funded study.

Every year, the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research uses grant money from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to conduct the MTF main study, which surveys more than 25,000 8th, 10th and 12th graders to monitor behaviors, attitudes and values of adolescents.

Meanwhile, the MTF’s panel study does follow-up surveys with roughly 20,000 adults ages 19 to 65 to continue to track trends over time.

The main study found that aside from the “long-term, overall decline” in teen alcohol use, in 2024, “alcohol use significantly declined in both 12th and 10th grade for lifetime and past 12-month use. In 10th grade, it also significantly declined for past 30-day use.”

Binge drinking, which researchers defined as “consuming five or more drinks in a row at least once during the past two weeks,” among teens also declined in 2024 for all three grades compared to 2023 and the past two-and-half decades.

Since 2000, binge drinking has fallen from 30% to 9% in 12th grade, from 24% to 5% in 10th grade and from 12% to 2% in 8th grade.

Teen cigarette use in 2024 was the lowest ever recorded since the survey started tracking 12th graders in 1975 and 10th and 8th graders in 1991.

“The intense public debate in the late 1990s over cigarette policies likely played an important role in bringing about the very substantial downturn in adolescent smoking that followed,” researchers said, adding that “an important milestone occurred in 2009 with passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco products.”

Researchers emphasized that “over time this dramatic decline in regular smoking should produce substantial improvements in the health and longevity of the population.”

Teen marijuana use (non-medical) in 2024 also declined for all three grades, with the percentage of students using marijuana in the last 12 months at 26% in 12th grade, 16% in 10th grade and 7% in 8th grade.

“Levels of annual marijuana use today are considerably lower than the historic highs observed in the late 1970s, when more than half of 12th graders had used marijuana in the past 12 months,” researchers reported.

Filed under: Alcohol,Culture,Latest News,Marijuana and Medicine,Tobacco, smoking,USA,Youth :

NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse Dec 30 2024

A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified distinct differences in the brain structures of those who used substances before age 15 compared to those who did not. Many of these structural brain differences appeared to exist in childhood before any substance use, suggesting they may play a role in the risk of substance use initiation later in life, in tandem with genetic, environmental, and other neurological factors.

This adds to some emerging evidence that an individual’s brain structure, alongside their unique genetics, environmental exposures, and interactions among these factors, may impact their level of risk and resilience for substance use and addiction. Understanding the complex interplay between the factors that contribute and that protect against drug use is crucial for informing effective prevention interventions and providing support for those who may be most vulnerable.”

Nora Volkow M.D., Director of NIDA

Among the 3,460 adolescents who initiated substances before age 15, most (90.2%) reported trying alcohol, with considerable overlap with nicotine and/or cannabis use; 61.5% and 52.4% of kids initiating nicotine and cannabis, respectively, also reported initiating alcohol. Substance initiation was associated with a variety of brain-wide (global) as well as more regional structural differences primarily involving the cortex, some of which were substance-specific. While these data could someday help inform clinical prevention strategies, the researchers emphasize that brain structure alone cannot predict substance use during adolescence, and that these data should not be used as a diagnostic tool.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study,(ABCD Study), the largest longitudinal study of brain development and health in children and adolescents in the United States, which is supported by the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and nine other institutes, centers, and offices.

Using data from the ABCD Study, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis assessed MRI scans taken of 9,804 children across the U.S. when they were ages 9 to 11 – at “baseline” – and followed the participants over three years to determine whether certain aspects of brain structure captured in the baseline MRIs were associated with early substance initiation. They monitored for alcohol, nicotine, and/or cannabis use, the most common substances used in early adolescence, as well as use of other illicit substances. The researchers compared MRIs of 3,460 participants who reported substance initiation before age 15 from 2016 to 2021 to those who did not (6,344).

They assessed both global and regional differences in brain structure, looking at measures like volume, thickness, depth of brain folds, and surface area, primarily in the brain cortex. The cortex is the outermost layer of the brain, tightly packed with neurons and responsible for many higher-level processes, including learning, sensation, memory, language, emotion, and decision-making. Specific characteristics and differences in these structures – measured by thickness, surface area, and volume – have been linked to variability in cognitive abilities and neurological conditions.

The researchers identified five brain structural differences at the global level between those who reported substance initiation before the age of 15 and those who did not. These included greater total brain volume and greater subcortical volume in those who indicated substance initiation. An additional 39 brain structure differences were found at the regional level, with approximately 56% of the regional variation involving cortical thickness. Some brain structural differences also appeared unique to the type of substance used.

In a post-hoc analysis, the researchers found that many of these brain differences still held even after removing those participants who reported substance initiation prior to collection of their baseline MRIs. The resulting comparison was between those who did not report any substance use initiation and a subgroup of 1,203 participants in the substance use initiation group who did not have any substance use experience when their MRIs were first captured. The results of this secondary analysis suggest that some of these brain structural differences may exist prior to any substance use, challenging the interpretation that such differences are only driven by substance exposure and pointing to an area for further investigation.

While some of the brain regions where differences were identified have been linked to sensation-seeking and impulsivity, the researchers note that more work is needed to delineate how these structural differences may translate to differences in brain function or behaviors. They also emphasize that the interplay between genetics, environment, brain structure, the prenatal environment, and behavior influence affect behaviors.

Another recent analysis of data from the ABCD study conducted by the University of Michigan demonstrates this interplay, showing that patterns of functional brain connectivity in early adolescence could predict substance use initiation in youth, and that these trajectories were likely influenced by exposure to pollution.

Future studies will be crucial to determine how initial brain structure differences may change as children age and with continued substance use or development of substance use disorder.

“Through the ABCD study, we have a robust and large database of longitudinal data to go beyond previous neuroimaging research to understand the bidirectional relationship between brain structure and substance use,” said Alex Miller, Ph.D., the study’s corresponding author and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Indiana University. “The hope is that these types of studies, in conjunction with other data on environmental exposures and genetic risk, could help change how we think about the development of substance use disorders and inform more accurate models of addiction moving forward.”

Authors: NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Journal reference:

Miller, A. P., et al. (2024). Neuroanatomical Variability and Substance Use Initiation in Late Childhood and Early Adolescence. JAMA Network Open. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.52027.

Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241230/Structural-brain-differences-in-adolescents-may-play-a-role-in-early-initiation-of-substance-use.aspx

Filed under: Brain and Behaviour,Drug use-various effects,Education,Latest News,Mental Health,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA,Youth :

Sima Patra • Sayantan Patra • Reetoja Das • Soumya Suvra Patra

Published: December 31, 2024

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.76659

Cite this article as: Patra S, Patra S, Das R, et al. (December 31, 2024) Rising Trend of Substance Abuse Among Older Adults: A Review Focusing on Screening and Management. Cureus 16(12): e76659. doi:10.7759/cureus.76659

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Abstract

There is undoubtedly an alarmingly rising trend of substance use among older adults. This has necessitated a paradigm shift in healthcare and propelled strategies aimed at effective prevention and screening. Age-related physiological changes, such as diminished metabolism and increased substance sensitivity, make older adults particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of substances. This not only has adverse psychological consequences but also physical consequences like complicating chronic illnesses and harmful interactions with medications, which lead to increased hospitalization.

Standard screening tools can identify substance use disorders (SUDs) in older adults. Tools like the Cut-down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener (CAGE) questionnaire and Michigan Alcohol Screening Test-Geriatric (MAST-G) are tailored to detect alcoholism, while the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) assess abuse of illicit and prescription drugs. Since older adults are more socially integrated, screening should be done using non-stigmatizing and non-judgmental language.

Prevention strategies include educational programs, safe prescribing practices, and prescription drug monitoring. Detection of substance abuse should be followed by brief interventions and specialized referrals. In conclusion, heightened awareness, improved screening, and preventive measures can mitigate substance abuse risks in this demographic. Prioritizing future research on non-addictive pain medications and the long-term effects of substances like marijuana seems justified.

Source: https://www.cureus.com/articles/322781-rising-trend-of-substance-abuse-among-older-adults-a-review-focusing-on-screening-and-management?score_article=true#!/

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Education,Effects of Drugs,Latest News,Mental Health,Prevention and Intervention,Social Affairs,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

SCOPE was formed in 2019 to help prevent opioid addiction, conducting cutting-edge research and education according to the announcement.

Wednesday, January 1st 2025, 5:00 AM EST By Sarah Robles

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued an announcement commemorating Scientific Committee on Opioid Prevention and Education (SCOPE) for reaching its first five years of educating the public of opioids.

SCOPE was formed in 2019 to help prevent opioid addiction, conducting cutting-edge research and education according to the announcement.

“The breakthroughs emerging from SCOPE’s work are paving the way for a future in which fewer families suffer the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one to an opioid overdose,” said Yost.

In addition to the announcement, Yost also shared a five-year report of SCOPE’s impact.

The SCOPE team includes Beth Delaney, Caroline Freiermuth, Tessa Miracle, Rene Saran, Jon E. Sprague, Donnie Sullivan, Julie Teater and Arthur B. Yeh.

The report includes four major sections titled “raising public awareness”, “educating future health-care professionals”, “emphasizing proper drug storage, disposal” and “prioritizing pharmacogenomics”.

Raising Public Awareness

The first section of the report outlines background information on the opioid issue the SCOPE was founded on. It also states that an underlying issue were illicitly manufactured fentanyls (IMFs) that are often added to other drugs.

The report goes on to state that work conducted by the Chemistry Unit in the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Laboratory found noteworthy comparisons of polydrug samples that included IMFs.

The most present IMFs in the polydrug samples during this study were fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl.

In 2013, 2.2% of polydrug samples containing heroin and cocaine also contained IMFs. However, in 2022, more than 89% of polydrug samples contained IMFs. This is described as a 335-fold increase according to the report.

Also included in this section of the report was findings the committee reported when they conducted a longitudinal study of opioid overdose data from the Ohio Department of Health death records going back to 2007.

The findings included the fact that the death rate from opioid use per 100,000 reached 14.29 in the second quarter of 2020, the highest statistic to date in Ohio.

To help raise public awareness of these statistics and dangers, SCOPE:

Created public service announcements
Submitted letters to the editors of scientific journals
Increased cautioning efforts to health-care professionals and scientists state-wide about the dangers of purchasing illegal drugs on the streets

Educating Future Health-Care Professionals

In December 2019, SCOPE surveyed students enrolled in health-care professional programs at 49 of Ohio’s universities to see how many of these students were learning about “Opioid Use Disorder” (OUD).

The survey reportedly covered four main categories:

Initial screening of patients
Training in OUD
Training in care for patients at high risk for OUD
Education in evaluating patients for “Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACEs)

Results of the survey showed a need for a standardized curriculum discussing OUD.

SCOPE partnered with Assistant Professor Dr. Kelsey Schmuhl of Ohio State University’s College of Pharmacy to develop the “Interprofessional Program on Opioid Use Disorder”.

The more than 2,000 students that completed the course were suggested to understand more about OUD and the factors that contribute to it.

Emphasizing Proper Drug Storage, Disposal

A large danger that SCOPE wanted to address was the potential danger of having unsecured opioids available at home from left over prescriptions.

A study conducted by the Wisconsin Poison Control in which calls were fielded between 2002 and 2016 relating to unintended opioid exposure revealed that 61% of cases involved children aged zero to 5-years-old, and 29% involved teens between 13 and 19 years.

SCOPE partnered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to create the “Attorney General Drug Dropoff Days” which combine with the DEA’s Drug Take-back Days.

The report reflects on a map depicting a snapshot from the second quarter of 2020, showing that Ohio counties such as Scioto, Fayette and Franklin had the largest amounts of opioid overdose deaths.

Mahoning County and Trumbull County are also listed on this graphic.

With this data in hand, organizers began the Drug Dropoff Day events. In 2020, a snapshot of the collection numbers for all of the counties in the map above. Trumbull and Mahoning Counties had a collection total of 300 pounds.

To date, these events have been held in 11 counties throughout Ohio and have yielded over 2,600 pounds of unwanted and unsecured prescription medications.

Source: https://www.wfmj.com/story/52096722/scope-looks-back-on-the-progress-developments-of-its-past-five-years

Filed under: Latest News,USA :

by Kastalia Medrano January 2, 2025

In 2022 the White House Office of National Drug Control Strategy (ONDCP) published its first National Drug Control Strategy, which outlined seven goals to be achieved by 2025. On December 30, 2024, the ONDCP released the National Drug Control Strategy Performance Review System (PRS) Report—essentially a progress update on the Biden administration response to the overdose crisis between 2020 and 2022.

Though the ONDCP published an updated Strategy in May 2024, the new PRS report is intended to span data through 2022, corresponding to the original version. It has a tendency to veer into data from more recent years, however, which reflect a turnaround in overdose rates and as such look a lot better than the years the report is meant to cover.

The seven goals outlined in the original Strategy contain 25 objectives, most of which are assessed as on track. Five are already completed; five are behind schedule.

Viewed in the context of the recent drop in overdose mortality, the PRS updates would suggest that reducing drug-related deaths doesn’t actually require reducing access to drugs, but that’s probably beyond the scope of the ONDCP’s analysis.

Goal 1: Less drug use

The first objective for this goal was to reduce overdose deaths by 13 percent by 2025. The most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show a decrease of 16.9 percent, which according to the report is “[t]hanks in significant part to actions by the Administration.”

The second objective was to reduce prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) specific to opioids, methamphetamine and cocaine by 25 percent.

The ONDCP attributed cocaine use disorder to 0.5 percent of the population in 2021, based on responses to the 2021 National Drug Use Survey. Which evolved between 2020 and 2021, and identifies different SUD by somewhat convoluted means, but the ONDCP doesn’t acknowledge non-problematic use of those substances and so approached use and SUD as the same thing. It attributed methamphetamine use disorder to 0.6 percent of the population, and opioid use disorder to 2 percent.

Per 2022 data, there’s been no change in baseline use of cocaine and meth. Opioid use increased to 2.2 percent, meaning “accelerated action” would be needed to finish on time.

Goal 2: More prevention

While the previous goal applied to ages 12 and up, this goal of ensuring that “Prevention efforts are increased in the the United States,” refers to youth drinking and vaping.

The first objective was to get youth alcohol consumption, measured by past 30-day use, under 6.5 percent by 2025. Data show that between 2021 and 2022 the rate decreased from 7.2 percent to 6.8 percent, which put it on track.

The second objective was to reduce youth use of nicotine vapes by 15 percent by 2025. Data show that in 2021, around 7.6 percent of middle- and high-school students reported having vaped within the past month. In 2022 this rose to 9.4, but the target for 2025 was anything under 11.1, so ONDCP considers this objective already met and the 2022 increase doesn’t change that.

Goal 3: More harm reduction

The first objective here was an 85-percent increase in the number of counties disproportionately affected by overdose that had at least one syringe service program (SSP). Data show that in 2020, 130 counties with high overdose death rates had at least one SSP; by 2022 this had increased to 180 counties, which was on track for the ONDCP goal of 241 counties by 2025.

The second objective was a 25-percent increase in SSP offering “some type of drug safety checking support service.” The 2025 target of 21.3 percent had already been met by 2021, but over the next year the number of SSP offering drug-checking services nearly doubled—2022 data show 46.7 percent of SSP met that criteria.

However, “some type” of drug-checking refers largely to fentanyl test strips, which are most useful to people who do not regularly use opioids. The more useful drug-checking service for people who do regularly use opioids—the population that SSP primarily serve—is on-site forensic analysis. This requires more expensive equipment, to which only a handful of SSP have access.

Goal 4: More treatment

The first objective was a 100-percent increase in admissions to treatment facilities among people considered at high risk for overdose involving opioids, methamphetamine or cocaine. This doesn’t include methadone maintenance or outpatient buprenorphine prescriptions. In 2021, treatment facilities reported 637,589 admissions among people using primarily opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine or other “synthetics,” which was already about one-third short of the target for that year. In 2022 admissions dropped to 604,096.

The second objective was to ease the shortage of behavioral health providers by 70 percent. The PRS report finds that this been pretty steadily on track and is projected to stay that way.

Goal 5: More recovery initiatives

The first objective here is to have at least 14 states operating a “recovery-ready workplace initiative” by 2025. The term refers to a Biden administration push for more equitable employment policies for workers with substance use disorder, which led to the creation of a national Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative in 2023. Data show this goal was met in 2022 with 16 states reporting a qualifying initiative, up from 13 in 2021.

The second objective was to increase the number peer-led recovery organizations to at least 194. This has been completed, as there were 232 as of 2022.

The third objective was to increase the number of recovery high schools to at least 47, which was on track with 45 operational as of 2022.

The fourth objective was to increase the number of collegiate recovery programs to at least 165, which was similarly on track with 149 as of 2022.

The fifth and final objective was to have at least 8,600 residential recovery programs operational by 2025. This too was on track as of 2022, with 7,957 programs.

Goal 6: “Criminal justice reform efforts include drug policy matters”

Despite the extremely broad title, this goal had pretty narrow objectives. The first was to have 80 percent of drug courts complete equity and inclusion trainings by 2025. As of 2022 we were at 19 percent, considerably behind schedule. The PRS report attributes this to a combination of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and bureaucratic restrictions, which it expects to resolve.

The second objective was a 100-percent increase in access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in federal Bureau of Prisons facilities, and a 50-percent increase for in state prisons and local jails.

The PRS report does not differentiate between access to methadone and buprenorphine, which have been shown to decrease overdose risk, and naltrexone—which has been shown to increase overdose risk, and of the three Food and Drug Administration-approved MOUD is by far the favorite among corrections departments. With that in mind, the ONDCP goal is on track for federal and state prisons.

“Currently, there is no single data source that can be used to track progress in increasing the percent of local jails offering MOUD,” the report states. “For illustrative purposes, [the figure below] shows the estimated percent of local jails offering MOUD in the United States from 2019 to 2022.”

Goal 7: Less drugs

The first objective for this goal was a 365-percent increase in the “number of targets identified in counternarcotics Executive Orders and related asset freezes and seizures made by law enforcement.” This refers to people and entities associated with transnational drug-trafficking organizations. Per the report, 46 had been identified by 2022, and the administration was on track to identify 96 by 2025.

The second objective was a 14-percent increase in the number of people convicted of felonies as a result of Drug Enforcement Administration investigations using data from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Per the DEA, as of 2022 it had used FinCEN data in investigations that led to the convictions of 6,529 people. This surpassed the goal of 5,775 people convicted by 2025.

The third objective was to have at least 70 percent of the DEA’s active priority investigations “linked to the Sinaloa or Jalisco New Generation cartels, or their enablers.” This was also on track, at 62 percent in 2022.

The fourth objective was to decrease “potential production” of cocaine by 10 percent, and that of heroin by 30 percent.

“The United States Government is internally realigning responsibility for conducting illicit crop estimates. As a result of the change in responsibility, there will be a temporary gap in data for 2022 and 2023,” the report states in reference to both cocaine and heroin. “This gap in data does not reflect a change in priorities.”

Potential cocaine production was decreased only slightly between 2020 and 2021, but was projected to be on track as of 2021.

“[I]t is important to note that provisional estimates of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine for the 12-month period ending in July 2024 were 14.1 percent lower compared to a year prior,” the ONDCP added. “The Administration will continue its efforts to reduce the supply of cocaine.”

Heroin interdiction was not on track, but the ONDCP made the same statement verbatim for heroin-involved deaths.

The fifth objective was to have a total of at least 14 incident reports—like seizures or stopped shipments—involving fentanyl precursors from China or India. From 2021 to 2022 the number dropped from 11 to two, but the ONDCP notes that this data is voluntarily reported by other entities and as such is unreliable. And also that preliminary estimates for 2023 look a lot higher.

Source: https://filtermag.org/ondcp-national-drug-control-strategy/

Filed under: Latest News,Political Sector,Prevention and Intervention,Social Affairs (Papers),USA :

January 03, 2025

DEA Headquarters Division – Public Information Office

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has released the 2024 edition of Drugs of Abuse, A DEA Resource Guide, which is designed to be a reliable resource on the most commonly used and misused drugs in the United States.

Released on a periodic basis, Drugs of Abuse provides important science-based information about the harms and consequences of drug use, describing a drug’s effects on the body and mind, overdose potential, origin, legal status, and other key factors. In addition, the guide outlines U.S. drug regulation, including drug scheduling and chemical controls. The 2024 edition updates the 2022 Drugs of Abuse publication with the most current information on new and emerging trends in drug misuse and abuse, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana concentrates, vaping, stimulant drugs, and fake pills.

Because education plays a critical role in preventing substance abuse, this comprehensive guide is intended as a tool not just for medical practitioners and law enforcement officials, but also for educators, families, and communities. Drugs of Abuse also offers a list of additional drug education and prevention resources, including the DEA websites: www.DEA.gov, www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com for parents, www.justthinktwice.com for teens, www.campusdrugprevention.govfor colleges and universities, and www.operationprevention.com for school and work curriculum.

For more information and to view the 2024 Drugs of Abuse resource guide in both English and Spanish, visit www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com/publications.

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Latest News,USA :

Updated: Jan. 03, 2025, 12:02 p.m.|

By Julie Washington, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Do music therapy and acupuncture help patients manage pain without opioids? University Hospitals will use a nearly $1.5 million federal grant to find out.

The grant allows UH to develop an Alternatives to Opioids program that educates caregivers about how music therapy and acupuncture can be used to decrease the use of opioids in the emergency department, the hospital system recently announced. The program also includes outpatient follow-up.

The goal is to reduce the use of prescribed opioids in emergency departments, UH said.

“When prescribing opioids there is always the potential for abuse,” said Dr. Kiran Faryar, director of research in the department of emergency medicine. “Data shows both music therapy and acupuncture improve pain and anxiety for patients with short-term and long-term pain. This will be an evidence-based technique we can offer patients without the potential risk of substance use disorder.”

UH’s comprehensive approach to combating the opioid crisis comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 2023 drug overdose deaths in the United States decreased 3% from 2022. It was the first annual decrease in drug overdose deaths since 2018, the CDC said.

The trend was also seen in Ohio.

The number of people who died of drug overdoses in Ohio was 4,452 in 2023, a 9% decrease from the previous year, according to the state’s latest unintentional drug overdose report.

This was the second consecutive year of a decrease in deaths in Ohio. In 2022, overdose deaths declined by 5%, state officials said. Early data for 2024 suggest unintentional drug overdose deaths are falling even further this year.

In November, the state announced that agencies across Ohio would split $68.7 million in grants to combat opioid use and overdoses. The state is distributing the federal funding, part of the fourth round of the State Opioid and Stimulant Response grants, to support local organizations that offer prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and long-term recovery services for Ohioans struggling with an opioid or stimulant use disorder, the state announced.

Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com.

Source: https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2025/01/can-music-therapy-replace-opioids-for-pain-university-hospitals-investigates-with-15m-federal-grant.html

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Heroin/Methadone,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

By Sherry Larson, People’s Defender – December 12, 2024

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Cliché – sure – truthful – absolutely! And when it comes to youth and alcohol, vaping and drug use, it is crucial to begin prevention efforts from an early age.

The Adams County Medical Foundation, under the direction of Sherry Stout, recognized a gap in youth prevention services and applied for a grant that focused on prevention. In 2015, a collective of professionals and retired professionals established a Data Prevention Committee to obtain information regarding youth drug, alcohol, vaping and tobacco usage. The Committee partnered with local schools and the Adams County Health Department to obtain data through surveys, resulting in a detailed database of information, including information on vaping, tobacco, and underage drinking.

The Committee recognized a need for more comprehensive funding to develop prevention strategies. Beginning in 2015, the Committee worked towards growing and qualifying for The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant, which supported their plans for future endeavors. “The Drug-Free Communities Support Program was created in 1997 by the Drug-Free Communities Act. Administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and managed through a partnership between ONDCP and CDC, the DFC program provides grants to community coalitions to reduce local youth substance use.” (cdc.gov)

In October 2023, the Committee voted to form the Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition to meet the requirements to apply for DFC funds. The Coalition needed to be active for six months before applying for funding. The Coalition was mandated to have representatives from 12 community sectors who were not a part of the Medical Foundation. Those sectors are: Youth, Parents, Businesses Media, School, Youth-serving organizations, Law enforcement, Religious/fraternal organizations, Civic and volunteer organizations, Healthcare professionals, State, local, and Tribal governments and other organizations involved in reducing illicit substance use.

Three individuals will partner with the sectors to facilitate the grant: Tami Graham, Program Director; Billy Joe McCann, leader of the Youth Coalition; and Danielle Poe, the community’s only credentialed prevention professional, to represent education and school data collection through OHYES surveys.

In January 2024, The Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition hired Thrive Consulting to assist with the grant process. The grant application took extensive time and data to complete, resulting in an over 100-page document due and submitted in April 2024. Among demonstrating membership from the twelve sectors, the application required proof of consistent meetings and minutes showing that these representatives were actively working on strategizing prevention. Poe said, “A level of community readiness is expected.” Stout clarified that the funding is a community grant and should be led by the community and not isolated by a committee. Stout explained, “This is the first time Adams County qualified to receive the grant. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where significant funds are available to address prevention issues.”

The Coalition was notified in September 2024 that Adams County would receive the Drug-Free Communities Grant. Graham explained that the grant, which went into effect in October 2024, would reimburse $125,000 a year for 5 years of prevention work. Expecting a successful five years of prevention efforts, the Coalition would be eligible to reapply for a second term.

Poe and Graham discussed plans for the first year of executing the grant. Poe stated that the primary focus will be education, the Coalition’s learning responsibilities, and strategic planning for years two through five.

Carrying on with the Prevention Committee’s concentrations, the Coalition will examine data-proven prevention strategies, media campaigns, and differences between good and bad prevention techniques. In August 2025, the Coalition will submit a yearly progress report to the Drug-Free Communities Grant.

Stout said, “I would encourage widespread involvement of anyone who cares about our youth and their future.” The public is welcome to attend and share comments or concerns at Coalition meetings on the first Monday of every month. The sessions take place at noon in the FRS community room.

Source: https://www.peoplesdefender.com/2024/12/12/drug-free-communities-start-with-youth/

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

CDC warns of carfentanil, an opioid that’s 100 times more potent than fentanyl
by Fox News – Published Dec. 10, 2024, 11:13 a.m. ET
Originally Published by Centers for Disease Control

Fentanyl has made headlines for driving overdose deaths, but the and Prevention (CDC) is warning of the rise of an even deadlier drug.
Last year, nearly 70% of all U.S. overdose deaths were attributed to illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs).
One of those was carfentanil, an altered version of fentanyl that is said to be 100 times more potent, the CDC warned in a Dec. 5 alert.
Deaths from carfentanil rose by more than 700% in the past year, according to the same source — there were 29 deadly overdoses between January and June 2023, and 238 in that same time frame in 2024.
This data came from the CDC’s State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS).
The numbers could actually be higher, as the 2024 data is preliminary and not all overdose deaths have been reported, the agency noted.
Since an outbreak of carfentanil-linked deaths in 2016 and 2016, the drug had “largely disappeared” until this recent reemergence, the CDC noted.
Based on the increase in fatal overdoses, the CDC is calling for “rigorous monitoring” of carfentanil and other opioids more potent than fentanyl.
Fentanyl has made headlines for driving overdose deaths, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning of the rise of an even deadlier drug.MOLEQL – stock.adobe.com
As with other illicit drugs, its “high profitability” likely drives its prevalence, according to Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
“Very small amounts can produce thousands of doses,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Synthetic opioids like carfentanil are relatively easy to manufacture in illicit labs,” Tuell went on. “Since the drug is a synthetic, it is easier to produce — unlike heroin, which is dependent on a plant like opium.”
Why is carfentanil so dangerous?
Carfentanil is 10,000 more times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, Tuell confirmed.
“Even a small amount can be fatal, as it can cause respiratory failure,” he said.
Last year, nearly 70% of all U.S. overdose deaths were attributed to illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs).Seth Harrison, The Journal News
One of the major concerns with carfentanil and fentanyl is that they are frequently mixed with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, cocaine and opioids, which can lead to accidental overdoses, according to Tuell.
“Carfentanil can also resemble cocaine and heroin, so it blends right in with the other drugs,” he warned.
“Even a tiny amount can increase the potency of a drug mixture, leading to a stronger and longer-lasting high.”
Carfentanil often appeals to drug users who have a high tolerance to opioids because they seek a stronger substance, “making the drug attractive despite the risk,” Tuell noted.
How is the drug administered?
Carfentanil can be injected and is frequently mixed with other opioids or heroin, Tuell said. In a powder form, it can be inhaled.
“Inhaling the drug can be quickly risky because it can enter the bloodstream, resulting in an overdose,” Tuell warned. “This can happen intentionally or accidentally, as the drug can become easily airborne.”
Carfentanil can sometimes be in the form of “pressed pills” that resemble prescription medications, the expert said.
“Carfentanil can be lethal at the 2-milligram range depending on the route of administration,” he cautioned.
What parents should know
“Children are now the generation of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, as illicit drugs are posing like regular prescription medications,” Tuell cautioned.
To help protect kids from the dangers of illicit drugs, the expert emphasized the importance of open communication and education.
“Educate your child about the dangers and risks of drug use, including synthetic opioids like carfentanil,” he advised.
Parents should provide monitoring and supervision of their children, be aware of their social circles and limit unsupervised online activities, Tuell recommended.
“I also believe it is important that parents realize that 84% of individuals with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health issue,” he added.
Carfentanil often appeals to drug users who have a high tolerance to opioids because they seek a stronger substance, “making the drug attractive despite the risk,” Tuell noted.luchschenF – stock.adobe.com
“Seeking out mental health services for your child could help address the underlying issues that may have led to a substance use disorder.”
The CDC called for specific efforts in preventing deaths from illegally manufactured fentanyls, “such as maintaining and improving distribution of risk reduction tools, increasing access to and retention of treatment for substance use disorders, and preventing drug use initiation.”

Source: https://nypost.com/2024/12/10/us-news/cdc-warns-rise-in-opioid-thats-100-times-more-potent-than-fentanyl/

Filed under: Cocaine,Fentanyl,Heroin/Methadone,Latest News,Synthetics,USA :

Dec 9, 2024 8:00 am by Diana Yates | Life Sciences Editor, U. of I. News BureauLife Sciences Social Sciences

“I don’t think we’ve had truly robust public policy actions in the U.S. that we can point to that would have resulted in such a sudden and profound downturn in mortality,” says U. of I. health and kinesiology professor Rachel Hoopsick about the recent decline in drug-overdose deaths. “Although fentanyl-only deaths have declined, we’re seeing increases in deaths that co-involve fentanyl and stimulants, like methamphetamine. There have also been increases in nonopioid sedative adulterants, like xylazine.”

Preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that drug-overdose deaths declined more than 16% between June 2023 and June 2024, the biggest drop in a decade marked by staggering increases. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign health and kinesiology professor Rachel Hoopsick, an epidemiologist who studies mental health challenges and substance use in populations at risk, spoke with News Bureau life sciences editor Diana Yates about recent drug-use trends.

Media reports about new data suggest the fentanyl epidemic, which drove a lot of the recent increases in drug-overdose deaths, has peaked and is now in decline. Is this true, and if so, do we know why?

It’s true that overall, drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have recently declined. At face value, this looks encouraging, but this doesn’t tell the whole story.

Can leaders point to any public policy actions that are contributing to the decline in fentanyl use or drug-overdose deaths?

While pundits point to increased law enforcement efforts or strides in prevention and treatment efforts, the reality is that there are multiple explanations for this trend and a number of nuanced factors at play. I don’t think we’ve had truly robust public policy actions in the U.S. that we can point to that would have resulted in such a sudden and profound downturn in mortality.

What factors might be at play?

If you ask any epidemiologist about the examination of complex health-related phenomena, you’ll often get the answer: “It depends.” There are several major factors to consider:

First, whenever we observe sudden and steep changes in overdose mortality — in either direction — we should first look at the toxicity of the street drug supply before assuming that there have been drastic population-level changes in behavior. Some data suggests that there have been recent shifts in the types and concentrations of the substances, called adulterants, that street drugs are “cut” with. Although fentanyl-only deaths have declined, we’re seeing increases in deaths that co-involve fentanyl and stimulants, like methamphetamine. There have also been increases in nonopioid sedative adulterants, like xylazine. This underscores the importance of public health lab research that monitors the pharmacoepidemiology of the street drug supply, which can serve as an early warning system.

Second, although there have been population-level declines in overdose mortality, these numbers have largely been driven by a steep reduction in overdose deaths among white people, while drug-related deaths in communities of color continue to increase, particularly among Black and Native American adults. This widening disparity isn’t reflected in overall trends.

Third, it’s a depressing concept, but another factor is what we call “depletion of susceptibles.” In this context, it’s possible that we’re seeing such a decline in overdose deaths because those who were most vulnerable to overdose have already died, meaning that over time, we observe fewer and fewer overdose deaths.

Tens of thousands of people are still dying each year in the U.S. from preventable drug overdoses. Is the decline just a normal fluctuation in complex data, or might it be a sign of a long-term trend?

The data suggest that this is more than normal fluctuation, but it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue. Despite the overall downward trend at the population level, the reality for individuals who use drugs is that the street drug supply remains highly toxic, overdose risk remains incredibly high and access to harm reduction and treatment services remains low. I think it’s too early to celebrate the decline in overdose deaths. We shouldn’t accept 100,000 needless deaths a year.

What policy, harm reduction or treatment approaches might help the trend continue?

Looking at past data from the U.S. and other countries, we should be wary of the direction of where our drug policies will go from here. The next administration is focused on stricter border control measures and criticizing harm-reduction programs, which have been instrumental in addressing the overdose crisis. Rolling back these programs and doubling down on punitive strategies that have proven ineffective — see The Iron Law of Prohibition: “the harder the enforcement, the harder the drugs”— is unlikely to sustain progress or save lives, but rather runs the risk of exacerbating the problem.

Editor’s notes:
Hoopsick is lead author of the paper “Methamphetamine-related mortality in the United States: Co-involvement of heroin and fentanyl, 1999-2021.” The study is available online.

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2022.307212

To contact Rachel Hoopsick, email hoopsick@illinois.edu.

Source: https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/2075718277

Filed under: Drug Specifics,Drug use-various effects,Drugs and Accidents,Latest News,Political Sector,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

EXECUTIVE HIGHLIGHTS
Today’s highly potent marijuana represents a growing and significant threat to public health and safety, a threat that is amplified by a new
marijuana industry intent on profiting from heavy use.
State laws allowing marijuana sales and consumption have permitted the marijuana industry to flourish, and in turn, the marijuana industry has influenced both policies and policy-makers. While the consequences of these policies will not be known for decades, early indicators are
troubling.
This report, reviewed by prominent scientists and researchers, serves as an evidence-based guide to what we currently observe in various states. We attempted to highlight studies from all the “legal” marijuana states (i.e., states that have legalized the non-medical use of marijuana). Unfortunately, data does not exist for several “legal” states, and so this document synthesizes the latest research on marijuana impacts in states where information is available

For more information please read the full information below:

2019LessonsFinal

Source: https://learnaboutsam.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019LessonsFinal.pdf July 2019

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Economic,Global Drug Legalisation Efforts,Health,Latest News,Political Sector,USA :

JooHee Yoon for Vox

Land of the free, home of the blazed.

How weed became America’s drug of choice | Vox

VOX Writer: Marin Cogan Dec 3, 2024

In the last few decades, marijuana’s had a major glow-up.

In 1992, less than 1 million people were using it daily or nearly every day — a low point, according to an analysis of data from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which began surveying Americans in the 1970s. Ten times as many people, meanwhile, reported drinking alcohol daily or almost daily.

In the 1990s, weed was illegal nationally and in every state. But marijuana’s since had a major rebrand: Three decades later, it’s legal for recreational adult use in nearly half of the 50 states. Now, it’s even challenging alcohol for its status as America’s favorite daily intoxicant.In 2022, for the first time, more Americans were using marijuana daily, or near daily, than consuming alcohol at the same rate, according to a study by Jonathan Caulkins, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. The number of daily or near daily marijuana users has grown from less than 1 million in 1992 to 17.7 million in 2022; in terms of per capita rate, that’s a 15-fold increase.

Marijuana is having a moment just as Americans reconsider their relationship toward alcohol. As public awareness of the toxic effects of even moderate alcohol consumption grows, many people are turning to THC products as an alternative. The THC industry touts its wares as a more natural alternative to alcohol with myriad health benefits, including decreased nausea, pain, and sleeplessness.

The rise in daily smokers (and vapers, and edible enjoyers, if you will) is also driven by the explosion of the industry. Millions of Americans live in cities and counties with retail shops offering a range of products that make the dimebags of yesteryear seem quaint by comparison: vape cartridges, edibles, oils, and waxes, offering more highly concentrated THC doses. The rise of marijuana retail has opened new doors for people who might have once shied away because they didn’t like smoking or were worried about breaking the law.

For many people, the rapid shift toward liberalization of marijuana policy, and the swiftness with which Americans have taken up consumption, has been great. But it’s also caught researchers off guard. Society has moved more quickly than they’ve been able to keep up with. That means millions of daily users are essentially conducting a real-time experiment on their own bodies. Marijuana isn’t benign for everyone, though. Some of the results of the real-time experiment are already becoming apparent, both to regular users and people working in health care.

“It is very desirable to believe that there is a drug that can make you feel good, that can relax you, and has absolutely no negative outcomes,” says Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health. “But in biology, there are no free lunches.”

Take the emergence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a condition marked by intense and prolonged bouts of nausea and vomiting and brought on by regular, long-term marijuana use. While once extremely rare, some doctors are saying they now see patients with symptoms frequently. “It emerged because people were consuming marijuana regularly with high [THC] content,” Volkow says. “And similarly, there is now evidence that consumption in those patterns is associated with higher risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease.”

Maybe the most worrying studies about frequent, heavy marijuana use involve teens and young adults. (While experts say marijuana use appears to be less risky for middle-aged adults, there’s still a lot they don’t know that needs to be researched further. Some note that more research is needed on older adults in particular.) Studies show regular marijuana use among adolescents and teens can predict increased risk of the development of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Others have shown an increased likelihood of depression and suicidal ideation, disrupted dopamine function, and disruptions in the anatomy of the brain.

And marijuana, contrary to popular belief, can be habit forming. It can also increase the risk of dependence on other substances. A recent analysis by Columbia University for the New York Times estimated that as many as 18 million people in the US may have some form of cannabis use disorder, or addiction.

Getting a handle on who might be harming their health is tricky. Even the findings that point to a major rise in daily users leave a lot of questions unanswered, especially around how often they’re smoking, vaping, or ingesting, and how potent the THC is.

Caulkins, the Carnegie Mellon professor who published the research showing that more Americans are using marijuana daily, says there are different categories of daily or near daily users. There are the people who use marijuana similar to the way someone might pop a melatonin before going to bed at night — a small, daily dose to help with sleep or pain. And then there are those who are more like heavy cigarette smokers, consuming marijuana multiple times a day, morning or night, before or after meals, on breaks from work, or out with friends.

His previous research has found that daily or near daily users are a small portion of overall users, but make up about three-quarters of all marijuana purchases.

But just how many of the 17.7 million daily or near daily marijuana users are truly heavy users remains a mystery, because the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health doesn’t ask about how many times a day someone is using, or what they’re taking.

“We can have people who are using near daily, but they’re taking a puff off their vape pen right before they go to sleep,” says Ziva Cooper, a researcher and director for the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, “versus somebody who’s using daily or near daily and they’re using five to 10 one-gram pre-rolls every day. You can imagine that the health outcomes are going to be quite different.”

It’s not just that researchers are often unsure of how much people are taking. The consumers are also often not sure what they’re putting in their bodies. That’s partly because what’s being sold in stores is way stronger than the weed that millennials and previous generations grew up with. Over the last 25 years, government data shows, the percentage of THC in marijuana seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has more than tripled, from 5 percent to 16 percent. And a lot of the products for sale in dispensaries can be even more potent — with vendors selling concentrated products, some claiming 90 or close to 100 percent THC. Some teens who’ve used those products have struggled with vomiting and substance abuse.

Cooper says it’s not uncommon for her to end up on the phone with her patients as they read the label aloud to her and she searches the internet to try to find out what exactly they’re taking.

“As researchers,” Cooper says, “we are trying to catch up with what’s actually happening in the world of cannabis. And we are woefully behind.”

Though humans have been using cannabis for at least 10,000 years — it was widely used for medical purposes in the United States in the late 19th century — the demonization of marijuana under the Nixon administration in the 1970s pushed the plant into the shadows.

Nixon, according to secretly reported tapes, knew at the time that marijuana was “not particularly dangerous.” But his “war on drugs,” carried on by the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton forced consumers and their providers to stop or risk arrest.

The drug’s public image was less threatening — smoking pot was played for laughs in movies and TV shows — but the reality of its criminalization was much darker. Hundreds of thousands of people were arrested and incarcerated each year for selling and dispensing marijuana, with the harms falling disproportionately on Black people.

Public awareness of the harms caused by criminalizing marijuana grew, and so too did a movement to raise awareness about the medicinal benefits of its use, especially for chemotherapy and cancer parents, who found marijuana use helpful for combatting nausea. Meanwhile, advocates focused on reducing mass incarceration and addressing racial disparities in the judicial system pushed states to begin decriminalizing marijuana and revising the sentences for people serving time for it. After getting the states to approve marijuana for medicinal purposes, organizations began pushing for it to be legal for all adults. Today, marijuana is legal for medical use in 38 states and for recreational use for adults in roughly half of the states, plus the District of Columbia.

But marijuana is still illegal on the national level, where it is classified as a Schedule I drug — meaning the government doesn’t recognize it for medical use. That’s made getting the safety approvals and government funding necessary to study the drug difficult. Researchers say it’s made it harder to study potential risks of long-term marijuana use. But it’s made it harder to study the potential benefits, too. Earlier this year, the Biden administration proposed changing marijuana to a Schedule III, which will put it in a lower-risk category with drugs like ketamine.

In 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, hoping to reduce some of the federal barriers that have stymied research in the past. The legislation required the DEA to register and approve more researchers, and more manufacturers who can provide them with marijuana or cannabidiol (CBD). In addition to creating more opportunities and resources for researchers, the bill asked the DEA to assess whether there is enough marijuana to meet researchers’ experimental needs, and allowed doctors to discuss the benefits and harms of marijuana with their patients.

The federal government’s approach to marijuana has also meant that each state is doing its own regulation of its markets, without a concrete set of federal safety guidelines. The piecemeal nature of legalization, absence of national regulation, and lack of public awareness has contributed to the uncertainty around marijuana use and its long-term consequences.

The market is also changing rapidly. The 2018 farm bill, for example, legalized hemp, which inadvertently popularized delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC, which is similar to delta-9 THC, is less potent in its natural form, but producers have been able to extract and synthesize the delta-8 THC in hemp, converting it into more potent concentrates. Manufacturers are now selling products the FDA says have serious health risks. But that isn’t the only thing that the government can and should be doing.

In September, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued a report outlining what state and federal governments could do to establish better public policy around marijuana and minimize potential negative public health consequences over the next five years.

The report outlined specific actions, such as closing the loophole in the 2018 farm bill that legalized delta-8 THC and clarifying that all forms of THC are subject to regulation under the Controlled Substances Act. More broadly, the report calls for states that have legalized, public health officials, and government agencies like the CDC to come together and establish more unified guidelines for marijuana, working to develop a set of regulations around the production and sale. Marijuana, the report argues, should be regulated the same way as alcohol and tobacco.

The report also recommends that the federal government support more research into marijuana use, along with a public health campaign to educate people about individual risks for different populations, including teens and older people.

It’s a tall order, but even that doesn’t capture everything researchers want to know. Caulkins, for one, has other questions.

“Cannabis intoxication impairs short-term memory formation. When cannabis was only being used as a social drug on weekends, who cares if it reduced effective performance on intellectual tasks?” he says. “Now, roughly half of cannabis is consumed by people who use often enough that they spend perhaps 50 percent of their waking hours under the influence of the drug. A lot of those hours of cannabis intoxication are while people are on the job or in school. How does that impact your functioning, how much you’re learning in college? We underinvest in thinking about the consequences of so many billions of hours of work and school time being, in some form, under the influence.”

It’s a question that might be hard to answer empirically right now. But it matters — maybe most of all for the millions of people taking part in America’s real-time marijuana experiment. “Maybe it’s not a problem,” Caulkins says. “But possibly, it’s affecting people’s abilities to meet their life goals in some subtle ways.”

Source: https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/379637/marijuana-daily-drug-americans-alcohol

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Latest News,USA :

Emphatic Rejection by DrugWatch International

COMMENT BY JOHN J. COLEMAN Ph.D, PRESIDENT, DRUGWATCH INTERNATIONAL – 01 December 2024

From: drug-watch-international@googlegroups.com

The proposal from the Secretary of HHS and the Attorney General to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III – responding to President Biden’s request to take a second look at marijuana scheduling – is probably DOA at this point. The hearing at DEA tomorrow is closed except to media and designated participants (apparently, though, it will be online for the public). They may go through some of the motions because that’s what they are supposed to do, but the usual time of several months to go from hearing to Final Order or Final Rule will place the resolution of this matter well into the next administration. When there’s a change of parties, as in this case, the new administration is not eager to adopt or implement the changes or proposals of the old one.

The current move to reschedule marijuana amount to a political hoax because Congress is not about to add the number of federal employees that would be needed to enforce a Schedule III status for marijuana. Every “dispensary” in all the states (est. 38 of 50, plus D,C.) would immediately or within a time set by a Final Rule must register with DEA, pay a registration fee, meet certain requirements, before being able to fill and dispense valid prescriptions for marijuana. The Controlled Substances Act imposes strict controls on imports and exports of controlled substances, as well as its packaging, labeling, distribution, and storage.

The federal government that in 1993 abdicated its responsibility for controlling marijuana (per the infamous Cole Memorandum) has neither the resources nor the desire to enforce new marijuana provisions of the CSA because it no longer enforces even a modicum of the old ones. This is nothing but a cruel joke perpetrated by insincere leaders contemptuous of those who disagree with them. The DEA administrator refused to sign the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking leaving the Attorney General to regain his authority and issue the NPRM in the form of an Attorney General’s Order. That, alone, disqualifies this rescheduling exercise, assuming, that is, that this lunacy ever reaches a judicial review.

As for tomorrow’s meeting at DEA’s administrative law court, I think it will be perfunctory and simply set the agenda for the following two or three months when there may be a hearing. I say “may” because the incoming AG and DEA administrator could very well put the kibosh on this nutty move by the Biden administration. As our late friend and colleague Otto Moulton used to say, “read what the other side is saying!” According to Cannabis.net, a pro-marijuana website, the headline of their alarming article says it all: “Trump’s Not So Cannabis Friendly Cabinet Picks – His VP, AG, Head of the CDC and FDA Nominees all Hate Legal Weed: The cannabis scorecard for Trump’s new cabinet is not shaping up well for legalization fans!”

That pretty much says it all.

John Coleman

************************

Submission by Maggie Petito to DrugWatch International – mlp3@starpower.net
Sent: Sunday, December 1, 2024 7:21 AM
To: drug-watch-international@googlegroups.com
Subject: Chronister12-1-24

From The Washington Post: “ Chronister would enter an agency that has been roiled by the convictions of several former agents in corruption cases and scrutiny of Milgram’s hiring practices.

The incoming DEA administrator will also helm the agency as it handles a Biden Justice Department proposal to loosen restrictions on marijuana — a measure supported by Trump despite objections from other GOP leaders…

The Justice Department has proposed to reclassify marijuana from a tier reserved for substances such as heroin and LSD. The move to reclassify marijuana would not legalize the drug but would move it to Schedule III, a category that includes prescription drugs such as ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone. The proposal met pushback internally at the DEA, which questioned whether reclassification violated international treaty obligations regarding drug control and if a federal health agency used the wrong legal standard in making its determination, according to a Justice Department legal opinion that sided with the Department of Health and Human Services. When officials submitted the proposed rule to reclassify marijuana in April, the paperwork was signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, not Milgram.

The marijuana proposal will be considered in DEA administrative court; a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, 2nd December 2024. The proposal, if it goes through, would not be finalized until after Trump becomes president.”

************************

Washington Post David Ovalle and Anumita Kaur November 30, 2024 Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister picked to lead DEA under Trump – The Washington Post

President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday tapped Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, replacing Anne Milgram.

The proposal met pushback internally at the DEA, which questioned whether reclassification violated international treaty obligations regarding drug control and if a federal health agency used the wrong legal standard in making its determination, according to a Justice Department legal opinion that sided with the Department of Health and Human Services. When officials submitted the proposed rule to reclassify marijuana in April, the paperwork was signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, not Milgram.

The marijuana proposal will be considered in DEA administrative court; a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday. The proposal, if it goes through, would not be finalized until after Trump becomes president.

Source: COMMENT BY JOHN J. COLEMAN Ph.D, PRESIDENT, DRUGWATCH INTERNATIONAL

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug Specifics,Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Marijuana and Medicine,Political Sector,USA :

This paper by NIDA, USA, was forwarded to NDPA by Drug Free Australia:

November 12, 2024 by Dr. Nora Volkow

Such experiences contribute to a feeling that research is a one-way transaction benefiting scientists but giving little back to the community. Lack of meaningful community engagement also compromises the quality of the science by not incorporating the valuable ideas and insights of people who use drugs.

NIDA is committed to improving community engagement in all parts of the research process. For that reason, we have asked the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse (NACDA)—the body of experts that advises on NIDA’s scientific research priorities—to convene a working group to recommend ways to enhance the meaningful engagement of people who have experience with drug use in the research our Institute funds. The workgroup will inform the creation of resources that outline NIDA’s expectations regarding community engagement and help both applicants and community partners navigate this critical work.

NIDA has long encouraged community-engaged research, and it is required element in various NIDA research funding opportunities, including those supported through our Racial Equity Initiative. The evolving opioid overdose crisis has underscored the importance of ensuring that people’s lived experience of substance use is centered in the science we support. For example, one of the pillars of the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative is that research must be relevant and responsive to the individuals, families, and communities it aims to help. One way HEAL studies are doing this is by drawing on the input of community advisory boards to ensure that the research is best tailored to the needs of the people most impacted by it.

The NIDA-funded Harm Reduction Research Network is a nationwide set of projects to enhance the impact of harm-reduction efforts, and its community advisory boards have already helped shape some of the studies. One project involves the development of a survey instrument to capture experiences of people who use drugs, and advisory board members helped tailor the wording of the instrument so that it reflected language more likely to be used by people who use drugs. Another study aimed at reducing overdose and increasing engagement in harm reduction and treatment services had originally been limited to people who use methamphetamine. Based on the input of advisors with more up-to-date knowledge of drug-use in their community, the study was broadened to include people who use cocaine, as that was identified as an emerging stimulant in their area.

The Integrative Management of Chronic Pain and OUD for Whole Recovery (IMPOWR) project is addressing the needs of people with substance use disorders and pain via a network of multidisciplinary team science collaborations. Its community advisory boards weigh in on funding decisions for pilot studies, and some of these studies have included a community partner as a co-investigator. Based on community input about the important role of PTSD and discrimination in healthcare settings in pain and opioid misuse and addiction, IMPOWR researchers added PTSD and stigma/discrimination items to their common data elements (the standardized questions that facilitate data-sharing across studies).

The Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (NCREW) Initiative is partnering with Tribal organizations to support community-driven research projects that address opioid misuse and pain in Native communities. By providing needed training, technical assistance, and tools, the NCREW project is building capacity within Native communities to conduct locally prioritized research that incorporates indigenous knowledge and lived experience, with the aim of building effective, sustainable, and strengths-based interventions.

As outlined in NIDA’s Strategic Plan, NIDA is committed to partnering with people with lived and living experience in the development of new treatments for substance use disorder. Consistent with that goal, NIDA is funding four Patient Engagement Resource Centers (PERCs) to test various models of patient engagement that can inform research on SUD treatment services. Each PERC will recruit members of a particular patient population to understand what prevents them from finding or receiving evidence-based treatment services. This information will be used to pilot test patient-informed solutions to these challenges that can ultimately serve as models for the development of interventions in other settings.

There are many other ways that partnering with people with living experience of substance use could benefit both science and the community. Surveillance is one example. The drug market is rapidly changing, and people who actively use drugs and live this reality are best poised to provide information on the drug supply and its effects. And through their engagement in surveillance efforts, participants could gain information on new adulterants and contaminants that could help inform their own decisions.

In these, as with other research efforts, people who use drugs need to be treated with respect, and their confidentiality must be protected. They must also be compensated fairly for their time, their input, and their commuting and childcare costs.

Including people with experience of substance use and addiction in the scientific workforce—and making sure they feel safe and recognized as valuable members of the research team—must also become a priority for our science. As some of my colleagues at NIDA’s Intramural Research Program argued two years ago in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, people with lived and living experience of substance use disorders have unique perspectives that are invaluable in making sure that the right research questions are asked.

These are just some of the possible topics that may be discussed in the new NACDA workgroup. For that group, we are seeking individuals who identify as having experience with substance use or a substance use disorder or as a family or caregiver of someone who does. Participants will meet virtually three or four times during 2025 and potentially early 2026 and will be compensated for their time during the meetings. If you are interested in participating, further information is available on the Council Workgroups page. We are accepting application statements through January 10, 2025.

Associated links:

<https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNIDANIH/1/010001935f514dad-3bc896f6-09a3-4a99-9a57-650fc67cd8ad-000000/gZawcxuqmqpVxlDYl5KRA6aAb0F6qaVMf-PxgI6LnuI=380> <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fx.com%2FNIDAnews/1/010001935f514dad-3bc896f6-09a3-4a99-9a57-650fc67cd8ad-000000/mpqUEYpIuhc9JFHxEKtJYgd0sO2MkRK2lTyjYLfCx1E=380> <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fthe-national-institute-on-drug-abuse-nida/1/010001935f514dad-3bc896f6-09a3-4a99-9a57-650fc67cd8ad-000000/MDAOeV4b9UqgdTQKqsv8NP1IxaNy1-VJZf0pPGIdSLM=380> <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2FNIDANIH/1/010001935f514dad-3bc896f6-09a3-4a99-9a57-650fc67cd8ad-000000/XDdTYlTHjOr7nahEQDBsHClsGu3q7NdUBzatmgv6P7E=380>

Source: Forwarding Agency:

Herschel Baker, International Liaison Director & Queensland Director

Drug Free Australia

Web: https://drugfree.org.au/

mailto:drugfreeaust@drugfree.org.au

mailto:drugfree@org.au

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Education,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Policy News Roundup: November 14, 2024

by drugfree.org

The main point: Overall, a Trump administration is likely to be more focused on law enforcement and supply side responses to the overdose crisis, rather than approach the challenge from a public health perspective.

The details:

Treatment: We do not expect there will be efforts to remove barriers and expand access to methadone. There could be some efforts to expand buprenorphine (particularly telemedicine models).
Harm Reduction: Harm reduction received unprecedented federal support under the Biden administration. It is unlikely that such support will continue. Efforts to expand naloxone distribution may continue, but other harm reduction strategies (e.g., syringe service programs, overdose prevention sites) are not likely to receive support in a Trump administration.
Criminal Legal System: The use of Medicaid to provide medications for opioid use disorder in jails/prisons will likely face increased scrutiny. As part of a broader effort to limit Medicaid costs, a Trump administration may push to restrict federal funding for these programs. Drug courts and diversion programs will likely continue to receive support.
Insurance: There could be major changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which includes some of the strongest insurance protections available for addiction, and Medicaid, which covers more addiction treatment than any other insurer. The enhanced ACA premium subsidies that led to record levels of insurance enrollment are not likely to be extended after they expire next year, and there may be efforts to slash funding for enrollment outreach, promote short-term health plans with skimpier coverage and allow insurers to charge sicker people higher premiums. Medicaid is likely to be targeted for funding cuts, and the Trump administration is likely to revive efforts to implement work requirements for Medicaid coverage.
Marijuana: It is not clear what a Trump administration will mean for marijuana. While previously strongly opposed to easing restrictions, Trump more recently came out in support of the legalization initiative in Florida (his home state) and the Biden administration’s push to reschedule marijuana.
Penalties: A Trump administration could push for harsher penalties for drug offenses.
Drug Trafficking: Combatting drug trafficking is likely to be the main focus for the administration on this issue. Rhetoric will likely focus on the U.S.-Mexico border, even though evidence has shown that most drugs are brought into the U.S. at legal ports of entry by U.S. citizens. There is likely to be continued pressure on Mexico and China for their role in fentanyl and precursor trafficking.
Federal Agencies: If the Trump administration takes action on plans to scale back federal agencies, it could lead to a reduced role for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, potentially in favor of the Department of Justice or Drug Enforcement Administration. Department of Health and Human Services agencies are also likely in for budget cuts and major changes in authority and focus, which could reduce the role of health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration in addressing the addiction crisis and the funding available to do so.

Why it’s important:

Federal funding for addiction has remained stable but shifts between law enforcement/interdiction and treatment, depending on the administration’s priorities. An increased focus on law enforcement/interdiction could mean less funding and focus on treatment. Funding for prevention has remained small and relatively the same.

A caveat: It is early. Trump’s campaign did not focus heavily on policy proposals or on this issue, and we do not know yet who will be appointed to top health roles in the administration.

In the states: drug policy backlash

Several states also had drug-related ballot initiatives on their ballots this election.

The main point: In recent elections, ballot measures focused on liberalizing drug policies (e.g., legalizing marijuana, decriminalizing drugs) have passed. This time, however, these types of measures failed, signaling concerns about these drug policies.

The details:

Marijuana: Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota all rejected measures to legalize recreational marijuana. Nebraska did approve a measure to legalize medical marijuana, but a judge could invalidate the results due to a pending lawsuit. Opponents cited concerns about crime, addiction and becoming like liberal states that have legalized marijuana. While most Americans continue to support marijuana legalization, the downsides of marijuana production and negative health impacts of high-potency marijuana and teen use have recently been in the spotlight.
Psychedelics: Massachusetts rejected a measure to legalize therapeutic use of certain psychedelics (psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, mescaline). Voters in more than a dozen Oregon cities also voted to ban sales and use of psilocybin, after the state approved licensed psilocybin treatment centers four years ago. Psychedelics have gained increased support across the political spectrum, but concerns are growing about allowing psychedelics to proliferate before there has been adequate research.
Penalties: California passed a measure to repeal a 2014 ballot initiative that had lessened penalties for certain drug offenses. The new measure reclassifies certain theft- and drug-related crimes as felonies, rather than misdemeanors. It also establishes court-mandated treatment for those with repeat drug offenses. Voters perceive social disruption from public drug use and want more law and order.

Another thing: Daniel Lurie won his race to be mayor of San Francisco, beating incumbent London Breed. Much of the campaign focused on debates about how to address public drug use in the city. Lurie ran on promises to expand police staffing, build more homeless shelter beds and shut down open-air drug markets.

Why it’s important: This is part of the broader recent backlash toward efforts to liberalize drug policies and emphasize treatment and harm reduction over punitive responses.

Increases in visible homelessness, mental illness and substance use following COVID, the rise of fentanyl and the continuing high level of overdose deaths have led many to feel that recent efforts are not working. This is exacerbated by rhetoric tying “failed” drug policies to supposed spikes in crime and drug use.

California report warns of high-potency marijuana health dangers

What’s new: A report by scientists convened by the California Department of Public Health suggests that state policymakers must do more to warn consumers of the health dangers of high-potency marijuana and deter its use.

The background:

Most of the marijuana sold in California is high potency, with a concentration of THC five to ten times greater than the marijuana of the 1970s and 1980s.
High-potency marijuana is more likely to be addictive and cause serious health problems, like psychosis or cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.

The takeaways: The authors say policymakers should take lessons from successful campaigns to reduce smoking and drinking. Among other ideas, they recommend:

Restricting marijuana advertising, packaging and marketing
Barring flavored products that appeal to kids
Limiting THC content
Raising taxes on high-potency products
Launching a public education campaign about high-potency marijuana’s health effects

What’s next: The authors say they are lobbying the California Department of Public Health, the California Department of Cannabis Control, the state legislature and other state agencies to boost regulation.

Source: https://drugfree.org/drug-and-alcohol-news/policy-news-roundup-november-14-2024/

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Political Sector,USA :

Workplaces have a unique opportunity to make subtle yet meaningful adjustments to better support employees who may be in recovery or experiencing challenges. When businesses make small changes in their events, management style, and overall culture, they create an environment that respects and uplifts employees facing SUDs. Here are three impactful ways to make the workplace more welcoming:

# 1: Host Inclusive Gatherings with Non-Alcoholic Options

Work events can inadvertently center around alcohol, creating uncomfortable situations for employees who don’t drink and/or are in recovery. Making a few simple shifts can help ensure everyone feels included:
• Avoid holding meetings in bars or pubs. Instead, choose locations that aren’t centered on alcohol, such as coffee shops, casual restaurants, or outdoor spaces.
• Offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks that are as enjoyable as alcoholic options. These could include mocktails, sparkling water with unique flavors, or other festive drinks. This small touch shows thoughtful consideration and signals that the event is meant for everyone.
• Consider alcohol-free events. Not every event needs to feature alcohol to be fun. Think of team-building activities like escape rooms, game nights, or cooking classes, which naturally focus on engagement without the need for alcohol.

#2: Encourage Supervisors to be Allies

Supervisors play a critical role in creating a compassionate, supportive workplace. By actively supporting employees rather than judging them, supervisors can contribute significantly to a culture of empathy and openness. Here’s how they can help:
• Listen without judgment. If an employee opens up about their challenges, supervisors should approach the conversation with empathy, focusing on support rather than consequences, while of course maintaining safety.
• Respect privacy and confidentiality. Supervisors should reassure employees that their personal issues will remain private and will only be discussed on a need-to-know basis, which helps foster trust.
• Share personal experiences if appropriate. For supervisors in recovery, sharing their stories can inspire others, showing that it’s possible to face challenges and succeed. Authentic, relatable leadership can be incredibly powerful for employees who may feel isolated.

#3: Encourage Coworkers to Support Each Other

Sometimes, coworkers are the first to notice changes in behavior or attendance. They can be crucial sources of support, helping to create a culture that’s proactive and understanding:
• Encourage open, honest communication. Rather than approaching a struggling coworker with judgment, a simple “I’m here if you need anything” can make a huge difference.
• Assist with resources. Coworkers can help each other navigate employment policies, find helpful information, or locate support groups if needed. Being informed and sharing resources can be invaluable.
• Respect boundaries and avoid gossip. Gossip or speculation only adds stigma to those facing SUDs. A culture of respect encourages coworkers to redirect conversations if someone starts gossiping or making assumptions about another’s struggles. For more on the importance of language on stigma, check out the National Institute of Drug Abuse’s resource, Words Matter as well as Drug Free America Foundation’s resource on Stigma here.

These small adjustments—hosting inclusive events, training supervisors as allies, and encouraging a supportive culture among coworkers—can help a business become a welcoming, stigma-free environment for employees with SUDs working towards recovery. By focusing on inclusivity, empathy, and respect, workplaces can create meaningful, positive changes that support both individual well-being and the company’s overall success.

Sources:

Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. “Stigma.” https://www.dfaf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Stigma-2024.pdf

O’Connor, P., PhD. (2023, November 23). Human resource departments can help or hinder employees with SUDs. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/philosophy-stirred-not-shaken/202311/substance-use-disorders-and-the-work-place

Words matter: preferred language for talking about addiction | National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023, November 15). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/addiction-science/words-matter-preferred-language-talking-about-addiction

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Workplace :

November 22, 2024

One in 3 adults who responded to a new nationwide survey said they had suffered “secondhand harm” from another person’s drinking, and more than 1 in 10 said a loved one’s drug use had harmed them. PHI’s William Kerr shares insights on how secondhand harms from alcohol and drug use can affect families, relationships and communities.

“Think of it as collateral damage: Millions of Americans say they have been harmed by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use.

One in 3 adults who responded to a new nationwide survey said they had suffered “secondhand harm” from another person’s drinking. And more than 1 in 10 said they had been harmed by a loved one’s drug use.

That’s close to 160 million victims — 113 million hurt by loved one’s drinking and 46 million by their drug use, according to the survey published recently in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

There are more harms than people think… They affect families, relationships and communities.William Kerr
Scientific Director, Center Director & Study Co-Author, Alcohol Research Group’s National Alcohol Research Center, Public Health Institute

He said it makes sense that risky drinking and drug use have far-reaching consequences, but researchers only began looking at the secondhand harms of alcohol in recent years. Less has been known about the damage done by a loved one’s drug use.

The new study is based on a survey of 7,800 U.S. adults. They were questioned between September 2019 and April 2020, before the pandemic became a factor in Americans’ substance use.

People were asked if they had been harmed in any of several ways due to someone else’s substance use.

In all, 34% of respondents said they had suffered secondhand harm from someone else’s alcohol use. The harms ranged from marriage and family problems to financial fallout, assault and injury in a drunken-driving accident.

Meanwhile, 14% of respondents said they’d suffered similar consequences from a loved one’s drug abuse.

The two groups overlapped, too — 30% of respondents reporting secondhand harm from alcohol also said they were affected by someone’s drug use.

Kerr said in a journal news release that the differences probably owe to the fact that drinking and alcohol use disorders are more common than drug use and disorders. But, he added, researchers want to learn more and are launching a new survey with more questions about the harms related to individual drugs.”

Source: https://www.phi.org/press/us-news-phi-study-shows-nearly-160-million-americans-harmed-by-anothers-drinking-drug-use/

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Drug use-various effects,Latest News,USA :

November 26, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY

DEA Headquarters Division – Public Information Office

WASHINGTON – Formal hearing proceedings regarding the proposed rescheduling of marijuana will begin on December 2, 2024 at 9:30 A.M. ET in the North Courtroom at DEA Headquarters located at 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. This preliminary hearing will serve as a procedural day to address legal and logistical issues and discuss future dates for the evidentiary hearing on the merits. No witness testimony will be offered or received at this time.

In-person attendance is limited to designated participants and credentialed members of the media who have received confirmation of their in-person attendance.

WHAT: Commencement of formal hearing proceedings regarding the proposed rescheduling of Marijuana

WHO: Open to designated participants and designated credentialed members of the media.

WHEN: December 2, 2024 | 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: DEA Headquarters | 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Va. 22202 | North Courtroom

FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Members of the public will have access to the court sessions virtually at www.DEA.gov/live.

FOR NEWS MEDIA: News media wishing to attend in person must RSVP to DEAPress@dea.gov by 10 a.m. on November 29, 2024. Due to limited capacity, RSVPs will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Designated members of the media should arrive no later than 9:00 a.m. on December 2 and follow all security screening procedures. Media credentials are required to be visible while inside DEA Headquarters. Video and audio recordings are not permitted at any time inside the courtroom.

Background:
On May 21, 2024, the Department of Justice proposed to transfer marijuana from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule III of the CSA, consistent with the view of the Department of Health and Human Services that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use as well as HHS’s views about marijuana’s abuse potential and level of physical or psychological dependence. The CSA requires that such actions be made through formal rulemaking on the record after opportunity for a hearing. If the transfer to schedule III is finalized, the regulatory controls applicable to schedule III controlled substances would apply, as appropriate, along with existing marijuana-specific requirements and any additional controls that might be implemented, including those that might be implemented to meet U.S. treaty obligations. If marijuana is transferred into schedule III, the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, and possession of marijuana would remain subject to the applicable criminal prohibitions of the CSA. Any drugs containing a substance within the CSA’s definition of “marijuana” would also remain subject to the applicable prohibitions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. For more information, visit www.DEA.gov.

Source: https://www.dea.gov/stories/2024/2024-11/2024-11-26/dea-hold-hearing-rescheduling-marijuana

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug Specifics,Latest News,Legal Sector,Marijuana and Medicine,USA :

We targeted drug cartels to stop fentanyl. Now, overdose deaths are dropping. | Opinion

Anne Milgram | Opinion contributor

For the past three years, we have fought to protect our communities and save American lives lost at the hands of the drug cartels.

This fight may seem daunting, and it is unbearable for the families who have lost a loved one. The opioid epidemic has led to tragic deaths across the nation for decades.

In recent years, however, we’ve witnessed Americans being poisoned by fentanyl. Two Mexican cartels are responsible for almost all the fentanyl found in the United States. These cartels press fentanyl into pills to look like prescription medications and they hide fentanyl powder in other drugs like cocaine.

This deception drives addiction, leading to more sales and profit. Of the more than 107,000 drug-related deaths last year, 69% of them involved fentanyl. That is about 200 American lives lost every day to fentanyl.

But today, we are making significant progress in this battle.

Drug deaths decline by more than 14%

According to new provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug deaths in the United States have fallen for the first time in five years. The United States has seen a more than 14% decrease in deaths between June 2023 and June 2024.

While several contributors led to the decline, this marks an important milestone in DEA’s fight to save lives.

When I joined DEA more than three years ago, it was clear that this unprecedented threat required a new approach. We transformed our operations to meet the moment and quickly built a plan to attack the cartels.

We launched counter threat teams focused on a whole network approach to disrupt and defeat the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels, the Mexican gangs responsible for the deadly influx of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the United States.

While the harm is felt in the United States, the global fentanyl supply chain spans more than 65 countries. Our goal is simple: Take action across the entire supply chain and make it impossible for the cartels to do business.

DEA’s investigations have resulted in charges against Chinese chemical companies and Chinese nationals responsible for the production and sale of chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl; the leaders, money launderers, transporters and enforcers of the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels; thousands of individuals across the United States who work for the cartels and pedal fentanyl on social media and on our streets; and the money launderers moving billions of dollars in drug money across the globe.

DEA is proud to lead this fight to stop deadly drugs from coming into our communities. Our agency has some of the most highly skilled professionals in the world – special agents, intelligence analysts, data scientists, cyber specialists, social media analysts and forensic scientists – working together to take down these multinational criminal drug networks.

Top drug cartel leaders arrested

Working with our law enforcement partners, our approach has led to the arrests of top cartel leaders and record drug and money seizures.

Last year, DEA seized 80 million fentanyl pills and 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, which is the equivalent to 390 million doses. That is enough to kill every single American.

DEA has disrupted global drug trafficking operations from China to Mexico by arresting and indicting cartel members at the highest levels of leadership ‒ including Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of notorious drug kingpin “El Chapo,” and Ismael Zambada García, or “El Mayo.”

Since 2021, four out of the seven top Sinaloa cartel members have been taken into custody, and three will soon face justice in the United States. DEA has also uncovered and taken down significant global money laundering operations, cutting off funding to the cartel’s operations.

Since launching DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign in 2021, we have focused on raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.

We also have partnered with families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. This has been a game changer. The families have been key to sharing lifesaving information and resources in communities across the country. These parents, children, grandparents and siblings continue to turn tragedy into action by working to prevent other families from experiencing their pain.

Recently, at the National Family Summit on Fentanyl, I was thrilled to share with the families another major step in our progress in this fight. We have seen a significant drop in the lethality of counterfeit pills seized in our communities this past year. In 2023, DEA found that 7 out of 10 pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. Today, 5 out of 10 pills are potentially deadly.

Seeing a decline in the number of deadly pills on the streets of America is further proof that our efforts are working.

While DEA is proud of the progress we are seeing, we are focused on the work that still needs to be done. Every life lost is one too many. DEA and our partners will continue to fight every day to protect our communities and save lives.

This fight is winnable, but it requires everyone pulling in the same direction. We need everyone to educate themselves, their loved ones and their communities on the dangers of fentanyl.

Anyone can use DEA’s One Pill Can Kill resources to spread the message about the dangers of fentanyl and to educate themselves.

DEA also has recently launched a new resource for families. The Together For Families Network will serve as a one-stop shop to connect advocates and share information, because we know each of us can make a difference.

This recent news shows that together we can save lives, and that it takes all of us working together to win this fight.

Anne Milgram is the administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2024/11/26/dea-drug-deaths-fentanyl-mexican-cartels/75487168007/

Filed under: Crime/Violence/Prison,Fentanyl,Latest News,USA :

Too many families know the pain of losing a loved one to a drunk or drug-impaired driving accident. Each year, more than 10,000 Americans lose their lives in these preventable tragedies. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we remind everyone that they can save lives by driving only when sober, calling for a ride, planning ahead, and making sure friends and loved ones do the same.

In 2022, over 13,000 people were killed in drunk-driving accidents. Still, millions of people drive under the influence each year, not only putting themselves in harm’s way but also endangering passengers, pedestrians, and first responders. Even just one drink or one pill can ruin lives.

My Administration is committed to preventing accidents and impaired driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has raised awareness about its risks and consequences through media campaigns, including “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different”; “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”; and “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” Furthermore, since the beginning of my Administration, we have dedicated over $100 billion to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and expand access to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder.

Reducing fatalities and injuries in impaired driving accidents also means improving the safety of our Nation’s vehicles. That is why my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests in technologies that can detect and prevent impaired driving and requiring new passenger cars to include collision warnings and automatic braking to prevent accidents. The Department of Transportation also released a National Roadway Safety Strategy to eliminate traffic deaths and make crashes less destructive.

This holiday season, let us recommit to doing right by our neighbors, friends, and families by driving sober. For those planning on drinking, arrange a sober ride home beforehand — ride-sharing apps are a convenient way to get home safely. If you have had alcohol or used substances, do not get behind the wheel — one accident can cost someone their life. If you are responsible for driving yourself or others, stay sober, buckle up, put the phone away, and drive the speed limit. And if you witness a friend, loved one, colleague, or anyone putting themselves or others in danger, lend a hand to keep them safe. You could save a life.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 2024 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. I urge all Americans to make responsible decisions and take appropriate measures to prevent impaired driving.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/11/29/a-proclamation-on-national-impaired-driving-prevention-month-2024/

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Drug use-various effects,Drugs and Accidents,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

These TC experts emphasize the critical need for a more proactive approach to substance use education

More than 40,000 youth used nicotine pouches last year alone, a staggering increase from 2021. The relatively new and less detectable product’s increasing prevalence among youth underscores an urgent need for informed discussion and intervention regarding adolescent substance use more broadly. Data shows that 59 percent of people 12 or older used tobacco, vaped nicotine, alcohol or illicit drugs in 2023, despite proof that substance use during these formative years poses a severe threat to cognitive function. “Early drug use can impair neurocognitive development and increase youth vulnerability to later use of illicit substances, and even academic failure,” shares John Allegrante, the Charles Irwin Lambert Professor of Health Behavior and Education at Teachers College, who examines the topic in his latest research with an international group of Nordic investigators.“With each generation, the messaging and campaigns around these dangerous products change to target those most vulnerable: our youth. We [educators] need to work with parents to provide more support resources and surveillance during such critical years.”We spoke with Allegrante and other TC experts about the risks and ways educators, parents and communities can address these challenges together.

A Call to Action: Reimagining Awareness, Prevention, and Intervention

While interventions like the “Just Say No” campaign and the D.A.R.E. programs of the ’80s and ’90s have proven to be unsuccessful, the desire for more effective and youth-informed approaches to preventing substance use among youth in the U.S. continues to grow.

Influencer marketing and social media promotions for e-cigarettes have increased the risk of youth vaping. Studies show that social media platforms often glamorize e-cigarettes with trendy flavors like cotton candy, attracting young users. TC’s Ayorkor Gaba, Assistant Professor of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, notes that there is a rise in innovative approaches, like media literacy education, to help youth critically analyze media and reject harmful messages.

She explains that social media can also share science-based health messages, enhancing prevention and treatment of substance use. For example, influencers frequently share their lived experience with overdose, the harmful effects of vaping, and recovery. Though “impactful,” the overall quality, accuracy and reliability of this content posted can be poor. “The lack of evidence-based content on social media reinforces the need for expert involvement (e.g., public health, psychology, etc.) in disseminating evidence-based content on social media,” notes Gaba. “Due to the significant influence of social media on youth, experts and researchers should integrate youth perspectives in developing social media-based intervention and prevention that can reach millions of youth. “

The CDC notes that a high majority of adolescent substance use (81 percent) occurs during socialization with friends. “As teens, we’re all looking to fit in,” adds TC doctoral student Treasure Tannock. “Between ages 15-25, we seek to cling to anything that gives us a better understanding of self-identity. If we can use that same mindset better to reach young people about the dangers of use through a more holistic, relatable lens, we might be able to make progress.”

To start, Tannock recommends getting youth involved in creative outlets that pique their interest, a concept she implemented during her clinical work at Rikers Island. “We asked individuals: Who are you now? Who do you want to be? What obstacles do you face with substance use? And how can you receive support?” explained Tannock, a Clinical Psychology student. “We then collaborated with music and art therapists to help express their stories. Over time, many became open to support and envisioned a new path forward.”

How Parents, Schools and Communities Can Help

Although there is much work to be done, parents, communities and educators can start by laying the groundwork for more proactive dialogue and means of support.

Allegrante explains that during the pandemic, increased supervision at home led to a decrease in adolescent substance use, an observation from his post-pandemic research. “As young people return to school and socialize more, we’re seeing a resurgence in use,” he explains. “Many prevention efforts start too late; by the time we address it, habits are ingrained. We must start these conversations in middle or even elementary school.”

With so much at stake, schools are tasked with a greater responsibility to address the crisis. A recent survey by the American Addiction Centers revealed that schools are the primary setting where youth receive informative substance use education. However, out of the 500 students surveyed, only 75 percent had a substance-use-focused curriculum in their health class.

“School is still a prime captive audience location for prevention, but it requires an interdisciplinary approach, resources and a theory-driven, evidence-based curriculum across the board,” Allegrante adds. “We need to work with communities, public health agencies and even local government officials to bridge the gap.”

Yet, prevention must extend beyond the classroom. It’s imperative for parents to stay informed about their children’s habits, as research shows that parental involvement is key to mitigating peer pressure and promoting informed decision-making. “Parenting practices (e.g., monitoring, communication) have been linked to youth substance use, yet there are few accessible supports to help the busy parent develop skills in this area. Gaba recommends an app by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration called “Talk. They Hear You.,” specifically designed to help parents and caregivers turn everyday situations into opportunities to discuss alcohol and drugs with their children. “It gives them the skills, confidence, and knowledge to start and maintain these conversations as their kids grow.”

Gaba also highlights the need to address disparities, urging, “It’s a matter of life and death.” Between 2018 and 2022, drug overdose deaths among youth more than doubled, particularly impacting Latinx and Black communities. “Many still mistakenly believe opioids do not affect these groups, leading to decreased awareness and access to vital resources like Naloxone (Narcan), which can reverse overdoses,” she notes. “Additionally, substance use is notably higher among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth compared to their non-LGB peers.” To address these challenges, Gaba advocates for culturally tailored interventions that actively involve marginalized youth in the design process and target the social determinants of health that contribute to their elevated risks.

“Community support is also vital,” notes Tannock. “Having safe, accessible community spaces like libraries or after-school programs can make a significant difference. It’s a team effort.” She urges parents to inquire about local prevention resources.

Although substance use among youth is an ongoing challenge, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) reports that adolescent substance use continues to fall below pre-pandemic levels, an encouraging statistic.

“If we look at how drastically cigarette smoking has declined as a consequence of culture change, especially in advanced economies of the world, it’s a testament to just how far we’ve come,” concludes Allegrante. “But it took a concerted effort over many years, and we can certainly chart a similar path forward with this next generation.” — Jacqueline Teschon

Source: https://www.tc.columbia.edu/articles/2024/november/why-we-need-to-modernize-substance-use-education/

Filed under: Addiction,Education,Latest News,Parents,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

– PERSPECTIVE

CO-AUTHORS:

Albert Stuart Reece1,2 | Gary Kenneth Hulse1,2
1University of Western Australia, Crawley,
Western Australia, Australia

2School of Health Sciences, Edith Cowan
University, Joondalup, Western Australia,
Australia

Correspondence:
Albert Stuart Reece, University of Western
Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009,
Australia.
Email: stuart.reece@uwa.edu.au

ABSTRACT:

Whilst mitochondrial inhibition and micronuclear fragmentation are well established
features of the cannabis literature mitochondrial stress and dysfunction has recently
been shown to be a powerful and direct driver of micronucleus formation and chromosomal
breakage by multiple mechanisms. In turn genotoxic damage can be
expected to be expressed as increased rates of cancer, congenital anomalies and
aging; pathologies which are increasingly observed in modern continent-wide studies.
Whilst cannabinoid genotoxicity has long been essentially overlooked it may in fact
be all around us through the rapid induction of aging of eggs, sperm, zygotes, foetus
and adult organisms with many lines of evidence demonstrating transgenerational
impacts. Indeed this multigenerational dimension of cannabinoid genotoxicity
reframes the discussion of cannabis legalization within the absolute imperative to
protect the genomic and epigenomic integrity of multiple generations to come.

KEYWORDS: cannabis, chromothripsis, micronucleus

MAIN ARTICLE TEXT:

Recent papers in Science provide penetrating and far-reaching insights
into the mechanisms underlying micronuclear rupture a key genotoxic
engine identified in many highly malignant tumours.1,2 Reactive
oxygen species (ROS) generated either by damaged mitochondria or
the hypoxic tumour microenvironment were shown to damage micronuclear
envelopes, which made them more sensitive to membrane
rupture. Damage occurred by both increased susceptibility to membrane
rupture and impaired membrane repair. Micronuclear rupture is
known to be associated with downstream chromosomal shattering,
pan-genome genetic disruption by chromothripsis, widespread epigenetic
dysregulation and cellular ageing. Clinical expressions of genotoxicity
are expected to appear as cancer, birth defects and ageing.
CHMP7 (charge multivesicular body protein 7) oxidation caused
heterodimerization by disulphide crosslinking and aberrant crosslinking
with membrane bound LEMD2 (LEM-domain nuclear envelope
protein 2) inducing membrane deformation and collapse. ROS-CHMP7
directly induced chromosomal shattering. Oxidized CHMP7 bound
covalently to the membrane repair scaffolding protein ESCRT-III
(endosomal sorting complex required for transport–III). ROS triggered
homo-oligomerization of the autophagic receptor p62/sequestome
re-routing the CMPH7-ESCRT-III complex away from membrane
repair into macroautophagy via the autophagosome and microautophagy
via lysozomes.1–3 Expected downstream consequences of
micronuclear rupture including chromosomal fragmentation, chromothripsis
and cGAS-STING (cyclic adenosine-guanosine synthase–
stimulator of interferon signalling) activation were demonstrated.
Cancer-related innate inflammation is known to drive tumour progression
and distant metastasis. These principles were tested both in normal
and also numerous malignant (including head and neck squamous,
cervical, gastric, ovarian and colorectal cancers) cell lines.1,2 Similar
processes including DNA damage and epigenomic derangements have
also been identified in TH1-lymphocytes during fever indicating that
mitochondriopathic-genotoxic mechanisms may in fact be widespread
and fundamental.4

Received: 26 September 2024 Accepted: 26 September 2024
DOI: 10.1111/adb.70003
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Addiction Biology. 2024;29:e70003. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/adb
https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.70003

Cannabis has been known to be linked with both micronuclear
development and mitochondrial inhibition for many decades.5,6
All cannabinoids have been implicated in genotoxicity as the moiety
identified as damaging the genetic material is the central olivetol
nucleus on the C-ring itself.7 This finding implicates Δ8-, Δ9-, Δ10-,
Δ11-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabigerol, cannabidiol and cannabinol
amongst all other cannabinoids.
Historically, the cancer-cannabis link has been controversial. Differing
results in published studies may be attributed to various factors
including multiple exposures (including tobacco), differences in
study design and the rapid rise of cannabis potency. One often quoted
study actually specifically excluded high level cannabis exposure, which
would now appear to have been a major methodological limitation.8 It
is widely documented that there has been a sharp increase in cannabis
concentration from the 1970s to the present day. THC concentrations
of 25%–30% are commonly noted in cannabis herb and flower sold
commercially, and 100% THC concentrations are well known for cannabinoid
based products such as dabs, waxes and ‘shatter’.
In this context, the recent appearance of a series of continentwide
epidemiological, space–time and causal inferential studies in
both Europe and North America is notable for many positive signals
for various cancers including breast, pancreas, liver, AML, thyroid, testis,
lymphoma, head and neck squamous cancer, total childhood cancer
and childhood ALL.9–15 The literature on cannabis and testicular
cancer is almost uniformly positive and has a relative risk of around
2.6-fold,16 this risk factor is now widely acknowledged17–19 and the
effect is quite fast since the median age of exposure may be about
20 years and the median age of testis cancer incidence is only
31 years. Testicular cancer is the adult cancer responsible for the most
years of life lost.17,18,20,21 The inclusion of several childhood cancers
in association with cannabis exposure obviously implicates transgenerational
transmission of malignant mutagenesis.
An intriguing finding in the case report literature is that in many
cases, cancers occur decades earlier and are very aggressive at diagnosis.
22 Mechanisms such as the synergistic mitochondriopathic–
micronuclear axis presently proposed in the recent Science papers1–4
may directly explain this very worrying observation.
Whilst cancer is thought to be a rare outcome amongst cannabis
exposed individuals, ageing effects are not. A dramatic acceleration
of cellular epigenetic age by 30% at just 30 years was recently
reported23 with indications this effect likely rises with age,24 and
the demonstration that cannabis exposed patients had adverse
outcomes across a wide range of physical and mental health outcomes
including myocardial infarction and emergency room presentations.
25 Importantly, the ageing process itself has been shown to
be due to redistribution of the epigenetic machinery in such a manner
as to produce dysregulation (and widespread reduction) of gene
expression and to be inducible by limited genetic damage resulting
from just a handful of DNA breaks.26 Extremely worryingly, agerelated
morphological changes have been described in both oocytes
and sperm.27,28
Epidemiological studies of European and American cannabiscancer
links are supported by epidemiological, space–time and causal
inferential studies of links between cannabis and congenital
anomalies.29–33 Reported congenital anomalies are clustered in the
cardiovascular, neurological, limb, chromosomal, urogenital and gastrointestinal
systems. The fact that all five chromosomal anomalies
studied here are represented in this list, notwithstanding their high
rate of known foetal loss, is strong evidence for chromosomal misegregation
during germ cell meiosis, which is the genetic precursor to
micronucleus development.34,35 The fact that almost identical results
were reported in both the United States and Europe provides strong
external validation to these findings.30
This is consistent with recent press reports of dramatic increases
in babies and calves born without limbs in both France and
Germany36,37 raising the public health spectre of downstream implications
of food chain contamination. Melbourne, Australia, is a multiethnic
city, which heads the global leaderboard for babies born with
the serious limb anomalies amelia and phocomelia.37–40 This pattern
of elevated rates of major birth defects is not seen in the host nations
from which these migrant populations are derived. Cannabis farms are
increasingly common around Melbourne, just as they are in the
French province of Ain, which has similar concerns.37,41–43
Major epigenetic changes have been found in human sperm,44
which have also been identified in exposed rodent offspring.44–46
Indeed, 21 of the 31 congenital anomalies described following prenatal
thalidomide exposure have also been observed epidemiologically
following prenatal cannabis exposure and 12 of 13 cellular pathways
by which thalidomide operates have been similarly identified in the
cannabis mechanistic literature.47 Both human and rodent epigenomic
studies44–46 and epidemiological studies show that adult cannabis
exposure is linked with the incidence of autism48–53 and cerebral processing
difficulties54–57 in children prenatally exposed. Together, this
data is clear and robust evidence for the transgenerational transmission
of major genotoxic outcomes.
Notwithstanding the well-known ambiguities in the epidemiological
literature for cannabis, it is clear from the above brief overview
that there is strong and compelling evidence that cannabis genotoxic
outcomes are well substantiated and form a remarkably congruent
skein of interrelated evidence across all three domains of genotoxic
pathology including cancer, congenital anomalies and ageing.
So too compelling epidemiological, morphological and epigenetic
evidence of transgenerational transmission of cannabinoid genotoxicity
to foetus, egg, sperm and offspring carries far reaching and
transformative implications and indeed reframes the discussion surrounding
cannabis legalization from merely personal-hedonistic to the
protection of the national genomic integrity for multiple subsequent
generations.
The present time therefore represents a watershed moment.
The new profoundly insightful studies from Science point the way and
provide the trigger. Clearly, there is a great need for a new
and updated cohort of epidemiological studies on these issues at the
population level in the modern context of the widespread availability
of much more potent cannabinoid preparations.
However, our first responsibility is to act on the evidence we do
have. Given the uniform picture painted by data from myriad directions.

It can be said that the evidence for cannabinoid genotoxicity
is at once so clinically significant, robust and compelling as to constitute
a resounding clarion call to action: The only outstanding
question is ‘Will we rise to the challenge?’

13691600, 2024, 11, Downloaded from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/adb.70003 by National Health And Medical Research Council, Wiley Online Library on [14/11/2024]. See the Terms and Conditions (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions) on Wiley Online Library for rules of use; OA articles are governed by the applicable Creative Commons License

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT:
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

ORCID:
Albert Stuart Reece https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3256-720X

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How to cite this article: Reece AS, Hulse GK. Key insights into
cannabis-cancer pathobiology and genotoxicity. Addiction
Biology. 2024;29(11):e70003. doi:10.1111/adb.70003

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Filed under: Australia,Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Marijuana and Medicine,USA :

Supporters of psilocybin expressed dismay at the bans after thousands of people reported benefits from using the psychedelic drug

Oregon Capital Chronicle, November 7, 2024- by Ben Botkin and Lynne Terry.

Image: PIXABAY

Voters in more than a dozen Oregon cities, including in the Portland area, voted to ban the regulated sales and use of psilocybin mushrooms.

Anti-psilocybin measures were on the ballots in 16 cities and unincorporated Clackamas County, and are passing in coastal communities to urban Portland and central and southern Oregon by 55% to 70% of the vote.

Bans against psilocybin businesses are passing in Brookings, Rogue River, Sutherlin, Redmond, Lebanon, Jefferson, Sheridan, Amity, Hubbard, Mount Angel, Estacada, Oregon City, Lake Oswego, Seaside and Warrenton. Redmond’s measure would enact a two-year moratorium on psilocybin businesses.

There was one notable outlier. The measure to ban psilocybin could fail in Nehalem, a small community in Tillamook County, according to initial returns. But it is failing by only three votes. The unofficial results on Wednesday were close: 80 voters oppose the ban and 77 voters support.

Comment was not immediately available from psilocybin opponents. Supporters of the drug expressed disappointment with the results Wednesday.

“I think it’s really unfortunate that local communities, often rural communities continue to prevent access to psilocybin services, especially given that we’ve seen over 7,000 people go through the Oregon program, and there’s been so many stories of healing and benefit for those who have done it,” said Sam Chapman, a longtime psilocybin advocate who is policy and development director for the Microdosing Collective, a nonprofit supporting use of the drug in small doses.

Chapman played a big role in getting Oregonians to approve licensed psilocybin treatment centers, facilitators and manufacturers with the passage of Measure 109 four years ago by 56% of the vote. The measure required the Oregon Health Authority to start a program to allow providers to administer psilocybin mushrooms and fungi products to people 21 or older.

To date, the health authority has licensed about 1,000 staff, including 350 facilitators who work directly with clinics while they’re on the hallucinogen. The agency has also licensed 30 psilocybin centers – from the Portland area to Eugene to Ashland and beyond – along with a dozen manufacturers and one lab.

Chapman said these centers give the state another “tool in the toolbox” to treat mental illness, especially depression, anxiety and PTSD, especially for veterans.

“We’re actually seeing the proof of concept for the people who are going through Oregon’s service centers now,” Chapman said. “I think the mental health crisis in rural communities is especially unique in that these rural communities are struggling not just for mental health but economically as well.”

The economy of the psilocybin industry has been soft, caused mainly by the cost of a single session, which can range from hundreds to several thousand dollars, with many customers flocking to Oregon from out of state.

Chapman said rejection of psilocybin is linked to a lack of education about the drug and how the industry works in Oregon. Consumers cannot buy the drug in stores, as they can for marijuana, and treatments are regulated.

“They don’t understand psilocybin. They don’t understand the research and they don’t understand the Oregon program. And so in addition to the lack of that understanding, they make some assumptions. The biggest assumption is that this is just the same thing as cannabis. They assume this is for retail sales, which is not true,” Chapman said.

Healing Advocacy Fund, a nonprofit in Oregon and Colorado, will continue to push for the programs to grow, with state-regulated access to psychedelic healing. Heidi Pendergast, the group’s Oregon director, said the rollout in Oregon has been safe, with only four people needing emergency services out of thousands served.

“So while there may be some concerns, we haven’t seen that play out right now whatsoever in the program,” Pendergast said.

Oregon was the first state to decriminalize psilocybin in licensed settings and Colorado has followed suit. Massachusetts voters rejected a proposal to legalize the mushrooms and allow people to grow small quantities at their homes, National Public Radio reported.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

Source: The Lund Report – Latest Headlines | November 7, 2024

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Legal Sector,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

Weekly / November 7, 2024 / 73(44);1010–1012

Alana M. Vivolo-Kantor, PhD¹; Christine L. Mattson, PhD¹; Maria Zlotorzynska, PhD¹

What is already known about this topic?

Expanded availability of ketamine for management of treatment-resistant depression has resulted in increased use.

What is added by this report?

During July 2019–June 2023, ketamine was detected in <1% of overdose deaths and was the only drug involved in 24 deaths. During this period, the percentage of overdose deaths with ketamine detected in toxicology reports increased from 0.3% (47 deaths) to 0.5% (107 deaths). Approximately 82% of deaths with ketamine detected in toxicology reports involved other substances, including illegally manufactured fentanyls, methamphetamine, or cocaine.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Further investigation is needed to better understand the role of ketamine in drug overdoses, particularly when multiple substances are used before death.

Investigation and Findings

Data on drug overdose deaths with unintentional or undetermined intent come from SUDORS, which includes information from death certificates, medical examiner or coroner reports, and postmortem toxicology reports.^§ Data are abstracted on all substances reported to cause death (i.e., involved) and substances detected through toxicology testing.^¶ Decedent demographics and other overdose characteristics were analyzed among 45 jurisdictions (44 states and the District of Columbia [DC]),** and trend analyses were conducted among 28 jurisdictions (27 states and DC).^†† Analyses were restricted to deaths with toxicology reports or with ketamine listed as a cause of death on the death certificate. Ketamine detection included toxicology results for ketamine or its metabolites.^§§ Among deaths with ketamine detected, drug involvement was analyzed to ascertain which drug or drugs caused death. This activity was reviewed by CDC, deemed not research, and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.^¶¶

During July 2019–June 2023, a total of 228,668 drug overdose deaths were identified in 45 jurisdictions. Ketamine was detected in 912 (0.4%) overdose deaths, listed as involved in 440 (0.2%) deaths, and was the only substance involved in 24 (0.01%) deaths (Table). A majority of deaths with ketamine detected involved illegally manufactured fentanyls (IMFs) (58.7%), followed by methamphetamine (28.8%) and cocaine (27.2%). Overall, 82.4% of deaths involved either IMFs, methamphetamine, or cocaine. Approximately one third (34.8%) of decedents in whom ketamine was detected were aged 25–34 years, and approximately three quarters were males (71.3%) and non-Hispanic White persons (73.7%).

Among 172,475 overdose deaths in 28 jurisdictions during July 2019–June 2023, <1% had ketamine detected (692 deaths; 0.4%) or were classified as ketamine-involved (348 deaths; 0.2%). The number and percentage of deaths with ketamine detected increased during July 2019–June 2023 from 47 (0.3%) to 107 (0.5%), with notable increases as early as July–December 2020

Conclusions and Actions

During July 2019–June 2023, although ketamine was detected or involved in <1% of all drug overdose deaths, overdose deaths with ketamine detected increased. Almost all overdose deaths with ketamine detected involved other substances, mostly IMFs or stimulants; however, the source of ketamine (e.g., illegally purchased or prescribed) is unknown. Because analyses included a subset of jurisdictions, findings might not be generalizable to the entire United States. In addition, the scope of postmortem toxicology testing varies within and across jurisdictions, and ketamine might not be included in testing panels or be tested for in all postmortem samples (4), which could lead to an underestimation of ketamine detection. Despite the lack of uniform testing, ketamine detection among overdose deaths has increased over time, yet both detection and involvement accounted for a small proportion of overdose deaths. As polysubstance use (5) and use of ketamine for treatment-resistant depression and in compounded formulations*** increase, continued monitoring is needed to identify potential changes in the detection and involvement of ketamine in overdose deaths and to better understand potential drug interactions or circumstances leading to death.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7344a4.htm?s_cid=mm7344a4_w

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Ketamine,Latest News,Prevalence,USA :

By Gabrielle M. Etzel

November 6, 2024 10:45 am

Voters in the 2024 election dealt a rebuke to drug legalization efforts in four states, a major political development that will shape the future of both marijuana and psychedelic drug policy across the country:

Measures to legalize recreational marijuana failed in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota, despite record spending from the cannabis industry already operating in those jurisdictions.
Support for the Florida constitutional amendment, Amendment 3, to legalize recreational marijuana only received 55.9% of the vote as of 9:49 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. A 60% supermajority threshold was necessary to amend the Florida constitution.
The “No” vote to the marijuana legalization efforts in both North Dakota and South Dakota received outright majorities.
North Dakota’s Measure 5 was voted down 52.5%-47.5% with 99% of the vote counted as of 4:08 a.m. Wednesday. The “No” vote for South Dakota’s Measure 29 received 56.3% of the vote compared to 43.7% in favor with 90.3% of the ballots counted, also as of Wednesday morning.
Massachusetts also heartily rejected an effort to legalize the medical and recreational use of psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin and psilocin.
According to the Associated Press, the ballot measure was voted down 56.9%-43.1% with 90.3% of the vote counted as of 9:28 a.m. Wednesday.

The legalization effort was dealt a decisive blow in mid-October by the Boston Globe, whose editorial board wrote that the measure “goes too far” despite the therapeutic promise of psychedelics for treating PTSD and other mental health conditions.

“Voters by wide margins rejected the legalization of drugs like marijuana and psychedelics from red Florida to blue Massachusetts,” Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions and Smart Approaches to Marijuana President Kevin Sabet said in a statement on the elections. “We expect this Administration to listen to this message loud and clear: More drugs are not good for any community.”

Nebraska medical marijuana is only victory

The two interrelated ballot initiatives for Nebraska were the only drug legalization amendments to pass on Tuesday night.

The Associated Press declared victory for the ballot measure to legalize medical marijuana, Initiative 437, 70.2%-29.3% with 99% of the votes counted as of 6:52 a.m.

The accompanying amendment, Initiative 438, which established the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate the medical marijuana program, passed with 67% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia. Results for Initiative 438 were not tracked by the Associated Press.

Nebraska is now one of 39 states that have legalized medical marijuana, which in the past has signaled that a recreational use policy will be introduced in the coming years.

Future of federal drug policy

Cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, along with heroin and ecstasy. Schedule I drugs are determined to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, and federal penalties for possession and intent to distribute can be severe.

President Joe Biden issued a directive to executive branch agencies in 2022 to begin a review of federal marijuana statutes. The Drug Enforcement Agency this spring started the process of reclassifying marijuana to a Schedule III substance, on par with ketamine and certain anabolic steroids.

Although it was not a major issue in the presidential campaigns, both Vice President Kamala Harris and President-Elect Donald Trump promised to continue with this spirit of drug reform at the federal level.

Trump, a resident of Florida, posted on Truth Social in September that he planned to vote in favor of Amendment 3 because he supported “smart regulations” for cannabis at the state level.

“As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens,” Trump said in September.

Trump’s perspective on psychedelic drugs has not been as clear, but he has been a strong supporter of increasing access to clinical trials for experimental treatments for potentially fatal diseases.

Over the past two years, there has been strong bipartisan support in Congress for improving funding for the mental health benefits of psychedelic drug use for patients with severe PTSD, particularly combat veterans at risk of suicide.

Source: CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Latest News,Legal Sector,USA :

by Chloe Marklay, Katie Amrhein, WKRC

Wed, October 30th 2024 at 10:20 AM

Updated Fri, November 1st 2024 at 10:44 AM

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A local mother who lost her son to fentanyl has spearheaded an initiative to bring a powerful billboard to Cincinnati.

The billboard is located in the Northgate area. It includes pictures of 20 people who lost their lives to fentanyl, many of whom are local. The billboard reads: “Synthetic opioids kill over 150 people every day” and “fentanyl steals families.”

(WKRC)

‘Handle the situation’: Man allegedly disembowels pizzeria chef over wife’s botched order

Tamara Bohl lost her son Brian when he was 33 years old. Bohl wrote a book titled “My Child Died, Now What?” to help parents like her and to honor those who have lost their lives.

“These are real people, not just a statistic—real people that had lives, dreams, aspirations, families, friends, and kids,” said Bohl.

Bohl worked alongside Rachel’s Angels to create the sign and bring it to Cincinnati. The nonprofit is focused on providing drug education, prevention resources, and support to families affected by addiction.

The billboard dedication is set for Wednesday. The event will include speeches from city leaders, the Center for Addiction Treatment, and other parents like Bohl.

Bohl also featured the names of more than 900 people who lost their lives to fentanyl in her poetry book. One of them is Jason Durkin. At 21 years old, Durkin died from the drug in 2018. His mother Jennifer Bishop attended the billboard dedication.

“It’s gut-wrenching to see him up there, but I feel good that I’m putting him out there because he mattered,” said Bishop.

The event will also include the distribution of Narcan kits and educational resources on drug prevention and harm reduction.

Bohl also taped additional photos of fentanyl victims around the billboard pole. The billboard will stay up throughout November.

Source: https://local12.com/news/local/fentanyl-steals-families-new-cincinnati-billboard-spreads-awareness-opioid-epidemic-northgate-joseph-chevrolet-tamara-bohl-book-brian-drug-drugs-addiction-education-rachels-angels

Filed under: Fentanyl,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

Cultural, systemic and historical factors have converged to create the perfect storm when it comes to Black overdose deaths.

By Liz Tung – June 14, 2024 Reporter at The Pulse

In this Jan. 23, 2018 photo, Leah Hill, a behavioral health fellow with the Baltimore City Health Department, displays a sample of Narcan nasal spray in Baltimore. The overdose-reversal drug is a critical tool to easing America’s coast-to-coast opioid epidemic. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

A recent study from the Pennsylvania Department of Health has found that Black people who died from opioid overdoses were half as likely as white people to receive the life-saving drug naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan. The study also found that Black overdose deaths in Pennsylvania increased by more than 50% between 2019 and 2021, compared with no change in white overdose deaths.

In an email, a representative with the Department of Health said that similar rises in overdose deaths are being seen across the country, especially among Black, American Indian and Alaska Native populations. But researchers are still investigating what’s behind the spike.

“There does not appear to be a single reason why rates are increasing for Black populations and holding steady among white populations,” the statement reads. “The volatile and rapidly changing drug supply certainly has been a challenge as fentanyl is now found in every type of drug. Inequities in terms of treatment for substance use disorder may also play a factor as white people are more likely to have better access to the most evidence-based treatments and are more likely to stay in treatment.”

Fear of arrest

Abenaa Jones, an epidemiologist and assistant professor of human development and family studies at Penn State who was not involved in the study, has conducted similar research in Baltimore. She agreed that fentanyl-contaminated drugs — which are more common in lower-income neighborhoods — and less access to health care are likely factors in the growing number of overdose deaths among Black populations.

Jones said the criminal justice system, and its unequal treatment of Black people, also plays a role.

“We know that the intersection of criminal justice and substance use, and criminalization of drug use and how that disproportionately impacts minorities, can limit the accessibility of harm reduction services to racial-ethnic minorities for fear of harassment by police for drug paraphernalia,” Jones said, adding that even syringes obtained through needle-exchange programs can be considered illegal paraphernalia.

Fear of arrest, in turn, leads more people to using drugs in isolation.

“That may protect you from criminal legal involvement, but then in the event of an overdose, you may not have someone to help you,” Jones said. “So it could be that by the time the EMS come, it’s been too long for them to even consider administering naloxone.”

Contaminated drug supplies

An unexpected observation that Jones made in the course of her research could also be a factor in rising death rates — the fact that many of the Black people dying of opioid overdoses are older.

“For any other racial groups, overdose deaths peak around midlife — 35, 45,” she said. “For Black individuals, it’s more like 55, 64, and we were wondering what was going on with that.”

After investigating that question, Jones and her colleagues formulated a working theory.

“The running hypothesis for us is that this is a cohort effect,” she said. “Individuals who’ve been using drugs over time, particularly Black individuals back from the ‘80s and ‘90s with the cocaine epidemic, never stopped using.”

Those individuals may have remained relatively stable until fentanyl began to contaminate their drug supply without them knowing.

“So whatever harm reduction tools that you were using for so many years that’s been helping you, when fentanyl’s involved, it’s a different game,” Jones said. “You have to use less, but you have to also know that you have fentanyl in your drugs, right?

It’s a problem that Marcia Tucker, the program director of Pathways to Recovery — a partial hospitalization program focused on co-occurring substance use and mental health challenges — sees frequently among their mostly Black clients.

“If you come into treatment saying that I’m a cocaine user, or I’m a crack cocaine user, or I use marijuana, you’re not even thinking that an opioid overdose or fentanyl overdose could possibly happen to you,” Tucker said. “And it does happen.”

Fear, stigma and miseducation

In fact, Tucker said, she’s seen more of these kinds of overdoses over the past two years than in the three decades she’s spent working in addiction treatment. Despite that, there’s still a lack of education — and even stigma — surrounding both medication-assisted treatments (MATs) for opioid addiction, and the use of naloxone.

“I think sometimes culturally with the African American community, as far as MATs are concerned, there are some taboos about getting that extra help when they decide to come into treatment and get clean,” she said. “A lot of people feel like they want to do it from the muscle. They see it as another form of using.”

She said others may not know how to use naloxone, what kinds of effects it has or how to get it.

“I think a lot of folks don’t even know that they can walk into a pharmacy and get naloxone — you don’t have to have a prescription for that,” Tucker said. “And I think that information is just not always presented to communities, especially poor communities that don’t have a lot of resources.”

Other sources of hesitation are more immediate. Aaron Rice, a therapist at Pathways to Recovery, said that many of their clients fear naloxone because of its physical effects.

“I think they associate it with precipitated withdrawal at times,” Rice said, referring to the rapid-onset withdrawal that can cause symptoms including anxiety, pain, seating, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

“The only thing they’re thinking about is feeling better. And that feeling is going to supersede logic at that moment. It always does.”

Overcoming disparities in health care and mistrust of the system

The Department of Health acknowledged that the study only paints a partial picture, as it doesn’t include individuals whose overdoses were reversed by naloxone, and added that during the years of the study (2019–2021), naloxone was available by prescription only — a fact that likely played into the race-based disparity.

“There are recognized inequities in access to health care among persons of color, the concept of which likely extends to access to naloxone,” the Department of Health statement reads. “Historically, many public health materials and messaging more narrowly focused on persons using opioids. With people now taking two or more drugs together (whether intentionally or unintentionally), public health materials and messaging need to be more inclusive of all persons using drugs, regardless of the type.”

The study, researcher Abenaa Jones, Marcia Tucker and Aaron Rice all agreed on at least one intervention that could increase Black people’s access to naloxone — relying on trusted community leaders and institutions, like churches, to help educate residents and distribute the overdose-reversing drug.

“I just can’t stress enough how it’s a lifesaver — it’s the difference between life and death,” Tucker said. “I think people who aren’t medical professionals and find themselves in a situation where it might need to be used would probably be a little fearful — fearful about how to use it or how the person is going to react or whether it’s really going to work — just know that you’re better off with it and trying it. You don’t want to have to second guess yourself later and say, ‘I wish we had it. I wish we had gotten it,’ or, ‘I wish we had used it.’”

Source: https://whyy.org/articles/black-pennsylvanians-overdoses-naloxone-less-likely-to-receive/

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Latest News,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,Social Affairs,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

From: thinkon908 via Drug Watch International
Subject: FROM DAVE EVANS WHAT TRUMP GOT WRONG PLEASE WRITE TO SENATOR VANCE ABOUT THIS

In a message dated 9/3/2024 6:52:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time:

President Trump and Senator Vance have recently come out in favor of marijuana legalization. This is a big mistake.

Here is what President Trump had to say

As everyone knows, I was, and will be again, the most respected LAW & ORDER President in U.S. History. We will take our streets back by being tough & smart on violent, & all other types, of Crime. In Florida, like so many other States that have already given their approval, personal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with Amendment 3. Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly. We need the State Legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities. At the same time, someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States. We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them, and no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl laced marijuana. We will make America SAFE again!

We will address these four statements made by President Trump.

1. As everyone knows, I was, and will be again, the most respected LAW & ORDER President in U.S. History.

If he supports legalization of marijuana he is not in favor of law and order. Marijuana use causes violence in general and violence against women and children. See the attached paper on marijuana and violence. Data also shows that marijuana use is the primary drug involved with child deaths by their caretakers. See the attached power point on child deaths.

2. We need the State Legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities.

He got it right that marijuana smoking should be banned in public places including apartment buildings. Attached is the Cannabis Industry Victims Education Litigators paper “Marijuana Smoke Carries High Risks to the Health of Users or to the Health of Other Individuals or of the Community” that was sent to the DEA on the rescheduling issue. It covers the science on topics such as:

Relevant Facts about Marijuana Smoke – 9
Marijuana smoke has dangerous levels of particulate matter – 10
California Environmental Protection Agency Declares Marijuana Smoke a Carcinogen – 11
Marijuana Smoke is More dangerous than Tobacco Smoke – 12
Second Hand Marijuana Smoke Is Dangerous to Individuals and the Community – 13
Cannabis Smoke and Pollen Are Known Allergens – 18
Marijuana Is Addictive and Marijuana Smoke and Odor Can Trigger Relapse – 22
Marijuana Smoke May Trigger Relapse in Those Suffering from Cannabis Use Disorder – 24

3. We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them.

President Trump got that wrong. I have been a criminal defense attorney since 1974. Attached is the AALM paper on social justice and marijuana arrests. It is a myth that there are many minorities in prison due to possession of small amount of marijuana. Most states treat this as a civil offense or a very minor offense and records can be expunged. An arrest can help get marijuana users evaluated and treated. See the attached paper on Compassionate Justice.

4. “no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl laced marijuana. We will make America SAFE again!

President Trump got that wrong

I was an EMT for 10 years and President of a rescue squad and also an EMT on a mountain fire company. Here is what first responders have to say about “fentanyl laced marijuana” in their Journal of Emergency Medical Services

Fentanyl-laced cannabis products are a malevolent myth that has appeared multiple times in law enforcement press releases and subsequent media reports. These rumors began as early as 2017 when a county coroner in Ohio erroneously stated that he had seen evidence of marijuana laced with fentanyl. It was later determined that his remarks were unsubstantiated and were based on third-hand hearsay. To-date, there are no scientifically verified reports fentanyl contamination of cannabis products. Writer and drug researcher Claire Zagorski notes that in addition to the paucity of evidence associated with the rumors, fentanyl is destroyed and rendered inert when it is burned. Meaning that even if it made its way onto cannabis flower, it would not have any effect on the individuals who inhaled it when smoking. Additionally, fentanyl is not well absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, which is why there are no oral preparations of the medication which minimizes the risk of its impact if it were to end up in edible products. Finally, it is worth noting that it is possible that fentanyl could be vaporized (heated to its boiling point as opposed to burning). However, it requires much higher temperatures than are found in vaping devices that are used to consume tobacco and cannabis products.

There are, of course, a few different ways to consume cannabis. The method most of us probably think of is smoking. In the case of cannabis flower, smoking involves loading the material into a pipe or roll paper, lighting it on fire, and inhaling the smoke. Burning fentanyl with flame destroys it, so even if someone smoked cannabis contaminated with fentanyl, the fentanyl would not be active in the smoke. In fact, burning drugs in an incinerator is a common way to dispose of them, both for prescription medications and for illegal drugs seized by law enforcement.

David G. Evans, Esq.
www.ncagainstmarijuana.org

Source: www.drugwatch.org

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Fentanyl,Latest News,Political Sector,USA :

10Sep2024

In this special episode of the Pathways 2 Podcast, recorded live at the National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference, we bring you two insightful conversations with leaders who are making a significant impact in the field of prevention.

First, we sit down with Ben Stevenson, who oversees prevention and harm reduction services for Montgomery County, Maryland, and also runs his own consulting firm, Bess Consulting LLC. Ben shares his innovative approach to integrating youth empowerment with harm reduction, his journey in building a successful Youth Ambassador Program, and the challenges of overcoming stigma and navigating county government to drive meaningful change.

Next, we hear from Steve Miller, a prevention champion, podcaster, and man in long-term recovery. Steve takes us through his personal and professional journey, highlighting the powerful role music has played in his recovery and prevention work. He discusses how music serves as a muse, guiding his work and helping others find their path in prevention.

Whether you’re a prevention professional, a community leader, or simply interested in stories of resilience and innovation, this episode is packed with practical insights, inspiration, and a deep dive into what it takes to make a lasting impact in our communities.

Key Takeaways:

The power of youth-led initiatives in prevention and harm reduction.
Strategies for overcoming stigma and building community buy-in.
How music can influence behavior and serve as a tool for prevention.

Transcript:

Welcome back to another episode of the Pathways to Prevention podcast, where we shine a light on the people stories and strategy’s making a difference in the field of prevention. I’m your host, Dave Closson and today I am excited to bring you to insightful conversations recorded live from the National Prevention Network Conference, where the theme was shining a light on prevention.

In this episode, you’ll hear from two exceptional leaders who are driving impactful change in their communities and beyond. First, we have Ben Stevenson from Maryland who oversees prevention and harm reduction services in Montgomery county. We’ll also running his own consulting firm. Ben shares his experiences, challenges and successes in empowering youth. And integrating prevention with harm reduction in innovative ways. Then. I had the opportunity to sit down with Steve Miller. A true prevention champion. Long-term recovery advocate and fellow podcaster. Steve takes us on a journey through his work in prevention. The powerful role that music has played in his life and in his recovery. And how it continues to inspire his mission to help others. These conversations are full of wisdom, practical insights, and inspiration for anyone involved in prevention work. So let’s dive in. And hear from these incredible prevention leaders.

The Vision, a world where all people live free of the burden of drug abuse. This is the Drug Free America Foundation’s Pathway to Prevention podcast, where we are committed to developing strategies that prevent drug use and promote sustained recovery. Thank you for not only tuning in, but your continued support and efforts to help make this world a better place.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

Alright, so, first off, coming to folks here from the National Prevention Network Conference, would love for you to just introduce yourself.

Okay. All right. So I’m Ben Stephenson from Maryland. So I work in, oversee, prevention of harm reduction services for Montgomery County, Maryland and then I also own a best consulting LLC. All right, rock. And so tell me a little bit about the work that you do, whether it be through your consulting company or the harm reduction work, what do you do?

Sure. So, on the prevention side, oversee, all of our prevention, education and awareness efforts. So that includes community awareness campaigns, efforts around drug take back. Also oversee a youth ambassador program. So, we have used, we pretty much empower young people to use their voice to educate about the dangerous substances, mental health, wellness, and in advocacy, we train them in advocacy.

And then on the harm reduction side, oversee our Narcan training and distribution efforts. A syringe services program as well as our efforts to distribute, fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, currently working on expanding harm reduction services into vending machines, and other avenues to try to, you know, meet people where they are and support people until they’re ready to pursue their treatment and recovery.

And then on the consulting side, I’m a SAPS trainer, so I was a part of the consultants that, update the SAPS curriculum. So, now it’s the SPF application for prevention success training versus the substance abuse prevention skills training. I also, also an ethics trainer, and then I also do, you know, conference presentations.

But this week, I decided I just want to be a participant. So, you know, participating in the NPN. Taking it all in. Yeah. All right. You got a lot of work. You’re doing. I can only imagine that through doing that work, getting it started, maintaining, sustaining, growing that work. You’ve encountered some, some challenges or barriers.

What are a couple that come to mind? Yeah, I think that the main challenges you can think of are related to maybe stigma, still stigma around substance use. So people not necessarily understanding, how prevention or how harm reduction works. How they can be married together in a sense to build a stronger system.

I think it’s been a lot of like education on my end and my team’s end to try to educate people on how this, how it could look, how it could work together versus, hey, you have this funding. They have that funding and then you don’t really, you know, communicate. Then of course, you know, me working in county government, sometimes you have some extra hoops and hurdles to work through.

To overcome. Which is of course, you know, a challenge within itself. But, you know, you just still, you get up every day. You fight the good fight and the, and the joy of prevention is that it’s always changing. It’s never the same. So you just adapt to the times and figure out how you can be innovative and help your community.

What are some of those successes that you’ve seen? I think for me as of late, so, we’re moving into our fourth year of having a youth ambassador program. in totality, I’ve been with the county for 10 years. It’s something I’d always wanted to do because I knew the power of the youth voice.

So giving them that space, I think has been very rewarding for me. You know, working with adults, you can kind of burn yourself out, but working with kids, they energize you, right? So I think this past couple of years, you know, the youth really were in tune with, You know, what we’ve been experiencing as a country around opioids and overdose deaths and wanted to do something.

So, you know, I worked with a group of young people who wanted to change policy within the within the school system so that you could carry Narcan within school. So you, you can carry Narcan in our school system without feeling as if they’re going to get punished. Right. Then also all of the schools have are equipped with Narcan all the way down to the elementary school.

Then this past year, youth wanted to actually train their peers on identifying the signs and symptoms of an overdose, how to respond, and how to administer Narcan. So, we trained 11 of our youth ambassadors to train other, their peers, and they trained about 300 youth last year and adults. So, I think, you know, that has been a, a major success because now the school system has seen it and they’re like, Hey, we want to make sure that you have youth ambassadors from every high school in the county where there’s 26 high schools and I’ve had representatives from maybe 11 of them.

So trying to get across the entire county and then build up the infrastructure to where you build a pipeline of those youth having that same message from the middle school level all the way to the high school. So once the high school situation gets solidified, we can filter it down to the middle school level.

I’ll call it a 10 year journey that you’ve been on and still are on to get the youth ambassador program to where it is today What might be some tips or some things you’ve learned that you can share with our listeners? Yeah, I think one challenge that I ran into initially was trying to establish smaller youth ambassador chapters at each school Which of course in those situations Me being in such a large jurisdiction Those situations is hard because you got to have a sponsor at the school to oversee that.

So that was a challenge within itself. So I realized, okay, maybe I need to just pull it back and just do something countywide. knowing that, okay, you got youth from all over the county. How do you want to make sure they have the ability to meet without having to drive somewhere? So, luckily zoom has been, you know, or, you know, I think Google meets all kinds of platforms we use initially.

Have been phenomenal because it helps to keep youth engaged. but then also giving them the power to control it to not just having the voice, but they it’s their baby and let them know that, hey, we’re only going to be successful based off of you. I’m just here to support you and to put some fiscal, you know, money or put something behind you to support the strategies and initiatives you want to do.

So, I think having that youth co-chair model, Having youth officers, them leading the meetings, them pretty much recruiting, doing all those different things has been, you know, phenomenal. I just, I just sit back and just kind of watching it manifest, you know? Yeah, yeah. Well, I heard what sounded like a pretty good piece of wisdom, but you kind of just rolled right off your tongue.

You had a vision, the local chapter’s vision, but then you realized that that wasn’t the right path forward and you, you adjusted course. All still within that grander big picture vision of the youth advisory that not afraid to pivot. Right. Of course. And I think I learned that, from, you know, experiences with like larger organizations like CADCA and then seeing other organizations within my state that were doing youth initiatives that were maybe that jurisdiction wasn’t at the size of mine, but saying, Hey, They can do it.

We can do it too. and then just getting, you know, upper leadership to believe that it could be done. And now that they’re seeing it, they’re like, wow, how can we be a part? What can we do to support? Like, what do you need and things like that? And so, I think that has, you know, being able to put prevention in a place of prominence is important.

because you know, we have the, what the Institute of Medicine’s continuum of care. But sometimes people still don’t understand prevention because it’s not providing those immediate results. Right. And so, if you can see, if you can show some, some of those mild substance moments, you know, from, you know, kids sharing their experiences in the program from them sharing what they learn, to, you know, county leadership, seeing them present and articulate themselves in a way that they’re just like, wow, these are some and even trying to get, you know, to the kids who might be on the fence of if I want to use or not, Hey, this seems pretty cool.

And I can get community service hours and, you know, writing recommendation letters for college. And we’ve gotten to a place of giving honor cords for graduating seniors that could wear graduation. So when other kids are seeing it, they’re like, Hey, I want to be a part of that. I think that kind of speaks to.

The importance of like, not only addressing risk factors in our community, but also addressing those protective factors. So that positive opportunity to belong is important because I, I mean, I can see it, you know, I can see the importance of it, right? Yes. So I’ve got, I’ll say I’ve got four questions left.

Okay. You touched on two things that I hear from folks in the prevention field all the time as far as barriers, challenges, or how the heck are we supposed to do that? Yeah. One getting upper leadership on board, but then also the, the buy in and the, the youth taking ownership. Yeah. What kind of insights or experience could you share there for our listeners?

Yeah. So, I learned a lot from, you know, just some time working with, with CADCA and a really good friend of mine oversaw like the youth leadership initiative and that mantra of youth, youth led, but adult guided. And I really believed in that because. I could see how like the, like the youth that were working with, with CACA in those spaces, they were, they were very bright, phenomenal, and they were leading educational sessions, things like that.

And I was like, I know I have kids in my, or youth in my, in my county that can do that same thing. I just have to find them. it’s, it’s initially it kind of happened organically, but then, you know you started reaching out, Hey, I’m doing this project on such and such. And it’s related to fentanyl or whatever.

And I’m like, well, why are you not in my program? Like, what have you been doing? And then they’ll sign on and they like, Hey, I don’t know why I haven’t been here, but I’m happy to be here now. Right. Yeah. So I think really just understanding that it’s not going to happen overnight. You got to just continue to just keep, keep fighting a good fight.

Eventually those things that you want to change and manifest in your community will happen. Like Rich Lucey from DEA says prevention is about the long game. Yes. 10 years running. Yeah. I’m curious if you have a, a good story that really shows the impact of your work with the youth and stigma, whatever it may be. Just a story that talks about the, the impact. Yeah. So I used to get requests to, do presentations at high schools, right? And you never really know, you never really know the impact of those presentations because you might be presenting to like a parent group or something like that.

Right. And so, we eventually got to a place of wanting to train all of our bus operators in the lock zone administration so that they can have Narcan on the bus and things like that. Just in case overdose happens on the bus. Well, not knowing that one of the administrators or one of the managers of supervisors over the transit system was in one of my presentations at the high school because their daughter was a student at the high school.

it was a full circle moment because he basically said to me, he was like, a lot of the things you share that night helped me and my wife because our daughter eventually dealt with substance use disorder. But we knew what to do to help support her and navigate her through that space.

So that really like it was a real like aha moment to me that, you know, what we’re doing is working. And yes, if someone does go down that path, you still want to make sure you give them those tools and maybe you can help bring them back in and keep them safe and keep them alive.

Right. So, I think that was just, I mean, there’s been a lot of moments, literally you thought it gave me goosebumps. I can feel that, one last question, one last, but I promise, I promise, you mentioned earlier, you said it so eloquently about putting prevention in a prominent place.

The theme of this conference is shining a light on prevention. So can you give us, you know, a description of what does that, what does that mean to you? Yeah. I, I really feel like there’s a lot of opportunities for prevention out here, whether it’s through not only, you know, pursuit of grant fund is, but I think that’s mobilizing to say, Hey, you know, block grant funds haven’t changed in the past 20 years.

What? Maybe we need to advocate, you know, to get that shift. But I think making sure that we’re at the tables. of those who are in control of funding, right? And so, I think for me, I’ve been fortunate enough to be at some of those tables where, you know, we are gaining access to some of the, like the opioid abatement funds to build up the infrastructure of prevention in the county and to build up harm reduction in the county and things like that, which, you know, you know, treatment services and crisis services and other service areas, they’ve always had money to do the things that they needed to do.

But prevention never really had that. So I think, you know, continuing to, you know, do the work, advocate, you know, show, you know, positive results and get to those tables is important to help us get to that prominent level that, hey, we’re part of the continuum or the spectrum of services as well. We need to be funded in a way so that we can prevent all those people from having to go to treatment to him and experience recovery.

Right. So I think Not only, you know, advocating for ourselves, but also building up those allies to help us advocate, to show the power of prevention because it’s definitely a place for us. and, you know, we’re all in the same business of trying to, you know, promote optimal wellbeing in our communities, right?

The themes that I heard were persistence, perseverance. together. Yeah. And, and I would say a twofold listening and learning. Yes, of course. Cause I mean, we might be the experts on the process, but of course we’ve got to connect with those and collaborate with those people in the community because they’re the experts on the, on the story of that community.

We can’t really, you know, talking to a lot of my colleagues, we, we talk about shifting from being implementers to coaches or mentors so that, you know, you can sustain some of the efforts and outcomes that are in the communities, you know, so, so that’s the hope and goal, right? Yeah. All right.

What would be one final takeaway call to action to leave our listeners with? Yeah. I’ll just say that, you know, my experience in this field is that It’s important to network because you can always learn from somebody else. Something innovative, something creative that somebody else has done in another part of the country that you could maybe implement in your, your area.

and then always just, just making sure you stay abreast and up on top of, you know, language and evidence based practices and all those different things. Because I’ve only been in the field for 18 years and it’s changed exponentially over the course of that time. So. Just saying, staying abreast of that and staying engaged, mentors, having a mentor, I have multiple.

And if you feel burnt out, make sure you take care of yourself. Mom’s always said, if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of somebody else. So All right. Folks. That was, was an enlightening conversation with Ben. Who’s truly leading the way. In integrating prevention and harm reduction in his community. And I just loved hearing about his work with youth and this commitment to breaking down barriers is, is inspiring and really does offer us some valuable lessons for, for everyone in the prevention field.

But now we’re shifting gears to another powerful voice in prevention. Steve Miller is not only a longterm recovery advocate, but also someone who’s found a unique way. To incorporate his passion for music into his prevention work. Steve’s insights on the role of music and shaping behavior. And his own journey through recovery are both thought provoking and motivating. So let’s dive into my conversation with Steve Miller.

All right, folks, bringing you another conversation from the NPN conference. Where the theme is shining a light on prevention, and I’m honored to be hanging out here with the one and only Steve Miller, who is a prevention champion, prevention podcaster, man in long term recovery and is sharing his voice, his story, his wisdom to help make positive change in this world.

So without further ado, Steve, great to be talking to you again. Hey, thanks, Dave. I’m glad to be here. Yeah. Oh, all right. So we’re jumping right in. We’re jumping right in. I don’t want to, to really tell your background and why you work in prevention now, but I’m hoping you might be able to, to give us, we’ll say a cliff notes version of highlights real of.

What led you to working in prevention? That’s always an interesting question, Dave. And one of the things that I’ve realized, and this has been in the last couple of years, that I would have said, oh, there’s just been so many random things that have happened in my life. And then when I sat down and kind of looked at them on a timeline, I realized it was actually a straight line.

And it wasn’t something that was so haphazard. It was actually what was intended all along for me to be doing. And, and part of that is, is the natural evolution. As you said, I am a person in, in long term recovery. And so I’ve been working in either the treatment field or some variation of prevention for three decades now.

And so that’s really been my life’s focus is my own recovery. And, and then what I’ve learned in that journey is how do I kind of. Find my work through who I, who I really am. And one of the common denominators through all of this, before I was in recovery, since I’ve been in recovery and now in the prevention field has been this.

I call it the muse leading me through song, if you will, and I had to learn the prevention field. I didn’t know it existed. I didn’t know there was a science. I just kind of fit the description of what they were looking for as a new staff member. And I thought, Oh, I could do that. And it didn’t take me long to figure out that.

My guiding force through prevention is believing that by finding, we find our work through ourselves and when we do that kind of strengthens our commitment to do this kind of work, but it also strengthens the workforce because just like you, you’ve kind of found a path that leads you in the work that you’re doing.

But you started in prevention and I found a path by starting in prevention, learning the science, learning how the strategic prevention framework operates, all that kind of stuff. Then I stood back and I thought, does music belong in? And lo and behold, that’s kind of the answer has been, Oh yeah, it does.

Because it’s been such a powerful force in my life. I thought it’s got to be added into what I’m doing in prevention, added into your story, because like you said, it, it’s been a muse behind that straight line to prevention. So let’s just talk about that. Let’s, let’s go right there and talk about. Music.

You say it’s been your muse. What do you mean by that? How has it been your muse? People ask me when I talk about it, they go, so what instrument do you play? And I’m like, I play the radio really well. And if I want to, I can put a record on the turntable, but I am not a musician. I have been someone who has been an avid consumer of music like a lot of people since I was an adolescent.

And I tell a whole story through a training that I do about how music shaped my life, but how it shapes our lives. And then I just overlay that in the, into the prevention field, because there’s a lot of research that shows how music influences our choices. And when we’re adolescents and we’re trying to figure out who we are and what we want out of life and where we’re going to go, we’re very susceptible to outside stimulus and peer pressure is really what that comes down to.

And music can be a part of that music. Plays a part in helping us form our identity because we have such this creative bond with music. Everybody can think for themselves, what was that song that was the soundtrack to your life as an adolescent? Did you dance to? Who’d you fall in love to? Who’d you hang out with your buddies?

You know, what was the, what was playing in the background? And we all kind of have that somewhere inside of us. My choices happen to be very detrimental and that was a part of my addiction. And then when I found myself in a recovery process, it was music again, that kind of just woke me up and made me realize there are messages in all of these songs that are beneficial to who I am at this particular point in my life.

So that we’re kind of a meditative process. But then when I got into prevention, I started thinking, how could, how could my experience And how could the research that supports my experience be beneficial to a message that would target an audience that’s either adolescents, or I talk about how music is a part of the workforce development in my life, music, really.

I start my day with it and I probably end with it, but I start most days with a song. And I mean, to prove that to you this morning, I woke up with a song in my head. And I sat down in the, before I even really get out of bed, I write kind of a journal entry about that song and what it means to me and how it kind of feels like it’s guiding me for the day, what that intention would happen to be.

And I’ve just followed it because it’s fun. I feel like I’m kind of the only one that does it. I’ve shared these ideas with other people, but been very insightful for me. And, and, I still provide training and technical assistance through prevention to lots of audiences, but there’s this little niche that I talk about where the music kind of fits right in there, I’d like to, to zoom in and.

Wanna really. Invite you to share a great example of, of how music played a part in your addiction. You said you kind of, it kind of kicked you off and had a prominent role there. Can you give us that, that kind of that, that clear example, like what happened? I mean, think, and I was trying to get, we were talking about this for the, for the audience to kind of.

I was how to Get this in their mindset as well. If you think about a song that you hear and when you hear it, you’re kind of transported to a time and place in your life. Now, I have a song that always takes me to exactly the same memory and it’s, it’s uncanny that I actually, it was, it’s, it’s a song by ACDC and it takes me to the lake outside of the town I grew up in.

And it’s not just the song and the, and, and the association of that time in my life. I actually, I’m telling you right now, it’s almost like I can feel the air around the lake on my skin. It, it’s like, It’s being transported to that memory and reliving it again. And that’s how powerful music is. So I ask people all the time, what is that song for you?

And why do you have such a strong association with it? Maybe it’s because you fell in love, you know, that kind of thing. Maybe it’s the first dance you ever had, because I have that story as well. But there was a time in my life when if you’d have said, Oh, Steve, you’ll smoke cigarettes, or you’ll drink alcohol, or you’ll use some kind of substance.

I would have thought you’re, you’re crazy. Cause I was like any other kid that I grew up with. I played sports, hung out with my friends. We rode our bikes everywhere. I grew up in the 1970s. Anybody that’s listening probably knows what that was like. And one day, I mean, I know that it was a Saturday. I know that it was eight minutes after nine o’clock in the morning and an older brother To one of my friends came into the room and put on a song and in that moment, everything about what I thought life was changed.

And the song to me was rock and roll. And I thought it was about something that I wanted to pursue. And it was really about. In that moment, to me, it was about using drugs and alcohol. Now, I had some experience with it before then, but after that moment, everything changed. I mean, it was like a slipper slide.

It went downhill quick. And then years later, when I got curious about this topic we’re talking about, I got to looking at that specific song. And I realized that song is not a pro drug use anthem that I thought it was. It’s actually a very thought provoking message to one of the singer’s bandmates because he was concerned about his own health and his own life because of his substance use.

And I, so I point out to the audience that as adolescents, we kind of make a lot of things up based upon what we want to hear, because we’re looking for that, that identity, who are we, where are we going? How do I feel those kinds of things? And a song can slip right in there. And I’m not unique in that fashion.

I have talked to several people in the last 10 plus years that have told me stories about how they heard a song and made a decision in the moment. And sometimes I’ve stood back and said, you did what, and then they explain it to me and it makes perfect sense because of the time of their life, what they were experiencing, those kinds of things.

And so that song really impacted my life. In a very detrimental way, some people, it impacts their lives in a very positive. And I’ve talked to some that it, a song shaped their life in a way. It is very financially rewarding. So I think it’s across the board. The question is, is do we ever, do we ever really listen to what that song is actually saying to us or how we feel about it or what it means to us?

And I think that’s the key is really being in the moment and aware enough to know that this song may say one thing, but I may take it another way. And then when we’re adolescents, it might behoove us to ask someone, an adult or someone we trust. This is what I hear this song saying, as opposed to this is what I think this song is saying.

So getting some of that feedback and checking that out before I make some sort of a critical life decision. And that’s basically, we talk in prevention about media literacy. So that could be printed or television ads or radio or social media, whatever that looks like. I just put it under the heading of it’s really about music literacy and understanding the impact it has in our lives.

You just made me kind of understand about myself. There’s a lot of songs that I love and they make me feel a way when I hear them and they take me back to those moments like you talked about, but I can’t say I know all the lyrics. I may only know just the chorus or one line, but I love these songs because of the memories I have, the feelings I have associated to them, like the, for my, my wedding.

I asked for a, I call it a secret first dance. I wanted to dance a specific song before we went into the actual like dinner afterwards. And so it was just my wife and I, and the photographer and that’s it. And I don’t know the lyrics to that song. I know the title of it and the artist, but that’s it.

But I love it whenever I hear it. Come on. It takes me right back to that moment. We’re having our moment. Yeah. Yeah. But I don’t know the lyrics. And what’s interesting is I watched it was. A reel on one of the social media channels just in the last couple of days. And it was something that said as a Gen Xer actually listens to the song and, and you can see ’em kind of keying into what the message is and being like, oh, I didn’t realize that’s what that song was saying.

Right? Mm-Hmm. . Mm-Hmm. . And, and that, that fits the bill. Some of us know that hook and some of us know just the, the feeling that we get. That’s associated with the song, but there’s a lot of research out there that says, even if we’re not consciously aware of the lyrics, some part of our brain is picking up on the messaging of that.

Now, whether that’s detrimental or whether that’s inspiring or whatever that looks like is different for the individual. No two songs are the same. But like I said, I hear a song and, and the song I heard this morning is one that I really only know the hook to, like you just said, so I Googled the whole lyrics and then I sat down and wrote a little passage about it, but I have had experiences where I woke up and I had that same thought, you know, some, some, some statements going through my head and I’m like, I don’t even know if that’s a song and then I’ll say, I’ll Google lyric and then whatever it is I’m thinking, and if it comes up as a song and I yeah.

I’m amazed. There’s been times when I’ve done that and I swear to you, I have no recollection of ever hearing that song in my life. Now, where did I pick it up? Why did it come to me in my sleep? I don’t know. But I am fascinated by the fact that when I’ve been led to understanding that there’s some something stuck in my subconscious, if you will, and it ekes out when I wake up in the morning and it’s a song that I picked up somewhere along the way, I just don’t know where or when or why, but that’s why the why is like, well, why is this showing up?

And then I try to kind of analyze it, kind of meditate on it, gives me a way to set my intention for the day. And sometimes I might share that with other people if I find it a profound insight in some way or another, I’m going to draw a connection that might not be there or not, but I’m reaching for it.

And I know and trust that you’ll be like, ah, Dave, there’s no connection there. But I talk a lot about the power of storytelling and prevention, treatment, and recovery, both for the, the listeners, but then also for the actual storyteller themselves, but songs. They have the story element, they have the story factor too.

So wouldn’t that be sort of one in the same? I think so. I’ve, I’ve heard people talk about that songwriting really is a gift because I’ve seen interviews with artists or authors that have written books and they’re like, they can tell a story in three and a half, four minutes that takes me a chapter or two to tell, but they can synthesize it down in a way.

And that’s the part like that led up to anything really being, you know, like understanding how music impacts me emotionally as an adolescent, because my parents played music when I was growing up, but the songs that stick with me to this day are the ones that tell a very vivid story. And so I’m kind of a storyteller of sorts myself, but I like a song that tells a really powerful story.

So as an example, The first song that I really can remember, I wanted that song so bad. And it was a, it’s a singer named Jim Croce. And the song is bad, bad Leroy Brown. And I was a nine year old boy. And I mean, bad, bad Leroy Brown was the baddest man in the whole damn town. Badder than old King Kong and meaner than a junkyard dog.

And to a nine year old boy, it’s like. I want to be, you know, like to me, it was like the he’s respected and, you know, he’s a tough guy and, you know, kind of things that as a nine year old boy, you’re playing G. I. Joe and playing army with your buddies. You know, you’re kind of wanting to be that masculine kind of identity.

And that was what bad, badly Roy Brown was. But it’s a very vivid story song. And a lot of Jim’s work is story songs. And so I’ve always sought those out. I like all kinds of music. I don’t pick a genre, but the ones that seem to rise to the top are the ones that tell me a story about something that I don’t understand.

And I’m, as I’m explaining this, I watched a documentary about a group and, and they had on there as a guest, he was a professor of music of some sort from a university. And he said, I had a student that did a, master’s thesis on this particular subject. And he spent all semester long or all year long, however long that takes and wrote this thesis.

And he said, this singer captured the same essence in three and a half minutes. That’s the power of a song. And if you can deliver that and people can really kind of onboard that, it can be powerful in a lot of ways, or it can be, like I said, it can be, it can be harmful in ways. So it just depends on the listener and how you.

How you perceive it, how you receive it and, and how you may or may not act on it. I want to ask about a powerful song that if I remember correctly, as part of your journey as to where you are today. So if I, if I throw out the Beatles song help, where does that take you to in your life? Well, that’s the turning point.

I’ve actually written a short story for a friend of ours that’s doing a collection of legacy stories. And I kind of tell the story through two things, the, the song that was kind of the gateway into substance misuse. And then it was the song by the Beatles help that was kind of the book into it. And it was the one that really kind of illustrated to me that songs spoke to people in very unique ways.

And it was a Catholic priest that was talking about the fact that, the lyrics of a popular song could be the catalyst to get someone’s attention about their addiction. And I remember thinking in that moment, wow, I wonder if that would happen for me. Now, when I look back, the surprise is it was happening to me, right?

But that’s the desperation of, of that point when you’re asking for help in recovery and the Beatles song help is, was the song he illustrated. And if you look at those lyrics. Makes perfect sense. When I was much younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody’s helping. Well, here I am in a institution asking for help and realizing that someone has captured that essence of what I’m going through and put it in a song and it kind of planted that seed like, well, what other songs are in my life that might be signposts and.

Those kinds of things. And, and I was a huge consumer still lamb, but I had more time on my hands when I was younger. I was a huge consumer of music and I worked in television at the time and the general manager’s assistant just one day casually said to me, Steve, how long has it been since you listened to any music?

And I said, it’s kind of a strange question. And she said, your personality is different when you don’t listen to music for a period of time. And that’s another point in my life when I was like. What, what is this all about, you know, and I started at that point, not just listening to like a popular song that I liked, I started like listening to entire albums, like what’s being portrayed here and I read an article and, and the author had said that if you really want to understand The author that writes popular novels or something like that, read everything that they’ve ever written, and you’ll have some understanding of who they are as a person.

And so I started that through the lens of music and started thinking about some of the artists that I was enamored with and started listening to their entire albums and their entire catalogs, just to kind of seek out, like, What has been the path for this person and, and lo and behold, after doing that for years on end, it found its way into the prevention work.

To me, it’s really about following the muse, if you will, or following your own life’s path. And in prevention, that’s kind of where I started in, in prevention. If you stick around here and you find some attraction to it. I think you have to put yourself into the work at some. It has to start becoming a reflection of who you are.

You have to be vulnerable enough to really say, this is this is kind of who I am. And this thing that I do kind of all merged together because for me, prevention and my recovery, but. Prevention is really about people. Somebody I know says prevention is better together, and together we are stronger. And that says everything about prevention.

Because it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. You can’t go in and change a community’s rate of underage alcohol consumption just by telling the chief of police or having an article in the newspaper. You have to get people together in a concerted effort. Effort to make a difference. And that’s why I do the work that I do.

And that’s why I’m passionate about bringing the music into it, because I think we all, whether we’re as active in their consumption of music as I am, I think we all have been touched by music or love music in some form or fashion. And if I can just help people to see that maybe those songs are speaking to them about something, then, then that’s, that’s kind of how it’s played out in my life.

I say that I practice a two way communication with music. I listened to the song and then I asked the song, what is it that you want me to hear from this? And then I try to write about it. So I know we could talk for hours. But we’ve got a conference to get back to, so I want to just throw one more thing your way before we wrap up this chat as a to be continued.

But I’m curious, what’s final takeaway if you’re going to leave with one thing, what’s it going to be or call to action for our listeners from around the globe? Well, I love the call to action and it is think about that song. What is that song that stops you in your tracks and takes you to that moment?

And why is it so? Unbelievably powerful in your life. And, and like I’ve already said, think about what it might be saying to you, because it’s unique. I heard Dave Grohl, he’s the lead singer for the band Foo Fighters, and others might know him as the drummer from Nirvana, but he said, the amazing thing is, is he said, I can stand on stage and I know that I am singing this song to 80, 000 people.

But the beauty of music is. 80, 000 people are singing back their own interpretation of that song. To me, that really personalizes all of this in that I think music is a very powerful presence in our lives and it must serve some greater purpose because a question I’ll often ask is. Music doesn’t have to exist, but it does.

Think for a moment that music no longer is a part of your life. And I’ve never met anybody say, well, I won’t miss it. Most people are like, wow, that means there’s, there’s no soundtrack at the movie, the commercials are just talking heads. You don’t even know that birds chirp because that’s music. If all of that was gone from our lives, what a different world it would be.

So I turn it around and say, this must mean that there’s something here. And I would always challenge people just to ask themselves, what is the value that music plays? And with that listeners do some thinking, do some listening and have a conversation with some songs. Steve, thanks for taking time to chat.

Always, always, always a pleasure. Thanks, Dave. Always glad to be here.

That concludes this episode. Thanks for tuning in. Be sure to hit the subscribe button and share this episode with a friend before you leave. And we look forward to seeing you on social media because prevention is better together. Together, we are stronger.

Source: Drug Free America Foundation

Filed under: Brain and Behaviour,Latest News,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

By BRUCE SCHREINER

September 10, 2024

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman unveiled plans Tuesday to create a statewide drug prevention program, saying the youth-focused initiative would fill a hole in the Bluegrass State’s fight against an addiction epidemic that has claimed thousands of lives.

Coleman presented the plan’s details to a state commission, which unanimously approved his request for a $3.6 million investment over two years to implement it.

“With over one million Kentuckians under the age of 18, we are going to put every single dollar to good use,” Coleman said. “Our parents and grandparents schooled us that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I fully believe this initiative lives up to that age-old sentiment.”

Substance abuse is a deadly scourge in Kentucky though there are signs of progress in fighting back.

A total of 1,984 Kentuckians died last year from a drug overdose, down 9.8% from the previous year, Gov. Andy Beshear announced in June, citing an annual report. Fentanyl — a powerful synthetic opioid — remained the biggest culprit, accounting for 79% of overdose deaths in 2023, according to the report.

While conceding the fight against drug abuse is far from over, officials credited recent gains on expanded efforts to treat addiction, plus illegal drug seizures by law enforcement.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/drug-abuse-kentucky-a23d7452851a18aa2420c93ff99cdf34

Filed under: Fentanyl,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

Published July 11, 2024

By Andrew Hutchinson

X is taking another step in combating the promotion of illegal substances in the app, by signing up to the Prevent Alliance, which aims to establish more definitive rules and approaches to combat synthetic drug promotion within social apps.

Synthetic drugs aim to replicate the effects of more commonly known illicit substances, like cocaine, marijuana and LSD. Arguably, the most notorious synthetic drug is fentanyl, though there are many other dangerous variations of synthetic substances that have now established a market among drug users around the world.

And they can cause serious harm. Research shows that the repeated use of synthetics can cause “long term or irreversible damage to dopaminergic, adrenergic and serotonergic pathways in the brain”.

The more potent mixes can also lead to more serious side effects and harms. As per the CDC, synthetic opioids are now the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States.

As such, it’s important for X, and indeed all social platforms to crack down on the promotion of synthetics, and this new initiative will ideally help to establish more detection and prevention processes among social apps.

Though, at the same time, X owner Elon Musk himself takes ketamine, a synthetic substance, and his high profile endorsement of this, and other synthetics, could run counter to the aims of this project.

Probably best to view the two in isolation (and Musk, it’s worth noting, uses ketamine in a prescribed capacity), though with Elon’s celebrity, and his desire for attention, that’s increasingly difficult.

Source: www.socialmediatoday.com

Filed under: Ketamine,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

Attorney General Russell Coleman proposed a statewide, youth-focused addiction prevention initiative before the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission Tuesday.

The Commission unanimously approved the two-year, $3.6 million proposal, which is centered around a research-backed youth education campaign.

This campaign, called “Better Without It,” will feature data-driven outreach to engage with young Kentuckians where they are, including on social media, streaming platforms, college campuses and through partnerships with influencers. The campaign will showcase positive, Kentucky-focused messages designed specifically to encourage young people to fulfill their potential.

The Commission and Attorney General’s Office will partner with prevention experts and creative marketing professionals to build the educational campaign that is compelling to young Kentuckians.

“Our kids are growing up with no margin of error. As little as one pill can – and is – killing our neighbors. Today, the Opioid Commission joined with our Office to build a prevention program that will give young people the encouragement that they are better without it,” said Attorney General Coleman “We will reach Kentucky’s young people where they are with a message that resonates. I’m grateful to the Commission for their strong support for this program that can truly save lives.”

In addition to the education campaign, the prevention program will also promote existing school-based programs and amplify the work of the Commission to support youth-focused prevention efforts.

To date, the Commission has distributed more than $55 million to combat the drug crisis, directly helping Kentuckians overcome addiction and promote long-term recovery.

Source: https://nkytribune.com/2024/09/attorney-general-coleman-announces-statewide-youth-drug-prevention-campaign/

Filed under: Addiction,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

RED RIBBON WEEK is Celebrated Annually October 23-31.

Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. It presents an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the drug-free messages they share with their children throughout the year. During Red Ribbon Week, youth and adults around the nation pledge to increase their knowledge by learning more about the destructive effects of drug abuse, including prescription drug misuse, and renew their commitment to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Source: https://www.dea.gov/redribbon?

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects on foetus, babies, children and youth,Education,Parents,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

The Pennsylvania State University Oct 12 2024

Students who feel a sense of belonging at their university are more likely to binge drink than those who do not feel the same connection, according to a new study by researchers at Penn State, the University of California, Santa Cruz and University of Oregon.

In the study, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, scientists -; including researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development -; found that college students with “good” mental health who felt connected to their university were more likely to binge drink than those who did not feel as connected to their university.

Stephane Lanza, professor of biobehavioral health and Edna P. Bennett Faculty Fellow in Prevention Research, studied the topic with Danny Rahal and Kristin Perry when both were postdoctoral trainees in the Penn State Prevention and Methodology Training Program. The researchers examined the ways that both positive and negative aspects of mental health can contribute to the risk of binge drinking, cannabis use and nicotine use.

“In 2021, students at many universities were returning to campus after the COVID-19 shutdown -; and some students were attending in-person college classes for the first time,” said Rahal, lead author of this research and assistant professor of psychology at University of California Santa Cruz.

Data from that time indicated that many students felt disconnected from their school. Universities wanted to foster a sense of connectedness among their students for many good reasons, but we wanted to know if there was something positive -; specifically a sense of belonging -; that is related to substance use. Our study showed that feeling connected to one’s university is associated with higher rates of substance use.”

Danny Rahal, The Pennsylvania State University

The researchers examined data from 4,018 university students collected during the 2022-23 school year. Participants answered questions about substance use, their sense of belonging at their school and their mental health -; specifically about anxiety, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, flourishing in life and confidence in their academic success.

A statistical modeling technique called latent profile analysis allowed the researchers to simultaneously account for all these measures by combining them to identify five profiles of student mental health. In this study, a student was considered to have good mental health if they had lower levels of stress, depressive symptoms and anxiety, as well as higher flourishing and academic confidence than their peers.

The researchers found that students with average or good mental health were more likely to have engaged in binge drinking in the past month if they felt connected to their university than if they did not feel that connection.

The researchers said this does not mean that connectedness is bad for students to experience; rather, the results are nuanced.

“We want to cultivate connectedness among students,” said Perry, assistant professor of family and human services at University of Oregon. “Connectedness gets them involved. It can be a really powerful protective factor against negative mental health outcomes and can help keep students in school. But connectedness at school can go hand in hand with binge drinking if there is a culture of drinking at the school.”

Though the researchers said they expected these results about drinking, they were surprised to learn that students with poor mental health who felt connected to their university were more likely to use non-vaped tobacco products than students with poor mental health who did not feel connected to their university. The results around cannabis were less conclusive, but the researchers said the trend was clear.

“Generally, students who felt connected to their university were more likely to use substances than disconnected students with the same level of mental health,” Rahal said.

While a sense of belonging was related to substance use, it could also be part of the solution, according to the researchers.

“Cultivating belonging for all students is an important way that universities can embrace diversity and help all students thrive,” Lanza said.

Though drinking is common on university campuses, many students believe that it is far more common than it is, the researchers explained. In this dataset, slightly fewer than one-third of students reported binge drinking in the last month. Despite the fact that two-thirds of students had not engaged in binge drinking, the researchers also found that students believed a typical student consumed three to five drinks multiple times each week. The researchers said this disconnect between perception and reality points to an opportunity to change the culture -; by creating ample opportunities for all students to socially engage and participate in alcohol-free environments -; so that alcohol feels less central to student life.

Minoritized college students, in particular, often face messages that make them feel unwelcome based on their race, gender, socioeconomic status or other factors, according to the researchers.

“We cannot expect students to stay enrolled unless they are engaged with the campus community,” Lanza continued. “If universities lose students from a specific group, the campus becomes less diverse, and the entire university community becomes less rich. Additionally, when members of those groups leave school, they miss educational opportunities and the earning potential that comes with a college degree. By providing all students with diverse opportunities to build a real sense of belonging at their universities, we can improve campus life while putting people on the path to a healthier life.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse and Penn State funded this research.

Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241012/New-research-explores-how-campus-belonging-impacts-binge-drinking-and-substance-use.aspxThe Pennsylvania State University

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Education,Health,Mental Health,USA,Youth :

Posted Saturday, October 12, 2024

By MARIE GARCEAU

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying prevention programs begin locally, with communities and the individuals within them creating safe and supportive schools, organizations, neighborhoods and family units.

While this campaign is not as recognized as much as the months dedicated to overdose awareness and suicide prevention, it is equally as crucial. Bullying is linked to drug addiction and suicide. Bullying prevention campaigns help save people from substance abuse and increase awareness in local communities.

According to the PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in five students report being bullied, but the actual number of bullying incidents can be far more significant. Roughly 41 percent of students who reported being bullied at school indicated that they think the bullying would happen again.

Anyone can be the victim of bullying. A poll conducted by the American Osteopathic Association found that 31 percent of Americans have been bullied as an adult.

The most common reasons for being bullied reported most often by students included physical appearance, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion and sexual orientation. The effects of bullying are serious because bullying increases the risk of depression, anxiety, substance use and even suicidal ideation.

According to the NYS Health Department, suicide is the second leading cause of injury-related deaths among New York State residents. National drug abuse statistics coming from the NCDAS show that 8.3 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds reported using drugs in the last month in New York State, and 18- to 25-year-olds are 8 percent more likely to use drugs than the average American. While there are countless reasons why someone would use drugs or alcohol or struggle with suicidal ideation, bullying is often an underlying factor.

National Bullying Prevention Month strives to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion. However, anyone can prevent bullying and be part of the solution.

Start by knowing the signs of bullying. This makes it easier to intervene quickly. Generally, you could see shifts in behavior, such as a student becoming more withdrawn. The person could lose self-esteem, become ill, or change eating or sleeping habits. Students begin to lose interest in school and their grades are impacted.

Self-destructive behavior is also typical, such as using drugs or alcohol, or committing self-harm. Parents might see unexplained injuries, or lost or destroyed property as a result of physical bullying. You might also notice the person has become anxious, stressed and even depressed.

Knowing the warning signs is the first step, and the second is intervening. Kids or adults who are being bullied are not quick to talk about it. It’s a good idea to listen to them, assure them you want to help, and let them know it is not their fault this is happening.

Understand that it is painful for anyone to speak up about this, but begin discussing what can be done. Encourage them to speak to someone, such as a teacher, co-worker, friend, counselor or someone in a position of authority who could step in and end the bullying.

Moreover, work to remedy the situation, get people involved and follow up, as bullying does not stop immediately. The bully should also be informed that their behavior is wrong, harmful and, in some instances, illegal; make it known that it will not be tolerated.

Look at some local anti-bullying resources, such as the Advocates for Children of New York, New York State’s Dignity for All Schools Act, and the NYS Center for School Safety.

Early intervention is vital and even more critical if the individual being bullied is using drugs or alcohol to cope. In addition to this, anti-bullying programs are excellent resources for schools, communities and the workplace, and should be implemented. These programs save lives and encourage more people to become aware and help others.

Marie Garceau has been working in the field of substance use and addiction recovery for over a decade. She works at DRS and primarily focuses on reaching out to the community and spreading awareness.

Source: https://riverreporter.com/stories/preventing-bullying-can-prevent-substance-abuse,167846

Filed under: Education,Mental Health,Parents,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

By Brittany Vargas / September 30, 2024

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published its first clinical practical guidelines on opioid prescriptions for children with acute pain, outlining 12 evidence-based recommendations for safely and appropriately treating pain in young patients.

The guidelines have been published alongside a technical report in Pediatrics and presented at the group’s 2024 annual meeting.

While not the only set of guidelines of its kind, ”is the first set that is really for anyone who takes care of children, not just surgeons, anesthesiologists, and pain specialists,” said Rita Agarwal, MD, a pediatric anesthesiologist at Stanford University in Stanford, California, who helped write the recommendations.

The opioid guidelines were created to give clinicians a clearer, more objective framework for safe treatment of acute pain in the outpatient setting while mitigating the risk of addiction, overdose, or other harmful effects.

”Most of what we’ve been doing thus far as practitioners has been anecdotal, from experience, or from word of mouth,” said Adaora Gabriellene Madubuko, MBBS, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark.

The AAP advises clinicians to start with the lowest possible dose based on age and weight, to use an immediate-release formula, and provide no more than a 5-day supply, unless trauma or surgery calls for longer-term pain management.

Clinicians should not use opioids as their only strategy for reducing pain in this population. Combining the drugs with other medications can enable prescription of lower doses of opioids and could decrease the side effects of other medications, according to the report. These might include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other strategies can include ice or heat, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, age-appropriate relaxation or distraction strategies, and music therapy.

The report also recommends prescribing naloxone alongside each prescription and training caregivers to identify a potential overdose in their child. Clinicians should also provide tips to caregivers about safe storage and disposal of opioids.

The AAP also suggests restricting the use of codeine or tramadol among children under age 12; teens aged 12-18 with obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, or severe lung disease; and patients under age 18 with postsurgical pain after tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.

Other recommendations include:

Use caution in prescribing opioids for children or teens who already are taking sedating medications, such as benzodiazepines.
When treating acute, worsening pain in patients with preexisting chronic pain, clinicians should prescribe opioids when indicated and partner with any other opioid-prescribing clinicians involved in the patient’s care and with specialists in chronic pain and other opioid stewardship programs.
Do not prescribe codeine or tramadol to patients who are breastfeeding.

Each recommendation included a strength of evidence when available. When randomized controlled trials, diagnostic studies, or observational studies were not available, the AAP based recommendations on case reports or expert opinion.

”A lot of the guidelines are really common sense,” but methodically researched and well-defined recommendations were needed to reduce risks and guide clinicians who may be wary of prescribing the drugs in the wake of the opioid crisis, Agarwal said.

When awareness of the opioid epidemic first started, ”there was very little attention being paid to children,” Agarwal said. ”The thought was, ‘This doesn’t happen to our kids, this isn’t in my backyard.”’

Over time, evidence emerged that children and teens could misuse, abuse, and become addicted to opioids just like adults, said Agarwal. In response, rates of opiate prescriptions for kids dropped off.

”We’ve heard of the horror stories of high school kids sharing and distributing opioids to their friends,” Madubuko said. She has prescribed the drugs ”with great caution. I could count on my hands how many patients I’ve prescribed opioids to over the last couple of years.”

But a decline in opioid prescribing has led to some children lacking adequate pain management and lowering their quality of life, according to the AAP practice guidelines. Underprescribing can particularly impact non-White patients and those in certain ethnic or socioeconomic groups, studies show.

The guidelines bring much-needed objectivity to the prescription process, potentially reducing some of these disparities, Agarwal said.

”By creating a standard that says, these are the things you should look for, these are the things you should treat, we leave less room for saying ‘I think this person is faking,’ or ‘I don’t think they’re having as much pain as they say they are.”’ Agarwal said. ”The guidelines emphasize the fact that if a patient says they’re having a lot of pain, you should believe them first.”

Madubuko is on AAP’s Patient and Family-Centered Care and Neonatal Care Task Forces but was not involved in the creation of the guidelines.

Brittany Vargas is a medicine, mental health, and wellness journalist.

Source: Medscape Medical News

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects on foetus, babies, children and youth,USA :

October 18, 2024

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration recognizes the Red Ribbon Campaign – the nation’s largest drug prevention effort – throughout the month of October by providing drug prevention, awareness, and education that encourages living healthy and drug-free.

DEA’s Red Ribbon Week is recognized October 23 through October 31 every year and honors the life of Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was tortured and brutally murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.

“DEA honors Red Ribbon throughout the month of October to spread awareness and promote the importance of drug use prevention. We want to save lives by raising awareness about deadly drugs,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The sacrifice DEA Special Agent ‘Kiki’ Camerena made motivates us to continue our important work to save American lives through our enforcement and outreach efforts. We know the work we do today will shape the future of our tomorrows.”

DEA’s Virtual National Red Ribbon Rally premiered on Tuesday, October 8, and is available for viewing throughout the month of October on www.DEA.gov/redribbon and www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com.

The National Red Ribbon Rally includes an opening video by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram; a musical performance by students from Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the presentation of colors by the Greater Cleveland Color Guard in Cleveland, Ohio; the premiere of the “No Second Chance” fentanyl PSA from students in Tempe, Arizona; and the Red Ribbon Pledge led by students from the Richmond, California, Police Athletic and Activities League. The winners of DEA’s 2024 Community Drug Prevention Awards and Visual Arts Contest will be announced, and viewers will learn many ways community groups and families can get involved in this year’s Red Ribbon Campaign.

As part of the Red Ribbon Week campaign, DEA and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are sponsoring the 9th Annual Red Ribbon Campus Video PSA Contest. Last year’s winners and information on how campuses can submit a PSA can be found at www.campusdrugprevention.gov/psacontest. DEA is also a co-sponsor of the National Family Partnership’s annual Red Ribbon Week Photo Contest. More information is available at www.redribbon.org.

Red Ribbon Week began in 1985 in Kiki’s hometown of Calexico, California, and quickly gained momentum across the state and then across the rest of the country. The National Family Partnership turned Red Ribbon Week into a national drug awareness campaign, an eight-day event proclaimed by the U.S. Congress and chaired by then President and Mrs. Reagan. Every year since, Red Ribbon Week has been celebrated in schools and throughout communities.

President Biden has designated October as National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month and the Red Ribbon Resolution for 2024 has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to support the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week.

Source: https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/10/18/dea-supports-2024-red-ribbon-campaign-promote-healthy-drug-free

Filed under: Education,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

Even as officials hope tech can stem the tide of solitary drug fatalities, they know deploying these warning strategies could face obstacles.

By David Ovalle and Elana Gordon

October 19, 2024

They die alone in bedrooms, bathroom stalls and cars. Each year in the United States, tens of thousands of fatal overdoses unfold as tragedies of solitude — with no one close enough to call 911 or deliver a lifesaving antidote.

Technology new and old might save some of those lives.

Motion detectors blare alarms when someone collapses inside a bathroom at a shelter or clinic. Biosensors detect slowed breathing triggered by an overdose and one day may be capable of automatically injecting overdose reversal medication. Simpler approaches — chat apps and hotlines — keep users connected to help if drugs prove too potent.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/10/19/fatal-drug-overdoses-alarms-sensors/

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Prevalence,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Counties will approach enforcement differently, providing yet another large-scale experiment in drug policy.

by Troy Brynelson|Oregon Public Broadcasting

October 17, 2024

Days after Oregon officially recriminalized drug possession, Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Gomez found himself helping with an arrest.

Officers in the town of Sutherlin stopped a car near a park, he recalled. They spotted fentanyl and methamphetamine inside. He and the officers arrested the man for misdemeanor drug possession.

Recriminalization went into effect Sept. 1. Before that date, drugs would have resulted in far less punishment. Officers would have ticketed the man.

“Now, there’s consequences to the actions,” Gomez said. “He has to face the judge and explain his actions.”

It may have been a different story for the man had he been stopped in a county deploying a new state program called “deflection.” It aims to get people criminally charged for possessing small amounts of drugs into treatment, in lieu of going to court.

Lawmakers over the summer offered counties state dollars in exchange for creating their own deflection programs. More than 20 counties applied, submitting plans that involved activities like establishing shelters and pairing police with substance use experts.

For example, a person in Multnomah County who has drugs, but no outstanding warrants, may be deflected away from the justice system. They go to treatment instead. A successful trip could result in the person never facing a criminal charge.

Other counties, like Douglas, didn’t apply at all.

What’s left is a patchwork of drug enforcement policies across the state. The contrasting approaches may look starkest at the border of Douglas and Lane counties. Both counties straddle Interstate 5 and are planning widely different approaches.

Lane County officials tell OPB they are planning a robust deflection program. Douglas County, on the other hand, plans to try policing illicit substances like the old days.

‘By golly, he‘s going to prosecute them’

In opting out of the state’s deflection program, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin is conscious that the county may look severe. He believes jail and the justice system can turn lives around.

To him, Measure 110, the voter-approved decriminalization of drugs in 2020, failed in its aim to improve drug users’ lives. He and his deputies had few means to get people into treatment without criminal charges looming over their heads.

“Don’t get me wrong; I believe treatment is an extremely important component to this drug problem that we’re dealing with,” Hanlin said. “Treatment works, but only if there are consequences that go along with that.”

While every deflection program will be different, criminal charges can still be leveled against a person if they don’t comply.

Hanlin noted that landing in jail for a drunken incident when he was a teenager proved a wakeup call. He also brought up his 31-year-old son’s ongoing addiction, which has led to a lengthy rap sheet of misdemeanors and felonies in Douglas County.

“If he got arrested and spent a day in jail and got out the next, that wasn’t even long enough for him to realize that he’d done anything wrong,” Hanlin said. Jail is “a necessity if you want to wake them up and get them to think, ‘You know what? I think this problem is getting out of hand.’”

Deputies made nine arrests in September under the new recriminalization statutes, according to a sheriff’s department spokesperson.

Overdose deaths have been rising. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths rose from 23 in 2020 to 43 in 2023. That’s less than 4 for every 10,000 people.

The sheriff, first elected in 2008, said it was a joint decision not to participate between himself, District Attorney Rick Wesenberg and the county’s Board of Commissioners. Wesenberg and the county commissioners did not respond to multiple requests for interviews.

Hanlin said he wanted to take a wait-and-see approach with deflection: Let other counties go first with their experiments. He added that the county worried about using one-time state grant dollars without assurances of ongoing funding.

He doubted empowering his deputies to enforce stricter penalties would lead to unintended consequences, such as crowding the jail.

“Most of these cases are going to be cite and release cases,” he said. “But the DA assures me that, by golly, he’s going to prosecute them.”

A drug user’s fate is then up to the courts, Hanlin said. Douglas County does offer diversion programs and a drug court that aim to soften punishment and help drug users get clean.

“I don’t think we can arrest our way out of the drug addiction problem,” Hanlin said. “But I know that, obviously, doing nothing isn’t going to cause the problem to go away either.”

‘A lot of folks just want to see people get help’

Crossing the county line north into Lane County, one will find a completely different approach. Officials there hope to get more people into treatment and keep them away from jail cells and courtrooms as much as possible.

Oregon gave Lane County $2.1 million to assist. That will help pay for housing, officials said, and for a team of substance use specialists, known as navigators, who work with police and decide if a person should be deflected.

Clint Riley, who is leading the program, said he has traveled to the county’s various police agencies to help train them on when to call a navigator.

“That’s a different training that most of us have never been to before,” Riley said. “Maybe five years ago, you would have taken this person to jail. Now, we’re using a different approach. So it’s crucial that the relationship between navigators and law enforcement is good.”

Law enforcement agencies seem to have bought in. Chris Parosa, the Lane County District Attorney, said officers are glad drug laws have more teeth yet they aren’t necessarily being asked to make many more arrests.

“That’s where the opportunity lies for them,” Parosa said. “Instead of having to – prior to ballot Measure 110 – have those people arrested, take them down to jail, fill out probable cause affidavits and immediately begin writing reports because that person is in custody, they can call out a person who is detached from the criminal justice system to take custody and control.”

Lane County is already home to one innovative first-responder program. CAHOOTS launched in the 1970s as one of the first-ever services dispatching mental health specialists through 9-1-1 to help people in crises.

Their deflection plans will effectively turn Riley and the navigator into case managers for low-level drug offenders. Parosa said the navigators will keep informing the county if people are actively pursuing treatment and not skirting responsibility.

“I’m not trained in the realm of substance abuse treatment,” Parosa said. “I’m a criminal attorney. It would be highly inappropriate for me as a criminal attorney to ultimately tell a substance abuse or behavioral health specialist how to do their job or what a person needs.”

Many of the navigators themselves will be ex-addicts, Riley said.

“Some law enforcement in our community might have arrested that navigator 15 years ago, when they were in that situation, and now they’ve completely changed their life,” he said. “They got help, got treatment, and now they’re working as a professional in our community with credentials.”

Lane County saw overdose deaths rise recently, too. From 2020 to 2023, deaths rose from 97 to 212, according to CDC figures. That’s about five-and-a-half deaths per 10,000 people.

The navigator program has not launched yet, according to Riley, but he envisions a system with wide latitude. A person facing criminal charges that aren’t inherently drug related – such as trespassing or theft, for example – may be able to get those charges deflected, too. The victim of a crime would have to agree, too.

“A lot of folks just want to see people get help, if they think it’s going to stop,” Riley said.

He doesn’t criticize counties like Douglas that are not participating in deflection. He acknowledged that many perceive Oregon’s drug decriminalization efforts to have failed. Another experiment can be daunting.

Riley formerly commanded the Lane County Sheriff’s Office jail. He said he saw firsthand that it was treatment, not jail in and of itself, that helped people. He said he helped launch new programs to get people medication and counseling.

“We started seeing people leave the jail in a better space, in a better place,” Riley said. “I’ve seen a lot of people spend a lot of time in jail and prison due to their addiction and, at some point, what stopped their addiction? For most people, they got treatment.”

Hanlin, the Douglas County Sheriff, said they are willing to learn from other counties if their programs succeed.

Source: This article was originally published by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Filed under: Legal Sector,Prevention and Intervention,Social Affairs,USA :

Washington, D.C. – Today, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Dr. Rahul Gupta released the following statement on the latest provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showing drug overdose deaths decreased by 12.7% year-over-year (in the 12-months ending May 2024). This is the largest recorded reduction in overdose deaths, and the sixth consecutive month of reported decreases in predicted 12-month total numbers of drug overdose deaths.

“When President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, the number of drug overdose deaths was increasing 31% year-over-year. They immediately took action: making beating the overdose epidemic a key pillar of their Unity Agenda for the Nation and taking a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to strengthening public health and public safety. As an Administration, we have removed more barriers to treatment for substance use disorder than ever before and invested historic levels of funding to help crack down on illicit drug trafficking at the border. Life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone are now available over-the-counter and at lower prices. We are at a critical inflection point. For the sixth month in a row, we are continuing to see a steady decline in drug overdose deaths nationwide. This new data shows there is hope, there is progress, and there is an urgent call to action for us all to continue working together across all of society to reduce drug overdose deaths and save even more lives.”

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing-room/2024/10/16/white-house-drug-policy-director-statement-on-latest-drug-overdose-death-data/

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Health,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Diana H. Fishbein dfishbein@unc.edu and Zili SlobodaAuthors Info & Affiliations

The recently released National Drug Control Strategy (2022) from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) lays out a comprehensive plan to, not only enhance access to treatment and increase harm reduction strategies, but also increase implementation of evidence-based prevention programming at the community level. Furthermore, the Strategy provides a framework for enhancing our national data systems to inform policy and to evaluate all components of the plan. However, not only are there several missing components to the Strategy that would assure its success, but there is a lack of structure to support a national comprehensive service delivery system that is informed by epidemiological data, and trains and credentials those delivering evidence-based prevention, treatment, and harm reduction/public health interventions within community settings. This paper provides recommendations for the establishment of such a structure with an emphasis on prevention. Systematically addressing conditions known to increase liability for behavioral problems among vulnerable populations and building supportive environments are strategies consistently found to avert trajectories away from substance use in general and substance use disorders (SUD) in particular. Investments in this approach are expected to result in significantly lower rates of SUD in current and subsequent generations of youth and, therefore, will reduce the burden on our communities in terms of lowered social and health systems involvement, treatment needs, and productivity. A national strategy, based on strong scientific evidence, is presented to implement public health policies and prevention services. These strategies work by improving child development, supporting families, enhancing school experiences, and cultivating positive environmental conditions.

Appeared originally in Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:1–16

Source: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.focus.24022020

Filed under: Brain and Behaviour,Mental Health,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

In the early 2000s, vaping emerged as a popular alternative to smoking tobacco. E-cigarettes, marketed as nicotine delivery systems without the harmful chemicals found in traditional cigarettes, quickly gained popularity. As vaping technology evolved, so did its applications. By the mid-2010s, the marijuana industry began to adopt vaping as a method for consuming marijuana.

This shift was possibly driven by the increase in legalization across states, the perception that vaping was safer than smoking, and the convenience of discrete portable vapes. However, as the popularity of marijuana vaping grows, so does the rise in its health effects.

By 2019, reports of lung injuries associated with vaping began to surface. Studies found that the combination of vaping marijuana, smoking tobacco and smoking marijuana was linked to younger individuals experiencing lung conditions in a short period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then identified a condition known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), which was linked to THC containing vape products. A chemical used to dilute THC and create low-cost products contributed to an outbreak of EVALI. CDC reported that as of late 2019, approximately 77% of vaping-related injury cases involved THC-containing products. By February 2020, this number increased to 80%, highlighting a significant association between marijuana vaping and respiratory complications.

The increased access to marijuana through online retailers and the rise in marijuana legalization across states has contributed to the increase in marijuana use by young adults posing new challenges. A 2024 meta-analysis found that the passing of recreational marijuana laws led to an increase in past-month marijuana use of 13% among youth and 22% among young adults. In addition to this analysis, the Monitoring the Future Survey revealed that marijuana and hallucinogen use among 19–30-year-olds remained elevated compared to previous years. When including vaping of either nicotine or marijuana, both trends showed a consistent increase over the past five years and are now at record levels. Specifically, the percentage of 19–30-year-olds who vaped marijuana in the past 12 months rose from 11.5% in 2017 to 22.2% in 2023, while vaping marijuana in the past 30 days increased from 5.9% to 14.4% over the same period. This aligns with the growing perception that vaping is a healthier alternative, leading more young people to experiment with these substances, potentially leading to a higher incidence of lung-related health issues.

The increase in demand for marijuana products has also driven the development of efficient delivery methods, such as online retail, introducing new challenges for regulation. A study highlighting the significant gaps in regulatory compliance among online retailers of flavored tobacco and marijuana vape products showed that, out of 156 purchase attempts, 67.3% were successfully delivered, including to areas with flavor restrictions. Worryingly, only 1% of buyers had their ID scanned successfully by delivery personnel, as required by law, with most deliveries not conducting ID check or interacting with purchaser. These findings underscore the need for better enforcement of age verification and shipping restrictions, especially as youth and young adult use of marijuana vape products increase.

The story of vaping’s evolution from tobacco to marijuana serves as a reminder of the complexities and unforeseen consequences that can arise with new technologies and changing substance use trends. As legalization and acceptance of marijuana continue to grow, so does the need for comprehensive research, clear regulations and widespread education to ensure public safety and prevent unintended consequences.

References:
• Ali, F. (2021). Combination of vaping, cannabis and smoking exposure: shorter time to bullous lung disease and pneumothorax. Journal of Lung Health and Diseases, 5(1), 8-10. doi.org/10.29245/2689-999x/2021/1.1169
• Bando, J. (2024). Impact of marijuana use on lung health. Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1785679
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Outbreak of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.htm
• Dai, H. (2020). Self-reported marijuana use in electronic cigarettes among us youth, 2017 to 2018. Jama, 323(5), 473. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.19571
• Harati, R., Ellis, S.E., Satybaldiyeva N., Mejorado, T., Benitez, G., Henriksen, L., Leas, E. (2024). Online Retailer Nonadherence to Age Verification, Shipping, and Flavor Restrictions on E-Cigarettes. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.21597
• Friedman, A. and Morean, M. (2021). State marijuana policies and vaping associated lung injuries in the us. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 228, 109086. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109086
• Malouff, J., Rooke, S., & Copeland, J. (2014). Experiences of marijuana-vaporizer users. Substance Abuse, 35(2), 127-128. doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2013.823902
• Navon, L., Ghinai, I., & Layden, J. (2020). Notes from the field: Characteristics of tetrahydrocannabinol–containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products used by adults — Illinois, September–October 2019. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(29), 973–975. doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6929a5
• Pawar, A., Firmin, E., Wilens, T., Hammond, C. (2024). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Medical and Recreational Cannabis Legalization and Cannabis Use Among Youth in the United States. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Volume 63, Issue 11, 1084 – 1113. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2024.02.016
• Patrick, M. E., Miech, R. A., Johnston, L. D., & O’Malley, P. M. (2024). Monitoring the Future Panel Study annual report: National data on substance use among adults ages 19 to 65, 1976-2023. Monitoring the Future Monograph Series. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Available at: https://monitoringthefuture.org/results/annual-reports/

Source: Drug Free America Foundation | 333 3rd Ave N Suite 200 | St. Petersburg, FL 33701 US

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

The programs touch on various topics, including drug use and decision-making skills that could help youths avoid behaviors that put them at risk for substance use

Amid a rise in fatal fentanyl overdoses, a San Diego County task force convened to identify substance abuse prevention solutions for local youths. It released a report Monday outlining its recommendations for drug prevention programs at schools.

The report entitled “School-based Interventions for Substance Use and Overdose Prevention” was drafted by the San Diego County Substance Use and Overdose Prevention Taskforce, comprised of members of various entities including the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Office of Education, California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Center for Community Research.

Learn more about the impact of the fentanyl crisis on local communities in NBC 7’s in-depth project “Poison Pill: San Diego’s Battle With the Fentanyl Crisis.” Watch here.

With the goals in mind of preventing juvenile substance use and overdoses, the working group behind the report outlined five prevention programs identified for elementary, middle and high school populations: Positive Action, Project Towards No Drug Abuse, LifeSkills Training, DARE’s Keepin’ It Real, and Project Alert.

The programs touch on various topics, including drug use and decision-making skills that could help youths avoid behaviors that put them at risk for substance use.

Three other programs the report states may be instrumental to prevention efforts include:

Operation Prevention San Diego, a free DEA program with resources for educators that the report states “integrate seamlessly into classroom instruction.” The program addresses the impacts of drugs to the brain and body. The program is available to schools upon request or at operationprevention.com
I Choose My Future, a program offered by the San Diego County Office of Education that highlights substance abuse dangers and impacts at the individual, family, school, city, nation and global levels
A recommendation that all schools serving grades 6-12 have adequate supplies of naloxone, which the report states “has demonstrated effectiveness in reversing opioid overdoses and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a successful strategy for preventing an opioid overdose”

The task force says the recommendations have already been adopted by around two dozen San Diego County schools.

“It’s critical that we educate our youth through compelling and effective curriculum, giving them the tools they need to stay healthy and make decisions that can literally save their lives,” San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement.

Source: https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-county-task-force-drug-prevention-programs-schools/3654778/

Filed under: Education,Fentanyl,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – While schools nationwide emphasize the importance of drug prevention, students at Watson Elementary took the lesson beyond textbooks and into the realm of costumes.

“It’s such a prevalent thing especially now going even younger with the older kids in fourth and fifth grade,” said Chris Hollister, a teacher at Watson. “So bringing that awareness to the kids, knowing that they have the power and the will to say no so it’s just a fun, good way to learn about something important but also have fun doing it.”

The Red Ribbon campaign has provided drug prevention education for children since the 1980s, with one of its most popular events, Red Ribbon Week, celebrated annually. This year, Watson Elementary marked the occasion with themed dress-up days.

“You don’t have to wear normal clothes to school,” said Ruby, a student at Watson.

“I think it’s just fun seeing how everyone dresses up different and see what everyone’s favorite movie character is,” said Chloe, another student.

“Yeah it’s fun to ask people like ‘what are you?’ and the other days were really fun too, just getting to put on something wacky is fun,” said Elijah, who is also a student.

“With elementary kids they love to do these crazy wacky dress up days, and they’re all kids at heart even the teachers that are here we’re all still big kids at heart,” said Hollister. “I tell myself I’m still a kid, even though I’m 36 years old, so it’s just fun to let them express themselves.”

As much fun as it was for the kids to dress up, Hollister said the teachers enjoyed getting to see what they came dressed as.

“It’s interesting just to see what all they come up with because like today. I had a kid that dressed up like ‘The Fonz’ and he’s in the fifth grade and that show was prevalent in the 70s and 80s,” said Hollister. “We have Marty McFly, we have TV characters, we have movie characters, it’s just cool to see the ways they take it to make it a fun day.”

‘What’s Cool in Your School?’ is sponsored by Hastings College Watch it Sunday night and Monday morning on Local4. If you have something or someone ‘cool in your school’ you’d like us to highlight, let us know by clicking here.

Source: https://www.ksnblocal4.com/2024/10/28/watson-elementary-uses-red-ribbon-week-teach-about-drug-prevention-fun-way/?outputType=amp

Filed under: Education,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

Cherokee Nation Action Network is using culture as prevention for youth substance use in Oklahoma.
The leading principle is “Walking in Balance,” which emphasizes balancing traditional Cherokee culture with modern contemporary culture in their everyday lives.

Cherokee Nation Community Action Network

The Cherokee Nation Community Action Network (CAN) coalition was originally developed in 2006 and became a Drug-Free Community coalition in 2018. The CAN uses culture as a strategy to prevent and reduce substance use in Cherokee communities. They partner with Sequoyah School, a tribal school in Tahlequah that young people can attend from anywhere within the reservation. The reservation includes some very rural and isolated communities with limited resources.

To increase community connectedness, the coalition teaches a National Association for Addiction Professionals-certified curriculum based on the book Walking in Balance by Abraham Bearpaw. Bearpaw was raised in one of the Cherokee Nation communities and, after coping with alcohol use for several years, decided it was time for a change. He reconnected with his culture by prioritizing mindfulness, health, and trust and has been in recovery for 12 years. He partners with different communities to teach his curriculum to young people in hopes of reducing the likelihood of them engaging in substance use. The curriculum includes 12 weekly lessons that teach students how to reconnect with culture, manage stress, and care for themselves. The leading principle is “Walking in Balance,” which emphasizes balancing traditional Cherokee culture with modern contemporary culture in their everyday lives.

The CAN coalition initially faced challenges with young people’s willingness to return to the ceremonial grounds. Due to some forbidden traditional practices, they felt they were too far removed. However, the coalition encouraged them to attend to learn and reconnect with their roots. Of the 100 young people living in the current town they serve, 75 showed up to participate in the curriculum. The day-to-day traditional and cultural activities include the making of clay beads, ribbon skirts, corn-bead necklaces, basket weaving, and stickball. The community activities are a source of Cherokee knowledge-building, sharing, and resiliency that helps build a culture of connectedness. The instructor teaches ceremonial values of youth and elder interaction, respect for ancestors, and the importance of taking care of the land. One community member said, “Our tribe has long known that building a sense of belonging, helping youth grow a connection to community, and cultural identity helps them grow into healthy adults.” The Cherokee Nation CAN will continue to foster safe and healthy environmental conditions, providing social support, encouraging school connectedness, and creating safe and caring communities on the reservation to improve the lives of those living there.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/php/drug-free-communities/cherokee-nation.html

Filed under: Culture,Drug use-various effects,Mental Health,Prevention and Intervention,Social Affairs,Treatment and Addiction,USA,Youth :

Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press by CARMEN PAUN – 10/27/2024 04:00 PM EDT

Traffickers are to blame, the candidates say. Virtually no one’s talking about treatment.

The Harris and Trump campaigns said the presidential candidates are talking about drug treatment, albeit more quietly than they are border security. |

There’s a rare point of agreement among Republican and Democratic candidates this election year: America has a drug problem and it’s fentanyl traffickers’ fault.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, are hammering Democrats over border policies they say have allowed fentanyl to surge into the country. Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, respond that they, too, have cracked down on traffickers and want stricter border enforcement.

The consensus reflects the resonance of border control among voters — most of the country’s fentanyl comes from Mexico — and a hardening of the nation’s attitude toward addiction. Troubled by drug use, homelessness and crime, voters even in the country’s most progressive states favor cracking down. Politicians from Trump and Harris on down the ballot say they will.

“It’s one of those things that people don’t want in their community,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes, a Democrat running for a fourth term representing a district including suburbs of Hartford, Connecticut, and rural areas to their west, of illicit drugs. “They want a tough-on-crime stance on it. They want it to go away. They’re afraid for their families, they’re afraid for their children.”

That view worries public health experts and treatment advocates, who see a backsliding toward the law enforcement focus that once looked futile in the face of Americans’ insatiable appetite for drugs. They fear it bodes ill for additional efforts from Washington to expand addiction care.

“There are a lot of things that both parties can point to, as far as progress that’s been made in addressing overdoses: We’ve seen bipartisan efforts to expand access to treatment, to expand access to health services for people who use drugs, and I wish they would talk about that more,” said Maritza Perez Medina, federal affairs director at Drug Policy Action, an advocacy group that opposes the law enforcement-first approach.

Six years ago, when a bipartisan majority in Congress passed the SUPPORT Act to inject billions of dollars into treatment and recovery services, and then-President Trump signed it, the vibes in Washington around drug use were more empathetic.

President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency in October 2017. | Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images But after it passed, fatal drug overdoses driven by illicit fentanyl skyrocketed, hitting a record 111,451 in the 12 months ending in August 2023 before starting to recede. Homelessness, sometimes tied to drug addiction, also spiked.

When the SUPPORT Act came up for renewal last year, Congress wasn’t as motivated. The Democratic Senate hasn’t voted on a bill, while a House-passed measure from the chamber’s GOP majority offers few new initiatives and no new money.

Attitudes are similar in the states. Oregon, where voters legalized drugs for personal use in 2020, reimposed criminal penalties this year after its largest city, Portland, was overrun with homeless drug users. Polls indicate California voters, frustrated, too, by homelessness and crime, are likely to boost penalties for drug users by ballot initiative next month.

Candidates aim to prove they share voters’ frustration.

Republicans have spent more than $11 million on TV ads in the past month attacking Democratic opponents on fentanyl trafficking, according to a tally by tracking firm AdImpact. And Democrats have spent nearly $18 million defending themselves, mostly by highlighting their efforts or plans to provide more resources and personnel to combat trafficking.

“It’s an easy shortcut in a 30-second commercial to tie a broader issue to one that has an easy explanation,” said Erika Franklin Fowler, a professor of government at Wesleyan University who directs a project analyzing political advertising.

Trump’s not talking about the SUPPORT Act, one of his most consequential legislative successes. Vice President Kamala Harris is not touting the treatment policies of the president she serves, Joe Biden, who expanded access to medications that help people addicted to fentanyl, as well as to drugs that can reverse overdoses. Some public health specialists credit increased access to the drugs with reducing overdose death rates in the past 12 months after years of grim ascent.

Trump used his first anti-Harris ad this summer to blame her for the more than 250,000 deaths from fentanyl during the Biden-Harris administration.

Vice President Kamala Harris met state attorneys general in July 2023 to discuss possible actions against fentanyl. | Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Harris responded by touting her prosecution of drug traffickers when she was California’s attorney general and a promise to strengthen the border.

“Here’s her plan,” a deep-voiced narrator intoned in Harris’ ad: “Hire thousands more border agents, enforce the law and step up technology — and stop fentanyl smuggling.”

‘A political cudgel’

Similar attacks and responses have played out in Senate and House races across the country.

In the tight Arizona race to replace Sen. Kirsten Synema (I-Ariz.), Republican Kari Lake has accused her opponent, Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, of empowering drug cartels to import fentanyl by supporting Biden-Harris administration border policies.

“We’re losing an entire generation of people, and you should know better, Ruben,” Lake told Gallego in a debate earlier this month, referencing the deaths of teens who took counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.

Gallego, who was elected to Congress in 2014 as a progressive but has shied from that label in his Senate run, responded by touting bills he’s supported or introduced to fund more technology at the border and track fentanyl money flows across Mexico and China, where chemicals to make the drug are manufactured.

A mother visit her son’s grave, who died of a fentanyl overdose at 15. | Jae C. Hong/AP In Colorado’s hotly contested 8th congressional district, which encompasses Denver suburbs and rural areas to the north, Republican state Rep. Gabe Evans has blamed the incumbent, Democrat Yadira Caraveo, for the fentanyl crisis.

“This is our reality now: a 100 percent increase in fentanyl deaths because liberals open the border, legalize fentanyl and let criminals out of jail,” says a police officer in an ad for Evans. “And Yadira Caraveo voted for it all,” Evans adds.

Caraveo defended herself in a debate with Evans earlier this month, noting the bill he’s referring to was state legislation that “tried to balance the need to punish drug dealers and cartels but not incarcerate every single person that is addicted.”

In Connecticut, the National Republican Congressional Committee attacked Hayes for voting against a bill to permanently subject fentanyl to the strictest government regulation, reserved for those drugs with high likelihood of abuse and no medical uses.

Hayes said she opposed the bill because it included mandatory minimum prison sentences for people caught with drugs and no provisions supporting prevention, treatment or harm reduction.

“I hate that this is being used as a political cudgel because we’re missing out on an opportunity to say: ‘How do we address the root causes?’” Hayes said in an interview.

Hayes said she has responded to the attacks on the campaign trail and talked to constituents about the need for treatment, despite some advice to the contrary.

“Even amongst Democrats, there were people who were like: ‘You don’t want the headache, you don’t want people to think that you’re soft on crime or soft on drugs.’ And I was like: ‘This has to be about more than optics if we truly are trying to save people’s lives,’” Hayes said. ‘If we don’t keep the momentum going’

Oregon, where voters legalized drugs for personal use in 2020, reimposed criminal penalties this year after its largest city, Portland, was overrun with homeless drug users. | Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images The lesson the Drug Policy Action’s Medina takes from the campaigns is that talking about drug treatment doesn’t sell in American politics.

“People are struggling. Social services aren’t where they need to be, health services aren’t where they need to be,” she said. “It’s easier to run a fear-based campaign rather than talking about really tough issues,” like breaking the cycle of addiction.

Ironically, the tough talk on the border comes as policymakers, for the first time in years, have evidence that the tide of fatal drug overdoses is receding.

The CDC estimates that overdose deaths, most caused by fentanyl, declined by nearly 13 percent between May 2023 and May 2024, to just under 100,000.

Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, mentioned the dip during his debate with Trump’s vice-presidential pick, JD Vance, earlier this month.

The number is now about where it was when Biden took office, though still 50 percent higher than when Trump did in January 2017.

Expanding access to treatment, the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to make the opioid-overdose-reversal medication naloxone available over the counter last year, increased fentanyl seizures at the border, and the arrest and sanctioning of Mexican drug cartel leaders have contributed to the recent drop, Biden said last month.

Advocates for drug treatment say that’s all good cause for candidates to tout their access-to-treatment efforts and promise to expand them.

“The worst outcome for overdose prevention coming out of this election would be if we don’t keep the momentum going,” said Libby Jones, who leads the Overdose Prevention Initiative, an advocacy group.

But there’s not the groundswell of interest on Capitol Hill that there was in 2018, when Congress passed the SUPPORT Act.

Congress has continued to fund opioid treatment authorized in that law, but it mostly hasn’t taken the law’s 2023 expiration as an opportunity to increase funding or try big new ideas.

The Food and Drug Administration decision to make the opioid-overdose-reversal medication naloxone available over the counter last year has contributed to a drop in fatal overdoses over the past year, President Joe Biden said last month. | Diane Bondareff/AP The 2024 federal funding law Congress passed in March included some minor changes in the form of bipartisan legislation to require state Medicaid plans to cover medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorder. It also created a permanent state Medicaid option allowing treatment of substance use disorder at institutions that treat mental illness, in an effort to expand access to care.

But bipartisan legislation approved by the Senate committee responsible for health care to make it easier for others to gain access to methadone, a drug effective in helping fentanyl users, hasn’t gone to the floor and faces opposition from key Republicans in the House.

The Harris and Trump campaigns said the presidential candidates are talking about drug treatment, albeit more quietly than they are border security.

Vice President Harris’ campaign pointed to her web site, where she touts her prosecution of drug traffickers and the Biden-Harris administration’s investment in “lifesaving programs.”

Republican National Committee spokesperson Anna Kelly said “President Trump is uniquely able to connect with families combating addiction,” pointing to times when he’s talked about his brother’s struggles with alcohol use disorder and to his administration’s efforts to contain the opioid crisis.

But she added that the tough talk on the border is relevant: “Combating fentanyl is a public health issue and stopping it begins with securing the border.”

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/27/fentanyl-drugs-elections-00185576

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Economic,Health,Political Sector,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

“Smart Choices, Safe Workplaces: Educate on Drug Risks”
National Drug Free Work Week 2024

This file was produced in relation to Join the National Drug Free Workplace Alliance (NDWA) in recognizing the Drug Free Work Week 2024 which ran from October 14th through 18th!

Check out these resources that provide essential information on the effects of various drugs and their potential impact on workplace dynamics and safety. Each resource breaks down the signs, symptoms, and behavioral changes associated with substance misuse, helping you recognize warning signs early. With this knowledge, you can better protect and support your employees, fostering a healthy work environment where risks are minimized, and everyone feels valued and safeguarded. These one-pagers are also a useful tool for reinforcing drug-free policies and engaging employees in health and wellness conversations. Resources can be found here.

NATIONAL DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ALLIANCE

As the workplace division of Drug Free America Foundation, NDWA’s mission is to be a national leader in the drug-free workplace industry by directly assisting employers and stakeholders, providing drug-free workplace program resources and assistance, and supporting a national coalition of drug-free workplace service providers.

For more information and drug-free workplace resources, visit NDWA at www.ndwa.org.

Source: www.dfaf.org

Filed under: Drugs and Accidents,Education,Health,USA,Workplace :

Summary

Federal and state governments impose restrictions on both physician and non-physician opioid prescribers
To dispense opioids, federal law requires licensed physicians to register with DEA, have an active license, and fulfill educational and training requirements
All states have licensing and registration requirements for providers who prescribe opioids

To help combat the ongoing opioid crisis, the federal government and many state governments have enacted statutes to help health care practitioners, including physicians, qualified NPPs, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants (PAs), and health care facilities, respond to OUDs. These statutes establish protocols for handling pain management and OUDs, which address, among other things, treatment plans and the relationship between health care providers and patients.

This article highlights key federal and state legislation governing health care practitioners and facilities treating patients with opioids for pain management and OUDs, focusing on states with greater opioid misuse.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/practical-law-the-journal/legalindustry/opioid-crisis-issues-health-care-providers-2024-11-01/

Filed under: Health,Heroin/Methadone,USA :

Filed under: Drug Specifics,Effects of Drugs,Health,Prevalence,Social Affairs,USA :

Marsha F. Lopez, Ph.D., M.H.S. marsha.lopez@nih.gov, MeLisa R. Creamer, Ph.D., M.P.H., and Erin M. Parker, Ph.D.Authors Info & Affiliations Publication: FOCUS – Volume 22, Number 4 Published Online: 15 October 2024

Abstract

In the 50 years since its establishment, the National Institute on Drug Abuse has made significant investment and strides toward improving individual and public health. Epidemiology serves as the foundation for understanding the how many, why, how, where, and who of drug use and its consequences, and effective epidemiology research and training are geared toward actionable findings that can inform real-world responses. Epidemiologic findings enhance clinicians’ ability to provide ongoing care by incorporating information about the patterns and outcomes of drug use that their patients may experience. The goal of this article is to provide a context for epidemiology of substance use as a foundation for prevention, with examples of how epidemiology can provide targets for prevention, and to set the stage for addressing the importance of prevention in clinical settings.

Source: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.focus.20240018

Filed under: Health,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

This is the opening of a submission by Dr Stuart Reece to the FDA relating to the re-scheduling of cannabis:

“I am very concerned about the potential for increased cannabis availability in USA implied by full drug legalization; however, a comprehensive and authoritative submission of the evidence would take weeks and months to prepare. Knowing what we know now and indeed, what has been available in the scientific literature for a growing number of years concerning a myriad of harmful effects of marijuana, marijuana containing THC should not be reclassified. These effects that are now well documented in the scientific literature include, alarmingly, harm involving reproductive function and birth anomalies as a result of exposure to or use of marijuana with THC.

In addition to all of the usual concerns which you will have heard from many sources including the following I have further particular concerns:
1) Effect on developing brains
2) Effect on driving
3) Effect as a Gateway drug to other drug use including the opioid epidemic
4) Effect on developmental trajectory and failure to attain normal adult goals(stable relationship, work, education)
5) Effect on IQ and IQ regression
6) Effect to increase numerous psychiatric and psychological disorders
7) Effect on respiratory system
8) Effect on reproductive system
9) Effect in relation to immunity and immunosuppression
10) Effect of now very concentrated forms of cannabis, THC and CBD which are widely available
11) Outdated epidemiological studies which apply only to the era before cannabis became so potent and so concentrated

These issues are all well covered by a rich recent literature including reviews from such major international authorities as Dr Nora Volkow Director of NIDA at NIH, Professor Wayne Hall and others “

The full text can be read here

Source: Letter from Dr Stuart Reece to FDA April 2018

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Global Drug Legalisation Efforts,Legal Sector,Political Sector,USA :

Marsha F. Lopez, Ph.D., M.H.S. marsha.lopez@nih.gov,

MeLisa R. Creamer, Ph.D., M.P.H., and

Erin M. Parker, Ph.D.Authors Info & Affiliations

Source: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.focus.20240018

Filed under: Addiction,Brain and Behaviour,Mental Health,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Armed with knowledge and tools, parents are making a big difference in local school districts

by Emily Green February 1, 2024

Mila Priest, 8, focuses on computer playing the PAX Good Behavior Game during class at Fern Hill Elementary School in Forest Grove, OR, Nov. 9, 2023.

Holly Pearce, 18, deploys a strategy at the West Linn High School club fair. If prospective members join her in-school club, she tells them, they need do little more than show up while receiving free food and an honors cord for their gown at graduation. What she doesn’t lead with is that it’s a drug and alcohol prevention club.

“The free food,” she said “that’s what gets people there in the first place.”

Once students are in the door, she said, it’s her mom, Pam, who gets them to stay.

Pam Pearce has been in recovery for 28 years. During lunchtime club meetings, she often shares her personal story with club members, she said, and she tells it to them straight.

She grew up nearby in Lake Oswego and attended the University of Southern California. The photos she displays of smiling youths from her high school and college years look much like the club members she shares the photos with.

“The only honors I had was biggest partier and best dressed,” she said. “And I like to say it because the end of the story is: that almost killed me.”The point is to dispel the myth that addiction only affects “other” people. It can be anyone, she said, and it can be the teens in the club or one of their friends.

A concerned parent pushing for prevention, Pam Pearce is part of an emerging trend in Oregon, where, according to federal data, at least 354 youths have died from drug overdoses since the start of 2018 as fentanyl has spread through the drug supply.

Oregon schools enjoy wide autonomy in what they teach, and that includes their substance use prevention strategies. A recent six-month investigation into prevention in Oregon classrooms from The Lund Report found that many schools rely on little more than a chapter in a health textbook to get the job of prevention done.

The state provides little support or accountability when it comes to in-school prevention, records and interviews show. So in districts where more robust prevention is happening, it’s often parents and individual teachers who drive it.

Mother of lost son becomes activist

In Oregon City, Michele Stroh began pushing for prevention after she lost her son, Keaton Stroh, 25, to a fentanyl-laced pill in July 2020.

“I didn’t know about fake pills; I didn’t know about any of that. And I got angry,” Stroh said. “So I ran for the Oregon City School Board.”

She wanted the district to be more proactive in the fentanyl crisis, she said. So she recruited speakers to talk at assemblies at all the Oregon City School District high schools, middle schools and charter schools. She organized a parent education night, and her efforts resulted in the overdose reversing drug Narcan being placed in all the schools, sports facilities and school buses.

“We were the first school district in Clackamas County to have a Narcan policy,” she said.

She’s approached other districts but found them to be more hesitant.

“I think it helps, the fact that the district knows me, and the teachers know me — and they knew my son,” Stroh said.

Jon and Jennifer Epstein were also pushed into action after losing their son Cal Epstein, 18, to a fentanyl-laced counterfeit pill in December 2020. They began advocating for fentanyl education and awareness in the Beaverton School District, where their sons attended school and Jon Epstein had taught for 10 years. The district worked with them to create a program called “Fake and Fatal,” which teaches youths about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. Since then, at the Epsteins’ urging, Oregon legislators passed a bill to take fentanyl education statewide, and Oregon’s congressional delegation has introduced national legislation.

Pearce’s club at West Linn High School has grown to nearly 200 student members. The teens also advise their community prevention coalition, which Pearce — known for her advocacy — was recruited to lead. And they visit middle schools to talk to younger kids about what to expect in high school.

What teens say

The Lund Report recently sat down with some teenagers who participate in the prevention club. They said the club creates a safe space where kids can talk honestly about drugs — or go to when they don’t want to be around teens who are using.

“My view immediately changed as I set foot in this club,” said the club’s president, Jonathan Garcia, 17. “I listened to Pam in that first meeting, and I was just like, ‘Oh, my God — what have I been taught?’ It was like, number one, I haven’t been taught anything compared to what I just learned, and I’ve been taught all the wrong things.”

The club discusses topics like why a person might turn to drugs and alcohol in the first place. Some of the teens said it was the first time they learned about addiction’s root causes.

“Nothing was sugar coated,” said Aidan Sauer, 15. “Everything was just to the point.”

Growing the club at her daughter’s high school is just one way Pearce promotes prevention in the West Linn-Wilsonville school district, where all three of her kids were students.

She sends teachers information about prevention-related tools and lessons. And she lobbied her district until it agreed to participate in the state’s Student Health Survey. The survey asks students in the sixth, eighth and 11th grades about their substance use and well-being. Pearce said she “was on a mission” after she found out her local district didn’t administer the free survey.

“It also allows young people to share with you what’s happening in their environment. Like — how else are they going to tell you what’s happening?” she said.

Starting this year, every Oregon school is required to take part in the survey for the first time. Prevention scientists say the data can help districts to understand whether or not their prevention efforts are working. Many prevention programs, including clubs like the one at West Linn High School, aren’t well-researched. Others might not work in every setting and for every group of kids, so tracking the outcomes is important, experts say.

In 2020, Pearce also co-founded the first high school in Oregon for students in recovery from addiction, located in Lake Oswego.

Teaching kids self-regulation in Washington County

A prevention program called the PAX Good Behavior Game doesn’t teach kids anything about drugs and alcohol, but prevention scientists at Oregon Research Institute and Washington State University’s IMPACT Research lab contend it’s one of the best evidence-backed approaches to substance use prevention at the elementary school level.

Today, the program is in wide use across Washington County, and its successful implementation there can be traced to the efforts of a former third grade teacher at Joseph Gale Elementary School and a concerned mother who happens to work for the county.

On a foggy morning this past November, third graders in a second-floor classroom at Fern Hill Elementary in Forest Grove focused intently — and quietly — on their arithmetic. With a handful of unfamiliar adults watching the lesson, there were plenty of distractions that day. But the 8- and 9-year olds seemed un-bothered as they completed math problems on their Chromebooks.

Helping them focus was the PAX Good Behavior Game, also known as PAX. It’s a program that gives teachers a menu of techniques for helping kids self-regulate and practice self control.

At the core of the system is a game, and in some studies, playing that game in elementary school reduced substance use and other problems among students years later.

The teacher sets a length of time the game will be played, and if kids are able to stay on task, they’re rewarded a goofy dance or some other non-material prize when the time is up. While the clock was ticking, third grade teacher Kayla Davidson walked around the classroom observing the students work. If someone got up or lost focus, she would give their table — not the individual student — what’s called a “spleem,” which is basically a negative point. At the end of the game, tables had the opportunity to explain collectively how they might avoid getting a spleem next time.

Before PAX, Davidson said she was more reactive in her approach to disruptive behavior. She might call a student’s parent or call out a child for their behavior in front of the class. “That could really be hurtful and harmful to the student, if they’re just being called out for bad behavior constantly,” she said.

“A lot of them are bringing things with them. It could be things like hunger or worrying about which parent they’re going with today,” Davidson said. The game gives the kids “a space and a strategy” for not having to worry about those things so they can focus on their work, she added.

Third graders in Davidson’s classroom told The Lund Report that, for the most part, they really like playing the game. For 8-year-old Aubrey Stone, “the best part about it is that you’re growing your brain.”

About 13 years ago, Kirstina Meinecke brought PAX to the Forest Grove School District when she got a job as a third grade teacher there. She had learned how to use the game when teaching in Washington on the Yakima Indian Reservation. Other teachers took interest, and it began to spread. Today, PAX is incorporated into every elementary school classroom in the Forest Grove district, and into teachers’ ways of conducting their classrooms. Meinecke’s job with the district now is primarily to provide teachers with PAX training and ongoing support as a coach.

In Oregon, parents and teachers catalyze drug prevention in schools

Forest Grove is one of four districts in Washington County that uses the PAX Good Behavior Game. While PAX was spreading there, a public health program supervisor at Washington County, Rebecca Collett, started working to spread the program into other county schools. She’d noticed a need for better classroom management while volunteering at her son’s school in the Tigard-Tualatin district.

Collett remembers asking, “Why are we doing so many programs, when there’s one evidence-based program that prevents suicide, prevents drug and alcohol use, prevents dysregulation in the classroom, prevents all this?”

Since then, the county has helped school districts fund the implementation of the PAX Good Behavior Game through a mix of county, state and federal funds. The county has trained nearly 800 teachers at 51 schools on how to use PAX since 2014.

“Once it started working, we didn’t have to sell it,” Collett said. “The teachers started sharing how well it was working in their classroom, how much healthier they were, how much easier classroom behaviors were, and management.”

The county estimated it saves $83 for every $1 spent, and the cost is about $13 per student.

Tools for parents

Pearce encourages other concerned parents to take action if they want to see better prevention programs in their kids’ schools.

“People talk, but they don’t act,” she said. “We need to stop talking, and we need to start doing.”

She said parents should start by reaching out to their county health departments to see if there is a local prevention specialist or prevention coalition they can connect with, and they should attend school board meetings, ask questions and advocate. They can even start a club like the one she leads, she said.

Parents also can share evidence-based practices and materials with their districts and teachers they know, she added.

Figuring out what prevention programs are supported by validated research can be tricky, but there are several online registries that parents and community groups can use to learn more about programs. The online database published by The Lund Report used expert ratings from these clearinghouses to rate districts’ programs.

Source: https://www.thelundreport.org/content/oregon-parents-and-teachers-catalyze-drug-prevention-schools?

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Education,Parents,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

By Native News Online Staff / August 25, 2024

This week, beginning today, Sunday, August 25 through Saturday, August 31, is being recognized as Overdose Awareness Week. This year’s international theme is “Together we can.”

The substance use crisis in America has had a devastating impact on our tribal communities, families, and individuals. In Indian Country, overdoses from fentanyl, opioids, and other deadly drugs such as “tranq” are leading to loss of life as well as a steep decline in the health and well-being of tribal communities. In addition, the epidemic is contributing to the spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C.

On Friday, the White House released a presidential proclamation for Overdose Awareness Week, 2024. In the proclamation President Joe Biden says: “even one death is one too many, and far too many Americans continue to lose loved ones to fentanyl.”

Overdose Awareness Week Proclamation, 2024

During Overdose Awareness Week, we mourn those who have lost their lives to overdose deaths. We acknowledge the devastating toll the opioid epidemic has taken on individuals, families, and communities across America. We reflect on the progress we have made so far in reducing the number of annual overdose deaths and protecting American lives — and how much more there is to do. And we reaffirm our commitment to doing more to disrupt the supply of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and support those who suffer with substance use disorder and their families in all of our communities.

My Administration made beating the opioid epidemic a key priority in my Unity Agenda for the Nation, calling for Republicans and Democrats to work together to stop fentanyl from flowing into our communities, hold those who brought it here accountable, and deliver life-saving medication and care across America.

We are working to tackle this crisis through a comprehensive approach, including by expanding access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services as well as reducing the supply of illicit drugs. We have expanded access to life-saving treatments, like medications to treat opioid use disorder, and have increased the number of health care providers who can prescribe these medications by 15 times. In February 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule to comprehensively update the regulations governing Opioid Treatment Programs for the first time in 20 years — removing barriers to the treatment of substance use disorder and expanding access to care. My Administration has made historic investments in the State Opioid Response and Tribal Opioid Response programs to improve prevention; expand treatment; and deliver free, life-saving medications across America. Already, this program has delivered nearly 10 million kits of opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone.

We also continue to fight the stigmatization that surrounds substance use and accidental overdose so that people feel comfortable reaching out for help when they need it. Naloxone is now available over-the-counter for people to purchase at their local grocery stores and pharmacies. We also launched the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose and several awareness campaigns, raising awareness and securing commitments from local governments and cross-sector organizations to increase training on and access to opioid overdose reversal medications in schools, worksites, transit systems, and other places where overdose may occur in our communities. My Fiscal Year 2025 Budget requests $22 billion to expand substance use treatment and help more Americans achieve and stay in recovery.

Under my Administration, Federal law enforcement agents are keeping more deadly drugs out of our communities than ever before. We are seizing deadly drugs at our borders so that illicit drugs never reach our neighborhoods. Officials have stopped more illicit fentanyl at ports of entry over the last 2 fiscal years than in the previous 5 fiscal years combined. The Department of Justice has prosecuted leaders of the world’s largest and most powerful drug cartel along with thousands of drug traffickers. The Department of the Treasury has sanctioned more than 300 people and organizations involved in the global illicit drug trade. I have also deployed cutting-edge drug detection technology across our southwest border, and I continue to call on the Congress to strengthen border security, increase penalties on those who bring deadly drugs into our communities, and close loopholes that drug traffickers exploit. And in July 2024, I issued a National Security Memorandum that calls on all relevant Federal departments and agencies to work collaboratively to do even more than they are already doing to stop the supply of illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids into our country.

I am also committed to working with partners across the globe to address this crisis. Last year, I negotiated the re-launch of counternarcotics cooperation between the United States and the People’s Republic of China — which has led to increased law enforcement coordination, increased efforts to tackle illicit financing of drug cartels, and increased regulation of certain precursor chemicals. I have increased counternarcotics cooperation with other key foreign governments; launched the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats, which brings together more than 150 countries in the fight against drug trafficking cartels; put in place new initiatives between the United States, Mexico, and Canada targeting the supply of illicit drugs; and made countering fentanyl and other synthetic opioids a key priority of the G7.

Now for the first time in 5 years, the number of overdose deaths in the United States has started to decline. But even one death is one too many, and far too many Americans continue to lose loved ones to fentanyl.

Today I grieve with all the families and friends who have lost someone to an overdose. This is a time to act. And this is a time to stand together — for all those we have lost and all the lives we can still save.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 25 through August 31, 2024, as Overdose Awareness Week. I call upon citizens, government agencies, civil society organizations, health care providers, and research institutions to raise awareness of substance use disorder so that our Nation can combat stigmatization, promote treatment, celebrate recovery, and strengthen our collective efforts to prevent overdose deaths. August 31 also marks Overdose Awareness Day, on which we honor and remember those who have lost their lives to the overdose epidemic.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Source: https://nativenewsonline.net/health/president-biden-s-overdose-awareness-week-proclamation-2

Filed under: Fentanyl,Political Sector,Synthetics,USA :

Aug 25, 2024

Felix Clary

Tulsa World Indigenous Affairs Reporter

The Cherokee Nation’s approach to substance abuse recovery is harm reduction, which has drawn criticism from some who work in addiction recovery.

“Harm reduction is a pretty controversial topic. A lot of people feel it can be enabling drug users. It can feel counterproductive and counter intuitive,” said Jennifer Steward, director of the University of Tulsa’s Behavioral Health Clinic.

In a Tulsa World interview, Steward said the controversial aspect comes from the fact that harm reduction does not encourage abstinence from drug use, which makes it different from traditional substance abuse rehabilitation programs. Harm reduction instead focuses on keeping active drug users alive, with considerations for their health and safety.

The Cherokee Nation harm reduction program utilizes a mobile unit that brings supplies to drug-users on the streets: clean needles, cotton swabs and Narcan, which can reduce cravings and combat a potentially fatal overdose.

Steward said many harm reduction programs also provide a safe, clean environment to partake in drug use, free of disease such as HIV or hepatitis C, with staff ready to assist in case of overdose.

Cherokee Nation prevention specialist Coleman Cox said that his tribe recognized the potential for addiction among the Cherokee people after being exposed to the opioid epidemic is “far reaching and the latest in a long line of injustices brought upon indigenous peoples.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2021 the highest rate of drug overdose deaths was in American Indian and Alaskan Native individuals. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates 5.1% of Natives have misused opioids, which can include prescribed pain-relief medications, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl and heroin.

“We bent the opioid industry to a settlement for the harm it inflicted, and we are making the opioid industry help pay for every single penny of this facility,” said Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. in reference to their treatment facility they broke ground for Thursday morning.

The Cherokee Nation received a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant last year for harm-reduction services. They now operate a storefront at 214 N. Bliss Ave. in Tahlequah. It is open not only to tribal members but also to the public, and all participants can remain anonymous.

The new facility that the tribe broke ground on this week is a $25 million dollar addiction treatment center just outside of Tahlequah.

The Cherokee Nation’s Public Health and Wellness Fund Act of 2021 dedicated $100 million in settlement funds from opioid and e-cigarette lawsuits for a variety of public health programs.

Cox said harm reduction meets people where they are at in their addiction. This means that if the user does not want to seek rehabilitative services, they do not have to. Rehabilitation services may be recommended, but they are not a requirement.

“Harm reduction is more than Narcan and clean needles. It’s treating others how they want to be treated — with dignity, respect and value, without conditions,” said Cox.

Evan White, a member of the Absentee Shawnee tribe, is the director of Native American research at Laureate Institute for Brain Research in Tulsa. He has worked with various tribal behavioral health programs through his research.

“Harm reduction is a model that has a strong evidence base for good outcomes,” he said, “especially in substance use disorders.”

White believes harm reduction could be attractive to Native communities as it values a person’s autonomy.

“I see a consistent value of a person as an individual within Native communities. Healing is an important part of the process in these cultural spaces, even though there is a lot of stigma around substance abuse in our broader society,” he said.

For Native individuals with substance abuse issues, White said participating in cultural activities may enhance self-control and mindfulness.

The Cherokee Nation’s program provides opportunities for Native people in recovery to partake in cultural activities.

“We planted a Three Sisters Garden: corn, beans and gourds,” said Cox. “Corn provides the bean a pathway for growth. Beans give back by imparting nitrogen to the soil. Gourd provides protection and covers the ground. Three different things working in harmony. Body, mind and spirit.”

Members of the program get to adopt a plant, name it and tend to it. Cox said the vegetables are not for eating, however.

“They are meant to harvest seeds for the future bounty, beyond what we can see now. Just like when our members come to us for whatever kind of help, we plant a seed that one day they will harvest a healthier life,” he said.

Cox said the harm reduction staff launched a new chapter of “wellbriety movement” that they call “recovery rez.” It’s a cultural approach to the traditional 12-step recovery plan.

“At Recovery Rez they begin with prayer and fellowship meal, then smudge and hold a talking circle guided by the passing of an eagle feather from speaker to speaker. They close out the evening with a drum circle and singing. All are welcome, and citizens don’t need to be in recovery to benefit from the cultural protective factors,” said Cox.

Steward said it can be difficult to view harm reduction as a substance abuse program because harm reduction focuses on the long-term.

“The goal is to help someone be ready to engage in rehabilitation later on, but in order to do that, they have to be alive,” she said.

According to Cherokee Nation spokeswoman Julie Hubbard, the tribe’s harm reduction program has had 3,099 encounters for service, and it has 1,049 members currently. The number of people who still inject drugs within the program is 743. The amount of lives saved at the program from Narcan distribution is 44.

Source: https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/indigenous/cherokee-nation-takes-long-term-approach-to-substance-abuse-recovery-via-harm-reduction/article_290c6be4-60a1-11ef-ab14-934bc604a21b.html

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Harm Reduction including HIV (Papers),Needle Exchange,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

BY Lindsey Leake

August 27, 2024

While the modern marijuana consumer may be shedding that lazy stoner stereotype, new research shows that employees who use and abuse the drug are more likely to miss work.

The findings were published Monday in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Work absences included days missed due to illness or injury in addition to skipped days when employees “just didn’t want to be there.” Respondents were a majority or plurality white (62%), male (57%), ages 35 to 49 (35%), married (52%), had at least a college degree (42%), and had an annual household income exceeding $75,000 (55%). About 16% of employees had reported using cannabis within the last month, with about 7% of whom meeting CUD criteria (mild: 4%; moderate: 2%; severe: 1%).

People who said they had never used cannabis missed an average 0.95 days of work in the past 30 days due to illness/injury and skipped 0.28 days. Cannabis users, by comparison, recorded the following absences:

Past-month use: 1.47 illness/injury, 0.63 skipped
Mild CUD: 1.74 illness/injury, 0.62 skipped
Moderate CUD: 1.69 illness/injury, 0.98 skipped
Severe CUD: 2.02 illness/injury, 1.83 skipped

The results also showed that people who used cannabis most frequently skipped the most work. For instance, those who consumed it once or twice per month skipped 0.48 days, while those who consumed it 20 to 30 days per month skipped 0.7 days. People who used cannabis three to five days per month had the highest prevalence of missed days due to illness/injury (1.68). Cannabis use longer than a month ago had no bearing on employee absence.

“These findings highlight the need for increased monitoring, screening measures, and targeted interventions related to cannabis use and use disorder among employed adults,” researchers wrote. “Moreover, these results emphasize the need for enhanced workplace prevention policies and programs aimed at addressing and managing problematic cannabis use.”

Researchers said that while their latest work supports much of the existing literature on cannabis use and workplace absenteeism, it also contrasts with other studies. One previous study, for example, showed a decline in sickness-related absences in the wake of medical marijuana legislation, while another found no link between the two.

One limitation of the new study, the authors note, is that it relied on participants’ self-reported answers. In addition, the data don’t reflect whether cannabis was used for medicinal or recreational purposes, whether it was consumed during work hours, or address other factors that may have affected a person’s cannabis use patterns.

What are the signs of cannabis use disorder?

That marijuana isn’t addictive is a myth. People with CUD are unable to stop using cannabis even when it causes health and social problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cannabis consumers have about a 10% likelihood of developing CUD, a disorder impacting nearly a third of all users, according to previous research estimates. At higher risk are people who start using cannabis as adolescents and who use the drug more frequently.

The CDC lists these behaviors as signs of CUD:

Continuing to use cannabis despite physical or psychological problems
Continuing to use cannabis despite social or relationship problems
Craving cannabis
Giving up important activities with friends and family in favor of using cannabis
Needing to use more cannabis to get the same high
Spending a lot of time using cannabis
Trying but failing to quit using cannabis
Using cannabis even though it causes problems at home, school, or work
Using cannabis in high-risk situations, such as while driving a car
Using more cannabis than intended

In addition to interfering with everyday life, CUD has been linked to unemployment, cognitive impairment, and lower education attainment. People with CUD often have additional mental health problems, including other substance abuse disorders. In this study, for example, 14% of respondents reported having alcohol use disorder within the past year.

Source: https://fortune.com/well/article/marijuana-abuse-cannabis-use-disorder-workplace-absenteeism-sick-days/

Filed under: Brain and Behaviour,Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Economic,Mental Health,USA,Workplace :

Suicide prevention is a high priority for SAMHSA and a key area of focus in SAMHSA’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. Below is more information about SAMHSA’s suicide prevention initiatives.

Funding and Grant Programs

SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Branch funds discretionary grant programs focused on suicide prevention, early intervention, crisis support, treatment, recovery, and postvention for youth and adults, including:

Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal: Community-based suicide prevention for youth and young adults up to age 24. This program supports states and tribes with implementing youth suicide prevention and early intervention strategies in educational settings, juvenile justice and foster care systems, substance use and mental health programs, and other organizations to: (1) increase the number of organizations that can identify and work with youth at risk of suicide; (2) increase the capacity of clinical service providers to assess, manage, and treat youth at risk of suicide; and (3) improve the continuity of care and follow-up of at-risk youth.
- “It has been wonderful work made possible through the SAMHSA grant and we are thrilled each chance we get to share these programs with others to help support other grants and especially our youth.” – S/T Grantee
Garrett Lee Smith Campus: Suicide prevention initiatives for students on college campuses. This program supports a comprehensive, evidence-based public health approach that: (1) enhances mental health services for students, including those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness / serious emotional disturbances, and/or substance use disorders (SUDs) that can lead to school failure; (2) prevents and reduces suicide, mental illness, and SUDs; (3) promotes help-seeking behavior; and (4) improves the identification and treatment of at-risk students so they can successfully complete their studies.
- “This marks 3 years of enhanced mental health and wellbeing support for students. We’ve learned that high usage of after-hour support for students through our program lowers the barriers that may otherwise prevent students from seeking help.” – GLS Campus Grantee
Native Connections/Tribal Behavioral Health: Community-based suicide prevention for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth through age 24. The purpose of this program is to prevent suicide and substance misuse, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among AI/AN youth. It aims to reduce the impact of mental health and substance use disorders, foster culturally responsive models that reduce and respond to the impact of trauma in AI/AN communities, and allow AI/AN communities to facilitate collaboration among agencies to support youth through the development and implementation of an array of integrated services and supports with the involvement of AI/AN community members in all grant activities.
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Community suicide prevention for adults 18 and over. The purpose of this program is to implement suicide prevention and intervention programs for adults (with an emphasis on older adults, adults in rural areas, and AI/AN adults) that help implement the 2021 Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (PDF | 708 KB). This program uses a broad-based public health approach to suicide prevention by enhancing collaboration with key community stakeholders, raising awareness of suicide prevention resources, and implementing lethal means safety.
- “The NSSP grant has not only allowed us to sustain our efforts to prevent suicide by expanding our capacity to engage in lethal means safety, connectedness, economic stability, education, and follow-up efforts across the state, but also given local partners resources to implement innovative strategies for suicide prevention.” – NSSP Grantee
Zero Suicide: Suicide prevention framework to implement within Health and Behavioral Health Care Systems for adults 18 and older. The purpose of this program is to implement the Zero Suicide intervention and prevention model—a comprehensive, multi-setting suicide prevention approach—for adults throughout a health system or systems. Recipients are expected to implement all seven elements of the Zero Suicide framework—Lead, Train, Identify, Engage, Treat, Transition, and Improve—incorporating health equity principles within the framework in order to reduce suicide ideation, attempts, and deaths.
- “Emphasis of Zero Suicide has created an environment where more and more individuals are talking openly about suicide, and it is helping to shatter stigma that surrounds suicide.” – Zero Suicide Grantee
Community Crisis Response Partnerships: Mobile crisis units serving youth and adults across the lifespan. The purpose of this program is to create or enhance existing mobile crisis response teams to divert people experiencing mental health crises from law enforcement in high-need communities, where mobile crisis services are absent or inconsistent, most mental health crises are responded to by first responders, and/or first responders are not adequately trained or equipped to diffuse mental health crises. Grant recipients use SAMHSA’s National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care: Best Practice Toolkit (PDF | 2.2 MB) as a guide in mobile crisis service delivery.
- “The CCRP grant has allowed our agency to expand our mobile crisis services to a 24/7/365 program, setting us apart as the first in our state to offer around the clock mobile response. This has greatly reduced the instances of unnecessary involvement with Law Enforcement and EMS, expediting the appropriate mental health service, directly to the client.” – CCRP Grantee
Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Funded by SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Branch, SPRC is a national resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. SPRC advances suicide prevention infrastructure and capacity building through technical assistance, training, and resources to states, Native settings, colleges and universities, health systems, and other organizations involved in suicide prevention. Visit SPRC to learn more about suicide and a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention; access a searchable online library, Best Practices Registry, and set of online trainings and webinars; request technical assistance with your suicide prevention efforts; or sign up for SPRC’s weekly newsletter.

SAMHSA Initiatives in Action

SAMHSA’s Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative: Created by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) to address the growing rate of suicide deaths among Black youth and young adults. Utilizing mechanisms within and external to SAMHSA, the goal of the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative is to reduce the suicidal thoughts, attempts, and deaths of Black youth and young adults between the ages of 5-24 across the country.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a free, confidential 24/7 phone line that connects individuals in crisis with trained counselors across the United States. There are also specialized lines for both Veterans and the LGBTQIA+ population.

You don’t have to be suicidal or in crisis to call the Lifeline. People call to talk about coping with lots of things: substance use, economic worries, relationships, sexual identity, illness, abuse, mental and physical illness, and loneliness. Here’s more about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

You are not alone in reaching out. In 2021, the Lifeline received 3.6 million calls, chats, and texts.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a network of more than 200 state and local call centers supported by HHS through SAMHSA.
Calls to the Lifeline are routed to the nearest crisis center for connections to local resources for help.
Responders are trained counselors who have successfully helped to prevent suicide ideation and attempts among callers.
Learn what happens when you call the Lifeline network.
Frequently asked questions about the Lifeline.

Suicide-Related Survey Data

Data collected via SAMHSA’s National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provide estimates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state, and substate levels; help identify the extent of these issues among different subgroups; estimate trends over time; determine the need for treatment services; and help inform planning and early intervention programs and services. NSDUH also collects data about the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts among adolescents aged 12-17 and adults aged 18 or older, described in the NSDUH national releases.

Last Updated: 08/27/2024

Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicide/prevention-initiatives

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Mental Health,Social Affairs,USA,Youth :

Perhaps we’re finally turning a corner when it comes to lowering overdose deaths. While the number of people dying as a result of an overdose remains frighteningly high, a new report signals modest progress in efforts to reduce fatalities.

Updated figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found fatal drug overdoses fell 2.4% from 2022 to 2023. The toll from the overdose crisis reached 108,317 lives last year, according to data the CDC posted Aug. 4. While that’s lower than the 111,029 overdose deaths in 2022, it still represents a massive number of preventable deaths, and there’s yet more we can do to ensure that fatalities continue to decline.

That is one of the goals of International Overdose Awareness Day, observed on August 31.

In recognition of the day, the National Council has created an informative new video to help people understand how to administer naloxone. Naloxone (often known by the brand name Narcan) is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It is quite literally a lifesaver.

The lower number of overdose fatalities in 2023 may be related to the Food and Drug Administration’s March 2023 decision to make naloxone available over the counter, a decision we applauded. But having naloxone available doesn’t mean everyone who may need it has access to the drug. And it doesn’t mean that everyone knows how to administer naloxone.

Let’s hope the modest drop in overdose fatalities last year was an early indication that we’re finally flattening the curve of overdose deaths.

That’s exactly why we made this video.

Everyone should carry naloxone, especially those who work with the public — whether as a teacher, ambulance driver, librarian, coach or in some other capacity.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) continues to promote naloxone distribution through state opioid response (SOR) grants. Naloxone distribution and saturation planning is a federal-state partnership (of sorts) to optimize naloxone distribution.

States are required to create distribution and saturation plans as part of their SOR grant; every state is required to make one. The purpose is for states to meaningfully plan and coordinate their naloxone distribution based on data and input from impacted community partners so they optimize reach, including focusing distribution efforts to those most likely to experience and/or witness an overdose.

Substance use isn’t going away anytime soon. July’s release of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health provides important new data about substance use challenges and the nature of substance use among people of all ages. For instance:

70.5 million

Among people aged 12 or older in 2023, 70.5 million people (24.9%) had used illicit drugs in the past year, up from 70.3 million people in 2022 and 61.2 million in 2021.

48.5 million

In 2023, 48.5 million people 12 or older (17.1%) had a substance use disorder in the past year, down slightly from 48.7 million in 2022.

8.9 million

In 2023, 8.9 million people 12 and older (3.1%) used opioids in a non-prescribed way in the past year, compared to 8.9 million in 2022 and 9.4 million in 2021.

This data shows us that no one is immune from a substance use challenge.

We can’t turn our backs on people with a substance use disorder or ignore the tragic consequences of substances, whether they’re considered illicit or socially acceptable, like alcohol. To support people with a substance use disorder or their loved ones, the Start With Hope project also recently published many new resources, including:

The Start With Hope project was started in November 2023 by The Ad Council, in partnership with the CDC, the National Council and Shatterproof to deliver a message of hope to those living with substance use disorders as well as those at risk of developing one.

Let’s hope the modest drop in overdose fatalities last year was an early indication that we’re finally flattening the curve of overdose deaths. When it comes to lives lost, we can’t be satisfied with modest improvements. Let’s ensure continued progress by spreading the word about lifesaving resources.

Check out our new video, and let us know what you’re doing in your communities to reduce overdose deaths and provide resources to those with a substance use disorder.

We can and will learn from one another on how to best support people and communities.

Author

Charles Ingoglia, MSW
(he/him/his) President and CEO
National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Source: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/lowering-overdose-deaths-naxolone-how-to/

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA,Youth :

With the increasing legalization of recreational marijuana across various states, employers need to proactively prepare for the changes and their implications on the workplace. As more states allow adults to legally purchase and possess marijuana, it’s essential for employers to review and update their workplace policies to ensure compliance and maintain a safe work environment.

Despite legalization, employers can still prohibit marijuana use that leads to impairment at work, akin to alcohol restrictions. Recent legal decisions, such as White v. Timken Gears & Servs., Inc. in Illinois, reinforce that a positive drug test for marijuana while working, even if used recreationally off-duty, can justify termination if it violates a reasonable and consistently applied workplace policy. This underscores the importance of clear, fair, and legally sound drug and alcohol policies to ensure workplace safety.

The first step is to reevaluate your drug testing protocols. Ensure they align with both state and federal regulations, particularly if your industry is governed by specific mandates, such as those from the Department of Transportation. Consider your agreements with insurance carriers, as marijuana testing might be a condition of coverage or discounts.
Testing for marijuana presents unique challenges due to the limitations of current testing methods. Talk with your testing laboratory to understand the differences between qualitative and quantitative tests and determine which best supports your workplace policies.
Evaluate whether to implement second chance agreements for employees who test positive for marijuana. Additionally, consider providing access to substance abuse programs. These measures can help manage employees who might struggle with marijuana use while offering them a chance to comply with workplace policies.
Update your policies in your employee handbook, workers’ compensation policies, and other relevant documents to clearly state that while marijuana may be legal, it is prohibited in the workplace. Clearly outline that possession or use of marijuana at the worksite is forbidden and that employees are not permitted to use marijuana during lunch or other breaks. Specify the consequences of violating these policies to ensure there are no ambiguities.
Hold meetings to communicate the company’s stance and expectations regarding marijuana use to all employees. Transparency is key; ensure employees understand the policies, the reasons behind them, and the consequences of non-compliance. Clear communication helps in setting the right expectations and reduces misunderstandings.
Conduct comprehensive training sessions for HR professionals, managers, and supervisors on the company’s policies regarding marijuana use. Ensure that all managerial staff understand the testing protocols and disciplinary policies. Training should also cover how to handle conversations with employees about marijuana use, ensuring consistency and sensitivity. Equip your managers with the skills to recognize signs of impairment at work. Understanding how to identify and address employees who might be under the influence of marijuana is crucial for maintaining workplace safety. Provide clear guidelines on the steps to take if impairment is suspected. Check out our trainings here!

The increasing state legalization of recreational marijuana marks a significant change for employers. By proactively updating your drug testing protocols, policies, training programs, and communication strategies, you can effectively manage the impact of this new legislation on your workplace. Staying informed and prepared will help you navigate this evolving landscape while ensuring a safe and compliant work environment.

Sources:

Federal court rules employer did not violate Illinois privacy law for firing worker testing positive for cannabis. (2024, July 30). JD Supra. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/federal-court-rules-employer-did-not-4849901/

NATIONAL DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ALLIANCE

Source: www.ndwa.org

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Legal Sector,USA,Workplace :

Aug. 31, 2024 at 9:07 pm

Simon Rubick, who sought help from PAWsitive Recovery while he was recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, holds his rescue dog Tonks in Aurora, Colo., on Monday, June 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)

DENVER (AP) — Simon Rubick had lost almost everything to decades of alcoholism and drug addiction.

In 2022, he found himself without a vehicle and without a home, which forced his two teenage children to move in with friends. He had burned bridges with friends and family and it took a drug-induced stint in the hospital for him to realize his cocaine addiction was going to be a “death sentence.”

Rubick, who lives in the Denver suburb of Arvada, Colorado, knew he needed help. But first he had to figure out what to do with one of the only sources of unconditional love and support he had left: his beloved German shepherd rescue, Tonks.

Most residential rehab centers in the United States don’t allow patients to bring their pets along, said Rubick, 51. So when his brother could no longer help care for the dog, Rubick thought he would have to make the excruciating decision to give up Tonks.

“It basically came down to being able to take care of my dog or being able to take care of myself,” he said.

Rubick — who has been sober for more than two years and is now an addiction recovery coach — was connected to the group PAWsitive Recovery, which fosters animals while their owners receive treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, and for people dealing with domestic violence or mental health crises.

“People that are trying to get into recovery sometimes have lost their families, their children, any kind of support system that they have had,” said Serena Saunders, the organization’s program manager. “You’re not going to compound trauma that you’ve already had by giving up the one thing that hasn’t given up on you, and that’s people’s animals.”

Saunders founded PAWsitive Recovery in Denver three years ago. Since then, it’s helped more than 180 people and their pets, and Saunders said the group has looked to expand nationally after it became a part of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International. The organization, whose largest foster network is in Colorado but accepts applications nationwide, is one of just a few programs in the U.S. that cares for the pets of people seeking treatment for substance abuse.

Saunders’ own experience with drug and alcohol addiction has helped her tailor the program. She said she had a “pretty broken childhood,” with her mother being schizophrenic and addicted to methamphetamine and her father also struggling with addiction. She sought comfort in alcohol when she was about 12 and was using hard drugs by the time she was 14.

“Addiction just gave me trauma after trauma,” said Saunders, now 41.

Saunders was seeing a therapist for her depression and PTSD when a fortuitous session planted the seed of PAWsitive Recovery. With a background in veterinary and shelter medicine, which focuses on caring for homeless animals, she told her therapist she wanted to incorporate her love of dogs in her recovery.

“And that’s what we did,” said Saunders, who fostered Tonks for several months while Rubick was in treatment and facilitated visits between the two best friends.

“To see a broken person when we’re meeting them in a parking lot, when they have nothing left to live for but their animal. And to see how broken and how desperate they are in that moment, and then to circle back around six months later and see them completely turn their lives around is just so special. It’s amazing,” said Saunders, who has been sober for 3 1/2 years.

That sentiment is echoed by the organization’s volunteer foster families, some of whom are drawn to the program because of their own experiences with addiction.

Denver resident Ben Cochell, 41, who has been sober from alcohol for more than seven years, has two dogs of his own and has fostered several more.

“One of my favorite parts about fostering in this program is the ability to teach my kids some life lessons in how to help others and how to care for animals and be kind, be loving. And to just give of yourself,” he said. “That’s what you have. Your time and your energy. And you can give that away freely.”

If not for PAWsitive Recovery, Rubick said he probably would have ended up living on the streets with his dog and trying to figure out recovery on his own. But as it turned out, by being able to keep his rescue dog, Tonks ended up rescuing Rubick, he said.

“It’s that connection, caring for another creature and having something else care for you the way that animals do,” Rubick said. “It’s just unconditional, and sometimes that’s one of the things that people in recovery really need to be able to feel.”

Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/giving-up-pets-to-seek-rehab-can-worsen-trauma-a-colorado-group-intends-to-end-that/

Filed under: Animals,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Aug. 31 is known as International Awareness Day the department wanted to spread awareness about the crisis of drug overdoses.

During this event, people gathered at the city hall and lit candles to remember lost lives or loved ones.

The South Carolina Department of Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services states the number of overdoses has been increasing for the past 10 years.

Organizations and community members came together to learn more about how to spot an overdose and the importance of Narcan nasal sprays.

Thomas Young, a Charleston County support specialist, said his overdose was a wake-up call to get the help he needed.

“I was basically dead on arrival and it took six Narcan to get me awake,” Young said.

There have been between 100-120 incidents regarding overdoses with 20 of those fatal within the first six months of this year according to the North Charleston Police Department.

In 2022 alone, there were 437 opioid-related deaths in the Lowcountry and over 1,800 throughout the whole state, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Opioid prevention coordinator Shelbey Joffrion said she thinks substance abuse disorder is important for people to know and how it touches to have someone by them during difficult times.

“I just think it’s important that everyone knows the substance abuse disorder touches everyone,” Joffrion said. “I have not met anyone who says they have not had their friend or family in their circle. It touches all of us.”

Young explains he never thought it be sober ever again and how it takes a team to overcome a drug addiction.

“I never I never thought I’d be sober, ever,” Young said. “It’s basically a miracle that I’m sober because I was a glorified drug user for many years. Nobody can really get clean by themselves, no matter how much they try. We kind of need everybody in this together.”

Click this link for more information regarding the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services.

Source: https://www.live5news.com/2024/09/01/north-charleston-hosts-first-overdose-awareness-day-event/

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Education,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

Recognizing Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, the Denver City Council passed a proclamation that called for numerous radical, unproven drug policies. The most notable of these was “safe supply,” a misnomer that provides free, pharmaceutical, addictive opioids to those with an opioid addiction. If it sounds like a bad idea, that is because it is.

Even worse, absent from the discussion is a promotion of evidence-based treatment and prevention services that prioritize recovery.

Denver’s proclamation encourages “prioritizing harm reduction initiatives such as naloxone, fentanyl testing strips, syringe services programs, overdose prevention sites, and a safe supply.” By lumping in these interventions together, radical extreme drug policy and harm reduction advocates are hoping we don’t notice some of these unproven policies that are nothing more than slippery slopes to full drug legalization.

Case in point: British Columbia, Canada, has already focused its attention almost exclusively on all of these harm reduction initiatives while reducing focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery.

The result? Overdose deaths have continued to rise in that province and it leads North America in its rate of overdose mortality. Focusing on harm reduction alone has not delivered on its promise as a solution to the drug crisis.

The most troubling of these proposals is “safe supply.” Anything but what its name suggests, “safe supply” provides opioids to people who use drugs on the premise that a medical-grade drug supply is better than one that may be mixed with other substances in the illicit market. It’s like giving away free booze to alcoholics in the hopes that they drink less.

In essence, Denver’s City Council members are echoing the calls of radical activists in proposing to give people in active addiction their drugs directly — and for free.

A recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine reviewed British Columbia’s so-called “safe supply” program. The researchers found that just as many people died from overdoses as before the policy took effect. Additionally, the “safe supply” drugs are often sold on the black market so those users can obtain what they really want — usually fentanyl. Even extreme harm reduction supporters in British Columbia have recognized its shortcomings. But instead of backtracking, they are doubling down on this unproven approach.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer in British Columbia, recently called for the province to “enable access to non-prescribed alternatives to unregulated drugs.” In effect, they know the medical model of safe supply, also known as “prescribed alternatives,” has not worked, so they want to increase access to legalized drugs in retail stores, clubs, and community centers. They’d place life-threatening drugs in neighborhoods across the province.

Instead, we should wake up — and favor an evidence-based approach that is comprehensive: both supply reduction, which includes enforcing the law on open-air drug markets and dealers, and demand reduction, which includes prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Of course, harm reduction interventions like naloxone have a role to play, but they cannot be the only leg of the stool.

Prioritizing a comprehensive approach will send a clear message that in Denver we actually want to achieve something in honor of the many victims of overdose.

Many readers may be shocked to learn that the proclamation in Denver overlooked many of these common-sense interventions.

The word “treatment” was referenced only once. The concept of “drug use prevention,” such as empirically proven programs discouraging use among minors and non-users, was completely absent. And the word “recovery” was not referenced at all.

Many recognize the tragedy of the drug crisis, which took the lives of more than 100,000 Americans in 2022. To overcome this crisis, policymakers must support a comprehensive approach that favors a wide range of responses, including demand reduction, supply reduction, and harm reduction. Denver’s City Council has chosen to proclaim the extreme proposals of activists over real solutions.

Let’s hope they reverse course soon.

Yes, we should meet people where they are in their addiction. But we cannot leave them there.

Luke Niforatos is the executive vice president of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions and an international drug policy expert.

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

(Spectrum News/Vania Patino)

By Vania Patino Los Angeles

Sep. 02, 2024

LOS ANGELES — Facing peer pressure can be hard, but teens at the Boys and Girls Club in Monterey Park are learning to say no to drugs and alcohol together.

What You Need To Know

- The Boys and Girls Club in Monterey Park offers a drug and alcohol prevention program for youth called Brent’s Club

- Participants are drug tested at random every week and rewarded through activities, trips and scholarships for saying no to drugs

- Earlier this year, a group of students traveled to Washington D.C to participate at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Summit for America’s Youth

- The students were able to speak with elected officials about the need for continued funding toward drug prevention resources

Victoria Perez is one of the high school students who chooses to spend her afternoons at the Brent’s Club chapter offered at the Boys and Girls Club.

“I thought maybe it would just be lessons of drug and alcohol awareness, but it just it’s so much bigger than that,” Perez said.

Perez and the other participants soon realized they were not just gaining knowledge about the dangers of drugs, but were also being rewarded for actively taking those lessons into their daily decision making.

The program takes their commitment to staying drug free serious, and it’s why every week participants are drug tested at random.

So far, director of the Brent’s Club, Angel Silva, says they have not had any test results come back positive.

The deal is that those who remain drug free are rewarded through field trips, activities and also become eligible for a full four-year scholarship or partial renewable scholarships.

“Like our Maui trip that we do every summer, where we go, and we do a service project on the island of Maui,” Silva said.

The approach was designed by the Brent Shapiro Foundation, which was created by Brent’s parents after losing their son to addiction. The hope was to prevent this from happening to any other families and help reduce the risks of falling into substance abuse among youth.

This year, some participants created the TLC or Think, Lead, Create Change mental health project to advocate for continued funding toward drug use prevention, treatment and recovery resources.

Perez was one of the participants and, along with her team, was able to attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Summit for America’s Youth in Washington, D.C.

This was the first time flying for many of the participants and the first time at D.C. for all the students.

It’s experiences like those that Silva says these students would otherwise not have access to without the program.

Perez says it took a lot of preparing and researching to create the project, but was all worth it when they were able to present it to elected officials and share why this cause means so much to them.

“It was such an amazing opportunity, especially for advocating for not just alcohol and drug abuse, but for mental health and how those things merge together,” Perez said.

The advocacy and awareness the students are helping create comes as a time when fentanyl continues to be the most common cause of accidental drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County.

“We were learning and teaching at the same time very much, because we thought we knew everything about fentanyl, but it decided to change the whole game,” Silva said.

Although, it can be tough to keep up, he says the ever-changing substance landscape makes their efforts that much more important.

Something Perez’s mother, Monica Vargas, agrees with and why she says the program has given her a peace of mind although the idea was jarring at first.

“It was a little shocking because where I come from, I’m a first generation, so we tend to come sometimes from very close or conservative families. So we think out of sight, out of mind. We don’t talk about it,” Vargas said.

However, she knew it was important for parents to communicate with their children, and this program was the perfect way to do it.

“If those additional incentives help, especially with so much pressure out there for these teens, by all means, I’m all for it. I’m 100% for it,” Vargas said.

Along with the incentives, Silva says the students have also become each other’s support system, which itself is a way to reduce the risk of substance abuse among youth.

“That’s the great part. You know, it’s not just within the clubhouse, they all go to the same school, and they hold each other accountable,” Silva said.

Source: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/health/2024/09/02/teens–drug-and-alcohol-prevention-

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Drug use-various effects,Education,Fentanyl,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

By Charlotte Caldwell

September 6, 2024

LIMA — The Lima Police Department recently posted on its Facebook page about an increase in overdoses in Lima over the past few weeks.

With September being National Recovery Month, where organizations try to increase public awareness about mental health and addiction recovery, local organizations and law enforcement agencies shared their experiences with addiction and overdoses and the help that is available.

The problem

Lima Fire Chief Andy Heffner said his department responded to 85 overdoses so far this year. He said the overdose numbers have risen and fallen throughout the year, with about one-week breaks in between. He believed the numbers were based on the drugs available in the area.

Project Auglaize County Addiction Response Team Project Coordinator/Peer Support Specialist Brittany Boneta spoke on the reason for the overdose spikes.

“When it comes to overdoses, one is too many,” Boneta said. “I think the number of overdoses comes in waves. There could be a really bad batch of heroin or fentanyl that gets distributed throughout the county that could lead to a spike in overdoses.”

Heffner cited the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website, which said seven out of every 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. The website also said 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be enough to kill someone.

“It only takes one time when Narcan is not available that you could lose your life. If you get clean, you will never have to worry about an overdose, and neither will the people that love you,” Heffner said.

Bath Township Fire Chief Joe Kitchen said his department used Narcan 21 times on patients from August 2023 to August 2024. The department also distributes Narcan to families just in case an overdose occurs.

“Although we have only left behind a few kits so far, I think it gives the family of a known addict some peace of mind that they could assist them in the event of an OD prior to EMS arrival,” Kitchen said.

Another problem is a tranquilizer called Xylazine is being mixed with fentanyl, which does not respond to the usual methods of reversal.

“There are always new drugs/drug combinations being introduced on the streets that make it difficult for those in the treatment world to keep up with and know how to effectively treat,” said Jamie Declercq, the vice president of clinical operations for Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions. “Right now, we are seeing an increase in substances (such as Xylazine) across the county which does not respond to Narcan, so that is likely one reason for the increase in overdose deaths.”

Their stories

Boneta was addicted to opiates and crack cocaine over a seven-year period, and her addiction journey started when she was prescribed Percocet by a cardiologist for a heart condition when she was 18.

“There wasn’t a drug I wouldn’t use,” Boneta said. “I was an honor roll student in high school with more trauma than almost anyone I know, and when I went off to college I wasn’t educated on the true dangers of drugs, the thirst to fit in, and all of my trauma stuffed down.”

When her doctor stopped prescribing Percocet, she bought them from drug dealers, not knowing they were laced with heroin.

“When the drug supply of the fake Percocet ran out, I was just buying actual heroin. The heroin was starting to have fentanyl added to it, and before long that was all I was consuming,” Boneta said.

Boneta was eventually sent to prison for drugs, and during that time her 6-year-old son was involved in a house fire and suffered serious injuries.

“I was transported from the prison, in my orange jumpsuit and shackles on my wrists and ankles, to say my goodbyes to my son. I think seeing him lying there in a coma covered in bandages was something so soul-shaking that I knew this was my rock bottom,” Boneta said.

“My son had countless surgeries and was getting better and stronger as the months went by, so I decided I was going to completely reset my life and work my butt off just as hard,” Boneta continued. “I completed as many recovery groups and classes as possible and started learning coping skills and tools to use when I was released from prison. I knew that I wanted to help other people like me and show them that people can understand what they are going through and not have judgment towards them.”

Diane Urban, of Delphos, the founder/president of the Association of People Against Lethal Drugs, started APALD because her youngest son died from a fentanyl overdose. Her older son is also a former addict, and her niece is in active addiction.

“He was clean for the last nine months of his life, he came to live with me, and he relapsed due to an ingrown wisdom tooth that was coming in, his face was swelling up, and because he had Medicaid, we couldn’t find him any help anywhere except for a place in Van Wert, and it was a two-week out appointment. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to me, he relapsed, and I found him dead in his bedroom from a fentanyl overdose,” Urban said.

Challenges to get help

Transportation, not enough of a variety of local recovery options available and financial barriers were all cited as issues addicts face when they decide to get help.

“For peers that are needing inpatient treatment or sober living, we have to send them to other counties for help,” Boneta said. “There is definitely a need for more substance abuse treatment in our county.”

Declercq said Allen County also has a need for inpatient or residential treatment, and people who need that care have to go to one of the major cities nearby.

Urban dealt with having to go outside the area when her son got help.

“Seven years ago when I had to get help for my son, we had to go to Columbus. There was no help to get in right away because (Coleman Health Services) was so backed up,” Urban said. “There can never be enough resources because what happens is all these resource centers and rehabilitation centers, they keep you for a period of time then they release you, and a lot of people when they get released like that, they don’t have adequate support for more of a long-term stay, more of them tend to relapse.”

Urban said her son got treatment for free with Medicaid, but in her experience, organizations prioritize people who have insurance.

Auglaize County Sheriff Mike Vorhees also mentioned a challenge with people not having a way to get to treatment.

“We don’t provide transportation yet, but that’s something that we’re working on,” Vorhees said in regard to the services Project ACART provides. “It depends on who it is. If it’s an elderly person, we can work with the Council on Aging; if it’s a veteran we go through Veterans Services.”

Financially, Declercq said Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions’ case managers help people apply for Medicaid, or the local mental health board has options for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid.

“One of the most frustrating barriers for seeking treatment is those with commercial insurance or Medicare, as those companies only pay for very limited services,” Declercq said. “Commercial plans typically pay for a short detox stay and limited individual/group counseling sessions, but do not pay for the intensive level of treatment that a program like Lighthouse offers.”

“Thirty days of treatment and/or 10 individual counseling sessions are not enough to truly treat a person who has been in active addiction for years,” Declercq continued. “Oftentimes even one year of intense treatment only touches the surface of the issues that someone in addiction needs to address.”

Available help

Project ACART has only been around about a year, and Boneta is working part-time and is the only employee. She has reached out to 19 people so far, and only two have denied treatment. She put together a resource guide in 2023 including mental health and substance abuse centers; residential detox treatment centers; 24/7 support services; substance use support groups; where to find Narcan; food pantries, hot meals and clothing; housing assistance and shelters; and low income and subsidized housing.

Boneta received help from peer support specialists through Coleman Health Services during her addiction. Now, as a peer support specialist, she uses a combination of her own experiences and formal training. She equated her role to being like a cheerleader. She is available to clients day and night to connect them to agencies to get help or just talk about their struggles.

“I meet people where they’re at and treat every situation differently. Some of the things I do are assessing needs and struggles, setting goals, advocating for my peers, giving resources, facilitating engagement with my peers and their families or service providers, and encouraging and uplifting them,” Boneta said.

Project ACART’s services are also free because of an Ohio grant.

“Many people in active addiction do not have housing, food, clothing, money or insurance, but they should still have the opportunity to get the help they need,” Boneta said.

Declercq said Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions also recently opened a peer support center in Lima for clients to have a place to go for sober activities.

“Downtime/boredom is often a trigger for people who are early in recovery, so this gives them a place to fill that time in a positive way,” Declercq said. “Our peer supporters offer a unique support system to our clients because they are people with past lived experience in addiction who are able to show them that life beyond addiction is achievable and fulfilling.”

Coleman’s seemed to be the go-to choice for law enforcement referrals, and Urban also directs people to the organization.

“My oldest son was a success story, he went to Coleman’s, got treatment, got on the MAT (medication-assisted treatment) program, Suboxone, and he’s thriving today. Owns his own house, owns his own business, married, doing absolutely wonderful. He’s like eight years clean,” Urban said.

Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities Recovery Within Reach program also provides a list of recovery resources and offers ways to pay for treatment.

Source: https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2024/09/06/local-organizations-share-addiction-experiences-challenges-resources/

Filed under: Addiction,Crime/Violence/Prison,Drug use-various effects,Fentanyl,Prevalence,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Posted By: Staff September 9, 2024

By Marcel Gemme

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. During this month, prevention organizations, survivors, mental health advocates, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention and awareness.

One important aspect of suicide prevention is recognizing the connection between substance use and suicide. Drug addiction prevention campaigns are always working hand-in-hand with suicide prevention campaigns in local communities.

Drug and alcohol addiction, such as alcohol and opioid use disorders, for example, significantly increases the risk of suicidal ideation, attempts, and death. These are generally the two most implicated substances in suicide risk.

The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior is elevated with acute alcohol intoxication and chronic alcohol use or dependence. The same applies to opioid use, as it can increase the risk of suicide and unintentional overdose caused by opioids alone or polysubstance use.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 9^th leading cause of death in Arizona. It is the second leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 34 in the state. Unfortunately, 91% of communities in Arizona did not have enough mental health providers to serve residents in 2023. It’s estimated that almost four times as many people died by suicide in Arizona than in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.

Fortunately, prevention campaigns work and increase awareness surrounding substance use and suicide. Anyone can take action today by knowing simple things, such as dialing 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a 24-7 free and confidential support for people in distress.

Locally, there is an Arizona Statewide Crisis Hotline, where anyone can phone 1-844-534-HOPE(4673) or text 4HOPE(44673).

We must all work to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention. There are actions that anyone can take to help and give hope to those who are struggling. Consider some of the following pointers.

Ask, do not beat around the bush, but ask that person how they are doing and if they are thinking about suicide. Acknowledging and talking about suicide reduces suicidal ideation. Be there for that person, and they will feel less depressed, less suicidal, and less overwhelmed.

Keep them safe and help them stay connected. When lethal means are made less available or less deadly, the frequency and risks of suicide decline. Moreover, the hopelessness subsides when you help that person create a support network of resources and individuals.

Most importantly, maintain contact, follow up, and see them in person as frequently as possible. This is a critical part of suicide prevention, along with always learning more about prevention and awareness.

However, this process is not bulletproof, and we must recognize there are countless instances of individuals taking their lives and giving no indication or red flag they were suicidal. But if we can keep changing the conversation, breaking down the walls of stigma, and making the resources accessible, more people may ask for help before it is too late.

Marcel Gemme is the founder of SUPE and has been helping people struggling with substance use for over 20 years. His work focuses on a threefold approach: education, prevention, and rehabilitation.

Source: https://gilavalleycentral.net/suicide-prevention-is-an-important-part-of-drug-education/

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Drug use-various effects,Mental Health,USA :

Cryptocurrency Tether enables a parallel economy that operates beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement

Wall Street Journal Angus Berwick and Ben Foldy Sept. 10, 2024

A giant unregulated currency is undermining America’s fight against arms dealers, sanctions busters and scammers. Almost as much money flowed through its network last year as through Visa cards. And it has recently minted more profit than BlackRock, with a tiny fraction of the workforce. Its name: tether. The cryptocurrency has grown into an important cog in the global financial system, with as much as $190 billion changing hands daily.

In essence, tether is a digital U.S. dollar—though one privately controlled in the British Virgin Islands by a secretive crew of owners, with its activities largely hidden from governments.

Known as a stablecoin for its 1:1 peg to the dollar, tether gained early use among crypto aficionados. But it has spread deep into the financial underworld, enabling a parallel economy that operates beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement.

Wherever the U.S. government has restricted access to the dollar financial system—Iran, Venezuela, Russia—tether thrives as a sort of incognito dollar used to move money across borders.

Russian oligarchs and weapons dealers shuttle tether abroad to buy property and pay suppliers for sanctioned goods. Venezuela’s sanctioned state oil firm takes payment in tether for cargoes. Drug cartels, fraud rings and terrorist groups such as Hamas use it to launder income.

Yet in dysfunctional economies such as Argentina and Turkey, beset by hyperinflation and a shortage of hard currency, tether is also a lifeline for people who use it for quotidian payments and as a way to protect their savings.

Tether is arguably the first successful real-world product to emerge from the cryptocurrency revolution that began over a decade ago. It has made its owners immensely rich. Tether has $120 billion in assets, mostly risk-free U.S. Treasury bills, along with positions in bitcoin and gold. Last year it generated $6.2 billion in profit, outearning BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, by $700 million.

Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino, boasted earlier this year that, with under 100 employees, it earned more profit per person than any company ever.

Tether wants “to build a fairer, more connected, and accessible global financial system,” Ardoino said in a May press release. He claims over 300 million people are using the currency.

With sanctions, Washington can cut adversaries off from the dollar and thus much of the global trading system, since all dollar transactions involve U.S. regulated banks. Tether’s popularity subverts those powers.

“We need a regulatory framework that doesn’t allow offshore dollar-backed stablecoin providers to play by a different set of rules,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told The Wall Street Journal. Adeyemo singled out tether in April testimony before Congress.

For this article, the Journal spoke with tether users, researchers and officials, and reviewed messages exchanged between intermediaries, court and corporate records, and blockchain data.

Tether didn’t respond to requests for comment. The company said in May it collaborates with law enforcement and was upgrading its capacity to monitor transactions for sanctions evasion. Tether voluntarily freezes digital wallets used to transfer its tokens that were connected with sanctioned entities, it says. Ardoino said Tether has a “proactive approach to safeguarding our ecosystem against illicit activities.”

How Tether works: The company behind tether, Tether Holdings, issues the virtual coins to a select group of direct customers, mostly trading firms, who wire real-world dollars in exchange. Tether uses those dollars to purchase assets, mostly U.S. Treasurys, that back the coin’s value.

Once in the wider market, tether can be traded for other tokens or traditional currencies through exchanges and local brokerages. In Iran, for example, a crypto exchange called TetherLand allows Iranians to swap rials into tether.

Tether vets the identities of its direct customers, but much of its vast secondary market goes unpoliced. The tokens can be pinged near-instantaneously along chains of digital wallets to obfuscate the source. A United Nations report this January said tether was “a preferred choice” for Southeast Asian money launderers. The company says it can track every transaction on public blockchain ledgers and can seize and destroy tether held in any wallet.

But freezing wallets is a game of Whac-A-Mole. Between 2018 and this June, Tether blacklisted 2,713 wallets on its two most popular blockchains that had received a total of about $153 billion, according to crypto data provider ChainArgos. Of that massive sum, Tether could only freeze $1.4 billion because the rest of the funds had already been sent on.

Tether’s founders—a group that included a former plastic surgeon called Giancarlo Devasini—created the currency back in 2014. Uptake for a stable token was initially slim. The prospect of profiting from billions of accumulated dollars was a “fantasy,” said William Quigley, an investor who was part of the founding team.

He and other co-founders sold their stakes soon after to Devasini, who has run Tether ever since, according to people familiar with the company. The reclusive billionaire lives at a modernist villa in the French Riviera enclave of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, corporate records show. Ardoino, a fellow Italian, has become Tether’s public face.

Tether’s entry into the crypto mainstream came during the market’s 2020-2021 bull run, as traders used tether to buy and sell out of risky bets. Its market capitalization exploded from $4 billion to almost $80 billion.

The dollar for all: In Venezuela, financially isolated by sanctions and economic mismanagement, Tether found a ready user base.

President Nicolás Maduro’s government was under siege in 2020 from U.S. measures that targeted state oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela, or PdVSA. That October, Maduro’s parliament passed an “Anti-Blockade Law” that authorized the government to use crypto to protect its transactions.

PdVSA began demanding payment for oil shipments in tether, according to people familiar with its activities and transaction records. Purchase orders authorized by PdVSA often instructed buyers to transfer tether to a certain wallet address. Another method was for intermediaries to swap deliveries of cash for tether and load the tokens onto prepaid travel cards, which enabled holders to use crypto for purchases. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s parliament passed a law allowing the government to use crypto to protect its transactions. The company’s adoption of tether was so pervasive it had another effect: instead of sending oil revenues back to the government, the middlemen that PdVSA used for the sales diverted funds for themselves, leading to a scandal that toppled the oil minister.

“This cryptocurrency’s use only has served to perpetuate gigantic levels of corruption,” Rafael Ramírez, a former oil minister under Maduro, said in an interview.

Venezuela’s government didn’t respond to requests for comment. The country’s attorney general said in April that middlemen’s use of crypto made the stolen funds “undetectable” for authorities.

For regular Venezuelans, tether became a lifeline, too. Inflation that reached 2 million percent wiped out savings held in bolivars. Currency controls made bank transfers abroad impractical.

Guillermo Goncalvez, a 30-year-old Caracas graduate, runs a platform called El Dorado that offers Venezuelans peer-to-peer tether trading, which links buyers and sellers directly. El Dorado has over 150,000 users, who pay fees that are a fraction of what traditional money remitters charge: local stores converting daily revenues into tether, Venezuelan migrants sending money back to families, and freelancers receiving salaries in USDT, as tether is also known. “USDT is the digital dollar for all Venezuelans,” Goncalvez said.

Enough money to fill a plane: In Russia, tether is a vital payment channel, the Journal has previously reported.

A confidential report drawn up this year by a government-backed Russian research center identified tether as one of the most popular ways for importers to convert rubles into foreign currencies. Major institutions are involved, too: Rosbank, a Russian lender, arranges tether transfers for clients to pay suppliers abroad, according to a company presentation circulated in June. Rosbank spokespeople didn’t respond to requests for comment.

It is also the go-to currency for Russia’s elite.

A glamorous fixer called Ekaterina Zhdanova told associates in Telegram messages in 2022 and 2023 that she was arranging huge ruble-for-tether deals for clients. Digital wallets she shared had transferred over $350 million in tether, according to blockchain data.

Born in a Siberian village, Zhdanova, 38 years old, ran a concierge service to help wealthy Russians get foreign visas, and a travel agency that organized luxury cruises. Her ex-husband was a top lieutenant for a billionaire Russian real-estate developer.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions amplified demand for her services.

Two months into the war, Zhdanova relayed a request from a client to a group of large Russian crypto traders, according to chats on Telegram. The client, who she said had their own bank, wanted to buy about $10 million of tether each month, needing $300 million’s worth in total, in exchange for cash that would be handed over in the United Arab Emirates or Turkey.

After finding a trader willing to accept the deal, Zhdanova told the group she could coordinate the cash’s collection. “They will use planes to pick up the cash,” she said.

Treasury sanctioned Zhdanova late last year, accusing her of transferring crypto on behalf of unnamed oligarchs. Police in France detained her around that time at an airport there as part of a separate French money laundering investigation, people familiar with her arrest said. She remains in custody. A lawyer for Zhdanova declined to comment.

‘Everything. Everywhere.’: Tether is now investing in startups that use tether for everyday payments. The more Tether can encourage its usage, the more tokens it needs to issue, and so the more dollars it will have to put to work.

In Tbilisi, Georgia, a popular landing spot for Russian émigrés, the token’s symbol—an encircled green “T”—glimmers outside money-change shops with blacked-out windows. Cash machines advertise that users can deposit bills for the stablecoin.

Ardoino, the Tether CEO, visited Georgia last year and approached government officials with an offer to help expand the local crypto economy. They signed a cooperation deal that Ardoino said would make the former Soviet republic a flourishing payments hub. Tether invested $25 million in local startups, according to Georgia’s innovation agency.

The main recipient of Tether’s financing, CityPay.io, has rolled out tether-payment systems for thousands of Georgian businesses. Hotels including Tbilisi’s downtown Radisson Blu Iveria have CityPay point-of-sale terminals, and it has joined with a property venture there to sell premium apartments in tether.

CityPay also facilitates international payments in tether for companies, totaling as much as $50 million a month, according to Eralp Hatipoglu, its Turkish CEO. He said the pressure the U.S. applied on the global banking system created these opportunities. Companies exporting from Turkey to Georgia get hammered with questions from correspondent banks, he said, and wire transfers take days. CityPay’s website advertises “100% anonymous transactions,” though Hatipoglu said they check clients’ identities against sanctions lists and don’t accept Russian businesses.

Tether has said it aims for CityPay to expand into other emerging markets. At a crypto conference in a Tbilisi skyscraper this June, sponsored by Tether and attended by its head of expansion, banners promoted the currency’s use for daily payments on CityPay. Guests queued to buy coffee in tether. “Pay with USDT,” read one sign. “Everything. Everywhere.”

Source: Tether: The Cryptocurrency Fueling the Financial Underworld – WSJ

Filed under: Australia,Canada,Crime/Violence/Prison,Drug Specifics,Economic,Europe,New Zealand,Others (International News),Prevalence,UK,USA :

Past-year use of cannabis and hallucinogens stayed at historically high levels in 2023 among adults aged 19 to 30 and 35 to 50, according to the latest findings from the Monitoring the Future survey. In contrast, past-year use of cigarettes remained at historically low levels in both adult groups. Past-month and daily alcohol use continued a decade-long decline among those 19 to 30 years old, with binge drinking reaching all-time lows. However, among 35- to 50-year-olds, the prevalence of binge drinking in 2023 increased from five and 10 years ago. The Monitoring the Future study is conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Source: https://monitoringthefuture.org/

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Cannabis/Marijuana,USA :

September 16, 2024

I Choose My Future, the drug prevention education video series that provides young people with information about the dangers of drugs and drug misuse, is now available in Spanish.

The series includes tools and resources to help young people choose a future without drugs.

The new offering provides Spanish-speaking students and families the opportunity to hear in their own language about the challenges students face around drugs and drug misuse.

“There are abundant resources for prevention produced in English, but unfortunately there are very few produced for the Spanish-speaking community,” said Rocky Herron, video host and drug prevention ambassador at the San Diego County Office of Education. “These videos are a free and easy-to-use tool, designed to give Spanish-speaking families the opportunity to protect their kids. I am very proud that I have been able to participate in this beautiful project with SDCOE.”

I Choose My Future or Yo Elijo Mi Futuro explores the impacts of drug use on the developing brain; explains the dangers of vaping, marijuana, opioids, fentanyl, and other drugs; and provides strategies for handling peer pressure and getting help. The videos offer perspective on how substance misuse impacts individuals, their families, and society. Interviews with doctors, experts, and families highlight lived experiences of the destruction and heartache drug misuse can cause.

Herron hosts the video series in both languages, which also features interviews with doctors, experts, and families sharing their lived experiences. Herron spent 31 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration and learned Spanish while on assignment. He has been providing in-person presentations in Spanish and English for many years, sharing his own lived experiences with students.

“Drugs today are stronger, cheaper, easier to get, and more socially acceptable than ever. Every single tool we can offer schools to warn and prepare kids has a value that can’t be calculated,” Herron said. “We must change the culture. Kids need and deserve many voices warning them about drug use today.”

In San Diego County, there were more than 1,200 drug overdose deaths in 2023, a large percentage of which were from fentanyl or a mix of fentanyl and other drugs.

SDCOE launched the video series in English last October. Thousands of students across the county have seen the in-person presentation and watched the videos. With the Spanish version, the goal is to reach thousands more.

Coronado Middle School student Anna Thoms shared last year how the drug prevention presentation impacted her.
“This presentation really showed me how even trying something one time or saying yes one time can completely change your entire approach to life, your future,” she explained. “I think this issue is something that really needs to be spread.”

SDCOE has focused on comprehensive substance-abuse-prevention education for decades, an approach that combines education, harm-reduction strategies, and mental health and well-being supports.

“I’m proud of the work SDCOE and districts throughout the county are doing to increase drug prevention and awareness efforts in our schools and communities,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza. “As we work toward a healthier county by creating welcoming environments for students and families, and prioritize student health and well-being, it’s critical young people are aware of the dangers of drugs and have the tools to help them choose a safe, healthy future.”

Experts and guests appearing in the series include: Summer Stephan, San Diego County district attorney; Dr. Natalie Laub, assistant professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego; Sandy Nolan, parent; Jennifer Harmon, director at the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department; Dr. Roneet Lev, emergency medicine specialist at Scripps Mercy Hospital; and Dave and Rita Palet, parents.

Source: https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/drug-prevention-education-video-series-launches-in-spanish

Filed under: Education,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

Prevention typically consists of methods or activities that seek to reduce or deter specific or predictable problems. It protects individual well-being and promotes desired behaviors.

Education is a key element of prevention. To understand how to contribute to the prevention of substance use disorders, all individuals need to know two important facts:

Substance use disorders are diseases. They are progressive, chronic, and fatal. They are classified as primary diseases, meaning they are caused by something else, such as an emotional problem or poor choices. Substance use disorders are medical conditions of the brain.

Substance use disorders are treatable. Just as heart disease or diabetes can be treated, so can substance use disorders. In addition to medication, effective treatments usually involve therapy and connecting to community support.

Sharing these facts helps remove stigma around substance use and makes people more comfortable talking about it. This opens up opportunities to:

Increase collaboration among state agencies, community organizations, and special populations
Develop culturally appropriate strategies and implement plans to reduce risks and increase protective factors across the state and in specific communities
Expand citizen participation in community activity

The most promising way to reduce alcohol and drug problems is to use a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to prevention. There are evidence-based tools that organizations and communities can use to guide these efforts. For example, organizations that adopt a Strategic Prevention Framework and develop logic models are more likely to achieve positive outcomes.

Experts Dedicated to Building Healthy Communities

The RAAD campaign is coordinated by DAABHS (rhymes with “abs”). That’s our abbreviated way of saying the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services the Substance Abuse Prevention team.

The DAABHS team is passionate about uniting individuals and communities in prevention efforts. Each member of the team contributes unique skills and energy to advance the RAAD mission.

They are receptive to questions and ideas and can connect you to existing programs or provide guidance to help you launch new prevention initiatives in your area.

Source: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/shared-services/office-of-substance-abuse-and-mental-health/prevention-ar/

Filed under: Education,Health,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

Substance use and mental health are topics that touch nearly every community, with millions across the world affected each year. In 2022 alone, approximately 168 million Americans used some type of substance such as tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs with 48.7 million reporting suffering from a substance use disorder (SUD). Among illicit drugs, marijuana was the most used, with approximately 22% of people aged 12 or older using it in the past year. But behind these numbers are real lives impacted by a complex relationship between drug use and mental health. For instance, nearly one million adolescents were found to have co-occurring major depressive disorders (MDE) and SUDs, while 21.5 million adults struggled with both a mental illness and SUD.

As marijuana use becomes more normalized it is important to consider the consequences on our mental well-being. Research has shown that past-year marijuana use is a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents with the risks increasing as the frequency of use rises. In addition, following legalization in the state of Washington, the prevalence of marijuana use among 8^th and 10^th graders increased compared to pre-legalization levels. This presents further concern given the link between high potency marijuana and psychosis—a known predictor of suicidal behavior. Additionally, studies show that adolescents who recently used marijuana had nearly twice the odds of attempting suicide compared to non-users. Similar risks are present in those using amphetamines, cigarettes, and alcohol, especially when substance use begins at an early age.

Further research supporting these concerns have consistently found that individuals who engage in substance use are at an increased risk for suicidal ideation attempts. For example, studies suggest that drug use can impair judgement and diminish impulse control, making users more vulnerable to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This is further supported by findings showing that individuals with substance use disorders are six times more likely to attempt suicide compared to those who do not use substances. The combination of altered brain chemistry, mental health struggles, and poor decision-making can create a dangerous spiral, leading to devastating outcomes.

As substance use and suicide remain closely intertwined, with research consistently showing a strong correlation between the two, it becomes essential to raise awareness, promote early interventions, and ensure access to comprehensive treatment so we can help save lives and provide hope to those in need.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at no cost, call 988 if you need to talk to someone. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) offers a helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Source: Drug Free America Foundation | 333 3rd Ave N Suite 200 | St. Petersburg, FL 33701 US

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Mental Health,USA :

UC expert joins WVXU’s Cincinnati Edition roundtable discussion

Featured photo at top of an officer speaking with children at school. Photo/SDI Productions/iStock.

By Tim Tedeschi

September 30, 2024

The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission recently announced a new three-year drug prevention initiative, funded by grants from the state’s opioid settlement fund for prevention, enforcement, treatment and recovery efforts.

The University of Cincinnati’s LaTrice Montgomery joined WVXU’s Cincinnati Edition to discuss youth drug prevention programs and what research says about the most effective approaches.

The popular DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program that began in the 1980s originally featured a uniformed officer speaking to kids in a lecture style on how to “just say no” to drugs.

“As we now know, that lecture style doesn’t always resonate with youth,” said Montgomery, PhD, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience in UC’s College of Medicine and a licensed clinical psychologist. “So we’ve learned it needs to be much more interactive and include not only drug resistance skills but social and emotional skills.”

As research has progressed, Montgomery said DARE is still around but features a different approach that includes the REAL (Refuse, Explain, Avoid and Leave) method.

Chris Evans, executive director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, told WVXU their team is using a research-based approach to tailor their programs to what will be most effective.

“It’s really designed to encourage young people to make positive life choices and help build up their resilience,” he said. “What this program does is really shine a light again on those strengths of kids and finding a way for them to identify and strengthen what’s going on with them. And we’ve seen the studies have indicated that is a better approach to dealing with kids nowadays in terms of getting them to be educated and to listen and to make positive choices in this space.”

Source: https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2024/09/are-teen-just-say-no-campaigns-effective.html

Filed under: Education,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

Rocky Herron, a former DEA agent, interacting with students after
his drug prevention presentation. (Photo: Business Wire)

Business Wire

October 1, 2024 4 min read

CARLSBAD, Calif., October 01, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In response to the growing crisis of synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine, Hopeful Life is proud to announce a vital new initiative in the fight against youth substance abuse. As our nation continues to grapple with the devastating rise of synthetic drugs, there remains a critical gap in educating our youth about the dangers of substance abuse before they make life-altering, or even life-ending, decisions.

Young lives are at risk, and many of them are not fully aware of the dangers. Tragically, drug prevention education is still not a national priority, and our hardest-hit communities often lack the resources to address this crisis head-on. Without proper education, substance abuse continues to destroy futures. This must change. We have partnered with Rocky Herron, a former DEA agent with 31 years of experience, to bring his life-saving drug prevention education directly to schools and communities across the country.

This partnership marks a new chapter for Hopeful Life, as we formally introduce Rocky’s powerful presentations, I Choose My Future, into our comprehensive approach to combating substance abuse. Rocky has successfully engaged over 250,000 youth in 17 countries, transforming the way students think about drugs and their long-term impact. His emotionally charged presentations go beyond raising awareness—they inspire change. Rocky’s presentations connect with students on a personal level, showing them the real-world consequences of drug abuse. His message empowers them to make choices that protect their health and future. As one student shared, “students often comment that they have been told many times that drugs are ‘bad’ but I Choose My Future made them understand why.”

Rocky’s presentations don’t just raise awareness—they change lives. In a recent survey of students in Montana, 64.6% of respondents reported knowing someone personally affected by drug use. After attending Rocky’s presentation, 79.8% of students expressed deeper concern about drug use in their communities, and a remarkable 90.1% felt more comfortable seeking help for themselves or others, a profound shift in understanding and behavior (Rocky Herron Survey Results).

Rocky’s message cuts through the statistics and connects with students on a personal level. They don’t just hear about drug dangers, they see the real-world consequences and are empowered to make choices that shape their futures. As one student shared, “This presentation gave me even more reason to stay away from drugs” (Survey).

For adults, Rocky’s presentations provide valuable insights into the connection between substance abuse and mental health, equipping parents and educators with the tools they need to support their children. His sessions cover urgent topics such as fentanyl, synthetic drugs, and vaping, offering practical prevention and intervention strategies.

Hopeful Life believes in creating sustainable, community-wide impact. Our mission is to enhance individual, organizational, and community health through cutting-edge insights and solutions powered by the latest advances in science, technology, and policymaking. We provide comprehensive analytics that measure substance abuse trends and identify correlations at both local and national levels, ensuring our efforts are data-driven and effective. By partnering with Rocky Herron, we amplify his life-changing message where it is needed most, providing critical support to expand his outreach to more schools, more communities, and more at-risk youth.

We don’t just support Rocky’s efforts—we make sure they reach the students who need them most. Through our multidisciplinary approach, we help communities access the life-saving knowledge they need to prevent substance abuse and create lasting change.

The stakes are high. Our youth deserve a chance at a drug-free future, and with your support, Hopeful Life can continue bringing essential education to schools and communities. Every donation helps us reach more students and potentially save lives.

Through our partnership with Rocky Herron, Hopeful Life is expanding its reach to provide more students with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions. Our mission is to enhance community health through education, science, and data-driven solutions. By introducing Rocky’s program, we’re bringing a proven, life-saving message to the forefront of our fight against substance abuse.

Together, we can combat the drug abuse crisis and empower the next generation to make better choices. Please consider donating to Hopeful Life today to support our life-changing mission.

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hopeful-life-introduces-life-changing-012400527.html?

Filed under: Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

By Nora Volkow, MD, Director, and Rita Valentino, Ph.D., Director, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, NIDA

This blog was originally posted on the The BRAIN Blog.

The BRAIN Initiative is marking a milestone—10 years of advancing neuroscience and neurotechnology research by funding innovative projects. As part of a rotating series of blog posts, the directors of the BRAIN Initiative-partnering Institutes and Centers share their voice and perspectives on the impact BRAIN has made on their respective missions—and vice versa.

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The research NIDA has funded and conducted over five decades has greatly advanced the biomedical understanding of addiction as a treatable condition involving brain systems governing reward, emotion, stress, and self-control. NIDA research has helped pave the way for effective prevention, treatment, and harm reduction approaches, and opened up new pathways to recovery.

NIDA has been a key player in the BRAIN Initiative, as our Institute continues to apply these new tools and emerging knowledge to inform research about the science of drug use and addiction. As the United States continues to face a devastating overdose epidemic fueled in recent years by an influx of illicit fentanyl, NIDA’s scientific efforts are ever more important. Central to those efforts is our significant investment in basic neuroscience research. Since its launch a decade ago, the BRAIN Initiative has greatly aided and accelerated that research. Tools developed through the BRAIN Initiative are catalyzing scientists’ ability to precisely monitor and manipulate brain activity at multiple scales, giving us an ever more fine-grained understanding of the brain mechanisms underpinning drugs’ effects and suggesting potential avenues for mitigating, preventing, or reversing those effects to heal the brain.

The BRAIN initiative has transformed neuroscience research at many levels. It has created a culture of team science that has led to development and dissemination of new tools that have been used to characterize gene expression with cellular resolution across multiple species, tools that allow visualizing and manipulating neural circuits, as well as new approaches to data science and computational modeling. Our staff who work on BRAIN Initiative program teams get a unique exposure to these approaches and technologies that will critically shape our Institute’s research in future years.

Advances made possible through the BRAIN Initiative will transform translational research by improving the validity and innovation of the models we use to probe mechanisms underlying substance use and use disorders—enriching our research community’s capacity to innovate. NIDA participation in the BRAIN Initiative provides opportunities to accelerate the application of these advances among the researchers who focus on these questions. And it enables NIDA to promote areas of focus where our Institute has been at the forefront, including investigation of non-neuronal cells (glia) and developmental studies that dovetail with the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.

How has NIDA participated in the NIH BRAIN Initiative?

Several of NIDA’s scientific staff are members of BRAIN Initiative program teams, and our Institute leads or co-leads some key BRAIN projects. NIDA co-leads the team that is managing the Data Science and Informatics project, which is creating the informatics infrastructure needed for storing, sharing, and interpreting the vast quantities of data gathered by the BRAIN Initiative. NIDA also co-leads the Tools and Technologies for Brain Cells and Circuits research program, which is creating brain cell atlases of the neuronal and glial cells in the brain. This fundamental knowledge will be used to build viral vectors to monitor and manipulate brain function at the cellular level.

We are also a major supporter of the Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization Program (BBQS). This uniquely transdisciplinary program, which was just launched in 2022, is supporting the development and validation of novel tools and methods for quantifying complex behaviors and simultaneously recording brain activity. This program promises to transform behavioral and cognitive neuroscience by supporting research that will generate high-resolution tools for analyzing behavior and new computational and theoretical approaches for understanding behavior as a complex system. NIDA leads the BBQS emphasis area on organismal behavior.

Although it was just launched two years ago, the BRAIN BBQS concept has influenced multiple NIDA initiatives, including Translating Socioenvironmental Influences on Neurocognitive Development and Addiction Risk (TransSINDA), Mechanistic Studies on Social Behavior in Substance Use Disorder (in both humans and animal models), and the NIDA Animal Genomics Consortium. These initiatives support research that identifies cause-and-effect relationships between socioenvironmental factors and brain function that guide behavior.

Toward advancing the emergence of common marmosets as a promising animal model in neuroscience, NIDA has also played a leadership role in BRAIN’s transgenic marmoset initiative. This set of projects is aimed at developing novel tools and techniques for marmoset genome editing and male germline editing to facilitate research on genetic underpinnings of brain health and disease, as well as assisted reproduction techniques to increase the efficiency of these procedures.

What major BRAIN-funded scientific advancements or conversations has NIDA been a part of?

As one of the Institutes co-leading the BRAIN Initiative’s Tools and Technologies for Brain Cells and Circuits research program, NIDA has been closely involved in shaping and supporting the inventory and molecular mapping of cell classes across the whole mouse brain, and there are ongoing plans to accomplish the same in human and nonhuman primate brains.

A component of this program is the Cell Census Network, and among the brain regions of central interest in this project are the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia comprise the reward pathway and other circuits that play a major role in substance use disorders. Scientific staff at NIDA and several NIDA-funded grantees are participating in the effort to create a systematic map of this region to enhance our knowledge of its cellular and molecular architecture. This research could potentially lead to tools that could selectively target the basal ganglia’s cellular constituents, which would be a game changer for NIDA science.

Through BRAIN Initiative programs like BBQS mentioned above, NIDA has been co-leading discussions about advancing cause and effect relationships in human neuroscience research. We now have large neurocognitive datasets that can be mined and analyzed using large-scale network approaches, such as those generated by the Human Connectome Project and the ongoing ABCD study. These databases have enabled novel insights about fundamental brain function and neurocognitive dysfunction. For instance, ABCD is deepening our understanding of how environmental exposures affect neurocognition including revealing factors like economic disadvantage and social discrimination that can be targeted in prevention efforts. But while these datasets are excellent for identifying associations between network structure/function and behavior, they generally cannot help us establish causal relationships, leaving a gap in our ability to translate findings to clinical application.

Data derived from new methods and approaches like systematic circuit perturbation in combination with neural recordings in a behavioral context hold potential to fill this gap and significantly advance our understanding of these important cause and effect relationships in human neuroscience.

How has the BRAIN Initiative advanced or shaped NIDA’s mission?

Many tools developed through the BRAIN Initiative are helping NIDA scientists understand how drugs affect the brain, from cellular to circuit levels. For example, NIDA’s BRAIN-inspired research programs are already producing exciting findings. One of them is NIDA Single Cell Opioid Response in the Context of HIV, or SCORCH, which is applying single-cell sequencing-based approaches to inventory the cellular targets of drugs and the changes in those targets that drugs induce. A NIDA-funded team has recently identified a group of neurons in the dorsal peduncular nucleus, a brain region central to emotional regulation, reward, and motivation, that act as a master regulator of opioid reward.

Another NIDA initiative inspired by BRAIN is the Neural Ensembles and Used Substances (NExUS) Collaboratory, which seeks to integrate molecular information from cell taxonomies with measurement of neuronal population dynamics in behaving animals. NExUS aims to decipher how activity within the mosaic of brain cells “encode” particular properties of misused substances, such as the analgesic versus addictive properties of opioids. A NIDA-funded team has also recently used a mouse model to identify a brain circuit that mediates placebo pain relief.

In its 10 years, the BRAIN initiative has provided tools to visualize, monitor, and manipulate brain activity from molecular to network levels and has led to an exponential growth in understanding of how the brain functions. NIDA has been a key player in this effort, and our Institute continues to apply these new tools and emerging knowledge to inform research on urgent questions under its mission to advance the science of drug use and addiction.

Source: https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2024/10/brain-10-view-national-institute-drug-abuse

Filed under: Addiction,Brain and Behaviour,USA :

By: CAPT Christopher Jones, Pharm.D., Dr.P.H., M.P.H., Director, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

In October, SAMHSA celebrates Substance Use Prevention Month — an opportunity for the prevention field and prevention partners to highlight the importance and impact of prevention. And given the substance use and overdose challenges facing our country, prevention has never been more important. This month, each of us can inspire action by sharing how prevention is improving lives in communities across our nation.

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Overdose Prevention Strategy, along with SAMHSA’s Strategic Plan, our prevention efforts aim to prevent substance use in the first place, prevent the progression of substance use to a substance use disorder, and prevent and reduce harms associated with use. Our grantees across the country are doing just that every day. Here are just a few quick stories of our grantees in action.

Pueblo of Zuni – Zuni Tribal Prevention Project
Zuni, New Mexico
(Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success grant awardee, FY 2020)

In 2021, Pueblo of Zuni (Zuni Tribal Prevention Project) developed a Family Wellness Kit program to strengthen family communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Family bonding, parent-child communication, and cultural identity (PDF | 818 KB) are protective factors against substance use and other youth risk behaviors.

The kits included culturally relevant family cohesion activities, and a new type of kit was distributed monthly (over 18 months) with:

Four activities (one for siblings; one for grandparents; one for the entire family; and one for siblings, grandparents, or family).
One activity guide with instructions.
Activity supplies.
One debrief guide with discussion prompts.
One parent/caregiver skill development guide on active listening, validation, effective communication, family engagement, positive discipline, and setting boundaries.

Staff follow-up every three months to check-in with the families: 72 activities had been developed, and 85 percent of 102 registered families completed the program. Families appreciated the integration of Zuni culture in the kits and enjoyed completing the activities together. They also reported spending more quality time together, growing closer, and communicating more.

A participant described the benefit as, “…being together as a family and just having more conversations; we even show more affection, like giving hugs and saying, ‘I love you.’” Families also said that they continued using the activities and created more family routines such as family nights and putting away cell phones during family times like dinner.

Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Prevention and Health Promotion Division – Know Ur Vape
(Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant recipient)

In 2022, the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Prevention and Health Promotion Division partnered with Connecticut Clearinghouse and Connecticut’s Tobacco Enforcement division to develop a vaping prevention campaign.

Launched in 2023, Know Ur Vape leverages the power of social media influencers and the social media trend of “unboxing” videos to reach youth and young adults. The campaign seeks to prevent vaping initiation among teens and young adults and encourage quitting among those who vape.

Each video starts out in a familiar way, then features a surprising plot twist, and concludes with a health message and a resource. Each influencer receives one of three themed boxes: sports, beauty, or mystery. As they open the box and interact with the contents, their reactions indicate excitement, confusion, concern, and then displeasure. The videos demonstrate the negative effects of vaping, including its addictive and disruptive nature, impairment to athletic performance, and harmful effects on skin and physical appearance.

Influencers include University of Connecticut athletes. As part of the campaign, television personality Nia Moore sat down with Megan Albanese of Southington STEPS coalition on Instagram Live to discuss her negative experiences with vaping.

In the campaign’s first three months, the videos were viewed 177,656 times on social media, with 18,905 likes and 776 comments. On TikTok, the videos received 113,904 views and on Instagram, one post received 24,600 views. The campaign was featured on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Just Think Twice website and the CADCA website.

West Virginia Departments of Health and Human Services – Overdose Prevention and Response
(First Responders – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act grant awardee, FY 2022)

The Police and Peers Initiative in the Fayette, Kanawha, Monongalia, Nicholas, and Preston counties of West Virginia places Peer Recovery Support Specialists (PRSS) with law enforcement to enhance care for people in crisis. The initiative established partnerships with local Quick Response Teams, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion teams, and others in the community.

PRSS provide opioid reversal, case management, and motivational interviewing services; linkage to addiction treatment, social services, support programs; and customized action plans based on the individual’s self-identified needs. This enhances quality of care and services and reduces the burden on law enforcement officers (who can then focus on public safety).

Since 2022, the program has linked 120 people to treatment and 110 to psychosocial support services (housing, clothing, basic needs, employment, etc.) as well as distributed 262 naloxone kits and 780 fentanyl test strips.

Early in the initiative, a Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy contacted a PRSS about an overdose incident. The PRSS met with the individual, who chose to enroll in an outpatient Medication for Opioid Use Disorder program. This person has now sustained over eight months of recovery, gained employment, reinstated their driver’s license, and bought a vehicle.

During an Oak Hill Police Department callout, a PRSS de-escalated a disturbance. The peer connected three people to treatment — all of whom completed treatment — and one person was reunited with their children while maintaining recovery.

With the Kingwood Police Department (starting in April 2024), PRSS activities include collaborating with the municipal court, training the fire department on naloxone administration, participating in ride-alongs, attending coalition meetings, and developing a street outreach plan.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation – Walking in 2 Worlds
Mayetta, Kansas
(Tribal Behavioral Health grant awardee)

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation hosted a two-day workshop to help human services professionals support the Native Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (2SLGBTQ) population. The “Walking in 2 Worlds” event educated professionals and community members about the struggles and complexities of 2SLGBTQ adults and youth across Indian Country.

Issues for these individuals include isolation; homelessness; job insecurity; racism; stigma; and increased risks of substance use, substance use disorders, overdose, violence, suicide, and human trafficking victimization. Many cases of violence and human trafficking go unreported, due to multiple (and intersecting) barriers faced by this population, and a lack of supportive services tailored to address their unique needs.

The workshop benefitted from speakers who shared personal stories, documentary films, and technical assistance from SAMHSA’s Native Connections training and technical assistance.

Resources to Tell Your Prevention Story

Prevention has never been more important. As a nation, we continue to face significant substance use and mental health challenges, especially among youth and young adults. Prevention works and helps us get ahead of these challenges so that youth, families, and communities can thrive.

Prevention Month is a key opportunity to elevate the national conversation and showcase prevention’s positive effects on communities across the country. Here are ideas and resources for you to tell your prevention story.

To Tell Your Story During Prevention Month:

Download the Substance Use Prevention Month toolkit — which includes social media messages, graphics, email signature graphic, virtual meeting background, and resources.
Share your #MyPreventionStory on social media.

To Get Involved Year-round:

Connect with Voices of Youth, which welcomes youth and young adults as change agents.
Make use of “Talk. They Hear You.”® resources and the Screen4Success screening tool.
Plan a local event with Communities Talk.
Join 4,000 people at SAMHSA’s Prevention Day on February 3, 2025.
Participate in National Prevention Week (May 11-17, 2025) and share your #MyPreventionStory.

To Put Prevention Science into Practice:

Prevention Core Competencies — online training to support preventionists.
Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) (PDF | 3.3 MB) (also in Spanish) — a 5-step planning process.
Focus on Prevention — a manual to deliver prevention (with tips and samples).
Substance Use Prevention Communications Toolkit — for effective messaging and framing with youth.
Substance Misuse Prevention for Young Adults — for effective practices (with examples).
Community Engagement — to include all voices (with strategies and case studies).

In determining which grantees to highlight for this blog, SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention staff (including government project officers) looked across CSAP’s prevention portfolio to identify grantees that represent the scope of our prevention portfolio and would reflect: diversity in population served or population of focus (e.g., age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social context of family or individual), geographic diversity of the programs (e.g., rural, urban, and regions), outcome of focus (e.g., upstream prevention or preventing a downstream outcome such as overdose), and diversity in prevention strategies implemented (e.g. social media and public messaging, naloxone distribution and training, individual programs, family programs).

Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/substance-use-prevention-month-telling-prevention-story

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

by Lauraine Langreo, Writer, Education Week

August 28, 2024

There have been “promising” declines in high school students’ overall use of illicit substances, concludes a report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since 2013, the percentage of students who reported drinking alcohol, using marijuana, or using select illicit drugs at any point has decreased. Since 2017 and 2019, respectively, the percentage of students who had ever misused or currently are misusing prescription opioids decreased, according to the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

That survey draws on data collected every two years among a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students. The 2023 survey had more than 20,000 respondents and was conducted in the spring.

The findings come as schools continue to face challenges in curbing students’ substance abuse, which could negatively affect learning, memory, and attention, according to experts. It could also be a sign of mental health challenges.

While student substance abuse isn’t a new challenge for school districts, the substances that adolescents are experimenting with now are much more dangerous, said Darrell Sampson, the executive director of student services for the Arlington public schools in Virginia.

“It’s not necessarily that more kids are using substances than in prior years,” Sampson said. “It’s the lethality of the substance itself that has caused higher levels of concern.”

Research has shown rising overdose deaths among teens even as their substance use is declining. Those deaths have been linked to the increase in illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. School districts have been pursuing several strands of legal action against companies that manufactured and marketed addictive opioids that have led to tens of thousands of deaths and countless more addiction struggles in the last two decades.

Beyond the legal actions, schools also continue to provide prevention and education programming for students and families, Sampson said. There’s “a glimmer of hope” that those measures are working, he said, based on the declines in the CDC data.

Experts recommend starting education about substance abuse as early as possible

In the Arlington, Va., district, students in grades 6 through 10 learn about substance abuse challenges as part of the health curriculum, Sampson said. The district has also slowly expanded that program to 5th and 4th grades and are looking into whether there’s capacity to start that education as early as 3rd grade.

“We know that the more we can at least open that conversation with our families and our students, the better off our students are going to be,” Sampson said. “It’s not just a message [they’re hearing] starting in middle school, but it’s a message [they’re hearing] over time.”

The district is expanding programming with 11th and 12th graders, too, because the information they got when they were in 10th grade could be outdated by then, Sampson said.

In addition, the district has substance abuse counselors who meet with students and try to explore the reasons they might be using substances, Sampson said.

Teens are more than twice as likely to go to their friends or peers for help or support when experiencing distress from their substance use than they are to go to a behavioral health provider or a family member, according to a survey from the Bipartisan Policy Center conducted in June among 932 teens (13- to 17-year-olds) and 1,062 young adults (18- to 26-year-olds). More than a quarter of teens said they didn’t go to anyone for help or support when they experienced distress from substance use.

Sophie Szew, a junior at Stanford University and the Bipartisan Policy Center’s mental health and substance use task force youth adviser, said those survey results “really underscore the importance of investing in those peer support networks and resources.”

DATA SOURCE: Bipartisan Policy Center

Source: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/teen-substance-use-is-declining-but-more-dangerous-drug-abuse-is-emerging/2024/08

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Prevalence,USA,Youth :

by Perkins and Ranalli, ETR. Aug 28, 2024

Photo Credit: Ah_designs

Healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in preventing prescription drug misuse among adolescents and promoting healthier communities.

Prescription drug misuse is a growing public health concern, especially among adolescents. According to the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, over 12% of high school students surveyed in the United States have taken prescription pain medication without a doctor’s prescription or taken it differently than its intended use. Of those surveyed, 6% had done so one or more times within 30 days before the survey date.

Teens and young adults may misuse prescription drugs for many reasons, including:

To feel good or get high
To relax or relieve stress
To reduce pain
To reduce appetite
To improve concentration
To feel accepted by peers

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, studies also show that traumatic experiences such as abuse, violence, neglect, or the death of a loved one make a person more vulnerable to developing a substance use disorder. “Someone who has been through trauma or has experienced chronic stress might use substances like drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication.”

The National Institutes for Health emphasizes that healthcare professionals can play a role in intervention as “adolescents with a trauma history are a high-risk group for illicit drug use and may benefit from trauma-focused prevention efforts that specifically address traumatic memories and coping strategies for dealing with stressful life events.”

How to Improve Communication With Patient Prescription Drug Misuse

Healthcare professionals are in a unique position to promote appropriate use of prescription medications and identify signs of potential misuse. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthcare professionals have one-on-one time with adolescent patients as early as age 11. This practice allows young people to begin taking ownership of their health and to ask questions in a confidential space. Research shows that young people who had time alone with their healthcare professional to discuss sensitive issues, including substance use, were more likely to take an active role in their treatment and care.

In addition to utilizing standardized screening tools during the visit, professionals can implement communication practices that allow patients to feel safe, valued, and empowered. Consider incorporating these questions to your next clinical visit:

What do you know about prescription drugs and their potential risks?
Do you think prescription drugs are safer to use than illegal drugs? Why or why not?
Have you ever taken prescription drugs to help with stress, anxiety, or to improve performance in school or sports?
Have you ever taken medication that wasn’t prescribed to you? If so, why?
Have you ever felt pressured to take prescription drugs by friends or peers?
Do you feel comfortable talking to your parents or a trusted adult about your questions or concerns?

Additional Resources

Here are some additional steps your health center or clinic can take to address prescription drug misuse:

Have patient education materials available in the waiting room and exam rooms
Download this free prevention activity and discussion guide on Prescription Drug Misuse: A HealthSmart Discussion Activity
Familiarize yourself with the Minor Consent Laws in your state access to substance use treatment
Maintain an up-to-date list of local resources where patients can receive substance use counseling and treatment

By implementing these practices, healthcare professionals can play a crucial role in preventing prescription drug misuse among adolescents and promoting healthier communities.

About ETR

ETR | Education, Training, and Research is a non-profit organization that envisions a world where all individuals and communities achieve their best health. Through our work, we improve the health and well-being of youth and communities by championing science. To learn more, visit www.etr.org

ABOUT THE EXPERTS

Laura Perkins, MLS (she/her/hers) is a Product Editor at ETR and has over 20 years of experience in editorial content and health literacy.

Lauren Ranalli, MPH (she/her/hers) is the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at ETR and has over 20 years of experience in public health and adolescent health services.

Source: https://www.physiciansweekly.com/addressing-prescription-drug-misuse-among-adolescents/

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Prescription Drugs,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

Oct 29, 2014

The last week of October is Red Ribbon Week, celebrating a drug-free life (redribbon.org). It’s also the culmination of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month.

So why is substance abuse prevention important? According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Acting Director Michael Botticelli, “Preventing drug use before it begins – particularly among young people – is the most cost-effective way to reduce drug use and its consequences.” This matters to us as members of our community and our society.

But as parents, friends, family members – human beings – it’s not all about the money. Botticelli recognizes the cost of drug abuse is far-reaching beyond just our wallets. He goes on to say, “The best approach to reducing the tremendous toll substance abuse exacts from individuals, families and communities is to prevent the damage before it occurs.”

Parents want to help their kids avoid this “tremendous toll,” which could involve their health (physical or mental), family, other relationships, schooling, employment – the list goes on. Parents, however, often find themselves learning about a new drug trend and feel it’s just “one more thing to worry about.” One example would be the current heroin epidemic, especially among people who may have become addicted to prescription pain killers.

The good news is that parents don’t have to resort to worrying. Research has shown repeatedly that parents are a key factor in preventing drug abuse. When parents have open two-way communication with their kids and seek to provide accurate information, many are surprised to discover how much influence they can actually have. And young people are less likely to abuse drugs when they know their parents care, and that they have specific rules or expectations regarding drug use.

Some websites with helpful information on heroin and other drugs, as well as tips for talking to kids, include: www.fda.gov; www.cdc.gov; www.drugfree.org; teenshealth.org/teen; www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/know; combatheroin.ny.gov; and www.drugabuse.gov.

Even when there has been substance abuse with resultant problems, it’s never too late to seek help. People recover from addiction every day and lead healthy, productive lives.

HFM Prevention Council, Johnstown

Source: https://www.dailygazette.com/leader_herald/opinion/letters/prevention-is-important/article_c5769b46-83c7-5907-a49b-bb4cf191f7aa.html?=/&subcategory=640%7CConcert

Filed under: Drug use-various effects,Prevalence,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN / Sat August 10, 2024

Using marijuana daily for years may raise the overall risk of head and neck cancers three- to five-fold, according to a new study that analyzed millions of medical records.

“Our research shows that people who use cannabis, particularly those with a cannabis use disorder, are significantly more likely to develop head and neck cancers compared to those who do not use cannabis,” said senior study author Dr. Niels Kokot, a professor of clinical otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

“While our study did not differentiate between methods of cannabis consumption, cannabis is most commonly consumed by smoking,” Kokot said in an email. “The association we found likely pertains mainly to smoked cannabis.”

Some 69% of people with a diagnosis of oral or throat cancer will survive five years or longer after their diagnosis, according to the National Cancer Institute. If the cancer metastasizes, however, that rate drops to 14%. About 61% of people diagnosed with cancer of the larynx will be alive five years later — a rate that drops to 16% if the cancer spreads.

The study used insurance data to look at the association of cannabis use disorder with head and neck cancers, said Dr. Joseph Califano, the Iris and Matthew Strauss Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Diego. He was not involved in the study.

“The researchers used a huge, huge dataset, which is really extraordinary, and there is enormous power in looking at numbers this large when we typically only see small studies,” said Califano, who is also the director of UC San Diego’s Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center.

“On average, people with cannabis use disorder smoke about a joint today and do so for at least a couple years, if not longer,” said Califano, who coauthored an editorial published Thursday in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery in conjunction with the new study.

However, he added, the study does not find an association between “the occasional recreational use of marijuana and head and neck cancer.”

Just like tobacco, smoking marijuana raise the risk of head and neck cancers, experts say.

Causes of head and neck cancers

In the United States, head and neck cancers make up 4% of all cancers, with more than 71,000 new cases and more than 16,000 deaths expected in 2024, according to the National Foundation for Cancer Research.

Tobacco use, which includes smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco, and the use of alcohol are the two most common causes of head and neck cancers, experts say. Other risk factors include poor oral hygiene;gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD; a weakened immune system; and a diet low in fruits and vegetables. Occupational risk factors include exposure to asbestos and wood dust.

Epstein-Barr virus is linked to infectious mononucleosis, also called the “kissing disease,” as well as various cancers. Researchers estimate that 90% of the world’s population is infected with EBV. A vaccine is available for HPV, which is linked to a high risk of developing cervical cancer and some non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

It’s possible to be infected with both viruses at once, and that combination is responsible for 38% of all virus-associated cancers, according to research.

How might cannabis cause cancers?

The study, published Thursday in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, analyzed a database of 4 million electronic health records and found more than 116,000 diagnoses of cannabis use disorder among people with head and neck cancers. Those men and women, whose average age was 46, were then matched with people who also had head and neck cancers but were not diagnosed with cannabis use disorder.

The analysis showed that people with cannabis use disorder were about 2.5 times more likely to develop an oral cancer; nearly five times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer, which is cancer of the soft palate, tonsils and back of the throat; and over eight times more likely to develop cancer of the larynx. The findings held true for all age groups, according to the study.

Due to the way marijuana is smoked — unfiltered and breathed in deeply and held in the lungs and throat for a few seconds — the risk from cannabis smoke could be even greater, experts say.

Another key to the puzzle of how cannabis causes cancer: Research has found a link between various cannabinoids and tumor growth. There are more than 100 cannabinoids — biological compounds in the cannabis plant that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the human body, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. All told, there are about 540 chemicals in each marijuana plant.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the substance that makes one euphoric, while cannabidiol, or CBD, has been shown to have medicinal uses for childhood seizures and epilepsy.

“Part of the research we have already published shows that THC or THC-like compounds can certainly accelerate tumor growth,” Califano said. “We also have some data to show that cannabinoids enhance the growth of HPV-related throat cancers.”

“Especially as (marijuana) becomes more widely legalized and socially accepted, we may see a corresponding rise in head and neck cancer cases if the association is confirmed,” he said.

“This underscores the importance to inform people about the potential risks and conduct further research to understand the long-term impacts of cannabis use on cancer development.”

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/08/health/marijuana-head-and-neck-cancer-wellness/index.html

Filed under: Cannabis/Marijuana,Drug use-various effects,Health,USA :

by Dan Krauth abc Channel 7

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Dan Krauth has the details on a new and potentially lethal narcotic that is creeping into the NYC area from Latin America.

NEW YORK (WABC) — There’s a new mystery drug that’s hitting the club scene in New York City and the ease of how it’s pouring into the area may surprise you.

It’s called pink cocaine.

While its bright color from food coloring stays the same, what’s inside can change from day to day and from dealer to dealer.

“You have no idea what you’re taking,” said NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan. “I’ve never seen the drug supply as lethal as the one we’re in today.”

In cases the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and DEA have seen, when its lab tested, it actually has very little to no cocaine in it at all. Instead they’re finding cheaper manmade drugs from ketamine to ecstasy. It can be a dangerous and even deadly mixture of uppers and downers.

“When you see that mixture of your body being pulled in two directions, being amped up with a methamphetamine or cocaine and being sedated with something like ketamine, that’s a recipe for a terrible, terrible effect on the body,” said Brennan.

The Special Agent in Charge of the DEA in New York said in some cases the deadliest of drugs, fentanyl, is also getting mixed in, where even a tiny amount can be lethal.

“They’re mixing fentanyl in because they want to increase addiction, they want to increase their customer base they want more people to come back and buy their drug and it’s something every parent should be concerned about,” said Frank Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division.

The drugs aren’t being sold in shady places or dark street corners as you might imagine. Prosecutors busted a New York City woman this summer for allegedly selling pink cocaine, and other drugs, over a messaging app on her cell phone. She’s accused of then shipping the drugs through the mail to customers. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

“You have this criminal underworld that has weaponized social media to push their poison to the far corners of the United States and across the world,” said Tarentino.

According to law enforcement sources, with the use of technology and social media, the mystery mixtures are easier to get than ever before and there are more drug overdose deaths reported than ever before. They say there’s no longer any such thing as safe experimentation, no matter how colorful the drug might be.

Pink cocaine also goes by the name Tusi.

Prosecutors say it’s a drug that’s difficult to track but was first spotted in the New York City area in January of 2023.

Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/pink-cocaine-nyc-new-mystery-drug-hitting-club-scene-new-york/15176935/

Filed under: Cocaine,Drug use-various effects,Fentanyl,USA :

Key points

In the 1970s, people addicted to opioids were demonized, considered hopeless. Some still believe this.
Setting high standards and following addicted patients for five years helps doctors know what treatments work.
Prevention is key to success in substance abuse, and it’s important to encourage non-use among teens.

In the United States, people addicted to opioids were once demonized as hopelessly bad, and treatment was virtually nonexistent. No one may have done more to change both matters than psychiatrist Robert DuPont, M.D, who, in 1969, during an unexplained surge in crime in the nation’s capital, was working with prisoners in the District of Columbia Department of Corrections. DuPont decided to test incoming inmates for drugs and was shocked to learn that nearly half (45%) were addicted to heroin. Desperate for heroin, they turned to crime for money.

At the behest of the district’s mayor, DuPont developed a D.C.-based clinic, the Narcotics Treatment Administration. It treated more than 15,000 heroin addicts over the next three years, and the D.C. crime rate plummeted by 50%, in a direct correlation.

Helping Medical Professionals Do Better

Robert L. “Bob” DuPont, born in 1936, graduated from Emory University and Harvard Medical School and completed his psychiatric training at the National Institutes of Health. He became the first director of the newly-created National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), where he created a first-of-its-kind comprehensive training program for doctors, nurses, and counselors working in addiction treatment programs. Drug overdose deaths began declining, from from 6,413 to 2,492 by 1980.

In 1978, DuPont left government service to create the Institute for Behavior and Health (IBH), a think tank focusing on drug policy. Dupont has published more than 400 journal articles and 15 books, most recently Chemical Slavery: Understanding Addictions and Stopping the Drug Epidemic (2018).

The IBH conducted the first national study of doctors dependent on drugs and alcohol, their treatment, and five-year outcomes. “Physicians are given a comprehensive assessment by a team of professionals and get treatment for comorbidities, but the focus is on their addictions. They typically attend a month or more of residential treatment and, as outpatients, are monitored for five years with random drug and alcohol testing. If they miss a scheduled test or test positive for any drug, including alcohol, they are taken out of their practice again, assessed, and sent back to treatment.”

DuPont points out that many doctors who entered the program were initially resentful because they didn’t think there was anything wrong with them—typical of individuals with substance use disorder from all walks of life. Yet, most physicians greatly value their medical license, and the overwhelming majority cooperated because participation and success meant they could continue to practice medicine.

His study of nearly 1,000 drug-addicted physicians closely monitored for five years showed what is possible for the rest of the population. Seventy-eight percent never tested positive for drugs or alcohol, an excellent record. In addition, of those who did have a positive or missed drug test, nearly two-thirds never had a second positive test.

A follow-up study of physicians who successfully completed treatment and monitoring contracts five or more years ago showed that more than 95% were still in recovery. Physicians rated the treatment they had received as important to their recovery but said the most valued part of their care was involvement in the 12 steps.

Lessons Learned About Substance Abuse

DuPont says many people don’t realize that it’s rarely just one drug abused by most problematic substance users. And that is particularly true of individuals who die from drug overdoses, in whom two or more drugs are often identified post-mortem.

He also notes that many drugs used today are not in their natural forms but instead are ultra-potent synthetics, like fentanyl. In 2022, about 111,000 people died, and in 2023, about 108,300 people died of drug overdose. .

Early diagnosis and treatment is key

The earlier patients are diagnosed and treated, the better their chances of achieving and sustaining recovery, says DuPont. Many people can stop using substances for some period. However, the real problem is not drug withdrawal, as many people believe, but, instead, the repeated relapses. Yet he has known many individuals with seemingly hopeless drug or alcohol issues who emerged sober and productive. He largely credits organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

Prevention is best

Whenever possible, prevention of drug use is best, particularly among young people. Not only is adolescence a time when most addictions begin, it’s also a time when the brain is uniquely vulnerable..

DuPont now focuses on youth substance-use prevention: no alcohol, nicotine, marijuana/THC, or other drugs by those under age 21. He notes that the percentage of 12th graders who report never using in their lifetime has increased from around 26% in 2018 to 32% in 2023. The trend is also evident in younger students. DuPont emphasizes, “This trend is key to reversing decades of pain, suffering, and addictions.“

At age 88, Robert DuPont, M.D., advocates for treatment research, long-term treatment with outcome reporting, mental health treatment parity (as important as physical health), and prevention. Recovery, he insists, is possible.

About the Author

Mark S. Gold, M.D., is a pioneering researcher, professor, and chairman of psychiatry at Yale, the University of Florida, and Washington University in St Louis. His theories have changed the field, stimulated additional research, and led to new understanding and treatments for opioid use disorders, cocaine use disorders, overeating, smoking, and depression.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/addiction-outlook/202408/a-front-row-change-agent-of-the-drug-epidemic

Filed under: Addiction,Prevention and Intervention,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Bethesda, Maryland / Monday, August 19, 2024

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a programme that will support Native American communities to lead public health research to address overdose, substance use, and pain, including related factors such as mental health and wellness. Despite the inherent strengths in Tribal communities, and driven in part by social determinants of health, Native American communities face unique health disparities related to the opioid crisis. For instance, in recent years, overdose death rates have been highest among American Indian and Alaska Native people. Research prioritized by Native communities is essential for enhancing effective, culturally grounded public health interventions and promoting positive health outcomes.

“Elevating the knowledge, expertise, and inherent strengths of Native people in research is crucial for creating sustainable solutions that can effectively promote public health and health equity,” said Nora D. Volkow, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “As we look for ways to best respond to the overdose crisis across the country, it is crucial to recognize that Native American communities have the best perspective for developing prevention and therapeutic interventions consistent with their traditions and needs. This programme will facilitate research that is led by Native American communities, for Native American communities.”

Totaling approximately $268 million over seven years, pending the availability of funds, the Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (N CREW) Programme will support research projects that are led directly by Tribes and organizations that serve Native American communities, and was established in direct response to priorities identified by Tribes and Native American communities.

Many Tribal Nations have developed and continue to develop innovative approaches and systems of care for community members with substance use and pain disorders. During NIH Tribal Consultations in 2018 and 2022, Tribal leaders categorized the opioid overdose crisis as one of their highest priority issues and called for research and support to respond. They shared that Native communities must lead the science and highlighted the need for research capacity building, useful real-time data, and approaches that rely on Indigenous Knowledge and community strengths to meet the needs of Native people.

The N CREW Programme focuses on: Supporting research prioritized by Native communities, including research elevating and integrating Indigenous Knowledge and culture; Enhancing capacity for research led by Tribes and Native American Serving Organizations by developing and providing novel, accessible, and culturally grounded technical assistance and training, resources, and tools; Improving access to, and quality of, data on substance use, pain, and related factors to maximize the potential for use of these data in local decision-making.

“Native American communities have been treating pain in their communities for centuries, and this programme will uplift that knowledge to support research that is built around cultural strengths and priorities,” said Walter Koroshetz, M.D., director of NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “These projects will further our collective understanding of key programmes and initiatives that can effectively improve chronic pain management for Native American and other communities.”

The first phase of the programme will support projects to plan, develop, and pilot community-driven research and/or data improvement projects to address substance use and pain. In this phase, NIH will also support the development of a Native Research Resource Network to provide comprehensive training, resources, and real-time support to N CREW participants.

The second phase of the program, anticipated to begin in fall 2026, will build on the work conducted in the initial phase of the program to further capacity building efforts and implement community-driven research and/or data improvements projects. Additional activities that support the overarching goals of the N CREW Programme may also be identified as the program develops.

The N CREW Programme is led by the NIH’s NIDA, NINDS, and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), with participation from numerous other NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The N CREW Program is funded through the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term Initiative (or NIH HEAL Initiative), which is jointly managed by NIDA and NINDS. For the purposes of the N CREW Programme, Native Americans include American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Projects will be awarded on a rolling basis and publicly listed.

This new programme is part of work to advance the Biden/Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda and the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy.

Source: https://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=171961&sid=2

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects,Mental Health,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

Tricia Otto’s son, Calvin, will forever be 29 years old. That’s because he lost his life to fentanyl poisoning at age 29 in April of last year.

“He was funny. He had an amazing sense of humor. He was thoughtful. He was kind. He always worried about how other people were feeling. Um, he struggled with addiction for about 14 years, but he fought really hard against that,” Tricia Otto explains. “He always talked about wanting to be a fireman … And instead of fighting fires, my son spent his time fighting demons.”

In 2023 alone, there were over 1, 200 drug overdose deaths from fentanyl in Colorado.

That’s according to the Common Sense Institute. That equates to roughly three deaths per day on average. This upcoming Wednesday, August 21st, is National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. It was started by the nonprofit Facing Fentanyl. They’re organizing a takeover of Times Square in New York City this week.

Here in Colorado, there will be a Candlelight Vigil at the Denver City and County Building this Wednesday at 7 p. m. (flyer posted below).

Tricia Otto, in addition to being Calvin’s mom, is the Drug-Induced Homicide Foundation Colorado Chapter State Representative. She joined KGNU’s Jackie Sedley to discuss how important it is to talk about fentanyl poisoning, to use language that takes blame off of those with substance use disorder, and to hold those who sell illicit substances accountable.

“Referring fentanyl poisoning as an accidental overdose diminishes the calculated greed and disregard for human life that led to this tragic, tragic passing,” Otto says. “Those struggling with substance abuse disorder are targeted and exploited by drug dealers and others who stand to profit from their vulnerability. Calling it an accident ignores the deliberate actions of those that prey on the addicted, pushing dangerous substances for their own gain. This is not an unfortunate mishap. It’s a calculated act of malice that leads to the death and devastates families.”

Source: https://kgnu.org/fentanyl-overdose-prevention-awareness-triciaotto-calvinotto/

Filed under: Fentanyl,Mental Health,Prevention and Intervention,USA :

by Zachary Pottle |- Addiction Center

Remaining Sober In College

With August underway, many college students will be heading back to campuses across the country for another school year. For many, college is an exciting experience where young adults can learn, make friends, grow into their own, and of course attend the occasional party. However, for some students, returning to campus can present a host of challenges, especially those in recovery who may be worried about maintaining their sobriety.

It’s no secret college students experiment with substances. Now more than ever, college campuses are filled with drugs and alcohol. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 45.3% of male and 48.5% of female full-time college students ages 18 to 22 drank alcohol in the past month. Additionally, roughly 40% of both male and female college students said they had tried an illicit substance within the past year; with the most common being marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, and prescription drugs.

If you’re a student dealing with addiction, you might worry about being pressured to use drugs, attend parties where alcohol is prevalent, or spend time with people who engage in substance use. However, college doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By taking proactive steps to avoid substance use temptations, you can still enjoy your college experience.

Tips For Staying Sober On Campus

For students who are entering back into the college space after receiving treatment or in the earlier stages of recovery, campuses can be a stressful environment. Learning how to guard your sobriety while in environments ripe with drug and alcohol use can be hard, but fortunately many colleges have resources available to help keep you sober and engaged with your peers.

Avoid Popular “Party” Spots

While it likely goes without saying, avoiding places where drugs and alcohol are likely to be present is one of the best ways to stay sober in college. Many colleges have places that are synonymous with these types of activities; like popular local bars, fraternity or sorority houses, and other similar spaces. If you know that exposure to drugs or alcohol may trigger cravings or put your sobriety at risk, avoiding these spaces is key.

However, avoiding these places doesn’t mean that you have to have a “boring” college experience. For every bar or nightclub there’s an equal amount of spaces where social gatherings happen free of drugs and alcohol. Libraries, activity centers, sports facilities, and other places on campus are all great for avoiding triggers while also being a part of campus life.

Join A Club Or Campus Organization

While Greek life organizations are often associated with drug and alcohol use, many are involved in campus life and hold fundraisers, events, and other activities for all students on campus. Joining a fraternity or sorority can also be a great way to meet and connect with others, especially groups that focus on campus life and academic performance.

Many colleges also have a plethora of clubs and organizations for students to join. These include groups like student government, intramural sports, arts clubs, cultural clubs, and community service groups. Joining a group is a great way to stay involved with campus life while remaining sober.

Start An Exercise Routine

One of the most beneficial things you can do for your health is to exercise. Exercise can be especially helpful for those struggling with cravings or mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, both of which can be common for young adults struggling with their sobriety. Research shows that people who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and lower rates of mental illness.

Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous or take a long time. Studies show low or moderate intensity exercise is enough to make a difference in terms of your mood and thinking patterns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends young adults aged 18-25 engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. This can also be 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity. For additional benefits, the CDC recommends an extra two days of muscle-strengthening each week.

Utilize Campus Resources

Safeguarding your sobriety can be difficult, especially when your mental health is lacking. Without proper mental health care, depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health concerns can lead even the strongest of those in recovery into relapse. As our understanding of the importance of mental health has increased over the years, so too has our access to mental health care across the country.

Many colleges, especially larger state-sponsored schools with large student bodies, have counseling and other psychological services free of charge for enrolled students. Colleges that offer these types of services typically do so either online or in-person, and usually operate on a scheduling basis. If you’re unsure about whether or not your college offers counseling services, contact your admissions office or campus resource center to find out more.

Additional Resources For College Students In Recovery

While counseling services and campus organizations can both be beneficial to students in recovery, the reality is that many people experience relapses. Studies show that between 40 to 60 percent of individuals in treatment for substance abuse will relapse. It’s important to remember; however, that a relapse is not a sign of failure. Rather, relapses are a part of the recovery process.

Relapses can be a slight “bump in the road” for some, while for others relapses may require a bit of extra help to get them back on track. Treating chronic diseases requires changing long-established behaviors, and relapse doesn’t signify failure. When someone in recovery from addiction relapses, it’s a sign that they should consult their doctor to restart treatment, adjust it, or explore other options.

For students who may need extra resources, services like outpatient rehab may be a viable option to help keep you in school while also addressing relapse concerns. Outpatient programs provide young adults with the flexibility to receive treatment for part of the day while returning to campus each night. These programs vary, including day programs, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and continued care. An addiction specialist can help determine which option best suits your needs.

Finding Help

Addiction is often seen by many as a lifelong disease; one that requires constant dedication, mindfulness, and strength. You should never be ashamed of needing support, regardless of how much or how frequent it is. If you’re struggling to stay sober, reaching out for help is always better than sacrificing your hard-earned sobriety. For additional resources and support, contact a treatment provider today to learn about your options.

Source: https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/stay-sober-college/

Filed under: Alcohol,Drug use-various effects,Drug use-various effects on foetus, babies, children and youth,Education,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

by Nickolas Bagley Youth Today magazine

Posted on August 9, 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Summary

“The Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report provides data on health behaviors and experiences of high school students in the United States. Data highlight students’ behaviors and experiences in 2023, changes from 2021 to 2023, and 10-year trends. The report focuses on six key areas:

Sexual behavior
Substance use
Experiences of violence
Mental health
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Other important issues, like social media use

Key Findings

In 2023, female students and LGBTQ+ students experienced more violence, signs of poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors than their male and cisgender and heterosexual peers.
From 2021 to 2023, there were early signs that adolescent mental health is getting better. There were also concerning increases in students’ experiences of violence at school.
From 2013 to 2023, 10-year trends were similar to what data showed in 2021. There were decreases in students’ use of substances. There were increases in students’ experiences of violence, signs of poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Students’ sexual activity decreased, but so did their protective sexual behaviors, like condom use.”

Read Full Report →

Source: https://youthtoday.org/2024/08/youth-risk-behavior-survey-2013-2023/

Filed under: Brain and Behaviour,Crime/Violence/Prison,Drug use-various effects on foetus, babies, children and youth,Mental Health,Sexual Behaviour,USA :

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released the results of the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which shows how people living in United States reported their experience with mental health conditions, substance use and pursuit of treatment. The 2023 NSDUH report includes selected estimates by race, ethnicity and age group. The report is accompanied by two infographics offering visually packaged highlight data as well as visual data by race and ethnicity.

“Each year, data from the annual NSDUH provides an opportunity to identify and address unmet healthcare needs across America. We’re pleased to see that more people received mental health treatment in 2023 than the previous year,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “Also, to build upon increasing accessibility to data, this year’s release features two infographic reports: one focusing on race and ethnicity and one highlighting selected overall data.”

The 2023 NSDUH Report includes the following selected key findings.

Mental Health:

Among adults aged 18 or older in 2023, 22.8% (or 58.7 million people) had any mental illness (AMI) in the past year.
4.5 million youth (ages 12 to 17) had a major depressive episode in the past year, of which nearly 1 in 5 also had a substance use disorder.
Among adults aged 18 or older in 2023, 5.0% (or 12.8 million people) had serious thoughts of suicide, 1.4% (or 3.7 million people) made a suicide plan, and 0.6% (or 1.5 million people) attempted suicide in the past year.
Multiracial adults aged 18 or older were more likely than adults in most other racial or ethnic groups to have AMI, serious mental illness (SMI), and serious thoughts of suicide.
Estimates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adults in 2023 were comparable to 2022 and 2021.

Substance Use:

In 2023, 3.1% of people (8.9 million) misused opioids in the past year, which is similar to 2022 and 2021 (3.2% and 8.9 million, 3.4% and 9.4 million respectively).
Among the 134.7 million people aged 12 or older who currently used alcohol in 2023, 61.4 million people (or 45.6%) had engaged in binge drinking in the past month.
Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug, with 21.8% of people aged 12 or older (or 61.8 million people) using it in the past year.
American Indian or Alaska Native and Multiracial people were more likely than most other racial or ethnic groups to have used substances or to have had an SUD in the past year.
In 2023, 9.4% of people aged 12 or older vaped nicotine in the past month, up from 8.3% in 2022.
- In the past year, more people initiated vaping (5.9 million people) compared to any other substance.
- Nicotine vaping estimates from 2021 are not comparable with estimates from 2022 and 2023.

Services and Recovery:

31.9% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (or 8.3 million people) received mental health treatment in the past year, an increase of more than 500,000 from 2022.
23.0% of adults aged 18 or older (or 59.2 million people) received mental health treatment in the past year, an increase of 3.4 million from 2022.
Among people aged 12 or older in 2023 who were classified as needing substance use treatment in the past year, about 1 in 4 (23.6% or 12.8 million people) received substance use treatment in the past year. People were classified as needing substance use treatment in the past year if they had a substance use disorder (SUD) or received substance use treatment in the past year.
30.5 million adults aged 18 or older (or 12.0%) perceived that they ever had a substance use problem. Among these adults, 73.1% (or 22.2 million people) considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered.
64.4 million adults aged 18 or older (or 25.3%) perceived that they ever had a mental health issue. Among these adults, 66.6% (or 42.7 million people) considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered.
There were no racial ethnic differences among adults aged 18 or older in 2023 who perceived that they ever had a substance use problem or problem with their mental health who considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered from their drug or alcohol use problem or mental health issue.

About the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Conducted by the federal government since 1971, the NSDUH is a primary source of statistical information on self-reported substance use and mental health of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population 12 or older. For the 2023 NSDUH national tables and some reports, statistical testing was conducted between estimates from different years (e.g., past month alcohol use in 2023 vs. the estimate in 2022). Where testing involved 3 years of comparable data for 2021 to 2023, pairwise testing was conducted between estimates in these years (i.e., 2021 vs. 2022, 2021 vs. 2023, and 2022 vs. 2023). Statistical tests for overall trends from the baseline year to the current year will not be conducted until four comparable NSDUH data points are available. The NSDUH measures include:

Use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco,
Substance use disorder and substance use treatment,
Major depressive episodes, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and other symptoms of mental illness, mental health care, and
Recovery from substance use and mental health disorders.

Addressing the nation’s mental health crisis and drug overdose epidemic is a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration and are core pillars of the Administration’s Unity Agenda. The President’s Unity Agenda is operationalized through the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, the HHS Roadmap for Behavioral Health Integration, and the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes.

Last Updated: 07/30/2024

Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20240730/samhsa-releases-annual-national-survey-drug-use-and-health

Filed under: Addiction,Alcohol,Cannabis/Marijuana,Cocaine,Heroin/Methadone,Mental Health,Treatment and Addiction,USA :

Nora D Volkow¹, Wilson M Compton², Carlos Blanco², Emily B Einstein², Beth Han²

Abstract

Background: Most violent crimes (52 %) are committed by adults aged 18-34, who account for 23 % of the US population and have the highest prevalence of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD). We examined whether and how associations of cannabis use, use frequency, and CUD with violent behavior (i.e., attacking someone with the intent to harm seriously) vary by sex in U.S. young adults.

Methods: Data were from 113,454 participants aged 18-34 in the 2015-2019 US National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, providing nationally representative data on cannabis use, CUD (using DSM-IV criteria), and violent behavior. Descriptive analyses and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results: Among U.S. adults aged 18-34, 28.9 % (95 % CI = 28.5-29.2 %) reported past-year cannabis use (with/without CUD), including 20.5 % (95 % CI = 20.2-20.8 %) with non-daily cannabis without CUD, 4.7 % (95 % CI = 4.5-4.8 %) with daily cannabis use without CUD, 2.1 % (95 % CI = 1.9-2.2 %) with non-daily cannabis use and CUD, and 1.7 % (95 % CI = 1.5-1.8 %) with daily cannabis use and CUD. Past-year adjusted prevalence of violent behavior was higher among males with daily cannabis use but without CUD (2.9 %, 95 % CI = 2.4-2.7 %; adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.7, 95 % CI = 1.3-2.2) and males with daily cannabis use and CUD (3.1 %, 95 % CI = 2.3-4.0 %; adjusted PR = 1.8, 95 % CI = 1.3-2.4) than males without past-year cannabis use (1.7 %, 95 % CI = 1.6-1.9 %). Adjusted prevalence of violent behavior was higher among females with cannabis use regardless of daily cannabis use/CUD status (adjusted prevalence = 1.6-2.4 %, 95 % CIs = 0.9-3.2 %; adjusted PRs = 1.6-2.4, 95 % CI = 1.3-3.2) than females without past-year cannabis use (1.0 %, 95 % CI = 0.9-1.1 %).

Conclusions: Research is needed to ascertain the directionality of the associations between cannabis use and violent behavior and underlying sex-specific mechanism(s). Our results point to complex sex-specific relationships between cannabis use frequency, CUD, and violent behavior and highlight the importance of early screening for and treatment of CUD and of preventive interventions addressing cannabis misuse.

Keywords: Attacking someone with the intent to seriously hurt them; Cannabis use; Cannabis use disorder; Violent behavior.

Published by Elsevier B.V.

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Filed under: Brain and Behaviour,Cannabis/Marijuana,Mental Health,Prevalence,USA,Youth :

12 Aug 2024

Substance abuse disorders are on the rise among young people. The American Addiction Center reports one in seven young adults are affected. Crisis coach Scott Silverman and youth drug prevention educator Rocky Herron joined the CBS 8 Morning Show with details.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6BYoWOnAG8

Filed under: Addiction,Drug use-various effects on foetus, babies, children and youth,Prevention and Intervention,USA,Youth :

Children exposed to substances during pregnancy are at high risk of facing a range of negative health outcomes, including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). This condition, where a baby is born experiencing withdrawal symptoms from drugs they were exposed to in utero, imposes a significant burden on the child, the family, and the healthcare system. In the United States, between 2009 and 2016, the costs associated with birth admissions for NAS tripled, jumping from $731.8 million to $2.5 billion.

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics sheds light on the longitudinal impact of prenatal substance exposure. Researchers examined the relationship between maternal use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and the misuse of prescription drugs during pregnancy, focusing on how these factors influence out-of-home care, hospital utilization, length of hospital stay, and healthcare costs from birth through young adulthood. By analyzing over 1.6 million healthcare records in New South Wales (NSW), the study found that prenatal substance use contributed to an excess of $84 million in hospital costs. These increased costs were driven by longer hospital stays, a greater need for special or intensive care, and later hospitalizations, commonly due to respiratory illnesses and mental health or behavioral disorders.

Tragically, this study found that children with prenatal substance exposure were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital by one year of age for reasons such as neglect, maltreatment, and misuse. Those born with NAS were particularly vulnerable, as they faced a two-fold higher risk of later hospitalization for mental health issues. Moreover, their hospital admission costs at birth were $12,000 higher compared to children without such exposure.

This study also highlighted that although one in four children with prenatal substance exposure entered out-of-home care by six months of age, this intervention reduced healthcare costs by $16 million and lowered the risk of hospital readmission for children with NAS by almost 30%. Out-of-home care, in this context, refers to the court-ordered placement of a child under 18 in foster care, relative care, adoption, or residential care due to safety risks in their biological home.

These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive drug policies that emphasize prevention and supportive services for pregnant mothers and families struggling with substance use. By intervening early and providing targeted support, we can mitigate the long-term effects of prenatal substance exposure, help keep families together, and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

Source: https://www.saveoursociety.org/news-articles/breaking-the-cycle-the-impact-of-prenatal-substance-exposure-on-children-and-the-healthcare-system/

Filed under: Drug use-various effects on foetus, babies, children and youth,USA :

One of the most pressing issues for businesses in states where marijuana use is legal is determining employee impairment before taking any adverse action. Unlike alcohol, where a simple breathalyzer test can gauge impairment, marijuana’s effects vary significantly based on consumption method, strain, and user tolerance.

Studies have shown that THC—the psychoactive compound in cannabis—and its metabolites can linger in the body long after the “high” has worn off. Recognizing this, many states have enacted laws requiring employers to prove impairment, not just the presence of THC. Traditional drug tests like urinalysis, oral fluid tests, hair tests, and even emerging breath THC tests only indicate prior use, not current impairment.

This means that zero-tolerance policies based solely on the detection of THC metabolites are no longer viable in many states. Instead, employers must place more focus on assessing fitness for duty through reasonable suspicion training for supervisors and consider adopting impairment detection technology.

Given that measuring THC levels cannot be the sole indicator of impairment, new tools have em

USA

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by Kenneth Griffin, Professor, Department of Global and Community Health,

New research from Professor Kenneth Griffin shows that the Virtual Reality (VR) program helps students handle complex social situations. This success has led to a new research grant to continue the study.

Preventing drug use and addiction

Preventing overdose

Improving access to addiction treatment

Leveraging new treatments and technologies

Marijuana rules to protect health up to the states

More people are using cannabis

Lack of federal oversight

Author(s): Hannah Elmore, PharmD,John Handshaw, PharmD, BCACP – December 23, 2024

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Preliminary Conclusions and Actions

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Treating AUD

Medications

Behavioral therapies

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