The Latest News from Our Field

We curate a digest of the latest news in our field for advocates, policymakers, community coalitions and all who work toward shaping policies and practices to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction. Sign up here to receive weekly updates straight to your inbox.

Teen Substance Use Continued to Drop in 2024: Study

Teen substance use continued to decline in 2024, building on and extending the historically large drops that occurred during the beginning of the pandemic, according to the annual Monitoring the Future survey.

McKinsey Agrees to Pay $650 Million to Settle Inquiry Into Work With Purdue Pharma

Consulting firm McKinsey & Company has agreed to pay $650 million to resolve Department of Justice charges over advice it provided to pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma on how to “turbocharge” sales of OxyContin, Reuters reports.

New Database Catalogs More than 7,000 Ways Opioid Settlement Cash is Being Used

A first-of-its-kind database is tracking how state and local governments are using opioid settlement funds, NPR reports.

Policy News Roundup: December 19, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing a record decline in overdose deaths.

Research News Roundup: December 19, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including the association between state cannabis policies and use among adults and youth in the United States from 2002 to 2019.

More Potent Form of Fentanyl Contributing to Overdose Deaths: CDC

Carfentanil, a more potent form of fentanyl, is contributing to overdose deaths in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in a new report.

People with Substance Use Disorder Don’t Have Input in How Opioid Settlement Funds are Spent

People with substance use disorder don’t have input into how most of the $50 billion in opioid settlement funds are being spent, AP reports.

Largest U.S. Chain of Methadone Clinics Falsifies Records, New York Times Investigation Finds

The largest chain of methadone clinics in the United States, Acadia Healthcare, falsifies records at its clinics and enrolls patients who do not have opioid use disorder, according to an investigation by The New York Times.

Policy News Roundup: December 12, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including the Supreme Court appearing unsympathetic to vaping companies' argument against the FDA.

Research News Roundup: December 12, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including the identification of brain alterations associated with opioid use disorder.

Justices Seem Skeptical About Challenges Brought by Vaping Industry to FDA Regulations

The Supreme Court appeared skeptical this week about challenges brought by the vaping industry to the Food and Drug Administration’s decision denying authorization to bring its flavored e-cigarettes to market, NPR reports.

Growing Number of Vending Machines Around U.S. Dispense Free Naloxone

A growing number of vending machines around the U.S. are dispensing the opioid overdose antidote naloxone free of charge, UPI reports.

Study: Many People Taking Weight-Loss Medicines Don’t Enjoy Alcohol as Much

A new study of WeightWatchers members who take weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy or Mounjaro and consume alcohol found about half cut back on drinking after starting the medication. They say they don’t enjoy alcohol as much, NPR reports.

Policy News Roundup: December 5, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including the Supreme Court upholding a rule requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packs.

Research News Roundup: December 5, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including cross-substance alcohol use and cannabis craving among young adults and any potential differences in cross-substance cravings across genders.

Surgeon General Report Finds Disparities in Tobacco Use Persist

A new report from the Surgeon General finds disparities in tobacco use persist by factors including race and ethnicity and levels of income and education.

Decline in U.S. Overdose Deaths Continues

New government data shows U.S. overdose deaths are continuing to decline, AP reports.

Alcohol-Related Deaths Almost Doubled Over Two Decades: Study

The rate of alcohol-related deaths in the United States has almost doubled in the past 20 years, according to a new study.

Policy News Roundup: November 21, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including how many opioid recovery programs reject effective treatments, like medications, to treat opioid use disorder.

Research News Roundup: November 21, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including groundbreaking research from NIDA addressing the challenges of the opioid epidemic.

Increased Alcohol Use During Pandemic Continued Into 2022, Study Finds

Increases in U.S. alcohol use seen at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic continued into 2022, according to a new study.

Online E-Cigarette Retailers Aren’t Consistently Obeying Laws Banning Sales to Minors

A new study finds online e-cigarette retailers are not consistently obeying laws designed to prevent the sale of vaping products to minors, CNN reports.

Voters around the U.S. Approve Tougher Drug Penalties, Reject Recreational Marijuana Measures

In state and local elections last week, voters approved tougher drug penalties and rejected measures to legalize recreational marijuana and psychedelics, The New York Times reports.

Policy News Roundup: November 14, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including the incoming Trump administration's likely law enforcement-focused response to the overdose crisis.

Research News Roundup: November 14, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including the relationship between postpartum people's functioning and substance use disorders.

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