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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.

FDA eases enforcement on unauthorized e-cigarettes

FDA issued new guidance stating that it does not intend to prioritize enforcement against many e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches marketed without FDA authorization.

STAT: U.S. alcohol crisis ignored

STAT launched a new investigative series, The Deadliest Drug, on the toll of alcohol and lack of adequate response.

U.S. overdose deaths decline in 2025

Preliminary CDC data shows that about 70,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2025, about 14% fewer than the previous year.

New deadly synthetic opioids emerge

New potent synthetic opioids called orphines, including cyclorphine, have been increasing in the illicit drug supply.

Research News Roundup: May 14, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a study that examined whether negative experiences from drinking discourage future alcohol use as young people grow up. Among adolescents, bad experiences from alcohol did not strongly shape negative views about drinking, although having more negative expectations about alcohol was linked to lower alcohol use. In young adulthood, harmful drinking experiences increased negative beliefs about alcohol, but those beliefs did not appear to reduce drinking behavior. Negative experiences may help shape attitudes toward alcohol later in development, but those attitudes become less effective at preventing drinking as alcohol use becomes more established.

ONDCP releases 2026 National Drug Control Strategy

The National Drug Control Strategy outlines the government's approach to addressing substance use, including both interdiction and supply-side efforts and health-focused prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

FDA approves fruit-flavored vapes

FDA approved fruit-flavored vaping products for the first time, authorizing the sale of Glas blueberry and mango vaping pods, as well as two menthol-flavored products.

Means pulled as surgeon general nominee

Following Casey Means' stalled nomination for surgeon general, radiologist Nicole Saphier has replaced her as the nominee.

Research News Roundup: May 8, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how people who started drinking alcohol or using cannabis as adults (ages 21–29) were significantly less likely to develop serious substance use problems than those who started before age 18 — about a third less likely for alcohol, and about a fifth less likely for cannabis. Starting substance use early also raises the odds of struggling with multiple substances. This highlights, once again, how important it is to keep young people from using alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine before age 21.

Medical marijuana reclassified to Schedule III

The acting attorney general ordered the immediate reclassification of FDA-approved and state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.

FDA fast-tracks psychedelic drug reviews

Following last week’s executive order that directed federal agencies to speed research and loosen restrictions on psychedelics, FDA announced it will fast-track review of three psychedelic drugs to treat mental health.

SAMHSA updates guidance on MOUD and harm reduction

SAMHSA issued Dear Colleague letters warning against the use of medications for opioid use disorder without accompanying support services and pulling drug test strips as an allowable use of SAMHSA funds.

Purdue settlement finalized, leaves many victims without funds

A judge sentenced Purdue in a federal probe, clearing the way for the company's broader settlement with thousands of states, local governments, and individual victims to go into effect.

Research News Roundup: April 30, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how an antidepressant sold legally online in the US — but nowhere approved for use here — is landing people in clinical settings with a presentation that looks and acts like opioid addiction. Tianeptine is unregulated and easy to buy. Misuse escalates fast, tolerance builds quickly, and withdrawal is serious. Intoxication mimics opioids — euphoria, respiratory depression, and sedation. Withdrawal brings anxiety, agitation, and GI distress. Naloxone works for acute crises; buprenorphine is first-line for withdrawal, but relapse rates are high. Many cases need residential-level care and long-term monitoring.

New executive order aims to accelerate psychedelic drug research and review

President Trump signed an executive order that aims to ease restrictions on research and access to psychedelics to treat mental illness.

Kennedy faces Congress in string of hearings on HHS budget

HHS Secretary Kennedy is testifying before several Congressional committees in a set of hearings on the administration's 2027 budget proposal.

Mental Health Parity Index reveals disparities

The Kennedy Forum launched the Mental Health Parity Index to track the availability of in-network MH/SUD clinicians and their payment rates compared to that for physical health care, showing continued gaps in access to care.

Gambling addiction crisis grows unchecked

Experts say there is a growing gambling addiction crisis, but it is yet to be widely recognized by the public, policymakers, and the health care sector, with lacking research, funding, and screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Research News Roundup: April 23, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including fresh insights into how driver education programs present a powerful—and often overlooked—opportunity to prevent substance use and impaired driving. At a moment when adolescents are highly motivated to engage to earn their driver’s license, these programs can play a pivotal role in shaping safer behaviors.

New synthetic drugs outpace regulation efforts

Illicit labs are creating new synthetic drugs at a rapid speed, with compounds reaching the market long before health agencies know they exist.

McKinsey contributes $125M to Purdue settlement

McKinsey agreed to contribute $125 million to Purdue’s bankruptcy settlement to resolve potential claims over the consulting firm's marketing advice on how to "turbocharge" OxyContin sales.

GAO report: DOJ struggles to curb illegal e-cigarettes

A GAO report suggests that DOJ enforcement actions related to illegal e-cigarettes do not match the scale of the problem.

BuzzBallz rise in popularity among Gen Z

BuzzBallz alcoholic drinks' marketing tactics and growing popularity among young people raise concerns about underage appeal and use.

Research News Roundup: April 16, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how an increase in E-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) cases was associated with a marked increase in the perceived risk of e-cigarettes relative to traditional cigarettes, both during and after the increase. This shift in perception was particularly pronounced among non-white participants, who demonstrated significantly greater increases in perceived harm. These findings suggest that major public health events can meaningfully shape risk perceptions, with potential implications for smoking behavior.

White House proposes health budget cuts

The White House budget request proposes a 12.5% decrease to the HHS budget, which includes eliminating several mental health and substance use programs and folding SAMHSA into a new agency.
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