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.
Top headlines of the week from Friday, April 3 - Thursday, April 9, 2015.
Seven hundred twenty-two. This is the number of bills that state legislatures are currently considering on five topics related to controlled substances and prescriptions drugs – and it is only April.
Fourteen state attorneys general have asked Congress to launch an investigation of the herbal supplement industry, Reuters reports. The Food and Drug Administration should be given more oversight of herbal supplements, the attorneys general said.
At a Food and Drug Administration hearing this week to consider whether the smokeless tobacco known as “snus” is less harmful than cigarettes, government scientists questioned a proposal to modify cancer warning language on the product’s packaging.
A new survey finds 46 percent of Americans say they approve of President Obama’s decision to free 22 prisoners serving long prison terms for non-violent drug offenses.
A rule proposed this week by the Obama Administration would allow Medicaid recipients who receive services through managed care organizations or alternative benefit plans to get the same access to substance abuse and mental health benefits as those provided by private health insurance.
Legislators in Colorado and Washington are considering rules designed to reduce the number of home explosions and injuries caused by people making homemade hash oil.
The maker of the powdered alcohol product “Palcohol” says it is no more dangerous than liquid alcohol, The Wall Street Journal reports. Palcohol, recently approved for sale by a federal agency, has been banned in six states. A bill to ban powered alcohol’s sale and manufacture nationwide has been introduced by Senator Charles Schumer of New York.
Some colleges and universities are moving to ban alcohol at fraternities to reduce misconduct, according to USA Today.
A $5 million anti-smoking campaign, funded by the National Institutes of Health, targets hipsters, The Washington Post reports. The campaign is designed to reach young adults “focused on the alternative music scene, local artists and designers, and eclectic self expression.”
A new survey finds almost 19 percent of Americans say they take some sort of drug daily to help them relax. The rate of drug use varies widely by state, from 28 percent in West Virginia to 13.5 percent in Alaska.
Almost one-fourth of opioids prescribed for chronic pain are misused, a new study concludes. A review of studies found average rates of misuse were 21 to 29 percent. Average rates of opioid painkiller addiction were 8 to 12 percent.
The Food and Drug Administration this week issued guidelines for drug manufacturers on developing opioid painkillers that are more difficult to abuse. The guidelines recommend the types of studies needed to prove drugs can deter abuse, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Children who are allowed to sip alcohol are more likely to drink by the time they reach ninth grade, a new study finds.
Top headlines of the week from Friday, March 27 - Thursday, April 2, 2015.
While opioid medications are considered powerful painkillers, evidence shows taking a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be more effective in treating pain, according to Dr. Don Teater, MD, Medical Advisor of the non-profit National Safety Council.
Teens who drink are more likely than nondrinkers to use e-cigarettes, a new study finds. Those most likely to use e-cigarettes are teens who drink frequently, binge drink, drink to get drunk, drink strong alcohol products, and show signs of unsupervised alcohol consumption, HealthDay reports.
Two new studies suggest synthetic marijuana, also known as “K2” or “Spice,” may cause kidney damage. The studies were presented at a meeting of the National Kidney Foundation.
Two federal agents have been charged with money laundering and wire fraud in connection with the undercover investigation of Silk Road, the website that sold drugs and other illegal items.
Twenty-two drug offenders serving time in federal prison will be freed, the White House announced Tuesday. President Obama’s decision to commute the prisoners’ sentences builds on “his commitment to address instances of unfairness in sentencing,” White House Counsel Neil Eggelston said.
More states and cities are considering needle-exchange programs as a way to fight the spread of HIV and hepatitis C among intravenous drug users, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics announced its opposition to random drug testing in schools, Reuters reports. There is little evidence such “suspicionless” testing is effective, and it comes with potential risks, the group said in a policy statement.
GNC has agreed to institute new testing procedures on its herbal products, after the New York State Attorney General’s office accused the company and other major retailers of selling adulterated and/or mislabeled dietary supplements.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence declared a public health emergency as the state battles an outbreak of HIV linked to intravenous use of the painkiller Opana.
The Department of Health and Human Services will provide more funds to distribute the opioid overdose antidote naloxone to first responders and family, USA Today reports.
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