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.
Two males, ages 20 and 17, died after attending an all-day electronic dance music festival last weekend in Columbia, Maryland. Nineteen other people were hospitalized. Investigators said they suspected MDMA, or Molly, was the most commonly used drug at the festival.
New federal tobacco regulations contain a cost-benefit calculation known as the “happiness quotient,” which weighs the health benefits of reduced smoking against the loss in pleasure that smokers suffer when they quit. This calculation could make it harder for the Food and Drug Administration to take strong action against tobacco companies, critics say.
Illegal marijuana operations are diverting precious water in California, The New York Times reports. The state announced a drought emergency in January.
People in recovery from substance use disorders who have had repeated relapses can benefit from being monitored for at least five years after treatment, according to a former head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
A bill introduced this week in the U.S. House would establish a federal grant program to fund inpatient treatment for heroin abuse, the Hartford Courant reports.
More prescription drugs have received black-box safety warnings since a law designed to speed the drug approval process was passed in 1992, according to a new study.
Drinking problems in returning U.S. National Guard soldiers are more likely to be caused by civilian life, rather than wartime experiences, according to new research.
Under a new law in Tennessee, welfare applicants must declare any prior history of drug use, NPR reports.
Millions more young adults are receiving treatment for mental health problems because their parents can keep them on the family health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act, a new study concludes.
Colorado officials are considering stricter rules for marijuana edible products such as candies, cookies and brownies, USA Today reports.
A growing number of teen athletes are abusing prescription painkillers, according to a new study. Football players are more likely than other athletes to abuse prescription painkillers, HealthDay reports.
California voters will decide this November whether doctors in their state will have to submit to random drug and alcohol tests.
A Senate bill sponsored by a Democrat and Republican who are normally on opposite ends of the political spectrum aims to help low-level drug offenders re-enter society. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, a Democrat, and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, are co-sponsors of The REDEEM Act.
Many homeowners’ associations are dealing with conflicts among neighbors about marijuana use, in states where the drug is legal for medical or recreational use, the Associated Press reports.
Allowing e-cigarettes to compete with regular cigarettes might reduce deaths and illness caused by tobacco, a new study concludes. The researchers reviewed 81 previous studies on the use and safety of e-cigarettes.
A company in Toronto is developing a new electronic device and mobile app to detect ‘date rape’ drugs in drinks, according to CNN Money.
A pilot program that uses fingernail drug and alcohol testing is helping to spot drivers who have been convicted of driving while intoxicated who are continuing to drink or use drugs. Fingernail testing captures a person’s history of drug and alcohol use for the past three to six months.
A new study of thousands of Americans finds people with a history of drinking problems have more than twice the risk of memory problems later in life, compared with those who have never been heavy drinkers.
FedEx, which was indicted earlier this month on drug trafficking charges, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. The company is accused of conspiring to deliver prescription drugs for illegal online pharmacies.
A measure designed to reduce prescription drug abuse passed in the House on Tuesday with bipartisan support, according to The Hill.
The four U.S. senators from Colorado and Washington state have asked the White House to establish “consistent and uniform” marijuana guidelines.
As the use of drug courts expand, critics say people with minor marijuana infractions are more likely than those with serious drug problems to end up in these programs.
Government researchers are studying the effect of marijuana on drivers, USA Today reports. The findings will help regulators decide on guidelines for drugged driving.
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