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.
The United States Conference of Mayors on Monday urged the federal government to allow states to decide their own marijuana policies.
New research suggests e-cigarettes may help some smokers quit. The study of smokers with no desire to quit found up to 13 percent were not smoking regular cigarettes after one year of using the electronic devices.
Methamphetamine use is on the rise in Minneapolis/St. Paul, while heroin remains the most widely used illegal drug in the Twin Cities area, according to a new report.
People who take “Molly,” the powder or crystal form of MDMA, the chemical used in Ecstasy, don’t know what they are actually ingesting, experts say. They warn many powders sold as Molly do not contain any MDMA.
Many Medicaid programs make it difficult for people addicted to opioids to receive medications to treat their addiction, according to a new report. The American Society of Addiction Medicine says private insurance companies also are restricting access to these treatments.
Medicare paid for prescriptions for drugs, including controlled substances such as oxycodone, written by professionals including massage therapists, home health aides and veterinarians, who were not authorized to do so, ABC News reports.
Smoking is vastly undertreated, compared with other chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure, a new study concludes.
Parents often feel helpless when it comes to teen drugs and alcohol use. But prevention research over the past two decades has shown that by encouraging their kids to get involved in the community – either through school, houses of worship, sports, etc. – parents can change their kids’ ability to turn down drugs and alcohol.
Children who were exposed to cigarette smoke prenatally may be at increased risk of addiction, a new study suggests. The smoke may interfere with the brain’s reward processing system, Time.com reports.
An estimated one million former smokers took up cigarettes again after the 9/11 attacks on America, a new study suggests. The stress of the events of that day led to the resurgence of smoking among people who had previously quit, the researchers report.
Teens may be at increased risk of hearing loss if their mother smoked during pregnancy, suggests new research.
Marijuana growers are impacting the environment in Northern California, endangering wildlife and threatening forests, The New York Times reports.
Almost 70 percent of Americans take at least one prescription medication, and more than half take at least two, according to a new study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic. The most common prescriptions are for antibiotics, antidepressants and opioid painkillers.
A state-by-state analysis of substance abuse treatment programs finds that in many states, minorities are less likely than whites to successfully complete substance abuse programs. The analysis found significant disparities among states with regard to racial and ethnic differences.
Faces & Voices of Recovery and Caron Treatment Centers will present the 2013 America Honors Recovery Awards on June 26 to leaders in the recovery community.
Law enforcement and retail officials say Tide detergent is being stolen and traded for drugs. Liquid Tide or Tide Pods are also being sold at open swap meets and secret meetings.
Google still isn’t doing enough to prevent illegal online sales of drugs without prescriptions, according to Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. He announced Tuesday he is sending out subpoenas for company documents, the Associated Press reports.
A new animal study suggests a missing brain enzyme increases concentrations of a protein related to opioid addiction, Science Daily reports.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and autism spectrum disorder may share some molecular similarities, a new study of rats suggests. The findings could help researchers trying to develop new treatments for both disorders, Fox News reports.
Join Together chats with New York Times best-selling author Anne Fletcher, MS, RD, whose latest book is “Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment – And How to Get Help That Works” (Viking, 2013), to discuss addiction treatment today and the future of recovery.
The percentage of adult smokers in the United States declined last year to 18 percent, from 18.9 percent the previous year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Doctors should not prescribe medical marijuana to teens with chronic pain, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic. Marijuana can lead to some negative short-term side effects, including impaired concentration, fatigue and slower reaction times, they write in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
The smoke of cigarettes from bar and restaurant patrons who stand just outside the entrance appears to drift inside, a new Spanish study suggests. The researchers call for laws that restrict smoking outside these venues, to more completely protect against secondhand smoke.
Officials in Kentucky will study the effectiveness of new laws designed to reduce prescription drug abuse, The Courier-Journal reports.
Urban Outfitters announced Friday it will discontinue selling products that promote prescription drug abuse. The move comes after a campaign by public health groups, state attorneys general and legislators.
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