The Latest News from Our Field

West Huddleston, CEO of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, addresses National Drug Court Month and the launch of All Rise America!, a national motorcycle relay for recovery.

Every hour, a baby is born in the United States with symptoms of opioid withdrawal, according to a study in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association.

Some emergency departments do not test patients’ blood or urine for alcohol because of issues with insurance payments, Kaiser Health News reports. In more than half of states, insurers are allowed to deny payment for medical services related to alcohol or drug use.

Contrary to concerns that methadone treatment clinics attract crime to the surrounding area, a new study finds there is no evidence this occurs.

Under new Air Force rules, smoking is no longer permitted in many areas on base, including hospitals, clinics, parking lots, sidewalks and playgrounds.

Poor impulse control may be pre-wired in some teenagers, suggests a new study. Researchers have identified brain networks that are linked to impulse control and drug addiction, which may exist even before someone is exposed to alcohol or drugs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says distributing the opioid overdose antidote naloxone should be considered as a way to curb the increase in overdose deaths, Time reports.

Binge drinking may complicate recovery from burn injuries, according to a study presented at the American Burn Association Annual Meeting.

Almost half of apartment residents say they can smell secondhand smoke from their neighbors in their own homes, a new survey suggests.

Prescription drug abuse is perhaps our nation’s most significant drug problem, and trends over the past decade indicate this problem will only worsen, particularly among young adults and teens. While the DEA and law enforcement represent an important dimension in this fight, we are not the only ones, says DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart.

The opioid-overdose antidote naloxone is being more widely distributed to people who use drugs, according to the Associated Press. While many public health officials say it saves lives, critics argue that making the antidote easily available could make people less likely to seek treatment.

A federal court has ruled that an executive order by Florida Governor Rick Scott, which would randomly test state workers for drugs, is unconstitutional. The policy constitutes an unreasonable search and seizure, Federal District Judge Ursula Ungaro ruled Thursday.

High exposure to anti-smoking ads sponsored by states and private foundations result in reduced smoking rates, a new study finds. However, adults who are exposed to more ads for pharmaceutical smoking cessation products are less likely to make an attempt to quit.

A new study suggests women who smoke during pregnancy may be more likely to have a child with high-functioning autism. The research did not find a conclusive link between a woman’s smoking and her child’s autism, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Cigarette package warnings about the health dangers of smoking can be effective in helping to stop former smokers from lighting up again, a new international study suggests.

New research indicates almost two-thirds of Americans do not follow their physician’s orders correctly when they take prescription drugs. They don’t take their medication, or use pills that were not intended for them, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Heroin-dependent adults are more sensitive to pain than people who do not use illicit drugs, according to a new study that finds their sensitivity does not decrease even when they are treated with methadone or buprenorphine.

Tobacco manufacturer Lorillard has purchased a company that makes electronic cigarettes. This is the first foray by a major tobacco company into the small, but quickly expanding, market of e-cigarettes, according to The Wall Street Journal.

A new national survey finds people who abuse prescription painkillers for the first time often get their pills for free from family or friends. Those who chronically abuse prescription painkillers are more likely to obtain the pills from doctors or dealers.

Chronic cocaine use may accelerate aging of the brain, a new study suggests. The study found people with cocaine dependence have greater levels of age-related loss of nerve tissue in the brain called gray matter.

A study of rats suggests a link between binge eating and the development of other addictive behaviors.

The television shows Glee, Southland, Parenthood and Shameless, along with the feature films Warrior and Take Shelter, were among those that were honored recently at the 16th Annual PRISM Awards ceremony.

In observance of Earth Day, Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH, explains how Legacy is working to raise awareness about the negative impact cigarette filters and discarded cigarette butts have on our environment.

After six teenagers suffered alcohol poisoning from drinking hand sanitizer in California, public health officials are warning parents to look out for signs of abuse.

The drug gabapentin, used to treat epilepsy and nerve pain, may help people quit smoking marijuana, a new study suggests.