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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on addiction treatment centers, making it more difficult for people with substance use disorders to find treatment, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Addiction treatment providers are reporting positive outcomes from using telehealth services to treat opioid use disorder during the pandemic, The Pew Charitable Trusts reports.
A new study suggests that safe injection sites, where people can inject heroin and other drugs, may reduce deaths from opioid-involved overdoses, The Associated Press reports.
Colorado has filed a lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul Labs, alleging that the company targeted youth in its marketing campaign and misrepresented the product’s health risks.
Public health experts are warning that COVID-19 is spreading in bars and nightclubs, as young people emerge from months of isolation to drink and socialize, The New York Times reports.
The opioid epidemic has been especially devastating for Native American communities, according to an analysis by The Washington Post. From 2006 to 2014, Native Americans were almost 50% more likely than non-natives to die of an opioid overdose, the newspaper found.
The FBI issued an intelligence bulletin last year expressing concern over the powerful potency of the new prescription opioid Dsuvia, Yahoo News reports. The agency said it “assumes Dsuvia’s high potency will be attractive to criminals seeking to divert and abuse synthetic opioids.”
Several communities around the country had already shifted some funding from the police into mental health resources before the current calls to “defund the police” arose in the wake of George Floyd’s death, USA Today reports.
Alcoholics Anonymous, forced by the COVID-19 pandemic to move meetings online, is facing a number of challenges in addressing the needs of members, The Washington Post reports.
Drug Enforcement Administration officials in southern California say they are concerned that prescription drugs stolen from pharmacies by looters earlier this month could end up being sold on the streets, CBS Los Angeles reports.
“No-knock” drug search warrants, which allow officers to enter a residence unannounced, are under increasing scrutiny following the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old woman in Louisville, Kentucky. Taylor was fatally shot in her home by police executing a no-knock warrant.
Employers should be prepared for an increase in employees needing addiction treatment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the National Safety Council.
This website uses cookies. We use cookies and similar technologies to give
you the best experience. By using this website, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Get Support
