The Latest News from Our Field

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.

Tobacco and Alcohol Companies Moving into the Marijuana Business

Tobacco and alcohol companies are starting to move into the cannabis business, The New York Times reports.

More School Districts Provide Counseling for Students Affected by Family Opioid Use

A growing number of school districts nationwide are providing mental health counseling for students whose families are affected by opioid use, NPR reports.

Meth Use Among Pregnant Women on the Rise

A new study finds meth use among pregnant women is on the rise.

Doctors Writing Fewer Opioid Prescriptions for Children and Teens

Doctors have been writing fewer opioid prescriptions for children and teens in the United States since 2012, according to a new study.

Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces $50 Million Donation to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Bloomberg Philanthropies, the charity run by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, announced a $50 million donation to combat the opioid epidemic, according to PBS NewHour.

China Agrees to Designate Fentanyl as a Controlled Substance

China has agreed to designate fentanyl as a controlled substance, the Trump Administration announced on Saturday. Analysts told The New York Times the announcement will have little direct impact on the opioid crisis.

Drug Overdose Deaths Reach 70,000 in U.S., Setting New Record

A new government report finds more than 70,000 people in the United States died of drug overdoses last year, setting a new record.

More Than 20 Percent of High School Students Use E-Cigarettes

More than three million U.S. high school students—20.8 percent—use e-cigarettes, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Naloxone Maker Increased Price of Drug More Than 600 Percent: Senate Report

Naloxone maker Kaleo exploited the opioid crisis by increasing the price of its drug EVZIO by more than 600 percent, according to a Senate subcommittee report.

Federal Judge Rules Man Facing Jail Sentence Cannot be Denied Access to Methadone

A federal judge has ruled that a Massachusetts man facing a jail sentence cannot be denied methadone to treat his opioid addiction.

Meth-Related Hospitalizations Skyrocketing in the United States

Hospitalizations due to methamphetamine use have risen sharply in the United States, NBC News reports.

Juul Will Stop Selling Flavored E-Cigarette Pods to Stores

The e-cigarette company Juul Labs announced this week it will stop selling most of its flavored e-cigarette pods in retail stores, The New York Times reports. The company will also shut down its social media accounts.

FDA Announces Restrictions on Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes to Teens

The Food and Drug Administration announced new restrictions on sales of flavored e-cigarettes to teens, The New York Times reports.

U.S. Drug-Related Death Rate Highest Among Group of Developed Nations

The United States has the highest rate of drug-related deaths among a group of 13 developed nations, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Many Pharmacies Don’t Offer Naloxone Without Prescription

A new study finds many pharmacies in California don’t offer the opioid overdose antidote naloxone without a prescription, even though state law has allowed pharmacists to furnish naloxone without a physician’s prescription since 2016.

Ruling on Kratom Expected Soon From FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to make a final decision soon on the legality of kratom, Business Insider reports.

Newly Approved Opioid 10 Times Stronger Than Fentanyl

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new opioid painkiller that is 10 times stronger than fentanyl, USA Today reports.

Prescription Drugs Including Opioids Responsible for Most Overdose Deaths

A new report from the Drug Enforcement Administration finds controlled prescription drugs, including opioids, are responsible for the largest number of overdose deaths of any illicit drug class since 2001.

Voters in Michigan, Utah and Missouri Approve Marijuana Measures

Voters in Michigan, Utah and Missouri approved new marijuana measures this week, NPR reports.

E-Cigarette Use Does Not Deter Teens From Smoking Regular Cigarettes: Study

Teens who use e-cigarettes end up smoking regular cigarettes as much as teens who have never vaped, a new study concludes.

Naloxone Remains Chemically Stable Months After Expiration Date

The naloxone brands Narcan and Evzio remain chemically stable after their expiration date, according to a new study.

Crack Cocaine Increasingly Laced With Fentanyl

A Philadelphia hospital is reporting a spike in the number of patients who are being treated in the emergency room for overdoses from crack cocaine laced with fentanyl. Experts say fentanyl is being mixed with a number of drugs, including heroin, cocaine and ketamine.