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 U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a lawsuit brought by Nebraska and Oklahoma over Colorado’s system of legalized recreational marijuana, according to NPR. Nebraska and Oklahoma said they are having trouble protecting their borders from the increased flow of marijuana.
A Senate committee on Wednesday unanimously passed an amendment that would greatly increase access to buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction, according to The Huffington Post.
A new study suggests meditation can significantly reduce pain, without using the body’s opioid receptors. The findings are especially significant for people who have built up a tolerance to opiate-based medications and are seeking a non-addictive way to reduce pain, the researchers say.
A measure aimed at protecting babies born to mothers who used heroin or other opioids during pregnancy was approved by a U.S. Senate committee this week.
A new survey finds medical students have double the rate of alcohol abuse or dependence, compared with surgeons, U.S. physicians or the general public, HealthDay reports. The researchers cite burnout and school debts as possible factors.
Top headlines of the week from Friday, March 11- Thursday, March 17, 2016.
Smoking affects just about everything we care about in immediate and unexpected ways––even our pets. And it turns out that can serve as a powerful inspiration to help end tobacco use, according to the truth campaign.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidelines Tuesday that recommend primary care providers avoid prescribing opioid painkillers for patients with chronic pain, according to USA Today. The risks from opioids greatly outweigh the benefits for most people, the CDC says.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell says the department is taking a more proactive approach to enforcing a federal law that requires states to report and protect drug-dependent babies.
The number of people convicted of a drug offense carrying a mandatory minimum sentence fell last year, according to a new report by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Many U.S. Costco stores have stopped selling tobacco, Time reports. The move is primarily a business decision, the company says.
The U.S. Senate voted 94-1 to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. The New York Times reports the measure authorizes funds for various drug treatment and prevention programs for a wide range of people, including those in jail.
The Obama Administration announced Friday it plans to spend $94 million to improve and expand delivery of substance abuse services in health centers. The funding will focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in underserved populations.
Some states are limiting how opioids are prescribed, in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from prescription painkillers, The New York Times reports.
The American Board of Medical Specialties has officially recognized Addiction Medicine as a subspecialty.
Buprenorphine may be more effective than opioid therapy in treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans struggling with chronic pain, PTSD and substance use disorders, a new study suggests.
The maker of the long-acting painkiller Opana ER has agreed to stop marketing the drug as crush-resistant, under a settlement with New York State. The company also agreed to accurately describe the risk of addiction to the drug, Reuters reports.
A new study suggests that in some patients undergoing a total knee replacement, taking opioid painkillers before the operation may increase the risk of being on opioids much longer afterwards. The drugs may also increase the risk of complications after surgery, Medscape reports.
The California Senate will consider a package of anti-smoking measures Thursday that would raise the smoking age to 21 and classify e-cigarettes as tobacco products, the Associated Press reports.
Top headlines of the week from Friday, March 4- Thursday, March 10, 2016.
A new online tool introduced this school year is helping colleges compare and choose interventions to address harmful and underage student drinking. The College Alcohol Intervention Matrix helps administrators find programs that are effective and fit into their budget, says Jason Kilmer, PhD of the University of Washington, who helped to develop the resource.
A study of teens finds almost 90 percent of those who abuse medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder say they used someone else’s medication.
The Senate on Monday voted 86-3 to advance the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, USA Today reports. A vote on the final passage of the bill is expected this week.
A new study suggests having six to nine drinks in one day nearly doubles the risk of heart attack and stroke over the following week.
Proving synthetic drug use is the cause of traffic accidents can be difficult, experts tell The Seattle Times. Prosecutors in some cases involving traffic fatalities have ended up charging drivers with less serious crimes.
Get Support
