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.

Policy News Roundup: February 15, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including the underutilization of treatment for opioid use disorder despite its effectiveness.

Research News Roundup: February 15, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including the social influence that a web-based program for smoking prevention could have on potential anti-smoking advocacy by adolescents.

White House Announces New Rules for Methadone Treatment Aimed at Increasing Access

The Biden administration has announced revised federal rules for methadone treatment designed to increase access for more patients with opioid use disorder, NPR reports.

CDC Finds “Gas Station Heroin” Linked to Synthetic Cannabis

A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention links tianeptine, an unapproved antidepressant known as “gas station heroin,” to synthetic cannabis.

CDC New Tips From Former Smokers Campaign Emphasizes Harm of Menthol Cigarettes

The new Tips From Former Smokers campaign from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes the dangers of menthol cigarettes, CNN reports.

Policy News Roundup: February 8, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including SAMHSA’s release of final rules updating regulations for opioid treatment programs.

Research News Roundup: February 8, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including potential associations between prenatal cannabis exposure and frontolimbic white matter pathways in children.

High School Students Who Use Alcohol, Marijuana or Nicotine at Higher Risk for Suicidal Thoughts

A new study finds high school students who use alcohol, marijuana or nicotine are more likely than their peers who don’t use these substances to have suicidal thoughts.

Experimental Pain Medicine May Provide Alternative to Opioids Without Safety Risks

Pharmaceutical company Vertex this week said it has developed an experimental medication that relieves moderate to severe pain while avoiding the potential for addiction that comes with opioids, The New York Times reports.

Senate Democrats Urge DEA to Ease Federal Restrictions on Marijuana

Senate Democrats are urging the Biden administration to ease federal restrictions on marijuana, NBC News reports.

Policy News Roundup: February 1, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including White House officials discussing plans to provide prison populations with necessary tools to treat substance use disorder.

Research News Roundup: February 1, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including an assessment of kratom use among adults in the United States.

Federal Measure Aims to Ensure Opioid Settlement Funds Used to Fight Epidemic

A proposed federal measure introduced in the House this month is designed to ensure that $50 billion in opioid settlement funds that state and local governments receive are used to fight the opioid epidemic, NPR reports.

House Members Urge FDA to Take Action to Address Tianeptine, “Gas Station Heroin”

Five members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration to take action to address use of tianeptine, known as “gas station heroin.”

Oregon Bill Would Undo Key Part of State’s Substance Decriminalization Law

A new bill unveiled by Democratic legislators in Oregon would undo a key part of the state’s first-in-the-nation substance decriminalization law, the Associated Press reports.

Policy News Roundup: January 25, 2024

Find more of our must-reads in policy news, including the announcement of a new behavioral health integration model by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Research News Roundup: January 25, 2024

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a study on the lifetime use of alcohol and cannabis among U.S. adolescents and patterns of use associated with sex and race/ethnicity.

Federal Health Officials Support Reclassifying Marijuana as Lower Risk, Documents Show

Federal researchers say that marijuana is less risky and prone to misuse than other tightly controlled substances, and has potential medical benefits, according to a scientific review posted online last week. The researchers recommend that marijuana be removed from the most restrictive category of substances, known as Schedule I.