Multiple Substance Use Disorders May Share Inherited Genetic Signature

Neurosciencenews.com   March 22, 2023

A common genetic signature has been linked to an increased risk of substance use disorders from smoking addiction to addiction to narcotics. The findings could pave the way to the development of new therapies for substance use disorder and may help diagnose those at risk of multiple substance use disorders.

Increase in mortality rate among kids, teens largest in decades: research

THE HILL March 14, 2023

The number of deaths from drug overdose for those ages 10-19 increased by 113.5% from 2020-2021.

Mexican pharmacies are selling pills to U.S. travelers laced with deadly fentanyl

npr  March 14, 2023

Mexican pharmacies that cater to U.S. tourists are selling medications that appear safe but are frequently laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Rapid response with Narcan revives high school student following collapse

WGAL 8  March 11, 2023

The West Shore School District says a student collapsed in the cafeteria of Red Land High School on Friday. According to the district, the quick reaction and the quick response from nurses and the Fairview Township EMS likely saved the student’s life. The Superintendent of schools sent a letter to district parents urging them to speak with their children about the dangers of some illegal vaping substances that have been found to contain dangerous compounds, including fentanyl.

What on Earth is a BORG?

The New York Times March 9, 2023

Many college students seem to love this alcohol-heavy concoction. College officials, not so much.

Fentanyl Vaccine  Potential “Game Changer” for Opioid Epidemic

University of Houston News  November 14, 2022

Study suggests new vaccine developed at the University of Houston could prevent fentanyl from entering the brain. Clinical trials to start soon.

An opioid up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl rising in cities across the US
NEWSNATION  January 27, 2023

Nitazene is a synthetic opioid which is mainly produced in China and sold to drug dealers across the country.  Overdoses can require up to 4 doses of Naloxone to be reversed.

Social media platforms face pressure to stop online drug dealers who target kids
npr  January 26, 2023

Drug dealers are using social media platforms, such as Snapchat, to market and process illicit drug orders.  There are increasing calls for social media outlets to take action to address this trend.

Easing prescription rules for opioid treatment meds did not increase overdose deaths, study finds
CBS News  January 20. 2023

A new study shows that reducing restrictions on buprenorphine, a medication that can treat opioid use disorder, did not lead to an increase in overdose deaths involving the treatment. The findings may help allay concerns that making buprenorphine more widely available could lead to more overdose deaths.

Xylazine, the animal tranquilizer contaminating Philly’s opioid supply, causes serious wounds and withdrawal that many providers don’t know how to treat

The Philadelphia Inquirer  January 17, 2023

It’s most often used to cut fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that has replaced most of the city’s heroin. Because tranq is not an opioid, people who use opioids laced with it are at risk for overdoses that are harder to treat with naloxone, the opioid overdose-reversing drug.

Naloxone is reaching more people than ever
CNN January 13, 2023

Research suggests that the Naloxone supply needs to be much more prevalent and saturated throughout the population to make a significant difference in reducing overdose deaths. Greater amounts of Naloxone are needed to revive many overdose victims due to the potency of fentanyl. Experts said the most meaningful work in the fight against the devastating outcomes of the drug overdose epidemic will come with ongoing emphasis on treatment for opioid use disorder and other harm-reduction strategies.

In Study, Reminder Letters Helped Doctors Make Safer Choices Prescribing Opioids
US News & World Report January 10, 2023

New research found that reminding doctors to check a prescription database before prescribing opioids increased their engagement with the program, having the potential to create more informed prescribing.

Addictive Behavior Linked to Personality and Psychopathology
Neurosciencenews.com  December 29, 2022

A new study links substance use disorder to specific personality traits and certain psychological disorders. Researchers found those who scored high for the personality trait of neuroticism and those with depression and anxiety were at greater risk of SUD. Taken together, depressive and anxiety symptoms appear to be possible intervention targets to break the self- sustaining system of SUD.

ISO: What You Need to Know About The Deadly New Drug
Medcitynews.com  December 21, 2022

ISO, short for isotonatizine, is a new synthetic opioid 20x more potent than fentanyl.

 Negative drug test not a basis to deny treatment
PA Dept. of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) information bulletin December 6, 2022

Effective January 1, 2023 – Act 1 of the DDAP’s State plan shall provide additional standards for all SUD treatment in PA that “prohibit private and public treatment facilities from denying addiction treatment to an individual due solely to a negative result on a drug test.”

DEA seized enough fentanyl to kill every American in 2022
abc News  December 20, 2022

Officials seized more than 50 million fentanyl-laced pills this year

Naloxone Would Be Mandated In All PA Public High Schools Under Proposed Bill

Patch.com  December 16, 2022

The bill, if passed, will mandate that all public high schools in Pennsylvania keep the opioid overdose reversing drug Naloxone on school premises.  The bill would empower school nurses, teachers, and other trained staff members to administer Naloxone should a person experience an opioid overdose.

The White House is now tracking non-fatal overdoses by state.  Why that’s important
USA Today  December 8, 2022

The White House launched a national data dashboard that for the first time tracks the rate of nonfatal opioid overdoses across the country, which health experts say will help accurately target resources to areas hit hard by the opioid epidemic.

Parents, You Need Narcan
SLATE  December 4, 2022

It’s safe. You can get if for free. If you have a teenager, don’t wait.

Dad shares warning after 10-month-old treated for possible fentanyl exposure at park
abc NEWS December 2, 2022

A California father is speaking out after one of his twin boys was treated for possible fentanyl exposure after playing at a popular San Francisco park.

A Vaccine Against Deadly Fentanyl May Be Near
US News November 17, 2022

The shot would block the ability of fentanyl to enter the brain and cause the “high” that users crave. It could be used to prevent relapses in people trying to quit opioids, once it gets through clinical trials.