Health Secretary Alex Azar discussed the state of the opioid epidemic at a recent health summit. Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. may be plateauing, but it’s still too soon to know for sure. “We are so far from the end of the epidemic, but we are perhaps, at the end of the beginning,” said… Continue reading HHS Secretary Discusses "Plateau" Of The Opioid Epidemic
Tag: opioid epidemic
Global War On Drugs Is A Failure, Report Says
According to a new report, in the last decade, drug-related deaths have increased by 145%. The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC, a non-governmental network of 177 organizations) released a report calling the United Nations’ global war on drugs a failure. The report addressed the United Nations’ goal to eliminate the illegal drug market by 2019… Continue reading Global War On Drugs Is A Failure, Report Says
Will Naloxone Be Co-Prescribed With Opioid Painkillers In The Future?
While some states already require the co-prescription, the FDA is considering making it a requirement across the US. In an effort to decrease overdose deaths, doctors could soon be required to prescribe an opioid overdose antidote any time they prescribe prescription painkillers, according to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. The idea… Continue reading Will Naloxone Be Co-Prescribed With Opioid Painkillers In The Future?
New PSA Follows Woman As She Publicly Detoxes From Opioids
“I am the most camera shy person in the world. But if making my detox public is going to help somebody…I’m all for it,” said the 26-year-old. The Truth Initiative, which has produced 20 years of anti-tobacco public health messaging, just released a new opioid PSA. This time, we meet 26-year-old Rebekkah, who agreed to… Continue reading New PSA Follows Woman As She Publicly Detoxes From Opioids
"The Conners" Producer Discusses Roseanne's Overdose Death
“We could’ve gone down other avenues, but we felt it was the right thing for the character. As you know, it’s a crisis in this country.” The return of Roseanne was one of the biggest comeback stories of the year—until Roseanne Barr got fired for posting inflammatory tweets this May. The show has since been… Continue reading "The Conners" Producer Discusses Roseanne's Overdose Death
"The Connors" Producer Discusses Roseanne's Overdose Death
“We could’ve gone down other avenues, but we felt it was the right thing for the character. As you know, it’s a crisis in this country.” The return of Roseanne was one of the biggest comeback stories of the year until Roseanne Barr got fired for posting inflammatory tweets this May. The show has since… Continue reading "The Connors" Producer Discusses Roseanne's Overdose Death
Fentanyl In Cocaine Could Be Unintended
One harm reduction expert thinks cross-contamination may be to blame for cocaine “laced” with fentanyl. More often, fentanyl is being found in cocaine, increasing the risk of opioid overdose and leaving officials scrambling to figure out why the drugs are being mixed, and if dealers actually intend to combine them. “It’s something we have to… Continue reading Fentanyl In Cocaine Could Be Unintended
Moving Obituary For Mom With Opioid Addiction Goes Viral
The obituary recounts Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir’s ensuing addiction to opioids and her family’s determination to help her overcome it. The heartbreaking and loving obituary written for Madelyn Ellen Linsenmeir after her overdose death has gone viral. Her family shared Madelyn’s long struggle with addiction while reaching out to those still struggling, asking them to hold on to… Continue reading Moving Obituary For Mom With Opioid Addiction Goes Viral
Nurse Prescribed Patient 51 Pills Per Day, Kept License
The nurse practitioner was the ninth most heavy-handed opioid prescriber in Tennessee. Forty opioid pills, four muscle relaxers, six Xanax and an Ambien in a day would likely do more harm than good for even the sickest of patients, but that’s the amount that a Tennessee nurse prescribed a patient eight years ago, exceeding today’s… Continue reading Nurse Prescribed Patient 51 Pills Per Day, Kept License
Fingerprint Test Can Identify Drug Use With Striking Accuracy
The testing device is already being used in some morgues and at treatment centers in the UK to detect drug use. Drug testing is important, whether to determine how someone died or to show that someone was under the influence of drugs while behind the wheel. However, current drug-testing methods that use samples of blood,… Continue reading Fingerprint Test Can Identify Drug Use With Striking Accuracy