New York plans to work with other states that are investigating opioid manufacturers and distributors in the US. This week, New York became the 27th state to sue Purdue Pharma, a producer of OxyContin, for alleged fraud and deception in its marketing of opioids. The Wall Street Journal reported that Purdue is the only defendant… Continue reading New York Sues Purdue Pharma Over Opioid Marketing
Tag: opioid epidemic
Planned Safe Injection Sites Put On Hold In Canada
Advocates of safe injection sites called the Canadian health minister’s decision to halt the opening of the facilities “horrifying.” A trio of planned safe injection sites in Ontario, Canada have been put on hold while the province’s new health minister conducts a review to determine if such facilities “have merit.” Health Minister Christine Elliott said that… Continue reading Planned Safe Injection Sites Put On Hold In Canada
Vets Believe That Some Pet Owners Injure Their Animals To Get Opioids
A new study reveals that 13% of veterinarians believed a client had intentionally injured a pet or made them ill in order to be prescribed a drug. A small research study in Colorado had disturbing results: the study found that 13% of veterinarians believe that people are using their pets to obtain opioids—by making them… Continue reading Vets Believe That Some Pet Owners Injure Their Animals To Get Opioids
Opioid Use Quadrupled Among Pregnant Women
The prevalence of opioid use disorder present at a hospital delivery rose from 1.5 per 1,000 deliveries in 1999 to 6.5 per 1,000 in 2014. Opioid use among pregnant women quadrupled between 1999 and 2014, rising alongside the rate at which opioid use disorder has increased in the general population, according to a new report. … Continue reading Opioid Use Quadrupled Among Pregnant Women
Paramedics Use Laughing Gas In Lieu Of Opioids To Treat Pain
“We feel if we can prevent someone from getting an opioid we are ahead of the game,” said one Indianapolis emergency responder. Paramedics in one Indiana town have decided to switch from fentanyl to laughing gas in an effort to keep injured patients from taking the drug, a synthetic opioid which has a high potential… Continue reading Paramedics Use Laughing Gas In Lieu Of Opioids To Treat Pain
Long-Term Opioid Use Linked To Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Researchers examined whether opioids prescribed to manage pain from wisdom teeth extraction heightened the risk of long-term use. Nearly 85% of people will need to have their wisdom teeth extracted at some point during their lives, and a new study shows that this routine dental procedure can have severe consequences—with young people who use opioids… Continue reading Long-Term Opioid Use Linked To Wisdom Teeth Extraction
HIV Outbreak In Massachusetts Linked To Injection Drug Use
Between 2015 and 2018 there were 129 new HIV cases linked to drug use in two Massachusetts cities. Fentanyl use in two Massachusetts cities is driving an HIV outbreak that officials say could be forecasting a national public health crisis. Lawrence and Lowell Massachusetts, two cities along the New Hampshire border, have seen such a… Continue reading HIV Outbreak In Massachusetts Linked To Injection Drug Use
Are Opioid Prescription Rates Actually Declining?
While individual states have reported declines in opioid prescription rates, this did not apply for all Americans, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. After reviewing anonymous insurance claims data covering 48 million people between 2007 and 2016, the researchers concluded that “opioid prescription rates have remained flat for insured patients over the last 10 years,” as… Continue reading Are Opioid Prescription Rates Actually Declining?
Misuse Of Unapproved Antidepressant With Opioid-Like Effects Spikes
Though tianeptine isn’t FDA-approved, it’s not illegal and can be purchased online as a dietary supplement. An apparent spike in the use of an unapproved antidepressant called tianeptine is poisoning people who are looking to benefit from the drug’s mild opioid-like effects, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report released last… Continue reading Misuse Of Unapproved Antidepressant With Opioid-Like Effects Spikes
Addiction Likely Reason For Alarming Parental Loss Rates In One Region
Nearly 15% of children in one surveyed area have a parent who has been in jail, in comparison to 8% of children across the nation. Children in parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana may be at greater risk of being separated from their parents, likely due to the opioid crisis, according to a new survey.… Continue reading Addiction Likely Reason For Alarming Parental Loss Rates In One Region