#opioid-crisis

#opioid-crisis

Congress is taking measures to combat the fentanyl and xylazine crises, but more action is needed to address the escalating epidemic.

The FDA announced the discontinuation of controversial fentanyl painkillers due to their role in the opioid epidemic.

Canada dismantled the largest drug lab in its history, seizing enough fentanyl to threaten the entire population.

The lab signifies a worrying increase in sophisticated drug production methods linked to Mexican cartels.

California Highway Patrol seized nearly $1.7 million worth of fentanyl during recent traffic stops, highlighting ongoing efforts against opioid trafficking.

The opioid crisis, particularly due to fentanyl, is causing widespread grief and loss across America.

Fentanyl-related deaths in Sacramento County increased tenfold from 2019 to 2023, with about one death a day reported in the last year.

Xylazine is a growing threat to pregnant women battling addiction, compounding the risks associated with opioids such as fentanyl.

Patients in low-income neighborhoods face challenges filling opioid prescriptions, revealing healthcare disparities.

Despite ongoing challenges, key health measures indicate that Americans are getting healthier, with improvements in life expectancy and cancer survival rates.

The decline in drug overdose deaths and the obesity rate suggests a positive public health trend.

Opioids and benzodiazepines share addiction and overdose risks.

Overprescribing has contributed to twin public health crises.

Deprescribing these medications carries risks of withdrawal and potential death.

A fentanyl vaccine from the University of Houston may begin clinical trials mid-2024, aiming to combat escalating opioid overdose deaths.

Scotland's drug deaths increased 12% in 2023, worsening its status as having the highest rates in Europe.

Overdose deaths declined in 2023 due to factors like natural course of drug epidemics and increased access to Narcan and addiction treatment.

Overdose prevention remains overlooked in election discussions despite high mortality rates, focusing instead on enforcement rhetoric that fails to address the crisis.

Toronto's chief medical officer of health refers to the opioid overdose crisis as a drug toxicity epidemic, emphasizing the need for an empathetic health response.

Opioid-related deaths in Canada doubled between 2019 and 2021, prompting a call for targeted harm-reduction policies.

Joanne Segovia pleaded guilty to importing over 17,000 opioid pills while serving as executive director of the San Jose Police Officers' Association.

Moyers' journey underscores that recovery is a continuous struggle and that addiction can resurface, regardless of past successes.

JD Vance emphasizes his family's history with addiction while proposing a tough stance on the opioid crisis in his campaign.

There are numerous resources available for individuals and families struggling with addiction and substance abuse.

Travis County has approved a contract for a new residential treatment program for women, fulfilling a significant gap in addiction services in Austin.

Two men pleaded guilty for distributing drugs that caused the death of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili, highlighting the ongoing opioid crisis in the LGBTQ community.

Dr. Mark Chavez pleaded guilty to felony charges related to Matthew Perry's overdose, cooperating with prosecutors to investigate more responsible parties.

Over one million lives lost due to drug overdoses in the U.S. since 1999, with poverty as a significant factor.

Medicaid expansion, while crucial, has not fully harnessed its potential to combat the overdose epidemic.

A new strategy for analgesic drug development is necessary to prevent opioid addiction and find safer pain relief alternatives.

Patients in pain face challenges accessing opioids due to DEA restrictions.

Healthcare system struggles impact patients' access to necessary pain medications.

The closure of supervised consumption sites in Ontario may severely harm those with opioid addictions, raising fears among users and advocates.

Faith leaders urge Premier Ford to reconsider plans to close supervised consumption sites due to potential rise in overdose deaths.

Narcan is crucial to saving lives amidst a dangerous trend of opioid-related overdoses exacerbated by new drugs like medetomidine in Worcester.

State's harm reduction programs, like naloxone distribution, contributed to Massachusetts' 10% decrease in fatal opioid overdoses in 2023.

Rhode Island will open the country's first state-regulated overdose prevention center this summer.

The center will provide supervised drug use, overdose prevention, and support services.

Overdose prevention centers are controversial and illegal on a federal level, but Rhode Island's center will have a two-year pilot funded by opioid settlement funds.

The decrease in overall drug overdose deaths in the US is overshadowed by the consistent contribution of fentanyl to the lethal impact.

The students discuss the fentanyl crisis

They explore the causes of the opioid crisis and suggest ways to combat it

California to sell generic Narcan to combat opioid overdose at a cheaper rate and aims to distribute it broadly.

California offers free generic Narcan to first responders and universities.

California offers free fentanyl-testing strips to combat synthetic opioid-related deaths

Naloxone Distribution Project provides these strips to various organizations, expanding harm reduction strategies

Local prosecutors in California are charging drug dealers with murder to combat the escalating fentanyl overdoses.

Several counties in California are implementing the novel legal strategy of prosecuting fentanyl dealers for homicide instead of drug sales.

Around 62,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized in California, enough to potentially kill the global population twice over.

The total value of the fentanyl seized in 2023 is estimated at around $670 million, showing a significant increase compared to previous years.

Nitazene, a super-strength street drug, linked to multiple deaths at HMP Parc prison.

Nitazene, 500 times stronger than morphine, is becoming increasingly available in the UK.

Many individuals struggling with substance use disorders face barriers in accessing proper treatment.

Addiction is a treatable condition, and there are effective therapies available.

Many individuals struggling with substance use disorders face barriers in accessing proper treatment.

Addiction is a treatable condition, and there are effective therapies available.

A new study suggests that cannabis is not an effective long-term strategy for reducing opioid use.

The study followed 615 people with heroin dependence over a 20-year period and found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use.

Clinicians and policymakers should not rely on cannabis to address problematic opioid use despite the growing access to cannabis products.

Efforts to increase punishments for drug dealers are increasing both locally and nationally.

San Francisco is following the lead of other counties in charging some drug dealers with homicide.

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on whether a settlement involving Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family is a violation of federal law, with potential implications for other organizations using bankruptcy court to resolve mass injury claims.

The case revolves around whether a legal maneuver in the settlement agreement can grant the Sackler family full immunity from civil lawsuits related to the opioid crisis.

Oregon's law decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drugs is facing opposition due to increased public drug use and opioid deaths.

Supporters of the law now express openness to revisiting it to address the crisis.

The law directed cannabis tax revenue towards addiction treatment services and decriminalized possession of small amounts of drugs.