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.
Five tobacco companies are suing the federal government over graphic cigarette warning labels that are scheduled to be on all packages by the fall of 2012. The manufacturers claim the labels violate First Amendment protections for commercial speech.
A new study finds asking patients to use a cell phone to snap a picture of medication for methamphetamine dependence treatment before they take it, and emailing it to their doctor, may be a simple and effective way of monitoring treatment compliance.
Smoking cigarettes is a significant risk factor for developing bladder cancer, according to a study that found almost half of these cancers are caused by smoking.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is seeking feedback on its working definition of recovery. The definition aims to portray the essential, common experiences of people recovering from substance use and mental disorders, and includes 10 guiding principles of recovery.
A pilot Army program allows soldiers at high risk for developing alcohol problems to enroll in a confidential treatment program that will not adversely impact their careers. The program, which started at three Army installations, is now at six posts.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine has released a new definition of addiction, calling it a chronic brain disorder, not just a behavior problem.
U.S. adults say drug abuse and obesity are the biggest concerns about children’s health in their communities, a new survey finds.
Florida Governor Rick Scott announced Monday that sales of oxycodone are down 17 percent in the first five months of this year, compared with the same period in 2010.
People who smoke menthol cigarettes may find it more difficult to quit smoking than those who smoke other types of cigarettes, a new study suggests. The findings were most striking among black and Puerto Rican smokers.
An online course that demonstrates the consequences of excessive drinking appears to significantly reduce the most common types of alcohol-related problems among freshman, including binge drinking and sexual assault.
Federal budget cutbacks have forced many states to severely reduce efforts to shut down methamphetamine labs and clean up the toxic waste left behind. Missouri has found a way around this problem by developing its own program for safe disposal of meth lab waste.
Young adults who work 50 or more hours a week are at significantly higher risk of developing alcohol-related problems, compared with young adults who don’t work, a new study suggests.
Health officials in Colorado have called for a hearing on new dissolvable tobacco products being tested in Denver. They are concerned the products are attractive to children and prevent smokers from quitting.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which has a long track record of battling high-risk drinking among students, is trying new tactics, including web-based programming and an initiative to engage parents of incoming students.
Children who are exposed to medication through family members’ transdermal patches are at risk of overdose, experts warn.
A finding about the role of a protein in the brain that influences behavior may hold clues to addiction-like behaviors, a study in mice suggests. The research could help scientists searching for more effective addiction treatments, according to Science Daily.
West Virginia, which has the nation’s highest rate of drug overdose deaths, cannot rely on arrests to solve the state’s problem with prescription drug abuse, officials said Thursday.
All of Maine’s public housing units are now smoke free, a coalition of health and clean-air groups announced this week. The Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine says a new survey has found that overall, almost half of renters in the state are living in smoke-free housing.
Female smokers are 25 percent more likely than male smokers to develop heart disease, say researchers at the University of Minnesota.
A new study suggests a majority of children who are removed from homes where drugs are produced are healthy and drug free.
Holding alcohol retailers liable for injuries or damage done by their customers who are intoxicated can reduce alcohol-related occurrences including motor vehicle deaths, homicides and injuries, according to a nationwide task force.
Lifting weights can help smokers quit without gaining weight, new research indicates. Men and women who participated in a three-month resistance training program were twice as likely to quit smoking, compared with smokers who did not lift weights.
A growing number of colleges are creating recovery programs for students, The Wall Street Journal reports. This summer, a group of colleges has formed the Association for Recovery in Higher Education to promote these initiatives.
New cigarette labels required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that will carry graphic images of the consequences of smoking should have the desired effect of reducing demand, a new study suggests.
California Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed a bill that would have encouraged more districts to create veterans courts, citing a lack of funding.