The Latest News from Our Field

A new study finds 18 percent of smokers with lung cancer continue to smoke even after they have been diagnosed.

Many cases of cancer in Europe could be avoided by limiting alcohol consumption, according to a study that found that almost 10 percent of all cancers in men in Western Europe are caused by excess drinking. The study also found that 3 percent of cancers in women are caused by too much alcohol.

The more college students drink, the lower their GPA. That’s the finding of a new survey of almost 14,000 college students.

More comprehensive education is needed for opioid prescribers, two experts write this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). They also call for adoption of guidelines on opioid prescribing from the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

A new study shows smoking tobacco from a hookah is a popular pastime for college students.

People who use Ecstasy for long periods may be risking brain damage, a new study suggests.

Children and teens who breathe in secondhand smoke are more likely to develop symptoms of mental health problems including major depressive disorder and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, a new study finds.

Following a decade of steady declines, a new national study released today indicates that teen drug and alcohol use is headed in the wrong direction, with marked increases in teen use of marijuana and Ecstasy over the past three years.

Federal money is drying up for meth lab cleanups, making it more difficult for local law enforcement agencies to dispose of toxic leftovers from meth labs.

Synthetic drugs—substances that mimic the effects of marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs—are causing a sharp rise in serious health problems ranging from seizures and hallucinations to death.

A new study finds higher doses of opioids are associated with increased risk of death by accidental overdose from these powerful painkillers.

A new study identifies a gene that appears to be involved in regulating how much alcohol a person drinks. The findings could help scientists in their search for more effective treatments for alcoholism and binge drinking.

Communities have started to take advantage of a federal law signed by President Obama in October that makes it easier for communities to run programs allowing people to safely dispose of old medications.

Two new studies add to evidence that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be at increased risk for abusing tobacco, alcohol and possibly other drugs when they are older.

A growing number of physicians are asking patients who take painkillers to sign a contract to discourage them from abusing the medications.

As we all know, drug abuse is costly—to individuals, families, communities and our society as a whole. And like addiction itself, the strategies for lessening its impact are often complex and necessarily diverse.

More than 500,000 Americans die from smoking-related causes each year, according to new statistics. Smoking kills slightly more men than women, the report says.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig says he believes smokeless tobacco should be banned at the Major League level.

Actor Martin Sheen, father of the infamous Charlie Sheen, appeared at a Congressional briefing on Friday to defend drug courts. His testimony comes on the heels of two think tank reports that criticized the courts.

Students in schools that perform better than expected are less likely to use drugs and alcohol, a new study finds. The study looked at 61 inner-city middle schools in Chicago.

Asthma may be significantly associated with a higher risk of daily smoking and nicotine dependence, according to new research.

The Boston University School of Public Health has been proud to sponsor and host Join Together as part of our mission to provide community leaders with science-based public health information and assistance. Today, Join Together enters a new phase of its important work as it becomes part of The Partnership at Drugfree.org.