The Latest News from Our Field

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.

U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Remains at One in Five

Nearly 21 percent of adult Americans still smoke, a rate that hasnâ€™t changed significantly since 2004, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Will the FDA Curtail Tobacco Signs in Poor Neighborhoods?

Tobacco signs are more common in less affluent communities -- and Latino and African-American populations are particularly affected -- the Boston Globe reported August 30.

But all that could change, now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can regulate tobacco companies.

Smoking to 'Self-Medicate' May Increase Depression in Teens

Teenagers who smoke tobacco to 'feel better' may actually be at increased risk for depression.

Stigma Hinders Drug Users' Recovery, Report Finds

Referring to problem drug users as 'junkies' or 'addicts' can interfere with their recovery, according to a British review of research on stigma and drug use.

Risk Factors for Painkiller Addiction Identified

Researchers have found four common risk factors among study participants addicted to opioid painkillers, and found evidence that genes could play a part in the addiction

CDC Says Youth Tobacco Use No Longer Declining

Youth tobacco use rates dropped between 2000 and 2006, but have leveled off since then, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Study Finds Alcoholics Overrate Their Memory

Alcoholics overestimate their ability to remember things, according to a new French study.

Cigarette Smoke Harmful Even When Exposure is Low

New research from New York Presbyterian Hospital shows that even low exposure to tobacco smoke can cause permanent damage to lung tissue.

School-Based Interventions Can Reduce Teen Substance Use

New research from the United Kingdom shows that personality-based interventions -- delivered by mental-health specialists or teachers given brief training -- can substantially reduce drug and alcohol use in teens.

Wall Street Traders Bullish on Marijuana, Prescription Drugs

In the high-flying '80s and '90s Wall Street employees were known as big cocaine users, but in these more sedate times investment professionals are turning to marijuana and prescription drugs to ease their stress.

Calif. Toughens Law on Adults Who Let Kids Drink

California passed new legislation that holds adults legally accountable if they permit minors to drink in their homes.

CDC: Smoking in Movies Down, Further Restrictions Needed

Depictions of smoking in U.S. films decreased by half between 2005 and 2009, but more than 50 percent of PG-13 movies still show characters lighting up, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.

ER Visits for Synthetic Marijuana on the Rise

An herb-and-chemical compound sold legally in the U.S. as incense is sending many of those who smoke it for its marijuana-like high to the hospital.

CASA Report Warns Parents about Nexus of Drugs and Gangs in Schools; Students Less Concerned

American students are essentially split over the question of whether their school is 'drug free,' but students still cite drugs as a major problem facing people their age, according to a new survey of 12- to 17-year-olds from the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

NIATx Website Gets a Makeover

NIATx, the folks who have helped over 1,000 treatment providers remove barriers to treatment and recovery, revamped their online tools to make their quality information even easier to find and use.

NIDA to Launch National Drug Facts Week

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) announced it is launching National Drug Facts Week, a new national awareness week designed to bring together teens and scientific experts to discuss the facts about drug abuse.

Drinking Regular Beer May Increase Psoriasis Risk in Women

Women who drink five or more regular beers a week could nearly double their risk for psoriasis, a new study finds.

Mass. Approves Online Tracking of Prescription Painkillers

Massachusetts health officials approved a plan on Aug. 11 that will allow doctors and pharmacists to track narcotics prescriptions online -- a major step toward reducing â€œdoctor shoppingâ€ in patients addicted to prescription drugs, officials said.

Amphetamine Misuse Linked to Artery Damage in Young Adults

Young adults who misuse amphetamines have a three-fold risk for tears in the aorta -- the body's largest artery -- compared with nonusers.

Website for Seniors Highlights Changes, Risks of Alcohol Use

Health and addictions professionals are well aware that adults over the age of 65 should drink less than younger people and know about important new risks of consuming alcohol. Now, a federal health website for older adults has published that information in a consumer-friendly format.

Fewer Magazines Exposing Youth to Alcohol

Exposure to alcohol ads in magazines among youth fell 48 percent between 2001 and 2008, according to a new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY).

E-Cigarette Maker Halts Oregon Sales

A leading US manufacturer of e-cigarettes has agreed to halt sales in Oregon in response to a lawsuit.

Most Underage Drinkers Seen in ER Are Male

The majority of US emergency-room (ER) visits for underage drinking are made by males, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA Report Pinpoints Local Substance Use Problems Throughout U.S.

A new report shows that behavioral health problems affect every community throughout America - but in unique, and sometimes surprising ways. The report, based on a nationwide survey commissioned by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), offers detailed analyses of the substance use problems occurring within these smaller geographical areas.

Canada Considers 'Decriminalization' for FAS Offenders

Canadian policymakers are debating whether to divert offenders with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) to specialized treatment programs or even to exempt them from incarceration altogether.

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