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.

FDA Announces Restrictions on Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes to Teens

The Food and Drug Administration announced new restrictions on sales of flavored e-cigarettes to teens, The New York Times reports.

U.S. Drug-Related Death Rate Highest Among Group of Developed Nations

The United States has the highest rate of drug-related deaths among a group of 13 developed nations, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Many Pharmacies Don’t Offer Naloxone Without Prescription

A new study finds many pharmacies in California don’t offer the opioid overdose antidote naloxone without a prescription, even though state law has allowed pharmacists to furnish naloxone without a physician’s prescription since 2016.

Ruling on Kratom Expected Soon From FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to make a final decision soon on the legality of kratom, Business Insider reports.

Newly Approved Opioid 10 Times Stronger Than Fentanyl

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new opioid painkiller that is 10 times stronger than fentanyl, USA Today reports.

Prescription Drugs Including Opioids Responsible for Most Overdose Deaths

A new report from the Drug Enforcement Administration finds controlled prescription drugs, including opioids, are responsible for the largest number of overdose deaths of any illicit drug class since 2001.

Voters in Michigan, Utah and Missouri Approve Marijuana Measures

Voters in Michigan, Utah and Missouri approved new marijuana measures this week, NPR reports.

E-Cigarette Use Does Not Deter Teens From Smoking Regular Cigarettes: Study

Teens who use e-cigarettes end up smoking regular cigarettes as much as teens who have never vaped, a new study concludes.

Naloxone Remains Chemically Stable Months After Expiration Date

The naloxone brands Narcan and Evzio remain chemically stable after their expiration date, according to a new study.

Crack Cocaine Increasingly Laced With Fentanyl

A Philadelphia hospital is reporting a spike in the number of patients who are being treated in the emergency room for overdoses from crack cocaine laced with fentanyl. Experts say fentanyl is being mixed with a number of drugs, including heroin, cocaine and ketamine.

Some Emergency Rooms Have Begun to Offer Addiction Treatment

Some emergency rooms in Maryland have begun to offer addiction treatment, The Washington Post reports.

Altria Will No Longer Sell Pod-Style E-Cigarette Devices

The tobacco company Altria announced it is pulling its MarkTen and Green Smoke pod-style e-cigarette devices from the market, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Methamphetamine “Back With a Vengeance”: DEA Agent

Methamphetamine use is at an all-time high across the country, according to a Drug Enforcement Administration agent.

Teens Who Stop Smoking Marijuana for a Month Improve Their Ability to Learn

A new study finds teens who stop smoking marijuana for a month improve their ability to learn, HealthDay reports.

Trump Signs Law Aimed At Preventing and Treating Opioid Addiction

President Trump on Wednesday signed legislation aimed at preventing and treating opioid addiction, NPR reports.

Number of Opioid Deaths Begin to Level Off

The number of Americans dying from opioid overdoses is beginning to plateau, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said this week.

Traffic Accidents Rising in States With Legalized Recreational Marijuana

A new study finds traffic accidents are increasing in states that have legalized recreational marijuana, Bloomberg reports.

Opioid Far More Potent Than Fentanyl Nears FDA Approval

A new opioid, Dsuvia, that is far more potent than fentanyl and 500 times stronger than morphine is nearing approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to MarketWatch.

Many Teens Who Use Juul Fail to Recognize Its Addictive Potential

Teens who use Juul brand e-cigarettes often don’t realize their addictive potential, according to a new study by Stanford University researchers.

FDA Investigates Whether E-Cigarette Companies are Illegally Marketing Products

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether e-cigarette companies are marketing their products illegally, according to The Washington Post.

Rural Americans Say Drug Addiction is Most Urgent Health Problem

Rural Americans say drug or opioid addiction is the most urgent health problem, according to a new poll. They are as concerned about opioid addiction in their communities as they are about local jobs and the economy.

Sales of Recreational Marijuana Begin in Canada

Sales of recreational marijuana began this week in Canada, NPR reports. Anyone over the age of 18 is allowed to possess less than 30 grams (just over an ounce) of the drug.

Five Doctors Charged With Writing 8.5 Million Unnecessary Opioid Prescriptions

Five doctors in New York have been indicted by federal authorities for writing more than 8.5 million allegedly unnecessary oxycodone prescriptions, NBC News reports.

Deadly Heart Infection Jumped 10-Fold in People Injecting Drugs in North Carolina

Cases of a potentially fatal heart infection have increased 10-fold among people injecting drugs in North Carolina, HealthDay reports.

Addiction Experts: Increasing Buprenorphine Availability Outweighs Diversion Risk

Making the opioid addiction medication buprenorphine more widely available outweighs the risk the drug will be diverted, addiction experts tell NPR. President Trump is expected to sign a bill that would increase access to the medication.

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