Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention / Public News Service

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, fentanyl was involved in 85% of drug overdoses in the state in 2020. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, fentanyl was involved in 85% of drug overdoses in the state in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

CT Addiction-Prevention Groups Seek Aid to Lower Fatal Overdoses

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Addiction-prevention specialists in Connecticut are pushing for investments in substance-use disorder programs to combat the …

CDC data shows drug-overdose deaths reached a record high of 93,331 people in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Tennesseans Remember Those Lost to Opioid Overdose

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennesseans paused to remember International Overdose Awareness Day today, as the state reported increased numbers of overdose …

Allowing teens to voice their opinions and have make decisions builds trust, experts say.. (AdobeStock)

Talking, Trusting Key to Easing Back-to-School Stress

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With new teachers, classmates and expectations, back to school is full of uncertainties and anxieties. Stressful transitions …

Between 2014 and 2019, fentanyl overdose deaths in Maryland ballooned from 340 to more than 1,900, according to the Maryland Department of Health. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Between 2014 and 2019, fentanyl overdose deaths in Maryland ballooned from 340 to more than 1,900, according to the Maryland Department of Health. (Adobe Stock)

As MD Opioid Deaths Explode in Pandemic, Town Halls Aim to Halt Crisis

BALTIMORE - The Maryland Stop Opioid Overdose Strategy, or Maryland S-O-S program, launches town hall meetings this week to address ways to combat …

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. (Adobe Stock)

NC Faith Groups Say Opioid Settlement Money Should Go Toward Community Resources

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Faith leaders and support groups across the state are calling on lawmakers to commit to spending the approximately $750 million …

Supporters say legalizing marijuana for recreational use would be an economic boon for Ohio, but opponents have concerns about health and safety. (Adobe Stock)

Recreational Marijuana on the Table Again in Ohio

By Troy Pierson / Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. As marijuana becomes more …

An exhibit looking at the opioid crisis in Indiana features personal stories and art installations from people in the recovery community as well as medical professionals. (The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites)

Exhibit Aimed at Reducing Opioid-Use Disorder Stigma Heads to Muncie

INDIANAPOLIS -- An exhibit at the Indiana State Museum, "FIX: Heartbreak and Hope Inside Our Opioid Crisis," is leaving Indianapolis Sunday and …

Nationwide, drug-overdose deaths increased by 30% between 2019 and 2020. (Andrey/Adobe Stock)

Medical Expert: Fake Prescription Pills May Contain Fentanyl

CHICAGO - Overdose deaths in Illinois rose by more than a quarter from 2019 to 2020, and medical experts are warning that pills not prescribed by a …

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about one-in-six teens who start using marijuana become addicted to the drug. (fontonize/AdobeStock)

Marijuana, Mood Disorder and Self-Harm: A Troubling Connection

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Substance misuse prevention experts in Ohio are raising the alarm about the dangers associated with marijuana use among teens with …

Narcan, which is available at pharmacy chains in New Hampshire without a prescription, can be used to treat opioid overdoses in emergency situations. (Flickr)

Emergency Responders Urge Continued Focus on Opioid Crisis in NH

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Some New Hampshire cities saw more drug overdoses in May than they have since before the pandemic, and advocates are urging …

Parents' poor mental health due to pandemic-related disruptions can be a contributing factor in negative mental-health outcomes for children. (Pixabay)

Helping Children Navigate Through Trauma

DENVER, Colo. -- School closures, social isolation, gaps in health-care access and other pandemic-related disruptions have taken a toll on children's …

Studies show that needle exchanges save the lives of thousands of drug users each year, and slows the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other infectious diseases. (Wikimedia Commons)

AZ Lawmakers Legalize Needle-Exchange Programs to Fight HIV, Opioids

PHOENIX -- Health-care advocates say Arizona's new needle exchange law could not only save millions of dollars in health care but also slow the spread…

Day One is the only Maine agency that provides an adolescent residential substance-use treatment program. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

Groups Decry Lack of Substance-Use Treatment for Young Mainers

AUGUSTA, Maine - As Maine's legislative session nears an end, groups are urging lawmakers to prioritize making mental health and substance-use …

A New London peer-navigator program could aid first responders in mental-health emergencies. Only 30% of New London police officers have crisis-intervention training, according to the city's Human Services Department. (Mario Beauregard/Adobe Stock)

One CT City Makes Emergency Mental-Health Calls a Priority

NEW LONDON, Conn. - A first-in-the-state pilot program could soon offer a different approach to how agencies in Connecticut respond to emergency …

An outbreak of vaping-related lung injury is under investigation by the CDC. (AdobeStock)

Ohio Group Aims to Stem Surge of Marijuana Vaping Among Teens

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Groups working to prevent substance misuse said immediate action is needed to stem the surge of young people vaping marijuana…

In Sept. 2020, opioid deaths in parts of the United States were 25 to 50% higher than in 2019, according to a GAO report about the effects of the pandemic on the need for mental-health and substance-use care. (Adobe Stock)

State Health-care Workers in Middletown Seek End to Staffing Crisis

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed there has been greater demand for behavioral health …

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveys found that 38% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression from April 2020 through last February, up from 11% in 2019. (Pixabay)

Need for Mental, Substance-Abuse Treatment Increased During COVID

FORT LUPTON, Colo. -- Suicide rates, overdoses and substance abuse all are on the rise since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a …

In a new survey by the Marie Christie Foundation, only half of college faculty members said they'd be able to recognize if a student was in emotional distress. Fewer than one-third said they could recognize signs of alcoholism or drug abuse. (Adobe Stock)

Could Faculty, Peers Help in College Crisis Intervention?

TAMPA, Fla. -- A new survey of a dozen higher-ed schools revealed many faculty members want to be better equipped to help students who are struggling …

The THC content of marijuana has shot up dramatically since the 1960s, from 2% to 10%, according to health-care advocates. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Health Experts: High-Potency Pot Could Harm Youths

RICHMOND, Va. -- As Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam proposes fast tracking marijuana legalization to July 1, health-care advocates are concerned high-…

Opponents of a West Virginia bill that would limit needle-sharing programs say it would increase diseases and taxpayer costs for treatment. (Adobe stock)

Groups Push to Reject WV Bills Seen as Punitive

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Advocates for impoverished people are urging West Virginia lawmakers to oppose two bills being heard in a House committee …

According to the CDC, in 2017, Nevada doctors wrote 55.5 opioid prescriptions for every 100 people, which is higher than the national average of 51.4 prescriptions. (Psiedelisto/Wikimedia Commons)

Nevada Negotiates $45 Million Opioid Settlement

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- The consulting firm McKinsey and Company has agreed to pay the State of Nevada $45 million for the company's role in the opioid …

CareOregon is giving out $455,000 in grants to eight groups to close health disparities in groups impacted by discrimination. (shane/Adobe Stock)

Health Workers with Lived Experience Help Close Gaps in OR

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Health workers with experiences like the people they serve can provide unique care to communities. In Oregon, organizations that …

A West Virginia bill would charge some former drug offenders $50 a month in fees for extended supervision for up to 10 years. (Adobe stock)

WV Groups See Criminal Reform Bill as Regression to ‘War on Drugs’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Criminal-justice advocates are urging West Virginia lawmakers to oppose a bill heading to the Senate that would add up to 10 …

More Mainers died of opioid overdoses in January than in any month of 2020, and 2020 saw more overdose deaths in the state than any previous year on record. (Simone/Adobe Stock)

ME Expands Medication-Assisted Treatment for People in Prison

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Corrections is expanding its program for medication-assisted treatment of opioid addiction to any person in …

A bill that could bring major changes to Oregon's criminal justice system has a public hearing set for this week. (blackday/Adobe Stock)

OR Bill Proposes Big Shift in Criminal Justice

SALEM, Ore. -- A bill in the Oregon Legislature proposes major reforms to the state's criminal justice system. House Bill 2002 is a sweeping measure …

Data show a slight uptick in marijuana-related traffic accidents in Ohio in 2020. (AdobeStock)

Medical Marijuana: Ohio Mom Warns of Dangers of Impaired Driving

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio mom whose daughter was killed in an accident caused by a marijuana-impaired driver is making it her mission to spare other …

Funding for a new Oregon law decriminalizing drugs and providing treatment options comes from marijuana tax revenue. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

OR Drug Decriminalization Law Goes Into Effect

PORTLAND, Ore. -- One of the country's biggest rollbacks of restrictive drug laws goes into effect today in Oregon. In November, voters passed a …

The smoking rate for individuals with a behavioral health disorder is nearly twice that of the general population, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — The smoking rate for individuals with a behavioral health disorder is nearly twice that of the general population, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)

NC Center Expands Smoking-Cessation Program for Behavioral-Health Patients

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Smoking is prevalent among people with substance-use disorders, but tobacco-prevention efforts often overlook this population…

Take-home naloxone programs are becoming more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobestock/Flickr)

Opioid Crisis: Free Kits Can Reverse Effects of Overdose

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The public health spotlight is on COVID-19, but the opioid epidemic still is a major priority in Ohio with a continued tragically …

Lots of drug-forfeiture money in Ohio is held outside of public purview. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Drug-Seizure Accounts: Who's Watching the Money?

By Bonnie Jean Feldkamp Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman Reporting for the Eye on Ohio, the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism-…

Research has shown a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety and depression. (Pixabay)

Survey Snapshot: Women Managing Loneliness After Age 50

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A new survey of women aged fifty and older found lockdowns and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic have amplified …

A unique program in Ohio is helping families in the children services system who are challenged by substance use disorder. (AdobeStock)

Pandemic Compounds Holiday Stress for Parents Working on Sobriety

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The pandemic is compounding the regular stresses of the holiday season, and it's an especially challenging time for Ohioans living …

In September, the highest rates of emergency-room visits related to drug overdose occurred in North Carolina's most rural counties, including Caldwell, Richmond and Robeson. (Adobe Stock)

Two Epidemics: Rural NC Fights Substance Abuse, COVID-19

MARION, N.C. -- Rural North Carolina is battling two health epidemics - substance abuse and COVID-19 - as treatment centers navigate shutdowns and …

Providers say mental health and substance-use services are even more critical during the pandemic, with more Mainers experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Portland Providers: Possible Cuts to Services Without State Help

PORTLAND, Maine -- Some mental health and substance-use providers in Portland may need to cut down on services in the midst of the global pandemic …

As attitudes towards marijuana use change, one group is voicing concerns that Ohioans don't have all the facts. (Adobe Stock)

Marijuana and Health Risks: Do You Know All the Facts?

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With recreational or medical use of marijuana now legal in most states, one group wants to ensure that Ohioans fully understand its …

Menthol cigarettes are used at higher rates in African-American populations due to decades-long marketing campaigns by large tobacco companies. (Adobe Stock)

Tobacco Use Continues to Impact TN Communities of Color

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Today is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout event, where thousands of people across the country decide to quit …

Many health plans now offer financial incentives that reward you for taking healthier actions, such as completing a health survey, exercising or avoiding nicotine. (Pikrepo)

Tips for Choosing the Right Health Coverage During Open Enrollment

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Now that Nebraskans have cast their vote in the 2020 elections, there is another important decision to make: choosing health …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the opioid crisis has killed an estimated 450,000 Americans since 1999. (Psihedelisto/ Wikimedia Commons)

CT Attorney General Slams Purdue Opioid Settlement

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The feds on Wednesday announced an $8.3 billion settlement with Stamford-based Purdue Pharma over the company's role in the opioid …

Projections estimate Measure 110 would bring in between $103 million and $159 million per year for addiction treatment services in Oregon. (terovesalainen/Adobe Stock)

Former Prosecutor, Doctor Make Case for Drug Decriminalization Measure

BEND, Ore. -- Oregonians in law enforcement and medicine are supporting a measure to decriminalize drug possession and fund addiction treatment…

Idaho's suicide rate is 57% higher than the national average. (Adobe Stock)

ID Works to Expand Suicide Prevention Efforts in Pandemic

BOISE, Idaho - Idaho's already high suicide rates could worsen as the COVID-19 crisis stretches into the winter months, and state officials are …

One study shows women in rural Appalachia with substance-abuse disorders who used a smartphone treatment app stayed in treatment almost twice as long as those who didn't. (Adobe Stock)

WV Recommends Use of Smartphone App for Pandemic Drug Treatment

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Spurred by concern that folks battling substance abuse can't always get in-person treatment during the pandemic, West Virginia is …

Wisconsin's State Crime Lab says in 2018, it responded to more meth cases than it did heroin cases. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /> — Wisconsin's State Crime Lab says in 2018, it responded to more meth cases than it did heroin cases. (Adobe Stock)

New Grant to Help Address Meth Resurgence in WI

DODGEVILLE, Wis. -- A federal grant that provides funding for opioid prevention and treatment has expanded its scope to include methamphetamine…

In the first quarter of 2020, 127 Mainers died of drug overdoses, a 23% increase from the last quarter of 2019. (StockSnap/Pixabay)

Maine Drug-Overdose Deaths Climb, Could Surpass Record

PORTLAND, Maine -- Close to 260 people likely died from overdoses in Maine during the first half of this year, according to preliminary estimates…

Patients struggling with substance-abuse disorders can make strong connections with online counselors because they're comfortable being treated at home. (Adobe stock)

Online Recovery Day Offers Help for Drug-Abuse Patients

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- With drug abuse on the rise during the COVID-19 shutdowns, the first-ever National Online Recovery Day next week will highlight …

According to a new study funded by the National Cancer Institute, Minneapolis has 32 times more tobacco retailers than McDonald's eateries, and 14 times more than Starbucks stores. (Adobe Stock)

Study: Low-Income Neighborhoods, Kids Still Targets of Big Tobacco

MINNEAPOLIS -- Many tobacco retailers are located near public schools and in low-income neighborhoods, according to a new study. It maps out the …

The Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration CARES Act funding awarded Maine less than $1 million toward behavioral health. (Medic454/Wikimedia Commons)

Stimulus Debate Largely Overlooks Behavioral-Health Funding

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Federal stimulus funding is barely helping states such as Maine with their behavioral-health needs, also called mental-health and …

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for individuals seeking help for substance abuse. (Adobe Stock)

AR Gets $4 Million to Help Residents Seeking Substance-Abuse Treatment

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The federal Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded Arkansas $4 million in grants to help combat the opioid …

Men are twice as likely as women to binge drink and use illicit drugs at more than double the rate of women. (Pixabay)

Men's Health Issues Linked to Challenges Seeking Help

LINCOLN, Neb. -- With Men's Health Month drawing to a close, Nebraska physicians are underscoring the need for men of all ages to seek regular …

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