Articles tagged with Illicit Drugs
Between 2017 and 2022, US law enforcement seizures of psilocybin mushrooms increased dramatically, with the total weight seized peaking in 2021. This trend reflects growing interest in psychedelic use, despite limited self-reported data on prevalence.
Seizures of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, have surged by 369% across the US since 2017, according to a new study. The highest number of seizures were recorded in the Midwest and West regions, with nearly quadrupled amounts of seized drugs.
University of Texas at Dallas researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind, handheld electrochemical sensor that can accurately detect fentanyl in urine within seconds. The device detects even trace amounts of fentanyl with 98% accuracy and could be used to test for the drug in saliva, helping first responders make treatment decisions.
Xylazine, a veterinary medication, has been found in the illicit opioid supply, rendering naloxone ineffective in treating overdose cases. Specialized addictions care remains crucial in addressing underlying substance use disorders.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy's PERU has received a $7.8 million grant to develop and implement measurement-based care into community opioid treatment programs across Pennsylvania. This project aims to improve treatment access, promote recovery, and reduce fatal overdoses by addressing patient needs through personaliz...
A tribal confederation in Oregon has launched a mobile medication unit to deliver addiction treatment directly to tribal members. The initiative, part of the Great Circle Recovery program, aims to address the opioid crisis disproportionately affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington found that women are more susceptible to cocaine addiction than men due to fluctuations in sex hormones. The study discovered that the female sex hormone estradiol enhances the rewarding effects of cocaine, leading to increased sensitivity among females.
The use of 'trip-killers' to shorten psychedelic drug trips is a growing concern among doctors, with benzodiazepines and antipsychotics being the most frequently recommended options. However, warnings about their potential side effects are rarely included, highlighting a need for greater awareness.
A 20-year Australian study found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use, and its effectiveness in managing opioid crisis is uncertain. The researchers suggest that clinicians and policymakers should exercise caution when relying on cannabis as a solution.
A UCLA study found that substance abuse treatment can lead to reduced methamphetamine usage and longer periods of abstinence. The study, which analyzed responses from nearly 300 men in Los Angeles, suggests that even limited treatment options can be effective in reducing methamphetamine use.
Researchers developed a more efficient way to find emerging designer drugs in urine samples, uncovering new synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants that evaded initial screening. The approach can support public health and safety by enabling swift identification of new substances.
Research reveals fake Australian IDs are widely sold on dark web marketplaces, used by crime rings and terrorists for various illicit activities. The study aims to inform law enforcement and security organisations in targeting specific types of fraud.
A new study found that social media platforms restrict user-generated content and advertising related to illegal muscle-building drugs but offer few restrictions on legal dietary supplements. This has raised concerns about the potential negative effects of these products on young people's health and behavior.
A new meta-analysis suggests that high-dose prescription psychostimulants like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine can lower cravings and reduce stimulant use in people with amphetamine-type stimulant use disorder. The study analyzed ten randomized controlled trials and found that effects may increase with higher dosage.
A new portable device invented by researchers at the University of Bath can detect synthetic cannabinoids like Spice on various materials, including paper and fabric, with high accuracy. The device is expected to be rolled out across the UK within months and may eventually be available globally.
A recent policy analysis highlights gaps in Canadian regulation of muscle-building dietary supplements, including whey protein and creatine monohydrate. The lack of consistent manufacturing site and product safety testing poses significant health risks to young people.
A new study found that law enforcement's role in post-overdose outreach programs may undermine their effectiveness. The research highlights the importance of law enforcement data and contact information to reach overdose survivors, but also notes challenges posed by police involvement due to lack of training and negative past experiences.
A new study reveals that illicit drug use is involved in nearly one in three sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) among young adults in Victoria, Australia. The analysis of data from a statewide registry found higher levels of illicit drugs and multiple substance use among SCD patients.
Conventional psychotherapeutic approaches for women with late-stage gynaecological cancers take too long and require too much stamina. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has shown promise in treating anxiety, depression, and end-of-life distress with rapid and sustained effects.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal recommends prescribing psychostimulants to help reduce illegal stimulant use. This approach is based on growing evidence from clinical trials in Australia, Europe, and the United States. Implementing this practice can help address the ongoing unregulated drug poisoning crisis in Canada.
A new study analyzing death records data found that men had a 2–3 times greater rate of overdose mortality from opioids and psychostimulants. The researchers noted that biological, behavioral, and social factors likely combined to increase the mortality risk for men.
A MU study found that providing educational information about naltrexone to healthcare professionals increases patient prescriptions for the drug. The study resulted in a 36% increase in patients leaving the facility with a prescription for naltrexone, suggesting better-informed decisions by healthcare professionals.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that only 7% of Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder (OUD) received residential treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. Residential treatment centers provide structured support and are considered one of the best treatments for severe substance use.
Researchers at Rutgers University propose a new approach to accurately diagnosing cannabis use disorder, particularly for individuals who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. The current diagnostic manual may misdiagnose these individuals due to the rapid increase in state-level legalization of medical marijuana.
A novel community-focused strategy implemented in Pennsylvania counties led to a 30% reduction in opioid overdose death rates. The approach, developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers, prevented 1,818 opioid-related deaths over two years.
Researchers have developed a new ultrafast infrared spectroscopy method that can detect molecular vibration information at high speeds. This method, called upconversion time-stretch infrared spectroscopy (UC-TSIR), provides over 30-fold more spectral elements and 400 times better spectral resolution than conventional methods.
A new study by WVU economist Zachary Porreca found that gentrification can displace organized criminal activity, leading to a surge in gun violence in nearby neighborhoods. The study analyzed data on shootings and real estate across Philadelphia neighborhoods between 2011-2020.
The study calls for easier access to naloxone, including over-the-counter distribution, to address the US opioid epidemic. With millions lacking access, health providers are urged to include naloxone in treatment programs and counsel patients' families on its use.
A new study by UCL and King's College London researchers found that vaporized cannabis has the same short-term effects on adolescents (16-17 years old) as on adults (26-29 years old), regardless of CBD levels. The study also showed that CBD does not reduce the psychoactive effects of THC in cannabis.
Panelists emphasize the need for better treatment options and increased access to naloxone as overdoses increase dramatically. Community collaboration, fast-tracking vaccine development, and reducing stigma around people who use drugs are also key strategies.
A recent study found that adolescent boys and young adult men in Canada experience high levels of muscle dysmorphia symptoms, with one in four at clinical risk. The study highlights disparities among sexual identities and racial/ethnic groups, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and knowledge among healthcare professionals.
A new study refutes industry claims that banning menthol cigarettes leads to increased use of illegal smokes. Researchers found no significant change in the purchase of cigarettes from First Nations reserves after the Canadian menthol ban.
A USC study found that notifying clinicians about fatal opioid overdoses through letters from medical examiners reduces opioid prescribing over the next three months. The study shows these notifications have a lasting impact, with a 7% reduction in prescriptions after one year.
The NIH has established a research network to test community-based harm reduction strategies, including naloxone distribution and fentanyl test strips, to reduce overdose deaths. The network aims to save lives by connecting people who use drugs with services and treatments.
A 10-year study found that aggressive law enforcement tactics can actually increase trade-based money laundering (TBML) in the EU, with up to 11% of all trade involving 'dirty' money
The prevalence of methamphetamine-associated heart failure is rising worldwide, affecting a wide range of socio-economic and racial groups. Meth users are more likely to develop severe disease, with longer hospital stays and readmissions, compared to non-users.
A team of scientists has identified three new biomarkers for detecting the consumption of emerging synthetic cannabinoids like OXIZID. These biomarkers will facilitate work by drug enforcement agencies worldwide in monitoring OXIZID abuse, enabling more accurate identification of abusers and potentially preventing overdoses.
A large registry-based study found lisdexamfetamine to be associated with the lowest risk of hospitalisation and death in people with amphetamine addiction. The medication showed a significant reduction in hospitalisation due to substance use disorder and any cause or death, while benzodiazepine and antidepressant use were linked to po...
Researchers from the University of Connecticut found that both delta-8 and delta-9 THC produce similar effects in mice, including lethargy and catalepsy. The study suggests that delta-8 THC interacts with the same receptors as delta-9 THC and can lead to desensitization and withdrawal-like symptoms.
A new study found an association between college student FoMO and maladaptive behaviors such as academic misconduct, drug and alcohol use, and breaking the law. Brief FoMO assessments may be valuable risk prediction tools for counselors assisting students in transition to college.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that law enforcement is not uniformly recognizing and respecting the legal protections in place to support harm reduction programs. Despite these protections, more than half of survey participants reported negative experiences with law enforcement, including confiscation of suppl...
A new American Heart Association statement highlights the need for specialized care in people who inject drugs, a population with a complex approach to manage potentially deadly heart infections. The standard treatment includes six weeks of intravenous antibiotics, but alternative regimens and oral antibiotics may help complete treatment.
A new study reveals that methamphetamine use is widespread in rural America, driving overdoses and deaths. The research found that people using both methamphetamine and opioids had a significantly higher risk of nonfatal overdose, with 22% reporting an overdose in the past six months.
A study by Washington State University found a 37% drop in poisoning reports for illicit synthetic cannabinoids in states with legal recreational or
A UBC Okanagan study published in Nature-Scientific Reports found that regular small amounts of psilocybin improved mood, mental health, and psychomotor ability in participants. Microdosing was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, particularly among those over 55.
A survey of rural women in the US found that those using illicit drugs have low contraceptive use rates and high unintended pregnancy rates compared to non-drug users. The study highlights the need for expanded access to reproductive health care and substance use treatment in rural areas.
A study found that higher prices and inconvenience associated with legal sources drove consumers to purchase cannabis from illegal providers. The main reasons cited by respondents were legal sources being too expensive and inconvenient, with convenience being the second-highest factor.
More than half of Michigan pharmacies offer naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose, without requiring a prescription. The standing order allows pharmacists to dispense the drug in emergency situations.
Researchers created edible tags with fluorescent silk proteins to track medications, providing a new way for consumers to verify authenticity. The codes are readable by a smartphone app and can be ingested without causing harm.
Adolescent drug overdose deaths nearly doubled in 2020 and rose another 20% in early 2021 compared to the 10 years prior, despite stable drug use rates. The increase is largely attributed to illicit fentanyls found in counterfeit pills, which can be deadly if ingested.
This study examines shifts in adolescent overdose deaths, highlighting the growing threat of illicit fentanyl. Researchers analyzed CDC data to understand the impact of increased fentanyl use on this age group.
A pair of studies published by Washington State University scientists found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help individuals with opioid addiction reduce their methadone dose and better manage pain and withdrawal symptoms. The treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, resulting in significant dose reduct...
Researchers from UBC Okanagan and the University of Exeter found ketamine to have significant anti-depressant and anti-suicidal effects in a comprehensive systematic review. The study suggests ketamine may be helpful in treating various disorders, including eating disorders, substance use, and anxiety.
The US overdose death rate exceeded the white rate for the first time in 20 years, driven by synthetic opioids and highly toxic drugs. Black Americans and Native Americans had the highest overdose death rates, highlighting deep-seated inequalities in access to treatment and services.
Research reveals that people who have had COVID-19 are more likely to experience mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, within a year after recovery from the virus. The study found that COVID-19 survivors were 60% more likely to suffer from mental health problems than those who were not infe...
The Commission on the North American Opioid Crisis recommends banning direct marketing to prescribers and curbing industry influence on medical education. The group also suggests standardizing addiction care within health systems and improving access to medication-assisted treatment.
A 10-year study found that illicit amphetamine users were 5 times more likely to experience psychosis than non-users, with the risk increasing with age, number of arrests, and severity of addiction. Rehab was found to be effective in reducing this risk.
A national study found that states with higher labor underutilization, non-Hispanic white populations, and opioid prescriptions had higher SIM rates. States with centralized medicolegal death investigation systems detected more SIM cases due to toxicologic testing.
A recent study found that drug checking programs can reach people who would not access services otherwise, reducing overdoses and increasing HIV testing. The program also improved demand for other services like treatment for opioid use disorder.
A two-year randomized trial found that cannabis use significantly impaired driving ability, particularly in the first few hours after smoking. Despite varying levels of THC content and user history, participants displayed diminished skills on simulated driving tests.