The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is on the brink of a significant decision that could reshape the landscape of the marijuana industry worldwide. Nearly eight months after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended rescheduling cannabis to the DEA, the organization is poised to act, following persistent pressure from the Biden administration. This would decrease criminalization in every state and territory in the US, but it would still not lead to nationwide legality. However, it gives states leeway to decriminalize on their terms without risk of federa ..read more

In response to the escalating overdose crisis gripping America, the White House has issued a compelling call to action: the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose. This nationwide initiative aims to mobilize stakeholders from all sectors in a unified effort to combat the scourge of opioid overdoses, which continues to devastate communities across the nation. Recent statistics paint a grim picture of the crisis. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths soared to unprecedented levels, surpassing 93,000 fatalities in 2020 alone ..read more

Nitazenes are a type of strong synthetic opioid that has recently been found tainting drugs like heroin. For many drug users, they are also a new addiction. But where do they come from? How dangerous are nitazines? Nitazenes were created around 60 years ago as an alternative to morphine but were never used in US medicine due to their high risk of overdose. Despite this, they have surfaced in recent years and are responsible for numerous overdose deaths worldwide. “They figured out that a nitazene does attach to an opioid receptor, but they actually didn’t like how potent it was, so no one ever ..read more

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals often face stresses the general public cannot imagine. Healthcare professionals are grappling with the daunting challenges of an increasingly flawed healthcare system. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout rates among physicians had been on a steady rise. A survey in 2023 indicated that over half of physicians experience at least one symptom of burnout. This alarming trend was further compounded by the fact that physicians, particularly females, faced one of the highest suicide rates among all professions. Even a significant portion — ra ..read more

A substance use disorder (SUD) care plan is a comprehensive and individualized approach to addressing the complex needs of individuals struggling with substance abuse. Not every treatment center handles care plans the same, and many rely on a formulaic version of care plans, but today, treatment centers are beginning to take a more whole-person (holistic) view of their role in recovery. Substance use disorder care plans are typically developed collaboratively between the individual and a healthcare or mental health professional. Substance Use Disorder Care Plan Basics Here are some typical vit ..read more

San Diego County has taken a significant step forward in the fight against opioid overdoses with the installation of its first naloxone vending machine. Located at the McAlister South Bay Regional Recovery Center in Chula Vista, this vending machine is a game-changer in providing easy and free access to life-saving medication. This initiative, part of the County’s comprehensive Harm Reduction Plan, marks a groundbreaking moment in public health and addiction recovery efforts. What is Naloxone? Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid ..read more

Biden’s Health and Human Services agency has approved a plan by Medi-Cal to cover substance-use treatment for people who are incarcerated or otherwise involved in the justice system. This will allow people who are indigent or who are eligible for Medicaid to begin Medication-Assisted Treatment, and have it continued whether they are in or out of jail, prison, or other correction facilities. Why Is Treatment for Justice-Involved People Important? The plan is meant to help the 65% of people incarcerated in prison who also have a substance use disorder. Substance use and untreated mental health i ..read more

Street drugs are often adulterated with various substances, but most people don’t think about that when they’re using them. However, in the past few years, fentanyl has been found as an additive in many street drugs. Many adulterants can pose significant health risks to those who use them. The exact composition of adulterants can vary widely depending on the location, the specific drug, and the individual dealer. What Are Adulterants? Many pollutants are fillers and cutting agents, meant to make it seem like a person is buying more drugs than they actually are. Typically, drug dealers use subs ..read more

While much of California was hit by flooding, it’s hard to overlook the effects that climate change may have on our addicted populations, especially those who are unhoused or living in poverty. Addiction, alongside an unpredictable crisis of severe weather, can cause complications nationwide. Climate change is changing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, including wildfires, droughts, and flooding. This escalating global challenge affects many aspects of human life, including public health and social well-being. At the same time, the rise of the addiction crisis and the homeless en ..read more

Many people have been discussing the addiction and homelessness problems in California, especially in San Francisco, which seems to be a prominent example of how leadership approaches addiction in coastal cities. The city was called too lax and enabling when they allowed drug users a space to get high safely. Now Mayor London Breed says she believes that arresting drug users is one of the only ways to get addicted persons out of harm’s way. On the flip side, advocates say it’s time to reconsider opening a “wellness hub” in Tenderloin, the colloquial term used to describe indoor drug use sites ..read more