August 2011
August 2011
Pennsylvania Convicted Criminals Not Tested for “Bath Salts”
Mandated drug testing for convicted criminals in Pennsylvania generally does not include the newly banned “bath salts,” WNEP-TV reports. A state law banning the synthetic drugs went into effect in this week. more >
Teen Substance Abuse Sees Darkside of Opioid Use
From “pharming” to pill parties, teens are abusing prescription drugs in dangerous ways, and can become addicted quickly, warns an adolescent substance abuse specialist at Children’s Hospital Boston. more >
Judge Sets Date for Cigarette Warning Labels Hearing
A U.S. judge said he will hear the tobacco industry’s request for a preliminary injunction on the Food and Drug Administration’s requirement that cigarette packages carry graphic warning labels on September 21. more >
New Products in Works to Replace Banned Bath Salts, Synthetic Pot, Salvia
When horror stories about bath salts and synthetic marijuana began circulating, lawmakers in Pennsylvania acted swiftly to ban the so-called fake drugs. But manufacturers are even quicker. more >
MADD’s Power of Parents – It’s Your Influence
MADD has created a powerful new web resource where parents can find research proven strategies for preventing underage drinking at home and in their communities. more >
Cigarette Companies file 2nd Suit Over Warnings
Five tobacco companies filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington late Tuesday challenging the constitutionality of regulations and graphic warning labels under the 2009 law that imposed federal regulation on tobacco. more >
SAMHSA Asks for Feedback Over Definition of Recovery
Over the past year, SAMHSA has worked with the behavioral health field to develop a working definition of recovery that captures the essential, common experiences of those recovering from mental and substance use disorders, along with 10 guiding principles that support recovery. more >
Army Pilot Program Allows Soldiers to Confidentially Enroll in Alcohol Treatment
A pilot Army program allows soldiers at high risk for developing alcohol problems to enroll in a confidential treatment program that will not adversely impact their careers. The program, which started at three Army installations, is now at six posts. more >
ASAM Releases New Definition of Addiction
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has released a new definition of addiction highlighting that addiction is a chronic brain disorder and not simply a behavioral problem involving too much alcohol, drugs, gambling or sex. more >
A Sober Lesson that Seems to Stick
A study of 30 campuses nationwide found that an online educational course that showed students in attention-grabbing detail the consequences of excessive drinking had significantly reduced common alcohol-related problems among freshmen, including binge drinking and sexual assault. more >
Majority of Children from Drug Producing Homes are Healthy, Drug Free
A new study suggests a majority of children who are removed from homes where drugs are produced are healthy and drug free. The study of 75 children who lived in homes where illegal drugs were produced found one-third tested positive for at least one drug. more >
Campus Life 101: Staying Sober
As a high school senior, Aaron Weir decided to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, not for any particular academic program but for the hospitality that school extends toward students in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction.more >
More Marines May Get Alcohol Abuse Treatment
With orders from the top, the Marine Corps’ inspector general is canvassing the service to see how well commands are enforcing rules on alcohol use among Marines. more >
Twice as Many Troops Abusing Alcohol
The number of troops abusing alcohol has roughly doubled in the last five years as soldiers go through the stressful cycle of training, serving in the wars, readjusting to home life and then doing it all over again months later, an Army health official says. more >
Heavy Smoking on the Decline Among High School Students
The percentage of high school smokers who smoke at least 11 cigarettes a day is on the decline, a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds. ‘Light’ smoking—defined as between one and five cigarettes a day—is increasing among U.S. high school students. more >
Smoking, Diabetes, Obesity May Shrink Your Brain
As if there weren’t already enough good reasons to avoid smoking and keep your weight, blood sugar levels and blood pressure all under control, a new study suggests these risk factors in middle age may cause your brain to shrink, leading to mental declines up to a decade later. more >
One Fifth of Teens Taking Controlled Drugs Misuse Them
A survey of teenagers finds 22 percent of those taking controlled medications, such as painkillers or stimulants, misused the drugs in the past year. Misuse includes taking too much of the drug, intentionally getting high, or using the drugs to increase alcohol or other drugs’ effects. more >
Second Annual National Drug Facts Week Begins October 31st
Teens and drug experts will connect for the second annual National Drug Facts Week, held Oct. 31 through Nov. 6. This week-long observance will bring together teens and scientific experts in community events across the country to discuss scientific facts about drug abuse. It is sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. more >
Teen Drinking Smoking Higher Among Facebook Users
U.S. teens who use social networking sites and watch “suggestive” TV shows are more likely to use drugs and alcohol than teens with little exposure to such media, a new survey found. more >
Big Spike Recorded in Older Drug Alcohol Addicts
They go around this room at the Hanley Center telling of their struggles with alcohol and drugs. They tell of low points and lapses, brushes with death and pain caused to families. And silently, through the simple fact that each is in their 60s or beyond, they share one more secret: Addiction knows no age. more >
