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Take Back Day Events Collect Record Amount of Meds

(November 8, 2017) The Drug Enforcement Administration collected a record 456 tons (912,305 pounds) of expired and unused medication during Take Back Day events across the country last month. 

Basic Painkillers Are Just As Effective as Opioids, Study Finds

(TIME, November 7) Non-opioid painkillers work just as well as opioid painkillers for certain types of pain, according to a new study. This news confirms the fact that – in the midst of the nationwide opioid epidemic – they are likely being overprescribed.

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Marijuana: Likelihood of Getting a Job and Marriage Plummet for Teens Who Smoke

(Newsweek, November 7) We know how damaging marijuana use is to the growing teenage brain. 

With Cigarettes Out of Favor, Many U.S. Teens Also Shun Pot

(HealthDay, November 6)  Less and less U.S. teens are smoking cigarettes. Could this be why, despite relaxing attitudes towards the drug, teen marijuana use has not increased? 

Synthetic Fentanyl Deaths Rise in Americans Opioid Epidemic

(NBC News, October 27) The highly addictive and potent synthetic opioid fentanyl was behind at least half of 2016’s deadly drug overdoses, according to new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A Year After Her Overdose Photo Went Viral, Mother Now Says It Helped

(NBC News, October 25) Almost a year ago, a disturbing photo of a young woman passed out in her car after an apparent heroin overdose went viral. 

White House opioid commission calls for wide-ranging changes to anti-drug policies

(The Washington Post, November 1) The president’s opioid commission, led by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, recently recommended more than 50 changes to the nation’s drug policies.

Narcan available at more than 8,000 Walgreens locations nationwide

(CBS News, October 26)  Thanks to Walgreens, Narcan, a nasal spray form of a drug that reverses opioid overdoses, will now be a little easier to get.

DEA Establishes 6 New Heroin Enforcement Teams

(October 27, 2017)  Drug overdose deaths from 2016 may exceed 64,000, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Opioid crisis: Researchers employ new method to track overdose victims

(Fox News, October 10) University of Pittsburgh researchers are working with officials in their state to produce a new, standardized way to collect and track drug overdose data.