OpioidCrisis
How does Narcan work? Mapping how it reverses opioid overdose can provide a molecular blueprint for more effective drugs
How does Narcan work? Mapping how it reverses opioid overdose can provide a molecular blueprint for more effective drugs Naloxone, also known as Narcan, works by competing with opioids for access to opioid receptors on the surface of neurons, preventing the drugs from triggering effects in the body. The molecular mechanism behind naloxone’s effectiveness involves […]
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Pennsylvania counties face tough choices on spending $2B opioid settlement funds
Pennsylvania counties face tough choices on spending $2B opioid settlement funds Pennsylvania counties are deciding how to spend $2 billion in opioid settlement funds, with local governments responsible for developing their own funding strategies. The funds will be distributed based on the opioid-related harms experienced by each county, but a lack of clear guidance has […]
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Declining union membership could be making working-class Americans less happy and more susceptible to drug overdoses
Declining union membership could be making working-class Americans less happy and more susceptible to drug overdoses Declining union membership among working-class Americans may be linked to increased unhappiness and higher rates of drug overdoses, according to research by economists. A study found that increasing levels of union membership tends to make working-class people happier, with […]
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Balancing kratom’s potential benefits and risks − new legislation in Colorado seeks to minimize harm
Balancing kratom’s potential benefits and risks − new legislation in Colorado seeks to minimize harm Colorado has enacted a new law, known as the Daniel Bregger Act, to regulate kratom and minimize harm. The law aims to limit potency and underage access to kratom products artificially enriched with 7-OH. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration […]
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Speedballing – the deadly mix of stimulants and opioids – requires a new approach to prevention and treatment
Speedballing – the deadly mix of stimulants and opioids – requires a new approach to prevention and treatment Speedballing, the combination of stimulants and opioids, kills nearly 35,000 people in the US every year, making it a leading cause of overdose deaths across the country. The practice of speedballing has evolved from a niche subculture […]
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Animal tranquilizers found in illegal opioids may suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone − and cause more overdose deaths
Animal tranquilizers found in illegal opioids may suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone − and cause more overdose deaths Animal tranquilizers like xylazine and medetomidine are being found in increasing amounts in illicit opioids, which can suppress the lifesaving medication naloxone and lead to more overdose deaths. The addition of animal tranquilizers to opioids can block […]
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Medetomidine is replacing xylazine in Philly street fentanyl − creating new hurdles for health care providers and drug users
Medetomidine is replacing xylazine in Philly street fentanyl − creating new hurdles for health care providers and drug users Medetomidine is now a key ingredient in street fentanyl sold in Philly. AP Photo/Matt Rourke Philadelphia’s street opioid supply – or “dope” market – is constantly changing. As health care workers and researchers who care for […]
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