The Blog

In response to the opioid crisis taking place in his state, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has put forward an Opioid Action Plan that would provide about $20 million annually to help communities in Minnesota fund opioid prevention, treatment and recovery strategies. Known as the “Penny-a-Pill” plan, this initiative enacts a one-cent fee for each unit of dispensed opioids by pharmacies. … Read More

The state of New York passed a bill on April 1 creating a tax on opioid medications. This bill was the second bill that taxed opioids. The first bill was declared unconstitutional because it affected other states. According to New York governor Andrew Cuomo, this tax is intended to help reduce the severity of the opioid epidemic in the state … Read More

Officials in Maine held a public hearing on April 1st of this year for a bill proposing the creation of two supervised injection sites. The bill launched speculation into whether Maine will be the first state to house supervised injection sites. Supervised injection sites are places where recreational and illegal drugs can be used under supervision. These sites would have … Read More

In May 2019, lawmakers in Brazil passed legislation forcing rehab for people who use drugs. The move to require rehabilitation at private or religious treatment centers is part of broader legislation aimed at curbing drug trafficking and drug use in the country.  The policy changes include harsher penalties for traffickers, which raises the maximum penalty from five to eight years … Read More

Adderall is a prescription drug used primarily for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Adderall is a combination of active ingredients, which are dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. This medication is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. There are potential long-term effects of Adderall to be aware of, and the risk of these effects and their severity tends to increase … Read More

With a half-life of approximately three minutes, heroin can leave the system in about a half hour. However, the chemicals it breaks down to can be detected for months in some cases. After using heroin, it typically takes four to six hours before the substance will be registered by most drug tests. From the time of usage, it will be … Read More

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day occurs twice a year and is a day that is designated for people to drop off and dispose of prescription drugs that are expired or are not needed any longer. The next National Take Back Day will be held on April 27, 2019 between 10:00am and 02:00pm. This is the 17th National Take Back Day. … Read More

Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs that can treat anxiety and insomnia. Benzodiazepines are among the most widely prescribed medications, especially among older adults, in the United States. These medications are intended to be short-term treatments because there are risks associated with long-term benzodiazepine use, including addiction and dependence. Benzodiazepines work by increasing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is a … Read More

Cocaine — informally known as “coke” — is a potent stimulant drug, derived from the coca leaves of a plant native to South America. Cocaine is an addictive drug that’s illegal in the United States. When someone uses cocaine, the effects of the drug occur almost instantly. In small amounts, cocaine can lead to euphoria, increased energy and better mental … Read More