The Blog

Last spring in Seminole, Florida, a man with Down syndrome died because his caretaker experienced a Kratom overdose and fell asleep. John LaPointe, the victim, was unable to care for himself and reportedly had the cognitive abilities of an infant. John was in a van with his caretaker, Joshua Russell, and could not escape when the vehicle heated up to … Read More

In an effort to battle Florida’s opioid epidemic, state policymakers have passed a new law that pushes doctors to provide patients with options for alternative pain management. In cases where opioids may be used, doctors must inform patients of other forms of treatment. These alternatives include treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage therapy. Though HB 451 passed without much … Read More

In early September, Hurricane Dorian churned through the Atlantic along the East Coast of the United States, bringing some unexpected results along with it. In Cocoa Beach, Florida, beachgoers at Paradise Beach Park in Melbourne found a total of 15 kilos of cocaine that had washed up on the shore. Officials warned that the $300,000 worth of cocaine on the … Read More

Recently, a new party drug has entered the US market. It’s called etizolam and is the latest party drug that can disastrously result in death. Florida is one of eight states to list etizolam as a controlled substance in an effort to control its use and prevent harm, particularly among young people. You are not alone if you are wondering: … Read More

The internet is an increasingly integral part of our lives in the digital age, particularly with our growing connection to our ubiquitous smartphones and mobile devices. 2017 data from the Center for the Digital Future at University of Southern California Annenberg found that since 2000, the amount of time the average American spends online has gone up from 9.4 hours … Read More

CBD is a trendy cannabis product that shows up in everything from beauty products to gummy bears. CBD oil is said to treat a range of ailments including anxiety, epilepsy, inflammation and pain, among others. A new study shows that CBD oil may help with heroin cravings. The study showed that “CBD administration significantly reduced both cravings and anxiety,” especially … Read More

In recent years, there have been worldwide efforts to address the lack of addiction harm reduction and treatment programs for women. There are certain aspects of addiction and recovery that are unique to women, but is there really a need for gender-specific programs? Since studies show women have an increased risk of certain mental health disorders, it is evident that … Read More

The loss of firefighter A.J. Issacs in June of 2019 showcases the relentless and often secretive nature of addiction. Issacs, 47, was a father, husband and a well-respected, 25-year firefighter in Winter Park, Florida. None of Issacs’ colleagues knew of his struggle with addiction. As the supervisor in charge of drug inventory, Issacs had access to substances and was able … Read More

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed legislation allowing residents to access syringe exchange programs. The legislation approved by the Republican legislature, called The Infectious Disease Elimination Programs bill, had bipartisan support. Now, Florida counties can authorize local needle exchange programs, many of which are based on Miami’s Infectious Disease Elimination Act (IDEA) exchange. The Miami program, approved in 2016, is … Read More

Nerve pain medications were recently linked to an increased risk of self-harm. Self-harm can be either intentional or unintentional. The study looked at suicidal thoughts and behavior, unintentional overdoses, head and body injuries and traffic accidents. Stabbing, tingling, burning or prickling are a few sensations felt by people living with nerve pain. Neuropathy — another term for nerve pain — … Read More