Snapchat, the popular photo and instant messaging app, is integrating a new approach to lowering the dealing of drugs on the platform. These efforts are being made in attempt to keep the community of those who use Snapchat safe from the devastating impacts of the Fentanyl crisis. 

For years, social media sites have been used as avenues for drug dealers to remotely access and influence young people to purchase illicit substances. In the last few years, the selling of deadly counterfeit prescription pills has increased. This increase has been specifically true for Snapchat where messages are designed to disappear after a certain amount of time. Counterfeit pills being sold through social media look almost identical to real prescription drugs, such as Percocet, OxyContin, or Xanax. 

What makes the use of counterfeit pills so dangerous is that there is a high chance that they have been made with Fentanyl, a synthetic Opioid that is stronger than Morphine and less expensive to produce than other substances. Because a lethal dose is very small, anything over 2 mg, pills containing Fentanyl have been linked to a dramatic increase in overdose deaths in the US. Teenagers and young adults are especially at risk for overdose from Fentanyl because counterfeit pills are so accessible through platforms like Snapchat. In 2020, it was reported that 48% of internet users who use Snapchat are between the ages of 15 and 25. 

DEA Public Safety Alert

On September 27th, 2021, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a public safety alert for the first time in 6 years. This alert warned of the threat caused by an increase in lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing Fentanyl or Meth. The DEA reported that just this year 9.5 million counterfeit pills have been seized. Two out of every 5 of these fake, confiscated pills that contained Fentanyl contained enough of the substance to cause an overdose. 

Anne Miligram, DEA spokeswoman, told Today that social media companies are not doing enough to stop the selling of these harmful pills. Milgram went on to say, “Social media companies know that their platforms are being used for this. And they need to understand that Americans are dying. They are dying at record rates and they need to be a partner in stopping it.” 

Check if my insurance covers rehab

Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance.

Snapchat’s New Drug Related Initiatives

Following this public safety alert, pleas from Milgram, and support from parents, Snapchat has decided to take steps towards improving this situation. The platform’s new safety initiatives include improved automated systems to detect the sale of drugs, hiring more staff to respond to law enforcement for criminal investigations, and an in-app education portal called “Heads Up.” 

Through Heads Up, Snapchat users can be educated on the dangers of Fentanyl and counterfeit pills with resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), and non-profit organizations. App users who search for certain drug terms or for substance abuse help will be directed to Heads Up. Already, the platform has teamed with Song For Charlie, a family run nonprofit, to develop a video advertising campaign on the topic. According to Snapchat, this video campaign has been viewed 260 million times thus far. Additionally, the platform will be rolling out a new national filter that will bring awareness to the issue and direct users to the Head Up portal. 

While many parents are calling for more extensive parental controls, social media platforms like Snapchat are hesitant. Even though parental controls may have the ability to prevent potential overdoses, they also may threaten the privacy of the app’s users. Snapchat responded to the rising Fentanyl crisis in a blog post saying that they are working to find the balance between safety and privacy on the platform. They hope to empower their community to express themselves without a fear of harm. 

What Are Other Social Media Companies Doing?

Although Snapchat has been the main platform linked to counterfeit pill overdose, other social media companies play a role in the overall Opioid epidemic. Facebook’s policies state that ads cannot promote the sale of illicit or recreational drugs. Despite reports of the platform being used by drug cartels, little has been done to stop these violations of the site’s drug rules. The company removes flagged pages as they see fit but many of them still operate openly. The system that allows offenders to repeat drug dealing or cartel behavior has not been changed. 

Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, was also said to be a place for drug cartels to recruit, train, and pay hitmen. In 2019, the photo sharing app had issues with some of their recovery based hashtags. Comments promoting the sale of illicit drugs were found on photos with hashtags, like #opioidcrisis and #opioidaddiction, that were intended to help those struggling with Opioid use. After this, the platform attempted to crack down on the use of these hashtags and make efforts to support those in recovery. 

In response to the DEA’s safety alert and Milgram’s comments, TikTok spokesperson, Hilary McQuaide, stated that the video sharing social network has systems in place to prevent drug dealing activity. McQuaide cited the app’s technology which removes accounts that promote illegal drug sales and the human reviewers who are used to find and evaluate violative material. 

Working Together To Limit Online Drug Deals

Even though individual social media companies are making efforts to vanquish online drug dealing, very few have yet to work together on the issue. Currently, drug deals tend to occur across multiple platforms. Dealers may use one site to connect with potential buyers, another to communicate, and a third to make the final sale. 

For 6 months, Snapchat has been using intelligence from a public health data company that searches all over the internet to catch drug dealers. This includes looking on other websites and the dark web to find drug ads that list a Snapchat account. According to Snapchat, their detection skills have allowed them to increase the number of removed accounts by 112% in the first half of 2021. Sharing data between the platforms may be the key to lowering Fentanyl overdose deaths amongst young people in the US.

The post Snapchat Making Efforts To Stop Drug Dealing appeared first on Addiction Center.

On June 14th, 2021, Youtube announced a ban on alcohol, gambling, or prescription drug-related ads on its homepage. Specifically, the platform banned controversial ads from appearing on its highly visible rectangle across the top of the homepage, also known as a masthead. The shift follows a chain of changes Google (its parent company) is making due to public scrutiny.

Youtube, Google, And Toxic Marketing

Over the past few years, Alphabet Inc. has received backlash for exposing its billions of users to harmful advertisements while making a profit. In 2011, the tech giant was forced to pay $500 million in a settlement by the U.S. Federal Drug Agency for selling online ads to Canadian pharmacies targeting Americans. For nearly a decade, dozens of online pharmacies in Canada sold illegal prescriptions through advertisements on Google.

During the preceding, prosecutors discovered that Alphabet Inc. knew of the illegal advertisements created by the Canadian dispensaries. According to investigators, drugstores were preying on vulnerable consumers, like addicts, through, “online consultation rather than a prescription.” The companies then charged a premium for the online meeting because they knew, “individuals seeking to obtain prescription drugs without a valid prescription were willing to pay higher prices.” All the while, according to critics, Google knew about the toxic advertising strategies.

Check if my insurance covers rehab

Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance.

The Public’s Outrage On Advertisements 

Google is not the first site to be flagged for harmful advertising practices. Just recently, after a public media outrage, TikTok banned content that promotes drug abuse and eating disorders. Still, sites like Facebook continue making a hefty profit by allowing pharmaceutical companies and data brokerage firms to target vulnerable clients. Which begs the question, how invasive and dangerous are these media advertising policies? How do they affect those susceptible to addiction?

Advertising And Addiction

Digital advertising has surpassed traditional marketing. Thanks to data-tracking software, companies can now target individuals based on their ethnicity, disabilities, sexual orientation, and more. The plethora of data gives these invasive advertisers the power to be even more persuasive than ever before. According to privacy activists and browser-makers, companies that perpetuate eating disorders or create prescription drugs can even target people battling trauma, drug abuse, and eating disorders.

Not only can these marketers efficiently mark people susceptible to addiction, but they can also mislead them to purchase their products. According to a research study, only 26% of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising (DTCPA) describe the risk factors associated with their drugs, and only 25% mentioned its prevalence. DTCPA typically misinforms consumers by omitting critical information like the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. 

Another concerning problem is the trust placed on these advertisers by consumers. Nearly 50% of people believe that the government approves all ads broadcasted on TV or online. Unfortunately, direct to consumer ads (DTC) are loosely regulated. Though claims in advertisements must be truthful under the law, many marketers find advantageous loopholes to avoid omitting less than glamorous truths about their products. Once live, DTC ads are dangerously trusted and effective. On average, 43% of viewers believe that medications must be entirely safe to be advertised.

Raising Awareness

Advertisements can have adverse effects on vulnerable populations like those prone to addiction. The unwarranted trust placed on marketers is a powerful tool capable of triggering or worsening substance use disorders. Historically drug-producing companies put profits over public safety. For example, Purdue Pharma is under federal investigation for instigating the United States Opioid epidemic. To protect vulnerable populations, lawmakers need to regulate all broadcasted ads thoroughly. In the meantime, we must all be vigilant and raise the public’s awareness of the dangers advertising has on those battling addiction. For more information on substance use, addiction, and treatment, contact a treatment provider today.

The post Alcohol, Gambling, And Drug Ad Ban On Youtube appeared first on Addiction Center.

On June 25, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 1438, which allows people in Illinois to use and purchase recreational Marijuana. The bill also requires the state to license marijuana dispensaries. Medical Marijuana has already been legal in Illinois since 2013 and now Illinois will be the 11th state to legalize the drug for non-medical use.

Recreational Marijuana is currently legal in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Michigan, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Nevada, although the federal government still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Pritzker stated that “legalizing adult-use cannabis brings an important and overdue change to our state, and it’s the right thing to do.” Supporters of HB 1438 claim that taxing legal Marijuana will generate millions of dollars in revenue for Illinois and that legalization, combined with the bill’s reparations provisions, will correct injustices which they say anti-drug laws have inflicted on minorities. Opponents of HB 1438, especially interest groups which represent police officers, fear that legalization will cause more people to use Marijuana and then drive while “high.”

New Marijuana Rules And Limitations

Under the new law, Illinois residents may possess as many as 30 grams (or 1 ounce) of Marijuana and non-residents visiting the state may possess as many as 15 grams, beginning on January 1, 2020. Possessing non-medicinal Marijuana will be against the law for the remainder of 2019.

Adults who are at least 21 years old will also be allowed to buy Marijuana, but only from licensed dispensaries. The law does not allow people in Illinois to grow their own Marijuana unless they are patients who use medical Marijuana for treatment. In those cases, they may keep a maximum of 5 cannabis plants in their homes. Additionally, it will remain illegal to use Marijuana in public spaces, at schools, in a car, or in the presence of a minor. Landlords and business owners can also ban Marijuana use on their private property, and universities and colleges can still prohibit the drug on campus.

When cannabis sales begin on January 1, there may be over 100 dispensaries for recreational Marijuana throughout the state. The law requires would-be Marijuana merchants to pay $100,000 to apply for a dispensary license. The state will give preference to the 55 medical Marijuana dispensaries which are already operating in Illinois and then will open applications for 75 more licenses in October.

Overturning Criminal Convictions

When he signed HB 1438, Pritzker claimed that the “the war on cannabis” – the criminalization of Marijuana – “has destroyed families, filled prisons with nonviolent offenders, and disproportionately disrupted black and brown communities.” Therefore, the law will erase state-level, non-violent marijuana convictions. This provision has the potential to relieve almost 800,000 people of a criminal record.

The law also requires that 25% of tax revenue which the state collects from the Marijuana industry be invested in high-poverty areas and that another 20% of the revenue be used to finance programs to treat drug addiction. Furthermore, the law requires that the state give preference to minorities who apply for a license to open a dispensary.

Legal Marijuana Is Not Safe Marijuana

Cannabis may now be legal in Illinois, but regular Marijuana users are still at risk for emotional disorders, lung damage, stunted brain development, psychological dependence, and symptoms of withdrawal.

Whether or not it’s legal, Marijuana can harm a person’s ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you or someone you know needs help with overcoming Marijuana dependence, contact a treatment provider today to get answers to your questions about rehab.

The post Illinois Legalizes Recreational Marijuana, Overturns Cannabis Convictions appeared first on Addiction Center.

On June 25, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously, 11-0, to ban the sale of e-cigarettes. The new ordinances prohibit stores from selling e-cigarettes and also prohibit anyone from selling them online to buyers with a San Francisco address. Additionally, the Board voted to ban companies from manufacturing e-cigarettes on city property. If Mayor London Breed signs the ordinances, the city will start to enforce the new rules in 7 months. Breed has said that she supports the ban.

San Francisco will be the first American city to ban e-cigarette sales, but it’s also home to the headquarters of Juul Labs, Inc., the largest e-cigarette company in the country. Juul vaping devices account for about 70% of the entire e-cigarette market. The problem, according to supporters of the ban, is that Juul’s products lack FDA regulation. Dennis Herrera, the City Attorney, said that the ban “wouldn’t be necessary if the federal government had done its job.” He was referring to the legal requirement that products like e-cigarettes not be sold until they pass an FDA safety review.

The FDA has not reviewed any vaping products – from Juul or any other company – yet hasn’t banned them either. City leaders from San Francisco as well as New York City and Chicago have criticized the FDA for what they consider to be a failure of oversight.

A Response To Teenage Vaping

The supporters of the ban also expressed concern for children’s health. Vaping has become very popular with teenagers, so much so that the number of high school students who use e-cigarettes skyrocketed by 78% in 2018. Since e-cigarettes contain Nicotine, an addictive substance, the Mayor and the Board are worried that vaping will harm teenagers in San Francisco. Although the smoking age in California is 21, vaping devices are common in San Francisco schools.

There is so much we don’t know about the health impacts of these products, but we do know that e-cigarette companies are targeting our kids in their advertising and getting them hooked on addictive nicotine products. We need to take action to protect the health of San Francisco’s youth and prevent the next generation of San Franciscans from becoming addicted to these products.

Juul’s Response To The E-Cigarette Sales Ban

Juul adamantly opposes the ordinances. The company spent over $600,000 to lobby against the new rules and has been collecting signatures for a petition to challenge the ordinances on the ballot this November. Juul said that it does not advertise its products to minors. As evidence, the company cited its decision to delete its social media accounts, which young people were most likely to see, and stop selling flavored e-cigarettes, which were most popular among teenagers. Juul also stated that the ban may be counterproductive for fighting Nicotine addiction.

This full prohibition will drive former adult smokers who successfully switched to vapor products back to deadly cigarettes, deny the opportunity to switch for current adult smokers, and create a thriving black market instead of addressing the actual causes of underage access and use.

In addition to Juul, some small businesses in San Francisco also oppose the ban because many city residents visit family-owned stores to buy Juul devices.

Regardless, other cities may soon follow San Francisco’s example. Vaping is such a new phenomenon that governments and regulatory agencies are just starting to catch up. It is possible that the regulation of e-cigarettes will leave the confines of local politics and become a national issue in the future.

For more information on treatment options, contact a treatment provider today.

[UPDATE: On September 30, 2019, under mounting political pressure, Juul suspended its campaign to overturn the city’s ordinances through a ballot initiative. The company had contributed almost $19 million to support Proposition C, which would have permitted the sale of e-cigarettes to adults in San Francisco. Proposition C will still be on the city ballot in November.]

The post E-Cigarette Sales To Be Banned in San Francisco, Juul’s Headquarters appeared first on Addiction Center.

Denver will become the first city in the U.S. to effectively decriminalize Psilocybin Mushrooms, a Hallucinogen also known as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms.” The decriminalization is a product of Initiative 301 (I-301), which was found on the ballot for Denver voters on May 7^th of 2019. This kind of revolutionary vote isn’t new for either Denver or the state of Colorado. In 2012, Colorado led the nation in becoming one of the first states along with Washington to legalize Marijuana for recreational use.

Initiative 301 makes the personal possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms among people 21 and older the lowest possible law enforcement priority in Denver. I-301 also prohibits the city from spending money and resources to pursue criminal penalties related to the use or possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms among people 21 and older. It’s important to note that the initiative doesn’t legalize magic mushrooms; they still remain illegal under state and federal law. It doesn’t decriminalize or deprioritize enforcement against the distribution and sales of Psilocybin Mushrooms either — all of that could still be pursued by police.

Break free from addiction.

You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.

(870) 515-4356

What Are Psilocybin Mushrooms?

Psilocybin Mushrooms are a hallucinogenic substance that induces feelings of euphoria and distortion of perception in consumers. The mushrooms usually start to have an effect within 30 minutes after consumption and last between four to 6 hours. Psilocybin Mushrooms are considered to be a Schedule I drug by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to the DEA, Schedule I drugs are not approved for medical use and have a high potential for abuse and dependence.

The physical and mental effects of the mushrooms can vary between people, but common side effects include:

• Hallucinations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Euphoria
• Muscle weakness, lack of coordination
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Transcendental experiences
• Visual distortions or disturbances

In extreme cases, overdose on the mushrooms can cause psychosis and even death.

Clinical research has explored the potential medical benefits of Psilocybin on conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Although many studies have revealed evidence that posits psilocybin as an alternative to traditional methods to help manage these conditions, there are multiple limitations to each study. Many of those published are small and not applicable to larger populations. Due to the nature of the hallucinogen and the fact that it was administered only under very controlled conditions in these studies, the drug continues to be considered non-medicinal and is outlawed for use in the United States.

The Voting And Results

Voting on the measure began in Colorado last month and mostly concluded this past Tuesday; however, the state does do mail-in voting so a very small number of overseas and military votes may still be coming in.

A “yes” vote on the initiative was in favor of making the adult possession and use of Psilocybin Mushrooms the lowest law enforcement priority in Denver and prohibiting the city from spending resources on enforcing related penalties.

A “no” vote was a vote against making the adult possession and use of Psilocybin Mushrooms the lowest law enforcement priority in Denver and prohibiting the city from spending resources on enforcing related penalties.

According to unofficial results, the measure was ahead 50.6 % to 49.4 %, a margin of just 1,979 votes out of a total of the 176,661 counted. When considering mail-in voting, results could still change. Official results will be certified on May 16^th.

What Comes Next For Denver?

What effects that Psilocybin decriminalization will have on Denver, Colorado, and the United States as a whole, remain to be seen. Proponents of the I-301 measure hope that the drug will be more widely accepted by society and become an adequate alternative to antidepressants for Coloradans struggling with depression and anxiety. Those that oppose the initiative fear for Colorado’s reputation and tourism industry; some are calling Denver the “illicit drug capital of the world” and believe that families will want to stop frequenting the city because of this. America will simply have to wait and see what the long-term pros and cons that the decriminalization will have.

The post Denver First In Nation To Decriminalize Psilocybin Mushrooms appeared first on Addiction Center.

Back in June of 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex as the first Marijuana-based medication in the United States. This month, November 2018, it became available to be prescribed and used across the country.

What Is Epidiolex?

Epidiolex is an anti-seizure medication specifically meant for children who are two and older and suffer from either Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). The 2 forms of epilepsy begin in early-childhood and have not responded well to the past available seizure medications. Epidiolex has had a large testing trial and looks to be significantly more effective than those past medications.

The medication itself, while made from components of Cannabis, does not carry the same effects that people associate with the drug. In particular, Epidiolex does not contain any trace of THC, the psychoactive component of Marijuana. It is exclusively made from CBD compounds, that have had a large backing for years when it came to their potential healing effects. CBD is also the main reason that Marijuana is becoming approved for medical use across the country. THC is the psychoactive component that causes the “high” that Marijuana is famous for. Since THC is not present in Epidiolex, users can’t get high off of it, and its potential for abuse is much lower than other medications.

Despite Marijuana and CBD being Schedule I substances, and many states still not allowing the use of medical Marijuana, the FDA-approved Epidiolex bypasses those state-by-state restrictions and is available as a prescription everywhere.

Why Is This Important?

Epidiolex is the first FDA-approved medication to be made from Cannabis, despite its legalization at the state level in many areas. That opens up possibilities for other medications derived from CBD to make it into the mainstream. In particular, the potential of a painkiller could help curb the number of Opioids that are being prescribed and help with the current Opioid epidemic that we find ourselves in.

While this is only the first application of a federally approved CBD-based medication, it shows hope for more medications to use a less addictive component. However, it is new and that means it will be put under a lot of scrutiny and can still face some push back from other organizations. Hopefully, however, this leads to Opioids becoming less relied upon in the medical field.

The post Epidiolex Becomes First FDA Approved Marijuana-Based Drug Available In The US appeared first on Addiction Center.

On October 3^rd, 2018, the Senate passed an Opioid package that combined more than 70 bills that have all faced contention in the past. In what is considered a historic, near-unanimous vote, the package passed through on its way to the President. Only one senator, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, voted against.

What Is The Opioid Package?

There are many parts of the bill that are meant to help our nation out of its current Opioid epidemic, everything from preventing more lethal drugs coming into this country to helping people who are already suffering from addiction get treatment. The bill covers, but is not limited to:

• The package allows Medicare to give beneficiaries more information on Opioid alternative pain treatments. They can also expand treatment options for enrollees and beneficiaries who are addicted to Opioids.
• It partially repeals the exclusion of Medicaid Institutions for Mental Diseases, which blocked state Medicaid programs from covering inpatient treatment in residential facilities with more than 16 beds.
• Mothers undergoing addiction treatment will be allowed to have their young children stay with them and increase the accessibility of residential treatment programs for families, allowing more parents to get help while with their children.
• It requires state Medicaid programs to have more involvement for Opioid refills, monitoring concurrent prescriptions of Opioids and other drugs, and monitor antipsychotic prescriptions for children.
• Federal agencies are required to develop and distribute educational materials to pharmacists on circumstance when they are legally permitted to decline someone a prescription for a controlled substance. Listed reasons include fraud, forgery, or some form of modification to the prescription.
• The FDA is required to develop new, evidence-based Opioid prescription guidelines for the treatment of acute pain.
• The US Postal Service will now be required to screen packages shipped from overseas that could contain an illicit synthetic Opioid, such as Fentanyl.

Break free from addiction.

You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.

(870) 515-4356

Understanding The Opioid Package

There may be a lot of confusion on how this new package of laws and regulations will change the current state of our country. The important thing to take away from this is that these programs are meant to not only help those who are currently suffering and recovering from addiction, but preventing more people from becoming addicted. Like any bill, people may not feel the effects immediately, but they are coming. Something is being done about our current crisis. If you need help, contact a treatment provider.

The post Opioid Package Passed By Senate, 98-1 Bipartisan Vote appeared first on Addiction Center.

Drug and alcohol addiction is one of the biggest challenges facing America today, and the problem is getting worse. In October 2017, President Trump declared the Opioid Crisis a “Public Health Emergency,” but he is not the only politician who has decided to use the influence of public office to take action in the fight against addiction. Within the last several weeks, several other prominent politicians have taken action of their own.

On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared addiction a public health crisis in the state. At the same time, Governor Brown also announced a new executive order for Oregon’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission. The order requires the Commission to develop a plan that lays out steps for state agencies to take to battle the addiction epidemic. The Commission must meet deadlines as early as September.

Governor Brown has also requested that the Oregon Legislature pass legislation designed to fight the growing opioid epidemic, which is responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in the state and nationwide. The law tackles the problem from multiple angles, requiring the state to study how to improve treatment access for drug addicts and mandating that doctors register with an Oregon-wide prescription-monitoring system. The bill is currently moving through the Oregon Legislature, but it is widely expected to pass. The legislation has widespread bipartisan support, and so many people wanted to testify in favor that leaders had to cut some off to make sure the committee working on the bill stayed on schedule.

Break free from addiction.

You have options. Talk about them with a treatment provider today.

(870) 515-4356

Florida’s Fight Against Addiction

Politicians on the direct opposite side of the country are getting involved with this truly national problem as well. On February 6, 2018 Senator Marco Rubio of Florida asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions and two federal agencies help combat the problem of disreputable treatment centers. He wants the Department of Justice to develop a strategy to investigate centers that abuse the system, specifically those that take bribes and make false statements to take advantage of government health care plans.

Senator Rubio wants to put an end to the, “Florida Shuffle,” a system of disreputable rehab facilities that operate in South Florida that don’t actually provide treatment but instead scam treatment seekers and the Federal Government. Millions of dollars that was meant to aid those members of society who are most in need of assistance has been lost to fraud.

These facilities not only conduct criminal activities, but they are also damaging the good name of the many top-rated and excellent treatment centers found in South Florida. The negative press surrounding recent high-profile arrests and news reports detailing this abuse has given millions of Americans a negative view of treatment and addicts in need of treatment an additional excuse to not attend. This has made it even less likely for many to get the treatment that they so desperately need, and for the government to turn the tide in the addiction epidemic. Hopefully, Senator Rubio’s request will be answered, and more action will be taken.

The post News: Politicians Leading The Fight Against Addiction appeared first on Addiction Center.

The United States has endured the grip of prescription Opioid and Heroin abuse for far too long. When someone suffers from a Heroin or Opioid addiction, they’re unable to fight the compulsive need to use these harmful substances. Without treatment, a person’s addiction can spiral out of control and devastate family members, loved ones, and their entire community.

Last Friday, President Obama officially proclaimed this week as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week to address the nationwide effects of Heroin and prescription Opioid addiction. From Sept. 16 to Sept. 24, the US Attorney’s Offices will facilitate over 250 events across the US that will raise awareness about the dangers of Opioid and Heroin abuse.

During Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week, we pause to remember all those we have lost to Opioid use disorder, we stand with the courageous individuals in recovery, and we recognize the importance of raising awareness of this epidemic.

In addition, the President continues to call for Congress to approve $1.1 billion in new funding toward making sure every American with an Opioid abuse disorder can get treatment.

Actions For Fighting Opioid And Heroin Abuse

While several tactics have been put into place to address the epidemic, the Obama Administration and other Federal agencies will announce additional measures during Awareness Week.

We’ve broken down some of the top initiatives our nation can expect to be announced during the nationwide events this week:

More Evidence-Based Prevention And Treatment Programs

Evidence-based approaches are based on survey data and research that shows what treatment and prevention programs work – and what doesn’t.  

In addition, the Administration will introduce:

• Additional funding for prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs)
• Television and radio PSAs about the dangers of Opioid abuse
• Letters sent by the Department of Education to educators about their role in youth substance abuse education

Reducing The Trafficking Of Fentanyl Into The US

Many of the nation’s recent overdoses have been attributed to Fentanyl, which is a strong and fast-acting Synthetic Opioid that, when taken, mimics the effects of Heroin.

A majority of Fentanyl is brought into the US by drug traffickers from China. Earlier this month, the Administration announced a partnership with China to combat the drug traffickers who bring Fentanyl into our nation.

More Awareness About Naloxone For Reversing Opioid Overdoses

Some day, your smartphone could play a role in saving lives from Opioid and Heroin overdoses. The Food and Drug Administration announced a Naloxone mobile app development competition this week.

Winners will receive $40,000 and become eligible to apply for grants to further develop the app and save more lives from an Opioid overdose.

Assisting America’s Rural And Tribal Communities

This week, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its $4.7 million investment in Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) programs. These programs are vastly needed by rural communities afflicted by the Heroin and Opioid crisis. In addition, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa will receive a loan to build new treatment centers, providing more ways of treating drug and alcohol abuse disorders.

Expanding Overall Treatment Access In The Country

Far too many Americans need treatment but are unable to receive it due to lack of available resources. During Awareness Week, the Administration will announce increased funding for veteran drug and alcohol rehab centers.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also finalized rules about patient prescription limit increases for Buprenorphine this week. Medical practitioners can now prescribe Buprenorphine to 275 patients – the previous limit was 100. This greatly improves access to the drug, which is often used in medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for patients in Heroin or Opioid addiction treatment.

Check if my insurance covers rehab

Addiction Center is not affiliated with any insurance.

How Can You Help Raise Awareness?

The launch of the Awareness Week is a big step toward shedding light on the nation’s Heroin and prescription Opioid crisis. But even just 1 person has the power to fight back illicit drug abuse.

Here’s some ways you can start the conversation:

• Join a local club or organization that promotes healthy and substance-free ways of living.
• Log onto your social media accounts and share articles or videos about the dangers of drug abuse.
• Listen to who’s around you. If you overhear a friend, roommate, or family member talk about abusing drugs, talk to them.

The post President Obama Launches Heroin And Opioid Awareness Week appeared first on Addiction Center.