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New U.S. executive order on psychedelics accelerates research and treatment innovation: Opinion
A recent opinion article published by Psychology Today and authored by Dr. Mark S. Gold discussed the new U.S. federal approach to psychedelic therapies in terms of emerging mental health treatments. The Executive Order (EO) on psychedelics, issued earlier in April by...
Methamphetamine linked to one in six heart attacks in California
According to a recent statement released by the American Heart Association (AHA), the use of methamphetamines was associated with around 1 in 6 heart attacks among adults receiving treatment at a hospital in California. The statement followed the publication of a new...
Substance use in young adulthood can impact cognitive health later in life: Study
According to the results of a recently published study by researchers from the University of Michigan, substance use between the ages of 18 and 30 years is linked to poorer memory in midlife, with different substances affecting cognitive health through different...
Australia learns about alcohol-related harm from their health surveillance data
A recent analysis article published by Monash University examined how health surveillance data can be used to identify patterns of alcohol- and drug-related harm. In 2025, Victorian Administrative and Civil Tribunal rejected a proposed liquor store in Daylesford based...
Kratom use linked to increased hospitalizations and poison center calls
According to the results of an analysis by UVA Health, calls to U.S. poison centers about kratom, a drug widely available in vape shops and gas stations, have increased by more than 1,200% over the period between 2015 and 2025, with a significant increase in...
Cannabis legalization and workplace policy during hiring: Analysis
A recent analysis article published by Forbes and authored by Alonzo Martinez examined the relationship between cannabis legalization and U.S. workplace policies, suggesting that legal cannabis use does not necessarily protect individuals during the hiring process....
Smoking fentanyl linked to severe burn injuries: Study
A recent article published by the Oregon Public Broadcasting (OBS) and authored by Amelia Templeton discussed a new health risk linked to drug use, especially smoking fentanyl and other substances. The article also examined recent research showing that smoking...
Understanding America’s opioid crisis: Analysis
A recent analysis article published by The Heights and authored by Nathan Thomas analyzed the American opioid crisis through several different perspectives. Moreover, to examine why the opioid crisis is overlooked in Washington, the author interviewed Professor Shveta...
Fentanyl overdoses surge to record levels in Washington State Tri-City area
A recent article published by the Tri-City Herald and authored by Cameron Probert discussed the record spike in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the southeastern Washington State, Tri-Cities area. Specifically, data from coroner reports shows that opioid overdoses...
No link between empathy and binge drinking in late adolescence : Study
According to the results of a new study, no significant relationship was found between empathy and alcohol consumption in late adolescents. The research study, published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, was carried out using an online survey with U.S. university...
Associations between ADHD, sociability, and alcohol use outcomes in early adulthood: Study
According to the results of a new study, young adults diagnosed with ADHD who are less confident in social situations are significantly more likely to use alcohol as a coping mechanism, which contributes to a higher risk for problem drinking. The study, published in...
Teen ketamine abuse linked to bladder damage
A recent BBC analysis article authored by Ben Moore, Alex Bishand Sarah Brinicombe examined the rising recreational use of ketamine among young people in the UK and its serious health consequences, including bladder damage, kidney and liver problems. The article...
GLP-1 drugs linked to reduced addiction rates in large U.S. veteran study
According to the results of a new study, individuals who were prescribed a glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist for diabetes treatment were significantly less likely to develop a new substance use disorder. The study, published in the British Journal of...
Accidental drug overdose and ingestion rising in Kentucky children: Report
According to the results of a new report, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of children dying by ingesting lethal amounts of drugs, including cannabis and opioids in Kentucky over the past five years. Specifically, the 2025 annual report from the...
Changes in US trends in heroin initiation over the past decades: Analysis
A recent article published by Medical Xpress and authored by Caitlin Kizielewicz examined historical trends in heroin initiation in the U.S. and how these patterns have changed over time. Moreover, the article discussed the findings of a new study published in the...
New York lawmakers introduce bills to expand retail alcohol and cannabis beverage sales
In February, democratic lawmakers in New York introduced new bills to expand the sale of wine, liquor, and cannabis drinks. Specifically, one bill aims to permit supermarkets and local bodegas to sell hard alcohol and wine, while another would allow liquor stores to...
U.S. cannabis rescheduling and workplace considerations
A recent article published by JDP examined how the potential U.S. federal rescheduling of cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug in the United States may affect employer drug testing policies, workplace safety rules, and legal risk. While Donald Trump’s...
Rethinking addiction in the context of child neglect: Opinion
A recent article published by The Imprint and authored by Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Sarah font examined whether parental substance use should be treated as child neglect. Specifically, the authors pointed out that harm reduction strategies in child welfare...
U.S. alcohol-related emergency department visits double over 20 years
A recent analysis article published in Healio and authored by Sara Kellner examined the increases in alcohol-specific emergency department (ED) visits in the United States in recent decades. According to the data published by the National Center for Health Statistics,...
HHS launches new pilot program targeting homelessness and addiction
Earlier in February, the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide $100 million to fund a pilot program in order to tackle homelessness and substance abuse in eight cities, following an...
New Hampshire sees decline in opioid overdoses amid methamphetamine threat
A recent article published by the New Hampshire Journal and authored by Damien Fisher examined the recent decline in opioid overdose deaths in the state, while warning that rising methamphetamine use poses a continuing and evolving public-health threat. According to...
HHS extends telehealth access to buprenorphine treatment through 2026
Earlier in January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced a fourth temporary extension of telemedicine flexibilities that permit patients to receive prescriptions for controlled...
Update to U.S. dietary guidelines removes specific daily limits for alcohol consumption
The updated U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which were revised earlier in January by the Trump administration, advise reducing alcohol consumption to support overall health and recommend limiting alcoholic beverages, without specifying quantitative intake...
U.S. teen drug use remained low in 2025: NIDA survey results
According to the results of the 2025 Monitoring the Future Survey carried out by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), reported use of most drugs remained low among U.S. adolescents. Moreover, teen abstention from drug use also remained at an all-time high...
Concerns over drug normalization and public safety in Washington
A recent analysis published in The Chronicle and authored by Rep. Peter Abbarno examined the public safety implications of policies that normalize dangerous drug use in Washington state. “Fentanyl and other deadly drugs continue to ravage neighbourhoods across Seattle...
Daily alcohol use linked to reduced psychological resilience in military personnel: Study
According to the results of a recent study, regular consumption of alcohol is associated with reduced mental fortitude among soldiers. Specifically, it was found that military personnel who consume at least one alcoholic beverage daily had significantly reduced levels...
U.S. teen drug use remains low despite small increase in heroin and cocaine use
According to the results of a U.S. national survey, Monitoring the Future, adolescent use of alcohol, nicotine and cannabis remains at an all-time low. However, energy drink consumption remains high, while small but potentially concerning increases in heroin and...
Why DOT oral fluid training matters: be ready, be defensible
In the world of drug and alcohol testing, change is constant—and staying ahead of regulations is critical. With the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) officially approving oral fluid testing, collectors and employers now need to be prepared for more than just...
Common mistakes that collectors make and how to avoid them
Even experienced collectors can fall into habits that lead to errors but the good news is that most mistakes in drug testing are preventable with the right training and awareness. Here we will go over the most common mistakes made by collectors, and how they can be...
Why legal defensibility matters in drug testing
Drug and alcohol testing isn’t just about identifying substances—it’s about protecting the integrity of the process. For employers, clinics, and collectors, one of the most important concepts to understand is legal defensibility. A test result is only as strong as its...