Carteret County Working to Reduce Rx Drug Diversion
Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck and District Attorney Scott Thomas announced in May the undercover drug operation called “Operation Pill Crusher,” which targeted illegal sales and diversion of prescription drugs and other illegal drugs. More than 80 people have been charged as part of the sales. In the months ahead of the operation, detectives made hundreds of controlled purchases from over 100 drug dealers operating in Carteret County. “Prescription drug diversion results in increased criminal activity and drug addiction and this is one of the major challenges we face in Carteret County,” said Sheriff Asa Buck about last week’s convictions….
Caremark Pressures Pharmacies to Abandon Tobacco Sales
Some customers will soon be required to make a $15 co-payment on prescriptions filled at pharmacies that sell tobacco products, under new rules issued by Caremark, the pharmacy benefits management arm of CVS. The rules will encourage customers to fill prescriptions at CVS-owned pharmacies, which stopped selling tobacco products in September. This will also put financial pressure on other pharmacies that are part of the Caremark network to stop selling tobacco products. More than 54,000 pharmacies are part of the Caremark network, including more than 20,000 independent pharmacies. “For clients who choose a tobacco-free network, plan members would be provided…
Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms in Teens
Although cannabis — commonly known as marijuana — is broadly believed to be nonaddictive, a study has found that 40% of cannabis-using adolescents receiving outpatient treatment for substance use disorder reported experiencing symptoms of withdrawal, which are considered a hallmark of drug dependence. The current study enrolled 127 adolescents between ages 14 and 19 being treated at an outpatient substance use disorder clinic, 90 of whom indicated that cannabis was the substance they used most frequently. The commonly reported cannabis withdrawal symptoms reported were: anxiety, irritability, depression and difficulty sleeping. Of the 90 cannabis-using participants, 84% met criteria for cannabis…
CADCA Launches Prevent Rx Abuse Online Toolkit
CADCA’s Online Rx Abuse Prevention Toolkit contains facts, strategies and tools to prevent and reduce teen Rx medicine abuse in your community. This newly revised toolkit is based on CADCA’s Seven Strategies for Effective Community Change. Incorporating these strategies will help you formulate, modify and implement your prevention and intervention strategies. Click on the image to check it out!
Percentage of Drinkers Receiving Treatment
Alcohol problems can impact a person’s life in many ways: economically, physically, and psychologically. When facing these kinds of problems, an individual may choose to pursue alcohol treatment. Research shows, however, that of all the people with an alcohol use disorder, only about 15 percent ever receive treatment. Why do so few people receive treatment? We know that the majority of those with alcohol dependence do not perceive a need for treatment. It’s important that researchers and health care professionals recognize this disparity in perceived need in order to help those who would benefit from treatment. A recent study sheds some…
New Addiction Program Coming Soon to NC
Alcohol and drug rehabilitation company BioCorRx, Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) has forged licensing agreement with Sobriety and Addictions Solutions LLC, to distribute its Start Fresh Program in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the District of Columbia. Start Fresh Program is a two-step addiction rehabilitation program that incorporates the use of a biodegradable implant that slowly releases Naltrexone, a drug that blocks the euphoric high triggered by alcohol or opioid cravings, into the bloodstream. The time-release implant is embedded under a layer of fat in the patient’s lower abdomen and is effective for up to 6-12 months in many cases….
April Is Alcohol Awareness Month
Held every April and founded by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD); Alcohol Awareness Month was designed to increase public awareness and understanding aimed at reducing the stigma associated with alcoholism that too often prevents individuals and families from seeking help. Click HERE to find out more
Alcohol Abuse Prevention Crucial in Curbing Cancer
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Cancer Report 2014 warns that alcohol consumption, the second biggest risk factor in developing cancer, is related to hundreds of thousands of cancer deaths globally, including stomach, liver and breast cancer. Big Alcohol companies have hastened this epidemic by glamorizing alcohol use and obstructing effective policy efforts such as controls on price, availability, and advertising. The WHO stresses that prevention efforts are crucial to stemming the epidemic of alcohol-related cancer. Check out the new fact sheet by Alcohol Justice for more information
NIDA’s Dr. Nora Volkow Discusses Marijuana’s Effects on the Brain, Body & Behavior
Hear a fascinating presentation by Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about the effects of marijuana use on the brain, body and behavior. Dr. Volkow’s remarks were given on Feb. 4th at CADCA’s 24th National Leadership Forum.
Forum 2014: The Power of the Movement
It’s time to start planning for the 24th National Leadership Forum, the premier and largest training conference for community prevention leaders, treatment professionals and researchers, and SAMHSA’s 10th Prevention Day which is taking place February 3-6, 2014! CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is a four-day event packed with opportunities to learn the latest strategies to fight substance abuse and hear from nationally-known prevention experts, federal administrators, and concerned policymakers. The Forum brings together over 2,700 participants representing coalitions from all regions of the country and internationally, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, education institutions, law…