News

Weed is not good for your heart, studies say

(CNN, August 5) You’ve probably heard a lot about how dangerous marijuana use can be for the teenage brain. But a recent statement from the American Heart Association rings the alarm about the drug’s effect on the heart.
Four Steps for Using Prescription Pain Medications Safely

(The NIDA Blog Team) Prescription pain medications (opioids) are powerful drugs. They can be effective if they’re used safely, but if they’re misused, a person can become addicted to them.
Drug overdose deaths jump in 2019 to nearly 71,000, a record high, CDC says

(CNN, July 15) U.S. drug overdose deaths increased almost 5% between 2018 and 2019, according to new preliminary numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.
Addressing Substance Use: Set Limits & Monitor Behavior

(Partnership to End Addiction) Rules provide a concrete way to let your child understand what’s expected of him or her and to learn self-control.
Marijuana use while pregnant boosts risk of children's sleep problems

(Science Daily, July 2) Women who use marijuana while pregnant are more likely to have a child that struggles with sleep problems, according to a recent survey published in Sleep Health: The Journal of the National Sleep Foundation.
‘Cries for help’: Drug overdoses are soaring during the coronavirus pandemic

(The Washington Post, July 1) The coronavirus pandemic could be behind a recent surge in drug overdoses, according to officials.
Avoiding Drug Use Can Be a Family Choice

(NIDA Blog Team) A lot of things can increase the risk that a teen will have a problem with drugs. These risk factors include difficulties in school, problems making friends, even the person’s biology.
Telehealth to Treat Substance Use and Mental Health Problems: What Families Need to Know

(Partnership for Drug-Free Kids) If your loved one is seeking support for mental health or substance use issues, figuring out how to get them the care they need during this time may be more challenging. This is where telehealth comes in.
Heart Surgery Leads to Long-Term Opioid Use for Some

(HealthDay News, June 22) About 10% of heart surgery patients who are prescribed opioids are still using their prescriptions after three months, according to new research.
'Iso,' a Deadly New Synthetic Opioid, Has Hit American Streets

(HealthDay News, June 9) Isotonitazene, also known as “iso,” is a new synthetic opioid is behind an increasing amount of overdose deaths, according to experts.