USA. 2021 OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC REPORT: Physicians’ actions to help end the nation’s drug-related overdose and death epidemic —and what still needs to be done. The American Medical Association convened two task forces between 2014–2019 that have provid…

USA. Methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths nearly tripled between 2015 to 2019, NIH study finds Patterns of methamphetamine use have become riskier, diversified across U.S. population. (NIH – National Institute of Health, USA, 22.09.2021) https…

USA. Deaths with drugs as contributing factor are rising dramatically While many people focus on the role of drugs in overdose deaths, a recent study shows that deaths where drugs were a contributing cause are also on the rise.  In fact, at t…

Notes from the Field: Xylazine Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, 2019.  Kariisa M, Patel P, Smith H, Bitting J.  MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1300–1302. DOI: doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7037a4 https://w…

Neurocognitive impairments and brain abnormalities resulting from opioid-related overdoses: A systematic review.  Winstanley EL, Mahoney JJ 3rd, Castillo F, Comer SD.  Drug Alcohol Depend. 2021 Sep 1;226:108838. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep…

Anti-Fentanyl Vaccines as Medical Solutions to Overdose Deaths Thomas R. Kosten, MD Manufactured fentanyl is a major cause of overdoses for opioids and nonopiods. Can a vaccine immunize against overdose? (Psychiatric Times, USA, 10.08.2021)…