Oregon has reversed its drug decriminalization law after three years, as rising homelessness, overdoses, and the influx of powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl and xylazine threatened to overwhelm the state. The new law recriminalizes most drugs and aims to push users into treatment or impose penalties, signaling a shift in policy to address the growing crisis.

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The article explores the rise of xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer now contaminating the American drug supply, especially supplies of heroin and fentanyl. This potent drug poses severe health risks as it causes deep, rotting wounds among users. Its presence has rapidly spread across the country, amplifying the opioid crisis and increasing dealer profits. The article emphasizes the urgent need for effective drug rehabilitation, education on drug dangers, and collective action to address this escalating issue.

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While it’s common for certain drug use trends to come in and out of popularity, the trend of cannabis and hallucinogen use has been quite concerning in that usage of these drugs has steadily risen, uninterrupted, for several years. Further, interest in these drugs and experimentation with them has escalated among young adults ages 19 to 30 and middle-aged adults ages 35 to 50...

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Initially identified and described as a herbal supplement, stories of kratom leading to fatal overdoses have recently made national news, bringing into question what risks the substance poses. Yet despite recent deaths, there is still very little regulation around kratom, as the substance is somewhat new to U.S. markets.

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Addiction is often framed as a blue-collar, working-class problem or an issue faced mainly by people who are poor, homeless, or barely hanging on. When people think of addicts, they often think of people on the street. When people are asked to picture someone who struggles with addiction but who is fully employed, they might think of construction workers, miners, farmers, servers, bartenders, and general day laborers.

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When the debate around curbing opioid prescribing began many years ago, some public health advocates expressed concern that more conservative prescribing practices would deny chronic pain patients access to pain relief.

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New research out of Great Britain connects rising cocaine use trends to permanent damage in the nasal passages, such that cocaine users lose their sense of smell and may even experience serious infections and tissue loss in their nasal passages.

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Technology workers’ use of psychedelic drugs in an attempt to boost productivity has been followed by more calls for medical testing and legalization. But psychedelic use is associated with delusions, psychosis, paranoia, and physical and mental harm that can be permanent.

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Certain drug combinations, habits, and even mental or physical health conditions greatly increase the risk of fatal drug overdose. Learn the factors that create the biggest risks.

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Since January 2023, several states have significantly increased penalties on drug dealing, all to discourage drug dealers from setting up shop in their states. While the intention behind such actions is good, stiffer penalties for drug dealers won’t solve the drug crisis in hard-hit states like West Virginia and North Carolina...

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