Dreaded fentanyl reaches California

Dreaded fentanyl reaches California

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Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid originally developed to treat excruciating pain arising from cancer. Considered to be nearly 50 times stronger than heroin, it provides instant relief from pain. However, it is also used recreationally and often mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, or alcohol to achieve a more dominant high. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2018 report, nearly 269,000 people aged 12 years and above have misused prescription fentanyl. Unfortunately, fentanyl has also been reported as the main cause in thousands of overdoses every year in the U.S. Read more

Talking to young children about drug abuse

Talking to young children about drug abuse

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Preschoolers and children in elementary school are young, curious and impressionable. As a parent, one can use these years to lay the foundation of a drug-free life for their children. This can be achieved by interacting with them in a way that holds their interest and at the same time, inculcates in them the perils of using drugs and alcohol.

However, for most parents, talking to young children about such a sensitive topic could be challenging. Given below are some tips which can help one get started about drug talk with their children without feeling awkward or tense. Read more

Fentanyl test strips in high demand, but hard to find

Fentanyl test strips in high demand, but hard to find

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Dependency on drugs is fast becoming a normal feature. With the number of drug users increasing on a daily basis, there is also a sharp rise in overdose fatalities. In an effort to control an overdose, harm-reduction workers are nowadays using a tool to help drug abusers avoid death. This tool or drug test strips are able to detect the presence of fentanyl.

There have been regular calls to the Ontario-based biotechnology company BTNX, which offers the testing kits, by distraught parents who have lost their children to fentanyl overdose. They have been eager to get their hands on drug testing strips, which are said to detect the presence of fentanyl. However, CEO of the company, Iqbal Sunderani, says he is forced to turn them down. Read more

Tips on safe recreational drug use

Tips on safe recreational drug use

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From alcohol to opioids, most adults have tried some sort of a recreational drug. Some of the most popular drugs (including prescription and illicit ones) with high rates of recreational use are marijuana, hydrocodone, amphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, LSD, methamphetamine, heroin, buprenorphine, morphine, methadone, oxymorphone and ketamine. Often, people do not realize that they might develop an addiction or other health problems. Occasional but reckless use increases the threat to one’s life. If it is hard to quit immediately, it is better to use them sensibly until gaining sobriety. Read more

Key risk factors responsible for triggering drug-seeking behavior

Key risk factors responsible for triggering drug-seeking behavior

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Characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite knowing the negative consequences, addiction is a chronic brain disease that has paralyzed millions of people worldwide. In the United States alone, an estimated 28.6 million people aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users in 2016.

Despite the tough laws and regulations, the mortality rate due to illicit drug abuse continues to grow. This rise in the mortality rate has been attributed to overdose deaths, adverse health effects, poor socioeconomic condition, etc. Read more