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US Senators introduce bill to include job training in recovery programs for drug abuse

US Senators introduce bill to include job training in recovery programs for drug abuse

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People often tend to perceive individuals seeking addiction disorder treatment as incompetent to perform a task or take up a job. As a result, such individuals find it difficult to sustain their lives even after attaining sobriety. In turn, this becomes a potential trigger for a relapse. Hence, United States Senators recently introduced a bill to incorporate job training into drug abuse recovery programs as a move to remedy this concern. Read more

Santa Rosa Jail offers free Vivitrol shots to inmates to encourage sober living after release

Santa Rosa Jail offers free Vivitrol shots to inmates to encourage sober living after release

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In the wake of an increasing number of people being incarcerated for opioid addiction, Santa Rosa County Jail has initiated a program to give free Vivitrol treatment to the inmates at the time of their release. Grant-funded through the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the program aims at helping the inmates kick their addiction and lead a sober life once they leave the prison.

The risk of overdose and drug-related death usually increases once an individual addicted to substances is released from prison. It is primarily because individuals using opioids experience a decrease in tolerance level when out of the captivity. Hence, while it is essential to offer a recovery treatment during their imprisonment, it is also important to provide them with equivalent facilities after their release so that they continue being sober. Read more

Doctors Nova Scotia seeks restriction on marijuana use in public as Canada prepares to legalize cannabis

Doctors Nova Scotia seeks restriction on marijuana use in public as Canada prepares to legalize cannabis

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Historic as it was, the U.S. Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act in 1970 which placed marijuana in the category of Schedule I substances, the most restrictive of all categories.  This meant that it was in contravention of the law of the land to either use, possess or distribute cannabis and any violation would tantamount to criminal penalties.

However, after all these years, it seems that banning marijuana did not do much to curb its usage, addiction and misuse in the country. Realizing this, and the medicinal properties that it is known to possess, many states legalized its use for medical purposes in due course. In fact, some states went a step further legalizing its recreational use as well. As of today, medical marijuana stands legalized in 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, of which 10 allow it for recreational purpose also. Read more

California to crack down on ‘gray marijuana’

California to crack down on ‘gray marijuana’

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California is one of the pioneers, paving the way for other states, in adopting policies allowing the use of cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes. The Californian government has passed laws to govern not only the use of marijuana, but also to allow conditional cultivation, distribution and sale of cannabis by government licensed parties.

Quickly realising that the already existing medical marijuana laws had loopholes and was being exploited by the unlicensed collectives and cooperatives, California finally decided to address the issue and take preventive measures to ensure that illegal sale of marijuana is curbed. This crackdown on the “gray marijuana” market was essentially to ensure that the licensed operators were not at a disadvantage considering the fact that they had to follow the formal route of licensing, cultivation and sale involving more financial and social accountability. Read more

Hound Labs’ plans to launch roadside pot breathalyzer

Hound Labs’ plans to launch roadside pot breathalyzer

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Drug abuse has been a matter of concern for individuals and policymakers across the United States. Over the past few years, the number of individuals falling trapped in the habit of addiction has incredibly risen. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately one in four young adults aged 18 to 25 were the current users of illicit drugs in 2016. Read more