Drug Addiction

Although some people still associate drug dealing and substance abuse with major cities, law enforcement officials from suburban communities would argue that addiction plagues their areas as well.

Heroin abuse is rising in suburban, affluent communities. 

Against the advice of many public health and addiction specialists, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new opioid-based painkiller that is more powerful than many of those currently available on the market.

In order to combat fraud and drug abuse in the federal Medicare prescription drug program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changes to how medications are prescribed and dispensed.

Ohio Governor John Kasich has recently launched a campaign called “Start Talking” that encourages parents to talk to their children about the dangers of substance abuse.

Vermont’s governor dedicated his State of the State address to discussing the state’s heroin epidemic.

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway announced that $32 million recovered in settlements from pharmaceutical companies would be used to fund substance abuse treatment programs.

Between 2011 and 2012, the number of heroin-related deaths in Carroll County, Maryland, jumped from two to 13.

It’s not uncommon to hear of certain doctors to be referred to as “drug dealers.” While this label is not true for the vast majority of physicians, there are a few who have abused their prescription writing privileges to the detriment of their patients.

Chiara de Blasio, daughter of newly-elected New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, recently discussed her battle with mental illness and addiction in a YouTube video posted on December 24.

While you entertain and enjoy the company of family and friends, you’re probably not thinking about prescription drug abuse.