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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities.
Hepatitis C in Injection-Drug Users — A Hidden Danger of the Opioid Epidemic
Transmission of other bloodborne infections, particularly HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV), is also increasing among injection-drug users, albeit at a slower rate. The opioid epidemic has also been linked to increasing rates of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections, microbial endocarditis, and other infections associated with unsafe drug injection.3
The social and economic costs of the HCV epidemic could be staggering. Most injection-drug users who become infected with HCV do so as young adults. Such people are at risk for chronic hepatitis C and could face years of hefty health care expenses; left untreated, they may transmit HCV to others. The cost of caring for people with HCV places further strain on an already fragile health care system. Furthermore, because young adults are entering their most productive years, HCV will affect the economic productivity of the country for years to come. (DACA Comment – What is not included in this concerning report is that much of the increase in STI’s is not only due to the misuse of injecting equipment, but unsafe sexual activity engaged in whilst on the illicit drug, be it opioids or ATS. The ‘band aid’ of trying ‘manage’ the ‘disease’ of drug use with mechanisms that do not lead to exit from drug use, only add a further burden of disease and a comorbid condition, which is yet another epidemiological short coming of Harm Reduction ONLY ideologies and practices!)
Cocaine and Marijuana Use Among Young Adults Presenting With Myocardial Infarction
JACC: Journal of the American College of Cardiology - Key Summary
- Patients aged ≤50 years presenting with their first myocardial infarction were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the prevalence of cocaine and marijuana use and the impact on clinical outcomes. The prevalence of the use of cocaine and/or marijuana was 10.7%. Compared with patients without a history substance use, those using cocaine and/or marijuana had…a significantly higher rate of tobacco use. There was a significant association between the use of cocaine and/or marijuana and elevated cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk.
- Approximately 10% of patients presenting with myocardial infarction at age ≤50 years are cocaine and/or marijuana users, and this substance use is associated with an increased mortality risk. Young adults presenting with a first myocardial infarction should be screened for substance use to allow intervention in order to prevent future cardiac events
The Moral Hazard of Lifesaving Innovations: Naloxone Access, Opioid Abuse, and Crime
March 6, 2018 - Abstract
Naloxone access may unintentionally increase opioid abuse through two channels: (1) saving the lives of active drug users, who survive to continue abusing opioids, and (2) reducing the risk of death per use, thereby making riskier opioid use more appealing. By increasing the number of opioid abusers who need to fund their drug purchases, Naloxone access laws may also increase theft. We exploit the staggered timing of Naloxone access laws to estimate the total effects of these laws. We find that broadening Naloxone access led to more opioid-related emergency room visits and more opioid-related theft, with no reduction in opioid-related mortality.
Chem-sex Issues: Illicit drug use among New Zealand gay and bisexual men: Prevalence and association with sexual health behaviours
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS:
Data are lacking on drug use among gay and bisexual men (GBM) in New Zealand. We establish a baseline estimate of drug use and investigate associations with sexual health and HIV risk.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
Drug use was common in this sample of GBM. Polydrug and methamphetamine users had especially high sexual health needs, but risks remained elevated among GBM consuming other drugs. Drug harm reduction programs and HIV prevention should target GBM with problematic drug use. Limitations include an inability to attribute causation. [Saxton P, Newcombe D, Ahmed A, Dickson N, Hughes A. Illicit drug use among New Zealand gay and bisexual men: Prevalence and association with sexual health behaviours. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;00:000-000].
The Key Role of Prevention In Addressing the Current Landscape of Substance Abuse in America: A Perspective
Presented 2018 Annual PREVENTION DAY February 2018
Elinore F. McCance-Katz, MD, PhD – Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Reducing Addiction Must Begin with Youth Prevention
