Join Together
Join Together, a collaboration of the Boston University School of Public Health and The Partnership at Drugfree.org, delivers substance abuse and addiction news that impacts your work, life and community. Learn more.
Middle School Dating Linked to Increased Substance Use in New Study
Middle school students who date report using twice as much alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, compared with their classmates without romantic relationships, a new study finds.
Addiction Expert: Care Needed in Implementing New Buprenorphine Prescribing Rules
In January, new government regulations took effect that allow greater take-home privileges for buprenorphine patients who are treated in clinic-based Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs). While this change will allow more patients to have increased flexibility as they progress in their recovery, providers must be careful in deciding who to give the medication to, in order to avoid diversion, says a New York addiction specialist.
FDA: Expect Delays Before Hydrocodone Combination Drugs Reclassified
The Food and Drug Administration told lawmakers this month that the process of reclassifying hydrocodone combination products, in order to make them more difficult to prescribe, will be long, The Hill reports.
Recreational Marijuana Use Violates International Law, UN Body Says
The recreational use of marijuana is a violation of international law, the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board warned the United States this week.
Florida Court Reaffirms Allowing Sick Smokers, Survivors to Sue Tobacco Companies
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday reaffirmed its decision allowing sick smokers or their survivors to sue tobacco companies for cigarette-related illness or death.
Binge Drinking Costs Billions in Wisconsin, Study Finds
A new study calculates binge drinking cost Wisconsin $6.8 billion last year. Easy availability of alcohol, combined with low alcohol taxes, has contributed to high rates of alcohol use in the state, NPR reports.
Medical Group Warns Against Giving Attention Drugs to Healthy Teens
Healthy children and teenagers should not be given drugs designed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the American Academy of Neurology said this week.
Smokers Easily Identify “Light” Cigarettes Despite Federal Ban: Study
Smokers can easily identify “light” and “mild” cigarettes, despite a federal law banning those words, because tobacco companies have substituted color names for those terms, a new study concludes.
Army Report Recommends Changes to Address Mental Health Care Deficiencies
A study of the Army’s mental health care system identifies a number of gaps, and provides recommendations, including increasing the number of behavioral health specialists, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Colorado Task Force Makes Recommendations on Marijuana Regulations
A task force in Colorado has issued recommendations on how to regulate marijuana, now that recreational use of the drug has been legalized.
