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.
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Drug-Sniffing Dog
The Supreme Court ruled police do not have to extensively document a drug-sniffing dog’s expertise to justify relying on the canine to search a vehicle, according to The Washington Post. The unanimous ruling overturned a Florida Supreme Court decision.
Study Links Smoking in Teens and Young Adults With Risk of Death Before 55
The risk of dying before age 55 is increased in teens and young adults who smoke, are obese and have high blood sugar levels, a new study suggests.
Commentary: Rx Summit Brings National Leaders Together to Combat Abuse
The second National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, to be held April 2-4, 2013, will bring together top leaders from many disciplines, and provide all stakeholders timely, relevant and evidence-based information to help put an end to prescription drug abuse, explains Karen Kelly of Operation Unite.
Federal Bill Takes Aim at Meth Addiction
A bipartisan group of legislators from around the country has introduced a bill designed to reduce methamphetamine addiction.
Prevention Programs in Middle School May Reduce Later Prescription Drug Use
Substance abuse prevention programs that begin in middle school may help deter prescription drug abuse in later years, new research suggests.
Don’t Charge Smokers More for Insurance, Health Groups and Tobacco Makers Say
Public health groups and tobacco companies are united in their opposition to a provision of the Affordable Care Act that allows insurance companies to charge smokers 50 percent more than nonsmokers, The Washington Post reports.
Drug Companies Work with Anti-Doping Agency to Prevent Illegal Use of Products
A growing number of drug companies are working with the World Anti-Doping Agency to try to prevent illegal use of their products among athletes, according to The New York Times.
Commentary: Why the Term “Enabling” Does More Harm Than Good
The term "enabling" is commonplace in the field of addiction and used within support group settings, in treatment programs and throughout the professional literature about addiction and the family. Kimberly Kirby, PhD, of the Treatment Research Institute, explains how it is one of the most frequently misunderstood terms in the field.
Substance Use in 12th Grade Dropouts Greater Than in Teens Who Stay in School
Teens who are old enough to be in 12th grade, but have dropped out of school, have higher substance abuse rates than their peers who are enrolled in school, according to a new government report.
Six States Report Cases of Kidney Damage Linked to Synthetic Marijuana
Kidney damage caused by synthetic marijuana was reported in 16 patients in six states last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All were admitted to the hospital, and five required hemodialysis, a treatment for advanced kidney failure.
