Latest news with #Naloxone
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Dr. Diana Fishbein: This is how addiction science is saving lives
Like many who have endured childhood trauma, Shannon Hicks turned to drugs at an early age. Pregnant by 16 and a mother of two by 19, she was married and living in her first home — believing she was living the dream. Shortly after her 20th birthday, Hicks was in a serious car accident and prescribed opioids for the resulting pain. But the medication unearthed long-suppressed trauma from childhood sexual abuse, intensifying her opioid use and deepening her dependence. She described the effect of drugs as similar to being shielded from a storm. 'When it's pouring down rain on your car, and it's so loud you can't hear anything else … then you go under a bridge and suddenly, it's quiet. Drugs were my bridge,' Hicks said. Over the next two decades, Hick's addiction spiraled out of control. She endured four aortic valve replacements — two due to heart infections from reusing needles. Her body was deteriorating, and death felt imminent. But surviving the unthinkable became her turning point. Determined to reclaim her life and help others do the same, she began her recovery journey. But how, given the depths of her addiction? Sheer determination and courage gave her the strength to try. And Suboxone (buprenorphine) was the catalyst that made it possible. Using a 'replacement' medication, called medication-assisted treatment (MAT), to treat opioid addiction is backed by decades of research that have led to the development of a suite of such drugs. Clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of MAT have since proved their worth by helping hundreds of thousands overcome opioid use disorders. It was the medical support Hicks needed to begin the challenging work of healing. Just as critical to her recovery were harm reduction strategies. Access to sterile injection supplies helped her avoid further infection. Naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdose, offered a safety net. And efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction gave her space to seek help without shame. Stigmatizing language portrays people who use drugs as immoral or criminal, pushing them away from care. Evidence shows that those who benefit from harm reduction and anti-stigma efforts are five times more likely to enter treatment than those not using the programs. These life-altering measures were made possible by federal investments in addiction science. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health, has led much of the research on risk factors for addiction and how best to prevent it and, in those addicted, how to treat it. And the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have translated this science into public health practice — bringing treatment and prevention programs into schools, clinics and communities. These agencies have helped fuel transformative progress — increasing treatment access and outcomes, reducing secondary disease transmission, supporting families and preventing youth from using drugs. Policies informed by this research have lowered addiction-related crime, suicide, overdose and public health costs — proving to be not only effective, but also economically smart investments. But now, all the hard-won progress made for people like Hicks is at risk. Actions by President Donald Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency initiative, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have already disrupted operations of federal agencies that fund addiction research. And most recently, the 2026 budget — otherwise known as the 'big, beautiful bill' — was passed into law, forecasting even deeper cuts to these agencies, billions below 2025 levels. Adding injury to insult, reductions in Medicaid, the largest single payer of behavioral health services in the U.S., including addiction treatment, will begin to take effect. If enacted, these cuts would further devastate addiction science and practice. Research into the causes, consequences and treatment of addiction would stall. Lifesaving clinical and community services would shrink or disappear. Programs shown to prevent youths from initiating drug use would vanish. We risk reversing decades of progress, condemning future generations to needless suffering and increasing the overall costs to society. This imminent threat has galvanized the addiction science community. In response, the Addiction Science Defense Network (ASDN) was formed to advocate for preserving addiction science research and research-based treatment, prevention and policies that help us to combat addiction. Nearly 500 addiction scientists and practitioners, 32 organizations representing more than 32,000 scientists and 100,000 providers, and the advocacy group Stand Up for Science — with 60,000 members — have endorsed a statement of concern. The statement and other advocacy efforts urge Congress, Kennedy and the directors of NIH, the CDC and SAMHSA to fulfill their responsibility to support science-driven policies and practices that protect public health. We ask that the damage already done be mitigated with bipartisan revisions to their budgets so that funding for these agencies is preserved to protect the solutions that help people recover, the services that stabilize families and the infrastructure that safeguards future generations from substance abuse. For Hicks, her story is one of both tragedy and triumph. Her life was nearly lost to addiction, but science-based treatment and compassionate care saved her. Today, she is a recovery coach, harm reduction specialist, youth prevention facilitator and enthusiastic advocate for medication-assisted recovery. She's also a full-time college student pursuing a master's in public health. Her transformation is proof of what's possible when research and recovery meet. With the right support, lives can be rebuilt. Futures can be reclaimed. Communities can heal. But without sustained investment in addiction science, Hick's story could become the exception — not the rule. Diana Fishbein, Ph.D., is a senior behavioral neuroscientist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a part-time researcher at Penn State University.
The Hill
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
This bill to increase Narcan distribution would save lives and money
Over 200 Americans die each day from opioid overdoses, with nearly 70 percent of these involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The U.S. leads the world in opioid-related deaths. The government must work to address this pressing public health crisis. Naloxone, commonly known by the brand name Narcan, is an opioid-receptor blocker that can reverse opioid overdoses. This easy-to-use nasal spray has the ability to pull somebody back from respiratory failure, and often an almost certain death. Anyone can administer Naloxone. Given how quickly an opioid overdose could lead to brain injury and death, a patient doesn't always have time to wait for emergency services to arrive. It would be ideal if anyone could carry naloxone on their person, just like we carry epi-pens in case of emergencies. While patients can be prescribed naloxone from their primary-care provider to pick up at a pharmacy, and the number of those prescriptions have increased in recent years, many who need naloxone are still without it. Cost has been the most widely cited among the barriers identified. There are also many people in the U.S. without access to regular, preventative health care who never get these prescriptions in the first place. Those with a substance use disorder are less likely to utilize regular, preventative health care. It is unclear whether, overall, this means that those with substance use disorder use other types of medical care, like the emergency room, more than the average patient. One study did find, though, that those with substance use disorder are more likely to return to the emergency room within 72 hours of a visit — a helpful metric that can be used to intervene with individuals who may not have been identified on their first visit. A possible solution is to allow for naloxone to be distributed in the ER without a prescription and without any cost to the patient. We know that easy and free distribution of naloxone goes a long way. In fact, one study found that having a secondary form of naloxone distribution had the greatest effect on decreasing opioid-related deaths. In this study, 'secondary' means that a person at risk of an opioid overdose gets the naloxone from a community member who got it from the hospital, rather than the at-risk individual getting it directly from a hospital or pharmacy themselves. This may be due to the stigma that those with substance use disorder may have or are afraid to face in medical settings. Preventative distribution of naloxone also saves the health care system money from the overdose deaths that are avoided. In the 118th Congress, Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) introduced the HANDS Act, which would allow Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare to provide Naloxone to patients at no cost. Unfortunately, the bill died in committee and has not been reintroduced in the current Congress. One major criticism of this bill was about how it would be funded. This is an even bigger question now that the Trump administration is prioritizing budget cuts of $880 billion over the next 10 years, with much of that expected to be taken from Medicare and Medicaid's budget. We believe that the upfront cost is worth it and would save American taxpayers money in the long run. Some studies find that preventative care saves the health care system modest amounts of money, but others find that some preventative measures, such as screenings, cost more than treating the resultant condition itself. Yet what is often ignored is the cost that isn't directly monetary. For example, while preventing a chronic illness may cost more than treating the illness itself, the economy may lose the productivity of that person if they can no longer work due to their illness. One study found that a community health worker intervention that worked to address unmet social needs for disadvantaged people saved the average Medicaid payer $2.47 for every $1 spent. Given this, Congress should support the reintroduction and passage of the HANDS Act. The bill should also be updated. First, it should encourage naloxone distribution not only to those with substance use disorder, but also to community members who know people with substance use disorder, since the large positive effects of secondary naloxone distribution are evident. Additionally, the bill should emphasize the importance of offering naloxone to those who return to the emergency room within 72 hours, since those with substance use disorder are more likely to do so. Anyone can develop a substance use disorder. The opioid epidemic affects our nation's children, veterans and homeless populations. The 2023 movie 'A Good Place,' starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman, tells the story of an everyday young woman who becomes addicted to prescription painkillers after a car accident, showing how substance use disorder can happen to anyone. Both sides of the aisle can agree that we don't want Americans dying. Passing of the HANDS Act is a step in the right direction.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Health bosses issue warning after recent heroin use leads to serious harm and death in Dumfries and Galloway
Synthetic opioids and animal tranquilisers, as well other combinations of substances, have been found in the drug supply in Scotland. Health bosses have issued an alert after recent heroin use has led to serious harm and death in Dumfries and Galloway. Synthetic opioids and animal tranquilisers, as well other combinations of substances, have been found in the drug supply in Scotland – although have yet to be confirmed by testing locally. Officials say the current opioid supply can be described as unpredictable and high risk, with some people noting that the heroin has changes in texture, smell and colour once cooked. However, drugs which do not have these signs are still dangerous. Dumfries and Galloway consultant in public health, Chris Allan, said: 'People should be cautious of all drugs, as you can't be sure what's in it or its strength. 'In these situations, the overdose has been almost immediate – with reduced breathing and rapid deterioration – and in cases people have very sadly died. 'In collaboration with the Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership, we're advising people who use drugs to be extra vigilant, and to help reduce risks of harm my observing the following advice: 'Continue to engage with harm reduction services; 'Treat all substances with caution, as you can't be sure of what is in it or its strength; 'Start low and go slow until you know the substance's effects; 'Seek medical help if you or someone else feels unwell; 'Do not buy new types of drugs or new batches, and don't buy from new sources; 'Avoiding mixing drugs (including medicines); 'Try not to use drugs alone, or let friends use drugs alone; 'Watch out for overdose signs like difficulty breathing, blue colouring to lips or fingertips, unresponsiveness and limp limbs. 'Ensuring ready access to Naloxone kits which can help to treat an overdose could be important, and due to the potency of synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which might be present, you may need to administer multiple doses of Naloxone every two to three minutes.' 'Naloxone should only be used if the person is overdosing and unresponsive. Even if you're not sure if an opioid is present, Naloxone can be administered and will not cause harm.' Scotland's Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response system (RADAR). For more information on drug and alcohol services in Dumfries and Galloway and where you can get naloxone visit the Dumfries and Galloway Alcohol and Drug Partnership website.
Indian Express
24-07-2025
- Indian Express
ED freezes Rs 21 crore in bank accounts of Dr Amit Bansal, kin, de-addiction centres
The Jalandhar Zonal Unit of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday attached multiple bank accounts worth Rs 21 crore belonging to Dr Amit Bansal, his family members, and the now-defunct drug de-addiction centres operated by him in connection with their ongoing investigation into a drug diversion and money laundering case connected to private de-addiction centres across Punjab, an ED official said. The official said the probe involves the alleged misuse of prescription drugs and illegal financial transactions tied to 22 private drug de-addiction centres in Punjab. In this connection, the ED had on July 18 conducted coordinated raids at four locations in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Barnala and Mumbai, the official said. According to ED sources, the agency is examining 'how drugs meant exclusively for registered addicts were diverted and sold illegally' and 'how the proceeds from these sales were laundered'. The ED took over the case from the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, which had initiated the investigation and arrested Dr Bansal around seven months ago. Dr Bansal, a Chandigarh-based physician, was accused of misusing Adnoc-N, a regulated combination of Buprenorphine and Naloxone, prescribed for opioid addiction treatment, by selling it to non-registered drug users, ED sources said. Though Dr Bansal is currently out on bail, all 22 of the centres in Punjab and one in Chandigarh have been shut down, the ED official said, adding that his Chandigarh centre was also sealed during the ED raid on July 18. So far, four FIRs have been registered against his centres in various districts, including Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Patiala, the official said, adding that the Punjab Vigilance Bureau had arrested him in Chandigarh before handing the case over to the ED. According to ED sources, thousands of tablets were found missing from Dr Bansal's centres. During inspections, Dr Bansal reportedly claimed that the unused medicines had been returned to the pharmaceutical companies from which they were procured — a claim now under scrutiny, said ED sources. In earlier raids, ED sources said, the agency seized thousands of restricted tablets and over Rs 90,000 in cash from a Ludhiana hospital and other facilities linked to Dr Bansal. Ludhiana-based Drug Inspector Ruppreet Kaur was also named as a co-accused, they added. The official said the investigation uncovered further irregularities: at a hospital in Nakodar (Jalandhar), nearly 1.44 lakh tablets were found missing from the inventory. The agency alleged that Dr Bansal attempted to cover up the discrepancy with the help of departmental staff and certain officials. 'With a clear money laundering angle emerging, the ED's July 18 raids were aimed at collecting digital records and financial evidence related to the illegal sale of controlled substances,' the official said, confirming the 'seizure of several incriminating documents and electronic devices, which are currently under forensic examination'. According to ED authorities, more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. Earlier, the former deputy commissioner of Jalandhar had conducted a probe into alleged misappropriation at Dr Bansal's Nakodar de-addiction centre. That inquiry, too, found several irregularities in the centre's operations.
Glasgow Times
22-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Peter Krykant remembered as a 'lifesaver' at funeral
Peter, who became a public figure after he set up an unofficial drugs consumption room in Glasgow in 2020, died suddenly last month at the age of 48. At his funeral at Falkirk Crematorium yesterday (July 21) the Daily Record reports celebrant John Fox said: "The tragedy is that Peter cared so much about the cause of safe consumption and harm reduction to improve the lives and experiences of people who use drugs. "Yet he was not able to address his own mental and physical health and to find his way out of addiction and back to the safe stability of his loving family and friends.' READ NEXT: Family of Kory McCrimmon to meet First Minister in bid to tackle youth knife crime (Image: Mark F Gibson) He was also praised by MSP Paul Sweeney who said: "Peter's death is a great tragedy to all those who knew and loved him. He undoubtedly saved lives and his legacy is evident." Peter set up the consumption room, which operated in 2020 and 2021, in a converted van in Glasgow city centre. He used crowdfunding and his own money in an effort to highlight the need for a safe space for drug users to inject. The van was modelled on a similar operation Peter, who also battled addiction, visited in Copenhagen and had sterile injecting kits, swabs and Naloxone, as well as a defibrillator. The Glasgow Times previously reported Peter was found dead after police were called to Graham Avenue in Larbert on Monday, June 9 following a report of concern for a person.
