Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention / Public News Service

Drug overdose is the leading cause of death among adults aged 18-44 in Missouri. (JAVA/ADOBE STOCK)

Monday, April 21, 2025

'Drug Take Back Day' helps clear out unwanted meds in Missouri, nation

Law enforcement officers and drug prevention advocates in Missouri are joining forces to tackle prescription drug misuse. As part of the Drug …

The current Housing First program was instituted by President George W. Bush in 2004. (Aevan/Adobe Stock AI generated)

AR advocates concerned by cuts to programs for unhoused

It is estimated more than 2,600 people live on the streets across Arkansas. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has proposed a "treatment …

Tennesseans to 'Walk Like MADD' to prevent impaired driving

CORRECTION: The number of traffic fatalities in 2024 in Tennessee represents all traffic deaths, not just those that were alcohol-related. (8:18 a.m…

According to 2024 DEA laboratory testing, five of 10 pills tested contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY advocates: HALT Fentanyl Act won’t address root causes of substance use

The federal HALT Fentanyl Act advancing through Congress would increase prison time for fentanyl traffickers. Kentuckians convicted on distribution …

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reported almost 3% of Hoosier teens age 12-17 abuse pain relievers. (Adobe Stock)

IN teen drug use stats show greater need for early intervention

Hoosier teens are nearly 3% more likely to have used cocaine, methamphetamines or heroin than other teens nationwide, according to the National …

Nationwide, 1.63 million students used e-cigarettes, according to data from the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Beshear signs licensing of nicotine retailers bill into law

Kentucky will soon begin licensing retailers who sell nicotine, which advocates have said will help regulate an industry and protect minors from …

Parties protected under an expanded Lifeline Law in Indiana would be the caller, and those who assist the caller, staying at the scene and remaining compliant. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana inches closer to lifesaving law change

By Kyla Russell for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…

More than 15 million buprenorphine prescriptions were issued in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky proposes changes to buprenorphine prescribing, dispensing rules

The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure recently proposed new changes to regulations around the prescribing and dispensing of buprenorphine, also …

The Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use was established by the Florida Legislature in 2021 to address the state's growing mental health and substance-use disorder crisis. (Adobe Stock)

Florida commission urges statewide mental-health data repository

As Florida's legislative session begins on Tuesday, the Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use is urging lawmakers to prioritize the …

Efforts to take law enforcement out of transportation for mental health patients is part of a broader effort to change North Carolina's behavior health system. (Kristina Blokhin/Adobe Stock)

NC moving away from police transporting people in mental health crisis

North Carolina is investing $20 million to move the transportation of people experiencing mental health crisis away from the responsibility of law enf…

In 2024, U.S. drug overdose deaths fell 3%, the first decrease since 2018. (fotomaximum/Adobe Stock)

MO expert discusses state's first drop in overdose deaths in decade

Late last year, Missouri recorded its first significant drop in overdose deaths since 2015 - primarily due to increased access to naloxone, also …

A panel reviewing child fatalities in Kentucky wants the legislature to explore ways to encourage safe storage of firearms. The panel also recommended an aggressive public education campaign aimed at protecting kids from accidental ingestion of drugs. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY could do more to protect kids from accidental drug ingestion, shootings

By Sarah Ladd for the Kentucky Lantern, part of States Newsroom.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Kentucky News Connection reporting for the …

Data from Indiana's Marion County Public Health Department show of the 124 overdose deaths in April-June 2024, 71 were white men, 36 were Black men and 6 were Hispanic women. (Adobe Stock)<br />

IN nonprofit offers free anti-fentanyl training to derail overdoses

The incidence of drug overdose is decreasing in Indiana and one reason could be the efforts of an organization offering free training to anyone willin…

Nearly all states are implementing plans to distribute at least $50 billion awarded to states and localities from opioid-related lawsuits, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY counties make decisions on how to spend opioid settlement payments

As opioid settlement money continues to flow into Kentucky, counties are having to make major decisions on how to spend it. Half of it goes to the …

Nate Rush attends a reunion of staff, volunteers and residents of the former Bethlehem House in Indianapolis. (Jenna Watson/Mirror Indy)

Harm reduction efforts fall short for Black men in Indiana

By Darian Benson and Mary Claire Molloy for Mirror Indy.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Mirror Indy-Free Pre…

Federal data show New Mexico has the third-highest property crime rate in the United States. (Nats/Adobe Stock-AI enhanced)

Governor urges NM lawmakers to address crime

Reducing crime and improving public safety are among this year's priorities for New Mexico's governor, who has called the state's crime rate "out of …

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported Maine experienced the greatest decline in homelessness nationwide in 2024. But local organizations said homelessness in rural counties is difficult to track, with many people sleeping in cars or 'couch-surfing' with family or friends. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Mainers struggle to find recovery housing

More than half of rural residents with substance use disorder have experienced homelessness in the past six months, according to a new study…

Syringe exchange programs can play an important role in reducing HIV and viral hepatitis infection, according to The Foundation for AIDS Research. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Syringe exchange fears hobble fight against West Virginia HIV outbreak

By Taylor Sisk for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Se…

Sen. Ron Alting, R-Lafayette, who authored the bill, said every year 101 young Hoosiers lose their lives to alcohol-related deaths. (Adobe stock)

Bill aims to broaden Indiana Lifeline Law

Indiana lawmakers are moving forward with plans to expand the state's Lifeline Law, which protects those seeking emergency help in alcohol-related …

Rural communities have been significantly impacted by opioid misuse, with higher rates of opioid-related overdose deaths compared with urban areas. (monticellllo/Adobe Stock)

Drug users in rural MO more likely to face homelessness

As urban homelessness and drug use grab the spotlight, rural areas such as Branson are left in the shadows, with critical needs going unmet. But …

The childhood mental health crisis has been on the rise for years. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the crisis among children in Arkansas and throughout the country. (Viacheslav Yakobchuk/Adobe Stock)

National task force addresses mental health issues for AR youth

A new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center addresses reforms to address mental health issues for youth in Arkansas and nationwide. The group's …

In Indiana, Marion, Vanderburgh, Madison and Lake counties had the highest number of residents who listed alcohol as their primary substance upon admission to a facility for treatment. (Adobe Stock)

IN substance recovery center supports sober existence

One popular New Year's resolution is to quit alcohol consumption. Although easier said than done, one recovery center said there are modifications …

A new study found children who lose family members to overdose often suffer long-term harm to educational attainment, economic stability in adulthood, and mental well-being. (Irena_geo/Adobe Stock)<br />

USC study: More than 1.4 million children have lost family to overdose

A new study found more than 1.4 million children in the U.S., including many in California, have lost a family member to overdose, emphasizing the …

Calls to 911 for GLOW users tend to occur in geographic areas where poverty is more concentrated in Longview. (MclittleStock/Adobe Stock)

East TX program connects residents to services, frees up 911

First responders in the east Texas city of Longview are getting help from a recently formed organization. The GLOW program helps connect residents …

The holidays can be hard for Texans dealing with loss or depression

The holiday season is not merry and bright for everyone. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, lost your job or if you're going through a …

According to Florida Atlantic University researchers, alcohol consumption varies significantly by region worldwide and in the U.S. (Pixabay/Pen_ash) According to FAU researchers alcohol consumption varies significantly by region worldwide and in the U.S. (Pixabay/Pen_ash)

Health experts call attention to rising alcohol mortality rates

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University highlighted a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths across the United States, with mortality …

Research shows in the United States and globally, alcohol consumption is a major cause of preventable death and disability and increases liver disease, mental health disorders and accidents. (Adobe Stock)

Florida researchers highlight alarming rise in alcohol-related deaths

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University highlights a concerning rise in alcohol-related deaths across the United States, with mortality rates …

Research shows Kentucky ranks number one in the country in residential treatment beds per capita, with 70.34 beds per 100,000 population. (Adobe Stock)

New KY program aims to turn recovery into career pathway

A statewide program in Kentucky aims to provide credentialing and pathways to a career in social work for people in substance use disorder recovery…

Someone becomes homeless in the United States every 40 minutes. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

North TX nonprofit uses technology to combat homelessness

The faith-based nonprofit Our Calling is working with unsheltered clients in north Texas to create a long-term exit plan to help them rebuild their li…

The financially beleaguered U.S. Postal Service expects to save billions of dollars by using electric rather than gas-powered mail delivery trucks. (USPSoig.gov)

NM streets will be quieter, cleaner when USPS electric mail trucks arrive

Neighborhoods across New Mexico and other states will soon be cleaner and quieter as the U.S. Postal Service rolls out its new electric mail-delivery …

A 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation report showed 25.7% of Nebraskans reported having had a mental health illness over the previous year compared with 23.1% nationwide. (bnenin/Adobe Stock)

Strain on NE behavioral health system could worsen; need remains high

A 2024 study showed almost 26% of Nebraskans reported having a mental-health illness in the past year -- nearly 3% higher than the national average…

If postpartum depression symptoms last longer than a few weeks, mothers are encouraged to talk to their doctor. (sementsova321/Adobe Stock)

TX postpartum expert: 'reach out for help'

About 20% of new mothers experience postpartum depression after giving birth. What's typically known as the "baby blues" usually lasts around three …

In both 2021 and 2022, age-adjusted rates of drug-overdose deaths were highest for American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic people (56.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population and 65.2, respectively), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Local efforts increase to curb surge in overdose deaths among Black Kentuckians

While overdose deaths in the Commonwealth have declined, deaths among Black Kentuckians have increased by 5%, according to data from the latest …

In 2023, there were more than 4,000 suspected overdose deaths in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

NC project tackles opioid crisis with unified support network

In Robeson County, the opioid crisis is exposing the need for increased addiction support. The Southeastern Prevention and Addiction Recovery …

Income, location and trust issues can contribute to health disparities in the Latinx community. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock)

TX nonprofits address health disparities in Latino community

Nonprofits across Texas are coming together to address disparities in health care for the Latinx community. A report by the Commonwealth Fund shows …

The number of states allowing syringe service programs has nearly doubled since 2014, especially in Southern, rural and Midwestern states, influenced by outbreaks of HIV and hepatitis C. (Mars0hod/Adobe Stock)

Syringe services ease drug abuse impact in MO

Between 2016 and 2023, more than 14,000 Missourians died from drug overdoses, making it the leading cause of death for adults aged 18-44 in the state…

Purdue University students Jason Packard and Rebecca Siener are trying to break the stigma around the Indiana Lifeline law and its effect on underage drinking.

Calls for broader legal safeguards under Indiana Lifeline Law

By Kody Fisher for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Co…

School-based mental and behavioral health services not only help prevent problems, they also improve education and future employment outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

Mental health checklist for Colorado students returning to school

Transitioning back to school can bring as much stress as excitement for many students and a new checklist created by the group Inseparable aims to hel…

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act directs the DEA to register certain practitioners to prescribe methadone that is dispensed through a pharmacy for an individual's unsupervised use. (Adobe Stock)

As overdose deaths rise, NC advocates urge easier methadone access

Some North Carolina groups advocating for harm reduction among people struggling with drug addiction are calling for broader access to methadone…

Indiana State Police investigators secretly bought THC products and found some of them were mislabeled. (Adobe stock)

Indiana retailers warned: THC products may violate state law

By Adam Pinsker for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service C…

North Carolina officials reported nearly 77% of overdose deaths in 2021 likely involved fentanyl. (Adobe Stock) <br />

NC district attorneys focus on fentanyl crisis progress, needs

President Joe Biden is urging stricter penalties for drug smugglers to combat the fentanyl crisis nationwide. Meanwhile, North Carolina District …

The need to reform mental-health treatment standards is expected to be a major push by the New Mexico governor during the 2025 legislative session. (TatyanaGladskih/Adobe Stock)

Substance misuse, suicide mortality rates decline slightly

The most recent data from the group Trust for America's Health show overdoses and suicides remain at historic levels - despite a small decrease in 202…

Most illegal internet pharmacies belong to organized criminal networks, many of which have been the<br />recipients of FDA warning letters. (Adobe Stock)

AL, US see rise in counterfeit weight loss medicine sales

Counterfeit medicine sales are on the rise in Alabama and nationwide. The state faced trouble with growing sales of counterfeit Xanax pills laced …

Over the next two decades, tens of billions of dollars will flow into state coffers across the country from the National Opioids Settlement. (Adobe stock)

Opioid settlement fund fuels anti-addiction battle in Indiana

Indiana is stepping up its fight against addiction with a boost from an opioid settlement fund. The money comes from a $54 billion 2021 Opioid …

The New Mexico Department of Health estimated 42% of Americans know someone who has died of drug overdose. (VictorMoussa/AdobeStock)

New Mexico expands opioid treatment options

Expanded treatment for opioid addiction is now available in New Mexico. The state's Department of Health is offering medication-assisted treatment …

Public health experts said while having one or two alcoholic beverages a day might not seem excessive, it actually falls under the category of

Getting a system-wide handle on excessive alcohol use in WI

Often celebrated in popular culture, Wisconsin's relationship with alcohol continues to give way to troubling statistics that center around excessive …

On a single night in 2023, about 20 of every 10,000 people in the U.S. were experiencing homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (majorosl66/AdobeStock)

Advocacy groups want NM's Governor to halt special legislative session

New Mexico advocacy groups are calling on New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to cancel next week's special session where lawmakers are scheduled …

According to state data, the most common crisis that South Dakota's helpline responds to is suicide (23.5%), followed by anxiety (17.5%), family issues (16%), depression (14%) and substance use (10.4%). (Fergus Coyle, Adobe Stock)

SD health officials: 988 can handle a variety of crises

Since its rollout two years ago, South Dakota's Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has seen a slow but steady uptick in use, but the state says there are …

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