Carfentanil: New face of opioid epidemic

Carfentanil: New face of opioid epidemic

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It’s not just opioid and heroin epidemic that the United States is trying its best to overcome. Law enforcement agencies are also trying to combat another problem area in the form of fentanyl abuse. To add fuel to the fire, now carfentanil, a substance banned for general consumption, is leaving a lethal trail in the U.S. Carfentanil, an analogue of fentanyl, is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and is used to immobilize certain large animals. Termed as an elephant tranquilizer, carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Before being abused, carfentanil was viewed as a chemical weapon. Read more →

Passing of Amendment 2 legalizes medical marijuana in Florida

Passing of Amendment 2 legalizes medical marijuana in Florida

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Florida passed the Florida Medical Marijuana Legislation Initiative or Florida Amendment 2 on November 8, 2016, that legalizes medical marijuana in Florida. The passing of Florida Amendment 2 implies that patients suffering from AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cancer, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and other similar conditions will now have access to medical marijuana. It will allow licensed physicians to prescribe medical marijuana to patients suffering from such devastating illnesses. However, it continues to follow the state as well federal prohibitions regarding recreational marijuana use. Read more →

Talk About Your Medicines Month: Mixing opioids and popular sedatives can be fatal -FDA

Talk About Your Medicines Month: Mixing opioids and popular sedatives can be fatal -FDA

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Prescription drug use has become a trend among the teens and adults across the United States. An increasing number of individuals are using opioids, sedatives, and depressants to feel high, relieve tension, or stay alert. But the rampant use of such prescription drugs starts developing a dependence on the user and he or she becomes habituated to them. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 18.9 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. misused prescription psychotherapeutic drugs in the past year. Read more →

Pharm parties contribute to prescription drug abuse among teens

Pharm parties contribute to prescription drug abuse among teens

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The abuse of prescription drugs and use of these drugs for non-medical purposes is a grave public health concern in the United States. While prescription drug abuse is a growing problem among adult Americans, it is traumatizing to discover a remarkable growth in the number of teen abusers. Read more →

5 most dangerous prescription drugs of abuse

5 most dangerous prescription drugs of abuse

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Prescription drug abuse is a global health hazard and is associated with terrible consequences, but the problem is far more serious in the American context as it has acquired the proportion of an epidemic. The issue of prescription drug abuse and overdose is complex and multi-dimensional. Uninhibited abuse of drugs can cause not only obvious changes in behavior and personality, but also irritability and anxiety.

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Does prescription drug abuse up suicide risk in teens?

Does prescription drug abuse up suicide risk in teens?

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Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication without a prescription in a way other than as prescribed, for non-medical purposes. Drugs including painkillers, depressants and stimulants are often self-prescribed, taken to ease psychological distress or used for recreational purposes. According to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the non-medical use of prescription drugs is second to marijuana as the most prevalent drug problem in the United States. Read more →