Category: DRUGS
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Stigma, a big obstacle to fighting drug abuse, is often reinforced by health-care providers, and in the pandemic is more problematic
By Nora D. Volkow Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse Republished from Scientific American magazine Untreated drug and alcohol use contributes to tens of thousands of deaths every year and affects the...
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Ky. study shows syringe exchange programs decrease infections associated with IV drug use, could result in ‘big money saved’
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A new analysis of Medicaid claims data suggests that Kentucky counties with syringe-service programs have slightly lower rates of diseases associated with intravenous drug...
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Substance-use research at UK aims to slash ODs, quash hepatitis C, help pregnant and incarcerated women, and much more
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Research about substance abuse has become a major enterprise at the University of Kentucky, legislators heard last week as they got an update on UK...
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Overdose deaths in Kentucky rose 5% in 2019; officials say fentanyl and methamphetamine were drivers of the increase
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Drug-overdose deaths in Kentucky rose 5 percent in 2019, after dropping by nearly 15% from 2017 to 2018, according to the state’s latest annual report....
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‘Vigilance and protective measures are essential to save lives’ from overdoses in pandemic, state health secretary writes
Eric Friedlander —– By Eric Friedlander Secretary, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services “Together, we are stronger than opioids.” It’s a uniting mantra we use as part of the...
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Almost half of counties still lack syringe exchanges, including 20 of those most vulnerable to drug-related disease outbreaks
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Most Kentucky counties now have harm-reduction programs to fight drug abuse, but the coronavirus pandemic has slowed their expansion and complicated the work of...
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Data and health directors’ observations suggest that pandemic lockdown increased overdoses, which declined as state reopened
Graph from Kentucky Injury Prevention Research Center, University of Kentucky —– By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Apparent overdoses reported by Kentucky hospitals and ambulance services shot up in the...
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Foundation’s annual policy forum shifts gears in pandemic, to be a series of monthly webinars on children’s health, starting Sept. 21
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky‘s 20th annual policy forum will focus on policies and programs that reduce the chances of disease and unhealthy behaviors that often begin in childhood, including...
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Volunteers of America gets grant for drug treatment and recovery services for pregnant and postpartum women in southeastern Ky.
Volunteers of America Mid-States received a $2.6 million federal grant, one of three in the nation, for treatment and recovery services for pregnant and postpartum women and their children in southeastern...
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Ky. Chamber of Commerce starts campaign to help substance abusers, develop recovery-friendly work environments and more
One of the major obstacles to dealing with substance abuse is the stigma it still has among many people, so the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce says it has launched a major effort...