Your Brain On Fentanyl

Fentanyl is one of the dangerously potent synthetic derivatives of heroin that seems to be now more-regularly cut with the drug to increase the bang users get for the buck. It’s an alarming market-based reaction fed by increasing demand. And that fact that it’s now found on the streets — even in places like Minot

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What Happens When The Heroin Epidemic Hits Small Town America?

Mayor Barney’s recently formed Blue Ribbon Commission on Addiction is an important step for Minot and the region when it comes to fighting our growing opioid and addiction problem. Hopefully, we’re able to hold back a rising tide, hopefully. Perhaps our success will be burgeoned by an understanding of how we got here and what

Read & Share   sourced from: NPR

For Newborns Exposed To Opioids, Health Issues May Be The Least Of Their Problems

There’s some good news; the short-term withdrawal symptoms of babies exposed to opioids in the womb are manageable. The bad news, the same child is likely to start life in a difficult home environment, and the consequences of that are often much more significant. This interview-article from NPR presents a perspective worth noting as we

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UND wins $3.8 million for substance abuse services

The personal fights have always been there. But now with the attention of politicians caught, it seems the funding to fight the drug abuse and addiction problems is starting to follow. Andrew Haffner with the Grand Forks Herald has the story on a $3.8 million grant for UND and how they’ll use the resources.

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Opioid epidemic forces us into new territory

In today’s Minot Daily editorial, Mike Sasses, editor of the Minot Daily provides some perspective on the new challenges created by opioid and drug abuse that’s more and more prevalent. When a judge has to consider whether granting someone bond may endanger their own life, we know we have a difficult problem to solve. Read

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SD congresswoman’s family-based substance abuse treatment bill passes House

Last week, the U.S. House unanimously passed the Supporting Families in Substance Abuse Treatment Act. The program allows foster care dollars to go towards keeping families together while parents in trouble because of drug abuse stay in a treatment center that can accommodate the whole family.

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Opioid epidemic is swamping U.S. hospitals with 1.3M ER trips, hospitalizations

The opioid drug crisis is one of those issues that might not hit home unless you have a personal experience with a family member or friend, but the trickle-down impacts of the problem are effecting all of us in less obvious ways. And one area where the crisis is putting pressure on our systems is

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New Sniff Tech Could Protect Cops From Synthetic Opioids

A less-considered consequence of stronger drugs like fentanyl on the streets is increased likelihood of accidental ingestion by law enforcement officers. And there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest this is a problem. Eric Niiler with WIRED has the story on new technology that’s helping police identify drugs and protecting officers at the same time.

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Ohio Opioid Addiction Lawsuit Targets Pharmaceutical Companies

The state of Ohio is suing five pharmaceutical companies for what the state contends is their direct role in fueling the opioid epidemic that’s sweeping the country. The quote from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine that tells the story of how the state intends to direct the case… Defendants persuaded doctors and patients that what

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Drug Arrests on the rise, but experts say opioid crisis is everyone’s battle

Communities in the Eastern part of the state are already acting aggressively, and at last night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Barney was asked publicly to get Minot’s efforts moving. He is. But here’s the bottom line: the fight against drug addiction — particularly dangerous new opioids is already taking place on North Dakota streets. This

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Heroin use, addiction up sharply among U.S. whites

Senator Heitkamp was in Minot recently talking about the opioid epidemic that’s taking hold in North Dakota. Her attention to the matter adds credence to news stories like this story from Reuters that calls out evidence that heroin usage is up enormously in the last decade. And the demographic where it’s most prevalent? It happens

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Canada: Opioid crisis growing here, paramedics warn

In Canada, there is now a national study that backs what the anecdotal evidence has been suggesting for years — opioid addiction and abuse are on the rise. Alexandra Paul with the Winnipeg Free Press digs into the story to deliver a Manitoba perspective. It is a problem that does not respect international borders, here

Read & Share   sourced from: Winnipeg Free Press