Welcome to This Week in Recovery, a weekly recap of the 5 biggest stories in the recovery industry.
How The Justice Department Cracks Down On Opioid Overprescribing – CNN
The Justice Department announced this week that 11 physicians had been charged with overprescribing through clinics that resulted in the distribution of more than 17 million pills. “They [the doctors] are taking cash and putting it in their pockets,” said the head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Brian Benczkowski. “It doesn’t look like a normal doctor’s office.”
Hundreds Of New Vaping Illnesses Reported In Last Week – CNBC
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been over 500 cases of a mysterious lung disease that may lead to serious health consequences. In fact, state officials in Kansas confirmed the state’s second vaping death, bringing the total fatalities in the United States to nine. Health officials have linked these illnesses to vaping but are still trying to identify the exact cause.
The Rise Of Alcohol-Free Drinks – The New Yorker
According to data from an analytics firm, alcohol sales have been declining in the United States since 2016. But even as alcohol use declines, the social rituals and landscape of drinking doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Restaurants and bars are taking note and adjusting their menus to reflect this change.
How Congress Failed To Act On Fentanyl Despite Warnings – Washington Post
In 2015, there were numerous signs that fentanyl was surging and likely to become a serious problem. It became serious enough for a U.S. senator to introduce legislation to combat the drug, as well as companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Despite this, these fentanyl bills never received a vote as more broad legislation regarding criminal justice reform was prioritized.
FDA Urges For More Widespread Access To Naloxone – Forbes
The opioid epidemic leads to the death of tens of thousands of Americans each year, but a drug called naloxone that can reverse opioid overdoses may be able to help. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made it known that there needs to be more widespread access to this drug. Ultimately, the goal of increasing access to all forms of naloxone is to make this potentially life-saving treatment available to individuals at risk of an overdose,” said FDA Acting Commissioner Norman Sharpless.
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