Marijuana Replacing Tobacco and Booze Among Teens

May 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pot is increasingly replacing cigarettes and alcohol as the first drug of choice among young Americans, researchers have found.  The concern is that studies have shown that young Americans whose first recreational drug is marijuana are more likely to end up becoming heavy users,
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TABC PSA: Underage Drinking and Social Hosting – It’s Just Easier

AUSTIN, Texas – A new public service video from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission hopes to educate parents and incoming college students on the dangers of alcohol before the fall semester.

“It’s Just Easier” is a 4:12 minute TABC PSA about Jack, a 17 year-old recently graduated high-school senior, his … Continue to full story .......

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Fentanyl Bust Could Kill 26 Million People

In a record-breaking drug bust in Nebraska, state troopers have seized 118 pounds of fentanyl-containing enough lethal doses to kill tens of millions of people. John Bolduc announced Thursday that opioids seized last month have tested positive for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, … Continue to full story .......

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Why Do People With Mental Disorders Turn to Drugs?

May 29, 2018 – Scientists have long made the link between mental health disorders and substance abuse. In fact, the co-existence of both is referred to as “co-occurring disorders.”
According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 8.2 million adults over the age … Continue to full story .......

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State backs off CBD oil ban, to “figure out big picture”

May 26, 2018- AAS- A state health agency has tapped the brakes on its drive to strip food and supplements infused with CBD oil — a non-psychoactive extract of marijuana — from Texas retail store shelves. But it’s unclear how long the reprieve will last for over-the-counter food products containing … Continue to full story .......

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City of Austin seeks ways to fight opioids

May 25, 2018 -Austin City Council members this week called on the city manager to find more resources for public education, harm reduction and treatment to deal with the region’s emerging opioid crisis and increasing overdose deaths.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the council Thursday will encourage greater collaboration among

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Opioid Seizure on Rise

Heroin was by far the most-seized opioid. “Between 2013 and 2017, Border Patrol seized the majority of heroin from automobiles and trucks, which accounted for 2,167 pounds (67 percent) of 3,218 pounds of seized heroin,” according to the report. Six hundred sixty two pounds was seized in 2017, an increase … Continue to full story .......

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Austin Considers Raising Age to Buy Tobacco to 21

Four members of the Austin City Council on Wednesday mulled whether the city should raise the minimum age for people to buy tobacco from 18 to 21. The council members appeared to be united in their support of the change, but they took no official action.

“I think it is … Continue to full story .......

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Walmart Limits Opioid Prescriptions

Walmart will begin restricting opioid painkillers it dispenses to customers as part of an effort to crack down on the nationwide drug-abuse epidemic.

All Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico will fill new acute opioid prescriptions with no more than a seven-day supply, and

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How to Help Minimize the Risks of IV Drug Use

One of the outcomes of the current opioid epidemic is an increased rate of intravenous (IV) drug use — meaning directly injecting opioids or other substances into a vein. It’s a practice that layers risk on top of risk. Yet unfortunately, simply knowing the risks isn’t an effective deterrent, nor … Continue to full story .......

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Travis County Opioid Drug Overdoses Rise says Public Health Data

From 2006 to 2016, opioid death rate nearly doubled, report says.  The rate of opioid overdose deaths in Travis County, including those from heroin and prescription pain medication, nearly doubled from 2006 to 2016, according to data released by the Austin Public Health Department.

In 2006, Travis County averaged four

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Webinar Series: Expectation v. Reality Youth-Led

Media plays an integral role in the health behaviors of young people around topics such as body image and substance use.  Join this two-part webinar series, led by the School-Based Health Alliance’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

Webinar offers a chance to hear youth perspectives on media influences, receive skills-building tools … Continue to full story .......

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