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Harm Reduction

All articles tagged with #harm reduction

Vaping as a Quit Tool: The Power Lies in a Full Switch, Not Dual Use
health1 month ago

Vaping as a Quit Tool: The Power Lies in a Full Switch, Not Dual Use

Vaping can aid quitting, but its real payoff comes when it fully replaces cigarettes rather than being used in addition. Randomized trials show e-cigarettes can outperform single-form NRT with behavioral support, yet population data reveal widespread dual use that limits benefits. Successful quitting is strongest when smokers adopt a complete switch, paired with tailored nicotine strength, behavioral support, and ongoing device adjustments; partial switching sustains nicotine dependence and keeps health risks elevated.

via Iowa Park Leader|
#dual-use#harm-reduction#health
Deschutes County warns of overdose spike tied to adulterated drugs, urges Naloxone readiness
health1 month ago

Deschutes County warns of overdose spike tied to adulterated drugs, urges Naloxone readiness

Deschutes County reports a 24-hour spike in overdoses linked to suspected adulterated cocaine and ketamine, with six cases requiring naloxone and suggesting fentanyl may be present. The public—especially those not regularly using opioids—should carry naloxone, recognize overdose signs, and access local harm-reduction resources to obtain and administer it.

via KTVZ|
#deschutes-county#fentanyl#harm-reduction
Maine Warns of Vet Sedative in Illicit Drugs
health1 month ago

Maine Warns of Vet Sedative in Illicit Drugs

Maine public health officials warn medetomidine, a veterinary sedative nicknamed 'rhino tranq,' is appearing in the illicit drug supply—often with fentanyl—and is far more potent than xylazine, potentially causing severe withdrawals, sedation, and cardiovascular problems. While statewide overdoses declined last year, hotspots like Penobscot County and Bangor remain of concern. Testing is limited, naloxone should be used for suspected medetomidine-related overdoses (even though medetomidine itself isn’t reversed by naloxone), and harm-reduction groups urge drug checking as the drug supply remains unpredictable.

via WGME|
#drug-supply#harm-reduction#health
Maine Faces New Drug Threat as Vet Sedative Medetomidine Surfaces in Street Drugs
public-health1 month ago

Maine Faces New Drug Threat as Vet Sedative Medetomidine Surfaces in Street Drugs

Maine public health officials warn medetomidine, a veterinary sedative nicknamed 'rhino tranq,' has appeared in the state's drug supply—often mixed with fentanyl—and is far more potent than xylazine. It can trigger severe withdrawal and dangerous drops in blood pressure or heart rate; naloxone may not reverse medetomidine on its own, so prompt medical care is essential. Testing is limited, and harm-reduction groups are urging drug checking and awareness as Bangor and Penobscot County report rising overdoses amid an HIV outbreak among people who use drugs.

via Bangor Daily News|
#drug-supply#harm-reduction#medetomidine
health1 month ago

Experts challenge cancer-risk claims in e-cigarette review

Reaction to a Carcinogenesis paper on the carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes drew divided expert opinion. Some scientists say the review wrongly treats any detected trace as cancer-causing and note nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, stressing that vaping exposes far fewer tobacco-related carcinogens than smoking. Others criticize its lack of systematic methodology, opaque data handling, and selective citing, arguing it does not prove vaping causes cancer or quantify risk. Overall, experts agree vaping involves harm but remains a less harmful alternative to smoking for those who switch, and there is no robust evidence that vaping equals the cancer risk of combustion cigarettes.

via Science Media Centre|
#carcinogenicity#e-cigarettes#expert-reaction
Standard THC Unit Could Help Quantify Cannabis Use and Cut Harm
health4 months ago

Standard THC Unit Could Help Quantify Cannabis Use and Cut Harm

A University of Bath–led CannTeen study proposes a standard THC unit to quantify cannabis potency, aiming to provide a metric similar to standard drinks. Analyzing 150 London users over 12 months, researchers found potency has risen and higher-THC cannabis is linked to greater risk of cannabis use disorder; they estimate a strong 0.45 g joint can contain about 12.8 THC units while a weaker variant may have ~3.8 units. They suggest adults should not exceed 8 THC units per week to reduce risk, a guideline welcomed by public health researchers, though cannabis contains many cannabinoids beyond THC. The study is published in Addiction.

via ScienceAlert|
#cannabis#cannteen-study#harm-reduction
Challenges in Quitting E-Cigarettes Despite Safer Perception
health4 months ago

Challenges in Quitting E-Cigarettes Despite Safer Perception

Vaping is considered safer than smoking due to the absence of combustion, but it remains addictive and challenging to quit, especially for young people. While evidence supports vaping as a less harmful alternative, many users struggle to stop due to behavioral and psychological factors, with various support strategies like gradual reduction, professional help, and behavioral therapies showing promise. Public misconceptions about vaping's risks persist, complicating efforts to reduce its use, particularly among youth.

via The Guardian|
#harm-reduction#health#nicotine-addiction
Notable MacArthur 'Genius' Awardees Highlighting Diverse Achievements
health7 months ago

Notable MacArthur 'Genius' Awardees Highlighting Diverse Achievements

Nabarun Dasgupta, a UNC researcher specializing in street drug supply and overdose data, was awarded the MacArthur 'genius' grant for his work in understanding and reducing the U.S. overdose crisis, including early detection of declining overdose deaths and promoting harm reduction programs. His efforts have contributed to saving tens of thousands of lives, despite ongoing challenges with drug-related fatalities.

via NPR|
#drug-overdose-data#harm-reduction#health
Nitazenes, a Synthetic Opioid 20 Times More Potent Than Fentanyl, Drive Rising Deaths
health8 months ago

Nitazenes, a Synthetic Opioid 20 Times More Potent Than Fentanyl, Drive Rising Deaths

Estonia is experiencing a severe opioid crisis driven by the emergence of highly potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes, which have caused a surge in overdose deaths and highlight the challenges of drug policy and social marginalization. The country's history with fentanyl and ongoing struggles with drug demand and supply reflect broader issues that could threaten other European nations and the UK.

via UnHerd|
#drug-overdose#estonia#harm-reduction
Debunking the Myth: Nicotine's False Link to Cancer and Its Public Health Impact
health8 months ago

Debunking the Myth: Nicotine's False Link to Cancer and Its Public Health Impact

The article discusses how misconceptions that nicotine causes cancer are hindering public health efforts, emphasizing that the harm from smoking comes from combustion, not nicotine itself. It highlights the potential benefits of smoke-free nicotine products like e-cigarettes and patches for quitting smoking, and stresses the importance of accurate public education to correct false beliefs and promote harm reduction. The piece also warns against the commercialization of nicotine as a wellness product and the need for nuanced understanding of nicotine's risks and benefits.

via statnews.com|
#harm-reduction#health#misconceptions
Penobscot County Faces Major HIV Outbreak and Response
health10 months ago

Penobscot County Faces Major HIV Outbreak and Response

Over the past two years, Penobscot County in Maine has experienced its largest HIV outbreak, with 26 cases since October 2023, primarily among homeless individuals and drug users, driven by factors like housing shortages, drug use, and strained healthcare resources. Public health efforts have focused on testing, harm reduction, and outreach, but funding cuts and service closures threaten to hinder ongoing response efforts.

via The Portland Press Herald|
#bangor#harm-reduction#health
Baltimore Faces Surge in Overdoses Linked to New Fentanyl Substance
health10 months ago

Baltimore Faces Surge in Overdoses Linked to New Fentanyl Substance

Baltimore's Penn North neighborhood experienced multiple overdoses, with five people hospitalized in serious condition, following a recent mass overdose incident linked to fentanyl. City officials and community groups are working on harm reduction efforts, including distributing naloxone and fentanyl test strips, amid ongoing investigations into the causes. The city aims to reduce overdose deaths by 40% by 2040 and emphasizes the need for consistent community support and expanded access to recovery services.

via The Baltimore Banner|
#baltimore#fentanyl#harm-reduction