All articles tagged with #harm reduction
Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency after infections rose 12-fold over 15 years, with about 1 in 60 adults living with HIV and 59 babies born with the virus in 2025. Officials link the surge to rising injected drug use and needle sharing, and the government is expanding free testing, clean-needle distribution, and antiretroviral treatment as UNAIDS and WHO urge urgent action.
Burlington business owners publish an open letter urging officials to pair compassion with accountability—calling for housing, treatment, and enforcement as the city debates a public-safety resolution and Gov. Scott deploys state police downtown, reflecting ongoing struggles with homelessness and addiction.
A small phase II trial with 50 participants found that once-daily oral semaglutide reduced heavy drinking days and alcohol-related harms in adults with moderate to severe alcohol-use disorder, compared with placebo, though craving and average drinks per day did not decline; findings suggest GLP-1s could be a convenient harm-reduction option, but larger trials are needed to confirm efficacy.
The FDA has allowed 20 Zyn nicotine-pouch products to market claims that using Zyn instead of cigarettes lowers the risk of mouth cancer, heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, based on the totality of evidence. Regulators say the decision helps provide adults who smoke with science-based information about relative harms. The move is a win for PMI and Swedish Match, though critics warn about cardiovascular effects and note many users aren’t former smokers, highlighting ongoing debate about harm reduction and political associations around the product.
Los Angeles County recorded 2,298 accidental overdose and poisoning deaths in 2025, a 6% drop from 2024 and the third straight year of decline, driven by sustained prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction efforts (including naloxone distribution and fentanyl-focused campaigns). While deaths fell across most age groups, older adults rose and disparities persist for Black residents and men, with the 40–64 age group remaining the most affected.
A rising North Texas trend called zebra striping—alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic options—gains popularity, especially among Gen Z and younger Millennials, as a harm-reduction approach to pace drinking and stay hydrated. Bars are expanding mocktails and alcohol-free options, and research suggests the pattern can slow alcohol consumption and reduce dehydration, though it’s not a guaranteed fix if people extend nights or opt for stronger drinks. The trend is also fueling growth in the non-alcoholic beer market and reflects a broader shift toward moderation in social drinking.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Decades after a historic HIV outbreak in Indiana was contained by needle exchange programs, these programs are now disappearing due to federal and state restrictions, risking a resurgence of infections and worsening drug-related health issues, especially in rural communities.
The US has seen a significant decline in fentanyl-related deaths in 2024, thanks to harm reduction strategies, treatment programs like methadone, and widespread naloxone use, with North Carolina leading the way in recovery efforts and legal actions against opioid manufacturers.