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| May 17, 2013 | "Psychedelic Medicine" - The Next Frontier in Drug Legalization | | |
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The pro-drug lobby has recently expanded its ambitious agenda from simply legalizing marijuana to legalizing psychedelic drugs. The template for this campaign has been taken from its successful promotion of state marijuana initiatives over the past two decades, starting with legal medical use and, once that was successful, pivoting quickly to full legalization. This model is now being used for psychedelic drugs. Like marijuana, psychedelic drugs first are being promoted for "medical" use and then no doubt will be promoted for personal use. The policy path of marijuana that psychedelic drugs now are tracing reveals a hidden. agenda with a probable intent to legalize all currently illegal drugs. Read more. |
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| May 3, 2013 | Recognizing the Contribution of Adolescent Substance Use to Poor Academic Performance | | |
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A survey of 11th and 12th grade students in the United States conducted by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) found that nearly one quarter of teens admit to driving under the influence of marijuana, prescription drugs or alcohol. Remarkably 41% of teens believe that marijuana has no impact on driving and 34% believe marijuana use actually improves driving; only 25% believe marijuana use makes you a worse driver. By comparison, the majority of teens (62%) report that alcohol worsens driving. These startling results have serious implications for road safety as motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people. Read more. |
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| April 22, 2013 | Recognizing the Contribution of Adolescent Substance Use to Poor Academic Performance | | |
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Join Together and Partnership at DrugFree.org published a new commentary by Amelia Arria, Ph.D. and IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. about the under-recognized contribution of adolescent substance use to poor academic performance. As authors note, "because of the critical role parents play both in preventing substance use and promoting academic success, they need to know what they can do to prevent use in the first place, and intervene if their child has a drug or alcohol problem. Once use occurs, an entire constellation of change agents may be needed to solve the problem." Read more. |
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| April 18, 2013 | IBH Study Shows Effectiveness of Random Student Drug Testing | | |
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A study conducted by the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. and published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse shows students in schools with random student drug testing (RSDT) programs who knew they were subject to random testing and expected to be tested in the coming school year reported significantly less marijuana and other illegal drug use than students who knew they were not subject to testing. Tested and Not Tested students did not differ in reported alcohol use, quite possibly because schools did not include alcohol on testing panels. The study also provides evidence that students subject to testing have more positive attitudes towards testing and their school's drug and alcohol policies than students not subject to testing. Because so few students actually are tested due to cost and administrative constraints, the study suggests that to ensure maximum effectiveness, existent and future RSDT programs should be aware that it is important for students to know that they are participants in school random drug testing pools. Read more. |
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| April 8, 2013 | Marijuana: A Human Experiment Without Informed Consent | | |
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In the Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice, Bertha K. Madras, Ph.D. describes how the United States is on the threshold of a national experiment, a human experiment that tests the health and safety of marijuana. The first experiments with psychoactive drugs began in the late 19th century, following the extraction and proliferation of active compounds from opium and coca plants. An exponential and unacceptable rise in human behavioral and biological calamities followed and elicited an aggressive response from the medical, legal and legislative communities. Over-the-counter use of heroin, smoked opium, morphine and cocaine died within a few decades in the early 20th century. The "War on Opium" led to a greater than 90% reduction in opium use internationally starting in the early 20th century. Since then, the popularity of illegally obtained heroin and cocaine has risen and fallen with public perception and access, but these heroin excursions affect much smaller populations than at the turn of the 20th century. We will never have an accurate tally of the human, legal and economic anguish that arose from the legal promotion and proliferation of heroin or cocaine in the few decades that these drugs were legally and widely available. Populations currently addicted are relatively small, but the grim consequences persist and are visible. Read more. |
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| April 6, 2013 | ONDCP Director Joins US Secretary of Homeland Security on Southwest Border | | |
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White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Gil Kerlikowske joined Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to highlight the progress made to disrupt illegal drug trafficking and improve operations along the Southwest border. Director Kerlikowske noted in addition to reducing the supply of illegal drugs there is need to reduce drug demand, adding "through funding and support to drug prevention groups in communities along the border and across the nation, we can make our borders safer while improving public health." Read more. |
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| April 3, 2013 | GOP Should Stand Firm Against Drug Legalization | | |
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In an editorial featured in The Washington Post, Peter Wehner calls on Republicans to take a strong stance against drug use and legalization. In light of the well-funded and recently successful efforts of the pro-drug lobby to promote drug legalization, he states "this is the perfect time for Republicans to offer counterarguments grounded in medical science, common sense and human experience." He urges Republicans to "align themselves with parents, schools and communities in the great urgent task of any civilization: protecting children and raising them to become responsible adults." Legalization of drugs is not in the interest of public health and safety. Read more. |
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| March 27, 2013 | Even a Little Pot Use Increases College Dropout Risk | | |
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New research published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs shows that marijuana use is a predictor of discontinuous enrollment in college. A second study published in Psychiatric Services concluded that college students who experience depressive symptoms or seek treatment for depression during college may be at risk for discontinued enrollment; marijuana use and heavy drinking may add to this risk. Researcher Dr. Amelia Arria stated, "The perceived risk of marijuana is declining because people think it's more benign than it is, and its use is going up among college students. But we've known for a long time that marijuana affects cognition and memory." Read more. JSAD Study. Psychiatric Services Study. |
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| March 21, 2013 | Marijuana Use By Pilot Contributed to Fatal Plane Crash | | |
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The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released a report on the October 2011 crash of a commercial flight that killed the pilot and one passenger and seriously injured two other passengers. The TSB concluded "The concentrations of cannabinoids were sufficient to have caused impairment in pilot performance and decision-making on the accident flight." CBC News confirmed that Air Tindi has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy. Full report. CBC News Article. |
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| March 15, 2013 | Washington's Double Failure | | |
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In a new Joint Commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. is joined in authorship by John J. Coleman, Ph.D., former DEA Assistant Administrator for Operations, and Peter B. Bensinger, former DEA Administrator. State-based marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado are in direct conflict with long-established federal laws and specific U.S. international treaty obligations. A recent Department of Justice oversight hearing provided a unique opportunity for the Senate Judiciary Committee to address the serious constitutional issue of marijuana legalization and insist that Attorney General Eric Holder uphold federal law. Instead of seizing that opportunity the subject was brushed aside by the Committee Chairman and ignored by other Committee members. Leadership is needed to ensure that federal laws are upheld and international treaty obligations met. Read more. |
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| March 6, 2013 | Former DEA Heads Urge United States to Nullify Marijuana Laws | | |
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Nine former heads of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have released a letter urging the United States Department of Justice to nullify laws passed in Colorado and Washington to legalize marijuana which are in direct violation to federal drug laws and international drug treaties. Peter Bensinger, former DEA Administrator under Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan, led the effort speaking at a news conference in Chicago, IL. Read more. |
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| March 5, 2013 | Relaxation of U.S. Marijuana Laws Violates UN Drug Conventions | | |
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The Guardian reports that the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has criticized state laws in the U.S. that permit "medical" marijuana and legalization in Colorado and Washington. These laws are in violation of international drug conventions. The INCB President said, "They also undermine the humanitarian aims of the drug control system and are a threat to public health and wellbeing." Read more. |
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| March 4, 2013 | New Study Shows Effects of Marijuana on Driving Skills | | |
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Science Daily highlighted new research published in Clinical Chemistry on the detection of marijuana in the blood of daily marijuana smokers over the course of a month of abstinence. Researchers demonstrated that cannabinoids can be detected in chronic smokers after a month of abstinence, consistent with persisting neurocognitive impairment seen among these drivers. Researchers conclude that per se drugged driving laws for marijuana may help reduce drugged driving. Read more. |
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| February 27, 2013 | Marijuana Legalization is Far from Inevitable | | |
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In an editorial published by the AZ Capitol Times, Carolyn Short of Keep AZ Drug-Free compares the lavish funding given to pro-marijuana initiatives to their outspent opposition. Although national attention has focused on the passage of marijuana legalization in two states, anti-marijuana forces won most of the contests in 2012 and 2010 and lost only when outspent by large margins. She notes that the pro-marijuana lobby has misled the public to win elections and "opponents can defeat these initiatives only if they expose the deception." Read more. Keep AZ Drug Free. |
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| February 22, 2013 | Fatal Drug Overdoses Increase for 11th Consecutive Year | | |
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The LA Times reports drug overdoses have increased once more in the United States, now totaling 38,329 in 2010 according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The continued increase in fatal overdoses is reflects the increasing rates of prescription drug abuse, with over half of overdoses involving known prescription drugs. Of particular concern is opioid analgesics, or pain killers, which were involved in three quarters of all prescription drug-related overdoses. Read more. |
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| February 22, 2013 | HOPE-Like Program Now State-Wide in Washington | | |
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After an initial successful pilot program modeled on Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program, the State of Washington passed legislation to modify community supervision provisions focused on using: intensive supervision with treatment, evidence-based treatment, swift and certain behavioral interventions, and new crime notification. The first large-scale test of the HOPE-like model is now underway. Using the swift and certain model, Washington is focusing on the 15,000 highest risk probationers and parolees. As the WA State Department of Corrections 2012 Report to the Legislature states, "Swift and certain sanctioning increases offender compliance with rules of supervision, improving public safety in the short term and allowing for more effective case management." Read more. |
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| February 20, 2013 | New Drugged Driving Bill in California | | |
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Democratic Senator Lou Correa of Santa Ana, CA has introduced a new zero tolerance drugged driving per se bill under which driving with any detectable amount of a scheduled drug without a valid prescription would be a violation. In a press conference announcing the introduction of the bill, former Lt. Bob McGrory shared the tragic story of the death of his son, a CA highway patrolman who was killed by a drugged driver but the case ended in a hung jury. The McGrory family tragedy is one example of how current California laws fail to hold drugged drivers accountable. The proposed zero tolerance per se drugged driving law would be an important new tool for law enforcement and prosecutors in the battle against drugged driving. Read more. |
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| February 11, 2013 | Colorado Should Not Adopt a Permissible Limit for THC | | |
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Colorado is considering a 5 nanogram/ml blood limit for THC in drivers, a policy that would give drugged drivers a free pass. More than 70% of blood samples tested from Colorado drivers arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana are below 5 ng/ml THC. Under a 5 ng limit for THC, few of these drivers would be charged or convicted. Ed Wood, an advocate for improved drugged driving laws and enforcement, explains in The Denver Post why the 5 ng/ml limit is not a good option for public safety or public health. Read more. |
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| February 1, 2013 | Increases in Emergency Department Visits Due to Buprenorphine Use | | |
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Buprenorphine is a medication used to treat opioid addiction but like other drugs, it can be misused and abused. The number of emergency department visits related to buprenorphine use increased dramatically from 3,161 in 2005 to 30,135 in 2010. Of all nonmedical buprenorphine related ED visits in 2010, 41% only involved buprenorphine; 59% involved other drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a new report on the role of buprenorphine in ED visits. Read more. |
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| January 28, 2013 | Lessons from a Tragedy; Mexican Drug Violence Claims an Unbowed Martyr | | |
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Last November, a hero in the fight against drugs and for a better future for her beleaguered country died. Maria Santos Gorrostieta was only 36 years old and lived in the city of Morelia, Mexico, where she previously served as Mayor. In a new joint commentary, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, Per Johansson of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) in Sweden and Carmen Fernández Cáceres of the Centros de Integracion Juvenil (CIJ) in Mexico reflect on Ms. Gorrostieta's remarkable courage and examine the absurdity of recent calls to legalize marijuana and other drugs in the United States as a solution to the drug-related violence in Mexico. They outline the current (and often misunderstood) Mexican drug laws and stress the importance of reducing the demand for drugs, disseminating universal prevention messages and strengthening programs focused on early detection and intervention of drug use. Read more. |
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| January 15, 2013 | New Paradigm Program - "Swift and Sure" - Approved in Michigan | | |
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The state of Michigan will implement a new Swift and Sure program for probationers based on Hawaii's HOPE Probation which has achieved outstanding results to reduce drug use, recidivism and incarceration. Like HOPE and other programs within the New Paradigm, the Swift and Sure program will use frequent random drug and alcohol testing with swift responses to any violation including substance use. A pilot program has already begun to demonstrate good results. The Swift and Sure program will be expanded across the state. Read more. |
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| January 10 2013 | New Campaign Against Legal Pot: Smarter Approaches to Marijuana | | |
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Project SAM (Smarter Approaches to Marijuana) is a new initiative working to inform public policy with the science of today's marijuana. Leaders of SAM include Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Former White House Advisor Kevin Sabet, and addiction specialist Dr. Christian Thurstone, among others. They are starting a dialogue about reducing the unintended consequences of current marijuana policies, preventing the establishment of Big Marijuana (a likely result of marijuana legalization) and promoting new research. Learn About Project SAM. |
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| December 28, 2012 | National Survey Shows Five-Year Increases in Youth Marijuana Use; Recent Decreases in Perception of Harm from Use Predict Future Increases in Marijuana Use | | |
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The Monitoring the Future Study which surveyed 8th, 10th and 12th graders on their use of and attitudes about marijuana has serious implications for the health, safety and academic achievement of our nation's youth. Early and chronic marijuana use is directly correlated with decreased IQ, school dropout, addiction and psychosis. From 2007 to 2012 significant increases were seen in rates of past month marijuana use by youth. Recent decreases in perception of harm from use of marijuana predict future increases in marijuana use. The recent legalization of marijuana use, plus commercial production and sale, in Colorado and Washington State, and the legalization of "medical" marijuana in 18 states and the District of Columbia will likely lead to further decreases in youth perception of risk from harm. Read more. |
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| December 20, 2012 | 2012 Monitoring the Future Study Highlights | | |
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The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released highlights of the forthcoming 2012 Monitoring the Future Study results. While overall past month drug use by 8th, 10th, and 12th graders was unchanged from 2011, from 2007 to 2012 past month of any illicit drug among 12th graders increased to 25.2%. Additionally, past month marijuana use among 10th graders increased from 14.2% to 17.0% and among 12th graders increased from 18.8% to 22.9%. Of deep concern are the changes seen in youth perceived risk of harm of using drugs and, in particular, marijuana. As perceived risk of harm from use decreases, the rate of use increases. Read more. |
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| December 20, 2012 | IBH President Weighs in on Drugged Driving | | |
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IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was featured on the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) blog of journalist Jim Gogek. Dr. DuPont notes that there is no 0.08 g/dL BAC equivalent for drugs of abuse, including marijuana. The zero tolerance per se standard is the only workable standard to use. Marijuana legalization will increase use, and will result in huge increased costs in highway safety. Read more. Read Jim Gogek's entry, "Legalization May Mean More Drugged Driving - And More Drunk-Drugged Driving." |
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| December 18, 2012 | Seizing the Drug Policy Initiative | | |
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The successful ballot initiatives in Washington and Colorado legalizing the production, sale and use by adults of commercial marijuana place the U.S. on a path to be the first nation in world to legalize marijuana outright, taxed and regulated just as are alcohol and tobacco. This is the time to set a new national agenda to reduce drug use and improve public health and safety. Read the action agenda for the future of drug policy from the Institute for Behavior and Health and join with us in promoting it. |
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| December 13, 2012 | Speaking Out Against Drugged Driving | | |
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Ed Wood's son Brian was killed in a crash in 2010 when two women drugged on marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin were driving an SUV that crossed into Brian's lane. Since that time, Ed Wood has joined a chorus of voices speaking out against drugged driving. He has created a drugged driving victims network Deception Pass 3. Read more. Drugged driving presents a deadly risk to everyone on the road. Learn more about efforts to reduce drugged driving this December which is National Impaired Driving Month. |
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| December 3, 2012 | IBH President and Former DEA Administrator Publish Letter to the Editor Against Marijuana Legalization | | |
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The Washington Post published a letter to the editor by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. and former DEA Administrator Peter Bensinger on the reckless commercialization of marijuana by Colorado and Washington State in their respective November 2012 ballot initiatives. Dr. DuPont and Mr. Bensinger add that, "The Justice Department, an ardent defender of preemption of conflicting state laws...has an obligation to stop this reckless "experiment" that violates federal and international law and threatens both public health and public safety." Read more. |
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| December 3, 2012 | Department of Transportation Reaffirms Marijuana's Inclusion in Regulated Drug Testing Program | | |
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In light of recent state-based changes to marijuana laws, including legalization in Colorado and Washington and "medical" marijuana in other states, the U.S. Department of Transportation reaffirmed the inclusion of marijuana in its regulated drug testing program. The Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation 49 CFR Part 40 "does not authorize the use of Schedule I drugs, including marijuana, for any reason." DOT reiterates that "it remains unacceptable for any safety-sensitive employee subject to drug testing under the Department of Transportation's drug testing regulations to use marijuana." Read more. |
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| November 20, 2012 | Survey of California Drivers Shows 14% Positive for Drugs; More Drivers Positive for Marijuana than Alcohol | | |
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The California Office of Traffic Safety released results of a 2012 roadside survey of nighttime weekend drivers. One in seven (14%) drivers tested positive for drugs that may impair driving while 7.3% tested positive for alcohol. Slightly more drivers, 7.4%, tested positive for marijuana. More than one quarter of all marijuana-positive drivers also tested positive for another drug. This study demonstrates the growing prevalence of drugs among drivers which poses serious risk of crash and injury. The percentage of California drivers involved in fatal crashes that tested positive for drugs has increased since 2006, reaching 30% in 2010. California transportation groups are working to increase drug testing and the detection and prosecution of drugged drivers to reduce this public safety problem. Full Report. Press Release. |
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| November 19, 2012 | What the Latest Top Cannabis Research Tells Us | | |
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Bertha Madras, Ph.D., Professor of Psychobiology at Harvard Medical School's Department of Psychiatry, summarizes the findings of all of the most recent, top, government-funded studies on cannabis on the website of addiction psychiatrist and researcher Christian Thurstone, M.D. Dr. Madras shares the facts which include that marijuana use disorder is associated with higher mortality; heavy marijuana use as a young adult can adversely affect your life; marijuana use increases probability of use of other drugs; prohibition has worked; marijuana is not good for cancer; and, smoked marijuana does not have a future as a medicine. Read more. |
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| November 15, 2012 | Drugged and Drunk Driving Among Top Ten Transportation Challenges for 2013 | | |
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified substance-impaired driving as one of the top ten transportation safety challenges for 2013, noting in particular the role of drugs in transportation accidents. The NTSB Top 10 List is designed to generate increased government, public, and industry awareness and support for changes needed to reduce traffic-related accidents and save lives. The consequences of drugged driving include traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Read more. Top Ten Challenges. |
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| November 1, 2012 | IBH President Discusses Marijuana Policy on NPR's On Point | | |
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IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was a guest on the National Public Radio show, On Point, to discuss marijuana policy in the United States, including "medical" marijuana and current marijuana legalization efforts. Dr. DuPont served as co-chair of the writing committees for the American Society of Addiction Medicine's recent white papers on marijuana. ASAM opposes state-based legalization proposals which create unacceptable risks to public health. Moreover, ASAM concluded that smoked marijuana is not "medicine"; all cannabis-based and cannabinoid medications should be subjected to the rigorous scrutiny of the Federal Food and Drug Administration regulatory process. Dr. DuPont was joined on NPR by Jonathan Caulkins, Professor of Operations Research and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and Rob Kampia, Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project. Listen to the On Point program. ASAM white paper on marijuana legalization. ASAM white paper on "medical" marijuana. |
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| October 31, 2012 | Physicians who use "Medical" Marijuana are Unsafe to Practice | | |
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Medscape reported from the International Conference on Physician Health in Montreal that the Colorado Physician Health Program has taken a leadership role in addressing the use of "medical" marijuana by physicians. Physicians who use "medical" marijuana are considered unsafe to practice medicine in the state of Colorado. Dr. Doris Gundersen, Medical Director of the Colorado Physician Health Program discussed in a conference presentation the rampant marijuana problem in her state. The number of medical marijuana registry identification cards issued in Colorado has increased seven fold in only two years. Physicians using "medical" marijuana put themselves and their patients at risk. Read more (free subscription required). |
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| October 24, 2012 | More Than Two-Thirds of Americans Begin Drug Use with Marijuana | | |
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A new CESAR Fax reports that of the 3.1 million Americans aged 12 and older who used a drug other than alcohol for the first time in the past year, 68% reported marijuana was the first drug they tried. Over one fifth (22%) reported they first used prescription drugs nonmedically. These findings demonstrate the need for strong prevention efforts focused on marijuana and nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Read more. |
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| October 15, 2012 | Law Enforcement Officials Urge Attorney General to Speak Out on Marijuana | | |
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Former DEA Administrator Peter Bensinger led a press conference of law enforcement officials and policy leaders at the National Press Club in Washington, DC calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to take a stand against the three state-based marijuana legalization initiatives which will appear on November ballots in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Read more. The press conference came after nine former DEA heads wrote a letter to AG Holder. As the Washington Post has reported, the Justice Department has remained silent on this issue. Read more. |
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| October 3, 2012 | Don't Legalize Marijuana - It's Addictive | | |
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Dr. Andrea Barthwell, M.D. and IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. authored an op-ed published by the Seattle Times focused on why legalizing marijuana, an addictive drug of abuse, would be bad for public health. In November 2012, residents of Washington State will vote on Initiative 502, a ballot initiative that, if passed, would legalize marijuana. Drs. DuPont and Barthwell urge Washington and other states to reject legalization
proposals. Read more. |
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| October 2, 2012 | Results of the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health | | |
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Results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) showed that in 2011, 22.5 million Americans age 12 and older or 8.7% of the population used an illicit drug in the past 30 days, similar to 2010. The percentage of Americans who used marijuana in the past month dramatically increased 20% between 2007 (5.8%) and 2011 (7%). During this 5-year period, the number of past-year heroin users increased 66% from 373,000 in 2007 to 620,000 in 2011. Good news included a drop from 2010 to 2011 in the number of young adults age 18 to 25 who used prescription drugs
nonmedically. Read the press release of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Read more. Press Release of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. |
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| September 20, 2012 | Why We Need a Revolution | | |
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Thoughtful Living released a commentary by Calvina Fay, Executive Director of the Drug Free America Foundation, about the growing acceptance of marijuana use and the lack of education about its harmfulness. She states that a revolution is needed in drug policy - "one that involves a responsible rising up against drug use, cultivation and trafficking." Read more. |
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| September 8, 2012 | Marijuana Legalization Takes Center Stage This Election Season | | |
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In a commentary from the Partnership, Stuart Gitlow, M.D., President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), discusses the issue of marijuana legalization which will appear on three state ballots in November 2012. Often overlooked in discussions of drug policy are the public health costs of marijuana legalization. Dr. Gitlow encourages physicians and other health professionals to become more aware of the undesirable consequences of legalization and to encourage public education about these facts. Read more. |
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| September 6, 2012 | What is Recovery Project | | |
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What Is Recovery? is a research project of the Alcohol Research Group (ARG) which conducts and disseminates high-quality research in epidemiology of alcohol consumption and problems, alcohol health services research, and alcohol policies, while also training future generations of alcohol researchers. The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health. If you are in recovery and are over 18 years of age, consider taking the "What is Recovery?" online survey at www.whatisrecovery.org. |
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| September 4, 2012 | CASA Columbia National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Use | | |
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The latest CASA Columbia survey shows that 86% of American high school students report that their classmates are using drugs, alcohol or tobacco during the school day; 44% of teens know a student who sells drugs at their school (91% report marijuana, 24% prescription drugs, 9% cocaine, 7% ecstasy). Three quarters of teens 12- to 17-year-olds report that pictures of teens partying with alcohol or marijuana on social networking sites encourage other teens to do so. The survey confirms that parental expectations can significantly impact teens' decisions to use or not use substances. Read more. CASA Statement by Joseph A. Califano, Jr. |
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| August 30, 2012 | Protecting Children From illicit Drugs | | |
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The Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet, published an op-ed applauding the new publication, The Protection of Children from Illicit Drugs - A Minimum Human Rights Standard, a legal analysis of how human rights should be respected in the field of drug policy. Authored by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D., Kerstin Käll, Chief Medical Officer at the Dependence Clinic of the University Hospital in Linköping Sweden, and Per Johansson, Secretary of the Board of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD), the article emphasizes the role that the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Article 33 must play in any discussion of drug policy and human rights as it is the only UN convention that deals with illicit drugs. UN States have an obligation to protect children's rights to drug-free childhoods. Sweden has an opportunity to play an important role in shifting the current drug policy discussions away from protecting the "rights" of drug users to use illicit drugs, to focusing on protecting children from drugs. English Translation. Original Swedish Text. |
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| August 29, 2012 | The Changing Face of American Addictions | | |
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The Daily News interviewed Keith Humphreys, Ph.D., a psychologist and addiction researcher, about what drives addictive behavior and how addiction has changed in the United States. Dr. Humphreys specifically discusses the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse, noting that the availability of a drug largely drives rates of use. Read more. |
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| August 16, 2012 | Marijuana Laws and Arizona v. United States | | |
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In an unpublished op-ed, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. and John Coleman, Former Assistant Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), discuss the often overlooked fact that despite ongoing efforts to legalize marijuana, any state law that permits the production, distribution and possession of marijuana for any purpose is direct conflict with well-established federal law. The recent Supreme Court decision in Arizona v. United States provides a useful precedent for resolving the federal-state conflict over the legal status of marijuana. The Supreme Court upheld the supremacy of federal law. Congress has legislative authority to preempt state law, including state-based marijuana laws that are in conflict with federal law. Read more. |
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| August 14, 2012 | Marijuana Use Causes Brain Damage Confirmed | | |
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Australian researchers from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute issued a press release on new research confirming that long-term heavy marijuana use causes damage to the brain. Individuals who begin using marijuana in early adolescence "suffered the greatest abnormalities, and experienced greatest cognitive impairment." Read more. Another research study from the same group published in Addiction, demonstrated that adolescents who smoked marijuana weekly or more often are two times as likely as non-marijuana users to have anxiety disorders in their late 20s, even if marijuana use stops. Read more. |
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| August 6, 2012 | Medical Marijuana Commonly Diverted Among Teens | | |
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A study of teens aged 14 to 18 in two substance abuse treatment programs in Denver, Colorado revealed that nearly three quarters (73.8%) of the teens used "medical" marijuana that was recommended to someone else. Diverted medical marijuana was used a reported median of 50 times. Most teens perceived marijuana use has having slight or no risk. Teens who used medical marijuana began regular marijuana use at earlier ages, more symptoms of marijuana abuse and dependence, and more symptoms related to conduct disorders compared to teens who did not use medical marijuana. Read more. Abstract. |
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| July 31, 2012 | American Society of Addiction Medicine Opposes Marijuana Legalization | | |
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In a new White Paper entitled, State Level Proposals to Legalize Marijuana, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), opposes marijuana legalization. As the leading organization of addiction specialists, ASAM cannot support any policy proposal that would make marijuana, a drug of abuse, more widely available and more acceptable. "ASAM asserts that the anticipated public health costs of marijuana legalization are significant and are not sufficiently appreciated by the general public or by public policymakers. Physicians and other health professionals must become more aware of the anticipated undesirable outcomes of marijuana legalization and encourage public education on these facts." ASAM makes strong recommendations in support of leadership from physicians to oppose legislative or ballot initiatives that would result in marijuana legalization. Read more. IBH President Dr. Robert L. DuPont served as a Co-Chair of the Committee with Dr. Andrea Barthwell. Read their guest blog post on the ASAM President's Blog. |
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| July 27, 2012 | Evaluating "Medical" Marijuana in the Wake of LA Ban | | |
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In an op-ed published in the Los Angeles Times, psychiatrist and addiction specialist Dr. David Sacks reviews what is known about the medical benefits of marijuana use and the practice of "medical" marijuana. The negative health effects of marijuana are known, as are the growing number of problems stemming from "medical" marijuana; it is clear that marijuana is not medicine. Read more. |
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| July 5, 2012 | National Institute on Drug Abuse on Marijuana as a Medicine | | |
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The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) published a new issue of DrugFacts on marijuana, answering the question "Is marijuana medicine?" with a resounding "No." Medicines are products that are studied and determined as safe and effective for use to treat specific medical conditions by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Marijuana does not meet the standards of modern medicine. Marijuana could, however, be used in the creation of FDA-approvable medications.Read more. |
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| June 17, 2012 | Experts Warn About Consequences of Legalizing Marijuana | | |
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Colorado, Washington, and Oregon will each vote on measures to legalize marijuana at the state level. Under these propositions, marijuana would remain illegal under federal law. Experts Jon Caulkins, Ph.D., and Mark Kleiman, Ph.D. explain that legalizing marijuana in any state would have immediate impacts on rates of marijuana use and the price of marijuana in surrounding states. The legalization of marijuana is unprecedented and its full consequences unknown. Read more. |
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| June 1, 2012 | Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. High School Students Report Heavy Marijuana Use in the Past Month | | |
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In its CESAR Fax, the Center for Substance Abuse Research reported new data from the Partnership Attitude Tracking Study that 9% of all high school students in the United States used marijuana 20 times or more in the past month. "While all past month marijuana users were more likely than nonusers to also report the use of other licit or illicit drugs in the past year, heavy marijuana users were most likely to report such use." Read more. |
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| May 22, 2012 | International Leaders Sign Joint Statement at World Forum Against Drugs | | |
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Drugnews in Sweden published a joint statement signed by leaders in global drug policy while at the 2012 World Forum Against Drugs in Stockholm. Sven-Olov Carlsson of the World Federation Against Drugs participated in the release of the joint statement that called for a humane and balanced drug policy and was signed by Maria Larsson of Sweden, Viktor Ivanov of Russia, Gus Jaspert of the UK, Gil Kerlikowske of the United States, and Giovanni Serpelloni of Italy. Read more. |
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| May 3, 2012 | Pulling Back the Curtain on US Drug Demand | | |
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Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) brought the issue of drug policy to The Hill, recognizing that drug legalization is not the solution to the nation's drug problems. What is needed now is the development of effective strategies to reduce the demand for drugs in the United States. To do this, youth-based prevention is needed. HOPE Probation is also an important model program for how the criminal justice system can successfully reduce drug use among community corrections populations. Read more. HOPE Probation. |
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| April 30, 2012 | American Teens: Live Fast, Die Hard | | |
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A new article series on adolescence in The Lancet shows that American teens between the ages of 10 and 24 smoke more marijuana, drink nearly as much alcohol and are more likely to die violent deaths, compared to young people in the same age group around the globe. It is clear that new youth-focused drug and alcohol prevention programs are needed. Read more. Visit the IBH prevention website.www.PreventTeenDrugUse.org |
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| April 19, 2012 | Drug Testing and the Future of American Drug Policy | | |
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IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was the plenary speaker at the 2012 Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. DuPont discussed the important role of drug testing in drug policy today and future uses and development needs. A new paradigm has emerged in drug policy to improve long-term treatment outcomes. Drug testing is at the center of that paradigm which has produced impressive results in physicians with substance use disorders and among drug-using offenders in the criminal justice system. Other areas of development and uses for drug testing includes efforts to reduce drugged driving and youth drug prevention efforts. Read more. |
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| April 17, 2012 | ONDCP Releases 2012 National Drug Control Strategy | | |
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The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDP) released its 2012 National Drug Control Strategy. The Strategy builds on those released by the Obama Administration in 2010 and 2011 and focuses on reducing drug use and the consequences of that use. The goals of IBH support those of ONDCP outlined in the Strategy including reducing drugged driving, improving the link between treatment and the criminal justice system, improving international drug policy and partnerships, and reducing prescription drug abuse. The American Society of Addiction Medicine is one of many organizations supporting the 2012 Strategy. Read more. |
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| April 15, 2012 | Cracking the Mexican Cartels | | |
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In a New York Times op-ed, Robert C. Bonner, a former administration for the Drug Enforcement Administration, explains the steps taken by Mexican President Felipe Calderón to address the serious drug-related crime and violence in his country. Bonner suggests that Mexico, come December 2012, will need a successor to Calderón who can lead an aggressive asset-seizure program to dismantle the remaining cartels. Read more. |
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| March 23, 2012 | The Role of Drug Testing in the Workplace | | |
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In recent months, with several new initiatives being approved at the state level, the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. has developed a commentary on workplace drug testing. Workplace drug testing programs serve both as strong prevention programs, and also as a path to treatment and recovery. Employers are encouraged to follow best practices and use appropriate follow-up measures to maximize the benefits of drug testing programs. Read more. |
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| March 22, 2012 | Responding to the Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic | | |
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A commentary by R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), was featured in The Huffington Post online. He describes the Obama administration's orientation to drug policy which rejects the term "war on drugs." They have taken "a mainstream approach to the drug problem, employing a balance of public health and safety approaches to reduce drug use and its consequences." In that effort, the administration has aimed a strong focus on reducing the epidemic of prescription drug abuse which will reverse the increasing rates of overdose deaths. Read more. |
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| March 5, 2012 | Drug Tests for Public Assistance Recipients: A Sensible and Powerful Drug Prevention Strategy |
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With 23 states are considering proposals to require individuals to pass a drug test to receive public assistance, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. discusses this issue in a new commentary. There are two underlying realities that are seldom discussed in this often politicized and heated debate. The first is that illegal drug use is a serious problem for many people across all spectrums of society, including those receiving public assistance. The second is that routine drug testing is not a punishment. It is a benefit to those being tested because it helps them become and stay drug-free. Read more. |
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| March 4, 2012 | Driving High is a Treat to the Public |
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R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) published a guest op-ed in the Denver Post on the importance of implementing drugged driving per se laws to reduce this serious public safety problem. Research has shown that marijuana is the most common drug among drugged drivers and its use doubles the risk of crash. Director Kerlikowske urges Colorado to pass a drug per se law as the debate on marijuana-related issues in the state moves forward. Read more. |
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| February 24, 2012 | The Campaign to Normalize Marijuana Use in the United States |
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Over the last two decades, cultural attitudes toward the nonmedical use of drugs, and in particular toward marijuana use, have changed in the United States. During this time, across the country well-funded groups have promoted "medical marijuana" and marijuana legalization. Often overlooked is the impact of these pro-marijuana efforts beyond the borders of the states in which the "medical marijuana" laws exist and in which legalization efforts are promoted. Read more. |
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| February 21, 2012 | Marijuana Reality Check |
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Guest columnist for Thoughtful-Living.org, IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. authored a new summary article on the negative effects of marijuana use. With a growing number of Americans showing support for "medical marijuana" and marijuana legalization, marijuana-based initiatives must be effectively combated with knowledge about the serious consequences of marijuana use. Read more. |
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| February 16, 2012 | How to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse |
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The New York Times presents six perspectives on how to reduce prescription drug abuse, a problem classified as an epidemic. Debaters cover topics including the role of the government, the drug industry, the need for physician education and training, developing a national prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), public education campaigns, the parallels of controlling prescription drugs and gun control, and the role of patients. Read more. |
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| February 3, 2012 | IBH President Featured in Join Together Newsletter |
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Join Together and the Partnership at Drugfree.org featured a commentary by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. on a new paradigm for long-term outcomes of substance abuse treatment. The new paradigm includes long-term monitoring with swift, certain and serious consequences for any detection of drug or alcohol use. Using this paradigm the Physician Health Programs have set a new standard for long-term recovery. A similar approach has been used by Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) yielding outstanding results. Read more. |
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| January 31, 2012 | Police Seek Help Identifying Drugged Drivers |
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Senators Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas have proposed that federal funding in a pending transportation funding bill be used for research and to train police officers to identify drugged drivers. In addition to illegal drugs, prescription drug abuse poses a threat to the nation's roads. National self-report and roadside surveys have clearly demonstrated that drugged driving is a serious public health and public safety problem. Read more. |
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| January 23, 2012 | Recovery on College Campuses |
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The New York Times examines the new and growing development of recovery programs on college campuses and features IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. The modern college campus is home to a population of people at the peak age for the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Recovery programs on campus are an important step to reduce substance abuse and to promote life-long recovery from substance abuse. Read more. |
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| January 17, 2012 | IBH President's Letter to the Editor on Marijuana Study |
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A letter to the editor by IBH President Robert L. DuPont, M.D. was published online by The Washington Times. Headlines streaming from a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that marijuana is safe. Dr. DuPont notes that overlooked in the media is the large body of evidence of serious negative effects of marijuana use, including those related to cognitive and physical impairment, psychosis and motor vehicle crashes. Read more. |
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