Overregulation Hurts Competition Among Methadone Providers—and Harms Patients
In America, methadone is highly regulated and extremely difficult to access. There are 77.5 million Americans who live in a county without an OTP. The result of this scarcity is that in many areas of the country, the only organizations authorized by the federal government to provide methadone to people with OUD have no direct competition. This market concentration can make accessing methadone an untenable experience for people seeking an off-ramp from OUD.
Clean syringes seem counterintuitive to fentanyl fight. But needle exchange saves lives.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN USA TODAY
Opponents of SSPs argue that they enable drug use and make neighborhoods less safe. However, when implemented according to best practices, there is actually plenty of evidence to the contrary.
Commentary from R Street’s Mazen Saleh and former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams
What the…? Safer From Harm on Methadone
Methadone is a “gold standard” treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). But it is over-regulated, stigmatized, and out of reach for many Americans. We talk to Stacey McKenna, R Street’s Resident Senior Fellow in Integrated Harm Reduction, to understand how methadone works, identify existing barriers, and learn what is being done to expand access.
Opioid Harm Reduction on Campuses and the Policies That Make It Possible
Something remarkable is happening at the University of Arizona: Student leaders are ensuring that every fraternity has opioid harm reduction tools and skills at the ready.
What the…? Safer From Harm on Why Fentanyl is in Stuff
A friend recently asked me, “Why are drug traffickers putting fentanyl in fake prescription pills? Why would they sell a deadly ingredient to their customers?”
What the…? Breaking Down Harm Reduction Questions, Myths and Concepts
In our “What the…?” series within our Safer From Harm blog, we’ll cover myths, questions and explanations in drugs, tobacco and sexual health, and in the underlying factors and health risks that make harm reduction so necessary in the first place.
Interconnected: Harm Reduction and Older Adults
Baby Boomers are using substances—both legal and illegal—at increasing rates. They deserve attention, autonomy in making decisions about their health, and access to options that can reduce their risks.
Harm Reduction Belongs Everywhere
It’s time to get over our instinct to tell people to “just quit” whatever they’re doing, which too often really means—whether we intend it to or not—“serves you right” or “quit or die.”
The Effects of Drug Decriminalization in Oregon: An Interview with Drug Policy Alliance’s Matt Sutton
In 2020, Oregonians passed the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, which decriminalized possession of small quantities of formerly illicit drugs.
With Cannabis Use Disorder and Schizophrenia, Different Risks Require Different Interventions
A recent Cambridge University study assessed the relationship between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia.
Lawmakers’ best intentions on vaping could cost lives
Lawmakers typically have a bias for action. When they perceive a social problem, they quickly draft legislation—however flawed—to try to address it.
Policymakers Move to Expand Addiction Treatment with the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act
Expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) is key in reducing fatal overdoses in the country.
The Western War On Vaping Is Harming Public Health
E-cigarettes are widely recognized as a useful tool for reduced usage of traditional combustible tobacco products.
Study Claiming SSPs Increase Overdoses Overlooks Nuances of Real-World Drug Environments
Decades of data support the role of SSPs in reducing the spread of infectious disease and indicate that they do not encourage drug use, but rather recovery.
When it comes to fentanyl-related substances, testing—not classwide scheduling—could save lives
Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances present a challenge for overdose response and substance use disorder treatment.
Flavor bans might keep youth from vaping, but could also hurt smokers who are trying to quit
Columbus, Ohio, lawmakers are considering a flavor ban on tobacco products.
The Regulatory Landscape of Psychedelic Medicine
Humans have been harnessing psychedelics for mental, emotional and spiritual healing
E-cigarettes are at least as safe and effective as nicotine replacement therapy for pregnant smokers looking to quit
The quest to find more effective tobacco cessation tools as well as safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes is key for empowering pregnant smokers to improve their health.
Stopping the Rise of STIs
There are many reasons for increases in sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, they can be boiled down to three challenges: stigma, access and education.
Biden Should Stand Up for All Forms of Harm Reduction
Last summer, the Biden administration took a bold step
The Latest on Harm Reduction
The Safer from Harm blog features analysis, interviews, news, and more from across the spectrum about public health and harm reduction.
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