For decades, tianeptine was used to treat depression, even though no one knew how it worked. But it turns out it’s a type of opioid, and the U.S. is facing a spike in abuse of “gas station heroin.”
opioid
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In the era of fentanyl, treating opioid addiction may mean a higher dose
In recent years, as fentanyl has flooded the market, people who use illicit opioids have developed a higher tolerance. A new study suggests that the opioid substitutes used to treat those people may need to be increased.
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R.I. plans for state’s first supervised consumption site for illegal drugs proceeding cautiously
Across the country, overdose prevention centers continue to face pushback, most recently in New York City. Plans to open Rhode Island’s first supervised consumption site for illegal drugs in 2024 are proceeding cautiously. Health reporter Lynn Arditi talked with The Public’s Radio Morning Edition host, Luis Hernandez, about what’s at stake in Rhode Island.
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RI communities get millions in opioid settlement funds. But who knows how they’re spending it?
More than $10.5 million has flowed into Rhode Island cities and towns so far from legal settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and sellers with no explicit requirements that the municipalities publicly report how the money is spent. The direct payments to cities and towns are part of nationwide settlement agreements with companies like Johnson & […]
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Rhode Island’s first safe consumption site for illegal drugs slated for early 2024
Rhode Island became the first state to legalize supervised drug consumption sites in 2020, but finding an affordable location delayed its launch.
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Mobile addiction treatment clinic ordered to leave Woonsocket
The City of Woonsocket has ordered a mobile health clinic licensed to dispense addiction treatment medication to leave its current location, saying it’s in violation of city zoning laws. The “cease and desist order” states that the mobile clinic operated by CODAC Behavioral Healthcare is parked in a major commercial district rather than an area […]
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Communities are divided over Rhode Island’s plan for safe drug injection sites
Representative Stephen M. Casey is an unlikely crusader for supervised drug injection sites. A Democrat from Woonsocket, R.I., he’s also a Catholic and self-described conservative. He’s against abortion rights. And he supports the Second Amendment right to own a gun. “So my first reaction was like no way,’’ Casey said. “As a rescue guy I’m […]
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The Van Taking Opioid Addiction Treatment To The Streets
On the streets of Boston, the potholed path to treatment often starts with a sandwich. Egg salad is the favorite. Today it’s ham. Phil Ribeiro tucks one into the bag of a man who is breathing, but either so sedated or deeply asleep that he’s difficult to rouse. “Hopefully he doesn’t wake up next to […]
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Springfield, Mass., Health Official Wants More Data On Opioid Overdose Deaths
A health official in Springfield, Massachusetts, said she was surprised by a jump in the number of opioid overdose deaths in the city, and she doesn’t know why it happened. Annual deaths from opioid overdoses in Springfield almost doubled in 2018 — from 56 to 108. That’s while they declined in a majority of cities […]
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Women & Infants Launches Drug Treatment Program For Pregnant Women
Women & Infants Hospital in Providence has announced a new program to treat pregnant women who are addicted to opioids.
