This week's NDEWS Hotspot Alerts report includes 32 counties with higher-than-expected drug-related 911 dispatch counts over the previous 7-day period. Read more here. Click here to read more about NDEWS Hotspot Alerts

Earlier this week, the DEA Toxicology Testing Program (DEA TOX) published its Second Quarter 2023 Report presenting results of cases analyzed and completed between April 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023. During this period, 192 biological samples and 2 drug products from 168 cases originating in 13 states were submitted to DEA TOX. A total of 1,091 drugs and metabolites were identified and confirmed. Read the full report here.

A study recently published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence examined disparities in drug overdose deaths by educational attainment during the fentanyl era of the drug overdose crisis and its intersection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors found that disparities widened substantially among adults aged 25–64 years, with the widening of these disparities occurring most rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Males with at most a high school-level education experienced the greatest increase in age-adjusted mortality rates. Read the study here.

A retrospective cohort study of emergency medical services patients who survived a prior opioid overdose in 2019–2021 in King County, Washington was published earlier this week. The results showed that among EMS patients who survived an opioid overdose, the risk of subsequent overdose was high, especially in the weeks following the overdose, highlighting the need to connect patients with harm-reduction, treatment, and support services during this time. Read the study here.

Last week, The Toxpod released their October 2023 new psychoactive substances (NPS) update podcast episode featuring NDEWS collaborator Dr. Alex Krotulski, Associate Director of the Center for Forensic Science Research & Education. The podcast discusses the drop-off in new substances compared to last year, the impact of international controls, and how best to gather and then communicate information on NPS to forensic labs. Listen to the podcast here.

Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET

This presentation will review the different elements of a NMS laboratory report, the purposes they serve, and what is being conveyed to the recipient of the report.

Register here.

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