We are seeking a Research Coordinator II to work with our day-to-day activities within the National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) and manage various aspects of our ongoing surveillance efforts regarding emerging trends in psychoactive substances. The ideal candidate should have a master's degree in a relevant field and at least two years of related experience. For further details and to apply, click here.

A study recently published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports co-authored by NDEWS Scientific Advisory Group Member Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, investigated the relationship between the supply of methamphetamine and overdose death risk in Ohio. Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation crime lab data was used to estimate the relationship between the proportion of methamphetamine in lab samples and unintentional drug overdose death rates from January 2015 through September 2021. The results showed that relatively more methamphetamine detected by crime labs is either unrelated to or associated with a small, but measurable decrease in the overall risk of unintentional overdose death. The authors note that given the context of extremely dangerous synthetic opioids, their estimates should be interpreted as showing that a relative increase in the availability of less deadly drugs, especially if they are replacing synthetic opioids, may reduce the overall number of overdose deaths in the short run. Read the study here.

A study recently published in Addiction described the spread of xylazine throughout the UK illicit drug supply. By the end of August 2023, Xylazine was detected in 35 cases from toxicology, drug testing, and drug seizure sources throughout England, Scotland, and Wales. Xylazine was detected in biological samples from 16 people. In most cases where full toxicology results were provided, xylazine was detected with heroin and or a potent opioid. Not all cases presented this polydrug use pattern. All 14 drug samples from WEDINOS submitted from across the UK contained xylazine; heroin was not the purchase intent in any of these cases. The purchase intent for these samples was counterfeit prescription medication tablets, THC vapes, or white powder. The authors concluded that xylazine has penetrated the UK illicit drug market and is not limited to heroin supplies. Read the study here.

A recently published study described the context and characteristics of 2020 – 2022 suspected counterfeit pill-involved deaths in North Carolina. Seventy-five cases were identified for inclusion in the study. Novel benzodiazepines detected included flualprazolam, etizolam, clonazolam metabolite, bromazolam, flubromazolam and desalkylflurazepam. Decedents’ ages ranged from 16 to 69, across 33 different counties. Read the study here.

Earlier this week, authorities in Austin, Texas began receiving an increase in opioid-related overdose calls from Monday to Tuesday morning. During this time, authorities responded to about 51 calls with as many as eight deaths linked to the events. In one 911 call, a man said that about 15 people may have ‘smoked something that was bad.” Read the article here.

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Time: 1:00 p.m. E.T.

Register here.

People who have used drugs are invited to join Virtual HealthStreet to participate in periodic anonymous, special topic surveys specifically to get a better understanding of emerging drug trends across the US. Join here.

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