This week, NDEWS highlights the counties with the highest rates of nonfatal overdose from any drug per 10,000 population over the last 12 weeks. The bar chart above shows the counties with the highest frequency of being in the top five highest rates of nonfatal overdose per week between May 1 and July 31, 2024. The map displays the 27 states with statewide coverage that were included. There were a total of 12 counties that were in the top five two or more times; a dot was placed on each as shown in the chart below. Roanoke City, VA, had the highest frequency, being in the top five highest 11 out of 12 weeks. View the full report here.

What is 7-OH? 7-hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH is an opioid-receptor binding alkaloid that occurs naturally in trace amounts in kratom leaves.

What was found? Dr. Christopher McCurdy, an internationally recognized kratom expert, alerted the NDEWS team to the presence of synthetically created 7-OH pharmaceuticals being marketed as kratom products. In response, the NDEWS team analyzed Reddit to find mentions of 7-OH and made a web monitoring report on June 21st, 2024. The upward trend that the web monitoring team reported in June has continued, and the discussion of 7-OH has increased by almost 100% since the earlier report.
  
How is it being discussed? Reddit users report that 7-OH provides subjective effects similar to prescription opioids. Some Reddit users report developing a "dependence" within just two weeks of use, as well as severe and long-lasting withdrawal symptoms. Users report that single doses can be highly potent. There are also concerns about the safety and purity of 7-OH tablets, as they may be cut with other substances. Many discussants report that they purchased 7-OH for chronic pain management. Since the last web monitoring update, Reddit users have reported increased availability, both in terms of in-person shops and shipping, along with a large price increase. There has also been increased discussion about the ingestion of 7-OH in liquid as opposed to tablet form. 

Drug Terms: 7-hydroxymitragynine, 7-OH, 7HMZ, 7(omega)MZ 

 A study recently published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, led by NDEWS Sentinel Site Director, Dr. Phillip O. Coffin, evaluated a pilot program providing “Methamphetamine Assist Packs” to patients who were seen in a psychiatry emergency services program for methamphetamine-induced psychosis. Methamphetamine Assist Packs included a small number of tablets of an antipsychotic medication, administration instructions, and referral information. The results showed that Methamphetamine Assist Packs were associated with fewer psychiatric emergency visits for six months after receipt. Read the study here.

Earlier this week, NPS Discovery published its Q3 2024 recommendations for NPS testing in the US. Notable changes were seen for NPS synthetic cannabinoids, specifically 5F-ADB. View the report here.

Share your research, news, and events through our submission form.

Share your comments on our newsletter through our feedback form.

Follow NDEWS on Twitter: @NDEWSnews