Tragedy in Colorado from Fentanyl OverdosesLast February, a group of friends in a Denver suburb took cocaine, but five of them died. Colorado detectives determined it was laced with a deadly amount of synthetic fentanyl. Efforts to find out who was responsible for this mass overdose - and prosecuting them - highlighted another challenge in the nation's fentanyl drug crisis.

A Deadly CombinationPublic health officials revealed Thursday that xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer, has been discovered in the bloodstreams of four fatal fentanyl overdose victims. Kelsi Thorud reports. Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

Report from ABC NewsThis synthetic opioid, often mixed with heroin, is so toxic that people easily overdose and drug agents don special suits to handle it.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

Artificial intelligence is being used as a way to help those dealing with depression, anxiety and eating disorders, but some therapists worry some chatbots could offer harmful advice. Key TakeawayAI chatbots have the potential to revolutionize mental health therapy by providing accessible, scalable, and cost-effective support to patients. The upside of using AI chatbots lies in their ability to offer immediate assistance, anonymity, and personalized interventions, thereby reducing stigma and increasing accessibility for individuals seeking support. Additionally, AI chatbots can collect and analyze data to provide insights into patient behaviors and emotions, enabling therapists to tailor treatment plans more effectively. However, the downside includes concerns about the quality of care provided by chatbots compared to human therapists, the potential for misinterpretation or mishandling of sensitive information, and ethical considerations surrounding patient privacy and data security. Furthermore, reliance on AI chatbots may inadvertently diminish the importance of human connection and empathy in therapy, raising questions about the overall effectiveness of these tools in addressing complex mental health issues. Get a Free Trial InterAct offers virtual care solutions and referral solutions to treatment programs for extended care after in-patient treatment, family support programs and intensive outpatient services.  Start Free Today

Navigating the Complexities of Opioid Settlement Fund AllocationDeciding how to allocate opioid settlement funds poses a significant challenge for states across the nation as evident by the PBS News Hour segment focused on North Carolina. On one hand, there's a pressing need to address the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic on communities, including funding for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery services. On the other hand, states grapple with the complexity of distribution, as there are multiple stakeholders with valid claims to these funds. Lawmakers face tough decisions about whether to allocate resources to bolster healthcare infrastructure, support law enforcement efforts, or invest in education and prevention programs. Striking the right balance is crucial to ensuring that the funds are distributed equitably and effectively in the fight against the opioid crisis. Additionally, transparency and accountability mechanisms must be in place to track the impact of these allocations and ensure they are making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by opioid addiction.

Addiction, Alcohol, Drugs, Recovery, Science

In this episode, Can The Brain Recover From Addiction, we explore the brain's recovery from addiction to substances, like opioids and alcohol, and whether our brains are capable of making a complete recovery from any damage sustained from substance abuse and dependence. Can the brain recover from addiction? Description from Brief Brain Snacks

Tiffany Iler, Ohio State Student Dead at 21Tiffany Iler, 21, was a student at the Ohio State University. She died in May as a result of fentanyl intoxication.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

The Faces of Fentanyl from TampaThe overdose crisis is getting worse and the drug, fentanyl, is a big reason why. It's cheap, extremely addictive and 100 times stronger than morphine. 10 Tampa Bay hosted a discussion with a group of people who lost loved ones due to an overdose. None of them knew the drugs they bought were laced with fentanyl.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

Easy to Buy Counterfeit Pills Laced with Fentanyl on Social MediaFatal overdoses linked to the synthetic opioid fentanyl have been steadily climbing in the United States. "CBS Evening News" managing editor and anchor Norah O'Donnell reports on how teens are buying the drug on social media. Then Desilynn Smith, the clinical supervisor with Gateway to Change rehabilitation center, joins CBS News' Vladimir Duthiers to discuss the loss of her husband to a fentanyl overdose and her work to prevent drug-related deaths in her community.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

DEA warns about fentanyl being sold to kids Federal officials are sounding the alarm over the dangers of fentanyl pills .Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

A Brush with Death With thousands of lives cut short by tainted drugs, Sofia Christoff said she considers herself one of the lucky ones. However, she still bears the weight of her brush with death. Help is on the Way! InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!) Visit LifeLine Connect

The Story of Kevin McConvillen Part 1, Episode 1 of "Fighting Fentanyl: The Crisis," we introduce Hays CISD audiences to the local fentanyl crisis in our community. It opens powerfully with the tragic story of Kevin McConville who would have been a senior at Lehman High School, Class of 2023. However, just two weeks before the start of his senior year, he died from a suspected fentanyl overdose - never knowing it was fentanyl he took. Additionally, this video showcases first responders and their work on the front lines.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

17-Year Old Trining Dies from Fentanyl OverdoseChrisa Cornejo is mourning the death of her 17-year-old daughter, Trinity Cornejo. Cornejo says Trinity had come home after a party with friends on Sept. 30 and was later found unresponsive by Trinity's aunt. Cornejo says she believes this was her daughter's first time trying drugs. She says she hopes her daughter's death isn't in vain and others learn from this. "I would send her your articles about these issues, and these deaths, and I thought she understood and I thought she would never take that risk, but teenagers are curious and dealing with a lot of pressure," Cornejo said. Cornejo says she believes drug dealers are using social media to connect with teens. She has a message for parents."These dealers deliver substances of the teen's choice. They come in masks when they come in their cars," Cornejo said. "They either know what they're doing and don't want to get caught, or don't know what they're doing and don't care. Either way it's just drugs are no longer drugs. What you think you're getting is most likely laced with something else."Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

The Hidden Dangers of Fentanyl from ABC NightlineLaw enforcement, students and parents present dire warnings as the nation continues to see a rise in fentanyl overdose deaths.

17 Year Old High School Athlete Dead from FentanylClassmates are mourning the death of a promising Woodland Hills student-athlete, who died of fentanyl poisoning last week. El Camino Charter High School baseball player Cade Kitchen is being remembered as a kind, easygoing 17-year-old who was dedicated to his team. Even students that didn't know him personally are devastated by the news, and cannot believe that the fentanyl crisis hit their community. Parents are increasingly concerned. "It's heartbreaking for the family. It's heartbreaking for the students, it's a wake-up call," said Dean Messerman, whose son is a junior at the school.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

This is Your Brain on FentanylFentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid - a painkiller similar to morphine. But its recreational use is becoming a public health crisis and increasing problem for law enforcement across the country. Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

Mental Health

Amidst a perceived mental health crisis in the United States, a 2022 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and CNN revealed widespread anxiety, with one-third of adults unable to access needed mental health services. Cost and stigma emerged as key barriers, compounded by a shortage of available providers. In response, mental health professionals are exploring innovative interventions that offer flexible support through digital platforms, meeting the demand for accessible care. This shift reflects a growing recognition that equitable access to mental health services is essential, particularly for marginalized communities facing significant barriers to traditional psychotherapy. And the Survey Says: 90%Americans that believe there is a mental health crisis in America33%Adults expressed feelings of anxiety always or often in the past year.33%Say they can't get the mental health treatment they need. 5 Key Takeaways Digital Interventions Mental health apps are increasingly popular, but many are costly and not covered by insurance. Psychologists advocate for insurance coverage and emphasize that human support alongside these tools is crucial for effectiveness. Language Accessibility Most mental health apps are in English, limiting access for non-English speakers. Efforts are underway to adapt digital therapeutics like SilverCloud for Spanish speakers, pairing them with Spanish-speaking coaches. Open Access Initiatives Psychologists are uniting to share reliable assessment tools openly, breaking down barriers between psychology and the public. Online resources enable individuals to assess themselves and share results with providers. Single-Session Therapy focus on brief interventions is gaining traction to reach more individuals. Single-session therapy models, like those offered by Windy Dryden, aim to provide effective help in just one session, addressing immediate needs efficiently. Group Therapy Innovations Brief group therapy strategies like Focused Brief Group Therapy (FBGT) empower participants to practice skills in a supportive environment. These models focus on real-time interactions to address relationship issues and build interpersonal skills. About the American Psychological AssociationAPA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members.Read the full article Get a Free Trial InterAct offers virtual care solutions and referral solutions to treatment programs for extended care after in-patient treatment, family support programs and intensive outpatient services.  Start Free Today

Overview of the Opioid Crisis from PBS News HourFebruary 9, 2022"The opioid overdose crisis that killed more than 100,000 Americans in a year is being called one of the most pressing national security and public health challenges facing the U.S. A majority of the overdoses are driven by the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl. Maryland Rep. David Trone, co-chair of the federal Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking, joins William Brangham to discuss."

Isaiah Dies From Fentanyl at Age 15A Phoenix mother is opening open about the heartbreaking loss of her 15-year-old son because of an overdose and she said she found out on Snapchat he had taken a pill.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

A Powerful Video from the CDCFentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is being added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn't be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. However, fentanyl test strips are a simple, inexpensive, and effective way to test drugs for fentanyl and help prevent overdose. Learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and ways to protect yourself at cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

One Pill Killed HerDrug overdoses killed more than 107,000 people in the U.S. in 2021. Synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, were involved in the majority of those deaths.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

Speaking Up in an Effort to Save LivesOne woman who lost her son to an overdose is speaking out in an effort to save lives. She said he wasn't a drug user, and he took what he thought was Percocet, but it ended up being fentanyl.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

The Crisis WorsensLaw enforcement, students and parents present dire warnings as the nation continues to see a rise in fentanyl overdose deaths.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

Tedx Talk by Tony Hoffman From Tedx Talk, "Tony discusses how his first time smoking marijuana led to his eventual drug addiction, homelessness, prison, and finally redemption. Tony Hoffman is the Founder and Director of The Freewheel Project, a non-profit organization that mentors thousands of youth through action sports: BMX, skateboarding and after-school programs." The speaker emphasizes the long-term consequences of drug addiction, urging the audience to visualize the potential outcomes for individuals struggling with substance abuse.Personal anecdotes highlight the speaker's own journey from experimenting with drugs to experiencing homelessness and incarceration due to addiction.Despite facing stigma and skepticism, the speaker shares how he transformed his life through determination, setting goals, and reshaping his habits and character.The speaker challenges societal stigmas surrounding addiction, emphasizing the importance of empathy, support, and understanding for individuals in recovery.Ultimately, the speaker's story serves as a testament to the possibility of redemption and personal growth, even in the face of adversity and societal judgment.

Explainer Video from British Columbia For anyone that is unfamiliar with fentanyl, this is a great video from Vancouver, Canada that reviews what the drug is, who is at risk and why is it so deadly. Fentanyl was detected in 80% of overdose deaths in British Columbia in 2017 and that statistic is now true for overdose deaths in the United States.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

More than 100,000 people in the U.S. died of drug overdoses in 2021SAN ANTONIO - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is prescribed as transdermal patches or lozenges. The CDC says the most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, increased by over 56% from 2019 to 2020, according to the CDC.Help is on the Way!InterAct LifeLIne is developing a mobile solution that utilizes data from smart watches and fitness trackers to detect leading indicators of overdose, alert others and send help. (Coming Soon!)Visit LifeLine Connect

Summary:Psychedelics are rapidly gaining acceptance as a viable form of treatment for various mental health conditions, with cities like Cambridge and Somerville leading the way toward decriminalization. Medical experts, such as Dr. Jerry Rosenbaum of the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital, champion the therapeutic potential of these substances when used under medical supervision. Similarly, Bertha Madras, a Harvard University professor and the director of McLean Hospital's Laboratory of Addiction Neurobiology, agrees that the neuroscience of psychedelics holds promising avenues for advancing mental health treatment. However, it's key to note that while the field is promising, ongoing research is vital to fully understand the implications and potential effects of these substances in clinical settings. Organizations like the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and the Usona Institute are leading the charge in funding and conducting studies on the therapeutic use of psychedelics. In addition to medical professionals, advocacy groups such as Decriminalize Nature and Students for Sensible Drug Policy are pushing for policy changes that would allow for more research and implementation Excerpt"The cities of Cambridge and Somerville have taken steps this year toward decriminalizing psychedelics, as some medical experts point to evidence that such substances may provide relief from certain mental health conditions when used under medical direction. Where does the science stand on this? In for Jim Braude, Adam Reilly was joined by Dr. Jerry Rosenbaum, the director of both the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital and the hospital's new Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics; and Bertha Madras, professor of psychobiology at Harvard University, director of McLean Hospital's Laboratory of Addiction Neurobiology, and a former deputy drug czar in the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy." View on GBH