Topic: National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Cory Monteith overdose spotlights surge in heroin addiction and death

The number of heroin addictions and deaths among young people, many of whom previously abused prescription drugs, has risen dramatically, experts say. Cory Monteith battled addiction for years.
Progress Watch Cocaine use: Will the factors behind its steady decline continue?

The US government released more good news this month about impeding entry of cocaine into the country. Still, opinions vary when it comes to interpreting the overall cocaine-use decline and the possible reasons for it.
Pregnant moms using cocaine has less effect on infants than previously thought, says research

Pregnant mothers who used cocaine provoked a scare in the 1980s, but new research says there's little proof of major long-term effects on children.
Why American teens are turning from cigarettes to marijuana

A new survey shows that marijuana use among teens continues to rise – and outstrips cigarette use – thanks to the increasing perception that pot is not harmful.
Bath salts: Police raids net huge haul of synthetic drugs

Federal agents and state and local police made more than 90 arrests in nationwide raids. Experts say bath salts and other potent synthetic drugs are becoming popular, particularly among teens.
Study: With OxyContin harder to misuse, abusers shift to harder drugs

A reformulation of OxyContin that makes the pills harder to crush or dissolve has led to less abuse, a new study finds. But abusers turned to more potent opioids, including heroin – evidence that demand is what most needs tackling.
Modern Parenthood Teens drinking hand sanitizer – though underage drinking is down

Teens drinking hand sanitizer to get drunk is a new trend noticed by California authorities. While overall underage drinking has been going down in the past decade, 72 percent of teens who do report having had an alcoholic drink apparently were able to get it without resorting to the gooey gel.
High school seniors smoke marijuana more than cigarettes, survey finds

A new survey of US teens found that nearly 23 percent of 12th graders used marijuana over the last month, compared with 18.7 percent who said they smoked cigarettes.
12/14/2011 04:50 pm
US teens smoke more marijuana than tobacco, says new survey

Marijuana use among American teens is up, but binge drinking is down, says a federal 2010 survey on drug use among teenagers. For the first time, marijuana use has passed cigarette use in the survey.
12/14/2010 05:26 pm
Are iPads, smartphones, and the Mobile Web rewiring the way we think?

Multitasking on smartphones, iPads, and the Mobile Web makes some feel smarter and others just more scattered. Is it changing how we think?
07/24/2010 03:00 pm
Report: marijuana, prescription drug use up among teens

A federal report on teen drug use released Monday shows some progress. But abuse of prescription drugs is up, and the growing acceptance of medical-marijuana use is making marijuana look safe.
12/14/2009 08:27 pm
Pill wars: debate heats up over 'brain booster' drugs.

Adults are taking stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall, normally used to treat serious medical conditions, to boost their concentration and job performance. Critics ask: Is it making Americans too dependent on their medicine cabinets?
05/15/2009 01:00 am
Youth access to drugs increases

Teens can now get marijuana and prescription drugs more easily than last year. But drug usage is not up.
08/15/2008 01:00 am
Opinion The other teen drug problem

Prescription drug abuse is up. But we can fight back.
02/01/2008 12:00 am