U.S. Military Working on Combination Anti-Heroin/HIV Vaccine

By Celia Vimont | November 30, 2012 | 9 Comments | Filed in Addiction, Drugs & Treatment


A scientist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research is developing a vaccine designed to treat heroin addiction while at the same time prevent HIV infection. This project is one of a number of research initiatives around the world that are working toward new vaccines to fight addiction.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse recently pledged $5 million toward Dr. Gary Matyas’ work on the new dual vaccine. The goal of the vaccine is to fight heroin abuse and the high risk of HIV infection among heroin users who inject the drug.

“Heroin users have a high incidence of HIV, especially in regions of the former Soviet Union, South America and parts of Europe,” Dr. Matyas said. “If you can reduce heroin use, you can reduce the spread of HIV. That’s why we’re focusing on both heroin and HIV in one vaccine.”

The two parts of the vaccine are being developed separately, and will be combined when they have both been shown to be effective in small animals. The vaccine could be ready to be tested in nonhuman primates in several years.

The heroin component of the vaccine is in a more advanced stage, he explained. Researchers are taking small molecules that mimic heroin, and attaching them to the active component in the human tetanus vaccine. They are using a potent adjuvant formulation—a substance that enhances the immune system response. “This produces a very strong antibody response,” Dr. Matyas notes. “The antibody binds to heroin and prevents it from crossing the blood-brain barrier and producing a pleasurable effect.”

The HIV component of the vaccine is based on one that was tested in Thailand. A clinical trial of that vaccine, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2009, was the first HIV vaccine study to show any efficacy, Dr. Matyas said. The study found the vaccine effectiveness rate was 31.2 percent. The U.S. Military HIV Research Program, part of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, is working to enhance the response rate.

Once the vaccine is commercially available, it will require booster shots in addition to the initial injection, according to Dr. Matyas.

Most current addiction vaccines are focused on nicotine. Although several nicotine vaccine trials have had disappointing results, researchers continue to test nicotine vaccines. A benefit of a vaccine is that it would be given once a month, which would be easier to stick with than daily nicotine patches or gum. Researchers are studying cocaine vaccines as well.

Last year researchers in California, using a mouse model, announced they have found three new formulations that could be used in a vaccine to treat addiction to methamphetamine.

CALL TO ACTION !

Now is the time Gentlemen! The mighty spirit of the LORD is sounding the alarm! One hundred thousand sons and daughters of the Almighty FATHER are being slaughtered every year by the powerful demonic force of addiction.Families devastated ,young children dieing before their time. Marriages trampled ,houses being robbed innocent blood spilled!How long will we as soldiers of the cross lie dormant. Your Congregations are full of souls crying out to the Almighty FATHER for deliverance ,hope ,and help.These are the times in which we find ourselves. My mission is to unite ,educate and break the back of this demonic force. As a fellow solider of CHRIST , GOD has equipped me with the tools and resources you will need for this great on going struggle. Contact recoveryconnections@gmail.com with whatever your needs may be.GOD has brought you the broken and wounded , and you now have a guide to assist you so you can assist them.My never ending prayer is to give sight back to the blind , to set the captives free and preach good tidings to the poor.We will live in a addiction free world someday , but until then lets armor up and fight the good fight ! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

By Joseph Dickerson November 30, 2012

Number of NFL Players Testing Positive for Amphetamines Has Increased

By Join Together Staff | November 29, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed in Prescription Drugs

The number of NFL players who are testing positive for amphetamines such as Adderall has increased, according to the Associated Press. More than 10 players suspended for failing drug tests since the start of last season have blamed Adderall.

NFL Senior Vice President Adolpho Birch told the AP the number of positive tests for amphetamines has increased. The league does not identify what substance a player tested positive for when he is penalized, the article notes. This means players can blame Adderall even if they tested positive for steroids or another stimulant.

Birch said that because many college students use Adderall as a study aid, players are used to relying on the pills as a stimulant. “It’s not a secret that it’s a societal trend,” he noted. “I think we’re starting to see some of the effects of that trend.”

Football players who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can apply for an exemption that allows them to use Adderall. Several players who tested positive for the drug said they had a prescription, but did not receive an exemption.

Adderall “would absolutely give you a competitive advantage. Fatigue, focus, concentration, maybe aggression,” said Dr. Michael Joyner, a sports physiologist and anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “And if they were using it during training, the ability to train harder, longer, the ability to have fewer bad days.”

Canada Allows Six Generic Drug Makers to Produce Oxycodone

By Join Together Staff | November 28, 2012 | 1 Comment | Filed in Government & Prescription Drugs

The Canadian government has given approval to six generic drug companies to manufacture oxycodone products. The Canadian health minister had been under pressure to forbid the generic version of OxyContin because of concerns about widespread abuse of the painkiller, CBC reports.

Canadian Health Minister Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the drug is safe and effective when used as prescribed, the article notes. Last week, she announced drug manufacturers and pharmacists will be required to report spikes in sales, or changes in distribution patterns, in an effort to curb prescription drug abuse. The government also is requiring drug companies that manufacture oxycodone products to provide better education for healthcare professionals and the public about the potential risks of the drug.

The Associated Press reports Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock sent a letter to Aglukkaq asking the Canadian government to reconsider its decision, which he said will make oxycodone easier to abuse.

Bullock pointed out features that OxyContin’s manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, had included to make the drug harder to abuse will not be included in generic versions.

“Studies have shown that the tamper-resistant changes OxyContin manufacturers have made to the drug have resulted in less abuse among addicts,” Bullock wrote. “I have concerns that allowing easier-to-abuse oxycodone in Canada could undo some of the work that both Canadian and U.S. government and community leaders have accomplished in combating this epidemic.”

The AP notes officials in Canada’s provinces and aboriginal communities are also concerned about abuse, particularly in rural areas.

Expanding Your Recovery Toolkit” Workshop Dec. 18 in Doylestown

CALENDAR LISTING:

“Expanding Your Recovery Toolkit” Workshop Dec. 18 in Doylestown



Free monthly workshop series for individuals and families with a current or pastdrug/alcohol addiction issue. Next session meets Tues., Dec. 18, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., 252 W. Swamp Rd., Unit 12, Doylestown, Pa. Topics include using yoga and meditation to battle drug addiction; how addiction differs from other diseases; and a group participation period on a day in the life of a heroin addict. Refreshments. To register, call 215-345-6644 or email JSchwartz@councilsepa.org.

Christmas with the Angels: Sunday, Dec. 9

Join the fun on Sunday, December 9, 2012 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm as COA celebrates Christmas!  Watch Santa ride in on his motorcycle, enjoy piping hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, tea, desserts and an ice cream sundae bar (all free!), make some Christmas cards, wrap your gifts (also free!).....between 1:30 and 2:30 pm, Santa will be taking pictures with children and from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Santa will be posing with pets. Pictures with Santa are just $5 each for a 5" x 7" frameable masterpiece.  Last year's COA Christmas was so much fun....to watch it on video, click here.   For more details about this event, or to volunteer to help with it, contact CityofAngelsNJ@hotmail.com.   Help for the Holidays   The holiday season can be stressful -  especially for people with addictions and their  families. City of Angels can help. We offer many services for addiction sufferers and those who love them, all at no charge.    For more details, click here or email CityofAngelsNJ@hotmail.com.    New Videos Thanksgiving Dinner 2012 A lot has been happening at COA! If you missed the Thanksgiving Dinner on November 18, you can click here to watch the video.    Also, Princeton Community Television recently interviewed Tom Allen about the drug epidemic in New Jersey; a non-practicing attorney, Tom was previously Associate Executive Director of City of Angels NJ and is now CEO of Summit Behavioral Health. He's also in recovery himself. Click here to watch his conversation with PrincetonTV's Natasha Sherman.      Tidbits   COA hosts support group meetings for both addiction sufferers and their families every day of the week at the Dwier Center (392 Church Street, Groveville, NJ). This includes 12-step meetings, a Tuesday night Moms Meeting, Sunday night Spirituality Meeting and the popular Sunday morning Family Support Group. To check out our online calendar, click here.     For directions to the Dwier Center, click here.      The COA website now offers an Addiction News Feed with the latest studies, reports, new and other info on addiction. It's updated in real time with top 30 articles. To read the feed, click here.  New videos are up on the COA YouTube channel. To watch, click here.      Join COA's Pinterest community! To visit the boards, click here.          Keep current on COA activites - join the COA group on Facebook!  COA news is posted first on Facebook, and this page often has photos not available elsewhere. Click here to visit.   City of Angels NJ, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides many services to addicts and their families including interventions, recovery support, Family Program, counseling services and more. All of our services are provided at no charge.