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Friday, April 11, 2014
Vermont Becomes Second State to Take Action Against Zohydro Prescribing
By Join Together Staff | April 10, 2014 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Government, Prescription Drugs & Prevention
Following the decision by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to order a ban on prescribing and dispensing the pure hydrocodone painkiller Zohydro, Vermont’s governor announced an emergency order to make it more difficult for doctors to prescribe the drug.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said he joins the many critics of the drug, who are wondering why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it, according to the Associated Press. “What puzzles all of us is the recent FDA action to approve a new opiate that’s stronger and likely to be even more addictive because of its strength,” he said.
In January, Shumlin spoke about Vermont’s “full-blown heroin crisis” during his State of the State address. He focused his entire speech on drug addiction and its consequences.
When Governor Patrick announced the Zohydro ban, he cited a public health emergency stemming from opioid abuse. Zohydro is designed to be released over time, and can be crushed and snorted by people seeking a strong, quick high. It was approved for patients with pain that requires daily, around-the-clock, long-term treatment that cannot be treated with other drugs. Other hydrocodone drugs on the market, such as Vicodin, also contain acetaminophen.
In December 2012, a panel of experts assembled by the FDA voted against recommending approval of Zohydro. The panel cited concerns over the potential for addiction. In the 11-2 vote against approval, the panel said that while the company’s manufacturer, Zogenix, had met narrow targets for safety and efficacy, the painkiller could be used by people addicted to other opioids, including oxycodone.
Zogenix announced it will assemble an oversight board designed to spot misuse of the drug.
The FDA’s decision to approve Zohydro has been criticized by some legislators and public health groups. FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg has received letters protesting the decision from 28 state attorneys general and four senators, among others.
Following the decision by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to order a ban on prescribing and dispensing the pure hydrocodone painkiller Zohydro, Vermont’s governor announced an emergency order to make it more difficult for doctors to prescribe the drug.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin said he joins the many critics of the drug, who are wondering why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it, according to the Associated Press. “What puzzles all of us is the recent FDA action to approve a new opiate that’s stronger and likely to be even more addictive because of its strength,” he said.
In January, Shumlin spoke about Vermont’s “full-blown heroin crisis” during his State of the State address. He focused his entire speech on drug addiction and its consequences.
When Governor Patrick announced the Zohydro ban, he cited a public health emergency stemming from opioid abuse. Zohydro is designed to be released over time, and can be crushed and snorted by people seeking a strong, quick high. It was approved for patients with pain that requires daily, around-the-clock, long-term treatment that cannot be treated with other drugs. Other hydrocodone drugs on the market, such as Vicodin, also contain acetaminophen.
In December 2012, a panel of experts assembled by the FDA voted against recommending approval of Zohydro. The panel cited concerns over the potential for addiction. In the 11-2 vote against approval, the panel said that while the company’s manufacturer, Zogenix, had met narrow targets for safety and efficacy, the painkiller could be used by people addicted to other opioids, including oxycodone.
Zogenix announced it will assemble an oversight board designed to spot misuse of the drug.
The FDA’s decision to approve Zohydro has been criticized by some legislators and public health groups. FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg has received letters protesting the decision from 28 state attorneys general and four senators, among others.
Substance Abuse Treatment Much More Likely for Men: Report
By Join Together Staff | April 10, 2014 | Leave a comment | Filed in Alcohol, Drugs & Treatment
A new government report finds twice as many adult men as women entered substance abuse treatment facilities in 2011. The report found 1.2 million men, and 609,000 females, entered such facilities that year.
Among teens 12 to 17, the rate of substance dependence for both males and females was about 7 percent, UPI reports. The findings come from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Teenage boys were more likely to abuse marijuana, while teenage girls were more likely to abuse alcohol.
Twenty-two percent of women ages 18 to 24 said marijuana was their primary substance of abuse, compared with 3 percent of men the same age. Women 65 and older were almost three times as likely to abuse prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, compared with men of the same age.
“This report provides insight into how age and gender relate to substance abuse, SAMHSA Chief Medical Officer Elinore McCance-Katz said in a news release. “SAMHSA believes that health care professionals can use this information in designing programs that are better tailored to effectively meet the treatment needs of both genders.”
A new government report finds twice as many adult men as women entered substance abuse treatment facilities in 2011. The report found 1.2 million men, and 609,000 females, entered such facilities that year.
Among teens 12 to 17, the rate of substance dependence for both males and females was about 7 percent, UPI reports. The findings come from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Teenage boys were more likely to abuse marijuana, while teenage girls were more likely to abuse alcohol.
Twenty-two percent of women ages 18 to 24 said marijuana was their primary substance of abuse, compared with 3 percent of men the same age. Women 65 and older were almost three times as likely to abuse prescription painkillers such as oxycodone, compared with men of the same age.
“This report provides insight into how age and gender relate to substance abuse, SAMHSA Chief Medical Officer Elinore McCance-Katz said in a news release. “SAMHSA believes that health care professionals can use this information in designing programs that are better tailored to effectively meet the treatment needs of both genders.”
Thursday, April 10, 2014
APRIL 10 v 8 TWELVE STEPPING WITH THE POWER IN THE PROVERB
The wise are glad to be instructed,
but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
STEP 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
God knows we all need step two ! When I was lost drifting in the sea of my addiction God and friends sent me many life boats to get out of the angry sea. For some insane reason I convinced myself that I can get to shore on my own . The water was way above my head at times and it was a struggle every minute of everyday to keep from going under and drowning . Eventually I could not tread water anymore and I was left with a do or die decision . The next time a life boat comes along I will have to grab the hand that is reaching out for me. Gods hand is always reaching out you just have to grab it . God comes in the form of family friends and anyone else who wants you out of the sea safe on dry land . God and family have a better plan for your life and it is not you drowning in the sea of addiction.
JAMES 4 : 10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
STEP 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
God knows we all need step two ! When I was lost drifting in the sea of my addiction God and friends sent me many life boats to get out of the angry sea. For some insane reason I convinced myself that I can get to shore on my own . The water was way above my head at times and it was a struggle every minute of everyday to keep from going under and drowning . Eventually I could not tread water anymore and I was left with a do or die decision . The next time a life boat comes along I will have to grab the hand that is reaching out for me. Gods hand is always reaching out you just have to grab it . God comes in the form of family friends and anyone else who wants you out of the sea safe on dry land . God and family have a better plan for your life and it is not you drowning in the sea of addiction.
JAMES 4 : 10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
By Joseph Dickerson
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Daily Quote
"Acceptance is the key to my relationship with God today. I never
just sit and do nothing while waiting for Him to tell me what to do.
Rather, I
do whatever is in front of me to be done, and I leave the results up to
Him; however it turns out, that's God's will for me." - Big Book of
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 420
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