This Week's News in Substance Use: 3/24/17

Opinion: Protect Georgia Families from Opioid Overdose, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Let’s be clear: checking the PDMP isn’t about reducing access to needed pain medicine, it’s about making prescriptions safer.”

Taylor Wilson's Parents Fought for 41 Days to Get Their Daughter Treatment, But They Couldn't Stop Another Overdose, Alternet

“As longtime health care professionals, the Wilsons thought they knew how to navigate the system… They both had a sense of the hard road ahead. But for 41 days, they ran into roadblocks far greater than they'd ever imagined.”

Most Teens Who Abuse Opioids 1st Got Them from a Doctor, Live Science

“Researchers looked at trends in the use of prescription opioids among U.S. adolescents from 1976 to 2015. They found a strong correlation between teens' taking the drugs for medical reasons and then later taking them for "nonmedical" reasons, or in other words, abusing them, according to the study published today (March 20) in the journal Pediatrics.”

Opioid Dependence Can Start Within Just a Few Days, CBS News

“Doctors who limit the supply of opioids they prescribe to three days or less may help patients avoid the dangers of dependence and addiction, a new study suggests.”

Former Drug Czar Says GOP Health Bill Would Cut Access To Addiction Treatment, NPR

“Michael Botticelli served as President Obama's director of National Drug Control Policy, and pushed Congress to pass a funding measure last year making more money available for the treatment of opioid addiction. Now he's concerned that the proposed Republican health plan will reduce access to health services for people with addiction.”

No Opioids, Please: A Growing Movement Lets Patients Refuse Prescriptions, STAT News

“The ease of relapsing into opioid addiction has led a growing number of states to help residents make it clear to medical professionals they do not want to be prescribed the powerful painkillers.”

Sean Penn's Son Hopper Talks Crystal Meth Addiction, Refinery29

“Sean Penn's son, Hopper, is speaking out about a serious struggle, and credits his father for helping him work towards recovery.”