drug abuse

"Clean" by David Sheff

Joe Donahue — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:35:00 +0000

In his new book, Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy, David Sheff shows that addiction is a preventable, treatable disease, not a moral failing.

Sheff’s ongoing research and reporting on the science of addiction earned him a place on Time Magazine's list of the World's Most Influential People.

Mass. Physician Advocates Seek Changes in Prescription Monitoring Program

Lucas Willard — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:48:04 +0000

Patient advocates and representatives of the medical community in Massachusetts are submitting comments to the state Board of Public Health to address regulations that aim to curb prescription drug abuse.

Signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in 2012, An Act relative to prescription drug diversion, abuse and addiction, requires prescribers of pain killers to enroll in the state’s now-voluntary Prescription Monitoring Program upon renewal of their medical licenses. Currently about 1,700 prescribers in Massachusetts are enrolled in the program.

Berkshire Lawmaker Files Bill to Support Recovering Addicts

Lucas Willard — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:19:42 +0000

A Massachusetts legislator in Berkshire County is sponsoring a bill that would require health insurers in the state to allow victims of substance abuse greater access to recovery treatment.

4^th Berkshire District Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli, a democrat, is one of four co-sponsors of the so-called healthcare parity bill. The legislation would require health insurance providers in Massachusetts to pay for the continuing treatment of individuals recovering from substance abuse.

Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment-and How to Get Help That Works

Joe Donahue — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:10:00 +0000

Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment-and How to Get Help That Works , by medical writer and New York Times bestselling author Anne Fletcher, gives readers an insider’s view of drug and alcohol rehab. It focuses on real people whose stories illustrate the serious issues facing individuals in rehab and endemic in the rehab industry today.

Some stories are disturbing while others are inspiring, as they provide an honest and critical look at the current state of the addiction treatment industry in the U.S., contrasting what goes on in rehab with what experts and scientific studies suggest should go on.

Alan Chartock...In Conversation with Nancy Campbell

Alan Chartock — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:00:10 +0000

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Nancy D. Campbell, Professor in the Department of Science and Technology Studies and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Campbell, who earned a PhD in the History of Consciousness program at UC Santa Cruz, did her master’s in English at the University of Washington and a bachelor’s in English at Bucknell. She has researched and published on topics such as drug addiction, bioethics, public health and drug policy, and feminist and postcolonial science and technology studies.

County-wide Effort Seeks to Collect Unused Prescription Meds in Berkshires

Lucas Willard — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:34:51 +0000

Next week, Berkshire residents can safely dispose their old and unused prescription medications in a county-wide effort to reduce drug abuse and addiction. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

On Saturday, September 29^th, officials and organizations throughout Berkshire County are cooperating in their sixth semi-annual drive to reduce and safely dispose unused prescription meds. Lois Daunis of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition says her organization is just one of the parties organizing and participating in the event.