drug abuse

    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.

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.

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.

4th 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 , 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.

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.

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 29th, 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.