abuse - NewBostonPost

Massachusetts

Jobs, drugs top concerns for Bay State residents

While race relations and the threat of terrorism dominate the national news, Massachusetts voters at the state level are more concerned about jobs, the economy, and the worsening opioid epidemic, according to local polling data reviewed by the NewBostonPost. Sixteen percent of respondents named jobs as the topmost concern, followed

Science

Is addiction a brain disease?

The opioid abuse epidemic is a full-fledged item in the 2016 campaign, and with it questions about how to combat the problem and treat people who are addicted.

marijuana

Marijuana may help break addiction to painkillers, heroin

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The growing number of patients who claim marijuana helped them drop their painkiller habit has intrigued lawmakers and emboldened advocates, who are pushing for cannabis as a treatment for the abuse of opioids and illegal narcotics like heroin, as well as an alternative to painkillers. It&

boston

Senate panel backs 3.5% spending boost in state budget

BOSTON – A Senate committee on Tuesday unanimously endorsed an annual budget that includes funding for 150 new residential substance abuse treatment beds, hundreds of new rental assistance vouchers and investments in education programs that exceed appropriations approved by the House in April. The $39.497 billion budget roughly hews to

Massachusetts

Lawmakers asked to settle marijuana’s status under ag. laws

STATE HOUSE — Pivoting from the ongoing debate over whether the state should legalize marijuana for adult use, lawmakers on Tuesday were asked to grapple with a new question around the drug: are marijuana plants an agricultural crop or a controlled substance? At issue is a Plympton farmer's plan

Massachusetts

Baker signs opioid abuse prevention tools into law

STATE HOUSE — An emotional Gov. Charlie Baker fought back tears Monday as he recounted the stories he's heard from the parents of young people who have died from drug overdoses and letters he received from students at North Shore Recovery High School, detailing their "heartbreaking stories of

Massachusetts

Opioid compromise passes House, heads to Senate

BOSTON – A compromise measure to rein in the opioid abuse crisis passed unanimously in the state House of Representatives Wednesday and is expected to face a final vote in the Senate Thursday. The measure would put limits on first-time prescriptions of synthetic opiate painkillers like oxycodone and use additional screening

abuse

Cardinal O’Malley: clergy have responsibility to report abuse

VATICAN CITY (RNS) – Catholic clergy have a "moral and ethical responsibility" to report sexual abuse, the cardinal tasked with reforming the Vatican's approach to sexual crimes said after criticism of the Holy See. Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley sought to reaffirm the church's