Xylazine

Methamphetamine Use Reaches All-Time High in People Who Use Fentanyl with No Signs of Slowing, Adding Fuel to U.S. Fentanyl Crisis

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240220752791/en/
    Shifting trends in the co-detection of prescription opioids, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine nationally provide insight into how each has changed over time.
  • More recently, a fourth wave of overdose deaths co-involving fentanyl with stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine has emerged.
  • Stimulants were co-involved in over 30% of fentanyl overdose deaths in 2021, up from less than 1% in 2010.
  • Millennium Health’s Signals Report shows that UDT data tightly correlate with U.S. overdose mortality rates and closely follow the evolution of America’s fentanyl crisis.

AHN team performs region's first deep brain stimulation therapy to treat opioid addiction

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, January 13, 2024

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A multidisciplinary team of physicians at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is among the first in the nation to safely utilize deep brain stimulation therapy (DBS) to treat a patient suffering from opioid addiction.

Key Points: 
  • PITTSBURGH, Jan. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A multidisciplinary team of physicians at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is among the first in the nation to safely utilize deep brain stimulation therapy (DBS) to treat a patient suffering from opioid addiction.
  • Led by principal investigator and AHN neurosurgeon Nestor D. Tomycz, MD, the AHN team announced this week that they have successfully implanted an deep brain stimulation (DBS) device in the brain of a 28-year-old New York man with treatment-resistant opioid addiction.
  • The procedure took place in December at AHN's Allegheny General Hospital, and the patient's ongoing therapy is part of an FDA-approved clinical study.
  • DBS for opioid-use disorder involves implanting bilateral electrode leads into an area of the brain called the nucleus accumbens – the brain's addiction and reward center.

BioXcel Therapeutics Announces Update on NIDA-funded Trial of BXCL501 (sublingual dexmedetomidine) for Potential Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 6, 2023

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BTAI), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing artificial intelligence to develop transformative medicines in neuroscience, today announced an update on the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded trial evaluating BXCL501 (sublingual dexmedetomidine) as a potential treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Key Points: 
  • NIDA has requested Columbia University, the trial coordinator, to add a fourth site to target trial completion in 2024.
  • After this time, BioXcel Therapeutics plans to seek FDA feedback on potential registrational paths.
  • “With BXCL501, we are excited about the potential to treat patients who are physically dependent on illicit and prescription opioids.
  • In addition to OUD as an indication, BioXcel Therapeutics has been awarded key opportunities for the development of BXCL501 in post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder.

Fentanyl, Xylazine, Cannabinoids to Feature in Virtual Forensic Toxicology Seminar December 14 - 15, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023

The program opens with “Cannabis and the Expanding World of Cannabinoids” on Thursday, December 14th.

Key Points: 
  • The program opens with “Cannabis and the Expanding World of Cannabinoids” on Thursday, December 14th.
  • Topics covered include the legalization of cannabis, challenges with prosecuting marijuana DUIs, and the rise in use and adverse events with cannabinoid products.
  • The seminar will also explore the landscape of new psychoactive substances (NPS), drug delivery homicide cases, and advancements in clinical toxicology testing.
  • The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise and board certification in medical toxicology.

Teledyne FLIR Introduces New Portable Chemical Detector Designed for Rapid Narcotics Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), has announced the release of the revolutionary Griffin™ G510x portable chemical detector, specifically designed to analyze and identify explosives and narcotics, including fentanyl, during field operations.

Key Points: 
  • Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), has announced the release of the revolutionary Griffin™ G510x portable chemical detector, specifically designed to analyze and identify explosives and narcotics, including fentanyl, during field operations.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231003247566/en/
    Teledyne FLIR Defense has introduced a new portable chemical detector designed for rapid drug analysis.
  • Modifications on the new G510x enable operators to identify trace amounts of narcotics in complex mixtures that are now the norm.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, allow Teledyne FLIR and third-party chemists to provide real-time analysis to confirm or deny chemicals of interest via end-to-end encrypted connection.

BioFlyte Successfully Validates Aerosolized Fentanyl Detection Capabilities

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023

“BioFlyte’s mission is to protect people and critical infrastructure, while also ensuring the continuity of operations in the face of evolving biological and chemical threats,” said Todd Sickles, CEO of BioFlyte.

Key Points: 
  • “BioFlyte’s mission is to protect people and critical infrastructure, while also ensuring the continuity of operations in the face of evolving biological and chemical threats,” said Todd Sickles, CEO of BioFlyte.
  • “Key decision makers in government and public safety are struggling to control the flow of fentanyl into the country.
  • Our ability to quickly and accurately detect life-threatening chemical threats like fentanyl, in addition to serious biological agents sets us apart from every other solution on the market.
  • In testing with Avarint, the BioTOF was exposed to both pure fentanyl and fentanyl mixed with common cutting agents such as xylazine and acetaminophen.

Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) Announces $1.3 Million in Grants to Sesame Workshop and the American Academy of Pediatrics to Fight Youth Opioid and Overdose Crisis

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Washington, DC, Sept. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) today announced grants totaling $1,341,000 to Sesame Workshop and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for initiatives to fight the opioid and overdose crisis that is devastating America’s youth.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, DC, Sept. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) today announced grants totaling $1,341,000 to Sesame Workshop and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for initiatives to fight the opioid and overdose crisis that is devastating America’s youth.
  • “Drug overdose deaths among US adolescents and young adults have significantly increased in recent years, largely due to fentanyl, xylazine, and other adulterated substances.
  • "When a parent struggles with addiction, the whole family struggles," said Jeanette Betancourt, Ed.D., senior vice president of U.S. Social Impact, Sesame Workshop.
  • Pediatricians, including adolescent medicine physicians, are on the front lines of the opioid crisis affecting children and young adults.

Press Conference Announcing New Initiatives to Fight the Opioid Crisis Facing America’s Youth, Sept. 27, 2023, 9am ET, National Press Club, Washington, DC

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 25, 2023

As fentanyl, xylazine and other substances continue to devastate our young people, FORE is expanding its work with children, youth, and families with a focus on prevention.

Key Points: 
  • As fentanyl, xylazine and other substances continue to devastate our young people, FORE is expanding its work with children, youth, and families with a focus on prevention.
  • FORE was founded in 2018 as a private 501(c)(3) national, grant-making foundation focused on addressing the nation’s opioid crisis.
  • FORE is committed to funding a diversity of projects contributing solutions to the crisis at national, state, and community levels.
  • FORE’s mission is to support partners advancing patient-centered, innovative, evidence-based solutions impacting people experiencing opioid use disorder, their families, and their communities.

Progress in the Battle Against Opioid Epidemic: New Jersey Records Decrease in Overdoses

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 25, 2023

New Jersey government and advocacy community have worked together to save lives from the opioid crisis, including the designation by the legislature and Gov.

Key Points: 
  • New Jersey government and advocacy community have worked together to save lives from the opioid crisis, including the designation by the legislature and Gov.
  • Murphy of October 6, 2023 as Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day – a day of awareness and education on the opioid epidemic coordinated by PDFNJ – and, the Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series.
  • PDFNJ is also working with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to educate student-athletes on the risks of opioids.
  • Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 217 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.

Gravity Diagnostics Expands Testing Services to Include Xylazine Detection: A Crucial Advancement in Ensuring Public Safety

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

By including Xylazine in their testing menu, Gravity Diagnostics aims to address the growing concerns surrounding its use and provide critical information to healthcare providers.

Key Points: 
  • By including Xylazine in their testing menu, Gravity Diagnostics aims to address the growing concerns surrounding its use and provide critical information to healthcare providers.
  • **Benefits of Choosing Gravity Diagnostics for Xylazine Testing: **
    **Accurate and Reliable Results**: Gravity Diagnostics is renowned for its state-of-the-art testing technologies and highly trained staff, ensuring the utmost accuracy and reliability in Xylazine detection.
  • **Commitment to Safety**: Gravity Diagnostics' mission is to improve public safety and health, and by offering Xylazine testing, they are taking a proactive step towards achieving this goal.
  • For more information about their Xylazine testing services or to inquire about their comprehensive toxicology solutions, please contact them at [email protected]