In Midst Of Raging Opioid Epidemic, Some Turn To Marijuana As Alternative Pain Reliever

Stateline: Can Marijuana Ease The Opioid Epidemic?
Nationwide, an estimated 1.4 million patients in 28 states and the District of Columbia use legal medical marijuana for a varying list of conditions. A much smaller number of patients in 16 states use limited extracts of the plant, primarily to treat seizure disorders. In the midst of an opioid crisis, some medical practitioners and researchers believe that greater use of marijuana for pain relief could result in fewer people using the highly addictive prescription painkillers that led to the epidemic. (Vestal, 2/21)

The Baltimore Sun: Number Of Maryland Babies Born With Drugs In Their System Growing 
Hospitals throughout the state are dealing with a sharp increase in the number of babies born exposed to drugs as the opioid epidemic grows and ensnares the youngest victims while they're still in the womb. These newborns suffer tremors, have trouble feeding and are not easily comforted — all signs of drug withdrawal. The number of babies born in Maryland with opiates, alcohol, narcotics or other drugs in their systems has increased 56.6 percent in the last nine years to 1,419 cases in 2015, the latest numbers available. (McDaniels, 2/17)

The Associated Press: Montana Officials Alarmed As They Fight Surge In Meth Use
Methamphetamines continue to make an alarming surge in Montana, as law enforcement, health officials and communities struggle to address the problem. Panelists at a drug summit convened Saturday by the Montana Legislature said resources are being strained because of a widening prevalence of the drug. (2/18)

Cincinnati Enquirer: A Jail Where Women Go Willingly To Break Heroin's Grip
These half-dozen women, ages 18 to 38, are in jail for six months each. But they all want to be here. And once their sentences are over, they will continue being helped for as many as two more years with their addiction recovery. Welcome to the Recovery Unit of the Campbell County jail, a new addition, fashioned by social worker Kristie Blanchet, the jail's new chemical dependency program manager. (DeMio, 2/20)

The Baltimore Sun: Doctors Are Using Alternatives To Addictive Opioids To Help Patients Deal With Pain 
The change in procedures is occurring as doctors face pressure to prescribe fewer opioids and other narcotics that can lead to addiction in some patients. Opioid addiction is fueling what's become a nationwide heroin epidemic as addicts turn to the cheaper, more readily available street drug. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced earlier this month that it was instituting new rules for prescribing opioids to Medicaid patients that would force doctors to consider alternative painkillers, start with low doses and better screen patients for risk of abusing prescription drugs. The new rules also encourage doctors to refer more addicted patients to treatment. (McDaniels, 2/18)

NPR: Drugs Should Be A Last Resort To Treat Acute Lower Back Pain
Most of us suffer back pain at some point in our lives. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor. Many of us also probably reach for medication. Now, new guidelines from the American College of Physicians say try exercise, yoga, or massage first. That's a pretty big change for both doctors and patients, but a welcome one, some doctors say. (Neighmond, 2/20)

NH Times Union: Sununu, HHS Commissioner Detail Their Plan To Combat Opioid Crisis 
Gov. Chris Sununu and Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeffrey Meyers detailed their multi-prong strategy Friday to make use of $6.3 million in federal grants over the next two years to fight the opioid epidemic. State officials have already learned this is what New Hampshire should expect to receive under the 21st Century Cures Act that Congress passed late last year. Federal officials have to approve the applications of each state for how to use their money. (2/18)

The Star Tribune: Could Mandatory Database Curb Opioid Abuse? 
Doctors would be required to check up on most patients before prescribing opioid painkillers under a legislative proposal that will get a warm reception at a Capitol rally on Tuesday. From there, it may face a tougher reception from physicians who view it as overkill and a crimp on their ever-shrinking amount of time to treat patients. But national research suggests that requiring physicians to check state registries of patients' drug histories can help curb the painkiller epidemic by identifying patients who are abusing opioids and "shopping" among doctors for prescriptions. (Olson, 2/20)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Potent Synthetic Opiate Furanyl Fentanyl Tied To 10 Recent Deaths In Milwaukee County
Furanyl fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiate similar to heroin, was found in 10 recent drug-related deaths in Milwaukee County, the medical examiner's office announced. The substance is an analog, or variation, of fentanyl that can be legally prescribed by a doctor but can be 40 to 50 times more powerful than heroin and can be extremely deadly. (Luthern, 2/20)

Richmond Times Dispatch: Va. Board Creates New Opioid Prescription Guidelines 
Virginia’s Board of Medicine has approved new emergency regulations that will give it authority to specifically regulate the prescribing of opioids for pain. The board’s decision was made in response to the state’s ongoing opioid epidemic. Opioids are a type of drug that includes both prescription painkillers and illicit drugs such as heroin. (Demeria, 2/20)

Kaiser Health News: Facing Pressure, Insurance Plans Loosen Rules For Covering Addiction Treatment
Aetna, one of the nation’s largest insurance companies, will remove a key barrier for patients seeking medication to treat opioid addiction. The change will take effect in March and apply to commercial plans, a company spokeswoman confirmed, and will make it the third major insurer to make the switch. (Luthra, 2/21)