Botox May Be Newest Potential Weapon In Fight Against Opioid Epidemic, But Experts Temper Expectations
A new study on mice found that one injection could provide weeks of relief from chronic pain, though critics warn that it wouldn't be realistic to frame it as a solution to the opioid crisis. “This is interesting and hopeful; almost too hopeful to be true,” said Dr. Michael Andary, a professor at Michigan State University College. News on the epidemic comes out of Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Missouri and Kansas, as well.
Stat:
Synthetic Botox For Chronic Pain? New Study Holds Out Possibility
It’s not just for fine lines and wrinkles: Botox is showing promise as a treatment for chronic pain. Or, rather, the botulinum toxin that’s used commercially to erase signs of aging is also being studied as a potential alternative to opioid drugs. A new paper in Science shows that a single dose of botulinum toxin, injected into the spinal cavity, prompted several weeks of pain relief from chronic and neuropathic pain — in mice. (Keshavan, 7/18)
The Washington Post:
D.C. Officials Report 100 Overdose Patients In Four Days
D.C. Fire and EMS medics have transported about 100 overdose patients in the past four days with symptoms that appear to be consistent with K2, or synthetic marijuana, officials said Wednesday. Medics evaluated and transported about 10 people to hospitals Wednesday, including four patients who were found unconscious and unresponsive at 3rd and E Streets NW, about two blocks from D.C. police headquarters, Chief Gregory Dean said in an interview. (Williams, 7/18)
NH Times Union:
Beyond The Stigma: Optimism On NH's Opioid Front Line
It was a rare moment of optimism, amid all the bad news about the opioid epidemic, as leaders on the front line of the crisis gathered at Manchester Health Department Wednesday to talk about what’s going well. Dr. Joseph Pepe, president and CEO of CMC Healthcare System, said it will take a collaborative approach to address the issues that led to the epidemic. “This truly is a health crisis, and it belongs to all of us, and it’s going to take all of us to solve it,” he said. (Wickham, 7/18)
MPR News:
St. Paul Syringe Exchange Aims To Stem Tide Of Hepatitis C And HIV
As the country struggles with an opioid epidemic that now kills tens of thousands of people each year, a new downtown St. Paul syringe exchange is a sign that some local governments are embracing once controversial measures in an effort to keep people who inject drugs as healthy as possible. (Collins, 7/18)
Kansas City Star:
Amethyst Place Allows Moms In Recovery To Live With Kids
Families accepted into Amethyst Place get case managers and on-site therapy in a supervised, drug-free environment. The women get individual treatment plans and help getting an education or finding a job. ... Right now, the program takes in people from all over the metro, and the increasing demand has created a waiting list that Davis said stretches three to six months. (Marso, 7/19)
