Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
B.C. police were skeptical decriminalization would reduce overdose deaths: Study
According to the results of a recent study carried out by Simon Fraser University (SFU) professor Amanda Butler, B.C. police officers were skeptical that the province's drug decriminalization pilot program would be successful. As part of the survey, 30 police officers...
New Canadian guidelines recommend simpler alcohol screening in routine care
An updated clinical practice guideline published in the medical journal Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) recommends that healthcare providers should routinely screen patients for alcohol consumption above Canada’s low-risk drinking thresholds using a...
Moderate alcohol consumption can negatively impact brain health: Study
According to the results of a new study, even moderate alcohol consumption may significantly reduce brain blood flow, especially in older adults. The research study, published in the journal Alcohol, included 45 healthy participants between the ages of 22 and 70 years...
Low to moderate alcohol consumption is linked to health risks: Study
According to the results of a new study, low to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with increased health risks depending on the type and amount consumed. The study was conducted by researchers from Central South University in Changsha, China and the findings...
U.S. reclassifies medical cannabis as lower-risk drug
On April 23, Donald Trump’s acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical cannabis as a less dangerous drug, resulting in a major policy shift. While this move does not legalize cannabis federally in the U.S., it changes...
Alberta health experts warn of tranquilizer in drug supply that does not respond to naloxone
Earlier in March, harm reduction activists and addiction researchers issued warnings over the growing presence of medetomidine in Alberta’s drug supply. Medetomidine is a strong non-opioid sedative mainly used in veterinary medicine, which has been increasingly...
The link between stress and addiction: Study
According to a new study, stress can directly influence addiction-related behaviours through specific brain circuits. The research study, carried out by scientists from the University of Texas and published in the peer-reviewed journal eLife, used a transgenic mice...
Sense of control can influence drinking habits and consequences: Study
According to a research study, individuals’ sense of autonomy and motivation can strongly influence their drinking behaviours and the consequences they experience. The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research,...
Men and women with substance use disorders show distinct psychiatric comorbidity profiles: Study
According to the results of a new study, psychiatric comorbidities in substance use disorders (SUD) differ significantly between men and women. The research study, carried out by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, set out to...