How can opioid deaths be reduced? New studies further verify the benefits of pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence in greatly reducing all-cause mortality rates.
Should GPs routinely prescribe naloxone to people who use opioids? Experts believe this measure may be life-saving, likening it to using an Epipen for anaphylaxis or intramuscular glucagon.
Wastewater reveals record high drug consumption New Australian data shows a spike in overall drug use at the height of the pandemic, but opioid use is down.
Overdose toll still worse than the road toll: report More than 2000 Australians died from drug overdoses in 2018, according to a report released on International Overdose Awareness Day.
Is there hidden trauma behind strict drug laws? Dr Hester Wilson raises concerns over the ‘drugs are bad’ mentality, when there is a proven harm-minimisation approach.
Top experts call for major new coalition on non-medical pandemic research The best successes against the ever-growing coronavirus pandemic have so far not come from drugs or vaccines, but from behavioural and social techniques.
Melbourne to get second safe-injecting room The news follows a review of the city’s first facility, though questions remain as to the choice of a site near the busy Queen Victoria Market.
Remdesivir and COVID-19: What GPs need to know It has become the first therapy for COVID-19 to receive FDA approval for emergency use – but evidence of its effectiveness remains mixed.
GPs ‘very useful part’ of support network for postnatal depression In the fourth of a series of HANDI updates, newsGP talks to the author of a recently added intervention.
Take-home naloxone ‘saves lives’ Currently in a pilot phase across three states, naloxone would be more effective if further patient education was provided, one expert says.