Growth of the Online Illicit Drugs Trade

The Silk Road was the first major online market place for illegal goods on the hidden web. Since the FBI took it down in 2013, copycats have filled the void. Transactions for illicit drugs on cryptomarkets have tripled and revenues have doubled. Read more »

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Southern California Middle School Students Exposed to More Than Three Alcohol Ads Each Day

African American and Hispanic youths are exposed to an average of 4.1 and 3.4 alcohol ads per day respectively, while white youths are exposed to an average of two ads per day.

Medicine bottles and pills on a reflective surface with grey background

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A Systematic Review of the Prevention and Treatment of Prescription Drug Misuse

Guidance on how to prevent or treat the misuse of prescription drugs in the U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Administration is similar to directives outside the military system, and tends to focus on opioids.

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Promises and Pitfalls of Cannabis Taxes

Setting the cannabis tax should not be considered a one-time event. Smart jurisdictions will revise their decisions over time to incorporate new data about taxes, testing, and the cannabis plant itself—without being influenced by those seeking to maximize profits.

Depressed man sitting in a chair silhouetted against a brick wall

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Association Between Treatment Quality Measures and Mortality in Individuals with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

People with both mental and substance use disorders have higher mortality rates compared to the general population. A study of VA patients showed a strong association between increased use of services and decreased mortality.