University of Maryland The College Life Study (CLS) originally was funded in July 2003. We know that many students engage in risky behaviors during college, such as drinking heavily and using illicit drugs. Some people might consider these behaviors "rites of...
Publications
Effect of a “pill mill” law on opioid prescribing and utilization: The case of Texas
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2016 This study is one of the first to consider the effect of “pill mill” laws on opioid prescribing and use. “Pill mills” are pain management clinics whose providers prescribe large quantities of opioids and other controlled substances...
Relationship between Nonmedical Prescription-Opioid Use and Heroin Use
The New England Journal of Medicine, 2016 The studies shows: The transition from prescription opioid non-medical use to heroin use appears to be part of the progression of opioid addiction in a subset of opioid users. Increased heroin use among non-medical users of...
Broken Promises to Our Children: A State-by-State look at the 1998 State Tobacco Settlement, 17 years later
Tobacco Free Kids, December 8 2015 Since the states settled their lawsuits against the major tobacco companies in November 1998, our annual reports have assessed whether the states are keeping their promise to use a significant portion of their settlement funds –...
National Report: Rhode Island Ranks 41st in Protecting Kids from Tobacco
Tobacco Free Kids, December 8, 2015 A report that shows how Rhode Island ranks 41st in the country in funding programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations....
Don’t Forget the Families
Search Institute, 2015 Family Relationships are Key to Kids' Character Strengths What families do together to build strong relationships in their everyday lives is the foundation for children developing the character strengths they need for success in school, work,...
Substance Abuse Among Older Adults: An Invisible Epidemic
National Center for Biotechnology Information Substance abuse, particularly of alcohol and prescription drugs, among adults 60 and older is one of the fastest growing health problems facing the country. Yet, even as the number of older adults suffering from these...
The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress
Surgeon General, 2014 Fifty years after the release of the first Surgeon General’s report warning of the health hazards of smoking, we have learned how to end the tobacco epidemic. Over the past five decades, scientists, researchers and policy makers have determined...
Start Here Go Big Posters
Ponaganset High School and Citizens and Students Together, 2015 Posters from the Asset Building Campaign at Ponaganset High School.
Growing drug problem at Smithfield High School raises alarms but not funding
The Smithfield Times, Inc., 2015 Substance abuse among teenagers exists in every community and is creating a public health problem of epidemic proportions in Rhode Island. Whether rich or poor, teens under the age of 18 are using alcohol and illicit drugs to get...