National Institute on Drug Abuse

Two Teen Health Connection graduates, Sophey Cherry and Cameron Miller, reflected on their years of leadership training and commitment to avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The program, active in Charlotte for over 30 years, focuses on drug education, mental health, and peer outreach, with participants creating awareness materials and serving on a teen advisory board.

Current federal marijuana policy is not based on scientific evidence and may bypass regulatory processes, posing risks to public health, particularly for families and young people. The lack of clear guidance contributes to the rise of illegal marijuana shops. This situation highlights the need for evidence-based policy.

Researchers at NIDA and NIH developed a new opioid derivative, DFNZ, showing strong pain relief without addiction risks or respiratory depression in early tests. The study highlights potential for safer opioid alternatives for chronic pain and overdose prevention.