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November 15, 2023 | Criminal Justice, Fact Sheets, Stimulants, Substance Misuse

This fact sheet examines the racial disparities and stigma surrounding crack cocaine, established in the late 1980s, that continue to this day. The Fair Sentencing Act has helped to lessen the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine, yet gaps remain. Passage of certain legislation, like the EQUAL Act, which was introduced in the 118th Congress in 2023, would eliminate both the sentencing and racial disparity in cocaine sentencing still seen today in U.S. courts....

November 13, 2023 | News Bites

Each issue of News Bites highlights unique news articles from around the United States in the areas of public health and safety, substance use disorder, and the criminal justice system. Every other month, LAPPA updates readers on news they may have missed....

November 8, 2023 | Model Laws, Recovery

The Model Recovery-ready Workplaces Act establishes a program by which employers can become recovery-ready participants or certified as recovery-ready workplaces. Examples of recovery-ready policies may include (1) establishing a culture that values a healthy work environment; (2) encouraging the hiring of qualified people in recovery; and (3) eliminating barriers for employees seeking treatment....

October 31, 2023 | Fact Sheets, Novel Psychoactive Substances, Substance Misuse, Synthetic Drugs

The Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association is monitoring the emergence of novel psychoactive substances appearing on the illicit drug market in the United States. The term “novel” does not denote a new, never-before-seen substance but rather a substance that is newly available in the drug market. This fact sheet examines bromazolam, a novel benzodiazepine that is structurally related to alprazolam (Xanax), which has been a Schedule IV controlled substance in the U.S. since November 1981. Bromazolam is typically found in tablet or powder form and sold mainly via online drug markets under its own name or as “XLI-268.” It has been found mixed with opioids, including fentanyl, and in counterfeit Xanax pills. There is not much information about the illicit use of bromazolam and its effects on the human body in scientific literature, so most of the information currently available about the substance is anecdotal. ...

October 30, 2023 | Controlled Substances, Fact Sheets, Recovery, Substance Misuse, Treatments

This fact sheet summarizes a recent increase in the use of contingency management, a behavioral therapy that reinforces or rewards positive behavioral change. Often, mental health professionals use contingency management alongside other methods of treatment. In the context of substance use disorder treatment, patients typically receive something of monetary value to incentivize abstinence from drug use. Contingency management is a well-studied and effective method for treating substance use disorder, but until recently, received little support....

October 11, 2023 | Case Law Monitor

Each issue of Case Law Monitor highlights unique cases from around the United States in the areas of public health and safety, substance use disorder, and the criminal justice system. Every other month, LAPPA updates readers on cases that are important to the field....

September 18, 2023 | Fact Sheets, Novel Psychoactive Substances, Substance Misuse, Synthetic Drugs

The Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association is monitoring the emergence of novel psychoactive substances appearing on the illicit drug market in the United States. The term “novel” does not denote a new, never-before-seen substance but rather a substance that is newly available in the drug market. This fact sheet examines nitazenes, a group of synthetic opioids more powerful than fentanyl. Scientists developed nitazenes in the 1950s as analgesics, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration never approved the compounds for therapeutic use....

September 13, 2023 | News Bites

Each issue of News Bites highlights unique news articles from around the United States in the areas of public health and safety, substance use disorder, and the criminal justice system. Every other month, LAPPA updates readers on news they may have missed....

September 11, 2023 | Harm Reduction, Innovative Initiatives, Peer Support and Recoery Services, Recovery, Reentry

Legendary Legacies, a Worcester, Massachusetts gang rehabilitation and reentry nonprofit organization, serves men of color aged 17-24 who are not served by traditional educational, legal, or community-based entities. Based on four pillars: (1) belief; (2) opportunity; (3) transformation; and (4) brotherhood, the faith-inspired program provides participants with the basic life skills, case management assistance, family support services, and recreational and service opportunities through mentorships. The goal is to reduce recidivism and for these individuals to ultimately become contributing members of the community. ...