Latest news with #substanceUseDisorder
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
New Hamilton police initiative takes aim at open drug use in public spaces
Hamilton police say that a new initiative targeting open drug use in public spaces has led to hundreds of seizures and the referral of dozens of other people to treatment programs since it began in January. In a news release, Hamilton police said that the initiative 'prioritizes health-focused intervention over criminal enforcement for individuals experiencing substance use disorder.' As part of the new approach, police say that officers are instructed to 'support individuals through education, voluntary treatment referrals, and de-escalation' and only resort to criminal enforcement 'when necessary.' Police say that aggravating factors that could lead to criminal charges include 'threats to public safety, the presence of children, or association with other drug offences.' 'Open drug use on our streets is unacceptable and erodes public safety,' Supt. Dave Hennick said in a news release. 'While enforcing the law, we must also ensure that those struggling with addiction have a real opportunity to access support. This is about protecting our community while offering a path forward for those ready to seek help.' Hamilton police have partnered with St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and the RAAM (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine) clinic as part of the initiative. Police say that referrals made by officers are 'prioritized' allowing individuals to quickly receive help. However, police note that there will be no criminal consequences for refusing treatment. Since the program launched, police say that officers have made 287 arrests for simple possession, resulting in the seizure of a significant amount of illicit drugs. Police say that an additional 14 people have been charged with drug trafficking-related offences. Numerous weapons have also been seized. Police say that 'most significantly' 65 people have been referred to treatment programs. 'We need to find a balance between public safety and compassion for those addicted to drugs,' Hennick said. The initiative comes on the heels of several high-profile instances of drug trafficking in Hamilton public spaces last year, including the dismantling of what police said amounted to a 'open air drug market' in a downtown laneway and another trafficking operation on a public trail that police said was known as 'the Shack.'
Associated Press
08-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Neuroscience Based Medications Offer Hope in Addiction Crisis, Says NYC Doctor
Breakthrough Approach to Addiction : NYC Psychiatrist Calls for New Treatment Paradigm Targeting Brain Circuitry Disrupted by Substance Use Disorders 'Neuroscience—Based Medications offer hope in Addiction Crisis'— Eileen DiFrancesco MD NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, June 8, 2025 / / -- Breakthrough Approach to Addiction Treatment Targets Underlying Neural Circuitry Disrupted by Substance Use Disorders Dr. Eileen DiFrancesco , a board certified psychiatrist and expert in psychopharmacology is calling for a paradigm shift and how addiction is treated in the United States. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience and emerging neuroscientific evidence, Dr. DiFrancesco advocates for the immediate integration of new medications that act on the brain core regulatory systems – specifically those impaired in addiction. These are not traditional addiction, medication, says Dr. DiFrancesco they are part of the new generation of treatments designed to restore function to brain regions disrupted by chronic substance use – including those responsible for impulse control, motivation, and decision-making. Her call comes at a critical moment. According to the most recent national survey, over 48 million Americans suffered from a substance used disorder in the past year. Alcohol alone is linked to an estimate estimated 178,000 deaths annually in the U.S., Representing more than 4 million years of potential life lost Brain Imaging studies by leading scientists have consistently shown that individuals with addiction exhibit profound changes in the prefrontal cortex and related neural circuits that regulate reward, impulse control, and emotional processing. Dr. DiFrancesco argues that the most promising treatments are those that directly target these biological deficits – not just the symptoms of addiction We've reached a tipping point where we can no longer afford to separate addiction from the brain science that explains it, she states this is not about willpower or moral failure. It's about using medications that help normalize the very brain systems that have been hijacked. Dr. DiFrancesco's public appeal follows the release of her educational video, where she explained how modern neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of addiction – and how under utilize treatments may offer new hope to patients and families alike. About Dr. Eileen DiFrancesco Dr. DiFrancesco is a board certified psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience practicing in New York City. She is a recognized leader in psychiatry and psychopharmacology. Before entering private practice, she held triple title at New York Hospital, Cornell and Rockefeller university in the laboratory for biology of addictive diseases. She studied early onset schizophrenia using pet scans, positive emission tomography with Richard M. Pico at Mount Sinai. In addition She spent from almost a decade working with E. Roy. John, who developed quantitative electroencephalography, QEEG also known as brain mapping. Media Contact: XSRXDOCTOR 18 EAST 63RD STREET NEW YORK, NY 10065 PHONE; (917) 699-7845 Email: [email protected] Eileen DiFrancesco M.D. Xsrxdoctor +1 917-699-7845 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Virginia First Foundation recognizes grant recipients fighting substance use crisis
SUTTON, (WBOY) — About a year after opening its doors, the West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) celebrated those who have received its Initial Opportunity Grant on Tuesday. The WVFF opened up applications for the grant around eight months ago, and Tuesday marked the end of the grant period in which the WVFF awarded $17 million to 94 projects throughout West Virginia to address substance use disorder. The recipients, including non-profits, community organizations, local governments and law enforcement, gathered Tuesday to be recognized. CJIS holds memorial ceremony for fallen West Virginia law enforcement officers 'We're celebrating the doers of the state, the people that are the tip of the spear. They've gone through a very challenging and robust application process and they've proven the worth of these projects. They are all so valuable and these are the folks that take these tools that we can provide and get them back into the communities,' Jonathan Board, Executive Director of West Virginia First Foundation, said Several times throughout the event, speakers mentioned how there was a 43% decrease in overdose deaths in West Virginia in 2024, but the West Virginia First Foundation said that there's still a lot of work to be done. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
