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U.S. Opioid Overdose Epidemic Continues to Evolve and Grow

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a new study1 that confirms an increase in drug overdose deaths in 2017 compared with the previous year. The study reveals that of the 70,237 drug overdose deaths in 2017, 47,600 (67.8 percent) involved opioids, representing

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Overdose Deaths Increase to Record High in 2017, CDC Estimates

Even as federal and state governments make efforts to stem the growing opioid epidemic through legislation to monitor and limit the availability of prescription painkillers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week released provisional estimates that indicate a continuing rise in overdose deaths, most notably

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What Urine Testing Doesn’t Tell You

Much of drug testing, particularly in the criminal justice arena, relies on classic urine testing. These tests are the historical go-to tests because they are quick and can check for a large number of illicit and abused substances. However, there is a tendency to over-interpret

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The History of Heroin

The use of plant materials to relieve suffering, treat illness or in religious ceremonies has a long history. Occasionally, the Industry News section will look more closely at the history of a substance to help create context around pharmaceuticals that are a standard drug of

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Getting to the Answer: Screening vs. Confirmation Testing

Clinical toxicology testing helps clinicians and case workers help patients by providing critical information about substances in a patient’s system. There are two main testing platforms: qualitative (meaning the test is either positive or negative) and quantitative (meaning the test measures drug concentration). Screening (also

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