The co-use of multiple drugs including the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is driving the surge in overdose fatalities—so much so that addiction professionals are saying we’re no longer facing just an opioid epidemic, but also a more general addiction epidemic. Co-using drugs including opioids, methamphetamines, and cocaine as well as fentanyl distinguish this wave of the crisis from previous ones, which involved prescription painkillers and then heroin individually. Now, users are mixing drugs—intentionally, or unaware that drugs have been contaminated with fentanyl—with lethal consequences. More than 100,000 Americans died of an overdose in the year-long period ending in April, a record number of fatalities. While many say that harm reduction programs such as safe syringe sites and the wider availability of fentanyl test strips are the solution, what we really need is a massive government program to expand engagement with substance users and access to treatment.
Meanwhile, Germany’s new coalition government has reached an agreement on nationwide cannabis reform, including legalization and establishing a regulated, adult-use commercial market for recreational pot. Currently, personal possession of marijuana is decriminalized and medical marijuana is legal with a doctor’s prescription. If the measure is approved, Germany—Europe’s most populous country—could give the legalization push more traction across the continent, which has lagged behind the U.S. in easing access to weed. Under the German measure, there would be provisions related to advertising, with the intent being to restrict the promotion of marijuana to deter youth use.
And finally, as psychedelic drugs slowly become mainstream so too are high-end psychedelic retreats catering to travelers who want to experience the drugs in pastoral settings such as Costa Rica and Jamaica. The interest is being wrapped in the booming global wellness industry, but there is good reason for caution: Psychedelics are powerful drugs and can cause psychosis and long-term mental health issues. While research is continuing into the potential for psychedelics to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, there is potential for harm if patients at retreats are not properly monitored and controlled while using the drugs. Psychiatrists say that while there has been a paradigm shift with psychedelics and more interest in their application for treating certain disorders, we need to go slowly and be mindful of the possible dangers. So when considering booking an expensive psychedelic retreat, buyer beware.