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*Trigger warning *This article describes the theme of suicide. The article highlights the Jason Foundation. The Jason Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes education as the major factor to prevention.

The Mason-Dixon Ministerium will host a Good Friday Prayer Service at 11:00am on April 18th at Slateville Presbyterian Church in Delta.

Benzodiazepines like lorazepam and Xanax deliver rapid relief for anxiety and insomnia, yet their addictive grip and brutal withdrawal risks—sometimes deadly—lurk beneath the surface. Widely prescribed to adults 50-64, these "downers" can spark tolerance in weeks and heighten hazards for seniors, urging a deeper look at anxiety’s true triggers over a quick benzo fix.

The article describes the relation between homelessness and drug addiction.

The article focuses on the theme of human trafficking, and the statistics that explain the number of victims and cases that have been associated with human trafficking or sexual violence in the state of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The article highlights The National Human Trafficking Hotline: Home | National Human Trafficking Hotline) as well as the terminology for Human Trafficking. Human trafficking is a term that refers to both sex work and other forms of exploitation, including forced labor. Additionally, the article references ACEs, Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adverse Childhood Experiences (or ACEs), can be a catalyst for trafficking.

The article discusses the relationship between high-potency THC products and how they are plausible to cause psychological effects such as dependency, cognitive impairments, and adverse effects, such as anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis. The higher dosage of THC leads to more health issues, addiction of other drugs, an increase in violence, and more. There is also an increase in the number of individuals who are becoming addicted and having harmful, psychological effects to their bodies. Read more below to learn about how F.D.A. is attempting to limit the dosage in the THC and controlling the psychologic effects of high-potency products.

Family members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, and the company agreed to pay $7.4 billion in a new settlement to lawsuits over the toll of the strong prescription painkiller. The deal replaces a previous settlement deal that was rejected last year by the U.S. Supreme Court. Attorney General JB McCuskey from West Virginia agreed to the deal but had cruel words for the company and to its owners. The new settlement could close a chapter in a legal drama over the toll of an opioid crisis that a few experts believe began after OxyContin hit the market in 1996. Opioids have been connected to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. While the settlement will not bring the Sackler family financial ruin, members of the Sackler family have been cast as foes and have seen their name removed from art galleries and universities around the globe because of their role in the privately-held company. The Sackler family continued to deny claims of any problematic instances. Read more about this settlement deal here: Purdue Pharma, Sackler family members reach new opioid settlement | AP News.

The article highlights that there has been an increase in deaths related to alcohol. The CDC has reported tgat the best remedy to cure alcohol abuse and alcoholism is sobriety. Researchers have proven that decrease the amount of alcohol intake assists with your health in a positive way. Ex: lower blood pressure, better liver function, and "a better quality of life." The article explains the term, "soberish", which is the term defined as limiting one's alcohol intake and being more aware of its effects on one's mood and health. In other words, it means to be more mindful of one's drinking, alcohol consumption, and to stay away from alcohol altogether.

In 2024, there was a decrease in teen deaths that were associated with drug overdoses as well as a decrease in teen vaping. A recent natural survey conducted that teen drug addiction has not ricocheted since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Twenty-four thousand students from middle school and high school through the grades 8,10, and 12 across the country, were examined and the results displayed a significant decrease of exposure to drugs and a strong decline in the number of students using alcohol or various drugs

In 2024, there was a decrease in teen deaths that were associated with drug overdoses as well as a decrease in teen vaping. A recent natural survey conducted that teen drug addiction has not ricocheted since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. Twenty-four thousand students from middle school and high school through the grades 8,10, and 12 across the country, were examined and the results displayed a significant decrease of exposure to drugs and a strong decline in the number of students using alcohol or various drugs.

Effects of taking the drug, buprenorphine, used to help pregnant women and parents with opioid addiction. Research has assured that there are other helpful options to assist with opioid drug addiction that are less intensive, such as the approach of Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC). ESC and the program, Project CARA. These two methods have allowed mothers and parents to have positive results with family care in and outside of the home.

Numerous of new security measures are being made and are planned to be in full operation inside Harford public schools by the end of 2024. Some of the specific security enhancements can be read in the full article. Each school in Harford County is scheduled to have the new security enhancements, but the names of all the schools are not listed at this time. These updates will allow guidance and safety for parents and their children as well as provide an extra level of security for the public schools in Harford County.

A new CDC report reveals a significant drop in teen tobacco use, driven by a decline in e-cigarette consumption, reaching its lowest point in decades. However, the rise of nicotine pouches like Zyn, popularized on social media, poses a new challenge in the fight against youth nicotine addiction.

Maryland has seen a notable increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits, with 816.9 visits per month in 2024, prompting the launch of a new public health dashboard to track these trends. The rise may reflect both increased cannabis use and reduced stigma, highlighting the need for public education on safety, especially for children and non-regulated products.

As the Covid-19 pandemic reshaped daily life, Americans turned to alcohol in growing numbers, with heavy drinking rates continuing to rise through 2022. This troubling trend, seen across all demographics, reflects the long-term impact of stress, isolation, and uncertainty, with serious health risks that may take years to manifest.

For decades, people have quietly sought therapy in fear of encountering judgment from friends, family, or coworkers, hiding their struggles with mental health behind closed doors. In this insightful reflection, a retired clinical psychologist explores the three types of stigma that keep mental health sufferers isolated and urges for greater openness, understanding, and support in an era where the need for mental health care is at an all-time high.

Fentanyl smuggling is no longer just the domain of immigrants or cartels—U.S. citizens are increasingly being recruited as mules to carry the deadly drug across the border. With cartels offering quick, high-paying jobs and exploiting the loopholes in border security, thousands of Americans are unwittingly contributing to the fentanyl crisis, making the problem harder to combat.

The Baltimore City Fire Department reports between 3,000 and 6,000 opioid overdoses annually, a figure that likely underrepresents the true toll due to unreported fatalities. As the city pursues legal action against major drug distributors for their role in fueling this crisis, officials highlight the profound impact on community health and emergency response resources.

This week, we celebrate a significant decline in drug overdose deaths in Maryland and Pennsylvania, with Harford County reporting its lowest fatalities in seven years. Key factors in this positive trend include increased access to naloxone and the growing presence of peer recovery specialists, demonstrating the community's commitment to combating addiction and supporting recovery.