By Jennifer McDougall When you think of dangerous drugs, your mind might immediately drift to familiar names like heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers. Yet, a different threat—quietly available in certain convenience stores and gas stations—has been drawing increasing concern: Tianeptine. Often referred to as “Gas Station Heroin,” Tianeptine is anContinue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall In recent years, the substance abuse landscape has seen the emergence of new threats that pose significant challenges to public health. Among these, Xylazine, a non-opioid sedative used in veterinary medicine, has increasingly been found as an adulterant in illicit drug supplies. This development underscores the importanceContinue Reading
By Jennifer McDougall The opioid epidemic that has plagued our nation for the past several years is now at an all-time high. Even though the opioid crisis was initially due to prescription painkiller abuse, it has since branched out into heroin and fentanyl abuse. Although many people use fentanyl asContinue Reading
by Jennifer McDougall Fentanyl, like heroin, morphine, and other opiate medications, attaches to the bodies’ opiate receptors, which are found in the areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. Dopamine levels rise as the drug connects to these receptors, and there is a feeling of euphoria and relaxation.Continue Reading