How Kratom, an Addictive Gas Station Drug, Found Allies in Trump's Cabinet

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/15/us/politics/kratom-trump-administration.html

#Politics #Health #SubstanceAbuse

How Kratom, an Addictive Gas Station Drug, Found Allies in Trump’s Cabinet

With support from Markwayne Mullin and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the kratom industry is pursuing a potentially lucrative policy. Mr. Mullin owns equity in a company that could benefit.

The New York Times
Mastering Psychiatry for NEET PG 2026: The 70 High-Yield Topics Blueprint

Struggling to clear up the subtle differences between NMS and serotonin syndrome? Discover how to conquer the 70 highest-yielding Psychiatry topics, master DSM-5-TR updates, and track your active recall scores on mymedschool.org.

mymedschool.org
Conservative MP draws from personal tragedy to change the Youth Criminal Justice Act
After the death of his son, Conservative MP Luc Berthold decided to turn his pain into action —introducing a private member's bill to give young offenders better access to substance-abuse treatment.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/luc-berthold-substance-treatment-private-members-bill-9.7227801?cmp=rss
Conservative MP draws from personal tragedy to change the Youth Criminal Justice Act
After the death of his son, Conservative MP Luc Berthold decided to turn his pain into action —introducing a private member's bill to give young offenders better access to substance-abuse treatment.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/luc-berthold-substance-treatment-private-members-bill-9.7227801?cmp=rss

An aspect of the story not often told in mainstream news or by politicians exploiting public fear of drugs: people helping people who depend on illicit substances; not in the open and widespread in our communities.

#harmreduction #addiction #mentalhealth #substanceabuse

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/inside-an-informal-network-of-drug-users-trying-to-stay-alive-9.7225457

Meet the ‘hit doctor’: Inside an informal network of drug users trying to stay alive | CBC News

Amid the ongoing toxic drug crisis, an informal network of support has emerged among drug users. Part of this network are individuals referred to by their clients as “doctors” — everyday people with no formal medical training — who offer to inject people for a small fee.

CBC
Fires lead to 'tragic loss of life' in Winnipeg, with 12 deaths so far this year
Winnipeg has already seen a dozen fire-related deaths in the first five months of 2026 — a number being driven by poverty and substance abuse, one fire official says.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/fire-deaths-winnipeg-2026-9.7218681?cmp=rss
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #FocusBeats Substance Abuse: 🎵 Don't Add Me (Instrumental) (feat. Kurious) #6music #SubstanceAbuse ▶️ 🪄 Automagic 🔊 show 📻 playlist on Spotify ▶️ Song/Cover on Bandcamp:

Don't Add Me [Instrumental], b...
The Beeb 6's Focus Beats

Playlist · ohrenweide · 1999 items · 29 saves

Spotify
WHO warns nicotine pouch brands are targeting youth as sales boom
Nicotine pouches are small sachets placed between the gum and lip that release nicotine through the lining of the mouth. They also typically contain flavourings and sweeteners.
#Canada #Health #Lifestyle #Cigarettes
https://globalnews.ca/news/11857036/who-warning-nicotine-pouches-targeting-youth/

Trump's sudden cut in substance testing is 'going to kill people', experts warn

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/12/fentanyl-test-strips-samhsa-funding

#Health #USPolitics #SubstanceAbuse

Trump’s sudden cut in substance testing is ‘going to kill people’, experts warn

Samhsa said funding cannot be used to purchase or distribute fentanyl test strips or other drug test kits

The Guardian
Cher files for conservatorship over son Elijah Blue Allman after arrests
This is the second time Cher has filed for a conservatorship of her son, over claims that his life was 'at risk' due to 'severe mental health and substance abuse issues.'
#Entertainment #Cher #ElijahBlueAllman
https://globalnews.ca/news/11808630/cher-conservatorship-son-elijah-blue-allman-arrests/