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PA and NJ Control Centers See Steep Rise in Exposure Calls Tied to Popular Weight-Loss Drugs
Poison control centers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are reporting a significant uptick in calls related to GLP-1 weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound, with cases rising from 29 in 2021 to 189 in 2024 in New Jersey alone. Experts attribute this surge to increased usage, dosing errors, and the proliferation of counterfeit or compounded versions of these drugs, prompting concerns about patient safety and the need for better public education. (Source: WHYY)
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Congress Can Decrease Opioid Deaths, but It Will Require More Investment
As the U.S. experiences a historic 27% decline in overdose deaths, experts caution that naloxone alone cannot resolve the opioid crisis. They emphasize the need for sustained federal funding and comprehensive strategies to address the underlying causes of addiction. (Source: The Hill)
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Abuse, Drugs, and the Trends We're Up Against in the U.S.
While U.S. overdose deaths declined by over 20% in 2024—the sharpest annual drop on record—experts warn that the evolving drug supply, laced with potent adulterants like fentanyl, xylazine, and medetomidine, continues to pose serious risks. Regional patterns reveal that in the Western U.S., methamphetamine combined with fentanyl is prevalent, whereas in the East, cocaine-fentanyl mixtures dominate, with these combinations increasingly affecting young adults and complicating overdose responses due to the lack of effective reversal agents beyond naloxone. (Source: Psychology Today)
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