DACS Digest July 2025

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Bringing DC healthcare providers the latest news, events, and resources to improve care for patients with substance use disorders and chronic pain management.

July 2025

Dear DACS Provider,

Welcome to the July edition of the DACS Digest monthly newsletter!

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize disparities in mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment for racial and ethnic minority populations. Opioid-related mortality is rising faster in Black/African American and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities compared to white individuals. Factors like unequal access to culturally competent SUD treatment, pervasive healthcare discrimination and the heightened risks from the fentanyl-laced drug supply all contribute to this devastating impact.

Despite recent reported declines in overall overdose deaths, certain groups, such as older Black men, continue to have a higher risk of overdose. NIDA Director Nora Volkow, MD, recently reflected on the alarming reality of how older Black men are disproportionately affected by the overdose crisis. Understanding this disparity is a vital step towards developing targeted and effective interventions to improve the health of all individuals with SUDs.

Providers can access support in caring for patients with SUDs and chronic pain by scheduling an individualized consultation or registering for an upcoming training with the DACS team of addiction medicine specialists by calling 1-866-337-DACS (3227) or visiting www.districtdacs.org.

Explore this newsletter and the additional resources and tools available on the DACS website for additional information about provider education and treatment resources.

Sincerely,

The DACS Team

Education

Upcoming DACS Trainings

DACS Webinar

Substance Use in Older Adults

Thursday, July 10 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Upcoming Trainings of Interest

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Improving Treatment and Recovery Services for Adolescents & Young Adults

Wednesday, July 9 | 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

National Alliance for HIV Education and Workforce Development

Updates on Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine for People with Opioid Use Disorder

Friday, July 11 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

CA Bridge

Engaging Special Populations: LGBTQ+

Thursday, July 24 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The genetic relationship between cannabis use disorder, cannabis use and psychiatric disorders

A recent genetic study revealed that cannabis use disorder, rather than casual cannabis use, is strongly and causally linked to several severe psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and PTSD. The research found bidirectional causal relationships, meaning cannabis use disorder increases the risk of these mental health conditions, and some psychiatric disorders (like major depressive disorder) can increase the risk of developing cannabis use disorder. Notably, the researchers also found no evidence that a genetic predisposition to either cannabis use or cannabis use disorder provides any protective or therapeutic benefit for psychiatric disorders. This finding directly challenges common beliefs, particularly where cannabis is suggested as a treatment for mental health conditions such as PTSD.

Cannabis Use Among Older Adults

This cross-sectional study investigated cannabis use among U.S. older veterans aged 65 to 84 years. The study found 10% of respondents reported cannabis use in the past 30 days. Among these recent users, more than one-third (36%) met the criteria for cannabis use disorder. Key findings indicated that factors associated with recent cannabis use include younger age (65-75 years of age within this group), economic hardship, concurrent tobacco or illicit drug use and residing in a state where recreational cannabis is legal. Furthermore, risk factors for cannabis use disorder among older veterans were similar to those seen in younger populations, with higher odds observed among younger respondents, those reporting anxiety, individuals with deficits in daily living activities, those with illicit drug use and those who used cannabis frequently. The study also highlighted that inhaled cannabis use (smoking, vaping, dabbing) was significantly associated with increased odds of cannabis use disorder compared to using edibles only.

RDS-04-010: a novel atypical DAT inhibitor that inhibits cocaine taking and seeking and itself has low abuse potential in experimental animals

This study tested a new experimental drug, RDS 04 010, in animals as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction. Unlike cocaine, it locks the brain’s dopamine transporter into a shape that doesn’t cause a ‘high,’ making it less likely to lead addiction. The study found that RDS 04 010 reduced cocaine use and drug seeking behavior in rats, prevented relapse, and didn’t affect normal activities like eating or moving. This study shows that targeting a specific form of DAT might reduce cocaine use in humans without being addictive. It’s a promising step toward finding safe, effective medications for cocaine addiction, an area where no approved treatments currently exist.

Holidays and Observances

Holidays

DACS Phone Line Will Be Closed

September 1 – Labor Day

July Observances

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Disability Pride Month

Black Maternal Mental Health Week

July 19 – 25

World Hepatitis Day

July 28

Relevant Resources

DACS Fact Sheet: Adolescents and Substance Use

Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Disorders in Pregnant and Postpartum Patients

A screening and resource guide for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers in the District of Columbia, prepared by the MedStar Health National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare.

Opioid Use Disorder During and After Pregnancy

A patient resource guide on tips for a Healthy Pregnancy.

Care for the Caregiver

A guide for caregivers of pregnant and postpartum patients with opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders.

Pocket Guides for Safe Opioid Prescribing

Contains a number of resources to providers, including: CDC guidelines for safe opioid prescribing, a Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) conversion chart, a checklist for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and additional resources for providers and patients.

The DC Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (DC PDMP)

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) aims to improve the District’s ability to identify and reduce diversion of prescription drugs in an efficient and cost effective manner that will not impede the appropriate medical utilization of controlled substances.

Live.Long.DC

A coordinated multi-stakeholder approach to comprehensively address the opioid epidemic by sharing data, discussing initiatives and best practices, and identifying common approaches. The initiative is led by the DC Department of Behavioral Health with a goal of reducing opioid use, misuse, and opioid-related deaths in DC. For more information about Live.Long.DC strategies and initiatives, visit: https://livelong.dc.gov/

1-866-337-DACS (3227) | www.districtdacs.org | dacs@som.umaryland.edu