🌱 Earth Day Focus 🌎

🌎 As we recognized Earth Day this week, it was a great reminder that protecting our environment also includes how we handle medications and vaping products.♻️

📅On April 24, communities across the country will host the 30th National DEA Drug Take Back events, offering a safe way to dispose of unused or expired medications—keeping them out of our water systems and away from misuse.💊

💨It’s also Vape Disposal Month, highlighting the importance of properly discarding e-cigarettes and devices, which contain batteries and chemicals that shouldn’t end up in landfills. Small actions can make a big impact—for our health and the planet. EPA Disposal Guidance ⚠️

📸Dr. Seuss

⚖️Federal Scheduling Changes Continue🏛️

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at accelerating access to medical treatments for serious mental illness, including research into ibogaine, a substance known for its psychoactive effects.

This week, the Administration and the US Department of Justice announced a reclassification of state-licensed medical marijuana, moving it from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance.

What does this mean? Changes like these can influence how substances are perceived—often lowering perceived risk while increasing acceptance and potential availability. For communities, this raises important considerations around access, messaging, youth prevention, and ensuring that education and safeguards keep pace with policy shifts.

⭐Bonus Related Articles🗞️

How ibogaine become the darling of the psychedelic right RollingStone

US Cannabis Map Great Lakes PTTC via Facebook

Our 'cannabis' vocabulary is eroding public health safeguards American Journal of Public Health via CADCA

What THC drinks can - and can't - do for sleep, stress, and pain Food & Wine via Yahoo

Worth repeating! There are no positives for young adult cannabis users Psychology Today

📰 This Week’s Headlines📌

Amazon faces lawsuit over Galaxy Gas, other nitrous oxide cannister sales About Lawsuits

...Lawsuit presents injury claims from 90 different individuals nationwide who say they acquired nitrous oxide canisters through Amazon.com...

📸 Galaxy Gas

Washington becomes second state to ban retail sale of nitrous oxide KGW8 (WA)

One thing I’ve noticed recently is that flavored nitrous products have largely disappeared from simple searches on major platforms like Amazon—though some product pages still remain. However, there are plenty of other online sellers ready to fill the gap. Popular brands like Galaxy Gas, NOS, Whip-It!, Supreme Whip, and Hotwhip are still widely available across various sites, often marketed in a range of flavors and sizes.

What does this mean for prevention? As access shifts, availability doesn’t necessarily decrease—it just moves. This highlights the importance of staying informed about where and how these products are being marketed and sold. What are you seeing near you?

Ketamine, psychedelics, GHB: is the US falling out of love with cocaine?

The Guardian

How Pablo Escobar became the 'Godfather of Cocaine'

PBS Frontline Documentary

And a headline you probably didn't expect to see...Salmon exposed to cocaine swim almost twice as far as those without, study shows CBS News

Nearly 500 Lbs. of liquid meth worth up to $3 million found in minivan involved in crash that killed two people People

📸 Fort Worth Police Department

So, what is “liquid meth”? It refers to methamphetamine that has been dissolved into a liquid form—often to make it easier to conceal or transport. Once extracted, it can be converted back into its more commonly recognized forms, such as crystal meth or “ice.”

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and dangerous synthetic central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, with serious risks to both physical and mental health. Learn more about trafficking trends and addiction from this DEA Facebook Post and Zinnia Health.

🍺Sweet Taste, Hidden Risks🍹

Alcohol Awareness Month may be ending—but the high-proof product boom is still going strong!

High-alcohol ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails spark overconsumption concerns for Gen Z drinkers Fox News

Sports Drink-Inspired Vodka Drinks Trendhunter

Popular refresher brands include Lightstrike, Spiked Ade and Super Lyte, which borrow sports drink colors and flavors, and stop short with the sports drinks health claims. Have you seen them?

Vodka dethroned as top-selling alcohol in the US. What took its spot? Lexington Herald Leader (KY)

Are you familiar with the RTDs in your community? I'd bet you would be surprised next time you check out the 'cold and ready' sections of your local convenience, grocery or liquor store!

🔎What's New📦

'New' Trends, Products, & Resources

Understanding the scope of suicide in your community—and across the United States—is critical to planning effective prevention efforts. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center recently released updated data, including information on deaths, attempts, suicidal thoughts, and means of suicide, to help inform community-based strategies and responses.

Is your coalition working on both substance use and mental health? Let me know how I can support your efforts!

During a statewide educator meeting this week, they shared a <6 min TED-Ed video by Judy Grisel titled What causes addiction, and why is it so hard to treat? Depending on your audience, this may be a great free tool to bring awareness to this complex issue.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the video - Send me a note 💌

📣Trainings Worth Your Time💡

Join me for the first annual PATH Conference on June 10–11—in person or virtually! 🎉

With dedicated treatment and prevention tracks, you’ll hear from experts across the field and build your capacity for meaningful change. Plus, enjoy free wellness activities woven throughout the event!🫶

This is a can’t-miss opportunity—hope to see you there! Learn more

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