A recent KSAT report highlights a growing but often overlooked epidemic of substance use disorders (SUDs) among older adults, emphasizing that current demographics and clinical patterns are changing. According to 2022 American Psychological Association data, approximately 1 in 11 adults over age 60 meets criteria for a substance abuse disorder, signaling a significant public health concern that has not received proportional attention.

New research from King’s College London indicates that deaths from nitazenes—a class of extremely potent synthetic opioids—are likely being significantly undercounted in the UK, with implications for public health surveillance and intervention design. Nitazenes can be up to 500 times stronger than heroin, and while the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) reported 333 nitazene-linked fatalities in 2024, scientists now suggest the true figure may be about one-third higher because many deaths go undetected in standard postmortem toxicology.

A Washington Post/Dr. Leana Wen newsletter highlights a growing trend of psychedelic microdosing in the U.S., with an estimated 10 million adults reportedly microdosing substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD, often to self‑treat depression, anxiety, or enhance focus. However, experts caution that microdosing lacks standardized definitions, oversight, or safety data, and unregulated products may contain unknown or unsafe compounds.

A new Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) study underscores that drug use disorders are a major and escalating public health challenge across the Americas, now ranking among the top ten risk factors for mortality and disability in the region. In 2021, an estimated 17.7 million people were living with a drug use disorder, leading to nearly 78,000 deaths—four times the global average.

In this authoritative translational review published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, leading researchers synthesize cutting-edge evidence on how cannabis use impacts adolescent neurodevelopment and behavior. Leveraging longitudinal human neuroimaging alongside rigorously controlled animal models, the article highlights compelling associations between early and frequent cannabis exposure, especially high-THC products, and disruptions in critical brain maturation processes that underlie cognition and emotional regulation. 

The Guardian’s December 28, 2025 analysis highlights an emerging public health contributor to the historic decline in U.S. overdose deaths: expanded Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement, emphasizing evidence-informed, compassionate responses to substance use disorders. Since late 2023, national overdose mortality has fallen, reflecting broader progress seen in provisional CDC data showing significant decreases in drug overdose fatalities.