Meth-tied deaths
soar across U.S.
Methamphetamine-related overdose deaths in the United States rose dramatically over the past several years, according to research published in the JAMA Psychiatry journal last week.
The research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that for people age 25-54, deaths involving methamphetamine use rose fivefold between 2011-18.
That death rate for men rose from 1.8 per 100,000 to 10.1 per 100,000, researchers found in an analysis of federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Vital Statistics System data.
Deaths were especially high among indigenous Americans, including Alaska Natives, the study said. The death rate for the group jumped from 4.5 to 20.9 per 100,000 people.
That demonstrates the need for treatment and prevention strategies targeted toward those groups, researchers wrote.
Public health and criminal-justice experts in Arkansas have highlighted rising methamphetamine use in this state, including concurrent use with opioids and other narcotics and among people living in rural areas.
Cancer convention
to be virtual in '21
An annual state convention on cancer issues will be virtual this year.
The concurrent Arkansas Cancer Summit and Clearing the Air in Communities of Color conferences will be held online March 9-10.
Both will deal with cancer and tobacco control issues as they relate to the covid-19 pandemic, an online announcement said.
Registration, which is free, is online at arcancersummit.org.
Chocolates maker
recalling its candy
Chocolates sold nationally are being voluntarily recalled because they may contain brittle plastic pieces, the Food and Drug Administration said in a news release.
Lake Champlain Chocolates is recalling several types of its candy, including its Milk Chocolate Almond Bark, Organic Milk Chocolate Bar with Sea Salt and Almonds, and others.
A complete list of recalled products and the relevant best-by dates is available online at fda.gov.