Helping our Communities

The hard work and efforts of many scientists have resulted in a new drug, entitled MRK003 that is showing promising results in killing cancer cells!

In an article provided by BBC News they highlighted a cutting edge approach to kill cancer cells. Scientists reduced cancer cells found in mice by providing them a chemotherapy agent gemcitabine along with an experimental drug called MRK003. 

 Patients are now optimistically participating in the treatment.  Richard Griffiths, 41, from Conventry, England has participated in the trial since May 2011, and after six cycles of treatment, a scan depicted that the tumors reduced.

To learn more about the study, click here.

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Harvard biomedical engineering professor, David Edwards, thinks the next big thing will be inhaling caffeine from a lipstick-sized tube. This product, referred to as, “AeroShot” does not contain common additives, like taurine, that is used to amplify the caffeine effect in common energy drinks. Each grey-and-yellow plastic canister contains 100 milligrams of caffeine powder, about the amount in a large cup of coffee, plus B vitamins. Critics say the novel product is not without its risks.

Some fear it will be used as a club drug so that young people can drink until they drop. Recently, students looking for a quick and cheap buzz began consuming caffeine-packed alcoholic drinks they dubbed "blackout in a can" because of their potency. ‘Four-Loco’ was then removed from the shelves. 

The lack of alcohol isn’t the only difference in AreoShot. Once a user shoots a puff of calorie-free lemon-lime powder, it begins dissolving almost instantly. Each single-use container has up to six puffs. The product packaging does warn people not to consume more than three AeroShots per day. 

Do you think teens will misuse this product?  Share with us your thoughts.

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The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) continues to launch the National Prescription Take-Back Initiative. This event is part of the White House’s prescription drug abuse prevention strategy aimed at safely removing unwanted or expired prescription medication from homes.

The next event takes place on April 28, 2012 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  To find out more information on how you can contribute to this event click here. 

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Today, Senator Chuck Grassley thanked community leaders for their time and dedication to helping build healthier communities.

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Nationally, organizations are disseminating environmental strategies to build healthier communities.

Yesterday, during one of the workshops at CADCA’s 22^nd Annual National Leadership Forum, Louis Oppor (Wisconsin Department of Health Services) described his experience in implementing environmental strategies.  He indicated that the primary goal for Wisconsin is to no longer be ranked in the top ten states for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) and other problems related to AODA. Some of the environmental strategies incorporated focused on altering policies and legislatures in organizations.

Thus far, Mr. Oppor reported that the number of Wisconsin high school students who started using alcohol before age 13 has been decreasing. Additionally, Wisconsin no longer has the nation’s highest rate of binge drinking among high school students, which has been steadily decreasing since 2000.

Click here to learn more about their strategic initiatives. 

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