Overall category on drug issues from alcohol to marijuana and prescription medication.

alcohol use disorders in the workplace

Alcohol Use Disorders in the Workplace: A Business Risk

Alcohol use disorders in the workplace are more common than many employers realize. With high risks to safety, productivity, and liability, this blog explores how alcohol abuse impacts businesses and outlines five practical steps employers can take to create a drug-free and safer work environment.
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Judge Tom Jarrell overdose

The Tragic Overdose of Judge Tom Jarrell: A Story of Opioid Stigma

Chief District Court Judge Tom Jarrell (Guilford County, NC) died suddenly last August in his bedroom.  His colleagues were stunned at his sudden passing at age 56.  They went from stunned to shocked when his autopsy results were revealed last week showing his cause of death as an accidental overdose of fentanyl and heroin.  One
Recovery Month

Recovery Month: Celebrating Sobriety, Support, and Second Chances

A Time of Celebration and Hope www.recoverymonth.gov In Memorium: Christopher Kennedy Lawford, 33 years sober. While recovery should be celebrated every day, September is the 29th Annual National Recovery Month to remind us of the importance of this issue in our communities.  We ask local policy makers to sign proclamations to demonstrate a commitment to
Rule of law in Afghanistan

Rule of Law in Afghanistan: A Judicial Training Mission

Judge Mark Atkinson recounts his 15-day mission to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he worked with international partners to develop a strategic training plan for the judiciary. Amid armored convoys and fortified compounds, he witnessed the resilience of a court system striving for reform under the challenging realities of a post-conflict nation.
alcohol and intimate partner violence

Alcohol and Intimate Partner Violence: A Deadly Connection

Alcohol is a major factor in intimate partner violence, increasing aggression and impairing judgment. This article examines the evidence linking alcohol to IPV/DV, its devastating impact on families and children, and outlines court strategies and interventions that can reduce violence and promote recovery.
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opioid epidemic

The Opioid Epidemic: A Crisis That Demands Justice and Reform

This blog examines the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic, from overdose deaths to the foster care surge. It explores justice system responses including drug courts, legislative reforms, and federal strategies. Learn how comprehensive treatment and coordinated efforts are vital to saving lives and restoring communities.
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marijuana use among seniors

Marijuana Use Among Seniors: A Growing Challenge

As the Baby Boomer generation ages, marijuana use among seniors has surged 333% in 12 years. With legal changes and conflicting housing policies, this trend raises significant healthcare and legal challenges. Explore what this means for senior living, caregivers, and policymakers.
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Senior opioid misuse

Senior Opioid Misuse: Addressing the Growing Crisis Among Older Adults

A huge health problem facing the elderly is misuse of prescription painkillers. Senior citizens take 30% of all prescription medication but they make up only 12% of the population.  A recent study of Medicare recipients found that in 2011, about 15 percent were prescribed an opioid when they were discharged from the hospital; three months
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marijuana use and child custody

Marijuana Use and Child Custody: Legal Conflicts Ahead

As marijuana legalization spreads, courts are grappling with its impact on child custody and visitation. Parents risk losing custody, even for legal use. With conflicting laws and few precedents, judges must balance child safety with evolving legal standards. The debate over marijuana use and parental rights is just beginning.
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Procedural Fairness

“Dumb on Crime”

Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, liberals and conservatives, there was support from both the right and the left to dismantle the “war on drugs” and reduce mass incarceration.  For a number of years, citizens have rejected the politicians’ shibboleth of “tough on crime.”  Public opinion polls supported treatment over incarceration, particularly for non-violent crimes.  Prisons were closing,