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Tag: addiction
January 29, 2025
William Upton
Health
Politics

RFK Jr. Says Combating Addiction Will Be a TOP Priority at HHS.

President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) told members of the United States Senate Finance Committee that combating drug addiction and substance abuse will be a top priority if he is confirmed. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., scion of the Kennedy political clan and named by Trump to serve as the U.S.’s top health official, testified before the Senate, outlining his agency priorities—including the expansion of addiction services and treatment access to tackle America’s ongoing drug crisis.

“Addiction services and substance abuse services, it is a priority for me—it was a priority for me when I was running for President during my campaign,” Kennedy Jr. stated, responding to questioning by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Candidly, the son of Robert F. Kennedy Sr.—who was assassinated by a Palestinian in 1968—admitted that he himself was an addict but is now decades in recovery: “I was a heroin addict for 14 years. I’ve been 42 years in recovery.”

“I hear the stories every day. And I hear the many stories about denial or the barriers to access to care. We need to improve that,” Kennedy Jr. said. He added that access could be expanded by changes to Graduate Medical Education (GME)—which is in part government-funded—requiring medical residents to do rotations providing addiction treatment.

Additionally, Kennedy Jr. testified that using GME to expand access to addiction services access will have the added benefit of ensuring future primary physicians are adequately trained in addiction care. Speaking on addiction, President Trump’s HHS nominee displayed a deep and compassionate knowledge, stressing to the senators that often there is only a fleeting window to convince an addict to seek recovery and save their lives.

WATCH: 

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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President Donald J. Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) told members of the United States Senate Finance Committee that combating drug addiction and substance abuse will be a top priority if he is confirmed. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., scion of the Kennedy political clan and named by Trump to serve as the U.S.'s top health official, testified before the Senate, outlining his agency priorities—including the expansion of addiction services and treatment access to tackle America's ongoing drug crisis. show more
October 13, 2024
NatSec
TECH

States Sue China-Owned TikTok Over Harm to Youth.

Fourteen state attorneys general are taking legal action against the Chinese-owned social media TikTok, alleging the video app negatively impacts the mental and physical health of young users. Each attorney general has individually lodged a lawsuit, alleging TikTok’s assurance of safety breaches state laws. The app, a favored video-sharing service among youth, is claimed to have features that render it addictive, contributing to mental health issues among minors.

The suits aim for civil penalties, punitive damages, and a court order for TikTok to alter its algorithm practices. The complaints highlight that TikTok “challenges” have led to injuries, hospitalizations, and fatalities among youths. Additionally, the platform’s algorithm-driven recommendation system is said to encourage addictive use, contributing to mental health and body image issues. Other allegations include that TikTok has knowingly engaged in content promotion that has exacerbated problems such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders among children.

TikTok is denying the allegations. The Chinese-owned social media company claims it has enacted comprehensive safety measures and attempted to collaborate with the state attorneys general over the past two years.

In addition, the Chinese social media company remains engaged in protracted litigation with the U.S. government over its legal status. TikTok currently faces a ban in the U.S. over national security concerns unless it is sold off by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.

Adding to its legal woes, TikTok was sued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for collecting data from children under 13 without consent. The lawsuit claims that TikTok’s content-recommendation system prioritizes user retention and ad revenue at the expense of young people’s mental well-being.

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Fourteen state attorneys general are taking legal action against the Chinese-owned social media TikTok, alleging the video app negatively impacts the mental and physical health of young users. Each attorney general has individually lodged a lawsuit, alleging TikTok's assurance of safety breaches state laws. The app, a favored video-sharing service among youth, is claimed to have features that render it addictive, contributing to mental health issues among minors. show more
August 22, 2024
William Upton
Election 2024

WATCH: Trump Movingly Discusses Addiction and His Late Brother Fred with Theo Von.

Former President Donald J. Trump sat down with Theo Von—who boasts one of the most listened-to podcasts in the U.S.—to discuss a wide range of issues facing the country. However, one moment stood out: Von—himself in addiction recovery—and Trump discussing the former president‘s late brother Fred, his struggles with alcoholism, and what Trump learned from the man he admired.

The exchange shows a side of Trump few on the political left want to acknowledge: a man sincerely in tune with the struggles faced by countless Americans every day. “I don’t drink or smoke,” Trump told Von after the latter mentioned he had never seen him take a drink at a campaign event. Trump explained: “I had a great brother who taught me a lesson: don’t drink. Don’t drink, and he said don’t smoke.”

Fred Trump, the older brother of former President Trump, struggled with alcoholism and ultimately succumbed to it in 1981. Speaking with Von, Trump explained his love and admiration for his older brother—despite his struggles—describing him as a “great” and “handsome” guy who was full of “wisdom” and had “a great personality.”

“He had a problem with alcohol and smoked a lot,” Trump told Von, adding that he now tells people, “no drugs, no drinking, no cigarettes. I tell that to my kids all of the time.”

‘A VERY COMMON STORY.’

Trump lamented that, like his brother, many Americans struggle with addiction. “You know, this is not unique; this is a very common story, unfortunately,” Trump said. He explained the importance of discussing the issues of substance abuse and addiction publicly as it often serves to help others. Trump added that it is worth the personal pain, even if it brings clarity to just one other person.

Von, thanking Trump for his openness, noted that many of his listeners have or still struggle with addiction and other issues and that his podcast makes it a point to address these problems and bring hope of recovery. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates upwards of 178,000 Americans die from excessive alcohol use each year. Additionally, it estimates nearly 20 percent of Americans aged 12 or older struggle with substance abuse.

WATCH:

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Former President Donald J. Trump sat down with Theo Von—who boasts one of the most listened-to podcasts in the U.S.—to discuss a wide range of issues facing the country. However, one moment stood out: Von—himself in addiction recovery—and Trump discussing the former president's late brother Fred, his struggles with alcoholism, and what Trump learned from the man he admired. show more
June 4, 2024
TECH

NY May Regulate Tech Algorithms That Promote Content To Children.

New York state lawmakers are on the brink of enacting landmark legislation that would bar tech platforms such as Instagram and TikTok from utilizing algorithms to curate social media feeds for users under the age of 18. Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) is reportedly close to an agreement with lawmakers in Albany that would secure the bill’s passage.

The proposed legislation mandates social media companies to display posts chronologically, bypassing algorithm-driven content streams for minors. Proponents believe this change will mitigate the addictive nature of these platforms and reduce the mental health toll on young users. Additionally, the bill aims to halt late-night and early-morning notifications to minors without parental consent.

Governor Hochul criticized social media companies at a recent Albany press event, accusing them of “bombarding young people with these absolutely addictive algorithms.” A corresponding Senate bill echoes similar concerns, arguing that children are particularly vulnerable to the addictive qualities of content algorithms used by social media companies.

The legislation is backed by a bipartisan group of state legislators and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Meanwhile, TechNet — a trade organization representing major tech firms like Google, Meta, and Amazon — has opposed the bill, as has the industry-funded Chamber of Progress.

New York’s move to regulate social media and addictive algorithms follows a similar action in Florida, which requires parental consent for social media use by minors under the age of 14. The National Pulse previously reported that the United Kingdom is considering restricting smartphone sales to children under the age of 16.

The New York legislative session concludes on Thursday, providing a limited window for lawmakers to pass the measure. Should it pass, Governor Hochul is expected to sign it into law, though legal challenges and enforcement issues may follow.

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New York state lawmakers are on the brink of enacting landmark legislation that would bar tech platforms such as Instagram and TikTok from utilizing algorithms to curate social media feeds for users under the age of 18. Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) is reportedly close to an agreement with lawmakers in Albany that would secure the bill's passage. show more
May 23, 2024
Health

Weed Usage Surpasses Booze in Historic First.

Newly released national survey data indicates that daily and near-daily marijuana use has surpassed similar levels of drinking in the United States. While alcohol remains more widely consumed overall, 2022 marked the first year when intensive marijuana use overtook high-frequency drinking, according to Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University.

“A good 40% of current cannabis users are using it daily or near daily, a pattern that is more associated with tobacco use than typical alcohol use,” Caulkins, who authored a research study based on the data, said. The survey data estimates that in 2022, approximately 17.7 million people in the U.S. were using marijuana daily or nearly every day. In contrast, about 14.7 million people reported daily or near-daily drinking. The per capita rate of daily or near-daily marijuana use has increased 15-fold from 1992 to 2022.

Caulkins’s study is based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health compiled over the past four years and was published Wednesday in the journal Addiction. The survey data is widely considered a reliable estimate of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use in the United States.

LEGAL STATUS DRIVES USE.

The increase in marijuana use appears to be following the drug’s shifting legal status. Most states now permit medical or recreational marijuana, although it remains illegal at the federal level. In November, Florida voters will decide on a constitutional amendment allowing recreational cannabis, and the federal government is moving to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug.

Earlier this week, Joe Biden urged his Department of Justice (DOJ) to begin the process of reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance. The DOJ has published a draft regulation in the Federal Register that would place marijuana in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This category includes drugs with “a potential for abuse less than the drugs or other substances” in Schedule I or II, which include highly addictive substances like fentanyl and oxycodone. Marijuana has been classified under Schedule I since the 1970s, following the federal government’s establishment of modern drug regulations.

ADDICTION CONCERNS.

Dr. David A. Gorelick, a psychiatry professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, emphasized the risks associated with high-frequency use. “High-frequency use increases the risk of developing cannabis-associated psychosis, a severe condition where a person loses touch with reality,” said Gorelick.

The number of daily users suggests that more people are at risk for developing problematic cannabis use or addiction, he added.

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Newly released national survey data indicates that daily and near-daily marijuana use has surpassed similar levels of drinking in the United States. While alcohol remains more widely consumed overall, 2022 marked the first year when intensive marijuana use overtook high-frequency drinking, according to Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. show more
April 23, 2024
NatSec
World

Regulators Launch Probe Into TikTok’s ‘Addictive’ Features.

European Union (EU) regulators are proceeding with an investigation into the TikTok app regarding its age-verification process and addictive features. The investigation comes as the EU warned TikTok on Monday that it would face fines over what they allege are addictive features used by a version of the social media giant’s app called TikTok Lite. Regulators accuse TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, of failing to carry out risk assessments on the new features added to TikTok Lite, including a rewards program that allows users to win gift cards for watching videos.

According to EU regulators, the gift card program may breach European laws as it creates a financial incentive for users to spend more extended periods on the TikTok app and could facilitate social media addiction in children. Additionally, European lawmakers are concerned that the social media app could be exacerbating mental health issues among its population.

The social media company — deemed noncompliant with the EU’s Digital Services Act — will have until April 23 to provide the European Commission with its risk assessment. Additional supplementary documents are due by May 3. If TikTok fails to comply with the regulatory request, it faces penalties of up to 1 percent of its annual income and a rolling penalty of up to 5 percent of its average daily income.

TikTok and ByteDance are also facing renewed scrutiny in the United States. The U.S. Senate will soon consider a broad package of foreign aid and regulatory provisions, a subset of which addresses concerns over TikTok’s Chinese ownership. The provision will require the Chinese technology conglomerate ByteDance to either divest itself from the ownership of the TikTok app or face its ban in the U.S.

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European Union (EU) regulators are proceeding with an investigation into the TikTok app regarding its age-verification process and addictive features. The investigation comes as the EU warned TikTok on Monday that it would face fines over what they allege are addictive features used by a version of the social media giant's app called TikTok Lite. Regulators accuse TikTok's Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, of failing to carry out risk assessments on the new features added to TikTok Lite, including a rewards program that allows users to win gift cards for watching videos. show more