COVID-19 updates are on display on all news stations, but who is keeping tally of those succumbing to addiction due to the pandemic. The new struggles and emotions brought on by these unprecedented times are hard for the everyday person. The hardships experienced by someone with substance use disorder (SUD) can be detrimental. With over 20 million people struggling with SUD in the United States, drug addiction has become an epidemic that needs attention. [Learn More]
NADCP Webinar
On November 17, 2020, NADCP and Averhealth sponsored the webinar "Dealing with the Addiction Crisis During the Nightmare of COVID-19." General Barry R. McCaffrey, U.S. Army (Retired), Bertha Madras, Ph.D., and Robert L. DuPont, M.D. presented on the SUD epidemic prior to the pandemic, discussed the current landscape, and offered solutions for how we can address issues of social isolation, economic hardship, and loss of support for individuals with SUD.
Officer Jermaine Galloway, better known as "The Tall Cop," will be an ongoing featured contributor to the Averhealth Digest on drug trends —providing you with highlights of street drug trends your clients may be using. If you are testing for the same drugs day after day, you are probably missing the drugs being used! Learn how to stay current on the most recent drug trends and how your drug testing program plays an integral role in your clients' recovery process. This month, Officer Galloway discusses marijuana concentrates.
A marijuana concentrate is a highly potent form of THC, extracted from green, leafy marijuana buds, most commonly appearing similar to honey or butter. On the street, it is known as “honey oil.” Other common names, include: THC extractions, marijuana extracts, extracts or even butane hash oil (BHO). BHO is created by running traditional marijuana (in its plant plant-based form) through some type of solvent, even butane. After “the run” they will cook off the butane, leaving a paste known as “concentrates” or dabs, budder, honey oil, or shatter. The use of butane in extraction of dabs has caused explosions leading to injuries of the individuals making the hash oil. Butane is not the only way these extractions are created. Other solvents include propane, Co2, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and even water (known as bubble hash).
Wax
Wax is one of the more common names for marijuana concentrates, as is the term “shatter”. As the makers of these products continues to refine the product into higher purity levels, it can reach the level of “shatter.” Shatter is a glass-like substance that can also look like a clear or amber-colored hard taffy. Basically, if you are unable to make shatter, the product will be wax.
Why all the effort you ask? The THC content in traditional marijuana is much lower than dabs/concentrates. THC concentrates can be as high as 90% or higher. These levels include the oil form that is in vape pen cartridges. On a side note, dabs or concentrates can be THC, CBD or both (all depends on the grower/processor).
There are different forms of terminology associated with dabs. One term is “710” which is the word “OIL” upside down. This is similar to the term 420 which is the national stoner time/holiday. 710 is known as the secondary stoner holiday. You may observe many pro-drug businesses highlighting these dates in their promotions, via online marketing with sales or even specials on their products. Another term is “oil rig.” An oil rig is basically a bong that is used to smoke dabs. There are a couple of small differences on an oil rig but it will look like a bong to most people.
Dabs are rapidly evolving and as I frequently say, “this drug doesn’t stay in their own lane.” There is a lot of information out on dabs/concentrates, but one of the best things you can do is attend a class or webinar.
As I say “You Can’t Stop What You Don’t Know”.
Trainer Info
Tall Cop Says Stop is a national & international trainer who has trained over 500,000 people. Learn more: www.tallcopsaysstop.com
Coming Soon: APPA Webinar
Averhealth, a proud corporate member of APPA, is excited to announce that Douglas B. Marlowe, J.D., Ph.D. will be presenting a webinar entitled "Examining Best Practices for Drug and Alcohol Testing in Community Corrections."
Rising Stimulant Deaths Show that We Face More than Just an Opioid Crisis
Although we often talk about individual drugs and drug use disorders in isolation, the reality is that many people use drugs in combination and also die from them in combination. Although deaths from opioids continue to command the public’s attention, an alarming increase in deaths involving the stimulant drugs methamphetamine and cocaine are a stark illustration that we no longer face just an opioid crisis. We face a complex and ever-evolving addiction and overdose crisis characterized by shifting use and availability of different substances and use of multiple drugs (and drug classes) together. [Learn More]
Kentucky seeks to be first in the nation to treat substance use disorder in prisons using Medicaid dollars
Kentucky has applied for a Medicaid waiver that would allow the use of Medicaid funding to treat substance use disorder in the state’s prisons and county jails. If approved, Kentucky would be the first in the nation to have such an arrangement. [Learn More]
Let's Connect
We want to connect with you on social media! Did you know Averhealth has a Facebook and LinkedIn account? By following our pages, you can make sure you never miss important Averhealth information again!
Click the icons below to follow us!
For more information about how Averhealth is safely administering drug test during the current COVID-19 pandemic, please click here.
Need a resource?
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) open 24/7
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) open 24/7
