Vaccine Halts Heroin Addiction in Rats

By Shaunacy Ferro Posted 05.07.2013 at 3:45 pm

The treatment is now ready for human trials.

A vaccine to treat heroin addiction has proven effective in keeping drug-addicted rats from relapsing in a preclinical trial, according to a study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers from the Scripps Research Institute in California say the vaccine is now ready for human trials.

Initial research into the vaccine in 2011 found that it could effectively keep rats from becoming addicted to heroin without affecting the pain relief they experienced from other opiates. This study built on those results using rats that were already addicted, finding that the vaccine could keep them from resuming compulsive drug-taking behavior even after they experienced withdrawal.

Heroin addiction has proven challenging to treat with vaccines because in order to prevent heroin from working, a vaccine has to target not only the drug itself, but the chemicals it breaks down into once it enters the bloodstream. A few seconds after injection, heroin metabolizes into a compound called 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM) and then morphine, which then pass into the brain, binding to opiod receptors and producing psychoactive effects.

The vaccine generates antibodies that bind heroin and its metabolites in the bloodstream, preventing them from making their way to the brain. It essentially keeps the body from experiencing the fun parts of drug use, like euphoria and pain obstruction.

"They sit in the bloodstream like a sponge, they grab these molecules when they show up, and activate clearance or destruction of the molecules," senior author George Koob told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

In the study, rats were trained to press a lever three times to receive an injection of heroin. During 12-hour periods of self-administrated access to the drug, the addicted rats began taking heroin compulsively in greater and greater quantities. Then the researchers removed the heroin for 30 days and gave some of the rats the vaccine. After the period of abstention, they were re-exposed to freely accessible heroin. Rats that didn't receive the treatment resumed taking the drug in increasing quantities, while those that received the treatment didn't redevelop the compulsion.

If it passes through the human testing phase, the vaccine could help people going through addiction treatment from relapsing. According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse4.2 million Americans have used heroin at least once around their lives, and around 23 percent of heroin users develop a dependency. "Ideally for human patients, the vaccine would be given with other treatments," author Joel Schlosburg explained in a press statement.

Another heroin vaccine developed by a ground of Mexican scientists was patented early last year. Vaccines are also being developed to treat addiction to meth, cocaine and nicotine.

The Scripps researchers are currently seeking a pharmaceutical company to sponsor clinical trials, which can cost millions of dollars to run.

To view the full article, click here.

The $2,500 Six Pack

Penalties for Underage Drinking & Alcohol Possession

Alcohol + Minors = Penalties

Providing alcohol to an individual under the age of 21

PENALTIES: Maximum $2,500 fine and up to a year in jail for a misdemeanor offense. Felony offense can result in a prison sentence of a year or more and fines up to $25,000.

New Social Host Law!

It is a $500 minimum fine (maximum $2,500 fine and up to one year in jail) to knowingly allow underage drinking to occur at a private residence. If serious injury or death occurs because of this activity, individuals are subject to a Class 4 felony (up to three years in prison and fines up to $25,000).

Possession, consumption, purchase, or receipt of alcohol by an individual under the age of 21

PENALTIES: Three-month suspension of driving privileges for court supervision, six months for first conviction, one year for second conviction, and license revocation for subsequent convictions, and license revocation for subsequent convictions.

Illegal transportation of alcohol is an automobile by an individual under the age of 21

PENALTIES: Transporting alcohol is illegal, and anyone in the vehicle can be charged with a maximum $1,000 fine. For the driver, the penalty is mandatory driver's license suspension for one year on the first offense, and mandatory one-year revocation for subsequent offenses.  

Underage Drinking & Driving

"Use It and Lose It" - Zero Tolerance

(Blood Alcohol Content over 0.0 while driving a vehicle)
1st Offense: Three-month suspension of driving privileges; six-month suspension with refusal of alcohol testing.
2nd Offense (before age 21): One-year suspension of driver's license; two-year suspension with refusal of testing.

DUI Arrest Driving Sanctions

(BAC of at least .08%, a showing of other drugs, or refusing to submit to alcohol or drug testing)
1st Offense: Six-month suspension of driving privileges; one-year suspension with refusal of testing.

New Law! To obtain driving relief, you MUST be 18+ years old, serve 30 days of "hard" suspension, and drive a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) equipped vehicle.

Driving without a BAIID is a Class 4 felony. Penalties include a minimum of 30 days in jail (or 300 hours community service), up to three years in prison, and fines up to $25,000.
2nd Offense (within 5 years): One-year suspension of driving privileges; three-year suspension with refusal of testing. No driving relief possible. 

Underage DUI Convcitions

1st Conviction: Up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,500. Two-year minimum revocation of driver's license. Not eligible for driving relief until the second year.
2nd Conviction: Up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,500. Revocation of driver's license for minimum of five years or until age 21, whichever is longer. Mandatory minimum imprisonment of five days (or 240 hours of community service).

Aggravated DUI: 

Any DUI resulting in a felony charge, including a DUI resulting in great bodily harm or death; a third or subsequent DUI conviction; or committing a DUI without a valid license, permit, or insurance.

Penalties Include:

• Imprisonment of up to 14 years for DUI resulting in the loss of life.
• Imprisonment of up to 28 years for multiple fatalities.
• Felony charges vary for offense from a Class 4 felony (one three years imprisonment) to a Class X felony (6-30 years).
• Minimum revocation periods vary for offense from a minimum of one year to mandatory life.

This is a message from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Illinois Secretary of State (Printed Jan. 2013). To find out more, visit www.DontBeSorry.org. 

A Look Back on The Town Hall Meeting

Youth Connect's Town Hall Meeting that took place over the weekend shared a powerful and important message to nearly 100 parents in attendance from the community.  The message was primarily aimed for parents with children in grades 4 - 9; the earlier parents become aware of the effects of alcohol and substance abuse, the better prepared they will be in addressing and safeguarding against an issue that deeply affects the lives of youth our community. 

The meeting included presentations from Dr. Duncan Clark, a leading expert in teen substance abuse disorder, as well as community members Jack Bennett and Debbie Kehoe from The Alliance Against Drugs.   The Alliance's Listen II documentary was also screened.  

A powerful presentation from Quaker Valley's High School Peer Advocacy Team, QV Voice, shared tips to parents from a personal, teen perspective:

• Boundaries and expectations are okay. They show your kids that you care.
• Be on top of it. Know where your kids are and what they are doing.
• If your kids know that you are paying attention, they are less likely to get involved in risky situations.  
• The pressure to experiment is so strong that kids will be tempted to follow their peers if they think that no one cares (the path of least resistance will win).
• Talk to your kids about a plan for unsafe situations (safe word to text or say when they call from their cell phone).
• Stay up to talk with your kids when they get home. 
• Create a relationship of open communication. Kids need to feel like they can talk to you without being lectured. 
• Reward your kids for making good choices. Acknowledge it and praise them for it. Let them know that you trust them.

Youth Connect committee members hope that this meeting marks only the beginning of conversations and efforts that parents will take with their children, and throughout the community, to address, be prepared for, and put an end to teen substance abuse.   

An Update on Sewickley's Village Theater!

The Sewickley community is closer now than ever before in seeing the return of a local family movie theater!  In light of its current capital campaign, the recently 501(c)3 certified Village Theater Company held a wonderfully successful Theater Odyssey event this weekend at the Weldge family barN, raising over $100,000 in one night!  The evening offered the sold out crowd a live dinner auction from delicious local bistros.  A silent auction also took place, thanks to participating Sewickley Village businesses.  A surprise donation was presented from the Wheat and Stevenson family in the form of two paintings of Comedy and Tragedy that hung for years in the original Sewickley Theater.   

These funds will be put toward the $1.5 million needed in pledged support for Village Theater Company to break ground in constructing a two-screen cinema that will host  community screenings, first-run independent and foreign films, classic films with educational programming, second-run films, live-streaming and lecture speaking engagements.   The Village Theater Company’s goal is to provide a community asset that will round out and strengthen the already flourishing Sewickley neighborhood and business district by attracting investments and increasing property value while simultaneously avoiding land acquisition cost, as the lot on Walnut is already vacant and up for grabs. 

A community theater will provide entertainment for all ages, while promoting education and public education of the arts.  The theater will also support local filmmakers and give the community access to various film festivals by teaming up with Pittsburgh Filmmakers, a well-established organization that will oversee the functioning of the future theater.  Local organizations and school districts will be able to take advantage of this venue space to enhance their programming.  Executive Director of Laughlin Children’s Center Doug Florey, explains how this theater will help his non-profit: “Laughlin is excited to host its ongoing speaker series here in The Village rather than at a convention hotel offsite, as we’ve done in the past.”

All donations are tax-deductible and can be made by visiting VTC’s website!  Village Theater Company’s capital campaign is close to reaching its successful halfway mark.  Join many others in establishing what will prove to be a Sewickley community legacy!

For pictures from the recent Theater Odyssey event at The BarN, visit VTC's facebook page!

Forward/U Program Offered for Families

Forward/U is an interactive choice-coaching program for teens and parents that will be offered this Sunday, April 28th from 1:30 - 5:30pm at the CCBC campus. The program is free, and aims to help parents better understand the pressures that their teens face on a regular basis.  

Teens who attend will be matched with a college-aged mentor to discuss these pressures that may increase after high school.  Parents will be led through steps that will help them identify and understand topics such as drugs and electronic media abuse. Families will have the chance to listen to a dynamic speaker together at the end, who will share about the impact of positive decision-making. 

The first 20 teens who register will be entered to win an iPod Touch! A light lunch will also be provided. 

Interested families are asked to register online at Foward/U's website. You can e-mail any questions to Kimberly Andrews at kandrews@communityhealthchallenge.org. 

Alliance Against Drugs to Screen Documentary at Town Hall Meeting

Debbie Kehoe, executive director of The Alliance Against Drugs, will screen the documentary Listen II at the upcoming Youth Connect town hall meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, in the Quaker Valley Middle School auditorium. Entitled, “It’s No Big Deal… Right?”, the focus of the meeting will be the scope, nature, and problems associated with adolescent use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs, and what parents can do about it issue.

The Alliance began in 2002, as a direct result of a high school student’s drug overdose.  In the intervening years, the organization has become an important regional information network that includes schools and service provider organizations.  The group coordinates the largest anti-drug poster contest in Pennsylvania, with more than 6,000 entries from 19 different school districts last year. 

Listen II and its predecessor, Listen, are thought-provoking documentaries produced by The Alliance chronicling the heartbreak of addiction that many local families have endured.  Listen II will be screened at the town hall meeting on April 27.  Jeff Bennett, of Bell Acres, will share with attendees the story of his daughter’s struggle with substance abuse; Bennett and his wife, Patti, are both featured in Listen II, along with four other families from the region.

Also participating in the morning event are Dr. Duncan Clark, a leading expert in adolescent substance abuse and its effect on brain development, as well as local high school students, who will wrap up the presentation with a frank discussion of what parents can do to help their children avoid the lure of drugs and alcohol. 

The event is free and open to the public; parents of children in grades 4 though 9 are especially encouraged to attend.  For more information on the town hall meeting, email youthconnect@hotmail.com.

Youth Connect is a group of concerned adults and students from schools and organizations in the Sewickley area working to provide the information, resources, and support our young people need to avoid risky behavior and enjoy their teen years.

For more information please contact youthconnect@hotmail.com or visit youthconnectnews@blogspot.com.  

Town Hall Meeting to Feature Leading Expert in Teen Substance Abuse Disorder

Dr. Duncan Clark, director of the Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research Center, will speak at the upcoming Youth Connect town hall meeting on Saturday, April 27, in the Quaker Valley Middle School auditorium.  Entitled, “It’s No Big Deal… Right?”, the focus of the meeting will be the scope, nature, and problems associated with adolescent use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs, and what parents can do about it issue.

A nationally recognized expert, Clark will discuss his 20+ years of clinical research studying the causes and consequences  of alcohol substance use disorders in adolescents, including the impact on brain development.  An associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, Clark also holds a Ph.D. in psychology from UCLA, along with an M.D. from Harvard; he did a residency in psychiatry at Stanford.  His work has been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, the American College of Psychiatrists, and the American Psychological Association, among others.

Clark’s work includes a study published in 2000 that examines brain characteristics in adolescents with alcohol use disorders, using neuro-imaging techniques. He is currently partnering with the National Institutes of Health and scholars from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as four other research institutions on the most definitive project to date studying the effects of alcohol and other drugs on teen brain development.

Also participating in the morning event are: Jeff Bennett, of Bell Acres, who will share the story of his daughter’s struggle with substance abuse; Debbie Kehoe, executive director of The Alliance Against Drugs, who will screen Listen II, an Alliance documentary that features Bennett, among others; as well as local high school students, who will wrap up the presentation with a frank discussion of what parents can do to help their children avoid the lure of drugs and alcohol.  

The event is free and open to the public; parents of children in grades 4 though 9 are especially encouraged to attend.  For more information on the town hall meeting, email youthconnect@hotmail.com.  Youth Connect is a group of concerned adults and students from schools and organizations in the Sewickley area working to provide the information, resources, and support our young people need to avoid risky behavior and enjoy their teen years.

For more information please contact youthconnect@hotmail.com.