UF Health forensic medicine director joins national committee to combat emerging drug threats

University of Florida Health forensic medicine director Bruce Goldberger, Ph.D., has been named to a White House committee whose members will identify and respond to new drug threats nationwide. Goldberger joins experts in law and drug enforcement, public health and addiction on the Emerging Threats Committeeformed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The illicit drug trade is evolving rapidly and now includes many new psychoactive substances, Goldberger said. Many of them are synthetic — opioids such as fentanyl, cathinones that are chemically similar to amphetamines, and synthetic cannabinoids.

Stopping the flow of emerging drug threats and saving lives require a nimble, coordinated effort among prevention, treatment, drug enforcement and forensic experts, Goldberger said.

“The committee will assist in the identification of emerging substances for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, so it can develop a national strategy to deal with the threat,” he said. …

Full Article located here: https://ufhealth.org/news/2019/uf-health-forensic-medicine-director-joins-national-committee-combat-emerging-drug-threats?fbclid=IwAR3WQGIAE39zUcS1_c6JLT-IXLqdkn429IT5OHivtzl1nXAJ2jR1OtwvlWE