"Health & Medical News"

A new study suggests that providing monetary rewards to cocaine users may not be an effective way to get them to overcome their addictions.

The study by researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that cocaine users have less sensitivity to monetary rewards than nonusers. Moreover, researchers found that the heaviest cocaine users were least able to improve their behavior in response to monetary incentives.

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The New Jersey Board of Education has beefed up regulation of schools that conduct student drug testing, but won’t require schools to send all drug tests to costly state-licensed labs, the Newark Star-Ledger reported Nov. 8.

The new regulations will still allow school nurses to conduct drug tests, but will require schools to provide more training and oversight. Schools also would have to adhere to rules governing student notification of testing results. “This is insurance that there is a basic floor of training and accuracy,” said Barbara Gantwerk, assistant commissioner in the state education department. “We don’t believe this undermines it, but provides a uniform consistency throughout the state.”

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Statement by Mike Russo, Health Care Advocate and Staff Attorney for CALPIRG:

“We welcome the Speaker’s announcement on Tuesday of his plan for health care reform.  While the details haven’t fully been released, it looks to contain costs, expand coverage, and help consumers get a fair shake when buying insurance.  

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