Nina Fenton - Health Street Content Creator

Biography

Nina works hard to be a voice to the voiceless whose stories about drug testing, DNA testing and paternity deserve to be told. It is her goal to always come from a place free of judgment and full of compassion as she brings our readers to a new understanding, offering opportunities to learn and gain insight along the way.

Recent articles

Miami Hit Hard By Heroin - Health Street

These days Miami, Florida is filled with far more than the sound of the beach, music coming from Little Havana and the sound of car horns honking at the never ending traffic. In fact, it's filled with the sound of tourniquets being snapped around the arms of addicts while they fill their needles with heroin.

Rising Heroin Abuse in Tampa - Health Street

At present, the entire nation is being swept by a heroin epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of heroin-related deaths has quadrupled in the last decade. Having said that, it will probably come as no surprise that yet another city in the nation is battle a heroin epidemic. Today we head back to sunny Florida to take a trip down the slippery heroin laced slope that many residents of Tampa are trying to navigate.

St. Louis Battles Heroin Epidemic - Health Street

St. Louis, Missouri is known as the Gateway to the West and can easily be known as the gateway to heroin addiction, according to recent reports detailing an increase in the use of the drug.

The Most Addictive Drug on Earth - Health Street

There are a lot of drugs circulating through the drug using community. Some drugs cause more concern than others due to the high probability that users may become addicted. This prompted us to do some digging in order to find out what is the most addictive drug. Take a look at what what we learned!

Vermont: America’s Heroin Capital - Health Street

Once upon a time in the little state of Vermont was most known for Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, maple syrup, dairy farms, liberal views and of course, Bernie Sanders. Unfortunately, the Green Mountain State is swiftly becoming known for something a lot less pleasant than its previous claims to fame and has even earned a new nickname along the way. These days Vermont is being called the "America's Heroin Capital" thanks to the out of control use of the drug and its devastating effects.

Delray Beach PD to Use Naloxone - Health Street

Naloxone is a nasal mist that has been proven very effective during the current battle being waged across the country as more and more drug users turn to heroin for a cheap, easy to acquire way to get high. The implementation of this new overdose protocol can't come at a better time with 51 overdoses documented already this year and 3-4 calls currently coming in a day in Delray Beach.

Menacing Meth Rocks Phoenix - Health Street

Being so close to the boarder between the U.S. and Mexico has left Phoenix, Arizona in a vulnerable position as methamphetamine is being smuggled into the state in large amounts.

Colorado ER Visits For Pot Double - Health Street

These days, going to Colorado is a must on the bucket lists of many tourists thanks to the legalization of marijuana on a state level. It appears that these liberal marijuana laws should come with a bit of a disclaimer as overly eager tokers are landing themselves in emergency rooms after hitting the Mary Jane a little too hard.

More Teens Using Marijuana in Colorado - Health Street

A new study from the National Survey on Drug use shows a 20% increase in marijuana use among teens within the last two years in Colorado.

Top 5 Background Screening Mistakes - Health Street

Don't miss out on this post as we fill you in on the top 5 background screening mistakes!

Rising Drug Abuse in Mobile, AL - Health Street

Heroin has become a huge problem in Mobile, Alabama with hundreds of people overdosing within the last year.

Urine Drug Testing Myths and Facts - Health Street

It's hard to know what to believe with all of the false information surrounding urine drug testing that is floating around the internet, but that's all about to change!

K2 Spice Hits the Ice in Anchorage - Health Street

Drug users in Anchorage, Alaska are using K2 Spice at alarming rates and leaving local law enforcement agencies no choice but to ask the federal government for assistance to save the city.

DOT Drug Testing 101 - Health Street

Here's a quick and dirty introduction for anyone wondering what a DOT drug test is.

Sky High on MDMA in Denver - Health Street

MDMA is quickly leaving all the talk about the marijuana in Denver, Colorado in the dust as more and more teens and young adults fall for the allure of the 'love drug.'

Los Angeles: Drug Problem in La La Land - Health Street

Los Angeles may be known as the City of Angels, but the drug problems taking over are far from heavenly.

Katko Introduces Synthetic Drug Bill - Health Street

Congressman John Katko introduces bill, H.R. 4229, to crack down on the amount of synthetic drugs imported and sold in the United States.

CT's Long-Term Care Background Checks - Health Street

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has joined the mission to provide the residents in long-term care facilities with the best and safest care possible by launching a new, comprehensive background check program for direct care employees and volunteers.

Meth Addiction in Bakersfield - Health Street

Bakersfield has been listed as one of the most miserable cities in America and is often referred to as the Armpit of California due to its poor educational system, air pollution and most of all, the intense methamphetamine problem taking hold of its residents.

Equine Therapy Helps Addicts Recover - Health Street

Addicts are learning to giddy-up as part of their recovery process through equine therapy sessions.

New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Bill - Health Street

New Jersey is now the 23rd state in the nation to pass legislature legalizing the use of medical marijuana for approved health conditions.

Flakka Hits Hard in West Palm Beach - Health Street

The dangerous synthetic drug, flakka, is taking hold of it residents in West Palm Beach, Florida and leaving law enforcement trying to find new ways to subdue users while in zombie mode.

K2 Use Spikes ER Visits in Chicago - Health Street

The Illinois Poison Control Center reports a spike in emergency room visits by patients under the influence of the dangerous form of synthetic marijuana, K2 Spice.

'Ban the Box' and Background Checks - Health Street

President Obama is taking his mission to reform the criminal justice system a step further with the newly announced 'Ban the Box' initiative.

Drug Use in Austin, TX - Health Street

Despite the clean air in the Clean Air City, Austin, TX struggles with a growing drug use problem.

Background Check Companies Fined $13M - Health Street

Two of the country's biggest background screening companies routinely reported misattributed or expunged criminal records to employers - 70% of the time!

Staffing Agencies Drug Test New Hires - Health Street

Employers are increasingly turning to staffing agencies to drug test applicants and weed out users before they even see them.

Citing Drug Testing Fraud, Cigna Pulls Out of FL - Health Street

Open enrollment begins on November 1 through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, but Cigna pulled out at the last minute due to drug testing fraud.

Chimeras and Paternity Testing - Health Street

Washington man was told he is NOT the father, but wait! He didn't know he had absorbed his twin in the womb! Turns out chimeras can confuse DNA tests.

San Fran Taxi Driver Drug Testing - Health Street

A new drug and alcohol testing policy has been implemented in San Francisco as a way to keep the roads safer.

Roadside Drug Testing in Michigan - Health Street

In an effort to prevent future tragedies, the Barbara and Tom Swift Law has been presented to Michigan lawmakers and will enable authorities to conduct roadside drug tests.

Will Issue 3 Change OH Drug Testing? - Health Street

Ohio residents will vote on Issue 3 to legalize the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes legal, which is raising questions about how its passing will impact the way businesses drug test their employees.

Importance of Spotting Teen Ecstasy Use - Health Street

Parents should be aware of the symptoms of ecstasy or molly (MDMA) use to prevent drug addiction in teens, especially in cities identified as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas like Houston, TX.

DNA Testing for Syrian Refugees? - Health Street

Senator Ron Johnson has proposed DNA testing as a means of preventing terrorists from entering the country when the United States grants 100,000 Syrian refugees asylum.

Obtaining Visitation Rights Using Paternity Testing in Atlanta - Health Street

Fathers wanting to obtain visitation rights to children born out of wedlock in Atlanta need to first use DNA testing to establish paternity.

How to Use Home Drug Tests - Health Street

It's time to break out the latex gloves because we're talking about how to use home drug tests today! These tests are easy to use and can test for a variety of drugs within a matter of minutes, but also come with some caveats.

Drug Use in San Antonio, TX - Health Street

Most of us think of cowboys, historic landmarks and southern charm when we hear about San Antonio, Texas. However, there is far more to this large city than meets the eye as drug use and addiction rates continue to rise.

Is Alabama Drug Testing New Moms? - Health Street

New mothers in Alabama are facing jail time and losing custody of their newborn children after being drug tested without their knowledge or consent. Is this testing method legal and do these women have any rights?

Is it Ecstasy or Halloween Candy? - Health Street

The Jackson, MS Police Department recently made a post for parents on their Facebook page warning them about ecstasy being given to their children on Halloween instead of candy.

Ohio Deaths Due To Blue Drop Heroin - Health Street

Ohio is currently in the grips of the very powerful and very dangerous substance known as 'blue drop' heroin. This new hybrid substance mixes heroin with fentanyl, packing a powerful enough punch to send users to the ER and even the morgue.

CVS to Stock Overdose-Antidote Naloxone - Health Street

CVS pharmacies in 14 states will now stock the overdose-antidote medication, naloxone, and make it available without a prescription. Could this be the key to reducing the amount of overdose deaths each year?

How Long Does Meth Stay in Your System? - Health Street

Methampetamines are an insidious class of drugs that wreaks havoc on your body, and can be detected for around three months. We explain the different types of meth, the ways in which usage can be detected, the types of drug tests for meth, and more.

Kentucky Considering Roadside Drug Testing - Health Street

Kentucky officials are running a test program to perform roadside drug tests on drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs, in an attempt to stem the growth rate of drug related car accidents each year.

Does Weed Show Up In Urine Tests? - Health Street

Does weed show up in a urine drug test? And for how long? Find out the answers before taking a test!

How Accurate Are Home Paternity Tests? - Health Street

Are you wondering if a home paternity test is as accurate as going to a lab? Don't buy that home DNA test until you read this first!