opioid abuse

Tufts employee Gabe Ryan removes letters from signage featuring the Sackler family name at the Tufts building in Boston on Dec. 5, 2019. Tufts University was the first major university to strip the Sackler name from buildings and programs.

Sacklers Deny Wrongdoing During House Panel Over Purdue Pharma Oxycontin Sales

Brian Mann

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It was the first time members of the family faced a public accounting for their alleged role in the nation's deadly opioid epidemic.

Health News Florida

At-Home Medication Disposal Campaign Aims To Address Opioid Overdoses

Brendan Rivers

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A free at-home medication disposal program is looking to address opioid overdoses, which have spiked across the country since the coronavirus pandemic…

"Canton, Ohio, USA - July 18, 2011: Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Built in 1963."

Health News Florida

Retired NFL Players Continue Opioid Use And Suffer Depression, UF Study Shows

The study shows the long-term effects of opioid use by NFL players, even after their careers have ended.

NPR Health

How Medical Professionals Can Fix Opioid Overprescribing

Brian Mann

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A rise in drug overdose deaths is putting doctors and dentists back under scrutiny for ignoring federal safety guidelines. Simple solutions could include prescribing weaker opioids or fewer pills.

Opioid Addiction

Florida Must Find Funds To Combat Opioid Abuse

If the state wants to continue efforts at current levels to curb opioid abuse, it will need to find about $76 million, members of a Senate health-care…

Sometimes doctors rapidly taper their chronic pain patients' opioid doses. Now a federal agency recommends against this.

Opioid Addiction

Don't Force Patients Off Opioids Abruptly, New Guidelines Say, Warning Of Severe Risks

Will Stone

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Researchers say chronic pain patients can feel suicidal or risk overdose when taken off medication too quickly. The warnings seek to course-correct after doctors felt pressured to taper drugs rapidly.

Dr. Joel Smithers was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Wednesday for illegal opioid prescriptions.

Opioid Addiction

Doctor Gets 40 Years For Illegally Prescribing More Than Half A Million Opioid Doses

Brakkton Booker

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Dr. Joel Smithers was convicted in May of more than 800 federal counts of illegal drug distribution. He was facing life in prison and a $200 million fine. The court ordered him to pay $86,000.

Attorneys representing local governments that are suing Purdue Pharma say they have reached a settlement with the OxyContin maker.

Health News Florida

Purdue Pharma Agrees To Tentative Settlement In Opioid Case

Geoff Mulvihill and Dave Collins/Associated Press

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OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a tentative deal Wednesday with about half the states and thousands of local governments over its role in the...

Students in medical schools are about to become doctors in the midst of an opioid crisis. That's why one top U.S. medical school is rethinking what to teach them about pain and pain management.

NPR Health

How To Teach Future Doctors About Pain In The Midst Of The Opioid Crisis

Nell Greenfieldboyce

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Around 20% of U.S. adults live with chronic pain. Medical schools traditionally haven't dedicated much time to teaching about pain and pain control, but one top school now has a mandatory course.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that most new heroin addicts first became hooked on prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone, before graduating to heroin, which is cheaper.

NPR Health

Tales Of Corporate Painkiller Pushing: 'The Death Rates Just Soared'

Dave Davies

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Washington Post journalist Scott Higham says recently released evidence shows the drug industry purposely shipped big quantities of opioids to communities without regard for how they were being used.