Opioids

A report based on millions of urine drug tests found the United States is facing a rise in the use of multiple drugs at once, which not only is often more deadly but complicates treatment efforts.

The researchers found that between 2020 and 2022, the percentage of overdose deaths with evidence of smoking rose 74%. Meanwhile, the percentage of deaths with evidence of injection fell 29%.

Under Ballot Measure 110, instead of arresting drug users, police give them a citation and point them towards treatment. Over three years in, there's a debate about whether it's succeeded or failed.

As national distributors and pharmacies restricted the flow of painkillers in response to the opioid crisis, Florida’s most popular grocer did the opposite, according to a Tampa Bay Times data analysis.

Updated statistics show Escambia EMS ran 10,529 opiate overdose calls from 2021 to 2023, far more than neighboring counties. The demographics and neighborhoods affected were widespread.

Similar to a typical urgent care center, the facility will have extended hours and allow patients to make same-day or walk-in appointments for mental health and addiction support.

Under the agreement, McKinsey must establish a fund to reimburse insurers, private benefit plans and others for some or all of their prescription opioid costs.

School nurses, resource officers and other staff have been trained to use the nasal spray version, Narcan, which can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

The justices struggled to decide whether to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to the multibillion dollar Purdue Pharma bankruptcy deal -- a deal meant to compensate victims of OxyContin.

In exchange for giving up ownership of drug manufacturer Purdue Pharma and for contributing up to $6 billion to fight the crisis, members of the wealthy Sackler family would be exempt from any civil lawsuits