Jun 21 Missouri measure would enact drug program for dying patients By Mike Sherry, The Hale Center for Journalism If you were dying and had exhausted all conventional treatment options, wouldn’t you want immediate access to a drug that might prove to be a miracle cure? That’s the promise of proposed legislation that could make Missouri the third state… Continue reading
May 20 Heroin seizures on the rise in Northeast By Jordan Vesey The supply and demand for heroin along the East Coast has skyrocketed in recent years with New York City once again at the center of a sophisticated nationwide distribution network. Continue reading
May 19 Colorado first state to pass ‘Right to Try,’ or the ‘Dallas Buyers’ Club’ law By Patti Parson Terminally ill patients often are frustrated to hear about experimental drugs they think might help them, but have not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration -- a process that often takes years. Continue reading
May 07 DEA takes aim at synthetic drugs with nationwide raids By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press The Drug Enforcement Administration on Wednesday broadened its national crackdown on synthetic drug manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers as federal agents served hundreds of search and arrest warrants in at least 25 states. Continue reading
Apr 21 Justice Department encourages imprisoned drug offenders to seek clemency By Associated Press In a video statement Monday, Attorney General Eric Holder said the change is designed to help federal drug offenders imprisoned under now out-of-date sentencing guidelines. Continue reading
Apr 11 U.S. Sentencing Commission takes steps to depopulate federal prisons By Willis Raburu In a bid to reduce the federal prison population, the U.S. Sentencing Commission set in motion a change of formula to determine the sentencing of low-level, nonviolent federal drug law offenders. The commission voted Thursday to reduce sentencing guidelines… Continue reading
Apr 09 Missouri moves to end lifetime ban on food stamps for drug felons By Margaret Myers Nine states ban food stamp benefits for people convicted of felony drug offenses, but one of those, Missouri, is looking to modify its law. Continue reading
Apr 03 FDA approves at-home heroin overdose treatment By Lauran Neergaard, Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved an overdose antidote that doctors could prescribe for family members or caregivers to keep on hand, in a pocket or medicine cabinet. Called Evzio, it's a device that automatically injects the right… Continue reading
Mar 17 Mexican cartel moves beyond drugs, diversifies its illegal revenue streams By Talia Mindich The Mexican drug cartel known as the Knights Templar is supplementing illegal drug trade with the illegal trade of lucrative raw materials from the port of Lazaro Cardenas -- so much so that it has become their top source of… Continue reading
Mar 13 Holder backs proposal to lessen punishment for nonviolent drug traffickers By Eric Tucker, Associated Press Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday endorsed a proposal that would result in shorter prison sentences for many nonviolent drug traffickers, saying the change would rein in runaway federal prison costs and create a fairer criminal justice system. Continue reading