Mar 20 State lawmakers consider harsher penalties for fentanyl possession By Gabe Stern, James Pollard, Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press Proponents say prosecutors and police need more tools to help with the fight because fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are so deadly. But other advocates worry harsher penalties will result in even more dangerous drug supplies and punish people who… Continue reading
Feb 17 How harm reduction advocates are working to prevent fentanyl overdose deaths By Nicole Ellis, Casey Kuhn, Rachel Liesendahl In his address, Biden called for “strong penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking” — a line that garnered bipartisan applause during his State of the Union address. But the call drew criticism from harm reduction advocates who say a… Continue reading
Feb 15 Watch 9:08 Senate hearing on fentanyl outlines international supply chain that brings drug to U.S. By Lisa Desjardins, Kyle Midura, Tess Conciatori A Congressional hearing on fentanyl brought some of the Biden administration's key drug officials together to examine how to address what is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45. Lisa Desjardins has more on the… Continue watching
Dec 12 Watch 6:39 How multiple presidential administrations failed to stop fentanyl's rise in the U.S. By William Brangham More than 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year and the same toll is expected this year. Two-thirds of those deaths are tied to fentanyl, but the federal government has been slow to recognize the rise of the highly-potent… Continue watching
Dec 06 Watch 8:16 Schools stockpile medication to combat rise in fentanyl overdoses By Stephanie Sy, Karina Cuevas, Lena I. Jackson Overdose deaths caused by fentanyl are on the rise across the country. It’s especially grim for young people, with more than 75 percent of adolescent overdose deaths in 2021 involving the powerful synthetic opioid. In response, many schools have stocked… Continue watching
Oct 28 Myths about fentanyl persist as opioid continues to cause overdose deaths By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press Fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids ingrained in the nation's illicit drug supply are killing more people in the U.S. than any other drug has. Continue reading
Oct 14 Why this expert says 'rainbow fentanyl' is no real threat to your Halloween this year By Joel Best, The Conversation Trends in recreational or illicit drug use often make the jump to exaggerated Halloween warnings. Continue reading
May 11 CDC says more than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, setting 'staggering' record By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic U.S. record. Continue reading
Apr 20 Doctor who prescribed enough painkillers to 'kill an elephant' found not guilty in 14 patient deaths By Associated Press A jury on Wednesday acquitted an Ohio doctor in the deaths of multiple hospital patients. Continue reading
Feb 09 Watch 7:28 New report details the scale of the U.S. opioid crisis and its link to drug trafficking By William Brangham, Laura Santhanam The opioid overdose crisis that killed more than 100,000 Americans in a year is being called one of the most pressing national security and public health challenges facing the U.S. A majority of the overdoses are driven by the potent… Continue watching