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Opioid Crisis February 20, 2019

Doctors have been prescribing fentanyl to the wrong patients for years, new study finds

Prescription fentanyl, a highly potent and immediate-release drug meant for people with advanced cancer who have been on an opioid treatment, has been inappropriately prescribed to people who did not meet the criteria, says a new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers.

Opioid Crisis January 30, 2019

Former stripper-turned-drug exec gave doctor lap dance while pitching painkiller, witness testifies

A witness has testified that an ex-stripper-turned-drug company executive gave a doctor a lap dance as part of a sales pitch for an addictive fentanyl spray.

CRIME January 22, 2019

New Jersey mom allegedly on drugs rolls onto toddler son, killing him, prosecutors say

A New Jersey mother allegedly killed her young son when she passed out on him while she had alcohol and drugs in her system.

HEALTH December 19, 2018

Frustrated opioid patients speak out: 'I now buy heroin on the street'

Hundreds of people who reached out to Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ through emails, and messages on social media, following the publication of a three-part series on the nation's struggle to address its crippling opioid crisis caused mainly by illegal drugs, and the unintended victims – chronic pain sufferers who have relied on prescribed opioids for relief -- left in its wake. 

Drug and Substance Abuse December 14, 2018

Fentanyl now deadliest drug in America, meth overdoses growing, CDC says

Fentanyl is now the deadliest drug in America, beating out heroin and oxycodone which had previously been involved in the most overdose fatalities between 2011 and 2016.

Drug and Substance Abuse December 12, 2018

Tough new opioid policies leave some cancer and post-surgery patients without painkillers

New federal and state hard lines on painkiller prescriptions are affecting even cancer patients and people fresh out of major surgeries.

Painkillers December 12, 2018

Health experts offer solutions for unintended consequences of opioid crackdown

The most urgently needed first step to addressing the misunderstandings about Centers for Disease and Prevention opioid prescribing guidelines, many clinicians and health experts say, is for the agency to clarify – in a high-profile way-- what the guidelines were meant, and not meant, to do.

Medications November 5, 2018

FDA approves super-potent opioid more powerful than morphine

Critics of the new drug call it "dangerous" and say it "will kill people."

Painkillers July 6, 2018

OxyContin maker placed profits over people, lawsuit reveals

A newly unsealed lawsuit by Tennessee’s attorney general says the maker of the world’s top-selling painkiller directed its sales force to target the highest prescribers, many with limited or no pain management background or training.

NFL May 22, 2018

Brett Favre reveals Vicodin addiction, multiple rehab stints during Hall of Fame career

Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre revealed Monday that he took 14 Vicodin at one time once and ended up in rehab three times during his NFL career.

Painkillers May 12, 2018

Chronic pain patients angry over 'opioid contracts'

More patients with chronic pain are being asked to agree to random urine drug screens, pill counts, and other conditions before they’re prescribed opioids.