Fentanyl mixed with cocaine or meth is driving the '4th wave' of the overdose crisis
A new study finds a 50-fold growth in deaths from combined use of stimulants and opioids. The toxic and contaminated drug supply is to blame.
fentanyl
The share of U.S. drug overdose deaths caused by fake prescription pills is growing
The share of overdose deaths involving counterfeit pills doubled between 2019 and 2021, according to the CDC. Victims were often younger, Hispanic and had misused prescription drugs in the past.
Caring for people with fentanyl addiction often means treating terrible wounds
The fentanyl-additive Xylazine causes open wounds, making the illegal drug supply even more dangerous and treatment more complicated
Who is sneaking fentanyl across the southern border? Hint: it's not the migrants
We know that illicit fentanyl is flowing into the U.S. from Mexico. Yet we rarely hear from the couriers who smuggle most of it through legal ports of entry. This is one of their stories.
Deaths from xylazine are on the rise. The White House has a new plan to tackle it
Deaths from overdoses of Xylazine-laced fentanyl have surged. The White House drug czar says he's marshalling efforts on testing, tracking, treatment, and stopping the spread.
Politicians want cop crackdowns on drug dealers. Experts say tough tactics cost lives
As fentanyl deaths surge, lawmakers want more drug busts and arrests. But new research found tough police tactics might increase overdoses and drug deaths in communities.
A deadly new street drug caught the U.S. off guard. Experts say it'll happen again
A dangerous chemical called xylazine is being mixed into fentanyl across the U.S., but who's doing it and why is a mystery. The government still doesn't identify and track new drug threats.
Guilford partnership works to stem rise in opioid deaths
Guilford County is experiencing an increase in opioid overdose deaths and emergency department visits, according to county and state data.
Cops say they're being poisoned by fentanyl. Experts say the risk is 'extremely low'
Police officers regularly report being poisoned or overdosing after encountering trace amounts of fentanyl on the job. Experts say it's not happening.
Record number of people arrested in an international fentanyl operation, DOJ says
The Department of Justice announced arrests in an international operation targeting fentanyl sales on the dark web that spanned the U.S., Europe and South America. Nearly 300 people were arrested.