opioid epidemic | Page 3 | 88.5 WFDD

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

7:47am Oct 24, 2018

Health & Safety Health & Safety National

Opioid Deaths May Be Starting To Plateau, HHS Chief Says

by Emily Sullivan

Overdose deaths started to level off near the end of 2017 and are "finally bending in the right direction," says Alex Azar, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, citing early data.
Courtesy of Maura O'Neill

10:47pm Oct 20, 2018

National National Health & Safety

The Viral Obituary Of An Opioid Addict: 'She's Just One Face' Of The Epidemic

by Emma Bowman

An obit for a young mother who died after struggling with addiction gained national attention this week. Her sister wants to remind readers: "So many people with addiction don't resemble the photo."

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8:22am Oct 09, 2018

Health & Safety Health & Safety Human Interest News

How The Opioid Epidemic Affects Older Adults

by Bethany Chafin

In 2017, more than 5,500 North Carolinians went to the emergency room for an opioid overdose.

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Kena Betancur / AFP/Getty Images

3:29pm Aug 21, 2018

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Poll: Most Americans Know About Opioid Antidote And Are Willing To Use It

by Scott Hensley

While a majority of Americans know about naloxone, there is confusion about the fact that in most places a prescription isn't required to obtain the emergency overdose treatment.
Darlene Superville / AP

10:29pm Jul 24, 2018

Politics & Government Politics & Government

After A Slow Start, Melania Trump Hits The Road For 'Be Best'

by Sarah McCammon

The rollout of the first lady's policy initiative was delayed by her illness and hospitalization in May, but the White House says she'll be making more appearances in the weeks to come.
Will Stone/KJZZ

6:43pm Jul 08, 2018

National National Politics & Government Health & Safety

Patients With Chronic Pain Feel Caught In An Opioid Prescribing Debate

by Will Stone

States are passing laws that limit a doctor's ability to prescribe opioids. Doctors and patients alike are wrestling with what that means in cases of chronic pain

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BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP/Getty Images

8:02am Jun 23, 2018

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Analysis Finds Geographic Overlap In Opioid Use And Trump Support In 2016

by Paul Chisholm

Counties with higher rates of opioid use skewed heavily Republican in the 2016 election. What role did the opioid epidemic play in President Trump's victory?
Patrick Strattner / Getty Images

10:54am Jun 20, 2018

National National

In Some States, Drug Felons Still Face Lifetime Ban On SNAP Benefits

by Molly Born

The 1996 federal ban aimed to punish drug offenders, but research shows denying aid disproportionately affects the poor and increases recidivism. Many states have opted out or modified the policy.
11:46am Jun 11, 2018

Politics & Government Politics & Government

Bill Would Give Police Access To Drug Database

by Paul Garber

Law enforcement officers would have access to a statewide database of some prescription drugs under a bill filed in the North Carolina legislature.
Andrew Harnik / AP

8:10am Jun 07, 2018

Politics & Government Politics & Government

One Month Later, What's Become Of Melania Trump's 'Be Best' Campaign?

by Sarah McCammon

Beyond shining a spotlight on issues related to the well-being of children, it's unclear yet what the first lady's initiative will involve.

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Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

5:00am May 24, 2018

Politics & Government Politics & Government

Deadly Delivery: Opioids By Mail

by Brian Naylor

Congressional investigators say hundreds of millions of dollars of fentanyl is coming into the U.S. by mail. But lawmakers are finding it hard to stop.

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

10:24am Apr 05, 2018

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Surgeon General Urges More Americans To Carry Opioid Antidote

The drug naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams says more Americans should have naloxone on hand in case loved ones, friends or neighbors need help.

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