opioids

Tracy Lee for NPR

8:58am Jul 17, 2020

National National

Doctors And Dentists Still Flooding U.S. With Opioid Prescriptions

by Brian Mann

Forty Americans die every day from overdoses linked to prescription opioids, but researchers say many doctors and dentists still have a "prescribe and forget" attitude toward the medications.
Ted S. Warren / AP

2:23pm May 18, 2020

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Changes In Opioid Supply Create New Risks As Stay-At-Home Rules Ease

by Yuki Noguchi

The disruption in the illegal opioid trade had varying impacts around the country. As stay-at-home orders lift, that creates different risks of overdose that public health is trying to manage.
Jesse Costa / WBUR

7:19pm Feb 20, 2020

Science Science Health & Safety

The Case For Sending Drug Users Home From The Hospital With Open IV Lines

by Martha Bebinger

When patients need long-term treatment with IV antibiotics, hospitals usually let them do it at home — but not if they have a history of injection drug use. A Boston program wants to change that.
8:51am Feb 11, 2020

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Surry County Church Network Holds Community Opioid Forum

by Bethany Chafin

A network of churches in Surry County is focusing on opioids; the dialogue begins Tuesday night at a community forum in Mt. Airy.
WIN-Initiative / Getty Images

12:35pm Feb 05, 2020

Books Books Arts Health & Safety

A Widow, Not A Wife: 'Smacked' Explores An Ex-Husband's Secret Addiction

by Terry Gross

Eilene Zimmerman didn't learn of her ex-husband's addiction to cocaine and opioids until after his death. "This had happened in front of us, and we hadn't recognized it," she says.

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6:00am Jan 24, 2020

Politics & Government Politics & Government Crime

Forsyth County Sheriff Reflects On First Year In Office, Lays Out Plans

by Keri Brown

It’s been a year since Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough was sworn into office. He’s the first black person to hold the position in the county’s 170-year history.

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Catie Dull / NPR

5:26pm Jan 13, 2020

Health & Safety Health & Safety

The Kratom Debate: Helpful Herb Or Dangerous Drug?

by Lesley McClurg

Some people struggling with opioid addiction who switched to kratom swear the herb salvaged their lives. But federal agencies and the brother of a man who died from his kratom use warn of its risks.

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4:39pm Jan 13, 2020

Health & Safety Health & Safety

Congressional Hearing Includes What NC Is Doing To Combat Opioid Crisis

by Bethany Chafin

This story has been updated from a previous version.

A congressional hearing Tuesday morning highlighted what North Carolina is doing to combat the opioid crisis.
Johnathon Kelso

4:29pm Jan 02, 2020

Science Science Health & Safety

Effort To Control Opioids In An ER Leaves Some Sickle Cell Patients In Pain

by Sam Whitehead

People with sickle cell disease aren't fueling the opioid crisis, research shows. Yet some ER doctors still treat patients seeking relief for agonizing sickle cell crises as potential addicts.

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Eric Baradat / AFP via Getty Images

1:47pm Dec 26, 2019

National National

In 2019, The Legal Fight Over Opioids Unraveled Into Confusion And Infighting

by Brian Mann

This was meant to be the year we answered a big question about the deadly opioid epidemic: Will drug companies that make and sell prescription pain medications be held liable? That clarity never came.
Steven Senne / AP

1:41pm Dec 17, 2019

National National Health & Safety

Sacklers Withdrew Nearly $11 Billion From Purdue As Opioid Crisis Mounted

by Colin Dwyer

According to a court filing Monday, the family pulled about $10.7 billion from Purdue since 2008 — ramping up withdrawals even after executives pleaded guilty to misleading regulators about OxyContin.
Patrick Semansky / AP

6:50pm Dec 12, 2019

Sports Sports National

Major League Baseball Drops Marijuana, Adds Opioids, Cocaine To 'Drugs Of Abuse' List

by Paolo Zialcita

The changes follow the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who was found with opioids and alcohol in his system.