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News Articles: opioid abuse

Test strips positive for fentanyl

As Georgia fentanyl overdoses spike, bill to ease access to life-saving test awaits Kemp OK

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have spiked since the start of the pandemic, rising more than 106% between May 2020 and April 2021, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

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Tufts employee Gabe Ryan removes the Sackler family name from a building at Tufts University, the first major university to strip the Sackler name from buildings and programs.

Sacklers Deny Wrongdoing During House Panel Over Purdue Pharma Oxycontin Sales

Thursday's hearing was the first time members of the Sackler family faced a public accounting for their alleged role in the nation's deadly opioid epidemic.

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  • Brian Mann
Researchers point to a devastating new development: Fentanyl is making swift inroads in the western U.S., where it used to be rare.

Street Fentanyl Surges In Western U.S., Leading To Thousands Of Deaths

New research shows the use of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl spreading fast in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle. Chinese companies are routing the street drug through cartels in Mexico.

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  • Brian Mann
The federal government estimates one in 10 healthcare workers experience substance use disorder. There is rising concern that medical professionals are stealing powerful opioid pain medications meant for their patients.

Some Health Workers Suffering From Addiction Steal Drugs Meant For Patients

The Drug Enforcement Agency relies on hospitals to identify nurses and doctors who misuse drugs such as morphine and fentanyl. But "only a fraction of those who are diverting drugs are ever caught."

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By:
  • Brian Mann