Lauren Boebert introduces bill to classify fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction

GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, a freshman representing Colorado’s 3rd district, is pushing to classify the synthetic opioid fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

With fatal overdoses at a record high, Georgia moves to decriminalize fentanyl test strips

In 2021, 107,000 Americans died from a fatal overdose. Now, states like Georgia are moving to legalize test strips that could help drug users determine whether the substance they are using contains potentially deadly fentanyl.

CBP: Woman tried to cross border with condom filled with fentanyl pills in her vaginal cavity

A woman was arrested after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found 0.006 pounds of fentanyl that was wrapped inside a condom the woman placed inside her vaginal cavity.  

CDC proposes change to opioid prescription guidelines

The nation’s top public health agency is proposing changing — and in some instances, softening — guidelines for doctors prescribing opioid painkillers.

Teen charged with murder after 12-year-old San Jose girl dies of fentanyl overdose

The 16-year-old sold the drugs to the girl in 2020. Dalilah Julianna Mederos Guerrero died shortly after consuming three-quarters of a single pill, prosecutors said. The girl became the youngest person to fatally overdose in the county that year, according to the DA.

Georgia opioid task force resumes in-person meetings, faces grim data

The COVID-19 pandemic, health experts believe, has only intensified the country's opioid crisis with decreased funding for recovery programs and virtual-only support.

Jury finds CVS, Walgreens, Walmart responsible for role in opioid crisis

The counties blamed pharmacies operated by CVS, Walgreens and Walmart for not stopping the flood of pills that caused hundreds of overdose deaths and cost each of the two counties about $1 billion, their attorney said.

US reaches grim milestone for deadly drug overdoses

The US has reached a never before seen level of deadly drug overdoses. Data from the Centers for Disease Control estimates more than 100,000 people died from drug overdoses from April 2020-April 2021.

US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in a year for 1st time, CDC says

An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, topping deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu and pneumonia, CDC data shows.

San Francisco could get a safe drug consumption site as early as next spring

The City of San Francisco is pursuing a policy to allow safe consumption sites to address the problem of drug overdoses and open use on city streets. 

Fentanyl-induced overdoses increasing, more drugs being laced with it

Drug dealers may be motivated to lace their product with fentanyl because its potency can create stronger addicts, and therefore, loyal customers. It is also cheaper to cut drugs with it.

Purdue Pharma opioid settlement: Judge conditionally OKs $4.5B agreement

A judge on Wednesday gave conditional approval to a sweeping, potentially $10 billion plan submitted by OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to settle a mountain of lawsuits over its role in the opioid crisis.

California considers paying drug addicts to stay sober

Frustrated by out-of-control increases in drug overdose deaths, California’s leaders are trying something radical: They want the state to be the first to pay people to stay sober.

4 companies on verge of settling $26B deal in lawsuits over toll of opioid prescriptions

The three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson are on the verge of a $26 billion deal to settle lawsuits brought by state and local governments across the country over the toll of prescription opioids.

93,000 Americans died of overdoses last year, a new record

U.S. overdose deaths climbed to a record 93,000 last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous record was 72,000.

J&J to pay $230M to settle claims it helped fuel opioid crisis

As part of the deal, the drugmaker also agreed to end the manufacturing and distribution of opioids across New York and the rest of the nation.