NPR: opioid crisis https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=525625269 opioid crisis en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Fri, 04 Apr 2025 23:50:16 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR: opioid crisis https://www.npr.org/tags/525625269/opioid-crisis A police officer investigates her own sister's disappearance in 'Long Bright River' Set in a Philadelphia neighborhood that's been ravaged by opioids, Amanda Seyfried stars in this heartfelt Peacock series that centers wounded communities and families. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:12:11 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/nx-s1-5331883/long-bright-river-review-liz-moore-amanda-seyfried https://www.npr.org/2025/03/18/nx-s1-5331883/long-bright-river-review-liz-moore-amanda-seyfried Long Bright River.'/>

Set in a Philadelphia neighborhood that's been ravaged by opioids, Amanda Seyfried stars in this heartfelt Peacock series that centers wounded communities and families.

(Image credit: Matt Infante)

]]> John Powers McKinsey & Company to pay $650 million for role in opioid crisis The powerful consulting firm McKinsey will "accept responsibility" and pay $650 million for helping to fuel the opioid crisis, but executives will once again dodge prosecution. Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:40:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2024/12/13/nx-s1-5155962/mckinsey-purdue-opioid-prosecution-doj https://www.npr.org/2024/12/13/nx-s1-5155962/mckinsey-purdue-opioid-prosecution-doj

The powerful consulting firm McKinsey will "accept responsibility" and pay $650 million for helping to fuel the opioid crisis, but executives will once again dodge prosecution.

(Image credit: Fabrice Coffrini)

]]> Brian Mann In a decade of drug overdoses, more than 320,000 American children lost a parent New research documents how many children lost a parent to an opioid or other overdose in the period from 2011 to 2021. Bereaved children face elevated risks to their physical and emotional health. Wed, 08 May 2024 10:59:49 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/05/08/1249918051/drug-overdose-orphans-opioids-cdc-nida https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/05/08/1249918051/drug-overdose-orphans-opioids-cdc-nida New research documents how many children lost a parent to an opioid or other overdose in the period from 2011 to 2021. Bereaved children face elevated risks to their physical and emotional health.

]]> Rhitu Chatterjee Oregon pioneered a radical drug policy. Now it's reconsidering. Under Ballot Measure 110, instead of arresting drug users, police give them a citation and point them towards treatment. Over three years in, there's a debate about whether it's succeeded or failed. Wed, 07 Feb 2024 15:20:23 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2024/02/07/1229655142/oregon-pioneered-a-radical-drug-policy-now-its-reconsidering https://www.npr.org/2024/02/07/1229655142/oregon-pioneered-a-radical-drug-policy-now-its-reconsidering

Under Ballot Measure 110, instead of arresting drug users, police give them a citation and point them towards treatment. Over three years in, there's a debate about whether it's succeeded or failed.

]]> Conrad Wilson Proposed federal law would put limits on use of $50 billion in opioid settlements Lawmakers want to ensure the funds are actually used to fight the addiction crisis, not "as a piggy bank for other projects." Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:00:29 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/22/1225764203/opioid-settlements-law-addiction-crisis https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/22/1225764203/opioid-settlements-law-addiction-crisis

Lawmakers want to ensure the funds are actually used to fight the addiction crisis, not "as a piggy bank for other projects."

(Image credit: Bill Clark)

]]> Aneri Pattani In 2023, opioid settlement funds flowed to states. Here's how it's going Some $1.5 billion flowed to local government coffers this year, sparking debates about transparency and how to spend the money. Here are 5 takeaways from a year's worth of reporting on the issue. Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:01:14 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/12/21/1220692018/in-2023-opioid-settlement-funds-started-being-paid-out-heres-how-its-going https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/12/21/1220692018/in-2023-opioid-settlement-funds-started-being-paid-out-heres-how-its-going

Some $1.5 billion flowed to local government coffers this year, sparking debates about transparency and how to spend the money. Here are 5 takeaways from a year's worth of reporting on the issue.

]]> Aneri Pattani States are getting $50 billion in opioid cash. And it's an issue in governor's races Some candidates for governor are sparring over bragging rights for their state's share of opioid settlement funds. Some are attorneys general who pursued the lawsuits that produced the payouts. Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:00:19 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/01/1209812073/50-billion-opioid-settement-politics-states-governor-attorney-general https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/01/1209812073/50-billion-opioid-settement-politics-states-governor-attorney-general

Some candidates for governor are sparring over bragging rights for their state's share of opioid settlement funds. Some are attorneys general who pursued the lawsuits that produced the payouts.

(Image credit: Aneri Pattani)

]]> Aneri Pattani Law enforcement eyes opioid settlement cash for squad cars and body scanners Some state and local governments have started tapping in to opioid settlement funds for law enforcement expenses. Many argue it should go toward treating addiction instead. Fri, 20 Oct 2023 05:00:29 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/20/1206326239/law-enforcement-eyes-opioid-settlement-cash-for-squad-cars-and-body-scanners https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/20/1206326239/law-enforcement-eyes-opioid-settlement-cash-for-squad-cars-and-body-scanners

Some state and local governments have started tapping in to opioid settlement funds for law enforcement expenses. Many argue it should go toward treating addiction instead.

(Image credit: Douglas Sacha)

]]> Aneri Pattani 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. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:15:22 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2023/09/06/1197954655/drug-overdose-deaths-counterfeit-prescription-pills https://www.npr.org/2023/09/06/1197954655/drug-overdose-deaths-counterfeit-prescription-pills 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.

]]> Joe Hernandez Drugmaker Mallinckrodt may renege on $1.7 billion opioid settlement Victims of prescription opioid addiction as well as communities slammed by the opioid crisis could wind up with nothing if Mallinckrodt files for a second bankruptcy. Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:34:31 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2023/06/12/1181684340/drug-maker-mallinckrodt-may-renege-on-1-7-billion-opioid-settlement https://www.npr.org/2023/06/12/1181684340/drug-maker-mallinckrodt-may-renege-on-1-7-billion-opioid-settlement Victims of prescription opioid addiction as well as communities slammed by the opioid crisis could wind up with nothing if Mallinckrodt files for a second bankruptcy.

]]> Brian Mann