A trip to the emergency room can be a crucial window to assist people in their recovery. Now some providers are giving patients a medicine to ease the transition so they can seek additional care. Recently, a hospital in Juneau completed one year of this program with encouraging results.
"opioid addiction"
State of Alaska sues second opioid manufacturer
The Alaska Department of Law is suing Mallinckrodt, alleging the opioid manufacturer downplayed the risks of its products while exaggerating the benefits.
State asks for new housing units to help Alaskans in recovery
Alaska has seen a dramatic rise in opioid abuse over the last several years, with over 100 fatal overdoses attributed to opioids last year.
Alaska tribes, health organizations join opioid suit
Alaska Natives are fatally overdosing from opioids at a higher rate than other groups. Now Alaska Native tribes and health organizations are joining a sprawling federal lawsuit against the prescription drug industry.
Drugmakers spent millions promoting opioids to patient groups, Senate report says
The report released by Missouri Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill says the cozy relationship between pain advocacy groups and pharmaceutical companies may have played a key role in the opioid crisis.
Desperate cities consider ‘safe injection’ sites for opioid users
Opioids were a main driver in roughly 1,200 drug overdose deaths in Philadelphia last year. That’s four times the city’s murder rate. It’s time, some officials say, to supervise, not criminalize.
Amid opioid crisis, insurers restrict pricey, less addictive painkillers
Drug companies and doctors have been accused of fueling the opioid crisis, but some question whether insurers have played a role, too.
Public restrooms become ground zero in the opioid epidemic
People often turn to public restrooms as a place to get high on opioids. It has led some establishments to close their facilities, while others are training employees to help people who overdose.
Debate continues over treating opioid addiction with opioids
“In randomized trial after randomized trial, people randomized to counseling plus buprenorphine or buprenorphine or Suboxone by itself do equally as well in terms of their recovery,” said family physician Steve Martin. He was speaking to a group of primary care providers at a conference.
Walker bill aims to curb opioid epidemic
The bill also limits initial opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply.