Alabama observes National Opioid Awareness Day with a statewide initiative and a 30% reduction in overdose fatalities.
National Opioid Awareness Day emphasized education, prevention, and recovery through various resources and signs. The Alabama Department of Mental Health, in partnership with the Alabama Legislature, recognized this day on September 21st. This annual event urged Alabamians to reflect, learn, and take action concerning the opioid crisis, joining communities nationwide in observance. The misuse of […]
Alabama House candidate troubled by renewed sanctions in Jasper’s opioid pill distribution rise
Dustin Beatty, a Republican candidate for the Alabama House District special primary election this month, is under scrutiny due to a consent order from the Alabama Pharmacy Board dating back to 2009. This order suspended his pharmacist license for ten years and included fines and various practice restrictions, according to official records. Recent reports highlighted […]
Dustin Beaty’s story of redemption falls apart with links to opioid distribution.
Dustin Beatty: A Complex Portrait of the Opioid Crisis Dustin Beatty’s campaign ads tell a story of personal trauma linked to the opioid crisis—his addiction, the loss of his business, and now his quest for political redemption. It’s a narrative of resilience and survival, but the reality depicted in Alabama Pharmacy Board files and the […]
Trump’s FDA Advocates for ‘Gas Station’ Opioid to Be Included in DEA’s Drug Schedule
FDA Moves to Classify Kratom Derivative as Controlled Substance Washington – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has formally requested that a well-known derivative of Kratom be classified as a controlled substance. This decision comes as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the use of 7-hydroxymitraginine, or 7-OH, which is derived from the […]
Chairman Rex Reynolds: Alabama’s statewide opioid strategy aims to reduce addiction, aid recovery, and support veterans
For the last three years, Alabama has been receiving funds from federal settlements with major pharmaceutical companies, totaling over $300 million so far. I think this amount will keep increasing as time goes on. These funds are part of the state’s Opioid Settlement Fund, which has been designated by Congress. In 2022, Congress set up […]
Purdue Pharma, Sacklers Reach $7.4 Billion National Opioid Settlement
The Connecticut attorney general announced Thursday that Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have reached a $7.4 billion settlement with victims of the opioid crisis and a bipartisan coalition of 15 states. Purdue, which is owned by the Sacklers, previously reached a $6 billion settlement with the victims, but the Supreme Court called the terms […]
Coconino County rolls out vending machine with free opioid overdose-reversal drugs
A new vending machine outside Flagstaff Medical Center's emergency department is selling free opioid overdose medication. This is part of a growing trend across the country. The machine delivers drugs like Narcan and naloxone, which can potentially save lives in the event of an overdose. This is the second such machine in Flagstaff, after officials […]
Opioid Crisis Escalates In Florida After Police Discover Drug 50 Times Stronger Than Fentanyl
Florida authorities have found a drug 50 times stronger than fentanyl circulating in the state, Newsweek reported. Palm Beach County police found N-desethylisotonitazene (ISO), a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than fentanyl. NewsweekThe discovery was made during a search by the West Palm Beach Police Department's Organized Crime Unit, which led to […]
Maricopa County attorney wants clarity if opioid settlement funds are subject to spending cap
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is seeking a legal opinion to argue whether the county is subject to spending limits on the opioid settlement funds it currently receives. Mitchell asked for an official statement on the matter. On July 8, Democratic Attorney General Chris Mays issued a statement. Maricopa County filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical […]
How California local governments are using opioid settlement payouts
Sacramento — Sonia Verdugo, whose husband died of an opioid overdose last year, regularly delivers medical supplies to drug users living and dying on the streets of Los Angeles and advocates for policies to address drug addiction and homelessness at Los Angeles City Hall. But Verdugo didn't know that hundreds of millions of dollars flow […]