Addiction
Philly overdose deaths surged past 1,200 in 2017. The reason? Fentanyl
“Fentanyl has taken over from heroin as the number one drug that’s killing people in Philadelphia today,” said Health Commissioner Thomas Farley.
7 years ago
Why Pa. counties are suing OxyContin drug maker
Any recovery from the lawsuits won't ease the financial burdens for many others affected by the financial costs of the crisis.
7 years ago
Amid Pa. opioid disaster, lacking ID still a barrier to treatment
It's not easy to hold onto your possessions when you're living on the street, and that also goes for your license or birth certificate.
7 years ago
Philly is ‘floating on opioids’: Civic leaders address drug crisis, share solutions
Philadelphia is wrestling with one of the nation’s highest overdose death rates amid a drug crisis that does not appear to be letting up.
7 years ago
Debate over Philly’s safe injection site plan gets personal
Evan and Darlene love each other. But they do not see eye to eye on safe injection sites. The debate has infused their conversations, in all hours of the day and night.
7 years ago
Listen 5:26Anguished families shoulder the biggest burdens of opioid addiction
In all the discussion about the cost of opioid addiction, Johnson says, there are few words about the toll it takes on families.
7 years ago
Safe injection sites are one answer to the opioid crisis
With 1,200 overdose-related deaths in 2017, Philadelphia is suffering some of the worst effects of the nation’s opioid crisis.
7 years ago
Homeless Samaritan still struggling with addiction
He says he used 'a small amount' of the donated money to buy drugs, but now he's in rehab and has been clean for three weeks.
7 years ago
As rate of infants exposed to opioids rises, N.J. urging pregnant substance abusers to get help
Since 2008, the number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome has doubled in the Garden State.
7 years ago
Delaware health officials warn drug users about tainted heroin
In the wake of a dozen overdoses in New Jersey, Delaware health officials are warning heroin users in the First State.
7 years ago
Listen 1:06SRO crowd in Kensington divided on injection site plan, united on need for city action
Residents, advocates for those with addiction, and community leaders told Council members that the city must do more to address the fallout of addiction in Kensington.
7 years ago
Surgeon General urges more Americans to carry opioid antidote
The medicine is now available at retail pharmacies in most states without a prescription.
7 years ago
Safe injection sites key to solving Philly’s opioid problem, Kenney says
The safe injection sites, which will be funded by private donations and support from nonprofits, are part of Philadelphia's larger plan to reduce incarcerations for drug use.
7 years ago
Healing drug injection wounds can help get care closer to patients
Wounds related to injection drug use are often hidden under long sleeves as users try to hide their addiction.
7 years ago
Kensington residents passionately debate supervised injection facility
Philadelphia officials updated the Kensington neighborhood last night on their efforts to bring a supervised injection facility to the city.
7 years ago