Opioid victims face Purdue Pharma owners: 'Scum of the earth'

In a U.S. Bankruptcy Court virtual hearing, more than two dozen addiction and overdose survivors addressed members of the Sackler family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma. One speaker called a family member "scum of the earth."

Fentanyl dealers linked to Bronx overdoses charged by Feds

Eight men were charged as part of a drug trafficking organization whose sales of the dangerous opioid led to the overdose deaths of at least six people.

Arizona CBP arrest Mexican national carrying $85K worth of fentanyl pills

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers have arrested a Mexican national who was allegedly attempting to smuggle $85,000 worth of fentanyl pills.

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.

Fentanyl overdose at Connecticut school

Police say a 13-year-old Connecticut boy who apparently overdosed on the opioid fentanyl while in school has died.

Drugmaker Teva helped fuel opioid crisis, jury rules

A jury has held Teva Pharmaceuticals responsible for contributing to the opioid crisis by delivering a verdict in a sweeping lawsuit filed by New York state. Teva says it strongly disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal.

Lawsuits against OxyContin owners on hold; judge orders negotiations

A judge has kept lawsuits against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family who own it on hold until Feb. 1 but ordered the parties to negotiate a new settlement. Connecticut and Washington state argued that suits against the Sacklers should be allowed to move ahead immediately.

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.

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.

Deputy suffers fentanyl overdose after exposure to substance on patrol

“If it wasn't for the quick-thinking of his Field Training Officer, Corporal Scott Crane, in administering Naloxone, Deputy Faiivae would not be alive today,” the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

New York settles with distribution companies in opioid lawsuit

McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen are the latest to settle in one of the nation's largest opioid lawsuits. The distributors are among a lengthy list of pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers accused of fueling the opioid crisis on Long Island and across the state.

U.S. opioid lawsuits on verge of settlements with 4 companies

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, lawyers suing on behalf of local governments said.

New York signs on to opioid settlement with Purdue Pharma

Attorneys general in 15 states, including New York, announced on Wednesday a $4.5 billion settlement with the maker of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, and its owner, the Sackler family, for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic.

Jury trial of opioid makers, distributors begins in New York

The lawsuit — filed by Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the New York attorney general — accuses some of the biggest pharmaceutical companies and distributors of fueling the opioid epidemic. The litigation is the first of its kind in the nation in which a jury rather than a judge will decide the outcome.

Nassau County renews fight against opioid crisis

The Nassau County Police Department announced the reengagement of Operation Natalie, which was founded three years ago in honor of Natalie Ciappa, a Massapequa teen who died of an overdose.

Senate confirms Vivek Murthy as US Surgeon General

The Senate confirmed a soft-spoken physician as President Joe Biden's surgeon general Tuesday.