Across the United States, lawmakers and politicians are looking at possible ways of tackling the current opioid crisis. The state of Oklahoma has decided to take some matters to court and are pursuing legal claims against world-renowned pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for their part in the manufacturing of morphine and OxyContin. Oklahoma is …
Lawmakers in Minnesota are currently looking at ways in which drug makers can be forced to contribute more to help deal with the state’s current opioid crisis. If proposed moves are successful, any large scale opioid manufacturer or wholesaler could be forced to pay a registration fee of up to $500,000 in order to be …
Read more Minnesota Lawmakers Looking to Tax Drug Makers to Help With Drug Epidemic
It’s impossible to deny that the USA is in the midst of the worst opioid crisis in the country’s history. 2017 was the worst year ever for opioid related deaths and when figures are released, 2018 could be even worse. You would think that the level of opioid related deaths would be fairly consistent across …
Read more New Study Looks at How Geography Plays a Role in Opioid Crisis
Despite the relatively booming economy, many states are reporting a decrease in the availability of labor. Research shows that there seems to be a correlation between the decrease in labor availability and the rise in opioid prescriptions. Some states, such as Alabama, Arkansas and West Virginia are reporting a particularly high correlation, leading to claims …
Read more Opioid Use Driving Force Behind Higher Disability Rates in Some States
While most people acknowledge the existence of an opioid crisis in the United States, few seem to be aware of just how extensive this crisis actually is. The current opioid-related death rate means that on average, five people die of opioid abuse each and every hour in our country. That really is staggering, no matter …
Read more Ongoing Research at University of Michigan Shows No Easy Fix for Opioid Crisis
Two weeks into January this year the Washington state Heath Care Authority approved a contractual agreement with Jefferson County commissioners that will initiate the county jail as a medical care facility for inmates suffering from opiate dependency. This agreement also facilitates the Olympic Peninsula Health Services (OPHS) to provide services for opiate addicts, and will …
Concerns have been raised over how President Donald Trump’s latest government shutdown is affecting the current opiate crisis, with conflicting statements issued by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA Feeling the Effects of the Government Shutdown The issue surrounds the prescription of the drug Suboxone. Suboxone is a combination …
Read more How the Government Shutdown is Impacting the Opiate Crisis
According to figures released by the California Department of Public Health, around 2,000 California residents die each year from opioid overdoses. In order to help curb those numbers, former governor Jerry Brown has signed several pieces of legislation into law. Here is a quick rundown of some of those new laws. Reducing Painkiller Prescriptions Fraudulent …
Read more New Laws in California Aimed at Curbing Opioid Crisis