opioids - NewBostonPost

censure

Maine lawmakers miss chance to publicly censure LePage

Democratic lawmakers in Maine may have missed their chance to publicly censure Gov. Paul LePage, the firebrand Republican leader who made headlines last month for leaving an expletive-laden voicemail on a political foe's phone and claiming the state's drug problems are chiefly fueled by minorities coming

Maura Healey

Opioid battle takes a new direction thanks to local police

BOSTON – As opioids are killing Massachusetts residents at an alarming rate, the state's top leaders like Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey, a Democrat, have encouraged local law enforcement agencies to pick up their efforts against drug abuse. Several agencies have taken the fight beyond

opioids

Bay State steps up fight against drug abuse epidemic

BOSTON – Massachusetts is rising up against drug addiction after deaths due to heroin and painkiller dependency climbed 8 percent over the past year. Gov. Charlie Baker has made the issue a priority, as have many lawmakers from across the state. As a result, new laws will come into effect that

marijuana

Marijuana may help break addiction to painkillers, heroin

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The growing number of patients who claim marijuana helped them drop their painkiller habit has intrigued lawmakers and emboldened advocates, who are pushing for cannabis as a treatment for the abuse of opioids and illegal narcotics like heroin, as well as an alternative to painkillers. It&

opioids

First implant to control opiate addiction wins FDA approval

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials on Thursday approved an innovative new option for Americans struggling with addiction to heroin and painkillers: a drug-oozing implant that curbs craving and withdrawal symptoms for six months at a time. The first-of-a-kind device, Probuphine, arrives as communities across the U.S. grapple with a

Massachusetts

Mass. delegation in scramble to advance opioid proposals

STATE HOUSE — Echoing a debate that dominated Beacon Hill for the better part of the past year, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday is poised to vote on a package of proposals, several of which were sponsored by the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, that would push the country along

Worcester

Cuban refugee climbed from modest start to help addicts get clean

WORCESTER – Dr. Matilde Castiel could probably give state policymakers plenty of advice about dealing with drug abuse and the deadly opioid crisis gripping Massachusetts. The Cuban immigrant has been helping Latinos in Worcester overcome addiction for years in a treatment center and an innovative transitional assistance program that provides those

Massachusetts

Bill targeting opioid abuse heads to governor’s desk

BOSTON – Massachusetts will become the first state in the nation to allow partial fills of painkiller prescriptions, patients will be empowered to direct physicians not to prescribe them with potentially addictive synthetic opiates, and screening of middle and high school students for signs of substance abuse and addiction will be