Opioid Epidemic

Connecticut is on track for a third straight year in declining opioid overdoses — and lawmakers on Monday said a new $7 million grant from the Department of Justice could bring the numbers even lower.

International fentanyl trafficking will be declared a national emergency due to the passage of a bill co-sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is more powerful than heroin and kills hundreds of Long Islanders every year.

Travel time can impede a person's ability to treat opioid use disorder. CT officials and nonprofits are spending millions to change that.

Part of CT's opioid settlement money could go to addressing the crisis’ effect on incarcerated people, many of whom struggle with addiction.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged House Republicans to take up the National Security Act, which passed the Senate last month but is stalled in the House. The package includes legislation that aims to curb fentanyl trafficking and opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.

Most CT municipalities had yet to use any opioid settlement funds as of last fall. But some have pooled their money and created partnerships.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney backs the bills to crack down on the fentanyl overdose epidemic. The bipartisan package would allow police to charge drug dealers with manslaughter.

Experts say the medications enable people to find new jobs, regain custody of children and more easily recover from opioid use disorders.

Millions of dollars in legal settlements are starting to flow into Connecticut to combat the opioid epidemic, and the stakes could not be higher.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has introduced a bill to combat fentanyl overdose deaths. The bill would force President Joe Biden to declare international fentanyl trafficking a national emergency, and strengthen sanctions on traffickers.