Opioid Epidemic

Connecticut and New York are part of a multi-state, $720 million settlement with eight drug manufacturers. Officials say the money collected will go toward anti-addiction programs.

Twenty-two people died over three days in Connecticut last month due to a toxic supply of fentanyl.

Medicaid cuts in the Republican budget threaten the progress that’s been made in opioid overdose prevention across the country, according to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

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.