Lauren Boebert introduces bill to classify fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction

GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, a freshman representing Colorado’s 3rd district, is pushing to classify the synthetic opioid fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction.

Nearly 100 pounds of illicit fentanyl seized in Bay Area

Nearly 100 pounds of illicit fentanyl is off the streets thanks to sheriff's detectives and the Alameda County Narcotics Task Force, sheriff's officials said Saturday.

DEA warns of 'nationwide spike' of fentanyl-related mass overdoses across US

Fentanyl “mass-overdose events” have been reported in at least seven U.S. cities in recent months. “Fentanyl is killing Americans at an unprecedented rate,” the DEA warned.

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.

Teen charged with murder after 12-year-old San Jose girl dies of fentanyl overdose

The 16-year-old sold the drugs to the girl in 2020. Dalilah Julianna Mederos Guerrero died shortly after consuming three-quarters of a single pill, prosecutors said. The girl became the youngest person to fatally overdose in the county that year, according to the DA.

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.

Pharmacies head to court Monday in 1st trial over role in opioid crisis

In a bellwether federal trial starting Monday in Cleveland, Lake and Trumbull counties will try to convince a jury that the retail pharmacy companies played an outsized role in creating a public nuisance in the way they dispensed pain medication into their communities.

Purdue Pharma opioid settlement: Judge conditionally OKs $4.5B agreement

A judge on Wednesday gave conditional approval to a sweeping, potentially $10 billion plan submitted by OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to settle a mountain of lawsuits over its role in the opioid crisis.

3 Kerr County men indicted for the distribution of opioids

According to court documents, 3 men in Kerr County are all charged with one count of conspiring to distribute hydrocodone, oxycodone, and amphetamines.

Ex-Purdue Pharma president denies responsibility for opioid crisis

Former Purdue Pharma president and chair Richard Sackler says he, his family and the company do not have any responsibility for the opioid crisis in the United States.

J&J to pay $230M to settle claims it helped fuel opioid crisis

As part of the deal, the drugmaker also agreed to end the manufacturing and distribution of opioids across New York and the rest of the nation.

DOJ sues Walmart over role in America’s opioid crisis

The Justice Department is suing Walmart, alleging the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies, helping to fuel the opioid crisis in America, according to a person familiar with the matter.