America's Opioid Epidemic
Today, the administration declared the opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency. Over the past month, “PBS NewsHour” has been doing a series, “America Addicted,” offering in-depth coverage on this national crisis. Explore each individual episode below. We’re also sharing “Insight with John Ferrugia: Opioid Babies,” an in-depth, investigative story that examines the limited options for opioid addicted mothers in Colorado.
In the Headlines:
PBS NewsHour
President Trump declares a public health emergency
Oct 26, 2017 3:20 PM ET - President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency today from the White House East Room.
NPR
Trump Administration To Declare Public Health Emergency
October 26, 2017 5:02 AM ET - The Trump administration will declare a public health emergency to deal with the opioid epidemic Thursday, freeing up some resources for treatment.
In-depth Reports
PBS NewsHour: "America Addicted"
PBS NewsHour
America Addicted: An Interactive Online Report
October 2017 - The opioid crisis is devastating communities across the nation. Overdose deaths are at record highs. How can the epidemic be stopped?
PBS NewsHour
How the opioid crisis became the biggest drug epidemic
Opioid addiction is the biggest drug epidemic in U.S. history. How’d we get here?
-
4:37
PBS NewsHour
How the opioid crisis became the biggest drug epidemic
-
12:29
PBS NewsHour
A community overwhelmed by opioids
-
9:59
PBS NewsHour
Understanding the science of pain
-
10:14
PBS NewsHour
How the opioid crisis decimated the American workforce
-
4:38
PBS NewsHour
Fighting the stigma of addiction with stories of recovery
-
12:09
PBS NewsHour
Former drug users work the front lines of the opioid crisis
-
10:48
PBS NewsHour
Ohio sues big pharma over increase in opioid-related deaths
-
10:06
PBS NewsHour
How these doctors drastically decreased opioid prescriptions
-
11:15
PBS NewsHour
Synthetic opioids are driving an overdose crisis
-
11:11
PBS NewsHour
How New Mexico deploys best practices in the opioid crisis
-
5:39
PBS NewsHour
Report: Drug distributors hobbled policing of opioids
-
5:11
PBS NewsHour
Why this poet couldn’t avoid writing about the opioid crisis
- Show more videos
Insight with John Ferrugia:
Opioid Babies / Marijuana moms
More Colorado babies are being born addicted to opioids. There are few options for pregnant women seeking treatment for their addiction, especially in rural areas. Another drug—cannabis, legal in Colorado—could be impacting babies. Cannabis use among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers is on the rise here. State health officials warn of possible long-term risks to babies.
Insight Reports
"Insight: Opioid Babies" Pregnant Addicts Have Limited Medical Options
Last Updated by
Nearly half of the 64 counties in Colorado do not currently have a medical provider with training and licensing to legally prescribe buprenorphine, one of two recommended treatments for pregnant opioid addicts. Data shows the number of babies who experienced opioid-related withdrawal symptoms increased nearly two and a half times between 2011 and 2015.
Read More