Suffolk County Grand Jury Addresses Prescription Painkiller Abuse
The panel has offered several solutions and recommendations to address the epidemic after hearing testimony from 38 witnesses and considering 123 exhibits.
Watch CBS News
The panel has offered several solutions and recommendations to address the epidemic after hearing testimony from 38 witnesses and considering 123 exhibits.
Major pharmaceutical companies saw dollar signs when they first began to push doctors to freely prescribe powerful opiate-based painkillers for just about anything, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported. Now there is a major public health crisis.
Maria Basmas just experienced her first Mother's Day without her son Christopher. He died in October after overdosing on prescription painkillers. He was only 29-years-old.
Recovering painkiller addict Michel Green told WCBS 880's Irene Cornell he was shocked when, after experiencing knee pain, a doctor offered him another addictive painkiller.
"The sales for these medications continue to skyrocket, to a point at which the U.S. is now consuming more than 80 percent of the entire world's opioid supply," Dr. Andrew Kolodny told WCBS 880's Irene Cornell.
It usually takes a celebrity death to grab the headlines, but there have been 100,000 fatal overdoses in this country in the past 10 years because to narcotic painkillers, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported.
Narcotic painkillers and the doctors who prescribe them illegally have become a new focus for law enforcement, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported.
He lost his dream job with the Boston Celtics and nearly lost his life to Oxycontin and heroin, but now he's a man on a mission, traveling the country telling his powerful story to vulnerable kids, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported.
At 21-years-old, Chris Herren was a huge talent in professional basketball, but his drug addiction proved to be even bigger.
Highly addictive opiate based painkillers are with us because they do have legitimate uses. But things can go very wrong, as Gregg Dworkin, now an ex-addict, found out, reported WCBS 880's Irene Cornell.
Veteran narcotics detectives, accustomed to shutting down heroin mills and tracking cocaine cartels, have had to learn some new tricks and drug overdose deaths rival those from car crashes, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reported.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 Americans a day die from prescription drug abuse -- more than heroin and cocaine combined.
An Oxycodone epidemic is running rampant through New York State, according to State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
A U.S. senator is warning that a new batch of super painkillers now under review could lead to violent robberies.
Dr. Frank Telang was arrested at his home in Port Jefferson Station at 8:15 a.m., according to federal authorities.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says the counterfeit prescriptions were filled in 20 counties throughout the state.
His attorney, James McElhone, says Dr. Frank Telang is a "widely respected doctor" and has "absolutely" done nothing wrong.
Burglaries are on the rise all across North Jersey, and the source is in the sky.
DA Kathleen Rice said Dr. Martin Roginsky sold painkillers like oxycodone and roxycodone to anyone who walked into his Rockville Centre, Long Island office.
The DEA is taking action against what it calls an epidemic, hosting the first ever nationwide prescription drug take-back program in hopes of stemming teen prescription drug abuse.
There's more evidence Friday that a common over-the-counter medication may be linked to both asthma and eczema in children.
A Harlem doctor once known for her work with drug addicts was accused on Thursday of writing phony prescriptions for about 11,000 painkiller pills.
The FBI says nine people, including a doctor, are charged with running a Manhattan drug ring.
Infirlder Bo Bichette and the New York Mets have agreed to a $126 million, 3-year contract, a source tells The Associated Press.
The New Jersey man convicted of driving drunk and killing four people at a Fourth of July celebration in Manhattan will spend at least 24 years in state prison.
New Jersey officials are warning residents to be careful after a resident reported their small dog was attacked by a coyote.
Surveillance video shows the woman being dragged beneath the vehicle for several feet in Brownsville.
Negotiators for major New York City hospitals and NYSNA return to the bargaining table as the city's largest nurses strike enters a fifth day.
The New Jersey man convicted of driving drunk and killing four people at a Fourth of July celebration in Manhattan will spend at least 24 years in state prison.
Surveillance video shows the woman being dragged beneath the vehicle for several feet in Brownsville.
Negotiators for major New York City hospitals and NYSNA return to the bargaining table as the city's largest nurses strike enters a fifth day.
Get ready for more winter weather in the Tri-State Area because we're tracking two chances for accumulating snow this weekend.
There have been three gun-related incidents at New York City public schools this week alone. Now, both parents and school safety agents are raising concerns.
Get ready for more winter weather in the Tri-State Area because we're tracking two chances for accumulating snow this weekend.
Two men posing as Amazon delivery workers held a Connecticut homeowner at gunpoint while robbing him and his wife, police said.
Wednesday night, things begin to change. Showers linger, and areas well north and west may pick up some light snow.
Police in Danbury, Connecticut, are actively looking for a man who they believe fired a deadly gunshot that traveled through a wall and killed his neighbor.
There's plenty of sunshine is on the way to the Tri-State Area, but the First Alert Weather team is also tracking a round of snow later this week.
New Jersey officials are warning residents to be careful after a resident reported their small dog was attacked by a coyote.
Get ready for more winter weather in the Tri-State Area because we're tracking two chances for accumulating snow this weekend.
A data company is finding that some Airbnb hosts in New Jersey are charging a lot for the time period around upcoming World Cup matches.
A pastor in Morristown, New Jersey, says community members are too afraid to go outside after recent ICE activity.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is reflecting on his public career as he moves to New York for his next job.
Get ready for more winter weather in the Tri-State Area because we're tracking two chances for accumulating snow this weekend.
A federal judge ruled the Empire Wind project can move forward while he considers the merits of the Trump administration's order to suspend it.
Hochul said she would commit $1.7 billion in the next budget to expand child care in New York in her 2026 state of the state address.
Wednesday night, things begin to change. Showers linger, and areas well north and west may pick up some light snow.
Three people were sentenced Tuesday for their roles in murdering and dismembering a man and a woman in Amityville in February 2024.
Hochul said she would commit $1.7 billion in the next budget to expand child care in New York in her 2026 state of the state address.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado previously said she wanted to "share" the prize for removing Nicolás Maduro from power.
A panel of judges on a federal appeals court ruled Thursday that a district court judge did not have the authority to order the release of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot a man Wednesday night in north Minneapolis after allegedly being attacked by men with shovels during an arrest operation, three U.S. officials told CBS News.
Border czar Tom Homan said no decision had been made about the exact nature of the cuts, which are supposed to take effect in two weeks.
Negotiators for major New York City hospitals and NYSNA return to the bargaining table as the city's largest nurses strike enters a fifth day.
Nurses continue to hold the picket line as the largest nurses' strike in New York City history is on its third day with no end in sight.
Nurses say health care benefits and workplace safety are their main reasons for striking, and are refusing to go back to work until their demands are met.
Loved ones of patients at hospitals in New York City are concerned about care as nurses continue to strike due to failed contract negotiations on Monday.
The New York State Nurses Association said it called for the strike as negotiations stalled with the city's wealthiest hospitals.
John Forté, the Grammy-nominated musician known for his work with the Fugees, was found dead in his home in Massachusetts.
The 2026 Golden Globes honored the standouts in both film and television from last year. See the full list of winners and nominees.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Video of an angry confrontation during intermission at a performance of "Mamma Mia!" on Broadway is going viral on social media.
Infirlder Bo Bichette and the New York Mets have agreed to a $126 million, 3-year contract, a source tells The Associated Press.
Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves for his NHL-leading fifth shutout of the season as the New York Islanders edged the Edmonton Oilers 1-0 on Thursday night.
Jimmy Butler had 32 points and eight rebounds, Stephen Curry warmed up in the second half to finish with 27 points and seven assists, and the Golden State Warriors beat the New York Knicks 126-113 on Thursday night.
Authorities said the alleged scheme involved 39 players, 17 different NCAA Division I men's basketball teams and 29 games.
Negotiations are ongoing, but John Harbaugh is expected to end up coaching the New York Giants.
A group in Queens has banded together to revive landlines and give their children a simpler way to socialize.
A city-approved plan to rezone a stretch of Atlantic Avenue is expected to bring thousands of new apartments to Brooklyn, but tenant advocates say the deal falls short for lower-income residents and could accelerate displacement.
A three-year pilot run by the Brooklyn Justice Initiative and the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice aims to improve court compliance and reduce recidivism by meeting participants where they live.
Harlem native Teyana Taylor wins her first major acting honor at the 83rd Golden Globes Awards for her performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another." Locals say it's a win for the whole neighborhood.
Legislation would protect and expand hunger programs and improve benefit security as New York pantries see rising demand.
The Halloween tradition strolled through Manhattan's East Village on Sunday, with furry friends dressed in colorful costumes.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Dogs got decked out for the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in New York City's East Village on Saturday.
Cosplayers flooded New York City's Javits Center in October 2024 for the annual New York Comic Con convention.
It happened around 6:45 a.m. near the intersection of Pitkin and Osborn Street. CBS News New York's Hannah Kliger reports.
Dylan House, Director of Public Programs at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, talks with CBS New York's Mary Calvi about the museum's "Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Festival".
A woman was killed Friday morning in a hit-and-run in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
New Jersey State Police said the investigation linked the man to other rock-throwing incidents in Bergen County.
Negotiators for major NYC hospital systems and NYSNA will return to the bargaining table as the city's largest nurses strike enters a fifth day. CBS News New York's Christina Fan reports.