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.
An 11-year-old girl has died after being struck by a school bus in Brooklyn Thursday. It happened around 3 p.m. at 23rd Street and Bath Avenue in Bath Beach.
The Patchogue-Medford School District said in a letter that the Suffolk County Department of Health alerted them about an infectious person in the school community.
On Day 25 of the New York City nurses strike, union members said they reached tentative agreements on more key issues in negotiations.
Investigators have no proof that the missing mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie is still alive but are holding out hope she is "still out there," the sheriff said.
Rescue boats were on the scene at the Wiggins Park Marina on Thursday as crews tried to pull a firefighter from the water.
An 11-year-old girl has died after being struck by a school bus in Brooklyn Thursday. It happened around 3 p.m. at 23rd Street and Bath Avenue in Bath Beach.
On Day 25 of the New York City nurses strike, union members said they reached tentative agreements on more key issues in negotiations.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Attorney General Letitia James both announced their support of Gov. Kathy Hochul's reelection bid Thursday.
Parts of New York and Connecticut could see snow Friday into Saturday. A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for the weekend due to dangerously cold temperatures.
Images circulating online that show New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a child with millionaire financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are generated by artificial intelligence.
Parts of New York and Connecticut could see snow Friday into Saturday. A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for the weekend due to dangerously cold temperatures.
Bundle up — New York City and the Tri-State Area's stretch of dangerously cold weather continues, and it's sticking around longer than anyone would like.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were pivotal during America's birth. This year, as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, CBS News New York is highlighting the hidden history in our own back yard.
Forecasters are watching for a chance of snow this weekend in New York and New Jersey as harsh winter weather conditions continue.
The First Alert Weather Team is tracking a storm that could bring snow to the New York and New Jersey area. Frigid temperatures will last throughout the week.
Rescue boats were on the scene at the Wiggins Park Marina on Thursday as crews tried to pull a firefighter from the water.
Parts of New York and Connecticut could see snow Friday into Saturday. A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for the weekend due to dangerously cold temperatures.
A mom in Plainfield, New Jersey, is pleading for the return of her 19-year-old son, Connor Oldfield, who has autism.
The mayor of Jersey City speaking out against ICE action in his city.
The states of New York and New Jersey are suing the Trump administration in a high-stakes showdown over the future of rail travel in the Tri-State Area.
The Patchogue-Medford School District said in a letter that the Suffolk County Department of Health alerted them about an infectious person in the school community.
Parts of New York and Connecticut could see snow Friday into Saturday. A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for the weekend due to dangerously cold temperatures.
More than 300 kilos of cocaine were seized in Nassau County in one of the largest drug busts ever on Long Island, officials said Tuesday.
Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa was killed Saturday in a car crash on Long Island.
The offshore wind project aimed at powering 600,000 New York homes can resume construction off Long Island, a federal judge ruled.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Attorney General Letitia James both announced their support of Gov. Kathy Hochul's reelection bid Thursday.
President Trump said he is directing all federal law enforcement to be at the "complete disposal" of Savannah Guthrie's family as the search continues for her mother, Nancy Guthrie.
Images circulating online that show New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a child with millionaire financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein are generated by artificial intelligence.
President Trump is awarding the Medal of Honor to a pilot whose faceoff with Soviet fighter jets remained secret for a half-century and a soldier who died in Afghanistan while shielding somebody from a suicide bomber.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the end of TPS for Haitian immigrants. Some in NYC say it's a small win, but the fear continues.
The Patchogue-Medford School District said in a letter that the Suffolk County Department of Health alerted them about an infectious person in the school community.
On Day 25 of the New York City nurses strike, union members said they reached tentative agreements on more key issues in negotiations.
In New Jersey, nearly half a million people lost enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits this year, but the impact goes far beyond those who got the credits.
Starting July 1, as many as 450,000 New Yorkers will lose EP coverage and be forced into marketplace health care plans.
Striking New York City nurses returned to the bargaining table Thursday, the New York State Nurses Association said.
Two-for-one tickets are returning for New York City's Off-Broadway Week.
The sheriff says the note was sent to a local Arizona news station, which agreed not to report on it, following the disappearance of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie's mother, Nancy Guthrie.
Chuck Negron, a founding member of Three Dog Night whose lead vocals powered a string of hits for one of the top rock acts of the late 1960s and early '70s has died. He was 83.
Popular singer-songwriter Noah Kahan will be bringing his tour to New York City this summer. "The Great Divide" tour will stop at Citi Field on July 18.
Bad Bunny used his Grammy acceptance speech on Sunday to denounce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and call for the end of the ongoing immigration crackdown.
The Knicks outlasted the Nuggets 134-127 in two overtimes Wednesday night for their eighth straight victory.
Dozens of middle school girls celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center on Wednesday.
The Rangers traded star winger Artemi Panarin to the Kings on Wednesday, just minutes before the NHL Olympic roster freeze.
Frank Reich and Aaron Glenn are teammates again with the New York Jets, looking to turn around the fortunes of a frustrated franchise.
American athletes are preparing for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. These are some of the top Team USA competitors to watch.
Dozens of middle school girls celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center on Wednesday.
A group of senior dancers aged 70 and up shine on stage at the Korean Community Services' center in Queens. They practice in Flushing twice a week and perform at events citywide.
A flooded manhole has turned a loading dock into an ice rink in Queens.
Jamaica Colosseum Mall is set to close for good on Jan. 31.
A volunteer effort launched during the winter storm paired younger residents with elderly homeowners, offering snow removal assistance while creating new community ties across generations.
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 at around 3 p.m. at 23rd Street and Bath Avenue in Bath Beach. Police say the bus didn't remain at the scene.
Ella is an 11-year-old, 13-pound supermutt. CBS News New York is proud to partner with the Humane Society of New York to help our furry friends find their forever homes.
Officer Patricia Espinosa was laid to rest as hundreds of law enforcement officials attended her funeral on Long Island.
New York City Gov. Kathy Hochul picked up two key endorsements in her reelection bid Thursday.
It's a nice but brisk day. Although temperatures will take a tumble this weekend. CBS News New York Meteorologist John Elliott has the forecast.