Why xylazine, an "emerging threat," doesn't respond to Narcan

There isn't a medication to reverse xylazine, an animal tranquilizer increasingly being found mixed in with fentanyl and other drugs.

• Apr 12, 2023

FDA approves Narcan for over-the-counter sales

The FDA on Wednesday approved Narcan, a nasal spray that helps reverse opioid overdoses, for over-the-counter sales without a prescription. New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan joins CBS News to discuss how this could help curb opioid deaths.

• Mar 29, 2023

FDA approves overdose-reversing Narcan for over-the-counter sale

In the 12-month period ending in Oct. 2022, the United States recorded 101,750 overdose deaths, primarily from opioids.

• Mar 29, 2023

Opioid crisis settlements total over $50 billion. How is that money being used?

Advocates say they hope to see the money spent on evidence-based treatment options, including overdose prevention centers.

• Mar 1, 2023

Canada province decriminalizes hard drugs in bid to ease opioid crisis

Adults found with small amounts of cocaine, heroin and other drugs will get information on addiction treatment rather than jail time.

• Jan 31, 2023

Easing rules for opioid treatment meds did not increase overdose deaths, study finds

During the coronavirus pandemic, federal agencies changed rules to allow qualified clinicians to remotely prescribe buprenorphine, even to new patients.

• Jan 20, 2023

State laws aim to reduce risk of prescription opioid overdoses

This strategy — now in place in at least 10 states — is part of an effort to curb accidental opioid overdose deaths by patients who take these powerful medications.

• Jan 4, 2023

Top government researcher calls for easier access to methadone

Nina Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, was clear about her desire for methadone to be available by prescription.

• Nov 17, 2022

FDA takes steps to authorize some naloxone products for over-the-counter sale

Most of the United States' more than 107,000 overdose deaths in 2021 involved opioids.

• Nov 15, 2022

California mother arrested after toddler dies from fentanyl overdose

Jennifer Mae Niemann is being held on four charges including child endangerment and possession of controlled substances.

• Nov 11, 2022

Ex-Angels staffer sentenced to 22 years in Tyler Skaggs' overdose death

A toxicology report found a mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone in Tyler Skaggs' system after he was found dead in a suburban Dallas hotel room in 2019.

• Oct 11, 2022