Opioid Epidemic
Follow the latest Opioid Epidemic news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
March 21, 2024 at 11:55 PM

Drug overdoses reach another record with almost 108,000 Americans in 2022, CDC says

Nearly 108,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2022
March 21, 2024 at 11:55 PM
March 19, 2024 at 8:00 PM

Tennessee nurse practitioner known as 'Rock Doc' gets 20 years for illegally prescribing opioids

Federal prosecutors say a Tennessee nurse practitioner who called himself the “Rock Doc” has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for illegally prescribing thousands of doses of opioids including oxycodone and fentanyl in return for money and sex
March 19, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Nurse practitioner known as 'Rock Doc' gets 20 years for illegal opioid prescriptions
1 month ago

US citizen arrested crossing border back into America from Mexico in taxi with $130,000 of fentanyl

A U.S. citizen has been arrested crossing back into the U.S. from Mexico after authorities found an estimated $130,000 of fentanyl hidden in the taxi they were riding in.
1 month ago
US citizen arrested crossing border from Mexico in taxi with $130,000 of fentanyl
2 months ago

Health secretary weighs in on sky-high drug prices, efforts to combat them

ABC News' "Start Here" spoke with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra about the start of Medicare drug price negotiations.
2 months ago
Health secretary weighs in on sky-high drug prices, efforts to combat them
2 months ago

Publicis Health agrees to $350M settlement over claims it helped Purdue Pharma fuel opioid crisis

Publicis Groupe SA agreed Thursday to pay $350 million to settle claims it helped OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma fuel the opioids epidemic in the United States.
2 months ago
Publicis Health agrees to $350M settlement over claims it helped fuel opioid crisis
2 months ago

Oregon officials declare state of emergency to address fentanyl crisis in Portland

Oregon officials declared a 90-day state of emergency to address Portland’s fentanyl crisis as fatal synthetic opioid overdoses there have risen 533% since 2018.
2 months ago
Oregon officials declare state of emergency to address fentanyl crisis
2 months ago

Studies suggest experimental drug could be alternative to opioids: What to know

A pharmaceutical company says their new experimental drug could be an alternative to opioid-based painkillers.
2 months ago
Studies suggest experimental drug could be alternative to opioids: What to know
2 months ago

New Hampshire voters who've lost children to opioids say crisis being neglected

Advocates feel presidential candidates have not discussed substance use disorder much – when, they believe, it should be highlighted both during and beyond the primary.
2 months ago
New Hampshire voters who've lost children to opioids say crisis being neglected
2 months ago

Poisoned: America’s Fentanyl Crisis

America’s illicit drugs are being laced with one of the deadliest opioids ever created, killing in record numbers. ABC News' Bob Woodruff travels to uncover the epidemic of fentanyl poisoning.
2 months ago
Poisoned: America’s Fentanyl Crisis
3 months ago

Jelly Roll makes emotional plea to Congress to fight fentanyl overdoses

The musical artist got candid about his own personal addiction story and former life as a drug dealer during an emotional testimony to a Senate committee.
3 months ago
Jelly Roll makes emotional plea to Congress to fight fentanyl overdoses
3 months ago

Jelly Roll delivers impassioned testimony before Congress as lawmakers push for new anti-fentanyl legislation

Grammy-nominated musician Jelly Roll delivered an impassioned testimony before senate as lawmakers push for new anti-fentanyl legislation.
3 months ago
Jelly Roll delivers testimony before Congress pushing for anti-fentanyl legislation
3 months ago

Jelly Roll testifies in Congress about fentanyl dangers

Jason DeFord, known by his stage name Jelly Roll, gave an emotional opening statement Thursday on overdoses at a Senate hearing on fentanyl.
3 months ago
Jelly Roll testifies in Congress about fentanyl dangers
3 months ago

Jelly Roll delivers testimony on fentanyl bill

Singer Jelly Roll speaks at the Senate hearing on a fentanyl bill, saying 190 people in America die daily from a drug overdose.
3 months ago
Jelly Roll delivers testimony on fentanyl bill
3 months ago

Chris Christie calls for outright renovation to nation's addiction treatment, recovery programs

Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie outlined his national drug crisis plan earlier this week.
3 months ago
Christie calls for renovation to nation's addiction treatment, recovery programs
3 months ago

Reality TV couple charged with illegally obtaining opiates

Dr. Francis Martinis and his wife Jessica both plead “not guilty” to their charges on Long Island.
3 months ago
Reality TV couple charged with illegally obtaining opiates
3 months ago

2 arrested after gummy bears brought to elementary school in fentanyl-laced bag: Authorities

Several Virginia elementary school students needed medical attention Tuesday after eating gummy bears from a bag that tested positive for fentanyl, authorities said.
3 months ago
2 arrested after gummy bears brought to school in fentanyl-laced bag: Authorities
4 months ago

Supreme Court wrestles with Purdue Pharma settlement and legal shield for Sackler family

A settlement with Purdue Pharma hung in the balance at the Supreme Court as victims of the opioid epidemic urged justices to approve a deal with the company's owners.
4 months ago
Supreme Court wrestles with Purdue Pharma settlement, legal shield for Sackler family
4 months ago

Supreme Court reviews opioid settlement

Justices will review a $6 billion bankruptcy settlement between Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, and the victims and communities ravaged by the opioid crisis.
4 months ago
Supreme Court reviews opioid settlement
4 months ago

Border officials seizing a lot of fentanyl, but say it's a complicated problem to solve

As tens of thousands of Americans die each year from synthetic opioids, namely fentanyl, federal officials say the illicit narcotics trade remains a critical problem
4 months ago
Border officials seize a lot of fentanyl but say it's a complicated problem to solve
4 months ago

Officials announce 11 new arrests in 'massive' fentanyl investigation

The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia announced that 11 additional suspects, out of 23 total in custody, have been arrested in connection with a fentanyl distribution conspiracy.
4 months ago
 Officials announce 11 new arrests in 'massive' fentanyl investigation
4 months ago

Probe of 'massive' fentanyl ring leads to 23 in custody and 250K pills seized: Officials

New details of a federal investigation into a "massive" fentanyl ring in D.C. and elsewhere were released Monday with 11 additional arrests -- out of 23 total
4 months ago
Probe of 'massive' fentanyl ring leads to 23 in custody, 250K pills seized: Officials
4 months ago

Biden meets with Mexico’s president to discuss fentanyl, migrant crisis

ABC News’ Selina Wang and Mick Mulroy talk about the meeting between President Joe Biden and Mexico’s president and what the leaders will discuss.
4 months ago
Biden meets with Mexico’s president to discuss fentanyl, migrant crisis
4 months ago

US and China to discuss solutions to fentanyl crisis

Pres. Biden and Pres. Xi will discuss the escalating opioid crisis while at the APEC Summit.
4 months ago
US and China to discuss solutions to fentanyl crisis
5 months ago

'It's very challenging': Inside the fentanyl fight at the border

Senior government officials are concerned that Congress may not pass enough funding to secure the border, as federal authorities work to stop illegal narcotics smuggling.
5 months ago
'It's very challenging': Inside the fentanyl fight at the border
5 months ago

The effect of opioid use after surgery

ABC News Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jen Ashton talks about a new study that discovered that limiting the use of opioids after surgery does not impact patient outcomes.
5 months ago
The effect of opioid use after surgery
6 months ago

'We trusted this day care': Father of boy who died from fentanyl speaks out

Two of the three suspects arrested in the death of a 1-year-old boy from fentanyl exposure at a Bronx, New York, day care center pleaded not guilty Thursday.
6 months ago
'We trusted this day care': Father of boy who died from fentanyl speaks out
6 months ago

El Chapo's sons purportedly ban fentanyl in Mexico's Sinaloa state

The machine-printed banners were purportedly signed by a faction of the Sinaloa cartel led by the sons of jailed Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
6 months ago
El Chapo's sons purportedly ban fentanyl in Mexico's Sinaloa state
6 months ago

NYC Health Commissioner says residents should carry Narcan

NYC’s Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan has advised residents to carry lifesaving Narcan and know how to use it as fentanyl deaths are on the rise.
6 months ago
NYC Health Commissioner says residents should carry Narcan
6 months ago

Owner of Bronx day care where baby died pulled her child out over fentanyl concerns: Sources

Felix Herrera Garcia, the husband of the owner of the Bronx day care where a 1-year-old died of suspected fentanyl poisoning, returned Thursday to the United States.
6 months ago
Owner of day care where baby died pulled her child out over fentanyl concern: Sources
6 months ago

Alleged fentanyl drug mill found in NYC apartment

The apartment was just six blocks from the day care where a 1-year-old died, and three other children had to be revived with Narcan after exposure to fentanyl, authorities said.
6 months ago
Alleged fentanyl drug mill found in NYC apartment
6 months ago

Overdose crisis reaches historic levels in New York City

The overdose crisis reaches historic levels in New York City, according to new data from the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
6 months ago
Overdose crisis reaches historic levels in NYC, and fentanyl is to blame
6 months ago

Child exposed to Fentanyl and weapons in NYC: police

Police say the drugs and weapons were discovered in a room across the hall from where a 10-year-old slept.
6 months ago
Child exposed to Fentanyl and weapons in NYC: police
6 months ago

Kilo of fentanyl stored at day care where 1-year-old died

A kilogram of fentanyl was stored on top of children’s play mats used for napping at the New York City day care where a one-year-old boy died from exposure to the drug, a criminal complaint stated.
6 months ago
Kilo of fentanyl stored at day care where 1-year-old died
6 months ago

Day care operator charged in baby's fentanyl death allegedly deleted more than 20K text messages

Two people in custody over the death of a 1-year old boy at a New York City day care are facing federal charges.
6 months ago
Woman charged in baby's fentanyl death allegedly deleted more than 20K messages
6 months ago

DHS looks to combat illicit drugs inside and out of the United States through targeted strategy

DHS looks to combat illicit drugs inside and out of the United States through targeted strategy
6 months ago
DHS looks to combat illicit drugs through targeted strategy
6 months ago

1-year-old dies of suspected opioid exposure at NYC day care, 3 others hospitalized: Police

A 1-year-old boy has died and three other children were hospitalized after apparently coming into contact with an opioid at a day care center, according to the NYPD.
6 months ago
1-year-old dies of suspected opioid exposure at NYC day care, 3 hospitalized: Police
6 months ago

Illegal drugs expected to be top national security threat in 2024: DHS

Illegal drugs are expected to be one of the biggest threats to national security in 2024, according to the Department of Homeland Security's annual threat study.
6 months ago
This could be 2024's top national security threat, according to DHS
6 months ago

Overdose deaths from fentanyl combined with stimulants increased 50-fold since 2010

The percentage of overdose deaths from fentanyl combined with stimulants increased 50-fold between 2010 and 2021, according to a new analysis done by researchers.
6 months ago
Overdose deaths from fentanyl combined with stimulants increased 50-fold since 2010
7 months ago

Inside America’s fight against fentanyl

ABC News’ Mireya Villarreal gets an inside look at “Operation Artemis” as federal authorities scour packages coming into Los Angeles International Airport for signs of the deadly drug.
7 months ago
Inside America’s fight against fentanyl
7 months ago

WYNTK: OTC Narcan will soon be available

From cost, accessibility, and how to find it, Dr. Jen Ashton breaks down what you need to know about Narcan coming to stores across the country.
7 months ago
WYNTK: OTC Narcan will soon be available
7 months ago

Overdose reversal drug Narcan will be available to buy over-the-counter starting in September

The manufacturer of the overdose reversal drug Narcan said it will be available to buy over-the-counter starting in September.
7 months ago
Overdose reversal drug Narcan will be available to buy OTC in September
8 months ago

SCOTUS pauses Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan over whether it can shield founders from opioid liability

The Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked Purdue Pharma’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy that shielded the Sackler families from liability in the opioid epidemic
8 months ago
Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan halted by SCOTUS
8 months ago

Community groups, medical experts work to combat emerging 'tranq' drug crisis

Xylazine, known on the street as tranq, is a cheap and powerful sedative, often used as a horse tranquilizer and is at the center of overdose deaths.
8 months ago
Animal sedative 'tranq' worsening overdose crisis as it spreads across the country
8 months ago

Cocaine, psychostimulants have higher overdose death rates when mixed with opioids: CDC

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that nearly 80% of cocaine-related overdose deaths also involved opioids.
8 months ago
Cocaine, psychostimulants have higher overdose death rates when mixed with opioids
9 months ago

New study on the effect of opioids as pain treatment

ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jen Ashton explains a new study that found opioids not to be helpful in reducing pain severity or physical function for acute neck pain or back pain.
9 months ago
New study on the effect of opioids as pain treatment
9 months ago

Authorities seize enough fentanyl in San Francisco to kill city's entire population

The California Highway Patrol has seized enough fentanyl in San Francisco in the past six weeks to kill the city's entire population nearly three times over.
9 months ago
Authorities seize enough fentanyl in San Francisco to kill city's entire population
9 months ago

California authorities seize enough fentanyl in San Francisco to kill city's entire population nearly 3 times over

The California Highway Patrol has seized enough fentanyl in San Francisco in the past six weeks to kill the city's entire population nearly three times over.
9 months ago
Authorities seize enough fentanyl in San Francisco to kill city's entire population
9 months ago

A look inside the US fentanyl crisis

ABC News’ Devin Dwyer takes “GMA3” inside various ways some school districts are handling this rising epidemic by stocking the life-saving medication Narcan to combat drug overdoses in teens.
9 months ago
A look inside the US fentanyl crisis
10 months ago

Closures of ketamine clinics leave some patients scrambling for treatment

Doctors who run ketamine clinics say that cash-only ketamine clinics face unique economic challenges.
10 months ago
Ketamine clinics closing amid financial pressures
10 months ago

Teen girl charged with murder after classmates die from fentanyl overdose

A 17-year-old girl has been charged with murder in the overdose deaths of two of her classmates. The deceased teens were 16 years old and 17 years old.
10 months ago
Teen girl charged with murder after classmates die from drug overdose