Follow the latest Opioid Epidemic news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
May 18, 2022, 11:52 PM
Did the fentanyl crisis thrive because the US ignored opioid abuse?
One in fourteen Americans are suffering from some form of addiction, according to the CDC.
May 18, 2022, 11:52 PM
May 18, 2022, 6:04 PM
Americans suffer deadly fentanyl overdoses in record numbers
Families in Nashville learn the deadly reality of fentanyl after child suffers fatal overdose.
May 18, 2022, 6:04 PM
May 17, 2022, 3:32 PM
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.
May 17, 2022, 3:32 PM
May 17, 2022, 3:50 AM
Poisoned: America's Fentanyl Crisis
In the final part of a series, ABC News' Bob Woodruff explores potential solutions to America’s deadly fentanyl crisis, including a visit to the first harm reduction clinic in the country.
May 17, 2022, 3:50 AM
May 16, 2022, 6:18 PM
ABC News' Bob Woodruff talks about new special, 'Poisoned: America’s Fentanyl Crisis'
Nearly 108,000 Americans died from a drug overdose in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
May 16, 2022, 6:18 PM
May 13, 2022, 7:35 PM
Idaho announces $119 million opioid crisis settlement
Idaho officials have announced a $119 million settlement with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and three major distributors over their role in the opioid addiction crisis
May 13, 2022, 7:35 PM
May 10, 2022, 3:02 AM
Poisoned: America's Fentanyl Crisis
In part four of a series, ABC News’ Bob Woodruff learns how the drug fentanyl, used to treat his near-fatal injury in Iraq, nearly killed one of the Army medics who had helped save his life.
May 10, 2022, 3:02 AM
May 5, 2022, 5:52 PM
Walgreens, Florida settle opioid costs lawsuit for $683M
The Walgreens pharmacy chain has reached a $683 million settlement with the state of Florida in a lawsuit accusing the company of improperly dispensing millions of painkillers that contributed to the opioid crisis
May 5, 2022, 5:52 PM
May 3, 2022, 8:57 AM
Poisoned: America's Fentanyl Crisis
In part three of a series, Bob Woodruff watches a drug seizure at the U.S.-Mexico border, speaks with a convicted drug dealer and one sheriff who is fighting to keep people like him off the streets.
May 3, 2022, 8:57 AM
April 27, 2022, 9:26 PM
Lawmakers scrutinize McKinsey's opioid, FDA consulting work
Lawmakers vowed to continue investigating consulting firm McKinsey after a hearing scrutinizing its work for the Food and Drug Administration even as it advised opioid makers on boosting sales
April 27, 2022, 9:26 PM
April 26, 2022, 4:11 PM
Still rocked by opioid crisis, West Virginia now dealing with rise in fentanyl overdoses
West Virginia was ground zero in the opioid crisis and now faces a new phase as fentanyl overdoses in the area are on the rise.
April 26, 2022, 4:11 PM
April 26, 2022, 6:11 AM
Poisoned: America's Fentanyl Crisis
In part two of Poisoned: America's Fentanyl Crisis series, ABC News' Bob Woodruff travels to West Virginia and follows one EMS team overwhelmed by fentanyl overdoses, and doctors who feel responsible.
April 26, 2022, 6:11 AM
1 month ago
Poisoned: America's Fentanyl Crisis
In part one of a series, ABC News' Bob Woodruff examines how the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is devastating cities across America, and what one city is doing to respond to the epidemic.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Students work on tackling the opioid crisis
Meet the students working as EMTs who started a nonprofit aimed at reducing opioid overdoses.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Opioid overdose deaths among teens have skyrocketed due to fentanyl
Overdose deaths in adolescents rose far more rapidly than the general population between 2019 and 2021 because of fentanyl, according to a new study of CDC data.
1 month ago
1 month ago
COVID-19, overdoses pushed US to highest death total ever
2021 was the deadliest year in U.S. history.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Treatment for opioid addiction often brings discrimination
There often is a serious downside for people taking medications that have a long track record of helping treat opioid addiction: discrimination
1 month ago
1 month ago
Fentanyl overdose survivor tells her story: 'I was a lucky one. I gotta make it worth it'
Last September, Ryan Christoff found his then 16-year-old daughter barely breathing.
1 month ago
2 months ago
Watchdog urged to probe McKinsey over work with FDA, opioid manufacturers
Lawmakers are calling for a probe into McKinsey & Company after the consulting giant allegedly skirted conflict-of-interest rules in its work on opioid-related issues.
2 months ago
2 months ago
Florida secures $860M from CVS, others to settle opioid case
The CVS drug store company and pharmaceutical companies will pay Florida a combined $860 million as part of the settlement of an opioid epidemic case
2 months ago
2 months ago
'Scum of the earth': Drug victims face Purdue Pharma owners
They unleashed their emotions on the family they blame for the opioid epidemic.
2 months ago
2 months ago
Yale strikes Sackler name from campus amid opioid outrage
Yale University has begun removing the Sackler name from its campus several years after announcing it would no longer accept donations from the family that owns OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma
2 months ago
2 months ago
What opioid victims told Sacklers when they got the chance
A hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court has given survivors of opioid addiction and people who lost loved ones to the crisis the chance to confront members of the family behind OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma
2 months ago
2 months ago
Opioid crisis victims to confront Purdue Pharma's owners
Victims will confront members of the Sackler family.
2 months ago
2 months ago
Judge favors boosting Sackler payment in Purdue Pharma deal
A judge has indicated he is moving forward with a plan for the owners of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to pump at least another $1.2 billion into a nationwide settlement of lawsuits against over the toll of opioids
2 months ago
3 months ago
Purdue Pharma, US states agree to new opioid settlement
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has reached a nationwide settlement over its role in the opioid crisis
3 months ago
3 months ago
J&J, distributors finalize $26B landmark opioid settlement
Drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and three major distributors have finalized a nationwide settlement over their role in the opioid addiction crisis
3 months ago
3 months ago
No new settlement yet of opioid claims against Purdue Pharma
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and a group of states have not been able to hammer out a new settlement so far as another mediation deadline has passed
3 months ago
3 months ago
CDC proposes softer guidance on opioid prescriptions
The nation’s top public health agency is proposing changing — and in some instances, softening — guidelines for doctors prescribing opioid painkillers
3 months ago
3 months ago
Overdose deaths cost US $1 trillion annually, bipartisan report finds
The drug overdose epidemic in the United States costs the nation roughly $1 trillion a year, according to a new bipartisan congressional report released Tuesday.
3 months ago
4 months ago
Native American tribes agree to $590M settlement with Johnson & Johnson, drug distributors over opioid epidemic
Tribes were disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic.
4 months ago
4 months ago
Sacklers 'close' to deal to contribute additional cash in opioid settlement
An agreement could end a legal challenge for Purdue Pharma.
4 months ago
4 months ago
100 bags of fentanyl found in bedroom of 13-year-old who died from overdose
Investigators said they are looking for the person who provided over 100 bags of fentanyl to a teen who overdosed and died.
4 months ago
5 months ago
New York jury holds drugmaker Teva liable in opioid crisis
A jury has held Teva Pharmaceuticals responsible for contributing to the opioid crisis
5 months ago
5 months ago
Suits against OxyContin owners on hold; negotiations ordered
A judge has kept lawsuits against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family who own it on hold until Feb. 1 but ordered the parties to negotiate a new settlement
5 months ago
5 months ago
San Francisco board OKs mayor's emergency order over opioids
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved an emergency order the mayor wants to tackle an opioid epidemic in its troubled Tenderloin district
5 months ago
5 months ago
Oregon, among last holdout states, to join opioid agreement
Oregon is on the verge of signing onto a $26 billion settlement with the three largest distributors of opioids and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson after being one of the latest holdout states to join
5 months ago
5 months ago
Mexico sees seizures of meth, fentanyl soar since 2019
Mexican drug cartels are turning to bigger, more productive labs to churn out increasing quantities of synthetic drugs like meth and fentanyl
5 months ago
5 months ago
Judge rejects Purdue Pharma’s sweeping opioid settlement
A federal judge has rejected OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s sweeping deal to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids
5 months ago
5 months ago
Metropolitan Museum of Art cuts Sackler name amid opioid ire
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is dropping the Sackler name from seven exhibition spaces amid growing outrage over the role the family may have played in the opioid crisis
5 months ago
6 months ago
Opioid crisis is 'gripping the nation': Hartung
Kaylee Hartung takes a look into the opioid crisis.
6 months ago
6 months ago
'100,000 lives are being lost' to opioid crisis: Milgram
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram discusses how to combat the opioid epidemic.
6 months ago
6 months ago
States: Sackler family members abusing bankruptcy process
States have credible claims that family members took more than $10 billion.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Jury holds pharmacies responsible for role in opioid crisis
A federal jury says CVS, Walgreens and Walmart pharmacies didn’t do enough to stop the flow of opioid pills into two Ohio counties
6 months ago
6 months ago
Overdose deaths hit record high in US
Nearly 100,000 Americans died from drug overdoses during the height of the pandemic.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Drug overdose deaths hit new high in US during the pandemic
There were more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. during the pandemic.
6 months ago
6 months ago
US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year, officials say
Drug overdoses now surpass deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Opioid trial against CVS, Walgreens, Walmart winding down
Cities and counties in the U.S. that want to hold pharmacies accountable for the opioid crisis are closely watching a federal trial that’s coming to a close
6 months ago
6 months ago
Washington seeks over $38 billion from opioid distributors
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has taken the state’s case against the nation’s three biggest drug distributors to trial
6 months ago
6 months ago
Bloomberg pledges $120 million to curb drug overdose deaths
Michael Bloomberg will spend $120 million in an effort to reduce the soaring numbers of deaths from drug overdoses, he announced today at a healthcare summit he organized
6 months ago