Brian Mann

Author's posts

Opioids are devastating Cherokee families. The tribe has a $100 million plan to heal

The fentanyl crisis is hitting young people hard, and the highest death rates are in Native American communities. The Cherokee Nation is working to help young families recover.

The Biden administration hopes to expand opioid addiction treatment

The Biden administration is trying to give Americans with opioid addictions access to life-saving medical treatments. Most people using fentanyl and other opioids never receive medical care.

A major drug maker has applied to sell Narcan over the counter

A major drug maker has applied to sell Narcan, which reverses opioid overdoses, over the counter. Addiction experts say making Narcan widely available is a crucial next step to stop fentanyl deaths.

Purdue Pharma, Sacklers reach $6 billion deal with state attorneys general

The deal, hashed out over weeks of intense negotiations, raises the amount paid by the Sacklers by more than $1 billion. In exchange, the family members win immunity from civil opioid lawsuits.

New York eases quarantine rules for essential workers as omicron hits key industries

The number of new COVID cases in New York doubled in just three days. State officials say the impact of the winter omicron surge on the workforce is already being felt.

Methamphetamine Deaths Soar, Hitting Black And Native Americans Especially Hard

Newly published U.S. data finds overdose deaths from methamphetamine use more than doubled in recent years. Use of the stimulant among Black Americans surged nearly tenfold.

Hospital Emergency Rooms Struggle With Overdose Spike During Pandemic

The CDC says hospitals saw a lot more emergency cases involving drug overdoses, as well as mental health crises and suicide attempts. Many emergency departments weren’t ready.

Drug Companies Face Lawsuits From Opioid Crisis As They Respond To The Pandemic

As pharmaceutical companies face a tsunami of lawsuits and criminal probes stemming from the opioid epidemic, they are accused of using the coronavirus crisis to rehabilitate their image.

NPR Investigation: Opioids Are Still The King For Many Doctors, Dentists

The U.S. health care industry has begun reducing the use of high-risk opioid pain medications. But clinicians in many fields still prescribe large quantities of opioids, ignoring federal guidelines.

Places Which Most Need Medical Equipment Often Forced To Buy On Open Market

The Trump administration has enlisted some of the biggest U.S. corporations to help boost the supply of medical equipment. But many of the supplies still aren’t going where they’re needed most.