Kentucky has the third-highest drug overdose death rate in the United States. KET is working to elevate awareness of the complex issues that surround this public health crisis through the Inside Opioid Addiction initiative. Funded in part by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, this initiative explores the many dimensions of this crisis and pathways toward solutions. Learn more about KET’s opioid initiative
Journalists from around the state discuss the news of the week with host Bill Bryant, including recent debates between Republican candidates for governor and a slight decline in overdose deaths in Kentucky. Guests: Bill Estep, Lexington Herald-Leader; Monica Harkins, WDRB in Louisville; and Joe Sonka, Louisville Courier Journal.
The FDA recently made it easier for people to obtain a powerful overdose-reversing medicine. Narcan previously required a prescription, but soon will be sold over the counter. Communities are already using it to fight overdose deaths. With support from the Pulitzer Center and in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center, William Brangham reports from New York for our series, Rural RX.
Secretary Eric Friedlander of Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services talks about how CHFS's population health policies impact the state.
There is grim news about the state of America's health. The average expected lifespan for a person in this country shrank by over seven months last year, according to the CDC. That comes after an even steeper decline in 2020. The primary culprits are COVID-19 and opioid overdoses. Dr. Steven Woolf joined William Brangham to discuss the new report.
Renee Shaw and guests discuss strategies for reducing opioid addiction rates in Kentucky. Guests: Van Ingram, Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy; Tiffany Hall, Volunteers of America; Tim Robinson, Addiction Recovery Care; Sen. Ralph Alvarado (R-Winchester), chair of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee; and Rep. Joni Jenkins (D-Shively), House Minority Floor Leader.
The nation’s opioid epidemic has never been deadlier. The Centers for Disease Control Prevention says 100,000 people died of drug overdoses over the last year — a 30 percent increase from the year before and an all-time high. As William Brangham reports, these deaths are fueled by the rise of the extremely potent synthetic opioid, fentanyl.
After more than two years of negotiations, a number of states agreed to a $26 billion settlement with three large drug distributors and Johnson & Johnson for their roles in the opioids epidemic. Half a million deaths over two decades are attributed to opioids and fatal overdoses. William Brangham discusses the settlement with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who worked on this agreement.
Dr. Tuckson welcomes Matt Brown, vice-president of administration at Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), a multi-service addiction recovery provider in 17 counties in Kentucky. Using his own story from addiction to recovery as an example, Brown shares the best strategies for achieving and maintaining sobriety from drug and alcohol abuse and how ARC can help at each step.
Dr. Tuckson speaks with Dr. Michael Fletcher, MD, president of the Kentucky Society of Addiction Medicine.
PBS NewsHour
Monday, Oct. 21 was supposed to be the start of a landmark trial against drug companies and distributors. But before arguments could start, several companies announced a $260 million settlement with two Ohio counties. With lawsuits still pending from thousands of communities, can a bigger national settlement be reached? William Brangham talks with Lenny Bernstein of the Washington Post for more.