Drug Addiction

drugs, prescription, medical, sick, pharmacy

I saw parallels to Clancy case as a juvenile court judge

'Reckless indifference' of prescribing psychiatrists can have devastating consequences

By Carol Erskine criminal justice, Drugs 0 Comments Feb 20, 2023

THE TRAGIC DEATH of the beautiful Clancy children may portend a long overdue indictment of the cavalier use of powerful psychotropic medications over non-pharmacological methods of treatment for those suffering from mental illness. For decades in Massachusetts, the reckless indifference of prescribing psychiatrists and other providers has caused lasting and harmful consequences for so many(...)

opioid use abuse drugs needle hypodermic

Opioid overdose deaths leveling off, but at high level

2021 was deadliest year on record

Shira Schoenberg

Innovative court program helps people navigate addiction services

'It’s not like anything we’ve ever done before'

Shira Schoenberg

Healey says her prior cannabis concerns may have been ‘unnecessary’

Says the focus now needs to be on equity in the marijuana industry

Shira Schoenberg

Here’s what passed in marathon all-night legislative session

Sports betting, cannabis equity, and gun licensing make it through

Shira Schoenberg

Opioid overdose deaths up by 9 percent last year

Highest fatality rate among Native Americans

Shira Schoenberg

Time to end ‘negative impact’ fees for minority cannabis businesses

Beacon Hill should make good on its commitment to equity in the new industry

E. Denise Simmons

Meth use poses rising threat in Massachusetts

Report cites need for more harm reduction tactics for stimulant use

Shira Schoenberg

Child Advocate says ‘system failed’ Harmony Montgomery

Report says DCF, court put parents’ rights over child’s wellbeing

Shira Schoenberg

For mothers with history of opioid use, a non-judgmental lifeline

Springfield pilot program aims to help women regulate feelings, meet needs of their children

Catesby Holmes

Mass. receives $525m under opioid settlement

Healey, who helped negotiate deal, indicates she supports safe injection sites

Sebastian Jaramillo

Opioid overdose deaths remain stubbornly high

Anyone can become addicted -- but recovery is possible

Julie Burns

Moderna should do its part, share its vaccine

Cambridge firm should help developing nations deal with virus

Jamie Eldridge

Friedman, Senate push transparency in pharmaceutical drug costs

‘Show us what the true cost of the medication is,’ senator says

Shira Schoenberg

drugs, prescription, medical, sick, pharmacy

Senate misfires with prescription drug bill

Cost increases more driven by rising utilization than prices

William Smith

Marijuana regulators support updates to drugged driving laws

But voice concerns about unsettled science, racial disparities

Shira Schoenberg

Misinformation is fueling the overdose crisis

As with COVID, truth has become a casualty in the battle against addiction

John Messinger

Removal of Mass. and Cass encampment long overdue

Allowing people to remain on streets is hardly humane

Judge Glock

Bill would let Tompkins hold men solely for substance use treatment

Legislation is latest chapter in debate over civil commitments in correctional facilities

Shira Schoenberg

A fix for the crisis at Mass. and Cass?

Tompkins says jail facility can be part of the solution

Michael Jonas

Massachusetts preps for Nov. vaccine rollout to kids

Officials expect 360,000 doses, enough to immunize 70% of 5 to 11-year-olds

Shira Schoenberg

FDA’s controversial approval of Alzheimer’s drug draws calls for reform

Boston area experts say it spotlights systemic flaws in the health care system

Michael Jonas

Key flashpoints in debate over ‘supervised consumption sites’

Hearing focuses on administering illegal drugs under medical oversight

Shira Schoenberg

SJC upholds $21m verdict against Phillip Morris

Ruling involving Lynn man opens door to other wrongful death lawsuits

Shira Schoenberg

The ‘other crisis’ keeps on chugging along

Opioid overdose deaths hit 1,038 in first six months of 2021

Katie Lannan

PrEP must be available behind bars

Preventing HIV transmission should be priority

Michael Cox

New opioid settlement could bring $500 million to Massachusetts

The settlement involves three large opioid distributors and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson

Amanda Middle

Sackler family members to pay $4.3b settlement — $90m to Mass.

Healey calls Purdue Pharma owners ‘villians for the history books’

Shira Schoenberg

AG could give big lift to supervised drug sites

Healey should exercise her prosecutorial discretion

Bill Fried

HIV cases spiking among Boston homeless

Virus tied to drug use, sharing of needles

Shira Schoenberg

Opioid overdose deaths rise during pandemic

Fatalities up 5 percent amid isolation and disruption of services

Shira Schoenberg