Drug Addiction

SJC upholds $21m verdict against Phillip Morris

SJC upholds $21m verdict against Phillip Morris

Ruling involving Lynn man opens door to other wrongful death lawsuits

By Shira Schoenberg cigarettes, Supreme Judicial Court 0 Comments Sep 15, 2021

MASSACHUSETTS” HIGHEST COURT on Wednesday upheld a $21 million jury verdict that cigarette company Phillip Morris will have to pay the family of a Lynn man who died from smoking-related illness. The ruling could potentially smooth the way for other wrongful death lawsuits from families of smokers, some of which are already being litigated in(...)

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/oxycodone-opioid-addiction-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/oxycodone-opioid-addiction-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" />

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

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/oxycodone-opioid-addiction-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/oxycodone-opioid-addiction-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" />

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

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

AG could give big lift to supervised drug sites

Healey should exercise her prosecutorial discretion

Bill Fried

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Boston-homeless-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Boston-homeless-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Boston-homeless-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

HIV cases spiking among Boston homeless

Virus tied to drug use, sharing of needles

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/oxycodone-opioid-addiction-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/oxycodone-opioid-addiction-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" />

Opioid overdose deaths rise during pandemic

Fatalities up 5 percent amid isolation and disruption of services

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Healey sues global advertising firm for marketing addictive opioids

Publicis Health worked for Purdue Pharma

Shira Schoenberg

Pharmacists blame middlemen for high drug costs

New study spotlights pharmacy benefit managers

Shira Schoenberg

Baker joins Lamont to push drug pricing proposal

Governors say generics are the proposal’s primary target

Shira Schoenberg

Magic mushroom advocates following cannabis playbook

Say psychedelic drugs are therapeutic, should be decriminalized

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" alt="" data-srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-870x570.jpg 870w" data-src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg" data-sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Healey-Maura-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Mass. to get $13.2m from McKinsey opioid settlement

Consultant told Purdue how to ‘turbocharge’ OxyContin sales

Shira Schoenberg

Baker says proposed drug overcharging penalties would total $70m

Pharma suggests initiative would hinder fight against COVID-19

Shira Schoenberg

Marijuana trade association drops delivery lawsuit amid public pressure

Several members of the Commonwealth Dispensary Association resigned

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Forced addiction treatment could be death sentence during COVID-19

State must move to end involuntary civil commitment

John Messinger

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Boston-homeless-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Boston-homeless-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Boston-homeless-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

A ban is not a plan

SJC ruling on panhandling is a start, but not a solution

Jim Jordan

Vaccine arrival brings hope to Massachusetts

CommonWealth Staff

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bigstock-Marijuana-cannabis-Plant-97124696-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bigstock-Marijuana-cannabis-Plant-97124696-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bigstock-Marijuana-cannabis-Plant-97124696-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Cannabis regulators approve home delivery

Retailers threaten lawsuit to block new rules

Shira Schoenberg

No marijuana ‘apocalypse,’ but legalization brings concerns

Impaired driving, youth use are ongoing problems

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/jail-cell-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Lawsuit over civil commitments targets Hampden sheriff’s program

Suit says civilly committed men are treated like prisoners

Shira Schoenberg

Proposed Roxbury pot shop stirs debate

Some argue it’s not what the neighborhood needs

Michael Jonas

We must address black, brown mistrust of COVID-19 vaccine

Education, engagement, and assurances are the way to do it

Michael Curry

Frontline behavioral health workers are saving lives, too

They are essential workers treating trauma every day

Charles Gagnon

Markey, Kennedy visit jail, address criminal justice concerns

Both stress need to fix societal problems

Shira Schoenberg

Substance use treatment changing at Plymouth prison

Guards withdrawn, treatment expanded for civil commitments

Shira Schoenberg

Legislative panel backs 2 safe injection sites

Backers say medical supervision would reduce opioid fatalities

Chris Lisinski

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/megpix-061118-220-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/megpix-061118-220-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/megpix-061118-220-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Do civil commitments make sense in a pandemic?

Hampden County Sheriff Cocchi defends his program

Shira Schoenberg

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/megpix-061118-220-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/megpix-061118-220-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/megpix-061118-220-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Do civil commitments make sense in a pandemic?

CommonWealth Staff

<img width="435" height="285" src="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bigstock-Marijuana-cannabis-Plant-97124696-435x285.jpg" class="attachment-one-post-middle size-one-post-middle wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bigstock-Marijuana-cannabis-Plant-97124696-435x285.jpg 435w, https://189zzz1i6zsp27269c1jgegd-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bigstock-Marijuana-cannabis-Plant-97124696-870x570.jpg 870w" sizes="(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px" />

Marijuana consumers flock to medical market

With recreational sales shuttered, people are seeking options

Shira Schoenberg

Healey sues JUUL for creating youth vaping epidemic

Alleges firm launched new generation of nicotine addiction

Shira Schoenberg