Indiana disperses $18M in opioid settlements
Indiana will distribute about $18 million in opioid settlement funds to support local law enforcement, drug task forces and treatment hubs, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced Friday.
Opioids
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Naloxone vending machines designed to curb opioid overdose deaths
It took less than a week for Indiana’s first-ever naloxone vending machine to need a restock.
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DOC partnership provides Narcan kits to released inmates
In light of an increase of relapses and overdose numbers, the Indiana Department of Correction this month announced it would start offering naloxone, an agent used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, to every offender released from a DOC facility.
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CLE certifies attorneys to administer opioid overdose reversal drug
In addition to checking off two hours of CLE credit before the year’s end, attorneys who attended an Indianapolis Bar Association event earlier this month left certified to administer a life-saving drug. Lawyers learned how to properly use naloxone – commonly known by its brand name, Narcan – following a demonstration presented by the Indiana State Department of Health.
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‘Kid from a cornfield’: Goff brings community mentality to Supreme Court bench
He describes himself as “a kid from a cornfield.” And for Justice Christopher Goff, ties to his cornfield community run deep.
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Articles
Supreme Court blocks, for now, OxyContin maker bankruptcy deal that would shield Sacklers
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked a nationwide settlement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that would shield members of the Sackler family who own the company from civil lawsuits over the toll of opioids.
Ruling clears way for Purdue Pharma to settle opioid claims, protect Sacklers from lawsuits
A federal court ruling cleared the way Tuesday for OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s settlement of thousands of legal claims over the toll of opioids.
FDA approves over-the-counter Narcan. Here’s what it means
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved selling the leading version of naloxone without a prescription, setting the overdose-reversing drug on course to become the first opioid treatment drug to be sold over the counter.
With overdoses up, states look at harsher fentanyl penalties
State lawmakers nationwide are responding to the deadliest overdose crisis in U.S. history by pushing harsher penalties for possessing fentanyl and other powerful lab-made opioids that are connected to about 70,000 deaths a year.
Ft. Wayne woman pleads guilty in fentanyl death of son, 2
A northeastern Indiana woman has pleaded guilty to neglect charges after her two children ingested fentanyl last year, killing her 2-year-old son and sickening his older sibling.
Biden’s fentanyl position sparks criticism from 2 sides
President Joe Biden’s calls in his State of the Union speech for strong criminal penalties in response to soaring deaths linked to the potent opioid fentanyl are being rebuked by harm reduction advocates who say that approach could make the problem worse.
Indiana to receive $219M from CVS, Walgreens in opioid settlements
CVS and Walgreens have agreed to pay state and local governments a combined total of more than $10 billion to settle lawsuits over the toll of opioids and now want to know by Dec. 31 whether states are accepting the deals.
Opioid settlement cash to be in local hands within a week
Months after Indiana’s attorney general said he’d send local governments their shares of the state’s $507 million opioid crisis settlement, none have received the money. But state agencies say the cash will go out within a week.
Walmart offers to pay $3.1 billion to settle opioid lawsuits
Walmart proposed a $3.1 billion legal settlement Tuesday over the toll of powerful prescription opioids sold at its pharmacies.
CVS, Walgreens announce opioid settlements totaling $10B
CVS Health and Walgreen Co. announced agreements in principle Wednesday to pay about $5 billion each to settle lawsuits nationwide over the toll of opioids, and a lawyer said Walmart is in discussions for a deal.
IU researchers land $5M grant to combat opioid crisis
Researchers from Indiana University have been awarded a five-year, $5.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to help reduce opioid deaths in Indiana.
Indiana nursing board, Justice Department settle discrimination case against nurses being treated for opioid use disorder
The Indiana State Board of Nursing has settled with the Justice Department over claims that the board violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by prohibiting nurses who take opioid use disorder medication from participating in a rehab program for nurses.
Plaintiff’s attorney blames Indiana AG for trouble reaching opioid settlement
After Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita used the announcement of the landmark $507 million opioid settlement to take a swipe at trial lawyers, one plaintiff’s attorney is hitting back, accusing the state’s top lawyer of nearly scuttling the deal that will be bringing much-needed funds to local Hoosier communities.
AG: All Indiana communities now participating in opioid settlement
Every city, town and county in Indiana is now participating in the $507 million opioid settlement with major pharmaceutical distributors and manufacturers, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office announced Wednesday.
US overdose deaths hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says
More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Wednesday.
Several Indiana cities opting back in to opioid settlement
Indianapolis and several other Indiana cities are joining an estimated $507 million statewide opioid settlement after previously opting out of the state’s lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
Justice Department: State nursing board discriminated against nurses being treated for opioid use disorder
The Indiana State Board of Nursing is under fire from the U.S. Justice Department, which found that the board violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by prohibiting nurses who take medication to treat opioid use disorder from participating in a rehab program for nurses with substance abuse disorders.
Purdue Pharma deal has families deflated, angry but hopeful
For those who lost loved ones in the opioid crisis, making sure the family behind OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma paid a price was never just about money. What many wanted was a chance to confront the Sackler family face to face, to make them feel their pain. While some may get that chance — at least by video — under a tentative settlement reached Thursday that also would force the Sacklers to pay out billions, the families still are coming away feeling empty, conflicted and angry yet again.
Justices seem to favor docs convicted in pain pill schemes
In a case stemming from the opioid addiction crisis, the Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared ready to side with two imprisoned doctors who wrote thousands of prescriptions for pain medication in short periods.