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Monroe County Allocates $4.5 Million to Support 24/7 Addiction Care Clinic

Monroe County Allocates $4.5 Million to Support 24/7 Addiction Care Clinic

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced a significant financial commitment to Delphi Rise, the county's only 24/7 open-access addiction care clinic. The county is investing $4.5 million to support the clinic's operations for the next five years. This funding comes from the opioid settlement money and aims to counteract the impact of federal cuts that have disrupted addiction services across the state. Delphi Rise provides a range of services, including substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery, and serves over 1,500 individuals annually. The investment underscores the county's commitment to maintaining essential addiction services amid broader funding challenges.
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TikTok Data Offers New Insights into U.S. Opioid Crisis Trends

TikTok Data Offers New Insights into U.S. Opioid Crisis Trends

A study published in npj Digital Medicine reveals that TikTok comments related to opioids can predict trends in synthetic opioid overdose mortality by about three months. Researchers analyzed over 569,000 comments from opioid-related videos on TikTok, identifying themes such as opioid use, recovery, and harm reduction. These digital traces provide near-real-time signals that could enhance public health surveillance. The study highlights TikTok's potential as a tool for monitoring the opioid crisis, offering insights into shifts in opioid use and discourse. This approach could complement traditional surveillance methods, providing timely data to guide interventions.
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Judge approves OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's criminal sentence, a last step before it dissolves

Judge approves OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's criminal sentence, a last step before it dissolves

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has been ordered to pay $225 million in a criminal case related to how it sold its blockbuster opioid painkiller
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RFK Jr.'s Wellness Farm Proposal Sparks Debate Over Addiction Treatment

RFK Jr.'s Wellness Farm Proposal Sparks Debate Over Addiction Treatment

U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has faced scrutiny over his proposal to establish 'wellness farms' for addiction recovery, inspired by the San Patrignano community in Italy. During a Senate hearing, Kennedy was questioned about his comments on 'reparenting' children on these farms, a concept he previously discussed in podcast interviews. The proposal involves creating rural farm camps to help individuals recover from addiction through work and community living, without the use of medication. Critics argue that this approach ignores scientifically proven treatments for addiction, such as medication-assisted therapy.
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Monroe County Honors Youth Achievements with Annual Awards

Monroe County Honors Youth Achievements with Annual Awards

Monroe County officials recently presented the 2026 Young Citizen of the Year, Willie W. Lightfoot Youth Advocate of the Year, and Gary Mervis Youth Team Achievement awards. Adriana Cassano from Irondequoit was named Young Citizen of the Year, while the Seneca Park Zoo Urban Ecology Program Team received the Gary Mervis Team Award. Salvatore Gerbino of Chili was honored as the Willie W. Lightfoot Youth Advocate of the Year. These awards recognize the contributions of young individuals and teams to their communities, highlighting their leadership and advocacy efforts.
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Purdue Pharma to Dissolve Following Judge's Approval of Criminal Sentence

Purdue Pharma to Dissolve Following Judge's Approval of Criminal Sentence

Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, is set to dissolve following a federal judge's approval of its criminal sentence. This decision is part of a massive legal settlement resolving thousands of lawsuits related to the opioid crisis. U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo delivered the sentence after hearing impact statements from individuals affected by the epidemic, which has been linked to over 900,000 deaths in the U.S. since 1999. The company will be replaced by an entity focused on public good, marking a significant step in addressing the opioid crisis.
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Natural Disasters Threaten Opioid Recovery Efforts in the U.S.

Natural Disasters Threaten Opioid Recovery Efforts in the U.S.

Natural disasters, such as Hurricane Helene in 2024, have exacerbated challenges for individuals recovering from opioid addiction by disrupting access to essential medications like Suboxone. The storm's impact in North Carolina highlighted the vulnerability of recovery efforts during emergencies, as patients struggled to obtain prescriptions due to infrastructure damage. A group of doctors is advocating for policy changes to ensure better access to addiction medications during such crises, emphasizing the need for federal and state governments to address these gaps as climate change increases the frequency of severe weather events.
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Snowy Winter Leads to Increased Tick Activity in Long Island This Spring

Snowy Winter Leads to Increased Tick Activity in Long Island This Spring

The snowy winter experienced in Long Island has led to an early and intensified tick season this spring. According to NBC New York, the snowstorms created a layer of insulation that kept ticks warm and humid, allowing them to thrive. As a result, students in the Middle Country School District have been coming home with tick bites earlier than usual. The district has responded by initiating spraying at all 14 schools weeks ahead of the typical schedule. Dr. Andrew Handel from Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has reported numerous tick bites in April, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that emergency room visits related to tick bites are at their highest in nine years.
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OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma set to dissolve after judge approves its criminal sentence

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma set to dissolve after judge approves its criminal sentence

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has been ordered to pay $225 million in a criminal case related to how it sold its blockbuster opioid painkiller
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Israel's Healthcare System Adapts to Support Displaced Civilians Amid Missile Strikes

Israel's Healthcare System Adapts to Support Displaced Civilians Amid Missile Strikes

In response to mass displacement caused by Iranian missile strikes, Israel's healthcare system is adapting to provide care for thousands of evacuees. Medical operations have been set up in hotels to support those who have been forced to leave their homes. The healthcare response includes replacing medications, managing chronic conditions, and providing emotional support to displaced individuals. The system, which is publicly funded and delivered through independent providers, has been mobilized to ensure continuity of care for those affected by the conflict.
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Some local governments in South Dakota waiting to spend $9.6M in opioid dollars

Some local governments in South Dakota waiting to spend $9.6M in opioid dollars

South Dakota counties and cities that received the first $9.6 million of national opioid settlement money have spent less than half of it, according to reports through 2025
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OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's criminal sentence could be the last step before company dissolves

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma's criminal sentence could be the last step before company dissolves

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma is expected to be ordered to pay $225 million in a criminal case related to how it sold its blockbuster opioid painkiller