Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Despite Targeted Raids And Take Downs, Opioid Market Continues To Thrive On The Dark Web
The New York Times: Dark Web Drug Sellers Dodge Police Crackdowns
Authorities in the United States and Europe recently staged a wide-ranging crackdown on online drug markets, taking down Wall Street Market and Valhalla, two of the largest drug markets on the so-called dark web. Yet the desire to score drugs from the comfort of home and to make money from selling those drugs appears for many to be stronger than the fear of getting arrested. Despite enforcement actions over the last six years that led to the shutdown of about half a dozen sites — including the most recent two — there are still close to 30 illegal online markets, according to DarknetLive, a news and information site for the dark web. (Popper, 6/11)
USA Today: Hockey: Two Teen Brothers, Hockey Players, Dead On Same Day Of Opioids
There were chores to do that Sunday morning and Becky Savage had started them. She was plucking up pieces of clothes strewn about the house — a house full of four boys — to load a heap of laundry into the washing machine. Becky headed to her son Jack's room to gather what she could and to start rousting him awake. "It's time to get up. Dad has things he wants you to help with," she said to him. "Jack, it's time to get up. He wants you and Nick to help him." (Benbow, 6/13)
North Carolina Health News: As The Opioid Death Count Climbs, Will North Carolina Try What’s Worked Elsewhere?
The United States is not the first country to be plagued by heroin and overdose deaths. Western Europe experienced spikes in opioid overdose deaths in the 1980s and 90s. But countries such as France and Switzerland have found ways to support drug users and rein in the problem. North Carolina Health News has dedicated hundreds of reporting hours to the opioid crisis and its socio-economic side effects in our state. Late last year, we traveled to Europe to see what others have done to address these issues before us. (Knopf, 6/12)
Arizona Republic: Opioid Dependence Treatments Expanded For Arizona's Medicaid Patients
Arizona this fall will expand drug treatment options for Medicaid patients struggling with opioid dependence, a move some public health experts say will improve those patients' chances of recovery. With nearly four suspected opioid deaths per day in the state last year, the problem of opioid use disorder is a continuing, severe problem in Arizona. (Innes, 6/13)
St. Louis Public Radio: Page Wants To Require Doctors In St. Louis County To Report Non-Fatal Overdoses
County Executive Sam Page plans to ask the County Council to require doctors to report nonfatal overdoses to the health department. Many people who overdose on opioids are surviving, thanks to the increased use of the opioid-reversal drug naloxone. Knowing how many people overdose — not just how many die — can help the county understand who needs help the most, Page said. (Fentem, 6/14)
