U.S. Urged China To Crack Down On Synthetic Opioids Killing Hundreds Here
China is believed to be a major source for bootleg opioids, including the potent carfentanil, that are brought into the U.S. and contribute to the painkiller epidemic. In related news on the crisis, Georgia lawmakers consider regulations for opioid treatment centers.
The Wall Street Journal:
U.S. Authorities Pressed China For Action On Deadly Opioid
China’s crackdown on an extremely potent synthetic narcotic came amid pressure from U.S. authorities and evidence linking it to hundreds of U.S. overdose deaths since it first emerged in Ohio in July. The drug, carfentanil, has been connected to at least 700 fatalities in states including Ohio, Michigan and Florida, according to data compiled by The Wall Street Journal from county medical examiners and NMS Labs, a private laboratory outside Philadelphia that performs toxicology testing for counties around the U.S. (Kamp and Campo-Flores, 2/17)
WABE:
Ga. Lawmakers Look To Tighten Regulations On Opioid Clinics
Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that would further regulate opioid treatment centers in the state. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, would put into place new requirements for those wanting to open up centers in Georgia. The centers offer medical-assisted treatment and counseling to help treat patients with addictions to heroin and other opioids. (Yu, 2/16)
