addiction

Julius, one of Suzanne Smith’s people, sits by his encampment with his plants in Birmingham, Alabama.

Health

‘Where’s Jeff?’: Unhoused and struggling with opioid addiction in Alabama

Drew Hawkins

As Alabama decides how to spend its opioid settlement funds, a good samaritan spends her free time helping “her people” who struggle with addiction.

Jeff and Donna Standridge (right and middle) and Keith Lowhorne (right) are all raising their grandchildren. More than 2.5 million children in the U.S. are raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other extended family members — when their parents are unable to care for them.

NPR News

A new way to support grandparents raising kids affected by the addiction epidemic

Drew Hawkins

A pilot program in Alabama will distribute $280,000 from opioid settlement funds to support ‘grandfamilies’ formed to raise kids affected by the opioid epidemic.

A sign hangs outside Odyssey House in New Orleans, Louisiana. May 6, 2020

Local News

Addicts Are Finding Support Online, But Experts Fear More Fatal Overdoses During The Pandemic

Betsy Shepherd

Steven is an addict. He has been off of drugs for six years now, and says he maintains his sobriety by regularly attending a Narcotics Anonymous support...

A drug to ease withdrawal given in the emergency room could improve the odds a patient will get started in addiction treatment.

Health

Why Not Start Addiction Treatment Right In The ER?

Scott Hensley

Like asthma or diabetes, opioid addiction is a chronic condition. Could treatment that begins when people show up in the ER get them on the right road faster?