I first met Jim Gillen, who died over the weekend after a long battle with cancer, a couple of years ago. I was reporting on skyrocketing rates of…
opioid
Posted inArticle, Health, Politics
Interview: Providence VA Primary Care Chief On Overdose Prevention
The Veterans Health Administration has stepped up efforts to fight drug overdose deaths and prescription painkiller addiction. Veterans are more likely…
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture, Business, Education, Environment, Health, Politics
Why Is It So Hard To Reduce Drug Overdoses?
Note: I’ve added a point about the Good Samaritan law, thanks to comments from readers. It’s up for consideration now at the Statehouse. A group of…
Posted inArticle, Health, Politics
Providence VA Unveils New Tools To Combat Opioid Abuse
The Providence VA is stepping up efforts to curb prescription painkiller abuse and overdose deaths. Now there are two new tools in the fight. Nationwide…
Posted inArticle, Business, Environment, Health
Health Insurance Rate Hikes In Store For 2016
Or… they could be. Insurers have just filed their requests for premium rate increases with the state’s health insurance commissioner. They’re only…
Posted inArticle, Health
New Data Reveal Most Prescribed Drugs To RI Medicare Recipients
In 2013, the top prescribed drug for Rhode Islanders with Medicare drug plans was Omeprazole, a treatment for heart burn, ulcers, and gastroesophageal…
Posted inArticle, Health
Public Health Officials Update Opioid Overdose Numbers, Cite Strategies To Combat Trend
Accidental drug overdose deaths continue to increase in Rhode Island. That’s some of the discouraging news public health experts delivered at a Rhode…
Posted inArticle, Business, Environment, Health, Politics
Scott MacKay Commentary: Time To Regulate Pot Like Booze?
A push to legalize marijuana – once again – has returned to the Statehouse. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay parses what has become a perennial issue…
Posted inArticle, Education, Health, Politics
Report Finds RI Newborns Exposed To Drugs And Alcohol Nearly Doubled From 2006
The number of babies born with exposure to opioid drugs and alcohol nearly doubled in Rhode Island between 2006 and 2013. That’s one of the more…
Posted inArticle, Arts And Culture, Health
Mass. Public Health Looks To Rhode Island Overdose Prevention Model
Massachusetts public health officials are looking to Rhode Island for some new ideas to combat drug overdose deaths. They’re interested in a program…
