Advanced filters

Search Results

You searched for:  -

There are 50 results  for your search.  View and Refine Your Search Terms

  • Revive: A fatal overdose, a stunning coincidence, and a mother's long quest to heal.

    March 26, 2020 |

    The Atavist Magazine |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

    A mother's grief and a doctor's determination led to the first syringe-exchange center in Florida – a significant first step in increasing conversation around the merits of harm reduction policies. Since opening, the center has "collected 360,000 dirty syringes, provided medical treatment to 1,200 people, and helped 200 patients detox," while also reversing 1,450 overdoses, which has prompted five other counties to lift their syringe-exchange bans.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • How medication donation programs could be a game-changer in PA

    February 25, 2020 |

    The Philadelphia Citizen |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Cheyenne, Wyoming

    Unused prescription drugs can often end up in landfills or in "the hands of those who may be vulnerable to misuse and addiction," so Wyoming has introduced a program to decrease those likelihoods from happening. This program, like that of other programs in 38 other states, collects unused medications and redistributes them to uninsured residents.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Repurposing Drugs to Fight Cancer

    February 25, 2020 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Studies have shown that some medications prescribed to help treat one ailment can also be used in combination with other drug therapies to treat additional or separate illnesses. Although there are barriers to enacting drug repurposing clinical trials, medical experts say that the benefit of using existing drugs is undoubtedly more efficient and "off-label prescribing is entirely legal."

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Biometric opioid dispensing machine first of its kind to address demand for safer drug supply

    January 17, 2020 |

    The Globe and Mail |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

    In the face of an overdosing crisis, a physician in Vancouver created an ATM-like machine that allows people to pick up pharmaceutical-grade opioids to reduce the chances of people using contaminated drugs. Although this methodology is not a means of addiction treatment, it does eliminate an autonomy barrier for safe injections, requires an initial assessment by a physician, and limits the amount of pills one can request per day which means fewer overdoses.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Rwanda avoids US-style opioids crisis by making own morphine

    December 25, 2019 |

    Associated Press |

    Multi-Media |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Rwanda, Bushekeli

    The Rwandan government is on a mission to get palliative care to everyone who needs it by creating their own morphine instead of being beholden to pharmaceutical companies driven by profit. Using Uganda's simple recipe for morphine, the government partnered with nonprofits to produce and distribute morphine for free and under close watch. The drug costs pennies to make and is hand-delivered by community workers to those who need it, no matter how far. Although fear and uncertainty remain over the possibility of opioid addiction, many patients are greatly relieved to now live pain-free.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Advocates want to recycle CT's wasted prescription drugs. The state says it's already doing that.

    December 16, 2019 |

    The Connecticut Mirror |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Bridgeport, Connecticut

    Connecticut has a law that requires the state to collect unused prescription drugs to be reimbursed by the vendor companies, but advocates for better health equity want to see the unexpired drugs instead be distributed to those that need them. While one pharmacy in Bridgeport has already started a model to get the drugs into hands of the uninsured or underinsured by importing pharmaceuticals from a Tennessee non-profit, leaders of the Bridgeport operation hope to one day "see a drug reclamation program that steers unused medications from within Connecticut to charity dispensaries" within the state.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Can technology fix the silent opioid crisis gripping US hospitals?

    November 19, 2019 |

    Quartz |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

    Tracking controlled substances can be difficult for hospitals, which often results in drugs being diverted from where they are supposed to go. To tackle this problem, technology companies are stepping in by creating software that utilizes a machine-learning algorithm that "can identify risky prescription and dispensation patterns among healthcare staff."

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Overcoming an Epidemic: Opioids in Pennsylvania

    August 20, 2019 |

    WPSU |

    Podcast |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

    Across Pennsylvania, researchers, medical professionals, communities, and local governments are taking steps to address the opioid crisis. The epidemic that has swept across the country is being addressed at every level, including individual, family, and community. Responses include destigmatizing efforts like the Share Your Opioid Story project, school-based prevention education, drug court programming, medication assisted treatment, and training and awareness initiatives for medical professionals in urban and rural areas.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Scientists Discover New Cure for the Deadliest Strain of Tuberculosis

    August 14, 2019 |

    The New York Times |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: South Africa, Sizwe, Gauteng

    Drug-resistant cases of tuberculosis have been known to be impossible to cure, but a new drug trial in South Africa has changed the outcome for many suffering from this diagnosis. Although the trial that implements a three-drug regimen over the course of several months is still fairly new to the market, it has already gained approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • What we learned from looking at Santa Cruz County's needle exchange

    May 24, 2019 |

    Santa Cruz Local |

    Radio |

    Over 15 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Santa Cruz, California

    Throughout California, there are various needle exchange programs that are meant to reduce the likelihood of spreading communicable diseases through the use of dirty needles. Although often met with criticism, Santa Cruz County it focusing on what is working in other areas of the state in order to better serve their community.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

Solutions In Focus

Discover curated content about themes that matter to you, exclusively from the Solutions Story Tracker. Explore collections, resources and more.


Go to All Solutions in Focus