The opioid epidemic has spread across the United States and shows no indication of slowing down. The President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis is set to release its final report and recommendations in early October. Scripps News looks at who is trying to solve it and how.
7:02Getting A Fix: Carfentanil Is An Elusive Killer
Carfentanil is extremely toxic, but dealers continue to mix the drug with heroin or cocaine, and addicts continue to chase the elusive high.
4:43A National Solution: DEA Lab
The DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory identifies unknown substances found at crime scenes. The story takes a look at how they are helping identify new synthetic drugs and how that helps law enforcement.
2:59A Local Solution: ODMAP
The Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program, or ODMAP, helps first responders collect overdose data in real time. The story covers how it works, why it was created and how it aims to improve data collection regarding opioid deaths.
3:45A Medical Solution: Doctors
Opioid medications made it easy for doctors to treat pain. But the growing number of people becoming addicted to prescribed painkillers and overdosing has forced the medical field to re-evaluate how doctors treat pain.
