On the latest episode of Pacific Standard's podcast about how our stories are made, staff writer Francie Diep discusses her experiences covering the opioid epidemic and a promising new treatment program at the University of Kentucky.
OxyContin, designed for cancer pain relief, became the drug prescribed for back and tooth aches.
As states crack down hard on pain prescriptions, some are seeing a resurgence in abuse of the harder stuff.
With a study of the impact of Philadelphia’s SugarHouse Casino, a heated debate gets fresh ammunition.
New legislation in Tennessee has implications much wider than the use of illegal drugs by pregnant mothers-to-be.
Stories from the 25th anniversary celebration of the nation’s first drug court.
Expanding on the Situational Crime Prevention theory that making crimes harder or less appealing to commit will make them less likely to occur, two criminologists make the case for "providing opportunities" for would-be criminals to commit their acts legally and safely.
New research on the why and when of truckers abusing drugs.
Eric Holder’s plan to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders is met with praise, and supported by the facts.
From elder meetings to equine therapy, programs focusing on healing are found to be cheaper and more effective than jail time.
Scientists are working to study the make-up and effects of bath salts, while ER doctors are struggling to treat its victims.
New research links premature deaths of pop stars with childhood traumas, and suggests being part of a band may help protect them against self-destructive behavior.
Despite evidence that needle exchange programs for drug users slow the spread of AIDS, the new U.S. government spending bill once again defunds such programs.
Pretty much everyone agrees the war on drugs is a failure. So why don’t we try a different approach?
With the backing of numerous scientific studies and provincial health authorities, Insite will fight for its life against the Canadian federal government in court.
Washington remains optimistic about the war on drugs based on dips in the importation of cocaine. But even the “good news” derived from comparisons with Europe is distressing.
A review of 83 studies provides strong evidence that reducing marijuana use could delay or even prevent some forms of psychosis.
Portugal’s example suggests that de-escalating the war on drugs might create a new sort of peace dividend.
Proposals to test Americans on the dole for illegal drugs seem grounded more in stereotypes and less in data.
A cross-national comparison of alcohol and marijuana use among adolescents indicates that stricter laws may prevent high school kids from drinking, but not from smoking pot.
A new study of college students finds a correlation between body art and deviant behavior, but only for those with multiple tattoos or piercings.
The verdict is in: Center for Court Innovation honored with national nonprofit award.
A hallucinogen derived from the Salvia divinorum plant — Sally D on the streets — is the latest worrisome drug, however research shows that the buzz, no pun intended, isn't quite living up to the hype.
Some readers say our article on a "harm reduction" approach to the drug problem is, itself, harmful.