93,000 Americans died of overdoses last year, a new record

U.S. overdose deaths climbed to a record 93,000 last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous record was 72,000.

Minnesota to get $50 million from Purdue Pharma settlement, Ellison says

Minnesota will get $50 million over nine years from the settlement of a multi-state opioid lawsuit against drugmaker Purdue Pharma and its controlling family, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Thursday.

J&J to pay $230M to settle claims it helped fuel opioid crisis

As part of the deal, the drugmaker also agreed to end the manufacturing and distribution of opioids across New York and the rest of the nation.

Minnesota gets grant to help recovering addicts return to workforce

Minnesota is making available grants for people who have survived the opioid epidemic and are now looking to return to the workforce.

DOJ sues Walmart over role in America’s opioid crisis

The Justice Department is suing Walmart, alleging the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies, helping to fuel the opioid crisis in America, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Minnesota drug overdoses up 31% in 2020

Drug overdose deaths increased 31 percent in the first half of 2020, according to new Minnesota Department of Health data.

As opioid epidemic rages in Minneapolis' Somali community, advocates fight stigma surrounding addiction

The Somali community in the Twin Cities is dealing with its own opioids crisis right now. Several young people have recently overdosed on the powerful opioid fentanyl. A meeting Friday night was held to discuss the issue of opioid abuse.

Drug overdose deaths in Minnesota up by 20 percent in 2019, new record high increase

New numbers released by the Minnesota Department of Health Tuesday show a 20 percent increasing in drug overdose deaths in 2019, reversing an improvement seen in 2018. 

Number of overdoses double over last week in St. Paul, including 2 deaths

Police in St. Paul, Minnesota say there have been at least 28 suspected overdoses in the city in the city over the last six days, including two deaths. 

St. Louis Park couple charged after toddler sickened by fentanyl

A St. Louis Park couple is charged with child endangerment and child neglect after their 12-month-old baby ingested fentanyl, according to the Hennepin County Attorney's office.

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma files for bankruptcy amid thousands of opioid lawsuits

Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in the first step in a complex, multibillion-dollar plan by the maker of OxyContin to settle thousands of lawsuits brought against it by state and local governments over the nation's deadly opioid disaster.