Critics Say Chauvin Defense 'Weaponized' Stigma For Black Americans With Addiction Derek Chauvin's defense has suggested George Floyd's drug use might have made him more "volatile" and unpredictable, justifying the use of force. Critics say Floyd needed health care and compassion. Brian Mann
Oregon's Pioneering Drug Decriminalization Experiment Is Now Facing The Hard Test Oregon's bold move to decriminalize small amounts of all hard drugs and expand treatment is now meeting the reality of implementation as the treatment community is divided over the way forward. Eric Westervelt Play AudioListen 8 mins
'You belong here.' Recovery Café welcomes members as they are The pandemic made people miss their favorite coffee hangout. But for regulars of Recovery Café, it was especially hard. This South Lake Union spot provides a sense of belonging for people dealing with trauma and addiction. Here’s how they transitioned during the pandemic. Ruby de Luna Play AudioListen 5 mins
Methamphetamine Deaths Soar, Hitting Black And Native Americans Especially Hard Newly published U.S. data finds overdose deaths from methamphetamine use more than doubled in recent years. Use of the stimulant among Black Americans surged nearly tenfold. Brian Mann
The Biden team is scrambling to slow a crushing wave of drug overdose deaths Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is rolling out a new plan to slow drug deaths, which he says will include controversial measures such as clean needles and fentanyl test strips. Brian Mann
Black Americans are now dying from drug overdoses at a higher rate than whites New research shows drug overdose deaths continue to surge among Black Americans. For the first time since 1999, Black Americans are dying at a higher rate per capita than white Americans. Brian Mann
King County to buy treatment center as mental health beds are on the decline King County is in the final stages of purchasing a long term residential mental health treatment center in North Seattle. Cascade Hall, 64-bed facility holds about a quarter of the county’s residential treatment beds. This purchase will not increase the County's capacity of beds. However, it will preserve the current already low count. Natalie Akane Newcomb Play AudioListen 1 min
Free Narcan vending machines in Pierce County The rural town of Orting is getting its first Narcan vending machine. That’s a drug used to reverse an overdose and those machines are becoming increasingly more common--most first responders carry it. We’ll talk with the Recovery Cafe’s Rena Thompson about how these vending machines fit into a landscape of recovery, accessibility and support. Brandi Fullwood Patricia Murphy Play AudioListen 11 mins
Ongoing rise in fentanyl deaths highlights need for treatment alternatives ‘I haven't seen anything like it in my 27 years of working with folks with opioid addiction and people experiencing overdoses.’ -Caleb Banta-Green John O'Brien Kim Malcolm Play AudioListen 5 mins
A family’s mental health journey out of crisis: Swimming Upstream A family was ripped apart by drug addiction. Now, they're picking up the pieces one day — and several mental health-focused strategies — at a time. Liz Jones Play AudioListen 9 mins
