Five key takeaways from the year in opioid settlement spending, as Pennsylvania responds to an epidemic that continues to kill thousands of people annually.
Addiction
Pennsylvania's Opioid Abatement Trust is under scrutiny for rejecting spending plans, including youth and Kensington programs, amid criticism over secret meetings and narrow funding interpretations.
In rural Virginia, a woman had a better chance of beating addiction and saving her baby by violating probation than she did getting help by the healthcare system.
A peer-to-peer reporting model emerged from a simple realization: Students interviewing their peers can elicit more candid responses on sensitive subjects like teen vaping.
Very few rural localities have accessed funds for programs that serve pregnant and parenting women.
New database tracks how 10s of millions in opioid settlement dollars are being spent in Pennsylvania
A new database from Spotlight PA makes it easier to track how Pennsylvania counties are spending tens of millions from their first rounds of opioid settlement payments.
The process is complex, and there’s a lot to learn about accessing funds effectively and then reporting back to the state authority that funding was used appropriately.
Teens cite peer pressure as a major reason for vaping. But honest dialogue, empathy, and an offer of resources can help prevent and reduce vaping.
A reporter takes a closer look at the toll taken by heightened drug-related arrests and under-resourced behavioral health services on San Francisco's Latino residents.
Teen vaping is rising in Sacramento schools, driven by peer pressure and flavored products.