Opioid Addiction Crisis

Our continuing coverage of the opioid addiction crisis in Massachusetts.

Sam Quinones sits on an "Opioid Epidemic" panel during Politicon at Pasadena Convention Center in July 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Politicon)

Journalist Quinones' book links new meth with growth of cities' tent encampments

Although there are no exact numbers, Massachusetts health care providers and law enforcement say meth use here is on the rise. In his new book, journalist Sam Quinones explains how...

Massachusetts opioid overdoses remain at elevated levels

The state's latest report on fatal overdoses shows that 2,106 people died of overdoses last year, the highest number since recorded overdose deaths peaked at 2,110 in 2016.

State study finds fatal opioid overdoses rose among workers

Fatal opioid overdoses nearly doubled in recent years among Massachusetts workers, with the construction, farming and fishing industries among the hardest hit sectors, according to an updated study from the...

Health

Nov 9, 2021

ACLU files suit over tent encampment removal

The lawsuit alleges the city unlawfully removed tents near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard without making sure people had adequate housing options. It also said the...

Health

Nov 5, 2021

People line up on Southampton Street for food supplies distributed by Support the Soupman. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

This doctor has spent decades treating Boston's homeless population and says city's tent crisis is worst he's seen

Dr. Jim O'Connell has spent more than 35 years treating people living on the streets of Boston. He describes helping people in one of the city's most troubled areas contend...

Health

09:57Oct 29, 2021

Sheriff Steven Tompkins walks through one of the jail cells he says will be turned into a room that will house some people without homes who live in tents around Boston's so-called "Mass. and Cass" area. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Suffolk County Sheriff says courtroom in his jail will soon open to help address ‘Mass. and Cass’ addiction crisis

While construction at the Suffolk County jail is well underway, some legal experts are questioning how and on what grounds people would be sent to Sheriff Steve Tompkins' facility. Tompkins...

Health

04:35Oct 25, 2021

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Opioid Addiction Crisis

Journalist Quinones' book links new meth with growth of cities' tent encampments

Health

Massachusetts opioid overdoses remain at elevated levels

Health

State study finds fatal opioid overdoses rose among workers

Health

ACLU files suit over tent encampment removal

Health

This doctor has spent decades treating Boston's homeless population and says city's tent crisis is worst he's seen

Health

Suffolk County Sheriff says courtroom in his jail will soon open to help address ‘Mass. and Cass’ addiction crisis

Health

Sections

Radio

Podcasts

CitySpace

Support

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Journalist Quinones' book links new meth with growth of cities' tent encampments

Health

Massachusetts opioid overdoses remain at elevated levels

Health

State study finds fatal opioid overdoses rose among workers

Health

ACLU files suit over tent encampment removal

Health

This doctor has spent decades treating Boston's homeless population and says city's tent crisis is worst he's seen

Health

Suffolk County Sheriff says courtroom in his jail will soon open to help address ‘Mass. and Cass’ addiction crisis

Health