Latest news with #morphine
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Hundreds of pills seized, northern Ont. woman charged after traffic stop
A 41-year-old North Bay woman faces multiple drug-related charges after a traffic stop led to the seizure of hundreds of pills. The North Bay Police Service said, in a news release, an officer on patrol observed a vehicle make a brief stop at a known drug-use location on Main Street East around 1 p.m. on May 18. Authorities reported the vehicle was later seen making erratic movements before being pulled over. During the traffic stop, officers discovered open alcohol in the vehicle. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered drugs, leading to the woman's arrest. The vehicle search, along with a search of the suspect's person at headquarters, resulted in the seizure of 490.5 amphetamine pills – packaged for distribution – and four morphine capsules. 'The street value of the drugs was approximately $2,450.50,' police said. The accused was charged with drug trafficking, drug possession, and breach of recognizance. She was released on an undertaking with a future court date.
Times of Oman
07-05-2025
- Times of Oman
Four arrested for trying to smuggle drugs into Oman
Muscat: Four smugglers have been arrested for attempting to smuggle quantities of crystal meth, marijuana, morphine, and psychotropic pills by sea into the Sultanate of Oman. ROP said in a statement :"The Coast Guard Police Command seized a boat carrying four people, two Iranians, one Afghan, and one Pakistani while attempting to smuggle quantities of crystal meth, marijuana, morphine, and psychotropic pills. Legal procedures are being completed."
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Euless woman pushes for stronger opioid warnings in Texas
After a family tragedy, a push for new opioid laws in Texas After a family tragedy, a push for new opioid laws in Texas After a family tragedy, a push for new opioid laws in Texas Debbie Allen visits her husband's grave each month to replace the flowers she keeps there. She also updates the man she calls "the love of her life" on what's happening with their family, and with her mission of more than four years. Robert Allen died just hours after celebrating his 71st birthday. He had gone to the hospital for back pain and was discharged, sent home with a prescription for morphine to manage back pain. Debbie Allen By 2 a.m. on Oct. 21, 2020, he was struggling to breathe. Debbie called 911. He was still responsive as paramedics loaded him into the ambulance, but by the time they arrived at the hospital, he was gone. Robert Allen had taken just two morphine pills. Debbie Allen would later learn what she said no one had told her: Opioids like morphine, when combined with her husband's sleep apnea, can lead to fatal respiratory depression, a breathing disorder characterized by slow, or depressed, breathing. "The bell went off just like that," she said, recalling the moment the prescribing doctor called her the morning after Robert's death. "He said, 'That's why you don't mix this opioid with sleep apnea.'" Now, more than 4 1/2 years later, she is channeling her grief into a public campaign that could change how opioids are labeled in Texas. A simple warning, too late In the days following his death, Debbie Allen began investigating. She found two medical journal studies - one from 2020 and another from 2017. They warned of the dangers of mixing opioids with sleep apnea, especially during sleep. One study described how patients with the condition are "at greater risk of harm from morphine." The other noted that many people on opioids are "found dead in bed." Despite these published warnings, Debbie Allen said no one gave her family any indication that morphine could be dangerous for someone with sleep apnea, a condition that forced Robert Allen to sleep with a CPAP machine every night. "There was not one warning. Not one," Debbie Allen said. She filed formal complaints with the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy and the Joint Commission, a non-profit that accredits medical organizations and programs. Ultimately, the medical board required the doctor who wrote Robert Allen's prescription to complete 12 hours of education on risk management and controlled substances. Debbie Allen also filed a lawsuit, which she cannot publicly discuss due to a settlement agreement. She can, however, discuss what she wants moving forward. A bill inspired by loss Robert Allen's death is now at the center of proposed legislation in the Texas Senate. In March, Sen. Bob Hall, a Republican from Rockwall, introduced Senate Bill 1986, which would require that all opioid prescriptions include a clear warning about "addiction, respiratory depression, and overdose." Hall said Debbie Allen's story "got attention because it was so preventable … with a simple solution of just informing people." Her mission has taken her from her home office, where she continues to research opioid regulations across the country, to the Texas Capitol, where she recently testified before the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. She has learned that states like Arizona require a red cap on opioid bottles, and others mandate varying forms of warnings. In Texas, similar bills have been proposed in the past but failed to become law. "The pharmaceutical companies' first concern is making money. Their concern is how many pills are selling," Hall said. Federal moves, state gaps In 2023, following a growing number of opioid-related deaths, the Food and Drug Administration began mandating a "boxed warning" about the risk of respiratory depression when opioids are used. The warnings are printed in bold and outlined in black at the top of the medication guide inserts. Debbie Allen is advocating for standardized, state-mandated labels on all opioid prescription bottles – simple, visible, unavoidable. On April 30, 2025, the day Debbie Allen testified at the Senate hearing, no one testified against the bill. The committee approved it unanimously. The bill now has a sponsor in the House, Hall's office told the I-Team. "So no one else gets hurt" Debbie and Robert Allen met when she was 13. They were married by the time she was 16. They built a life together. They have two children and four grandchildren. CBS News Texas "Robert loved life more than anyone I've ever met," she said. "He didn't deserve this. Everybody let him down." At the cemetery, Debbie Allen sits on a bench she painted herself. It bears the family name. It's a place where her children and grandchildren — and now great-grandchildren — can visit. Robert Allen has missed three graduations and two weddings since his death. "I would know that he wanted me to pursue this," she said. "So nobody else would get hurt like he did."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Iowans share stories to help others on National Fentanyl Awareness Day
DES MOINES, Iowa — The fight against opioids continues. Tuesday is National Fentanyl Awareness Day where the DEA, community organizations, law enforcement and public health departments recognize the harmful drug. Fentanyl is the greatest drug threat in the US, as drug related overdoses remain the leading cause of deaths for those aged 18 through 44, but it affects anyone of any age. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just two milligrams, which is like a few grains of salt, is a potentially lethal dose. The DEA often sees fentanyl in fake pills made to look like common prescription medications like Percocet, Xanax and Vicodin. 'Today is pretty special for people who have lost loved ones to fentanyl, whether they knew it was in their supply or not,' Deborah Krauss, Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition Executive Director, said. 'I think one of the big things that I would love people to know and the community to know is that there's ways to use safer and there's ways to keep ourselves and our friends safer. One of those is the fentanyl test strips. You can get those for free from us or I know there's maybe a couple other organizations that hand them out. But even like the Narcan, we have boxes all over central Iowa. At this point, they're free. You can just go grab a Narcan and have it on your person.' More black bears seen wandering around NE Iowa, DNR says For those who have lost a love one, getting involved has helped them. Like Ankeny's Melissa Burke who lost her sister Marissa Gunderson in December and now has joined Become Their Voice, a nonprofit that brings awareness to mental health and the growing drug crisis. 'Hey, I'm looking for a way to honor my sister. I want people to know she was a person. She was a sister, a daughter and a mother that unfortunately had a lot of mental health and a lot of trauma that was built up behind that,' Burke said. 'I want to educate others. That's my biggest thing right now. There's a bigger piece that's below addiction, not feeling like you're embarrassed to talk about it. Because I feel like still in society, it's a very taboo thing.' The CDC predicts an 8% decline in drug overdose deaths year-over-year in Iowa, while nationally there's a 26.5% decline predicted. Still, 105,000 Americans died from drug poisoning in 2023, with 70% of those deaths attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. 'This is reality. It is an epidemic in this country, and we're losing a lot of lives every day to this,' Burke said. 'The more education, the more people are outspoken, the more love that we have for each other and the more help we can get to those that need it will make a big difference.' 'Fentanyl is in every class structure, every socioeconomic status, like it doesn't matter who you are, if you are using some substances, like you run the risk of ingesting fentanyl and you have to understand that. It's nondiscriminatory,' Krauss said. 'All of these deaths were 100% preventable with the right education and tools.' For more information or resources visit Become Their Voice's website or the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition's website. Another resource is the new Polk County Health Department vending machine, which has Narcan for free as well. Metro News: The countdown is on: 100 days until the 2025 Iowa State Fair; see what's new Iowans share stories to help others on National Fentanyl Awareness Day Hoover boys soccer forfeits 8 games due to player's ineligibility New harm reduction vending machine provides free health resources 24/7 Programming note: 'The Voice' and 'Yes, Chef' to be re-aired Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
