Addiction & Recovery News

Breaking developments in drug policy, overdose prevention, and addiction treatment in New York.

New York Now Requires Naloxone in Workplace First Aid Kits. Here's What Employers Need to Know.

AB 9453 expands workplace safety requirements across New York, mandating naloxone in first aid supplies at thousands of worksites by the end of 2026.

March 26, 20264 min read

news policy opioid

Federal Government Moves to Ban Synthetic Opioid Sold in Gas Stations Before It Triggers the Next Addiction Crisis

Federal regulators are racing to ban a synthetic opioid that's been sold legally in convenience stores and vape shops across the country. The substance, 7-hydroxymitragynine—known as 7-OH—is a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant that officials say is as addictive as heroin and more potent than morphine.

March 25, 20268 min read

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Whiplash at HHS: How Trump's $2 Billion Grant Cuts Threw New York's Addiction Treatment System Into Chaos—Then Reversed in 24 Hours

In January, the Trump administration sent termination letters to thousands of mental health and addiction programs nationwide. New York's safety net scrambled. Then, 24 hours later, the money came back. But the chaos didn't end there.

March 20, 20268 min read

news opioid recovery

New York Airs Rare Statewide TV Program on Opioid Crisis — Here's What It Shows

A 30-minute program airing across New York this month gives the public an inside look at how the state is using hundreds of millions in opioid settlement money—and tells the stories of New Yorkers who've lived through addiction and recovery.

March 19, 20267 min read

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Federal Study Shows Ozempic and Weight-Loss Drugs Cut Addiction Deaths by Half—What It Means for New York

Federal researchers report the first medication that works against addiction to alcohol, opioids, nicotine, cocaine and cannabis simultaneously. The unexpected finding came from diabetes and weight-loss drugs already prescribed to millions.

March 18, 20268 min read

news policy fentanyl

DEA Just Banned Three Synthetic Opioids Stronger Than Fentanyl. Why New York Should Pay Attention.

The DEA placed three nitazene-class synthetic opioids into Schedule I effective March 11, 2026. These substances are up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl and have been detected in overdose deaths nationwide.

March 17, 20268 min read

news federal funding

Federal Government Announces $100M 'STREETS' Program to Connect Homeless People With Addiction to Housing and Treatment

The new STREETS Initiative marks a departure from prior harm reduction policies, directing $100 million toward outreach, psychiatric care, and housing for Americans experiencing homelessness and addiction.

March 16, 20267 min read

news medicaid funding

Federal Medicaid Probe Threatens Coverage for 1.7 Million New Yorkers — Including Those Seeking Addiction Treatment

The Trump administration has opened a fraud investigation into New York's $124 billion Medicaid program, threatening to freeze payments if the state doesn't respond within 30 days. For the 1.7 million New Yorkers who depend on Medicaid-funded health care—including thousands in addiction treatment—the stakes couldn't be higher.

March 13, 20268 min read

news oasas funding

New York Airs Documentary on $3B Opioid Settlement Spending

A new documentary airing across New York gives the public its first look at how the state is deploying $3 billion in opioid settlement funds, including personal stories from families who lost loved ones and teens who learned to save lives with naloxone.

March 12, 20264 min read

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