Oklahoma’s harm reduction law inches toward expiration
Harm reduction programs that supply overdose reversal drugs and clean syringes say that the state will see increases in overdose deaths and infectious diseases if they go away.
Cost-cutting efforts target public health, labeling some programs as wasteful
“It’s a perfect storm coming together to really threaten our ability to provide what is needed to keep communities safe and healthy,” one public health expert says.
In Enid, a fatal overdose highlights a lack of drug treatment options
There’s a shortage of drug treatment programs in Western Oklahoma. Many people don’t have transportation and the nearest provider is in another town.
Meet the new group in charge of millions in state money to help pregnant women after Oklahoma banned abortion
There’s no competitive bidding process through the state for pregnancy resource centers, faith-based groups and other nonprofits to get public money if they go through an organization like the Oklahoma Life Foundation.
Fentanyl deaths skyrocket in Oklahoma as jails, prisons and rural communities try to combat the drug
Fentanyl has proliferated so quickly because it’s cheaper to make than other drugs and can be mass-produced in a few hours.
It’s legal in Oklahoma for pregnant women to use medical marijuana. A bill aims to change that
A growing number of women have faced criminal charges in Oklahoma after using drugs during their pregnancies in recent years. But an appeals court ruled expectant mothers who used medical marijuana can’t be prosecuted.
We’ve compiled a list of resources for Oklahoma families struggling with mental health needs
Some kids in crisis are abandoned to state custody. Mental health professionals say accessing services early can lead to better outcomes. But finding the right resources can be hard.
Some Oklahoma parents turn kids over to the state after struggling to get mental health care for them
Once abandoned, these youth can face time in shelters or eventually age out of foster care, advocates and providers say. More intensive services early on could help keep families together.
