Emoji drug code decoded: Parents, do you know what that text really means?
They look innocent, but the combination of cookie, snowman, box, and parachute emojis can be code for "a large batch of cocaine has arrived." A school bus is code for Xanax. The DEA has released an "emoji drug decoder" in an effort to educate parents about the new ways drugs are being bought and sold.
They look innocent, but the combination of cookie, snowman, box, and parachute emojis can be code for "a large batch of cocaine has arrived." A school bus is code for Xanax. The DEA has released an "emoji drug decoder" in an effort to educate parents about the new ways drugs are being bought and sold.
'Always be cautious': Fentanyl, cocaine pills disguised as Tylenol seized by Ohio police
Police in Lorain, Ohio, shared a photo of a seized fentanyl pill pressed with what appears to look like the word “Tylenol.”
Police in Lorain, Ohio, shared a photo of a seized fentanyl pill pressed with what appears to look like the word “Tylenol.”
K9 sniffs out pounds of heroin during traffic stop in Montgomery County
K9 Kodiak sniffed out 5 pounds of heroin during a routine traffic stop in Montgomery County.
K9 Kodiak sniffed out 5 pounds of heroin during a routine traffic stop in Montgomery County.
CDC proposes change to opioid prescription guidelines
The nation’s top public health agency is proposing changing — and in some instances, softening — guidelines for doctors prescribing opioid painkillers.
The nation’s top public health agency is proposing changing — and in some instances, softening — guidelines for doctors prescribing opioid painkillers.
Teen charged with murder after 12-year-old San Jose girl dies of fentanyl overdose
The 16-year-old sold the drugs to the girl in 2020. Dalilah Julianna Mederos Guerrero died shortly after consuming three-quarters of a single pill, prosecutors said. The girl became the youngest person to fatally overdose in the county that year, according to the DA.
The 16-year-old sold the drugs to the girl in 2020. Dalilah Julianna Mederos Guerrero died shortly after consuming three-quarters of a single pill, prosecutors said. The girl became the youngest person to fatally overdose in the county that year, according to the DA.
Texas seized enough fentanyl to kill 200 million people this year alone, officials say
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) says that in this year alone they have seized enough fentanyl crossing the border to kill 200 million people.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) says that in this year alone they have seized enough fentanyl crossing the border to kill 200 million people.
US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in a year for 1st time, CDC says
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, topping deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu and pneumonia, CDC data shows.
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, topping deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu and pneumonia, CDC data shows.
Ex-Purdue Pharma president denies responsibility for opioid crisis
Former Purdue Pharma president and chair Richard Sackler says he, his family and the company do not have any responsibility for the opioid crisis in the United States.
Former Purdue Pharma president and chair Richard Sackler says he, his family and the company do not have any responsibility for the opioid crisis in the United States.
4 companies on verge of settling $26B deal in lawsuits over toll of opioid prescriptions
The three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson are on the verge of a $26 billion deal to settle lawsuits brought by state and local governments across the country over the toll of prescription opioids.
The three biggest U.S. drug distribution companies and the drugmaker Johnson & Johnson are on the verge of a $26 billion deal to settle lawsuits brought by state and local governments across the country over the toll of prescription opioids.
J&J to pay $230M to settle claims it helped fuel opioid crisis
As part of the deal, the drugmaker also agreed to end the manufacturing and distribution of opioids across New York and the rest of the nation.
As part of the deal, the drugmaker also agreed to end the manufacturing and distribution of opioids across New York and the rest of the nation.
Donations needed at The Women's Home as giving is down due to the pandemic
"I got in there completely broken...heavily addicted to opiates". A Houston woman shares her story to help bring awareness to The Women's Home as donations are down in the pandemic.
"I got in there completely broken...heavily addicted to opiates". A Houston woman shares her story to help bring awareness to The Women's Home as donations are down in the pandemic.
1 dead, 3 critical after taking drugs laced with unknown chemicals in Polk County
Sheriff Bryon Lyons wants Polk County residents to be aware of drugs such as crystal meth and heroin being sold that are suspected of being laced with an unknown chemical or possibly fentanyl.
Sheriff Bryon Lyons wants Polk County residents to be aware of drugs such as crystal meth and heroin being sold that are suspected of being laced with an unknown chemical or possibly fentanyl.
DEA finds $12M in Queens heroin drug mill
Federal and local law enforcement officers took down a large-scale heroin-packaged mill in Queens and arrested an alleged "major trafficker" of drugs.
Federal and local law enforcement officers took down a large-scale heroin-packaged mill in Queens and arrested an alleged "major trafficker" of drugs.
DOJ sues Walmart over role in America’s opioid crisis
The Justice Department is suing Walmart, alleging the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies, helping to fuel the opioid crisis in America, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The Justice Department is suing Walmart, alleging the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies, helping to fuel the opioid crisis in America, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Fake business housed industrial-scale meth, fentanyl lab, Mexican officials say
Soldiers and police in Mexico have seized an industrial-scale meth and fentanyl lab that was so big it startled investigators.
Soldiers and police in Mexico have seized an industrial-scale meth and fentanyl lab that was so big it startled investigators.
US officials: OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to plead guilty to 3 criminal charges
Purdue Pharma, the company that makes OxyContin, the powerful prescription painkiller that experts say helped touch off an opioid epidemic, will plead guilty to three federal criminal charges, the DOJ said.
Purdue Pharma, the company that makes OxyContin, the powerful prescription painkiller that experts say helped touch off an opioid epidemic, will plead guilty to three federal criminal charges, the DOJ said.
'Darknet' opioid takedown nabs 179 suspects worldwide and $6.5M seized, DOJ announces
Authorities announced the largest international opioid takedown targeting drug traffickers through the darknet, which resulted in 179 arrests.
Authorities announced the largest international opioid takedown targeting drug traffickers through the darknet, which resulted in 179 arrests.
Drones flying drugs into the U.S.
Border patrol agents say they have thwarted two recent attempts to smuggle drugs into the U.S. via drones.
Border patrol agents say they have thwarted two recent attempts to smuggle drugs into the U.S. via drones.
OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma launches campaign for opioid victims to file claims
Purdue Pharma, the drug company that makes OxyContin, launched a $23.8 million ad campaign on Monday alerting victims where to file claims if they have been affected or harmed by the opioid.
Purdue Pharma, the drug company that makes OxyContin, launched a $23.8 million ad campaign on Monday alerting victims where to file claims if they have been affected or harmed by the opioid.
‘Meth. We’re on it’: People have mixed feelings about South Dakota’s new anti-drug campaign
South Dakota's latest anti-drug campaign slogan, “Meth. We’re On It,” has not been as well received as originally hoped.
South Dakota's latest anti-drug campaign slogan, “Meth. We’re On It,” has not been as well received as originally hoped.