Martha Bebinger

An estimated 42% of adults in the U.S. know someone who died from a drug overdose. That number is one of many in a Rand Corporation study that demonstrates the sweeping effects of the overdose crisis.

A mother monitors illegal drug use, at home, to prevent a fatal overdose for her daughter and others addicted to opioids.

Turns out diners are more likely to get on board for altruistic reasons rather than health. That's what one hospital learned after it pledged to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions.

An innovative pilot project uses emailed "heat alerts" to inform doctors and nurses of dangerous local temperatures, so they can advise patients who are most vulnerable to heat-related illness.

The medical dangers of heat are real. But people often ignore public heat alerts, or don't know how vulnerable they are. A new alert system prompts clinicians to talk about heat with patients.

A group of crafters has come together to finish items for those who can no longer work on them, or for those who have recently died. (This story first aired on All Things Considered on June 20, 2023.)

It can be heartbreaking to let go of a hand-made rug or sweater that a loved one didn't quite finish. A group of volunteer knitters, quilters and other crafters offer some closure.

Dedicated crafters often leave projects unfinished when they die. Now, there's a group that pairs those half-knitted hats and partly-stitched quilts with new crafters who can finish them for families.

The Supreme Court has blocked lower court restrictions on the abortion medication mifespristone while litigation continues.

Ten years ago, these first responders were strangers. Thrown together to save lives at the finish of the Boston Marathon, they became a family.

Federal restrictions seemed to explain why many doctors weren't prescribing medication for opioid addiction. But some caution that removing those rules isn't enough to overcome hesitancy and stigma.

Repair Cafes are back after the pandemic. Organizers say interest is surging in these occasional events where volunteers fix lamps, backpacks and garden tools to keep them out of landfills.

At many U.S. hospitals, children and teens are stuck in the emergency department for days or weeks because psychiatric beds are full. Massachussets has a simple, yet promising solution.

A small study shows pharmacists could play a key role in getting addiction medication directly into the hands of more people who need it. (Story aired on All Things Considered on Jan. 11, 2023.)

A small study shows pharmacists could play a key role in getting addiction medication directly into the hands of more people who need it, but there are a lot of barriers to expanding the project.

Drug overdose deaths among teens and young adults have nearly doubled since 2019. There's concern that counterfeit pills, laced with fentanyl, sold via social media sites, are partly to blame.

Salem Hospital has addiction specialist on call, and that came in handy when a patient got help after coming in for a different problem. (Story aired on Weekend Edition Sunday on Oct. 5, 2022.)

Most hospitals don't have addiction specialists on call. But Salem Hospital in Massachusetts does. We hear about one patient who got addiction help after coming in for a different problem.

U.S. overdose deaths have exceeded 100,000 a year, yet few hospitals are equipped to treat patients with addiction. A new kind of treatment team connect patients with help before they're discharged.

The veterinary sedative xylazine is being mixed into illegal drugs and could be contributing to a rise in overdoses. (Story first aired on Weekend Edition Saturday on July 30, 2022.)