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On today’s episode of The Confluence: A federal lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice accuses the state court system of discriminating against those with opioid use disorder when some county courts limited or banned the use of medication to treat addiction; state legislation looks to create a registry of vacation rental properties for tax purposes; and what we’ve learned from the James Webb Space Telescope’s first images. Today’s guests include: Ed Mahon, investigative reporter with Spotlight PA; Tony DeLuca, the treasurer of Somerset County and Sara Innamorato, Democratic state representative serving Pittsburgh; and Rachel Bezanson, assistant professor and astronomer with the University of Pittsburgh.
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A new University of Pittsburgh study finds that 30% of pregnant Medicaid recipients with opioid use disorder tested positive for hepatitis C. But less than 1 in 5 of these patients receive follow-up care.
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As part of a first-of-its-kind review, Spotlight PA investigated claims made on Pennsylvania cannabis companies’ websites and found a wide range of misleading tactics.
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On today’s episode of The Confluence: SpotlightPA reporter Ed Mahon explains why the Justice Department alleged that eight Pennsylvania counties’ courts may have violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it applies to people with opioid use disorder; the executive director of the Mountain Watershed Association tells us why federal infrastructure funding could also help clean waterways that are polluted by abandoned mine runoff; and a look at how severe weather patterns are impacting local businesses.
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A letter from the Department of Justice could have widespread ramifications for Pennsylvanians who are under a court’s supervision and use doctor-prescribed medications to treat opioid use disorder.
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All 67 Pennsylvania counties will get a piece of a $1.07 billion settlement with three major opioid distributors and one manufacturer, according to the office of the state's Attorney General.
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On today’s program: Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith reflects on how the pandemic and end to Gov. Tom Wolf’s opioid disaster declaration has affected the department’s work; Spotlight PA reporter Ed Mahon explains why an investigation into exactly how many people are using medical marijuana to treat opioid addiction in the commonwealth has been stalled by state agencies; and a listener asks why trolley tracks continue to exist on Chestnut Street, as part of our Good Question series.
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New University of Pittsburgh research argues that legalizing recreational cannabis leads to a short-term decline in opioid-related ER visits.
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On today’s program: Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb released his first audit of the Citizen Police Review Board and recommends giving the board more resources; a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health talks about how substance use disorder impacts pregnant people and their babies; and a Carnegie Mellon University research team looked at how the tabs left open on internet browsers stress people out, and how the tool they’ve developed might help.
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On today’s program: A new analysis finds that COVID-19 patients with clinically diagnosed neurological symptoms were six times more likely to die in a hospital than those without such symptoms; advocates want the Allegheny County Jail to administer medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder more regularly; and a study from a Carnegie Mellon University graduate found those living near restaurants in Pittsburgh encountered more polluted air more than those who lived further away.