Corinne Boyer

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel has recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in children as young as 12. The Ohio Valley ReSource asked Vince Venditto, an expert in vaccine design, about the Pfizer study data collected in participants ages 12 to 15.

The Biden administration released its first set of drug policy priorities Thursday after overdose deaths hit record numbers during the pandemic. Office of National Drug Control Policy Acting Director Regina LaBelle discussed the office’s seven priorities, beginning with expanding access to drug treatment services.

Kentucky’s vaccination plans have prioritized medical conditions that are considered “high risk” for severe COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Down Syndrome is listed as a qualifying condition for vaccinations, but that is the only such disability on the state’s list, according to disability advocates.

In a region where highways, dams, water systems and other infrastructure necessities are aging, repeated severe weather events have added to the strain, forcing communities to spend their resources fixing new problems rather than on improved resilience and upgrades.

Heavy rains flooded parts of Kentucky, and those who were forced to evacuate returned to water-logged homes and businesses. In some areas, people have to live tents as they try to make repairs.

In 2019, a multi-state, multi-million dollar, study launched to lower overdose deaths around the Ohio Valley. Then, the coronavirus arrived, and overdose fatalities surged. But addiction researchers are renewing their efforts.

Acting Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Regina LaBelle answered questions about barriers to addiction treatment, temporary policy changes during the pandemic, and what actions need to be taken to address overdose deaths.

West Virginia, an early epicenter of the opioid crisis, saw overdose fatalities soar, and in parts of the region the rate of increase surpassed the national average. But while the pandemic is compounding the addiction crisis, it has also catalyzed additional state and federal responses in the Ohio Valley to the epidemic. From local clinics and state agencies to newly appointed officials in the White House, people are looking for ways to tackle both new and existing barriers to treatment during the pandemic.

More than 15 years ago, Terrance D. walked into his first Narcotics Anonymous meeting at age 27. He spoke to the Ohio Valley ReSource about addiction, sobriety and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected him. He uses a pseudonym when speaking publicly about his involvement with Narcotic Anonymous.

Last year, alarm rippled through the Ohio Valley’s addiction treatment community when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many public places and businesses. Sadly, recent data shows relapses and and overdose deaths are on the rise again.