WEBVTT E The OklahomaBureau of Narcotics says they are seeing agrowing problem with people using fentanyl but they are doing everything they can toaddress the probleTAKE PKG AS PRESCRIPTION DRUGSARE GETTING HARDER FOR ADDICTSTO FIND- MANY ARE TURNING TO THE STREETS. BUT SOME OF THOSE PILLS THATLOOKLIKE OPIOIDS - ARE REALLY MADEFROMA DEADLY FORM OF FENTANYL - SENTOVER HERE FROM MANUFACTURERSOVERSEAS. CLIP 1 16:58:20 a lot oftimes we will not know that a new drug has hit thestreets until we either get a medical reportfrom a hospital we get an autopsy report MARK WOODWARD, SPOKESPERSWITH THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS SAYS SINCE MAY THEHAVE DISCOVERED SIX NEW KINDS OFFENTANYL IN AUTOPSY REPORTS IN SIX MONTHS.THEY ALSO CAUGHT A MAN IN SOUTHERNOKLAHOMA USING FENTANYL TO MAKE SMALL PILLS.THEY WERE ABLE TO CATCH HIM - BECAUSE OF A PACKAGE THAT CAMETHROUGH THE POST OFFICE.CLIP 1 17:05:34 lot of timesthey use the drug dogs, the drug dogs can hit onthe packagWOODWARD SAYS THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH THE POST OFFICE TO TRACK WHATEVER IS COMING IN TOTHE STATE.THROUGH THIS AND EDUCATION -THEY'RE HOPING TO KEEP THESEDRUGS OFF THE STREETS.IN OKLAHOMA CITY, CRYSTAL PRICE KOCO 5 NEWS A NEW C-D-C REPORT ON OPIOIDDEATHS SHOWS THE POWERFUPAINKILLER FENTANYL WAS TO BLAMEIN MORE THAN HALF OFOPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS IN 10STATESLAST YEAR.IN OCTOBER, PRESIDENT TRUMDECLARED THE OPIOID CRISIS ANATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTHEMERGENC"I want the American people toknow the federal government isaggressively fighting the opioidepidemic on all frontsIN NOVEMBER, THE WHITE HOUSERELEASED ITS LIST OF MORE THANRECOMMENDATIONS ON FIGHTING THE OPIOID CRISITHEY INCLUDE MORE TRAINING FORDOCTORS, PENALTIES FOR INSURERS THAT AVOID COVERING ADDICTION TREATMENT, AND MORE DRUG COURTS THE REPORT DOES NOT OUTLINE A WAY TO PAY FOR ANYTHESE RECOMMENDATIONS.MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAS BEEN SETASIDE TO FIGHT THE OPIOID CRISIS. ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS SAYS 59-MILLION OF ITWILL HELP FIGHT DRUGS THAT ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN HEROIN OR METH."As a result, drugs on thestreettoday are more powerful, more addictive and more dangerousand deadly than ever. They're so powerful they putpolice officers' lives at riskbecause even exposure to traceamounts can be deadly.HALF OF IT WILL HELP LAWENFORCEMENT AGENCIES DEVELNEW PROGRAMS. SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD OF OKLAHOMA AGREES SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO COMBAT THEEPIDEMIC. HERE'S WHAT HE SAID IN OCTOBDURING A TOWN HALL MEETING. "the story I hear over and over again from people is they started with prescription opioids then they couldn't getthe quantity they needed andtheywent to the street and they bought the fake opioidprescription and they ended upgetting heroin because it was cheaper than the fake pills and their life was spiraling out of control.THE PRESIDENT'S PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY' ORDER LASTS 90 DAYSIT CAN BE CONTINUALLY RENEWED UNTIL HE BELIEVES IT IS NOLONGER NEEDED.HERE IN OKLAHOMA ... WE HAVE OUROWN COMMISSION FOCUSING ON THEISSUE.ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE HUNTER IS INCHARGE. THE GROUP HAS MET FIVE TIMESALREADY.THEY'RE TRYING TO COME UP WITHSOLUTIONS AND POLICIES THAT DEALWITH OPIOID ADDICTION. SOME OFTHE AREAS THAT THEY SAY NEED IMPROVEMENT AREPREVENTION, INTERVENTIONTREATMENT, EDUCATION ANDTRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE COMMISSION HOPES TO PRESENT THE LEGISLATURE WITH IDEAS IN TIMEFOR THE NEXT SESSION -- WHICH STARTS IN FEBRUARY. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS ALSOGOING AFTER OPIOIDMANUFACTURERS. THEY FILED A LAWSUIT INCLEVELAND COUNTY. EARLIER THIS MONTH, A JUDGE RULED THE LAWSUIT WILL NOT BE THROWN OUT. K-O-C-O'S BRET BUGANSKI HAS THE STORY.PKG The Attorney General's Office sees this as a huge victory for Oklahoma. They wanted their day in court. They wanted to go to trial andit appears this case is movingforwarCO COUNSEL FOR THESTATE---MICHAEL BURRAGE HOPES THIS TRIAL DOESN'T GO ON FORYEARIN THE STATE'S LAWSUIT AGAINSTMULTIPLE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES--- THE ATTORNEY GENERAALLEGES DRUG COMPANIESMISREPRESENTED AND DOWNPLAYED THE RISKS OF OPIOID ADDICTION--- BUT WANTEDINCREASE THEIR OPIOID SALES.they went in and had an activecampaign saying you need to prescribe opioids more they'renot addictive they're timereleased and so forth, that's what happeneDURING ARGUMENTS--THE STATE SHOWED THIS EXHIBIT WHICSHOWS UNINTENTIONAL OPIOIDRELATED DEATHS FROM THLATE 70S TO THE PRESENT. LAWYERSFOR THE STATE SAY THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN THECOMPANIES MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO THE SPIKE IN DEATHS HERE IN OKLAHOMAAND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. the story is not that complicated, what happened is not that complicatedIN NORMAN, BRET BUGANSKI KOCO 5 NEWS. MIKE HUNTER' IS ONE OF MORE THAN40 OTHER A-G'S ASKING CONGRESSTO REPEAL A LATHE GROUP SAYS THE LAW LIMITS AUTHORITIES FROM STOPPING THE FLOWOF ILLICIT DRUGS. HUNTER AND THE OTHER ATTORNEYSGENERAL SAY.. THIS IS A HURDLE IN PREVENTINGOPIOADDICTION AND OVERDOSE DEATHS.THE LAW TOOK EFFECT IN APRIL OLAST YEAR.A NEW REPORT IS RAISING NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW OPIOIDS ARE PRESCRIBED. THE NEW YORK TIMES' FOUNINSURANCE COMPANIES ARE STILL MAKING IT EASIER -- AND LESSEXPENSIVE -- TO GET THE POTENTIALLY ADDICTIVE DRUGS.THAT'S COMPARED TO ALTERNATIVES WHICH TYPICALLY DON'T LEAD TO ADDICTIOEXPERTS SAY ONE REASON.. IS THATOPIOIDS ARE OFTEN CHEAPER.ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES WILL STOP PAYING FOR THE PAINKILLEROXYCONTIN.' CIGNA' SAYS IT'SPART OF AN EFFORT TO STOP OPIOIDABUSE.INSTEAD, IT WILL PAY FOR AN EQUIVALENT DRUG THAT COULD HELP CURTAIL ABUSTHIS TAKES EFFECT NEXT YEAR.LAST YEAR, CIGNA ANNOUNCED APLANTO CUT CUSTOMER OPIOID USE BY ONE-QUARTER BY 2019.WALGREENS IS THE LATEST PHARMACYTO STOCK THE LIFE-SAVING OPIOID ANTIDOTE, NARCAN. THE COMPANY SAYS ALL EIGHTTHOUSAND STORES WILL HAVE ITAVAILABLE.IN NEARLY EVERY STATE, CUSTOMERSWILL BE ABLE TO BUY THE NASAL SPRAY WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION. C-V-S ALSO SELLS NARCAN OVER THECOUNTER.C-V-S IS STEPPING UP TO HELP THEFIGHT AGAINST AMERICA'S ADDICTION CRISIS. THE DRUG-STORE CHAIN SAYS ITWILL LIMIT OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS --TO JUST SEVEN DAY SUPPLIES TO NEW PATIENTS. C-V-S ALSO PLANS TO BOOST FUNDINFOR ADDICTION PROGRAMS, COUNSELING, AND THE SAFEDISPOSALOF THE DRUGS. PHARMACISTS HAVE ALSO BEINSTRUCTED TO CALL DOCTORS WHEN THEY SEE A PRESCRIPTION THOFFERS MORE MEDICATION THAN THE PATIENT MIGHT NEED FORRECOVERY. CLOSER TO HOME... A FORMER COP, TURNED NURSE'SAIDE IS ACCUSED OF TAKING OPIOIDS FROM THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE WORKETHE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS EDWARD DOMINIC' WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA TWICE TAKING FENTANYLPATCHES FROM HIS PATIENTS INENID. "It is clear based on the evidence that he stole thepatches and converted them to his own use.Whether he used them personally or whether they were sold orbartered is not clear.DOMINIC WAS A FORMER OFFICER IN NORTH ENID. WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THECHEROKEE NATION'S ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF OPIOID ABUSE.THEY'RE SUING MAJOR DRUGCOMPANIES.K-O-C-O'S CRYSTAL PRICE HAS A CLOSLOOK AT THEIR FIGHT.BAKER: It literally tears families apart. CHEROKEE NATION CHIEF BILL JOHN BAKER IS TALKINGABOUT THE OPIOID CRISIS.BAKER: These kids that are born addicted -- it'shard to talk about. THE DRUG ENFORCEMENTADMINISTRATION SAYS MORE THAN 2.7 BILLION MILLIGRAMS OF OPIOIDS WEDISTRIBUTED IN OKLAHOMA IN 2015.OF THAT NEARLY 900 MILLIGRAMS WERESOLD IN 14 COUNTIES OF THECHEROKEE NATION BAKER: Pain medications are saturating theCherokeeNationBECAUSE OF THESE NUMBERS, THE GOVERNMENT'S HHS SECRETARY TPRICE VISITED OKLAHOMA TO TALKABOUT HOW THEY'RE WORKING TO FIX THE EPIDEMIC. PRICE: 80% of folks who are addicted onopioids got their first opioidthrough a legitimate, appropriate opioidprescription. EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE CHEROKEE NATION FILED A LAWSUIT, GOING AFTER MAJOR PHARMACEUTICALCOMPANIES AND DISTRIBUTORS. SOT: The large pharmacies are greedyand irresponsible.PRICE SAYS THEY'VE BEGUN ROLLINGOUT A 5 STEP PROGRAM THAT WILLADDRESS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT. OVERDOSE REVERSING DRUGS. SOT: Naloxone and narcan. ANALYZING OVERDOSE DEATHS,FINDING NOT ADDICTIVE PAINMEDICATIONS AND LOOKING INTO HOWPAIN IS TREATEPRICE: What can we do to make certain thatwe're treating it in a way that isn't creating that first path. BAKER: We intend to do somethingabout itTHE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES ANDDRUG RETAILERSRESPONDED TO THE TRIBE'S SUIT WITH ASUIT OF THEIR OWN.THEY CLAIM THE TRIBE HAS NJURISDICTION OVER THEIR CONDUCT.CRYSTAL PRICE, KOCO 5 NEWS. MIDDLE AGED WOMEN ARE MORELIKELY TO FALL VICTIM TO OPIOID ABUSE.THIS IS BECAUSE THEY AREPRESCRIBED OPOIDS MORE THAN ANY OTHER GROUP.A NEW REPORT SAYS WOMEN FROMAGES 40 TO 59 ALSO HAVE THE HIGHESDEATH RATE FROM OPIOIDS AMONG WOMERESEARCHERS SAY MORE PEOPLE DIE FROM PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDOVERDOSETHAN FROM HEROIN OVERDOSES PERYEAR. RESEARCHERS BELIEVE SOCIAL MEDIACOULD BE A NEW TOOL TO HELP THOSE RECOVERING FROM OPIOIDADDICTION.OFFICIALS WITH THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH AND U-C-LARE STUDYING HOW TO EXPAND PEER SUPPORT NETWORKS TO SOCIAL MEDIATHE IDEA TO EXPAND THE ONE- ON-ONE ATTENTION PATIENTS GET ATREHAB FACILITIES INTO AN ENTIRE NETWORK THAT'S AVAILABLE 24-BUT THERE ARE SOME RISKS TO THISIDEA. WE OFTEN FOCUS ON STOPPING THEPROBLEM.BUT TONIGHT, WE HAVE PROOF THAT OUR YEAR-LONG FOCUS ON OPIOID ADDICTION IS WORKING. MY STORY FOCUSES ON A MAN WHO SAW MY FACEBOOK LIVE' DISCUSSIONABOUA METRO GROUP THAT HELPSRECOVERING ADDICTS. WHEN I MET LANCE LANG A COUPLEOF MONTHS AGO ... WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOPE IS ALIVA 5 YEAR OLD PROGRAM THAT OPENS IT'S DOOR TO MEN AND WOMENCOMING OFF OPIOD ADDICTION. lance lang--hopeis allive 11.26.27"we have houses that menand women transition outof treatment centerscorrectional facilities and theylive with us for a year to 18 months."111.26.34 ABOUT 300 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THRU THIS PROGRAM AND WHEN LANCE AND I WENT ON FACEBOOK11.27.52"facebook live with paulwas absolutelyincredible."11.27.56LANCE AND I TALKED ABOUT HOWPEOPCOME TO LIVE IN THE HOUSES WITH OTHERS ON THE SAME ROAD ANHOW IT'S A SOURCE OF HOPE AND HELP--PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHARED OUR FACEBOOK LIVE. 11.28.03"in fact a young manwas watchin on facebeook live from florida "11.28.10THIS YOUNG MAN KNEW HOPE IS ALIVE COULD HELP11.28.10"he got on our websiteput in an applciation that nighthe checked into our program the next tuesday and he is stillliving with us and doing a greatjob."11.28.18 HE'S ONE OF THE MORE THAN 300 SUCCESS STORIE11.28.25"that broadcast thatnight allowed him and help himstructure his lifeWithout that broadcast i'm notsure where he'd today"11.28.32A CLOSE CALL FOR A PRECIOUS PUP.HOW A WALK NEARLY TURNED DEADLY.AND WHAT A VETERINARIAN USTO SAVE HIS LIFE. GET TOUGH ON OPIOID ABUSE IN OURSTATE! THAT'S THE ADVICE FROM STATE OFFICIALS TO ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS.WE LOOK AT THEIR PLAN TO TACKLOUR STATE OF ADDICTION. OUR YEAR-LONG EFFORT GOES BEYONDTONIGHT'S SPECIAL. WE ALWAYSHAVE A LIST OF RESOURCESAVAILABLE ON THE K-O-C-O APP. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDSHELP, LOOK ON OUR APP OR OUR WEBSITE, K-O-C-O DOT COM.WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.BREAK BREAK BREAK