NPR: “Fifty billion dollars is on its way to state and local governments over the coming years. The pool of funding comes from multiple legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies that profited from manufacturing or selling opioid painkillers. As that money continues to be dispersed, officials are trying to figure out how to spend it best to help communities devastated by the deadly opioid epidemic.
We’re going to take a close look at one of the ways that Kentucky is considering using some of that money. Kentucky has had some of the nation’s highest opioid overdose death rates, and it’s expecting over $800 million over the coming years. A state commission there is considering supporting research on an illegal psychedelic drug called ibogaine as a treatment for addiction.”