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Before he even uttered the required words "the State of our Union is strong," President Barack Obama in his address Tuesday night made reference to the unfolding opioid crisis. (Grim, 1/12)

Federal health advisers recommended approval Tuesday for an experimental implant designed to treat patients recovering from heroin and painkiller addiction. Despite shortcomings in company studies, a majority of Food and Drug Administration advisers said the implant offers important benefits not currently available. The drug-oozing device is intended to be a safer, more reliable approach to controlling cravings and withdrawal symptoms. (Perrone, 1/12)

Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday announced plans to turn a recently closed prison into a drug treatment facility for inmates and said the state will invest $100 million to raise reimbursement rates for drug and mental health facilities, something that providers have long sought to help address the state's opioid epidemic. Christie, who has made drug treatment a priority in New Jersey and as part of his Republican presidential campaign, used his State of the State address to unveil the changes. (Cornfield, 1/13)

A week before 22-year-old Joe White was slated for release from the Barnstable County Correctional Facility, 26 law enforcement officials and social workers huddled around a table to discuss his prospects on the outside. For substance abusers like White, they aren’t good. In the first two weeks after a drug user is released from jail, the risk of a fatal overdose is much higher than at any other time in his addiction. After months or years in confinement, theoretically without access to illicit drugs, an addict’s tolerance for drugs is low but his craving to get high can be as strong as ever. (Vestal, 1/13)