Â鶹ŮÓÅ

In Pennsylvania, it's estimated opioids like heroin killed at least 1,300 people last year. In Massachusetts, more than 1,000 have died, and in Connecticut, heroin deaths jumped more than 85 percent in two years. But figuring out the size and scope of the problem is harder than many people think. (Allen, 5/21)

The problem of opiate addiction in Maine is one that state Rep. Barry Hobbins knows something about. "One of my family members has been struggling with this dreaded addiction of opiates for six years," he says. So when pharmaceutical company Pfizer — which makes opioids that have abuse-deterrent properties — asked Hobbins to sponsor a bill that would require insurance companies to cover these more expensive drugs at the same level as other opioids, he agreed. (Wight, 5/20)

Two Mobile doctors are facing federal charges for allegedly committing health care fraud and illegally distributing pain pills. Their arrests were part of a broader effort by federal authorities to crack down on prescription drug abuse in the South. On Wednesday, DEA agents raided pain clinics, pharmacies and other locations in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi as part of "Operation Pillution." (Toner, 5/20)

Military veterans from all over [central Pennsylvania] turn to the Van Zandt V.A. Medical Center for health care. The pharmacy there also manages prescription medicines for vets in and out of the hospital. Some patients may notice a little more scrutiny of their medications, due to a new effort to control the use of narcotic pain killers. (5/20)