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Jonathan Goodman can recall most of the lectures he's attended at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He can recite detailed instructions given more than a year ago about how to conduct a physical. But at the end of his second year, the 27-year-old M.D.-Ph.D. student could not remember any class dedicated to addiction medicine. Then he recalled skipping class months earlier. Reviewing his syllabus, he realized he had missed the sole lecture dedicated to that topic. "I wasn't tested on it," Goodman says, with a note of surprise. (Jacewicz, 7/27)

Every day across the country, hundreds, if not thousands, of people who overdose on opioids are being brought back to life with naloxone. Hailed as a miracle drug by many, it carries no health risk; it cannot be abused and, if given mistakenly to someone who has not overdosed on opioids, does no harm. More likely, it saves a life. ... But naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, has also had unintended consequences. Critics say that it gives drug users a safety net, allowing them to take more risks as they seek higher highs. Indeed, many users overdose more than once, some multiple times, and each time, naloxone brings them back. (Seelye, 7/27)

The opioid overdose-reversal drug, naloxone, is now available without a prescription at all CVS locations in Texas, the pharmacy announced Tuesday. The company said that by August, pharmacies in a total of 31 states will be able to dispense the drug to patients. Naloxone is a Food and Drug Administration approved medication that has been used for decades by emergency medical personnel to reverse overdoses from drugs such as heroin, morphine, and prescription pain relievers like oxycodone. (Rice, 7/26)

A new Rhode Island prison program that provides medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction is getting attention from the Obama administration’s top drug control official. Michael Botticelli, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, toured the state women’s prison in Cranston on Tuesday. The state budget passed last month adds $2 million to a pilot program treating inmates with methadone and other medications that can reduce their dependence on opioids. (O'Brien, 7/26)

Authorities on Long Island say two dozen people have been arrested and nearly 4 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl have been seized in a 10-day drug sting. The Suffolk County district attorney is scheduled to announce the arrests on Wednesday in Hauppauge. Investigators say they found the narcotics at drug overdose scenes wrapped in lottery ticket paper stamped with the words Aleve, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Bridge or Clean Up. (7/27)

A substance abuse treatment facility in Franklin, Farnum North, has added 42 more inpatient beds. And with help from donations, the center can now start treating patients who lack insurance. Prior to the expansion, Farnum North was limited to 21 beds and had a waiting list of 40 people seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. (Sutherland, 7/26)

Inside the updated building, beds lined single, double and triple rooms filled with soft carpets and plenty of light. The rooms were lined with soothing, scenic art, and they were connected with hallways full of fresh plants and flowers leading to group therapy rooms, a gym, a dining room, a chapel and office space. (Reed, 7/27)