David Ovalle

Why Trump is targeting these programs that help keep drug users alive The Trump administration has barred certain federal grants from funding some harm reduction programs, sparking concerns among health advocates.

Harm reduction groups worry Trump’s order signals broader moves to sideline their work — and that states will slash funding to follow his lead. Some fear simply being labeled harm reduction might imperil funding, even if their services are not controversial. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Trump order pushes forcible hospitalization of homeless people Trump executive order would increase hospitalization of homeless individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. The order said shifting homeless people into long-term institutional settin...

Trump directed federal agencies to make it easier to forcibly hospitalize homeless people with mental illness.

Critics warn this can return us to a darker era when people were often unjustly locked away, @davidovalle.bsky.social reports www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown sought on attempted murder charge The charge stems from an incident outside a boxing event in Miami last month.

NEW: Authorities in Miami-Dade County are seeking to arrest former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown on a charge of attempted murder stemming from a shooting at a celebrity boxing event in May, according to a warrant reviewed by The Washington Post.

Why Texas is spending millions to research an illegal psychedelic Ibogaine is illegal in the United States, but Texas is on the verge of spending up to $50 million to jumpstart clinical trials.

The Texas program — billed by supporters as the largest public investment in psychedelics research — is being closely watched in Washington, where top health officials under President Donald Trump have expressed interest in accelerating research.

U.S. drug deaths plunged in 2024. Trump cuts may reverse that, experts warn. The opioid crisis in the U.S. shows signs of improvement, with a significant drop in fentanyl overdose deaths in 2024.

Not quite back from parental leave but popped my head up to report this news - NEW: U.S. drug deaths plunged in 2024. Trump cuts may reverse that, experts warn. wapo.st/3YGzUGz

Drug deaths are down in one Ohio county and much of the U.S. Why is complex. The story of Hamilton County is the story of much of America in 2025. Overdose deaths have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease.

The story of Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, is the story of much of America at the start of 2025. Deaths from drug overdoses have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Drug deaths are down in one Ohio county and much of the U.S. Why is complex. The story of Hamilton County is the story of much of America in 2025. Overdose deaths have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease.

The story of Hamilton County is the story of much of America in 2025. Overdose deaths have fallen sharply, offering hope the crisis will further ease. But the 'why' is complex, by @davidovalle.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... via @washingtonpost.com #ToxicDrugCrisis

Alternative medicine fans see RFK Jr. as a hero. The field’s skeptics worry. Kennedy’s potential ascent as HHS secretary brings promise for backers of alternative-health approaches, while skeptics say those treatments are often unproven.

Latest with @davidovalle.bsky.social:

RFK Jr as HHS secretary would be a boon to the wellness/alternative therapies industries, as he has talked often about vitamins and supplements among other alt treatments and claimed the FDA has “aggressively”suppressed these remedies.

wapo.st/3CmpKCV

The war on smoking turns to cigarettes with ultralow nicotine The Biden White House is expected to formally propose a plan ordering cigarette nicotine levels to be reduced dramatically.

Researchers determined that slashing cigarette nicotine levels should essentially be all or nothing — reducing nicotine moderately would only spur smokers to light up more, exposing them to increased toxic smoke. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social

Billed as nonaddictive, new pain pill could soon win FDA approval A non-opioid painkiller from Vertex Pharmaceuticals could become a blockbuster, but questions remain on whether it will prove safe and effective for chronic pain.

Questions remain about whether the non-opioid painkiller developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals could be effective for chronic pain. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... w @ByDanielGilbert

Laws restrict U.S. shipping of vape products. Many companies do it anyway. They come in flavors including mango, cherry and lemonade-flavored vapes and are sometimes delivered by mail carriers. It’s illegal.

Some companies are flouting a ban on shipping vapes through the U.S. Postal Services. But enforcement is complicated by a patchwork of regulations at the federal, state and local levels.

with @davidovalle.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...

Laws restrict U.S. shipping of vape products. Many companies do it anyway. They come in flavors including mango, cherry and lemonade-flavored vapes and are sometimes delivered by mail carriers. It’s illegal.

Vapes arrive regularly on the doorsteps of homes across the nation as companies flout laws regulating online sales of the products, including a ban on shipping e-cigarettes through the U.S. Postal Service. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/... w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social

Trump’s CDC pick wouldn’t let go of false theory vaccines cause autism Dave Weldon’s long record of promoting the disproven link between vaccines and autism raises concerns among some public health experts about his ability to run the CDC.

We spent weeks reviewing Dave Weldon, Trump’s CDC pick, and his congressional papers, interviews and public appearances — including with anti-vaccine activists.

This is a portrait of a politician who wouldn’t let go of the false theory vaccines cause autism wapo.st/4iACoi0

Consulting firm McKinsey to pay $650 million to end opioid criminal probe The investigation stems from the company’s work advising Purdue Pharma on how to “turbocharge” sales of the blockbuster opioid OxyContin, officials said.

The investigation stems from the company’s work advising Purdue Pharma on how to “turbocharge” sales of the blockbuster opioid OxyContin, officials said.

Trump’s pick to head DEA withdraws after GOP criticism of his covid policies Chad Chronister is the second Trump pick to abandon his bid to serve in the administration.

Trump’s pick to head DEA withdraws after GOP criticism of his covid policies www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

First time in DEA court today and eager to report that the benches are just as uncomfortable as Miami-Dade state court

Supreme Court poised to enter fray over regulation of flavored vapes The Food and Drug Administration has rejected some products because of concerns about youth users.

Supreme Court poised to enter fray over regulation of flavored vapes www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...

Trump taps Florida sheriff as DEA administrator The change in DEA leadership comes as the agency — and the nation — is still grappling with a drug crisis fueled by the flow of illicit fentanyl.

Trump taps Florida sheriff as DEA administrator www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Live updates: Trump taps Pam Bondi as attorney general following Matt Gaetz’s withdrawl Get the latest news on the transition to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress.

Breaking news: President-elect Donald Trump picks Pam Bondi to be attorney general, replacing Matt Gaetz hours after he withdrew bid.

Follow our live coverage:

Mexican cartel leader who faked his own death has been arrested in California, Justice Department says | CNN Politics A high-ranking member of a Mexican drug cartel who allegedly faked his own death and has been living in California under a fake name is now facing federal charges, the US Justice Department announced ...

A high-ranking member of a Mexican drug cartel who allegedly faked his own death and has been living in California under a fake name is now facing federal charges, the US Justice Department announced.

Live updates: Matt Gaetz withdraws bid to be attorney general in Trump administration Get the latest news on the transition to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress.

BREAKING: Former congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) announced in a social media post Thursday that he was withdrawing his bid to be attorney general for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, saying his confirmation was “unfairly becoming a distraction.”

RFK Jr. wants fluoride out of drinking water. Oregon shows what’s coming. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...

DEA faces legal challenge as uncertainty clouds plan to reclassify marijuana Cannabis-reform advocates this week asked a judge to remove the DEA from its own hearing.

NEW: DEA faces legal challenge as uncertainty clouds plan to reclassify marijuana. But the incoming administration intends to follow through on reclassification, according to an official familiar with the Trump team’s plans. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...

Live updates: Trump picks Mehmet Oz to serve as Medicare and Medicaid services administrator Get the latest news on the transition to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump and a new Congress.

Breaking news: President-elect Donald Trump announced plans Tuesday to nominate Mehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor and onetime U.S. Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, to lead the agency that administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

10 RFK Jr. conspiracy theories and false claims, in his own words Here are the debunked health claims that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made over the years that concern medical experts.

10 RFK Jr. conspiracy theories and false claims, in his own words www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...

In RFK Jr., drugmakers face an antagonist with regulatory power Anxious and bewildered, some drugmakers are reaching out to their lobbyists about how Robert Kennedy’s pending nomination will affect the Food and Drug Administration.

In RFK Jr., drugmakers face an antagonist with regulatory power www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

RFK Jr. faces battles in quest to change America’s food Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to strip processed food out of school lunch and limit food dye marks a shift in how Trump is planning to regulate the nation’s food.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to strip processed food out of school lunch and limit food dye marks a shift in how Trump is planning to regulate the nation’s food www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/...