Category: Cronkite News

Ty Scholes Friday, Nov. 20, 2015 Heroin’s deadly grip claims another young addict as overdoses continue to climb Just a few days after promising to go back to drug treatment, David Richter went on the last heroin binge of his life. He overdosed and died on his bathroom floor. Richter was 23 years old. He had relapsed 13 times and been to multiple drug treatment centers across the country. David’s father, Joe Richter, said that his son battled heroin addiction hard, but the drug was more powerful than the person. “He hated the drug. I mean he wanted to stay clean, he really tried but he just couldn’t do it,” he said. “After the first few times I learned to detach myself from the emotional part,” said Mary Sutton, David’s mother. “But it was hard. I always feared that this would happen. That I would get this phone call.” Paul Langford, David Richter’s roommate and best friend, found him in their apartment. Both were heavily involved in the heroin recovery community. Langford left for work early the day of Richter’s death, but not before noticing a hypodermic needle on the dining room table. Worried, he called Richter every twenty minutes before finally heading back home to check on him. Inside the apartment, it was dead silent, hot, the air conditioning off. There was an “eerie silence,” Langford said. “All...

Charles McConnell Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 Arizona lawmakers split as House puts brakes on Syrian, Iraqi refugees WASHINGTON – The House overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday that calls for the U.S. to stop admitting refugees from Syria and Iraq until they pass additional background checks, including direct approval by three federal security agencies. Supporters said the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015, rushed through the House in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, will allow for a more thorough security review of applicants without shutting the door on any deserving refugee. “We don’t do this today because we hate the people on the outside (of the U.S.),” said Rep. Trent Franks, R-Glendale. “We do it because we have a special duty and love to express to the people inside.” But critics, mostly Democrats, said that refugees from those countries are already subjected to about two years of checks before they are admitted to the U.S., and they called the changes unnecessary and costly. “Our Syrian refugee vetting process is already the most comprehensive in the world, and these changes would stretch the federal government’s limited resources,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Tucson, in a joint statement with Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn. Other Democrats took it a step further, saying the bill represents a betrayal of America’s history of welcoming the downtrodden. “Our beloved Statue of...

Tom Blanton Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 Arizona has high youth drug deaths, few policies to curb them WASHINGTON – Arizona had among the highest rates of teen and young adult overdose deaths, and ranked poorly for programs and policies to curb drug use and encourage healthy living among those age groups, a new report says. The state-by-state report by the Trust for America’s Health said Arizona averaged 10.2 overdose deaths per 100,000 teens and young adults from 2011 to 2013, tied for eighth-highest among states. That was more than double the rate of 4 deaths per 100,000 young people in the state between 1999 and 2001, according to the report released Thursday. But Arizona health officials challenged the report’s findings, saying their own statistics show a much lower death rate. They believe their numbers are more accurate since they count only deaths specifically resulting from drug overdoses, while the report counted all drug-related causes, including accidents and violence. “For the age group of 15 to 24, our rate was 7.4 per 100,000,” said Tomi St. Mars, a nurse with the Arizona Department of Health Services. “We want to know what is an actual overdose.” West Virginia fared worst in the report, “Reducing Teen Substance Misuse: What Really Works,” with a drug-related death rate of 12.6 per 100,000 young people. That was more than five times the rate of 2.2...

Staff Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 Cronkite News: Nov. 19, 2015 This edition of Cronkite News focuses on reactions locally and in Washington D.C. to the Syrian refugees in the U.S. and about how Muslims are being treated here after the Paris attacks..embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;...

Lauren Clark Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 Uber, Passport Health partner to provide flu shots to Phoenix users on demand TEMPE – To help fight off the sniffs and sniffles of the flu, rideshare company Uber and medical-care company Passport Health teamed up to deliver on-demand shots and health bags for a one-day event on Thursday. “This is something we can provide for people that’s quick and easy,” said Gabe Williams, the senior marketing manager for Uber in Phoenix. “It’s a whole lot easier to fit getting a flu shot around your schedule than having to make time in yours to get one.” Just like ordering a ride from the service, Williams said users could select the “UberHealth” option on the app and receive the goody bag and flu shot for $10. Up to 10 people could receive a flu shot per Uber request, and users also got a water bottle, tissues, hand sanitizer and a brochure on tips to keep the flu away, Williams said. Speaking at Uber’s Tempe office, Williams said the event promotes the company’s values as a whole. “Uber is a company that’s more than just providing rides,” Williams said. “We are a company that is all about promoting experiences. And we want to keep on upping the ante to please our customers.” He added that the rideshare business also has provided similar services with ice...