David Ovalle

Washington, D.C.

National reporter focusing on opioids and addiction
Latest from David Ovalle

Mayorkas defends Biden’s record as border crossings fall after Title 42 ends

The Homeland Security secretary touted the success of policy changes, though Republicans were quick to point to overall numbers of migrants entering at the southern border.

May 14, 2023

DEA extends telemedicine option for prescribing controlled medications

Doctors will be allowed to keep using telemedicine to prescribe certain drugs for anxiety, pain and opioid addiction, extending for six months pandemic-related flexibilities.

May 9, 2023

Overdose prevention centers are tough sell in U.S. despite successes

The supervised injection sites allow people to take illegal drugs like fentanyl under watch of staff trained to reverse overdoses.

May 8, 2023

Do overdose prevention centers work? First U.S. study seeks answers.

A federally funded study will look at whether people using drugs in programs in New York City and Rhode Island are less likely to overdose.

May 8, 2023

First vaccine targeting RSV wins FDA approval. More are coming.

The shot will be used to protect against respiratory syncytial virus in older adults — a turning point in the six-decade-long vaccine effort.

May 3, 2023

Artist’s death spotlights peril posed by xylazine-fentanyl mix

“It’s all designed to kill,” says a grieving brother of the noxious substances added to illicit drugs without users’ knowledge.

April 30, 2023

Sweeping indictment shows role of China’s chemical firms in fentanyl crisis

But experts say there’s little chance the Chinese chemical companies that sell ingredients to Mexican cartels will be prosecuted.

April 27, 2023

Here’s what the Supreme Court abortion pill ruling means and what’s next

The Supreme Court has preserved full access to mifepristone, the abortion pill. Here's the background and what's at stake.

April 21, 2023

Democratic states stockpile abortion pills as access rests in courts

The Supreme Court's Friday night stay has given Democratic states more time to craft opposition to conservative efforts to dramatically restrict abortion rights.

April 21, 2023

Experts slam plan to sell overdose antidote Narcan at about $50 a kit

Drugmaker’s price is ‘still too expensive for pretty much everyone I’ve ever provided it to,’ epidemiologist says.

April 20, 2023