Lev Facher
@levfacher.bsky.social
I write about substance use and the drug overdose crisis for @statnews.com
https://www.statnews.com/staff/lev-facher/
https://www.statnews.com/staff/lev-facher/
Surreal to read the words of the late Sharon Begley in STAT's obituary of James Watson, whom she describes as legend of science but also a man whose "public and unrepentant racism and sexism ... made him a pariah in life and poisoned his legacy in death"
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Surreal to read the words of the late Sharon Begley in STAT's obituary of James Watson, whom she describes as legend of science but also a man whose "public and unrepentant racism and sexism ... made him a pariah in life and poisoned his legacy in death"
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/j...
Reposted by Lev Facher
Goodbye, SAMHSA?
After the Trump administration's latest layoffs at the federal agency for mental health and addiction treatment, the agency is in shambles.
On the sacking of SAMHSA and what it means for the country's behavioral health, w/ @levfacher.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/s...
After the Trump administration's latest layoffs at the federal agency for mental health and addiction treatment, the agency is in shambles.
On the sacking of SAMHSA and what it means for the country's behavioral health, w/ @levfacher.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/s...
Trump cuts have decimated the federal addiction and mental health agency
The Trump administration has dismantled big chunks of the federal agency focused on mental health and addiction treatment, reducing its staff by more than half
www.statnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Goodbye, SAMHSA?
After the Trump administration's latest layoffs at the federal agency for mental health and addiction treatment, the agency is in shambles.
On the sacking of SAMHSA and what it means for the country's behavioral health, w/ @levfacher.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/s...
After the Trump administration's latest layoffs at the federal agency for mental health and addiction treatment, the agency is in shambles.
On the sacking of SAMHSA and what it means for the country's behavioral health, w/ @levfacher.bsky.social www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/s...
Major news in opioid crisis world: Indivior will no longer promote its controversial overdose-reversal medication Opvee, following lagging sales and outcry from harm reduction groups that it unnecessarily sent OD victims into agonizing withdrawal
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/n...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/n...
Indivior to stop marketing Opvee, controversial overdose-reversal medication
Exclusive: Indivior is halting Opvee promotion after a New York settlement. Critics say the overdose drug is overpriced, risky, and no safer than widely used naloxone.
www.statnews.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Major news in opioid crisis world: Indivior will no longer promote its controversial overdose-reversal medication Opvee, following lagging sales and outcry from harm reduction groups that it unnecessarily sent OD victims into agonizing withdrawal
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/n...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/n...
Reposted by Lev Facher
Sara Carter, formerly of Fox News, argues her firsthand reporting experience qualifies her for a leading role combating drug trafficking and the overdose crisis.
www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/s...
Sara Carter, former Fox News journalist, defends qualifications to serve as ‘drug czar’
Sara Carter, formerly of Fox News, argues her firsthand reporting experience qualifies her for a leading role combating drug trafficking and the overdose crisis.
www.statnews.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Sara Carter, formerly of Fox News, argues her firsthand reporting experience qualifies her for a leading role combating drug trafficking and the overdose crisis.
www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/s...
Inside RFK's stunning ouster of Susan Monarez as CDC director, via @danielpayne.bsky.social
Inside the CDC director's ouster: Kennedy demanded acceptance of new vaccine policies; Susan Monarez refused
Susan Monarez’s resistance to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s moves to assert control over vaccine guidance is at the center of her dismissal as CDC director
www.statnews.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Inside RFK's stunning ouster of Susan Monarez as CDC director, via @danielpayne.bsky.social
Reposted by Lev Facher
MAHA turned 1 over the weekend, and it's hard to believe it's only been one year since Kennedy endorsed Trump and kickstarted this movement.
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
As MAHA turns 1, a fired-up movement is still figuring out how to fulfill its promises
"That is so brilliant. Why didn’t we think of this before?" As MAHA turns 1, STAT examines the growth of the movement and takes stock of its challenges.
www.statnews.com
August 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
MAHA turned 1 over the weekend, and it's hard to believe it's only been one year since Kennedy endorsed Trump and kickstarted this movement.
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
The FDA is requiring opioid manufacturers to rewrite drug warning labels to stress the risks of long-term opioid use:
www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/f...
FDA to stress opioids’ risk of overdose, death in new medication safety labels
The FDA will soon require prescription opioid manufacturers to include stronger language on the medications’ labels warning of the risk of overdose and death.
www.statnews.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The FDA is requiring opioid manufacturers to rewrite drug warning labels to stress the risks of long-term opioid use:
www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/f...
www.statnews.com/2025/08/01/f...
Incredible reporting from my @statnews.com colleague
@lizzylawrence.bsky.social on the ouster of Vinay Prasad from the FDA:
www.statnews.com/2025/07/30/v...
@lizzylawrence.bsky.social on the ouster of Vinay Prasad from the FDA:
www.statnews.com/2025/07/30/v...
Inside the fall of Vinay Prasad at the FDA
Prasad's departure followed a campaign by a right-wing activist and a controversy over a rare disease drug.
www.statnews.com
July 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Incredible reporting from my @statnews.com colleague
@lizzylawrence.bsky.social on the ouster of Vinay Prasad from the FDA:
www.statnews.com/2025/07/30/v...
@lizzylawrence.bsky.social on the ouster of Vinay Prasad from the FDA:
www.statnews.com/2025/07/30/v...
Exclusive: Trump's nominee to serve as HHS general counsel has sponsored legislation that would ban methadone clinics outright.
Mike Stuart, a W.V. state lawmaker, has also advocated for banning syringe exchange.
(West Virginia's drug death rate is significantly higher than any other state)
Mike Stuart, a W.V. state lawmaker, has also advocated for banning syringe exchange.
(West Virginia's drug death rate is significantly higher than any other state)
Trump nominee for top HHS post pushed to ban methadone treatment
HHS general counsel nominee Mike Stuart’s position on methadone puts him far outside the mainstream in American politics.
www.statnews.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Exclusive: Trump's nominee to serve as HHS general counsel has sponsored legislation that would ban methadone clinics outright.
Mike Stuart, a W.V. state lawmaker, has also advocated for banning syringe exchange.
(West Virginia's drug death rate is significantly higher than any other state)
Mike Stuart, a W.V. state lawmaker, has also advocated for banning syringe exchange.
(West Virginia's drug death rate is significantly higher than any other state)
Reposted by Lev Facher
The FDA is recommending the DEA crack down on 7-OH, a psychoactive compound derived from the kratom plant. w/ @levfacher.bsky.social:
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/7...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/7...
Trump administration moves to ban concentrated 7-OH, kratom-related synthetic
“We’re not targeting the kratom leaf or ground-up kratom,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.
www.statnews.com
July 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The FDA is recommending the DEA crack down on 7-OH, a psychoactive compound derived from the kratom plant. w/ @levfacher.bsky.social:
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/7...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/29/7...
New for @statnews.com: Trump's executive order takes direct aim at supervised consumption sites like OnPoint NYC and harm reduction more broadly
www.statnews.com/2025/07/25/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/25/t...
Trump targets supervised consumption of drugs and harm reduction in executive order
President Trump is threatening to withhold funds from supervised drug consumption sites and potentially pursue criminal penalties against them.
www.statnews.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
New for @statnews.com: Trump's executive order takes direct aim at supervised consumption sites like OnPoint NYC and harm reduction more broadly
www.statnews.com/2025/07/25/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/25/t...
New: Inside the elite Pennsylvania rehab facility aggressively prescribing GLP-1s, normally used for weight loss, as medications to treat addiction
“I truly think these medications work because obesity is an addiction to food.”
www.statnews.com/2025/07/14/g...
“I truly think these medications work because obesity is an addiction to food.”
www.statnews.com/2025/07/14/g...
Ozempic for addiction: How an elite rehab center is using GLP-1s to 'obliterate' all kinds of cravings
Pointing to Ozempic as a paradigm shift, an elite rehab center is experimenting with GLP-1s to tame many forms of addiction.
www.statnews.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
New: Inside the elite Pennsylvania rehab facility aggressively prescribing GLP-1s, normally used for weight loss, as medications to treat addiction
“I truly think these medications work because obesity is an addiction to food.”
www.statnews.com/2025/07/14/g...
“I truly think these medications work because obesity is an addiction to food.”
www.statnews.com/2025/07/14/g...
Reposted by Lev Facher
Yesterday, we dove into all the data on chronic disease in the U.S. So, what can actually make a dent in it?
Here are 3 big ideas: www.statnews.com/2025/05/21/r...
Here are 3 big ideas: www.statnews.com/2025/05/21/r...
Three big ideas to actually ‘Make America Healthy Again’
STAT reviewed dozens of studies, interviewed chronic disease experts, and landed on three focus areas for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to boost health.
www.statnews.com
May 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Yesterday, we dove into all the data on chronic disease in the U.S. So, what can actually make a dent in it?
Here are 3 big ideas: www.statnews.com/2025/05/21/r...
Here are 3 big ideas: www.statnews.com/2025/05/21/r...
Bluesky addiction medicine/recovery folks: Seeking perspectives from people who've used GLP-1s, either for weight management/diabetes or for addiction treatment itself, and have found the medications impacted their cravings, use patterns, etc. — please email me at [email protected]!
May 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Bluesky addiction medicine/recovery folks: Seeking perspectives from people who've used GLP-1s, either for weight management/diabetes or for addiction treatment itself, and have found the medications impacted their cravings, use patterns, etc. — please email me at [email protected]!
New: CDC data released today shows a 27% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to the year prior, as fentanyl deaths plummet but deaths involving stimulants like meth and cocaine increase
www.statnews.com/2025/05/14/d...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/14/d...
Drug overdose deaths fell sharply in 2024, as fentanyl cases dropped but meth spiked
U.S. drug overdose deaths fell 27% in 2024, the lowest since 2019, with fentanyl cases sharply down but methamphetamine up, the CDC reports.
www.statnews.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
New: CDC data released today shows a 27% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to the year prior, as fentanyl deaths plummet but deaths involving stimulants like meth and cocaine increase
www.statnews.com/2025/05/14/d...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/14/d...
MAHA leader Casey Means is the new nominee to serve as U.S. Surgeon General, via @isabellacueto.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/t...
Trump nominates Casey Means, entrepreneurial doctor and MAHA leader, for surgeon general
Means, a doctor, entrepreneur and MAHA influencer, is nominated to be next U.S. Surgeon General. Her brother is already advising Kennedy.
www.statnews.com
May 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM
MAHA leader Casey Means is the new nominee to serve as U.S. Surgeon General, via @isabellacueto.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/t...
New: Pam Bondi's exaggerated remarks on fentanyl interdiction in Trump's first 100 days "saving 258 million lives" are rooted in a long history of squishy law enforcement claims about drug busts
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/p...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/p...
Did Trump’s fentanyl seizures save 258 million lives? Gross exaggeration, experts say
Attorney General Pam Bondi's claim that fentanyl seizures saved 258 million lives follows a long line of dubious claims from law enforcement officials.
www.statnews.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
New: Pam Bondi's exaggerated remarks on fentanyl interdiction in Trump's first 100 days "saving 258 million lives" are rooted in a long history of squishy law enforcement claims about drug busts
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/p...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/07/p...
New: How medetomidine, a sedative commonly used in hospital and veterinary settings, is rapidly replacing xylazine in the drug supply — complicating overdose reversals and leaving users in excruciating, "life-threatening" withdrawal
www.statnews.com/2025/05/01/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/01/m...
Sedative 'dex' is replacing 'tranq' in illegal drug supply and causing excruciating withdrawal
Medetomidine, or dex, is emerging as a dangerous xylazine replacement in illicit fentanyl, complicating overdose response and posing severe withdrawal risks.
www.statnews.com
May 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
New: How medetomidine, a sedative commonly used in hospital and veterinary settings, is rapidly replacing xylazine in the drug supply — complicating overdose reversals and leaving users in excruciating, "life-threatening" withdrawal
www.statnews.com/2025/05/01/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/01/m...
President Trump's first 100 days of downsizing, dismantling, and derailing much of the American scientific enterprise — remarkable reporting from my STAT colleagues
www.statnews.com/2025/04/25/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/25/t...
Trump’s first 100 days, seen through 5 lives: Grants terminated. Dreams crushed. Futures in the balance
STAT spoke with people living through the historic disruptions threatening the future of biomedical research in the U.S. These are their stories
www.statnews.com
April 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
President Trump's first 100 days of downsizing, dismantling, and derailing much of the American scientific enterprise — remarkable reporting from my STAT colleagues
www.statnews.com/2025/04/25/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/25/t...
New from Nashville: RFK navigates protests, jeers at Rx Summit, where he stuck to his personal story and didn't stray into politics or any ongoing HHS controversy
www.statnews.com/2025/04/24/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/24/r...
RFK Jr. faces mixed reception, unruly crowd at major addiction conference
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at a large meeting of addiction experts, encountering both cheers and repeated protests.
www.statnews.com
April 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
New from Nashville: RFK navigates protests, jeers at Rx Summit, where he stuck to his personal story and didn't stray into politics or any ongoing HHS controversy
www.statnews.com/2025/04/24/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/24/r...
New: A federal judge has given the go-ahead to a class-action lawsuit targeting the Salvation Army's policy of denying spots in its rehab facilities to people who take methadone or buprenorphine — potentially a landmark case for access to addiction medications
www.statnews.com/2025/04/16/a...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/16/a...
Salvation Army faces class-action suit over denying addiction medications
The Salvation Army runs recovery housing but disallows addiction medicines like buprenorphine. A class-action suit could expand treatment access.
www.statnews.com
April 16, 2025 at 7:43 PM
New: A federal judge has given the go-ahead to a class-action lawsuit targeting the Salvation Army's policy of denying spots in its rehab facilities to people who take methadone or buprenorphine — potentially a landmark case for access to addiction medications
www.statnews.com/2025/04/16/a...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/16/a...
The Trump administration has been offering laid-off HHS leadership roles working for the Indian Health Service in Alaska, Montana, and Oklahoma, among other regions:
www.statnews.com/2025/04/01/h...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/01/h...
Laid off HHS leaders offered transfers to remote Indian Health Service regions
Some HHS officials who received layoff notices were offered the chance to instead transfer to the Indian Health Service.
www.statnews.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The Trump administration has been offering laid-off HHS leadership roles working for the Indian Health Service in Alaska, Montana, and Oklahoma, among other regions:
www.statnews.com/2025/04/01/h...
www.statnews.com/2025/04/01/h...
Meet Sara Carter, a former Fox News contributor and conservative journalist with close ties to Tom Homan — she will soon serve as the nation's top drug policy official
www.statnews.com/2025/03/28/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/03/28/t...
Trump chooses Fox News contributor Sara Carter as next drug czar
President Trump again turns to Fox News talent, nominating reporter Sara Carter as the next 'drug czar.'
www.statnews.com
March 28, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Meet Sara Carter, a former Fox News contributor and conservative journalist with close ties to Tom Homan — she will soon serve as the nation's top drug policy official
www.statnews.com/2025/03/28/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/03/28/t...
Scoop: The NIH has placed Tara Schwetz, a deputy director and the official largely responsible for the creation of ARPA-H, on administrative leave — the third senior leader to depart the agency in ~2 months
www.statnews.com/2025/03/26/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/03/26/t...
Tara Schwetz, who oversaw creation of ARPA-H, placed on leave by NIH
The NIH has placed deputy director Tara Schwetz on administrative leave, marking the third senior leader to depart the agency since the Trump administration took power roughly nine weeks ago.
www.statnews.com
March 26, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Scoop: The NIH has placed Tara Schwetz, a deputy director and the official largely responsible for the creation of ARPA-H, on administrative leave — the third senior leader to depart the agency in ~2 months
www.statnews.com/2025/03/26/t...
www.statnews.com/2025/03/26/t...
NIDA Director Nora Volkow says of Trump changes to NIH policies:
“They have increased my blood pressure and heart rate."
Goes on to question RFK's views on 12-step recovery but gives credit to law enforcement's role in fentanyl interdiction, lower deaths
www.statnews.com/2025/03/13/n...
“They have increased my blood pressure and heart rate."
Goes on to question RFK's views on 12-step recovery but gives credit to law enforcement's role in fentanyl interdiction, lower deaths
www.statnews.com/2025/03/13/n...
Top addiction researcher Nora Volkow on NIH cuts, optimism and the limits of RFK Jr.’s 12-step experience
In a Q&A, NIH addiction chief Nora Volkow speaks about RFK Jr.'s policy shake-ups, 12-step recovery limits, and why overdose deaths are falling.
www.statnews.com
March 13, 2025 at 3:44 PM
NIDA Director Nora Volkow says of Trump changes to NIH policies:
“They have increased my blood pressure and heart rate."
Goes on to question RFK's views on 12-step recovery but gives credit to law enforcement's role in fentanyl interdiction, lower deaths
www.statnews.com/2025/03/13/n...
“They have increased my blood pressure and heart rate."
Goes on to question RFK's views on 12-step recovery but gives credit to law enforcement's role in fentanyl interdiction, lower deaths
www.statnews.com/2025/03/13/n...