OPIOID

Is it possible to overdose on fentanyl just by touching it? Many health professionals say no, it’s not possible.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced how the state will use money from a settlement in the opioid epidemic.

A 45-year-old Lathrup Village doctor was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and unlawful controlled substance distribution.

FILE - This Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The city of Plymouth is notifying residents that its drug collection service will resume Monday, March 1. The service is intended to reduce the amount of unneeded medicine in residents’ homes, decrease prescription drug abuse, and keep drugs out of waterways. The city of Plymouth’s Drug Collection Unit site is open to the public, on the main floor of City Hall, Monday through Friday only between 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. If you have any questions regarding this program contact the Plymouth Police Department at 734-453-1234 ext.

PONTIAC, Mich. – The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities is taking its Narcan training curbside to combat the rise in overdose deaths. To help combat this issue, the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities pivoted to provide virtual Narcan training and starting Friday, it is also offering drive up training. Every Friday from now until April 2, the Alliance will be conducting free drive-up/drive-thru Narcan training from noon to 2 p.m. at different host locations. In less than 10 minutes, participants will receive one-on-one training on the proper administration of intra-nasal Narcan. Each person participating will need to fill out a short survey in order to receive the Narcan during this event.

They believe the three taken into custody are the leaders of a ring selling cocaine laced with fentanyl that has killed three people in Warren. Jermaine Tate, 38, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Nathaniel Clark, 32, as been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Terry Jamal Gaskins, 34, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Authorities said they’ve been distributing cocaine laced with fentanyl, cut down to make a larger profit.

WARREN, Mich. – An investigation into a large-scale group alleged to be manufacturing and distributing fentanyl across Metro Detroit culminated in the arrests of three people. (Stopping Narcotic Overdoses in Warren) began investigating in November after the death of a 47-year-old resident. Jermaine Tate, 38, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Nathaniel Clark, 32, as been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Terry Jamal Gaskins, 34, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has received $80 million in federal funding to respond to the ongoing opioid crisis. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Opioids Task Force made the announcement Monday. READ: Survey: Opioid misuse decreases, serious mental illness increases among AmericansThe funding includes $36.4 million from the new State Opioid Response II (SOR II) grant and $43.1 million from an extension of the current State Opioid Response I (SOR I) grant. “The opioid epidemic has devastated families across Michigan, and we must continue to do everything we can to end it. “I will continue working closely with Dr. Joneigh Khaldun and members of the Michigan Opioids Task Force to keep Michiganders safe.”The SOR II grant begins Sept. 30 and continues for two years.

WASHINGTON – Law enforcement officials arrested 179 people and seized more than $6.5 million in a worldwide crackdown on opioid trafficking on the darknet, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday. As part of the initiative, law enforcement officials seized over $6.5 million in cash and virtual currency, in addition to 500 kilograms of drugs, the Justice Department said. About 275 kilograms of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and other opioids, had been seized in the U.S. The Justice Department said its investigation was ongoing and investigators were still working to identify other individuals behind darknet accounts. Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said the takedown showed “there will be no safe haven for drug dealing in cyberspace.”More: National news

DETROIT The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) is holding a free Narcan giveway on Monday. Naloxone, or Narcan, rapidly reverses the effects of an overdose. The free distribution is part of International Overdose Awareness Day. The free drive-thru event runs from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 707 West Milwaukee, Detroit Parking Lots A & B. Distributing free Narcan is just one more way for all of us to save lives.READ: More coverage

LANSING, Mich. – The State of Michigan filed a landmark lawsuit against opioid distributors, likening them to drug dealers. Four distributors are named in the lawsuit, including Walgreens, Cardinal Health Inc., McKesson Corporation and Amerisource-Bergen Drug Corporation. When Michigan passed the Drug Dealer Liability Act in 1994, lawmakers likely didn’t think it would apply to drug companies. WATCH: Whitmer, Nessel announce plan to combat opioid epidemic in MichiganNessel filed the lawsuit in Wayne County, which her office considers ground zero in the opioid crisis in Michigan. The money from the lawsuit is expected to go into programs that help opioid victims and to police and prosecutor’s offices that can’t afford an opioid unit.