Recent reporting from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlighted growing concern about kratom-related harms in southwestern Pennsylvania. The article reported that mitragynine was involved in 24 deaths in Westmoreland County since 2019 and appeared in 15 Allegheny County cases from 2024 to the present, including two known Allegheny County deaths attributed to mitragynine alone. The reporting comes as Pennsylvania lawmakers consider proposals to regulate […]
IRETA Presents OSPRI Workshop at National Opioid Settlement Conference
IRETA Executive Director, Dr. Eric Hulsey, recently presented at the National Opioid Settlement Conference, held June 17–19, 2026, in Denver, Colorado. The conference brought together leaders from across the country who are responsible for managing and implementing opioid settlement funding in their states and communities. On June 18, Dr. Hulsey co-presented the workshop, “Making Settlement Funds Count: Using the […]
IRETA, Onala Partner With Pittsburgh Hotels to Support Recovery During 2026 NFL Draft
As Pittsburgh prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the 2026 NFL Draft, IRETA is proud to partner with Onala Recovery Center on an initiative that ensures recovery and public health are part of the city’s game plan. Large-scale events can be especially challenging for individuals in recovery or those struggling with substance […]
KFF Health News Covers Neuromodulation Devices and Opioid Settlement Spending
IRETA’s Executive Director was quoted in a recent article published by KFF Health News: “Maker of Device To Treat Addiction Withdrawal Seeks Counties’ Opioid Settlement Cash”. The article explores the rapid consumption of opioid settlement dollars by a manufacturer of a device designed to treat opioid withdrawal. The reporting also highlights questions raised by researchers […]
IRETA Congratulates Dr. Peter F. Luongo on Receiving the James H. Tharp Award
We are proud to share that Peter F. Luongo, Ph.D, former Executive Director of IRETA, has been selected to receive the 2025 James H. Tharp Award from the James H. Tharp Charitable Trust. Dr. Luongo was nominated for the award by the American Society of Addiction Medicine. This annual trust award is given to the individual that has contributed most toward advancing research and […]
IRETA Presents Opioid Settlement Planning Tools at CCAP 2025
IRETA Executive Director Dr. Eric Hulsey presented at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) 2025 Annual Conference on Monday, November 24th. His session, “OSPRI: Opioid Settlement Principles Resource and Indicators,” introduced county leaders to practical tools for planning, evaluating, and strengthening opioid settlement investments. The presentation was part of CCAP’s efforts to support counties as they navigate evolving challenges. Dr. Hulsey […]
Local Methadone Clinic Closing
Many folks in the Pittsburgh region have recently learned about the closing of UPMC’s Narcotic Addiction Treatment Program at Western Behavioral Health. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the program will end operations by the end of the month, affecting patients currently receiving methadone maintenance treatment and other opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment services. Even with […]
IRETA provides public testimony before the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust
On September 4, 2025, the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust held its first public listening session, allowing members of the public to share testimony to members of the Trust. IRETA’s Executive Director, Dr. Eric Hulsey, registered for the session and provided testimony. In his remarks he noted his prior work across the country […]
Inside the 2025 Scaife Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders: How Future Physicians are Shaping Compassionate Care
For over 25 years, IRETA has hosted the Scaife Medical Student Fellowship in Substance Use Disorders, a three-week fellowship focusing on the many different facets of addiction and its treatment. This summer, IRETA welcomed two cohorts of medical students and one pharmacy student for the annual program. Over three intensive weeks in June and July […]
IRETA Welcomes Dr. Eric Hulsey as New Executive Director
IRETA is excited to announce the appointment of Eric Hulsey, DrPH as Executive Director effective July 1. Dr. Hulsey will be taking the reins from Peter Luongo, PhD, who is retiring from a long career in public health at the end of June. Dr. Hulsey comes to IRETA with over 20 years of experience in […]
