A MassLive reporter who spent months investigating the scourge of pill press machines used to mass produce illicit drugs in Massachusetts and beyond has won a prestigious pair of awards for her work.

Statewide enterprise reporter Hadley Barndollar visited neighborhoods, spoke with victims of drug overdoses, combed through court records and did a ride along on a controlled drug buy with law enforcement officials.

Legislators took notice over pill presses, which remain legal to purchase and largely unregulated, and her work spurred action.

As part of the 2024 series, MassLive purchased a pill press machine from overseas to show how easy it is to obtain one.

The series won a Publick Occurrences award from the New England Newspaper and Press Association, as well as first place in t

See Full Page