All articles tagged with #drug epidemic
Journalists with long-term experience in D.C. reflect on the city's crime history, highlighting a period in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the crack cocaine epidemic led to a surge in homicides, contrasting it with the current decline in violent crime rates and ongoing concerns about safety.
The CDC has issued a warning about carfentanil, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which has caused a significant spike in overdose deaths, rising over 700% in the past year. Carfentanil, often mixed with other drugs, poses a high risk of fatal overdoses even in small amounts. The CDC calls for rigorous monitoring and prevention efforts, emphasizing the need for education and open communication to protect against the dangers of synthetic opioids.
Jury selection for Hunter Biden's federal gun charges trial in Delaware has highlighted the widespread impact of the US drug epidemic, with many potential jurors sharing personal stories of addiction affecting their families and friends. The trial will focus on Biden's past crack cocaine use and whether he lied about his drug habits when purchasing a gun in 2018.
A new street drug called medetomidine, an animal tranquilizer 100 times stronger than xylazine, is causing overdose deaths in nine U.S. states. Often found mixed with fentanyl and heroin, medetomidine leads to severe sedation and slowed heart rate, and is not reversible with Narcan. The drug is exacerbating the drug crisis in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Experts emphasize the importance of calling 911 and providing rescue breathing during overdoses, while urging against dehumanizing those affected.
Baltimore is experiencing an unprecedented overdose crisis, with nearly 6,000 deaths over the past six years, driven largely by the synthetic opioid fentanyl. The city's fatal overdose rate from 2018 to 2022 was nearly double that of any other large U.S. city. Despite once having an aggressive overdose prevention strategy, efforts have stalled as officials focused on other crises. The number of Medicaid patients receiving medication to control opioid cravings has also dropped, exacerbating the situation.
Baltimore has become the U.S. overdose capital, with nearly 6,000 deaths in six years, primarily due to fentanyl. Despite initial successful interventions, efforts stalled as city leaders focused on other crises, leading to a quadrupling of the fatal overdose rate since 2013.
In Sierra Leone, the synthetic drug kush, a potent and unpredictable form of synthetic cannabinoid, has become widespread, particularly among unemployed youth seeking an escape from poverty. The drug, often cut with harmful additives, is easily accessible and cheap, leading to devastating consequences such as addiction, health issues, and social disintegration. The country's limited resources and infrastructure for drug enforcement and rehabilitation are struggling to address the crisis, with concerns that the epidemic may spread to neighboring countries.
Robert De Niro opens up about the tragic death of his grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, who died from an accidental overdose at the age of 19. The suspected dealer, Sofia Marks, was arrested and federally charged with drug distribution, and the medical examiner confirmed that Rodriguez died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and other substances. This tragedy sheds light on the ongoing drug epidemic, with the number of drug overdose deaths in 2021 being more than six times higher than in 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
A new drug called kush, wreaking havoc in West Africa, is believed to contain a mixture of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, and possibly ground human bones. It is causing deaths and hospitalizations, with users experiencing dangerous effects such as falling asleep while walking and walking into traffic. The drug is mixed by criminal gangs and is affordable, leading to addiction and criminal activity to finance the next dose. This drug epidemic highlights the need for an integrated forensic healthcare system and public health and employment programs to address the issue.
San Francisco has reached a one-year record for overdose deaths, with 752 people dying from drug overdoses between January and November 2021. Over 81% of these deaths involved fentanyl, while methamphetamine and cocaine were also significant contributors. The city is now monitoring wastewater as part of efforts to combat the overdose epidemic. The news comes as an Oregon task force issued recommendations to address drug use, including declaring a "fentanyl emergency" and criminalizing public drug use.
Overdose deaths in the United States have continued to rise, with a 2.3 percent increase in the 12-month period from July 2022 to July 2023. Some states experienced a surge in overdoses by more than 40 percent, driven by the spread of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The true toll is likely higher due to delays in reporting data, putting the US on track to record the deadliest year ever. A deadly drug called 'tranq' mixed with fentanyl has been described as the deadliest threat the country has ever faced. The survey found that two-thirds of adults reported either they or a family member suffer from addiction, and nearly 10 percent of people over 18 years old said they had lost a relative or friend to an overdose.
Xylazine, a potent tranquilizer used in veterinary medicine, is being found in drug samples in Berkshire County at a rate almost double the state average. Users often unknowingly take it in combination with other drugs, particularly fentanyl, which can have a dangerous and potentially deadly effect on the central nervous system. The presence of xylazine in drugs is causing open wounds and complicating treatment options for those in recovery. The prevalence of xylazine in Western Massachusetts is likely due to its location along major drug transportation routes. Researchers are still learning about the long-lasting and scarring effects of xylazine on the human body.
Quincy police in Massachusetts issued a warning after four confirmed overdoses occurred within a 24-hour period over the weekend. While none of the cases were fatal, the police advisory highlighted the dangers of drugs mixed with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly stronger than heroin and morphine. The police are unsure if the narcotics came from a single source and are analyzing the seized drugs. The advisory also mentioned the increasing prevalence of fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl, with a 20% increase in potentially lethal doses in 2022 compared to the previous year. Quincy police have discovered a sedative called Xylazine mixed with fentanyl, leading to a rise in overdoses and deaths. The combination of fentanyl and Xylazine makes overdoses more difficult to reverse with Narcan. The police also warned about the use of pill presses to disguise dangerous substances as prescription medications, posing a significant risk to minors and young people. Quincy police are committed to combating the opioid epidemic through enforcement and education efforts, urging parents to discuss the dangers of opioids and unregulated pills with their children.
An airline passenger, Drew Ashley, who helped save a man from a fentanyl overdose during a Southwest Airlines flight, is calling for Narcan, a nasal spray that treats overdoses, to be made available on all planes. Ashley, along with his father and two other passengers who were nurses, tended to the man for 45 minutes until the plane made an emergency landing. Despite their efforts, there was no Narcan on the plane. Ashley believes that having Narcan accessible in the air could save lives and is advocating for its inclusion on flights. The incident highlights the need for increased awareness and availability of life-saving techniques and knowledge in the face of the ongoing drug epidemic.
Hundreds of employees at the Department of Health and Human Services in San Francisco have been instructed to work remotely due to the high levels of crime in the area surrounding their office. The recommendation was made in light of drug dealing activities near the Federal Building, where the office is located. San Francisco has been grappling with a drug epidemic and homelessness crisis, prompting concerns about public safety.