Tag

Synthetic Drugs

All articles tagged with #synthetic drugs

health-and-safety2 days ago•12 min saved

Synthetic Drug Boom Shifts US Crisis from Opioids to Stimulants and Jail Intrusions

A new wave of homemade synthetic drugs is reshaping the US overdose crisis. While fatal opioid deaths have dropped from 110,000 in 2022 to 70,000 last year, the threat has shifted to stimulants like crack cocaine laced with fentanyl and other synthetics. In Columbus, Ohio, 78% of fatal overdoses in Franklin County involve stimulants. In Chicago, Cook County Jail saw a spike in deaths from synthetic cannabinoids soaked in paper, leading to new moisture scanning protocols. Experts warn that these basement-made drugs are more dangerous and harder to reverse with naloxone.

via BBC|

#cook-county-jail #fentanyl #health-and-safety

world9 months ago•3 min saved

Europe’s Largest-Ever Synthetic-Drug Ring Busted in Cross-Border Crackdown

European police led a cross-border operation across Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain that dismantled 24 industrial-scale labs and seized about 1,000 tons of chemical precursors used to make MDMA, amphetamine and meth; more than 85 people were arrested, including two ringleaders from Poland, in what Europol called the largest-ever crackdown on synthetic-drug production, aimed at disrupting the supply chain and reducing violence, corruption and environmental damage linked to trafficking.

via CBS News|

#europol #labs #mdma

world9 months ago•3 min saved

Europe's biggest synthetic-drug crackdown nets 1,000 tonnes of chemicals, 24 labs shut

European police say they dismantled 24 labs and seized around 1,000 tonnes of chemicals used to make MDMA, amphetamine and meth in what Europol calls the largest-ever operation against synthetic drug production; the year-long crackdown across Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain led to 85+ arrests, with investigations tracing reagents to China and India and highlighting the environmental threat from toxic waste.

via Euronews.com|

#cross-border-crime #europol #lab-raids

health1 year ago•2 min saved

LA County warns after multiple fatal overdoses linked to synthetic kratom and supplements

LA County health officials issued a warning after three fatal overdoses linked to a synthetic kratom compound called 7-Hydroxymitragynine, which is unregulated and marketed as a remedy for pain and anxiety. The deaths involved otherwise healthy individuals and were associated with the presence of alcohol. Authorities warn about the dangers of high doses and unregulated products containing 7-OH, which can have stimulant or opioid-like effects and pose a significant overdose risk.

via cbsnews.com|

#7-hydroxymitragynine #health #kratom

public-health2 years ago•1 min saved

Animal Tranquilizer in Street Drugs Sparks Public Health Alert

A new synthetic drug, medetomidine, a dog tranquilizer, has been detected in Syracuse's street drug supply, mixed with fentanyl for a more dangerous high. This follows a recent alert for carfentanil in the area. Medetomidine, which has a significant impact on the central nervous system, has caused two non-fatal overdoses in Syracuse and has been found in other major cities. Unlike opioid overdoses, the effects of medetomidine are not reversible with Narcan.

via syracuse.com|

#fentanyl #medetomidine #overdose

health-and-society2 years ago•7 min saved

"Synthetic Drug 'Kush' Devastates Sierra Leone's Youth"

In Sierra Leone, the synthetic drug kush is devastating the youth, leading to severe addiction and limited healthcare services. Community volunteers in Freetown have set up an unconventional rehabilitation center, sometimes using extreme measures like chaining to prevent escape. President Julius Maada Bio has declared a state of emergency and launched a task force to combat the epidemic. The crisis has led to significant social and health issues, with families and communities struggling to cope.

via The Associated Press|

#addiction #health-and-society #rehabilitation

health-and-society2 years ago•5 min saved

"Synthetic Drug Crisis Devastates Sierra Leone Youth"

In Sierra Leone, a synthetic drug called kush is devastating the youth, leading to severe addiction and health issues. With limited healthcare services, communities have resorted to extreme measures, including chaining addicts, to combat the crisis. The government has declared a war on kush, but the drug's changing composition and widespread availability complicate efforts. Community volunteers and organizations are stepping in to provide makeshift rehabilitation, but the situation remains dire, affecting families and the nation's future workforce.

via Yahoo! Voices|

#addiction #community-intervention #health-and-society

international-relations2 years ago•1 min saved

Biden and Xi to Sign Historic Deal Curbing Fentanyl Export

President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to announce an agreement to crack down on the manufacture and export of fentanyl, the leading cause of synthetic drug-related deaths in the US. China will target chemical companies involved in fentanyl production, while the US will lift restrictions on China's forensic police institute. The announcement is scheduled for Wednesday during their meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. This marks their first encounter in a year, amid tensions over trade, sanctions, and the status of Taiwan.

via The Guardian|

#biden #china #fentanyl

health2 years ago•6 min saved

The allure of natural remedies: debunking the hype

People have a strong preference for natural remedies, believing them to be safer and better than synthetic drugs. This "natural preference" bias is particularly heightened when treating psychological conditions compared to physical ones. A recent study suggests that people are concerned about synthetic drugs altering their "true self", leading them to gravitate towards natural remedies. However, this bias is not always based on objective measures, and natural does not always equate to safer or better. The consequences of this bias can be significant, as it may lead people to avoid necessary medications. It is important to consider the true meaning and value of naturalness in healthcare decisions.

via The Guardian|

#bias #health #natural-remedies

law-enforcement3 years ago•3 min saved

US Government Unveils Strategy to Target Legal Goods Linked to Illegal Fentanyl Trade

The U.S. government has unveiled a new strategy to target legal goods associated with the illegal fentanyl trade in an effort to combat the ongoing overdose crisis. The plan involves collaboration between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the postal service, logistic companies, and other agencies to share information and disrupt the supply chain of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. Legal goods such as molds, presses, and chemicals used in fentanyl production will be targeted. The strategy will initially focus on the San Diego corridor and expand to other cities. The Biden administration has also recently announced indictments and sanctions against Chinese companies involved in importing precursor chemicals for synthetic opioids. Fentanyl, the deadliest drug in the U.S., is primarily sourced from Mexico and China, with China being the main supplier of precursor chemicals.

via ABC News|

#customs-and-border-protection #drug-trafficking #fentanyl

crime3 years ago•2 min saved

Cracking Down: US Targets Chinese Fentanyl Supply Chain

The U.S. has charged eight Chinese companies and 12 executives with supplying precursor chemicals for the illegal production of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. This is the second set of indictments by the Biden administration accusing Chinese companies of fueling the U.S. overdose epidemic. Undercover agents ordered chemicals from online sellers in China who used deceptive delivery methods to avoid detection. The fentanyl crisis has become the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history, with most deaths linked to the synthetic opioid. U.S. officials are seeking anti-narcotics cooperation with Mexico, as the flow of fentanyl across the southern border continues to increase.

via The Washington Post|

#china #crime #drug-trafficking

health3 years ago•6 min saved

The Rise of 'Poor Man's Cocaine' in the U.S.: A Looming Drug Crisis?

As the opioid crisis shows signs of slowing down, experts warn of a potential new wave of an emerging stimulant crisis in the US. Overdoses involving both stimulants and fentanyl have increased dramatically in recent years, indicating a shift in substance abuse patterns. Methamphetamine and cocaine are the primary stimulant drugs of concern, with methamphetamine-related overdose deaths nearly tripling from 2015 to 2019. Synthetic drugs, created in labs to mimic the effects of naturally occurring drugs, pose a significant threat. Counterfeit drugs like Captagon, known as "poor man's cocaine," are already popular in the Middle East and could potentially gain traction in the US. To address this looming crisis, improved data collection, monitoring, and collaboration across public health and law enforcement organizations are crucial.

via Undark Magazine|

#captagon #drug-crisis #health

health-and-science3 years ago•5 min saved

Breakthrough Portable Device Detects Spice and Illegal Drugs Instantly

Scientists at the University of Bath have developed a pocket-sized device that can instantly detect the presence of the synthetic drug Spice, also known as 'fake weed'. The device, which detects Spice with 95% accuracy, works by detecting the fluorescent properties of the synthetic cannabinoid molecule. It lights up in the presence of the illegal substance if it's been soaked into paper or fabric, making it useful for detecting smuggling attempts in prisons. The device is expected to be distributed to police officers and prison guards in the near future, and with further engineering, it could potentially detect all types of synthetic drugs.

via Daily Mail|

#drug-detection #health-and-science #public-safety

health3 years ago•2 min saved

Harrisburg Faces Deadly Overdose Crisis: 18 Cases, 4 Fatalities

At least 18 overdoses, including four deaths, have been linked to crack cocaine and synthetic drugs laced with fentanyl in Harrisburg. The overdoses occurred within a span of 12 hours, with victims mistakenly ingesting fentanyl instead of the expected substances. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that can cause muscle rigidity and difficulty breathing. Treatment and recovery professionals are distributing Narcan, an overdose-reversal medication, to those in need. Authorities are urging caution and offering resources for individuals seeking help for substance use disorder.

via PennLive|

#fentanyl #harrisburg #health

health3 years ago•2 min saved

Israeli Health Ministry warns of dangerous drugs in vapes.

E-cigarettes sold in Israel may contain dangerous synthetic drugs called ADB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-Pinaca, both part of the "Nice Guy" family of synthetic drugs, as well as THC. These substances are illegal, highly dangerous, powerful, and addictive and have caused deaths and hospitalizations around the world. The Israeli Health Ministry has issued a warning about the dangers of vaping and is asking anyone who has identified such products, purchased them, or been harmed by their use to contact its department for enforcement and supervision. The Israel Cancer Association has also launched a media campaign against vaping.

via The Jerusalem Post|

#e-cigarettes #health #israel-health-ministry