Tag: Drug Policy
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RCMP: No Evidence of Fentanyl-Laced Cannabis in Nova Scotia Illegal Markets Yet, Despite Premier’s Claim
Background: Premier’s Claim Sparks Debate The dispute hinges on a statement made by Nova Scotia’s premier during a recent press conference, asserting that fentanyl was discovered in illegal cannabis transactions within the province. The claim quickly sparked public concern about drug safety, the danger to consumers, and the credibility of the provincial government’s statements on…
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Nova Scotia RCMP says no fentanyl-laced cannabis found as premier cites warning
Context: Premier’s warning and a shifting narrative on illegal cannabis The Nova Scotia premier drew national attention last week with a stark warning: fentanyl could be present in illegal cannabis being sold by unauthorized retailers. The claim galvanized public concern about drug safety and the risks facing consumers who access cannabis outside regulated channels. In…
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Tracing the backstory behind the U.S. Caribbean drug policy
What NPR reveals about a policy pivot Journalists and policymakers have long tracked how the United States approaches drug trafficking in the Caribbean. A recent NPR examination highlights a pivotal moment: during a February Justice Department conference, then-acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove signaled a shift in the Trump administration’s stance on maritime interdiction. The…
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US Strikes Drug Boat Again in Eastern Pacific, Killing Three
U.S. Conducts Another Strike on Narcotics Vessel in the Eastern Pacific The U.S. military confirmed another strike against a vessel suspected of transporting illegal narcotics in the Eastern Pacific, marking the 21st such operation reported in recent weeks. The Sunday announcement from U.S. Southern Command described the Saturday action as part of ongoing efforts to…
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Health Canada Ignored Expert Advice on Expanding Safe Drug Access
Overview: A policy standoff at Health Canada Newly disclosed internal documents raise questions about Health Canada’s approach to the ongoing opioid crisis. The materials suggest that health policy experts advised expanding access to safe, regulated drugs as a tool to reduce overdoses and save lives, but senior officials chose a more cautious path. The revelations…
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Health Canada ignored experts on expanding safe opioid treatment
Overview: A policy clash at Health Canada New internal documents indicate that Health Canada faced pressure to broaden access to safe, regulated drugs for people who use opioids, yet senior officials reportedly did not implement or even seriously consider the expert recommendations. The controversy centers on how best to reduce overdose deaths, stabilize communities affected…
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Afghanistan Opium Cultivation Falls Sharply as Regional Trafficking Surges
Overview: a sharp drop in cultivation amid a broader drug landscape A new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows a significant contraction in opium cultivation within Afghanistan this year, with 10,200 hectares under cultivation, down from 12,800 hectares in 2024 and vastly lower than the country’s pre-ban peak of…
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Afghanistan Opium Cultivation Drops Sharply, Yet Trafficking Rises: UNODC Findings
Overview: A Surprising Shift in Afghanistan’s Opium Landscape New data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicates a significant shift in Afghanistan’s drug economy. This year, opium cultivation covered 10,200 hectares, a decline from 12,800 hectares in 2024 and dramatically smaller than the pre-ban peak of approximately 232,000 hectares. While the…
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Xylazine Crisis: The ‘Zombifying’ Drug Driving Overdoses and Severe Wounds in the US and UK
What is Xylazine and why is it spreading? Xylazine, a potent sedative originally developed for veterinary use, has surged onto the illicit drug scene in the US and the UK. Often nicknamed “tranq,” it is frequently mixed with fentanyl to intensify and prolong effects. This combination is not just a recipe for a stronger high;…
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DNA May Hold Key to Cannabis Use and Addiction Risk
New evidence connects DNA to how we relate to cannabis In one of the largest genetic studies of its kind, researchers have found that certain genes linked to cannabis use also connect to a range of mental health, cognitive, and physical traits. The work, conducted by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, in…