Thanks to predatory promises and seemingly false claims by the New York City government, thousands of taxi drivers are drowning in debt. To raise money, the city artificially inflated the value of taxi medallions — basically, operating permits — by over 500% and marketed them as a way to fund people’s futures. In truth, the medallions’ value plummeted from over a million to 80,000 USD, destroying the finances of those who bought it, even as they fight against Uber, Lyft, and the pandemic.
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Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
