“Someone will turn on you eventually. It’s a very toxic environment.” Many children who dream of playing their favourite sports professionally are finding themselves burnt out due to the toxic environment that permeates the club sports industry. Although children are placed on teams, the zero-sum game of club sports makes teammates feel more like potential rivals. There are limited scholarships to be divided among a growing number of players, so backstabbing and toxic rivalries inevitably arise, especially when kids get older. Read full article here
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
