Is there a moral benefit in selling weapons to warring countries for influence? Britain claims that by selling weapons to Saudi Arabia, they’re accomplishing two things: 1) gaining influence over the Saudis to comply with humanitarian law and 2) preventing more morally corrupt states from filling the void and exerting their influence. However, the good they perceive to be doing is thought to vastly outweigh the consequences, including undermining international norms against arming aggressive regimes. 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
