Simple solutions are rarely simple; just look at the popular adage of how giving a man a fish feeds him today while teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime. We’ll understand it better if we take it literally. Learning how to fish has huge barriers to entry. To learn how to fish, a person needs their own rod, bait, a means to get to water, a boat, and a fishing licence. If a solution sounds too simple, question it rather than taking it at face value. 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
