Often falling on Easter Sunday, the witches’ Sabbath is an old Swedish superstition from the 16th and 17th centuries where witches were said to commune with Satan in Blåkulla, a place where everything is reversed. On Easter Sunday, Swedish youth used to dress up as witches to convince people that a real witches’ Sabbath was occurring. They would cross-dress and play tricks like knocking over wagons and pouring ash down chimneys. The tradition survives today in a different form; young girls wear aprons and visit family during Easter Sunday. 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
