Absinthe has a terrible reputation; it’s believed to cause raging drunkenness, hallucinations, and death. Thujone, a chemical found in the wormwood used in absinthe brewing, was thought to be highly dangerous after a series of experiments by Valentin Magnan, where mice died and dogs barked at walls, leading to the ban on the green-tinged beverage. However, this was fuelled by fear and misinformation; Magnan used high concentrations of thujone in levels that absinthe couldn’t hope to reach.
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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
