Urology departments in England and Wales are facing increasing strain as ketamine-related hospital admissions have significantly increased in recent years. This rise in recreational ketamine use, particularly among young adults and teenagers, has led to a surge in patients suffering from bladder and urinary tract damage. Experts like Alison Downey and Nadir Osman report that admissions are pushing medical facilities to their limits, with cases often stemming from use during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Professionals like Prof Ian Pearce advocate for enhanced educational campaigns in schools and ongoing support for those seeking rehabilitation, as relapse rates are high.
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In Lakeland, Florida, a man fatally shot his wife, critically injured his stepdaughter, and then took his own life following an argument over the television channel. Jason Kenney, 47, and Crystal Kenney, 38, began arguing after she expressed a desire to change the channel from “Monday Night Football,” where Kenney had been drinking. The argument escalated, leading Kenney to shoot his wife and stepdaughter, while the couple’s baby was unharmed. The shooter then fled the scene, contacted his sister, and was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Law enforcement sources have revealed that Nick Reiner, son of the deceased Rob Reiner, has been arrested in connection with the deaths of his parents, who were found with stab wounds. The younger Reiner, 32, has a history of drug addiction, which greatly impacted the 2016 film “Being Charlie” co-written by Nick and directed by Rob, a film based on his experiences. Rob and Michele Singer Reiner openly discussed the struggles their son faced with addiction and how it influenced the movie’s development.
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In a Los Angeles federal court, Dr. Salvador Plasencia received a 2 1/2-year prison sentence, along with probation and a fine, for providing ketamine to Matthew Perry, ultimately contributing to the actor’s fatal overdose. The judge emphasized that while Plasencia did not directly cause Perry’s death, he exploited the actor’s addiction for profit, leading to the outcome. During the emotional hearing, Perry’s family gave victim impact statements, expressing their grief and highlighting the profound loss. Plasencia, who pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine, apologized to Perry’s family, as the judge pushed back against the defense that Perry was his patient, viewing him instead as a drug dealer.
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Internal documents and statements from Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat reveal that these social media giants were aware of the addictive nature of their platforms and the potential harm to teens, yet continued to target them. According to a newly unsealed legal filing, internal communications show executives acknowledging that the platforms’ designs could be harmful to users’ mental health, with one internal message comparing Instagram to a drug and another noting minors lack the executive function to control screen time. The lawsuit, brought by several school districts and individuals, alleges that the companies prioritized profit over user safety by deliberately designing features to maximize youth engagement and advertising revenue. While the companies deny the allegations, the filing raises questions about the effectiveness of safety features and their awareness of the platforms’ negative impact.
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Two senators are urging the Canadian government to ban all advertising for sports betting apps and websites, citing concerns about the pervasive nature of these ads and their impact on individuals of all ages. This call, supported by 40 other senators, stems from worries that the constant exposure to gambling messages, which can fill up to 21% of broadcast runtime during sports events, is influencing people to view their phones as “pocket-sized casinos.” While some measures have been taken, such as banning sports personalities in gambling ads, the senators believe further action is necessary, echoing the rationale behind banning cigarette ads due to the potential societal harm. While some officials agree with the need for regulations, they are also open to other options, such as an act respecting a national framework on sports betting advertising.
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‘Bluetoothing’: Blood-Sharing Drug Trend Fuels Alarming Global HIV Surge
So, let’s dive straight into this, shall we? This whole “bluetoothing” thing. It’s hard to even wrap your head around it. The basic idea is that people are injecting blood from other drug users, hoping to catch a buzz. Yeah, I know. It’s as wild as it sounds. Apparently, the term is taking off, and it’s got people worried, especially because of the potential for a surge in HIV infections.
The core issue here is the sheer lack of logic and potential for danger. Some people are saying the whole thing is overblown, that the doses involved are just too small to get any kind of high.… Continue reading
Jasveen Sangha, dubbed the “Ketamine Queen,” will plead guilty to federal drug charges related to Matthew Perry’s death, including distribution of ketamine resulting in death. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Sangha faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison for her involvement in supplying Perry with ketamine in the weeks leading up to his fatal overdose, along with other distribution charges. The plea agreement states that Sangha, alongside others, including Perry’s assistant and an acquaintance, provided Perry with ketamine, with the assistant administering the fatal injections. This case underscores the dangers of unsupervised ketamine use, as well as the tragic consequences of addiction.
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DEA chief says meth surge ‘frightens’ him, especially meth-laced pills targeting college-age adults, and honestly, it’s a scary headline. The idea of a flood of meth, especially when it’s cleverly disguised in pills that look like common prescription drugs, is unsettling, particularly when it’s aimed at young adults in college. This isn’t just about the individual users; it’s about the potential for widespread addiction, health crises, and the disruption of communities.
I have to admit, though, it’s hard to ignore the immediate reactions. It’s difficult not to question if this is a sudden priority shift. The fact that the DEA is sounding the alarm now, after so many years of the opioid crisis, the widespread over prescription of highly addictive pain medication, feels a bit… selective.… Continue reading
In 2023, the global cocaine market experienced unprecedented growth, with production, seizures, and user numbers reaching record highs. Production surged to 3,708 tonnes, fueled primarily by increased coca cultivation in Colombia, while seizures hit 2,275 tonnes. Cocaine use also expanded to 25 million users, reflecting a growing trend among affluent populations and contributing to a “vicious cycle” of production and consumption. The report also noted the rise of cocaine trafficking in new markets across Asia and Africa, as well as record seizures of amphetamine-type stimulants.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood