Category Archives: Crime

Why is China refusing to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States?

written for Inspire Malibu

At the end of January 2019, officials at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection declared a seizure of fentanyl powder and pills – 254 pounds in total – the largest in history. It was enough of the deadly synthetic opioid to kill an estimated 100 million Americans. The haul came through Mexico, in a truck packed with cucumbers, but the fentanyl shipment began its journey in China. read more

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Battle Over Sex For Sale: Anti-trafficking advocates vs. sex-workers rights

By Josh DuBose

July 17, 2018

LOS ANGELES – Adult film performer Siouxsie Q. James’s style, a mash-up of the all-American pinup girl and classic dominatrix – call it Betty Boop turned Goth Mistress – stands in contrast to her effervescent personality and friendly laugh. She’s also dedicated to fighting for the rights of sex workers. read more

Addiction and Decriminalization: Portugal’s success in coping with an epidemic of opioid drug abuse

written for Inspire Malibu

It’s easy to forget that not every country in the world approaches issues of drug abuse and addiction as if it were a war. In fact, federal and state laws on illegal drug use in the United States seem uncompassionate at best and barbaric at worst, when compared to some other developed nations. read more

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Did Congress Collude with big Pharma to Keep Americans Addicted to Prescription Painkillers?

written for Inspire Malibu

October 25, 2017

The Trump Administration declared the crisis of opioid and heroin overdoses a national emergency in August this year. As it turns out, though, identifying an emergency doesn’t necessarily mean the government is quick to take any action. read more

Advances in Harm Reduction: Fentanyl Test Strips Might Prevent Heroin Overdoses

written for Inspire Malibu

As the nation comes to recognize drug abuse and addiction as a public health issue rather than a moral failing or lack of character that far too many people are incarcerated for, harm reduction strategies have leapt to the forefront. These tactics are taking on new forms and making advances that save lives. read more

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Pass the Talking Stick and Listen Closely: Restorative Justice in Los Angeles Unified Schools

By Josh DuBose

September 19, 2017

photo by navymailman

LOS ANGELES – “Restorative justice is a philosophy and a way of being in a school community,” says Deborah Brandy, director of district operations for Los Angeles Unified School District. In many ways, LAUSD, the largest district in California and the second largest in the country – behind the New York City school system – is leading the charge to change the way public schools approach discipline in the K-12 educational system. read more

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Opioid Crisis: Rx’s are down but use hasn’t declined

written for Inspire Malibu

August 2, 2017

There’s good news and bad news. The number of prescriptions for opioid painkillers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is in decline. Since 2010, the peak of opioid prescriptions, the agency tracked a 41 percent decrease. However, the analysis also revealed the prescribing rate is still three times higher than in 1999, near the beginning of America’s opioid crisis. read more

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Gray Death: The Latest and Deadliest of Heroin Cocktails

written for Inspire Malibu

The crisis of opioid addiction in the United States is an ever-evolving tragedy. Healthcare professionals, state and federal legislatures and law enforcement have, so far, been unable to stop or contain the spread of opioids and heroin spiked with even more powerful and deadly drugs. In fact, it has become increasingly difficult for scientists to keep pace with new heroin cocktails. read more

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Will California’s AB 186 Create Safe Spaces to use Heroin and other Opioids?

written for Inspire Malibu

April 25, 2017

LOS ANGELES – Like other states in the U.S., California has seen a spike in overdoses as a result of heroin and prescription painkillers. While the news cycle appears to have moved away from the country’s opioid epidemic, the problem persists. In 2015, an estimated 33,000 people fatally overdosed on heroin or opioid medication, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. read more

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Criminalizing Overdoses: A bad Idea Laced with Good Intentions

Written for Inspire Malibu

March 21, 2017

Nestled between Columbus and Cincinnati, Washington Court House, Ohio, a town with little more than 14,000 residents at last count, is now charging drug overdose survivors with “inducing panic.” The misdemeanor, which can result in a $1,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail, is levied immediately after first responders save a victim’s life, in most cases, with naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. read more

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