#Drug And Alcohol Conferences 2023

[mellowgardenerblaze]

[beardedmrbean]

Six white former law enforcement officers in Mississippi are set to be sentenced in federal court this week over the beating and sexual assault of two Black men, one of whom was shot in the mouth.

Five former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies and another officer pleaded guilty to more than a dozen federal charges in August after Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker accused them of bursting into a home without a warrant, beating them, assaulting them with a sex toy and shocking them repeatedly with stun guns last year. Jenkins said one of the deputies shoved a gun in his mouth and fired the weapon.

"I relive this everyday," Parker, who is expected to testify in court this week, said at a news conference Monday. "I relive this every time I turn on the TV, anytime I get on my phone, I'm on social media and I'm seeing everybody telling my story, everybody telling my story."

The officers are former Rankin County sheriff's deputies Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Jeffrey Middleton, Hunter Elward, and Daniel Opdyke; and former Richland police officer Joshua Hartfield, according to the indictment in the Southern District of Mississippi. Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey in June announced the deputies involved in the incident had been fired and in August, they pleaded guilty to state charges connected to the incident, which Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, previously described as "torture."

In court documents, prosecutors said some of the officers called themselves the “Goon Squad” because of their willingness to use excessive force and not report it. Three of the officers − Dedmon, Elward, and Opdyke − also pleaded guilty to using excessive force in a separate incident.

Prosecutors recommended sentences ranging from five to 30 years, which will run concurrently with time served for separate convictions at the state level, the Associated Press reported. Attorneys, family members of the two men who were assaulted and community advocates called for the maximum sentence for each former officer.

"The day of justice has finally come for the Rankin County 'Goon Squad,'" attorney Malik Shabazz told reporters. "It's an important day not only in Mississippi, but this is an important day for accountability for police brutality all throughout America."

What happened during the incident?

According to the federal indictment, Parker was staying at the home of a longtime friend, and Jenkins was there temporarily. McAlpin received a complaint from one of his white neighbors that some Black men had been staying at the property and the neighbor had observed "suspicious" behavior.

That night, Dedmon reached out to a group of officers and asked if they were "available for a mission," according to the complaint. On Jan. 24, 2023, the officers entered the home without a warrant, handcuffed the men, shocked them with stun guns, used racial slurs and assaulted the men with a sex toy.

At one point, Dedmon "demanded to know where the drugs were" and fired a bullet into a wall, the complaint said. Dedmon also "poured milk, alcohol, and chocolate syrup on their faces and into their mouths," and "poured cooking grease" on Parker's head. Elward threw eggs at the men.

Opdyke, Middleton, Dedmon and McAlpin used a wooden kitchen implement, a metal sword and pieces of wood to beat Parker, the complaint said. The incident culminated in a "mock execution," when Elward fired a bullet in Jenkins' mouth, which lacerated his tongue, broke his jaw and exited through his neck, the complaint said.

The officers ordered the men to strip naked and shower "to wash away evidence of abuse" before they were brought to jail, according to the complaint. The officers then concocted a cover story and "planted and tampered with evidence to corroborate their false cover story and cover up their misconduct," it said.

The officers submitted fraudulent drug evidence to the crime lab, filed false reports, charged Jenkins with crimes he did not commit, made false statements to investigators, pressured witnesses to stick to the cover story, planted a gun and destroyed video evidence, shell casings, and stun gun cartridges, according to the complaint.

Cops on trial: Is it easier to prosecute police now?

"The cover up and the obstruction are as dangerous as the acts themselves," Shabazz said.

Jeffrey Reynolds, who represents Opdyke, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY that he and his partner will be releasing "substantial evidence" to explain Opdyke's actions.

"Daniel has accepted responsibility for his actions, and failures to act, in relation to the two incidents that are the subject of his sentencing hearing, has admitted he was wrong, and feels deep remorse for the pain he caused the victims," Reynolds said.

Attorneys listed for the other defendants in online court records did not immediately respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY.

Officers plead guilty to other charges

The six former officers also pleaded guilty to state charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice and hinder prosecution, according to a press release from the office of Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.

Dedmon and Elward pleaded guilty to additional charges of home invasion, the release said. Elward pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and McAlpin, Middleton, Opdyke and Hartfield pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and hindering prosecution.

Bailey previously acknowledged the deputies' actions eroded the public's trust and pledged to work to restore it. In November, he announced the department updated its training and complaints process after the assault.

Shabazz called for Bailey's resignation Monday and called on Clarke to launch a pattern or practice investigation into Rankin County, similar to the investigation recently opened in Lexington, Mississippi. Jenkins and Parker have also filed a federal civil rights lawsuit seeking $400 million in damages.

"We're still in a battle for justice, for dignity, for respect, and we are planning on winning that battle," Shabazz said.

[ewan-mo]

Getting started.

Monday 18th September 2023.

Yesterday it was good to have breakfast with Linda, who had arrived safely.  We were collected by Abdu and his minibus midmorning and came to Kampala.  We were warned that the roads around Kampala would usually be busy on Sunday and Monday morning as it was the start of the new school term so parents would be taking children to school.  We were early enough to avoid the worst of it but others later said the roads were very busy.

We had lunch at one of the cafes we know before going to the ARU (The Association of the Religious in Uganda) conference centre.  The nuns, led by sister Lydia, gave us a warm and genuine welcome.  Nothing was too much trouble for them.  We have comfortable ensuite rooms.  The participants trickled in during the evening, some having travelled overnight by bus, others all day. We have known some of our delegates for ten years.

The two accommodation blocks.

Ewan and I had visited the conference centre and met the nuns in February. We thought our young delegates would like this setting, with lovely bedrooms and excellent conference facilities. As they arrived in the evening they were very impressed by the specially warm welcome and careful attention to detail by the nuns.

I was bowled over as we two came into the meeting room first thing this morning. The tables had been set out with beautiful soft blue pleated table cloths, and there were little pots of colourful artificial flowers on each. It all looked so pretty.

When I thanked Sister Lydia (with yet another hug), she waved lightly at her head and said “It all helps with mental health!”

Sister Lydia opened our proceedings with prayer, including a beautiful soft musical prayer.

Our programme today began with getting our students together to catch up and share news of the challenges they have faced and solutions they’ve come up with. They love being together and there is a lot of laughter and affection for each other. Many of them work in relative isolation in rural areas or in the midst of big cities.

As with our patients, our mental health tribe of professionals face stigma from so many sources, and it’s great for them to join again with their colleagues and share their love for working in mental health.

The morning programme continued with reflections on a research paper which illustrated how many patients default from treatment, and the reasons for that. Often it’s because they want the treatment that will heal them completely. Like many conditions, major mental illnesses need long term treatment.

Two of the delegates with the JF bags they have just been given

This afternoon we were on drugs and alcohol!

We’ve had some changes in the programme, for example with the other two psychiatrists who were originally coming having to drop out. I’ve had a bit of extra work to do, both presenting material devised by others and also drastically pruning powerpoints so that my local colleagues could share in the presenting bit  - they haven’t had the many years of practice I’ve had in ‘winging it’.

The programme includes subjects requested by the local teams and other items suggested by us from our observations. It’s a fun mix. We have a mix of presenters too.

[jamesgierach]

THE PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND IMMIGRANTS

by James E. Gierach

Immigration a problem? Want to be a “sanctuary city?”

Immigration attorney Christopher Richardson in a Chicago Tribune Op-Ed piece published Saturday, December 2, 2021, points out the common failings of the prohibition of alcohol (Prohibition a century ago) and today’s out-of-control immigration. Both prohibitions attempted to control problems but both prohibition-endeavors came with unintended consequences.

Richardson writes that the prohibition of alcohol came with “an explosion of smuggling, organized crime, and increase in the murder rate and, yes, [out-of-control borders].” He’s absolutely correct.

Prohibition is a boon to all those negatives as his Op-Ed well explains. But drug prohibition does more than help organized crime and invite price-gouging with human smugglers charging $4,000 to $20,000 to circumvent USA immigration rules. Global drug prohibition policy makes life unlivable in many South and Central American countries. Mexico, too.

Violent crime and corruption are the inseparable sidekicks to substance prohibitions, and immigration prohibition, adding to the economic pressures already bearing heavily on migrants who in desperation escape home and become drug-war refugees and migrants.

If American sanctuary cities and border states are to solve the immigration problem, then America must change global drug policy, permit life to be more livable in the countries producing these drug-war refugees. As pols scramble to build tent-cities and spend hundreds of million of taxpayer dollars trying to provide humanitarian food and shelter and help build the future for migrants, as pols should, we must reform drug policy, globally.

We must end United Nations recreational drug prohibition embodied in the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, subscribed to by 186 nations of the world. As we can see—drug-prohibition policy accomplishes the very things it aimed to prevent: addiction, overdose, disease, violence, gang proliferation and corruption.

As Helen Clark, former New Zealand prime minister and chairwoman of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, has said, “The US led the world into the war on drugs, and now America must help lead us out of it. The war on drugs does not and cannot reduce harm. It fuels negative and perhaps unintended consequences, and it is outdated in the face of new challenges and threats.”

In a poll released June 9, 2021 by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 83 percent of respondents believe the drug war to be a massive failure.” (Alex Norcia, “Poll Shows Huge Public Opposition to ‘War on Drugs,’ After 50 Years,” Filter, June 9, 2021, https://filtermag.org/war-on-drugs-poll/.) That known and agreed, it is time for the next step away from substance prohibition, and migrant prohibition, and the myriad crises caused.

American pols must start looking at longterm solutions, perhaps a “Silver Bullet Solution” to the problem-aggravating drug-prohibition paradigm.

Palos Park, Illinois

December 2, 2023

https://histriabooks.com/product/the-silver-bullet-is-it-time-to-end-the-world-war-on-drugs/

[mariacallous]

A common feature at cemeteries outside many midsize Russian cities and towns is a separate necropolis of headstones bearing the names of (mostly) young men who perished sometime between 1991 and 2000. They died during the chaos that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union—victims of crime and violence, mainly, but also of disease, alcoholism, and drug abuse. While these graveyards and the wave of death they represent are the subject of morbid fascination for the rest of the world, in Russia itself they are reminders of an era of national disgrace and humiliation, which Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned on many occasions. The idea that Putin pulled Russia out of that era is one of his most consistent political campaign messages; his official website, kremlin.ru, contains dozens of derogatory remarks about the chaotic 1990s in Russia. They regularly feature in his state of the union speeches, annual press conferences, and interviews.

Putin’s assumption of power on Dec. 31, 1999, bookended a decade which indeed contained many elements of collapsing statehood. Amid general destitution and growing inequality, criminal anarchy, shootouts between rival gangs, and revenge bombings were a regular occurrence. Life expectancy for Russian men rapidly sank. These and other factors, including mass emigration, contributed to a period of unprecedented demographic decline: Each year between 1994 and 2008, Russia’s population decreased by several hundred thousand people, reaching the nadir of almost 1 million in 2000, Putin first full year in power.

Today, there are fresh graveyard lots across Russia, some covering an area as large as several football fields. Instead of a few kitschy mausoleums, there are dozens and often hundreds of fresh mounds of earth with simple, identical crosses bearing men’s names. Their years of death are the same: 2022 and 2023. Some of them were born in 2000 or later, in the early years of Putin’s reign. The fatality numbers are astonishing: By even the most conservative estimates, in a single year of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has already lost more men than in the 10-year Soviet-Afghan War and First Chechen War—combined.

The preponderance of death made visible at the country’s cemeteries isn’t the only way Russia is returning to the 1990s. Today’s Russians once again struggle with growing violence, economic instability, and a flood of mentally and physically broken veterans. They once again face a failed war, broken society, and national humiliation. For a leader whose signature claim to power has been the banishment of 1990s-era chaos in Russia—for which the loss of political freedom, in his supporters’ eyes, was a small price to pay—the return of the 1990s could well become a threat to his rule.

Some of the deaths on display at graveyards across Russia won’t be mourned by many people. Those recruited by the Wagner Group from prisons where they were serving sentences for anything from minor narcotics-related offenses to the most depraved murders are seen as politically irrelevant and thus expendable. Most of them have already been written off by society: young men from very poor or broken families, driven to low-key drug dealing and petty theft to sponsor an addiction, or orphans brutalized by Russia’s system of orphanages and foster care.

Those soldiers who have managed to return home alive—and their families—aren’t faring much better. Already, Russian authorities are struggling to take care of at least 750,000 veterans who have served in Ukraine, according to a leaked document from a charity led by a relative of Putin. This number, too, tops the total for Moscow’s most catastrophic and humiliating military defeats of the past 40 years: the Afghan campaign and the First Chechen War. In both, Soviet and then Russian armies were met with fierce resistance from locals who did not want to be conquered, and civilians bore the brunt of brutal retributions. Before the atrocities perpetrated by Russian soldiers in Bucha, Ukraine, there was the mass murder of civilians in Samashki, Chechnya, in 1995. Before that, there were many massacres committed by Soviet troops in Afghanistan. The Kremlin deployed around 600,000 soldiers to the two wars, and many of those who returned were physically and spiritually broken, conditioned to extreme violence, and prone to bouts of depression and suicide. Some found no place for themselves in civilian society and joined one of the many numerous organized crime groups of the early 1990s.

A similar wave is already bubbling up in Russia today. Every day, there are reports about Ukraine veterans engaged in violence—randomly attacking passersby, stabbing their wife to death in a drunken frenzy in front of their children, or other crimes. Others didn’t need a war to be introduced to wanton criminality: Some of Wagner’s most notorious outlaws, convicted for murders and mutilations of incomprehensible cruelty, have been released back into society as the promised reward for shooting Ukrainians, and a few have almost immediately gone on new killing rampages. Just like in the 1990s, there seems to be no plan for any psychological support for soldiers returning from an active war zone. Just like back then, they are mostly left to their own devices. A flood of firearms allegedly being smuggled from Ukraine back to Russia by returning troops isn’t helping to curb outbursts of spontaneous violence.

Many of the contract soldiers and the recently mobilized who perished in Ukraine were fathers and their family’s sole breadwinners, whose sudden, tragic disappearance leaves a gaping hole in the fabric of society. As the 1990s aptly demonstrated, the decline doesn’t stop with the deceased; as families are torn apart, the war’s wounds already transcend generations. Just like social, demographic, and economic decline begot each other in the 1990s, today’s Russian economy suffers, too, as its most active subjects perish en masse due to the war and its attendant socioeconomic factors. Male life expectancy has taken a hit, and the instability discourages childbirth.

Russian men of the generation currently being wiped out in Ukraine were born at the bottom of the previous demographic dip, when Russia’s fertility rate was at its lowest in many decades. Less than one year before the invasion, the demographers at the Russian Economic Development Ministry were already predicting the loss of more than 1.7 million people over four years. Today, the situation looks even grimmer. While Russian officials downplay it as merely “concerning,” independent demographers call it a “catastrophe,” predicting a return next year to a low in the fertility rate not seen since World War II.

Even before the invasion, Russia’s atrocious handling of the COVID-19 pandemic guaranteed that pandemic-era mortality already surpassed the worst demographic dip of the 1990s—the era of chaos instrumentalized by Putin to justify his rule. Add the devastating effects of the war, and Russia is already looking worse than the “wild” decade in many key areas. Except the 1990s, so consistently demonized by Putin, were also a time of great hope and political freedom unseen by many generations before. The Russian State Duma was a place of genuine political debate. A variety of national media mercilessly attacked the government and exposed the horrors of Russia’s wars; there was an explosion of uncensored art. All of these positive sides of the 1990s would be incomprehensible to an 18-year-old coming of age around 2020—when most civil liberties were already wiped out—just to be drafted into the army and killed in Ukraine in 2022.

This is one of many of Putin’s broken promises to Russians. Gone is the social contract between the Kremlin and Russia’s emerging middle class, which traded political participation for social and economic “stability.” Time and time again, Putin invoked the excesses of the 1990s and promised to lead Russians to a better future; instead, he is dragging them toward an unprecedented decline. His newest promise is to “return” Russia’s “historic lands”—but there are simply fewer and fewer Russians to populate them. And fresh grave lots keep growing by the day.

[findinghopepdx]

Blog Deliverable #3

As illustrated in earlier posts, the mental health crisis in Portland has far-reaching consequences. Thousands of unhoused civilians are dying in the streets, there are dozens of fatal police encounters with people experiencing mental health crises, and exponential drug use are just some of the traumatic experiences occurring every day in the city of Portland.

One stakeholder in this issue are business owners who are concerned about the effect that people living on the streets will have on their businesses. Many businesses have completely moved out of Downtown Portland in hopes of improving their business in different locations (Dooris, 2023). Jessie Burke, co-owner of the Society Hotel, commented to the New York Times that violence in and around her hotel has led her to favoring treatment methods such as encampment removals and camping bans (Corkery, 2023). While many business owners, along with the city bureaucrats of Portland, believe that camp sweeps and camping bans are the solution to this problem (Zielinski, 2023), other main stakeholders in this issue hold different beliefs.

A New York Times article discussing the challenges of the fentanyl epidemic and homelessness crisis in Portland features Irida and Kaetly Wren, a couple from Tennessee who were shunned by family members for their gender identities. They were forced to sleep in their car and saw little hope for the future (Corkery, 2023). Hoping to find community and services, they drove over 2000 miles and relocated to Portland. While living on the streets, they discovered the issue of "infighting." People on the streets were paranoid that the fentanyl supply was limited, despite its massive availability. On April 18, a man cut through their tent and stabbed Irida six times. They planned to return to Tennessee, saying, "Portland is definitely not what I expected" (Corkery, 2023). Friends and family of addicts or recovering addicts in Portland, nonprofits and community organizations, and people experiencing homelessness themselves are voices that are critical in uncovering the truth behind this issue, and hopefully, a way to redemption and recovery.

Interview

I was fortunate enough to receive a response to my interview request from Jason Renaud, the founder and convener of conferences for the Mental Health Association of Portland who also happens to be an alumnus of Portland State University. 

What is your name and position at the Mental Health Association of Portland?

I'm Jason Renaud. I've been the convener of conferences for the Mental Health Association of Portland since 2003. 

What inspired you to pursue this line of work and this organization specifically?

I'm a person in long-term recovery and I've been about people who help people get sober and sane for most of my life. It's an intriguing problem on several levels; the complexity of the illnesses themselves, the social stigma that is extraordinarily strong among clinical professionals, the generations-long history of discrimination and oppression, the alcohol and drug industry's stalwart maintenance of the problem, lazy and stupid legislators - the list goes on. The problem is both political and personal, and oscillates back and forth rapidly.  The organization came about because other advocates in Oregon ceased advocacy work to pursue service contracts with local governments. 

Will you share your insights into the current landscape of mental health and substance abuse in Portland? What are some major challenges you’ve observed?

We don't use the term substance abuse; the term addiction is more accurate. Either measured nationally or internationally, Oregon's public addiction and mental illness service system is bare and fragile. It often requires skilled navigators to find access points, which may be long distances from where the individual lives.

How do you think mental health health and substance abuse issues impact homelessness in Portland?

We'll have over the winter about 10,000 people who are homeless and unsheltered - some briefly, some for the full duration. We have under 2,000 places for them to stay - which are all already filled. About 50%-60% are addicts, some in remission because of poverty. The remainder are almost all people with trauma disorders, intellectual disorders, personality disorders, and neurodivergent disorders. Homelessness is a natural consequence of not providing effective treatment for people who have these illnesses.

What are some key barriers that individuals who are struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues face when seeking treatment?

The primary barrier is there is not sufficient or effective treatment for these illnesses available. We're short about 5000 skilled and licensed workers in Oregon. And because of a long-stalled workforce, there isn't likely to be sufficient or effective treatment in the next decade or so. The result, as it has been for decades before us with the same conditions, misery, and death.

Lastly, is there any advice you would offer to individuals looking to get involved in their community to make a positive impact?

Volunteer at St Francis Dining Hall or Blanchet House or with JOIN. If you do not have time to volunteer, write a check to any of the dozens of public mental health agencies.

Hearing from Jason was meaningful and exposed me to some of the real-world statistics and experiences that are occurring in my community due to a gross lack of resources and action by government agencies. His words highlighted the absolute necessity of advocacy groups in combating these deeply entrenched issues. 

Jason’s Renaud currently manages the Mental Health Association and its projects. 37 years into his own recovery, he advocates for people experiencing addiction and homelessness. From the website of the Mental Health Association of Portland: “​​In 2010 he ran for Portland City Council on a police reform platform. In 2014 Renaud produced the award-winning documentary film Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse. He has been amicus curiae to US DOJ v City of Portland since 2018. He is a former Crisis Intervention Team trainer and a community engagement trainer for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Currently, he serves on the board of the Lone Fir Cemetery Foundation, Multnomah County’s Transforming Justice Steering Committee, and Portland’s Police Accountability Commission, and was an advisor to the TRANSFORM911 Project at the University of Chicago Health Lab in 2022” (Renaud, 2023).

If you’re interested in looking into his past and current projects, they are linked below. I have also attached the organizations that Jason recommended pursuing volunteer work at below.

Jason's information and projects:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrenaud/

https://twitter.com/renaud_pdx

Recommend organizations to volunteer for:

References

Budnick, N. (2018, April 3). Assault reports spark concerns about mental health facility. PortlandTribune.com. https://www.portlandtribune.com/news/assault-reports-spark-concerns-about-mental-health-facility/article_d86e9175-9229-575a-81d1-05ff65954308.html

Corkery, M. (2023, July 29). Fighting for Anthony: The Struggle to Save Portland, Oregon. Nytimes.com; New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/us/portland-oregon-fentanyl-homeless.html?unlocked_article_code=dmlSM8I6Xz3QigxMt48PoRS9hs58FA91GnN81CZb6TtoShlZy3gIokXZC1x22xc-ZXHe0csS9o7ArT7XiXH4Tcref9-sp42Nto1YuBN6P3_3boItBdlDMN00ftE-r68V0AO6Qf8DZ-uORlkitfyFGGauhoOAqgtK4CLzuRON-fdDwJbJsVxPVmVk9phWJm1u53Qgg11xwjTlLnfI58YXE3NuOnTJmceLKvc3wxJAsiwkQ3GenfWjSz_OmCIqku4X8HaWjFcEAWR66BpaGrAaPdKS9HZCKUte1llWITt6sNA6O2GfnBiNPVVATs21DHjN7Lh_aaqndHxRLQHMBc6AHruNjtY06w&smid=tw-share

Dooris, P. (2023). Downtown Portland���s resemblance to a dead mall. Kgw.com. https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/downtown-portland-rei-vandalism-theft/283-87c9ac7d-fe93-40dd-b81b-7ee1688b1f0a

KOIN 6. (2020, October 2). Downtown Portland businesses: How many open, closed or empty. Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlAT8GQ3SYs

Renaud, J. (2023). Jason Renaud – Background – Mental Health Association of Portland. Mentalhealthportland.org. https://www.mentalhealthportland.org/background-jason-renaud/

Zielinski, A. (2023, March 22). In enforcing Portland camping ban, Mayor Ted Wheeler wants help from people who have experienced homelessness. Opb. https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/22/ted-wheeler-portland-oregon-camping-ban-help-from-people-who-were-homeless/

[recentlyheardcom]

FILE - Attorney Geoffrey Fieger, right, speaks during a press conference as Tereasa Martin, left, mother of Kenneka Jenkins, looks on, Dec. 18, 2018, in Chicago. Fieger represents the family of Jenkins, who was found dead in 2017 in a freezer at a suburban hotel where she had attended a party. Martin reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the hotel and others in August 2023, Cook County court records show, but it has not been entered on the court docket because attorneys for Jenkins’ mother have asked that the terms be sealed from the public. A judge denied that request Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, but asked the mother’s attorney to resubmit the request. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)CHICAGO (AP) — The mother of a 19-year-old Chicago woman who was found dead in 2017 in a freezer at a suburban hotel where she had attended a party has reached a settlement in her lawsuit against the hotel and others.A settlement was reached in August, Cook County court records show, but it has not been entered on the court docket because attorneys for Kenneka Jenkins’ mother have asked that the terms be sealed from the public, the Chicago Tribune reported.A judge denied that request Tuesday but asked the mother’s attorney to resubmit the request. A status hearing is scheduled for next week in the case, which had been set for a trial starting Oct. 16, court records show.Attorneys for Jenkins’ mother, Tereasa Martin, argued that the family’s safety and privacy trumped any reason to require that the records be publicly filed.“The widespread publicity of this case, including uncontrolled speculation and social media commentary has resulted in various threats made against various individuals in the case,” including Martin, witnesses and the defendants, an attorney for Martin wrote in an unopposed motion to seal the settlement's terms.The lawsuit was filed in December 2018 against Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, its security company and a restaurant that rented the walk-in freezer in which Jenkins was found dead. It alleged the defendants were negligent because they didn’t secure the freezer or conduct a proper search following Jenkins' disappearance. The suit initially sought more than $50 million in damages.Jenkins was found dead inside the freezer on Sept. 10, 2017, nearly 24 hours after she disappeared from a ninth-floor room at the Crowne Plaza where she had attended a party with as many as 30 other people.The Cook County medical examiner’s office found that she died from hypothermia and ruled her death an accident. Alcohol intoxication and the use of a drug for treating epilepsy and migraines were “significant contributing factors” in her death, the office said.Surveillance videos released by police days later show Jenkins wandering alone through a kitchen area near the freezer not long after she disappeared.

[philchildcarefoundation]

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE 2023: ADVOCATING FOR THE FUTURE Posted on May 1, 2023

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE 2023: ADVOCATING FOR THE FUTUREPosted on May 1, 2023

Join us for a two-day conference focused on empowering youth and children across the worldThe International Youth and Children Conference (IYCC) is a corporate event organized Phil Child Care Foundation (PCCF) on September 30th & 1st October 2023, at Venu Event Space 2800 Hwy 7, Ontario L4K 1W8 in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada. The two-day conference aims to bring together youth and children advocates, educators, policymakers, NGOs, community leaders, businesses, academia, institutions, supporters, well-wishers, partners and government officials from all over the world to discuss and address issues affecting the present and future of the younger generation.IYCC 2023 will address Mental Health Challenges, Social behaviors among youth and children, Social media and its impact on children and youth behaviors, Impact of COVID-19 on children, youth and families, Child and youth engagements to promote peaceful co-existence and positive living among others. Participants will also have the opportunity to network and engage with like-minded individuals and organizations who share the same passion for making a positive impact on the younger generation.The International Youth and Children Conference has been organized to provide a platform for the promotion of healthy behavioral lifestyles among children and youth. The conference will feature in person and online attendance geared towards sharing information and promoting open life skills to empower children and teenagers to lead positive and constructive lives. The event aims to increase awareness of behavioral challenges encountered by children and youth, as well as to promote youth-led initiatives, enhance public awareness of the impact of COVID-19 on families, and promote youth engagement in community support initiatives.The conference will address a range of issues related to child and youth behavioral health, including substance and drug abuse, addiction, and alcohol, as well as the negative impact of social media, cyberbullying, and reduced social skills. Participants will also learn about the importance of parenting in inhibiting child behavioral challenges, particularly the availability of parents during social challenges. By attending the conference, participants will have the opportunity to learn and contribute to providing lasting solutions to the plight of children and youth in regard to behavioral challenges.The theme of this year’s conference is “Seeing the World Through New Eyes.” The event aims to create a healthy-mind upbringing for children and youth to become responsible citizens who contribute to national development. The Phil Child Care Foundation, which is organizing the conference, hopes that this event will be the beginning of its efforts to establish lasting solutions to support government interventions. Attendees will be able to learn from experts and share their experiences and knowledge, contributing to the creation of a better future for children and youth.The International Youth and Children’s Conference is a testament to our dedication to this mission. We are excited to bring together individuals and organizations from all over the world to share insights and experiences on how we can empower and support our children and youth to reach their full potential.”

[college-girl199328]

The Alberta government announced on Saturday afternoon that the changes to the GDL program went into effect today, April 1. The province gave the details at a news conference in Calgary and said it will give approximately 500,000 drivers the eligibility to automatically exit the GDL program.

“Effective today, April 1, graduated driver's licenses are no longer needed to take an advanced road test to progress to getting a full Class 5 license in Alberta,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors. “Starting today, drivers who have an urgent need to exit the program right away, such as for employment, can go to their local registry office and do so today.”

Dreesehn added that on June 25, the province will also bring in technology that will automatically upgrade eligible GDL drivers to non-GDL drivers. Those who meet the requirements to exit the program will receive a letter from the government confirming their exit.

News of the announcement earlier this week sent many Albertans into a joyous frenzy, with some people mentioning how they have refused to do the advanced road test for nearly 20 years.

The province announced the move in September, saying that in the spring of 2023, drivers would automatically qualify for their Class 5 or Class 6 driver’s license. That will eliminate the need for a second road test and save $150.

The province says an additional road test will no longer be required to upgrade to a Class 4 license. To qualify for the changes, GDL drivers must have no suspensions or traffic violations within their last 12 months of probation, including zero tolerance for alcohol and/or drug consumption.

[mellowgardenerblaze]

4th Edition of Global Conference on Addiction Medicine, Behavioural Health and Psychiatry

Magnus Group is delighted to invite you to the 4th Edition of the Global Conference on Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health and Psychiatry (GAB 2023) taking place from October 19-21, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, or virtually from the comfort of your own workspace.

The theme of the Psychiatry Conferences is “Vision for Controlling Narcotic Dependency and Relapse,” focusing on sharing knowledge and advancements in the treatment of mental health disorders and addiction. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from keynote speakers, engage in symposiums, and participate in poster and oral presentations by leading researchers, scientists, and practitioners.

Addiction Medicine Conference 2023 is an interdisciplinary platform aimed at bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, mental health practitioners, counsellors, and educators to share insights and best practices in Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health, and Psychiatry. Attendees can expect to learn about the latest developments, research, and innovations in the field and collaborate with peers from different regions of the world.

The Behavioral Health Conference is an opportunity to gain new perspectives, network, and explore new research ideas and partnerships. Whether attending in-person or virtually, Psychiatry Conference 2023 is an excellent opportunity to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, advancements, and best practices in Addiction Medicine, Behavioral Health, and Psychiatry. Register today and secure your spot at this global summit.

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[michaelaconley]

Health Promotion Coordinator

New Post has been published on https://www.hpcareer.net/job/slippery-rock-university-slippery-rock-pa-39-health-promotion-coordinator/

Health Promotion Coordinator

Coordinates the Health Promotion program of Slippery Rock University Health Services. Implements a co-curricular outreach program addressing health related issues for college aged students. These include, but are not limited to: general health and wellness issues; alcohol and other drug use; sexually transmissible infections; contraception; wellness promotion; education specifically related to consent, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking and others. A primary function of the coordinator’s position is to prioritize programs and services that focus on alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Develops comprehensive health education and wellness programs, also works in conjunction with community agencies, faculty and staff, related to personal and community health.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Education, Community Health, Student Personnel or related field; degree conferred by June 2023

Experience in peer education programming/development

Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) programming experience

One year of higher education college health and/or community health experience.; including peer education programming/ development; developing strong, evidence-informed, data-driven programs and services based on relevant measurable, and practical health outcomes; coordinating wellness efforts with on campus and off campus partners.

Preferred Qualifications

Certification as a Certified Health education Specialist (CHES) or CHES eligible Experience working with diverse populations.

[nursingucgconferences]

What are mental health issues and how are they treated? The 13NHPSUCG is better at knowing it.

Definition of mental health

Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all parts of our mental health. It influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Additionally, it influences how we respond to stress, interact with others, and make good decisions. Every period of life, from childhood and adolescence to maturity, is vital for mental health.

Poor mental health and mental illness are not the same things, despite the fact that the phrases are sometimes used synonymously. Even if they may not have a mental disorder, a person can have poor mental health. A person with a mental disease may also go through phases of good physical, mental, and social health.

Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all parts of our mental health. To discover more about Mental Health and its Treatment, sign up right away. On behalf of the Nursing, Healthcare Management and Patient Safety Committee, we are delighted to announce the CME/CPD accredited 13th World Nursing, Healthcare Management, and Patient Safety Conference, which will take place in Los Angeles, USA, on November 15–18, 2023.

Contact us on WhatsApp:  https://wa.me/442033222718   Submit here: https://nursing.universeconferences.com/submit-abstract/

Which four forms of mental health exist?

·         Mood problems (such as depression or bipolar disorder)

·         Anxious conditions.

·         Personality dysfunctions.

·         Schizophrenia disorders (such as schizophrenia)

Why is mental health crucial to general well-being?

Both physical and mental health are crucial aspects of overall health. For instance, depression raises the danger of many different physical health issues, especially chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In a similar vein, having chronic illnesses raises your likelihood of developing mental disease.

Can the state of your mind alter over time?

It is crucial to keep in mind that a person's mental health can alter over time and depend on a variety of circumstances. A person's mental health may be affected if the demands placed on them are greater than their capacity for coping and resources. For instance, someone may have poor mental health if they are working long hours, providing care for a relative, or going through financial difficulties.

How widespread are mental disorders?

One of the most prevalent medical problems in the US is mental illness.

·         At some point in their lives, more than 50% of people will receive a diagnosis of a mental illness or disorder.

·         In any given year, 1 in 5 Americans will suffer from a mental disease.

·         At some point in their lives or today, one in five kids has a very disabling mental disorder.

·         A significant mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression, affects one in every twenty-five Americans.

Why does mental disease occur?

Mental illness has many causes, not just one. The likelihood of mental disease can be influenced by a variety of circumstances, including

·         Early traumatic events in life or a history of maltreatment (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)

·         experiences with other persistent (chronic) illnesses, such cancer or diabetes

·         biological components or brain chemical imbalances

·         use of drugs or alcohol

·         experiencing emotions of isolation or loneliness

Treatment

Your course of treatment will depend on the type and degree of your mental illness as well as what is most effective for you. The best course of action is frequently a mix of therapies.

Treatment from your healthcare physician may be sufficient if you have a moderate mental disorder with well-controlled symptoms. In order to ensure that all of your psychiatric, medical, and social requirements are fulfilled, a team approach is frequently necessary. In the case of serious mental diseases like schizophrenia, this is extremely crucial.

Medications

Psychiatric drugs don't heal mental disease, although they frequently greatly reduce symptoms. Moreover, psychiatric drugs can boost the efficacy of other therapies like psychotherapy. The ideal drugs for you will rely on your unique circumstances and how your body reacts to the drugs.

Prescription psychiatric drug classes that are often utilised include:

·         Antidepressants. Antidepressants are used to treat a variety of illnesses, including anxiety and depression. Symptoms including depression, hopelessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and lack of interest in activities can all be helped by them? Antidepressants do not lead to dependency or addiction.

·         Drugs that reduce anxiety: These medications are used to treat anxiety disorders like panic disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. Moreover, they might lessen agitation and sleeplessness. Antidepressants, which help treat anxiety, are frequently used as long-term anti-anxiety medications. Fast-acting anti-anxiety medications provide temporary comfort, but they can also lead to reliance, thus they should preferably only be used temporarily.

·         Medicine to regulate mood. Most frequently, mood stabilisers are used to treat bipolar disorders, which alternate between episodes of mania and depression. When treating depression, mood stabilisers are occasionally used with antidepressants.

·         Medicine that is antipsychotic. Typically, antipsychotic medications are used to treat psychotic conditions like schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs can also be used to treat bipolar disorders or depression when combined with antidepressants.

Therapies using brain stimulation

Treatments using brain stimulation are occasionally used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. They're often saved for conditions where psychotherapy and drugs have failed. These comprise repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, deep brain stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, and vagus nerve stimulation.

Make sure you are aware of all the advantages and disadvantages of any suggested treatments.

Treatment facilities and residential programmes

Sometimes, a person's mental disease gets so bad that they require treatment in a psychiatric institution. When you can't take care of yourself properly or when you're in immediate danger of hurting yourself or another person, this is typically advised.

Alternatives include residential treatment, which provides a brief supportive place to live, partial or day hospitalisation, and 24-hour inpatient care. Another choice might be rigorous outpatient therapy.

Treatment for substance abuse

Issues with substance usage usually occur simultaneously with mental illness. It frequently hinders healing and makes mental disease worse. You require treatment if you are unable to stop taking drugs or alcohol on your own. Consult your physician about your treatment choices.

Taking part in your own health

Depending on your symptoms and their severity, your personal preferences, prescription side effects, and other considerations, you and your primary care physician or mental health specialist can decide which treatment may be the best. When a mental illness is severe enough, a medical professional or close family member may need to make decisions regarding your care until you are well enough to do so.

It's time to go for Los Angeles to attend the CME/CPD-approved 13th World Nursing, Healthcare Management, and Patient Safety Conference. Join us in Los Angeles, California, USA, on November 15–18, 2023. It unites motivational speakers and insider insights to study the most recent studies and trends. There are only a few openings left. Let's take a tour of Los Angeles, USA.

Registration: https://nursing.universeconferences.com/registration/ Email: nursing@universeconferences.net Visit here: https://nursing.universeconferences.com/ WhatsApp: https://wa.me/442033222718 Contact us: +12073070027 / +442033222718

[gastroenterologyucgconferences]

Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Diagnosis of Acidity

The CME/CPD accredited 13th World Gastroenterology, IBD & Hepatology Conference, which will take place on December 15-17, 2023 in Dubai, UAE. This is the best ways to network with fellow professionals, earn educational credits.

Register here- https://gastroenterology.universeconferences.com/online-registration/

Email: gastroenterology@universeconferences.net

WhatsApp No: +442033222718                                              

What exactly is acidity?

Acidity is a medical condition caused by an excess of acid production. This acid is produced by the stomach glands. Acidity causes symptoms such as stomach ulcers, gastric inflammation, heartburn, and dyspepsia.

It is typically caused by a combination of factors including irregular eating patterns, a lack of physical sports or activities, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, fad diets, and poor eating habits. People are more likely to develop acidity in areas where there is a higher consumption of non-vegetarian, spicy, and oily foods.

Many medications, including NSAIDs (no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can make a person more prone to developing gastric acidity. After a heavy meal, acidity is characterised by a deep burning sensation. Acidity is also associated with indigestion and constipation.

 It can be treated with home remedies or by taking antacids and eating healthy. Endosperm therapy also provides significant relief from acid reflux. Indigestion, nausea, a sour taste in the mouth, constipation, restlessness, and a burning sensation in the stomach and throat are all common symptoms of acidity.

What does acidity do to your body?

Acidity, also known as acidosis, is a pH imbalance in the body that occurs when the kidneys and lungs are unable to remove excess acid. As a result, acidity results.

Gastric acids, which aid digestion, are normally produced by our stomach. The corrosive effects of these acids are offset by the secretion of prostaglandins and natural bicarbonate in the mucous lining. This causes acidity by damaging the stomach lining.

Other factors that contribute to acidity include:

Non-vegetarian and spicy foods are consumed.

Excessive anxiety.

Excessive alcohol consumption.

Smoking on a regular basis

Stomach tumours, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and peptic ulcers are examples of stomach disorders.

What causes acidity?

 Acidity occurs when the gastric glands in the stomach produce an excessive amount of acid and the kidneys are unable to eliminate it.

It is frequently accompanied by heartburn, reflux, and indigestion.

Acidity is typically caused by eating spicy foods, drinking coffee, overeating, and following a low-fibre diet.

 Who is susceptible to acidity?

 People who are acidic include

Overindulge in heavy meals

Obesity

Snacking near bedtime

Excessive coffee consumption

 Can acidity disappear on its own?

Acidity, also known as acid reflux, is a condition characterised by the movement of gastric acid back into the oesophagus. Acidity is quite normal if it occurs occasionally, but it is a serious concern if it occurs frequently.

Acidity can be a chronic condition that does not go away on its own. Consultation with a doctor is required for early treatment; otherwise, complications such as ulcers, strictures, and oesophageal inflammation may occur.

What causes an excess of acid in your body?

There are two kinds of acidity:

Respiratory acidosis occurs when the body has an excess of CO2. It is caused by chronic airway conditions such as asthma, chest injury, obesity, sedatives, excessive alcohol consumption, muscle weakness, and a deformed chest structure.

Metabolic acidosis occurs when the kidney is unable to remove excess acid from the body and there is an excess of lactic acid.

The distinction between acidity and gas is as follows: Acidity is a condition in which the body produces more acid than is required for digestion. Heartburn is frequently associated with acidity.

While gas is produced in the colon and helps with digestion. The average person expels gas approximately 20 times per day, either through the rectum or through the mouth.

Excess gas, on the other hand, is released through a burp when it is produced or trapped as a result of eating large meals or spicy food.

It can range from mild to severe and can cause stomach pain if it becomes trapped or if the digestive system is not functioning properly.

What are the first Signs of Acidity?

Heartburn is a burning sensation that can spread from the stomach to the abdomen, chest, or even up to the throat.

Regurgitation: A bitter or sour-tasting acid will back into the throat or mouth, causing sores in the affected areas.

Stomach bloating, Hematemesis, bloody or black tarry stool, frequent burps, difficulty swallowing, continuous hiccups, nausea, vomiting, feeling full all the time, chronic sore throat, persistent dry cough, restlessness, indigestion, and unexpected weight loss.

 Should I seek medical attention for acidity?

Acid reflux is accompanied by stomach discomfort caused by rich or spicy food or a large meal. Acidity is usually relieved by over-the-counter medications such as an antacid. However, if a person has difficulty breathing, swallowing, chowking, the passage of black tarry stool, weakness, or weight loss, he or she should seek immediate medical attention.

 When Should You Consult a Gastroenterologist about Acid Reflux?

 Though acid reflux is common in everyone, if the symptom persists, consult a

Gastroenterologist. This potential condition will not go away by itself. Untreated acid reflux, also known as GERD, can cause oesophageal inflammation, ulcers, and cancer. If you have any of these symptoms, see a gastroenterologist right away.

 How Is Acidity Determined?

Various methods are used to diagnose acidity. Some of these are as follows:

PH monitoring determines the acid level in the oesophagus. The doctor inserts a device into the oesophagus and leaves it there for two days to measure the amount of acid in the oesophagus.

Barium swallowing aids in tracing the narrowed oesophagus and ulcers. A solution must be implemented before an X-Ray is performed.

Endoscopy: A long, flexible lighted tube with a tiny camera at the bottom is inserted through the mouth and stomach issues are checked using the camera oesophagus. It is carried out with the assistance of sedation or anaesthesia.

The Most Effective Acidity Treatment

Acidity can be relieved by taking antacids containing aluminium, calcium, or magnesium. H2 receptor blockers (histamine blocking agents) such as nizatidine, famotidine, ranitidine, and cimetidine are frequently used. If you have severe acidity, your doctor may also prescribe proton pump inhibitors. Home Remedies for acidity include eating bananas, cold milk, aniseeds, cumin, cardamom, cloves, mint leaves, and ginger.

 You can also avoid acidity by eating more vegetables and fruits, avoiding non-vegetarian foods, avoiding medications such as NSAIDs (no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and steroids, and reducing stress.

 Acidity can also be caused by eating right before going to bed. This causes the stomach enzymes to return to the stomach.

[marvelhero-fics]

Snowman

Series - Chapter One

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: You’re a HYDRA assassin that’s worked closely with the Winter Soldier, to each of your dismay you’re reunited with Bucky after the blip. 

A/N: I haven’t posted in like 300 years, but I hope you guys enjoy this new series! This follows parts of TFATWS so expect spoilers! (Also I’m sure all the Russian is absolutely wrong, if you’d like to correct it please send me a message!)

Word Count: 1,815 (future chapters will be wayyy longer)

Snowman Masterlist || Full Masterlist

New York

2023

“So tell me about this-” the therapist looked down at her notes briefly, “(Y/N).” She finished.

Bucky paused momentarily, “No.”

“James, for these therapy sessions to be effective, you need to open up to me. I can’t help you if I don't know what’s wrong.” His therapist responded, laying her pen carefully on her small notebook.

Bucky thought for a moment, taking in the ambience of the room. What would he even say about (Y/N)? He hadn’t seen her in years. Bucky was kicking himself for accidentally bringing her up in his session last week. “I- uh-” he stammered, shifting his weight on the couch, “I met her in 2011. At least I think it was 2011. Date’s get kinda fuzzy sometimes, with all the cryo.” Bucky’s hand pressed against his head, feeling dazed as he tried to think back. “It was at the big HYDRA base outside of Moscow. We had to go on a mission together-” he was cut off,

“Did she work for HYDRA?” Dr Raynor interjected.

“Yea. She was an assassin too. She went by the alias the Viper.” Bucky pretended not to notice his therapist tense up. Anyone who knew anything about HYDRA knew who the Viper was. She was one of the most prolific assassins after the Winter Soldier.

“Tell me more about when you met her.”

“We were instructed to take out a terrorist organisation forming against SHIELD. Which was ironic because we were working for a terrorist organisation. But at this point SHIELD was being run by HYDRA and they couldn’t risk any slip ups, so they put 6 assassins on the job. HYDRA usually didn’t have their assassins working together, we were all too volatile. But we had to take out over 70 people in one night. It was (Y/N), a few assassins from the Red Room, and a few agents that HYDRA had trained personally, and me.” Bucky stopped.

“Where was (Y/N) trained?”

“At a secondary facility run by HYDRA. She was trained from a really young age. It’s all she’s known.” Bucky seemed somber. But his therapist continued,

“What happened on the mission?”

“Nothing. It went exactly to plan. The targets were taken out and we all left without a trace. But (Y/N), she- she kept trying to talk to me, or get to know me. I was the Winter Soldier. No one in their right mind ever tried to ‘get to know me’.”

“Why do you think (Y/N) did that?”

“She told me she was bored.” He replied bluntly.

Moscow

2011

The poorly lit conference room was filled with a myriad of assassins and officials. The only illumination came from old LED lights hanging from the concrete ceiling. The mossy green paint on the walls looked as if it hadn’t been patched up in years. The only new-ish part of the room was the large, oak conference table, surrounded by black, leather seating. It was difficult not to notice the red HYDRA symbol holding a spot on almost every piece of clothing in the area.

“TITAN terroristicheskaya organizatsiya, formiruyushchayasya protiv nas. (TITAN is a terrorist organisation forming against us.)” Kuznetsov spoke, “Izbrannyye budut otpravleny segodnya vecherom v Ukrainu dlya vypolneniya postavlennoy zadachi. Uberi ikh. (The chosen ones will be sent to Ukraine tonight to complete their given tasks. Take them out.)”

That was all it took. You stared at the file in front of you. You had read through it multiple times, going over every single name, every single skill set your targets had. You were more than certain you could complete this job on your own. But you had no choice on the matter.

Your eyes darted around, taking in the faces of the assassins that were to accompany you on your mission. Two youthful females, dressed in black leather sat next to each other. The older, grimacing woman behind them was Madame B., the head supervisor of the Red Room. You moved your gaze to the two agents in dark green uniforms and red, soviet berets. Neither looked particularly menacing.

You finally landed on the last assassin. His dark hair fell like curtains around his face. Gloomy blue eyes searched their way through the room. His sharp jaw seemed tense through his stubbled cheeks. He was large, extremely built. Covering his frame was an amplitude of black clothing and gear.

“Play nice.” Your mentor spoke softly over your shoulder, breaking you from your train of thought.  

“I always do.”

~

Your padded snow boots ripped through the thick snow covering the ground. The six of you had hiked your way to the set point on your GPS systems, the clouds of snowfall covering your vision held the illusion that there were absolutely no structures nearby. A large helicopter had dropped the group a few miles out from the hideout to ensure nothing was compromised. The trek was in utter silence, fighting against the harsh temperature in mid February.

The waypoint became closer on your map, a tiny building slowly appeared in your vision against the foggy downfall. It was a small, wooden cabin. Everyone hustled their way through the unlocked door. It was barren, it held no furniture, no blankets, no means of any life. There appeared to be a few doors that led to small, empty rooms. The entrance only held a small fireplace, filled with old cut down logs that had been eaten by bugs.

The group quickly dispersed, you headed to one of the rooms alone, throwing down your belongings onto the floor. The bag you carried was mainly filled with weapons and ammunition, along with a very warm sleeping bag. You knew too well you wouldn’t be sleeping tonight, but you would need the extra heat for now.

There was no chatter anywhere in the house. Your mission would begin in 6 hours. Everyone was likely putting together their artillery. You decided to cozy up in your navy sleeping bag for a moment of comfort.

Someone had lit the fire in the lounge. A warm, orange light crept through the cracks in your door. The ambiance was strangely calming for a shitty cabin in the middle of nowhere.

Snow continued to fall against the tiny glass pane of your room. You weren’t a fan of assassinating in the snow. It was low vision, harsher climates, and it lessened the ability to move. Snakes weren’t creatures of the cold. Conveniently you’d been grouped with someone who called himself ‘The Winter Soldier’. I’m sure he loves the cold, you thought.

You’d heard a lot about him. Everyone had. He was the perfect assassin. He never failed a mission, his body didn’t reject cryo, every form of enhancement HYDRA had used on him had been a success. He was what every assassin had aspired to be.

Without thought, you grabbed the glass bottle laying next to you and walked off to the room the Winter Soldier had claimed for the night.

“Privet (Hello)”. You announced, pushing his door open with a creak. His head didn’t turn towards you. He sat on the floor, the sound coming from him indicated he was sharpening knives.

“Khochesh' vypit'? (Want a drink?)” You asked, motioning the bottle towards him.

He stayed silent for a moment. Finally he turned, looking up at you from his position on the floor. “What is it?” His dark tone asked back. The amber light from the fire crashed against his features. His strong jaw was covered with a dark stubble, his brunette hair tucked behind his ears. His most obvious feature was the hauntingly blue eyes that sat in sunken sockets, he looked drained.

“It’s vodka.” You stated, honestly. You were surprised to hear he wasn’t Russian, he sounded… American?

“You’re drinking before a mission?” He queried.

You shrugged. “Alcohol doesn’t freeze.” You sat down next to him. “Plus it takes the edge off.” A faint clinking noise announced as you placed the bottle on the floor between you two. He stared at you for a moment, before quietly going back to his knives.

“Wanna play 20 questions?” You interrupted the silence.

“No.”

“What about truth or dare?”

“I’m not 14.” the soldier replied, his eyes not leaving his handy work.

“How old are you?” You shot back,

“Why are you trying to get to know me?” He dodged your question.

“I’m bored.” You shrugged, taking a deep swig of the vodka. “And by my calculations,” you peered down at your watch, “we still have 3 hours and 27 minutes until the mission starts.”

He gave a shallow sigh, “93.”

“What?”

“I’m 93. How old are you.”

“93?! You were born in 1917?”

“Mhm. How old are you.”

“25. You look great for 93.” You chuckled.

“You look old for 25.” He jabbed back. His knife sharpener still grinding across a 6 inch blade.

“You flatter me.” You replied sarcastically. “So what’s your story? How’d you make it to 93?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“Why would I ask if I didn’t want to know?”

Bucky looked over at you. “I’m telling you, you don’t want to know.”

“C’mon old man,  I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” You smirked. He once again, went back to his knives. It almost seemed as if he was trying to threaten you, pulling out larger knife after larger knife.

You huffed, opening your mouth to speak, “I was born in Hungary to a drug abusing mother, and an absent father. I was kidnapped and sold to HYDRA when I was 6. I was placed under the care of the Kraken. Not sure if you’ve met him, he’s this large guy-”

“I’ve met him.” Bucky stated, interrupting your spiel.

“Right, well, he trained me for years. Eventually HYDRA got involved again and I was tested on, experimented on, messed with, ya’ know, all that fun stuff.” You explained.

“Are you enhanced?” Bucky asked, almost as if he was actually interested.

“Yea. I have this whole snake venom trick. It’s great for up close combat. The experiments really should’ve killed me though. But maybe that’s what makes us so good-” Bucky looked over at the woman next to him, her bright eyes stared back at him as she spoke “ya’ know, the best assassins are the ones living off borrowed time. Because we’ve met death before, so we’re not afraid to do it again.”

Bucky quickly grabbed the Barrett M82 rifle next to him, his metal arm making faint whirring noises. “I’m going to scope out the base.” He stated bluntly. And with that, his large black boots walked him out the bedroom, and out the door.

You let out a faint sigh, creeping back to your room to sort out your weapons. You were sure it was something you said that scared him off. I guess at 93 you have to be living off too much borrowed time, you speculated. You absentmindedly set up your pistols, your mind not being able to wander from the Winter Soldier. Maybe annoying the Red Room girls would get your mind off it.

[your-dietician]

Scarsdale officials, residents hash out retail pot options | Top Stories

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/latest/scarsdale-officials-residents-hash-out-retail-pot-options-top-stories/

Scarsdale officials, residents hash out retail pot options | Top Stories

Faced with a year-end deadline to decide whether to opt out of allowing marijuana dispensaries or on-site consumption businesses in the village, Scarsdale trustees agreed at a work session June 15 to draft initial legislation that would make smoking or vaping tobacco and marijuana products on village-owned property (parks, sidewalks, etc.) illegal.

The state’s marijuana regulation and taxation act (MRTA), signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in March, legalizes the possession, use, cultivation and sale of certain amounts of cannabis products for adults 21 years or older. The legalization ends a decades-long marijuana prohibition in New York, which proponents of the law said unfairly targeted Black and brown communities.

Though the law immediately legalized the possession and use of cannabis, the retail sale of marijuana is not expected to begin until late 2022 or early 2023, according to the New York Conference of Mayors.

Though the state has largely preempted local regulations on marijuana, the Scarsdale Board of Trustees held its first meeting this week to discuss whether to opt out of retail marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption venues within the municipality’s boundaries as allowed by law.

Municipalities that do not opt out can still pass local laws and regulations governing the time, place and manner of licensed cannabis establishments, as long as the rules don’t make the operation of those businesses unreasonable.

If Scarsdale chooses not to opt out and puts no further restrictions on dispensaries or consumption sites, marijuana-focused businesses could theoretically open up in the village’s downtown.

Source: Village of Scarsdale

Though local governments must decide whether to opt out by Dec. 31, they would be allowed to opt back in at any time. Municipalities that choose not to opt out cannot change that decision after the December deadline.

Trustee Lena Crandall, who chairs the village’s law committee, which is tasked with analyzing MRTA, said that she was open to the idea of a high-end dispensary in Scarsdale, but was hesitant to allow places for on-site consumption.

“As a community we need to really think through what … the intentional and unintentional consequences of legalizing a dispensary [are],” Crandall told the Inquirer. “I think the idea of an on-site consumption lounge is moot because we simply don’t have a way to test reliably whether or not someone is under the influence when they’re driving. We are a driving community.”

Trustee Karen Brew, the vice chair of the Law Committee, said she was opposed to on-site consumption businesses, but remained open to a dispensary option.

“There are a lot of different factors that we need to consider, and my hope is that we do it with information and data and logic rather than emotion, and work through it all to get to the best decision,” she said.

While they do have Breathalyzer tests for alcohol, police departments don’t yet have a roadside test to detect whether someone is driving under the influence of marijuana.

Scarsdale Police Chief Andrew Matturro said officers would need to rely strictly on visual cues, which would make prosecutions more difficult.

“What we’d like to see in place hopefully by the time you have to make your decision is some type of roadside chemical test,” said Matturro to the board. He also said police chiefs and commissioners in the county were petitioning the state to provide funding for drug recognition experts. “That is a very expensive undertaking for law enforcement. Having one per department wouldn’t be sufficient,” he said.

According to the legislation, the commissioner of health is tasked with selecting higher education research institutions to conduct studies that would evaluate new methodologies and technologies for the detection of cannabis-impaired driving. When the studies are completed, the research institutions will need to issue a report to the state on or before Dec. 31, 2022.

The potential influx of tax revenue is another variable that municipalities will analyze in their decisions on whether to opt out or not.

According to the law, retail sales of cannabis will have a local excise tax rate of 4%. Counties will receive 25% of the local retail tax revenue and 75% will go to the municipality where the product was sold. If the village were to opt out, then it would also forgo any potential revenue from marijuana sales.

“Obviously, we all know we are fiscally challenged at this moment so … the heart of the matter is making sure we understand the economics of it,” said Trustee Jonathan Lewis.

Deputy Mayor Justin Arest, who opposes on-site consumption lounges, was also focused on the tax aspect of dispensaries, which he estimated could add a few hundred thousand dollars a year in revenue to the village.

“People can have it in their house, they can consume it, they can grow it, they can possess it and people can deliver it. Delivery services can come into Scarsdale. We cannot stop that,” said Arest, noting that dispensaries and on-site consumption lounges might open nearby in New Rochelle or Eastchester if those communities decide not to opt out.

“Our residents aren’t going to necessarily understand or appreciate that it’s still in their backyard and on top of that we’re not getting the revenue,” he said.

Other municipalities are also in the same boat as Scarsdale in determining what they plan to do about opting out. According to Scarsdale’s village attorney Dan Pozin, Mamaroneck, Briarcliff Manor, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Tuckahoe and the city of Rye have not focused substantially on the options for retail marijuana yet. The town of Eastchester, however, held a public hearing June 15 to consider a local law to opt out.

At the June 15 hearing in Scarsdale, some residents argued that the tax money generated from marijuana sales was not an alluring prospect and that they’d rather the village just raise village taxes rather than allow dispensaries and smoking bars to set up shop.

“I would really be shocked if revenue were the guiding factor in our decision here when we’re talking about the environment and we’re talking about health. If we can’t be more creative to come up with the revenue that we need, other than by supporting this concept in the community, I would be disappointed,” said resident John Schwarz. “I would almost rather … say just raise our taxes the amount, whatever it takes. Don’t put our kids at risk; don’t put us at risk; don’t put people in a … DUI situation.”

Carol Silverman, chair of the Advisory Council on Senior Citizens, shared a similar view, and said the council agreed unanimously that the village should opt out.

“If the matter is strictly money, just raise the taxes or whatever we have to do to account for that,” said Silverman. “We don’t think that we should be encouraging it or enabling [retail marijuana] in our town.”

Bob Harrison, a 40-year resident of Scarsdale and chairman of Scarsdale Taxpayer Alert, said the watchdog group wasn’t looking to raise revenue for the village from marijuana sales and was concerned about giving teenagers an extra opportunity to pick up the drug.

“There are better ways to approach the problem of drug use,” he said.

Though the village hasn’t come to a consensus on the question of retail marijuana, trustees were supportive of having village attorney Pozin draft a resolution to further limit smoking on village-owned property. According to Village Manager Steve Pappalardo, the village currently has an administrative policy in place that prohibits smoking in village facilities and entrances, at the swimming pool complex and on any field or playground, though it isn’t prescribed in the village code.

“The village does have some authority over its property, so it’s not just parks and parking lots and playgrounds, but also the streets and the sidewalks. To the extent the sidewalks are owned by the municipalities, they can regulate their use,” said Pozin. “But recognize that that’s going to have to include banning cigarette smoke … So, it can’t just be cannabis.”

Marijuana and tobacco products are treated the same by law, which means marijuana can’t be consumed in places of employment, bars, restaurants, enclosed swimming pools, public transportation or ticketing areas, child care service facilities or day cares, group homes for children, public institutions or residential treatment facilities for children, all public and private universities, hospitals, indoor arenas, zoos and bingo facilities.

People are also not allowed to smoke marijuana on school grounds or within 100 feet of an entrance or exit of an elementary school or public library.

Retail marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption sites also can’t be located within 500 feet of school grounds or within 200 feet of a house of worship.

According to a map presented by Village Planner Greg Cutler, if the village doesn’t opt out or add further restrictions on dispensaries or on-site consumption locations, marijuana-focused businesses, according to state law, could theoretically open on Scarsdale Avenue, Garth Road, Harwood Court, East Parkway and Spencer and Christie Place.

Susan Douglass, vice president of the Scarsdale Forum, said the group was studying the issue and plans to release a report on the opt-out issue. Personally, she said she was against on-site consumption lounges, but open to an upscale dispensary. She also asked whether landlords had a say in allowing a marijuana dispensary or on-site consumption business in their privately owned building.

Pozin said it wasn’t specified in the law, but he didn’t see the state requiring landlords to include marijuana-focused businesses if they didn’t want that sort of business in their buildings.

DJ Petta of Scarsdale Improvement Co., which owns many of the buildings in the village’s downtown, told the Inquirer the company hadn’t discussed the law yet and didn’t have a strong opinion either way about allowing dispensaries or consumption lounges.

“I think it would be more so how other merchants feel about it and how the community feels about it that would lead to our decision,” said Petta.

Marcy Berman-Goldstein, co-president of the Scarsdale Business Alliance, told the Inquirer the group didn’t have a statement on whether the village should allow cannabis dispensaries or lounges, or whether there should be a smoking ban on village-owned property.

Locally, Scarsdale’s Drug and Alcohol Task Force has voiced opposition to recreational legalization and its members have shared concerns about what the impact will be on the village’s youth, who are often targeted by cigarette, alcohol and vaping industries to use their products despite age limits imposed by law.

Wendy Gendel, chair of the task force, said the group would continue to educate students and families about the dangers of marijuana with youth.

Trustee Randy Whitestone, who serves as liaison to Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service which oversees the Drug and Alcohol Task Force, said although there was an increasing acceptance of marijuana and a “social evolution,” allowing it in the community was still an “affirmative decision.”

“Just because other villages do it and get revenue from it … doesn’t mean we have to make that same decision,” he said.

Though many community members shared a concern about the village’s youth being enticed by marijuana if the village were to allow local retailers, according to 2017 PRIDE survey data, marijuana use is already prevalent among students in the high school. In 2014, 15.4% of high school students said they had used marijuana in the past 30 days. In 2017, the numbers increased to 20.3%. The survey respondents also reported that they perceived marijuana as less dangerous than alcohol and cigarettes.

Brew said she had seen marijuana use “skyrocketing” in the high school, based on the survey results, and she said people need to consider the 21-year-old age limit for dispensaries, which could limit marijuana’s black market.

Brew also said messaging and educating students about marijuana use is essential.

“It’s here. It’s in the high school. Our kids are consuming it whether we want them to or not,” said Brew. “I think there are a lot of things to consider.”

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