Fentanyl Crisis at the Border
Thousands of pounds of fentanyl are flowing into the U.S. from Mexico every month. Yet we rarely hear much about the couriers, also known as mules, who smuggle much of it through legal ports of entry. This week's article shares the story of a young American woman who was struggling with addiction to methamphetamines, who needed money, and who got caught trying to cross the border carrying 1,000 fentanyl pills inside her body. Prosecutors and defense lawyers say her story is typical; the vast majority of illicit fentanyl — close to 90% — is seized at official border crossings. Immigration authorities say nearly all of that is smuggled by people who are legally authorized to cross the border, and more than half by U.S. citizens. Virtually none is seized from migrants seeking asylum. Sometimes fentanyl and other drugs are concealed inside tractor-trailers carrying loads of legitimate cargo into the U.S. More often, authorities say, it's hidden in passenger cars or on the bodies of pedestrians.
Here's the link: Mules who smuggle fentanyl across the border are often U.S. citizens : NPR
SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE NEW NUMBER TO CALL!
Last July, the cumbersome 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline became 988. The easy-to-remember national crisis line was created to help people dealing with issues like depression, substance use and suicidal ideation get immediate help and be guided to additional resources. About 5 million calls, chats and texts were fielded by 988 in its first year of operation. 988 has answered more than 665,000 texts. Young people in particular seem to be more comfortable texting about difficult subjects. Average wait times across the line have plummeted from 2 minutes 39 seconds to 41 seconds. We lose someone to suicide once every 11 minutes. Youth suicide rates are exploding.
The fastest growing demographic for death by suicide is elementary school children. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Here's the link: 988 mental health lifeline helps 5 million in first year : Shots - Health News : NPR