http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/07/26/dea-makes-90-arrests-in-war-on-synthetic-drugs/
Synthetic marijuana (spice/K2) and hallucinogenic bath salt use has been on the rise in recent years. The difference between these drugs and other drugs is that these have been created in a lab and have only been around for 40 years. When a person overdoses on cocaine or opiates we know how to treat them in the emergency room because people have been using and abusing these drugs for thousands of year. These drugs are different. Doctors don't know how to deal with someone who is "trippin' on spice" or "crunked" on bath salts . These drugs are very dangerous and have been known to cause brain damage when used in high amounts. In Texas, a man who was high on these drugs allegedly attacked, killed, and then ate his neighbor's dog. The reason why these drugs are so hard to outlaw is because of the way they're marketed. They say "not for human consumption" on them and are said to be used as plant feed or incense. The average American drug-user would know that this is not their actual purpose. Every time one of these substances in outlawed, drug chemist tweak the chemical formula just slightly enough so they can sell it legally again.
This situation is ridiculous. I believe that the people making these drugs are the most selfish people in the world. They will put people's lives at a great risk just for money. Even though the products say "not for human consumption" these products should be outlawed. The only reason these substances are sold is to get high. Even if the product says "not for human consumption" it should be outlawed because it contains a hallucinogenic substance that has been known to cause people to do crazy things such as drown their own children in a irrigation canal. Laws need to changed so this destruction of healthy bodies can be stopped.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Restrictions Put on New England Cod Fishing
LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/us/officials-back-deep-cuts-in-atlantic-cod-harvest-to-save-industry.html?pagewanted=2
Atlantic cod numbers are at an all-time low. Scientist say that the cod population is at 18 percent of what is considered a healthy population. The plan to cut back on cod fishing would cut down the catch to 1,550 metric tons a year, instead of the 8,000 metric ton limit set a decade ago. Last year the cod industry made about $80 million. The new limits could cut the profits by $25 million. The fishermen and their families are going to have to go other places for work. New technology is one of the reasons for the small cod numbers. Enhanced sonar technology and new net styles have not only produced huge numbers for the fishermen using them, but have also killed the predators that feed on cod as well. This has caused an environmental unbalance that has effected the whole ocean ecosystem. The government was forced to make these cuts after finally realizing the harm that has been done to the Atlantic Ocean due to overfishing.
Overfishing is a huge problem that oceans around the world are facing. My brother went to Alaska for a semester two years ago. He saw the effects of overfishing from first-hand experience. The boat he was on had to face strict catch limits and could only fish for a few days at a time when the fishery department allowed them to. Fish populations have made a rebound in Alaska in the past decade, but the story isn't the same for the cod on the East coast. Fishing limits are a vital part of keeping our ocean environments healthy for generations to come. This new limit had to be done at sometime. Unfortunately for the fishermen, it's now.
Atlantic cod numbers are at an all-time low. Scientist say that the cod population is at 18 percent of what is considered a healthy population. The plan to cut back on cod fishing would cut down the catch to 1,550 metric tons a year, instead of the 8,000 metric ton limit set a decade ago. Last year the cod industry made about $80 million. The new limits could cut the profits by $25 million. The fishermen and their families are going to have to go other places for work. New technology is one of the reasons for the small cod numbers. Enhanced sonar technology and new net styles have not only produced huge numbers for the fishermen using them, but have also killed the predators that feed on cod as well. This has caused an environmental unbalance that has effected the whole ocean ecosystem. The government was forced to make these cuts after finally realizing the harm that has been done to the Atlantic Ocean due to overfishing.
Overfishing is a huge problem that oceans around the world are facing. My brother went to Alaska for a semester two years ago. He saw the effects of overfishing from first-hand experience. The boat he was on had to face strict catch limits and could only fish for a few days at a time when the fishery department allowed them to. Fish populations have made a rebound in Alaska in the past decade, but the story isn't the same for the cod on the East coast. Fishing limits are a vital part of keeping our ocean environments healthy for generations to come. This new limit had to be done at sometime. Unfortunately for the fishermen, it's now.
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