Black Immigrant Daily News

Research Analyst at the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), Uki Atkinson, is warning that the continued use of Molly could increase the risk of unsafe sex and health challenges.

In fact, Atkinson shared that students are of the view that Molly can be used, especially by women, to get them in the mood for sexual activity.

A Rapid Situational Assessment on Drug Use in secondary schools conducted in May, has found that Molly is emerging as one of the most popular drugs being used by teenagers locally.

Speaking at a press conference to present the findings of the assessment, Atkinson said the island did not have a “pill-popping culture” or a drug injection culture.

However, she said “things are changing”, and the NCDA and other agencies must implement the necessary prevention control measures that are necessary.

Molly acts on three main neurotransmitters, which are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, according to the research analyst.

“These things control things like mood and aggression, sexual activity, our sleep, feelings of pain, blood pressure, heart rate, emotions, and motivation,” Atkinson outlined.

“In the short term, it can increase our heart rate, increase our blood pressure, cause muscle tension, teeth clenching, nausea, higher body temperature, and most importantly, increase the risk for unsafe sex,” she added.

The research analyst shared that Molly has been trending in the Dancehall sphere, especially at parties, and persons have been calling for its issuance at parties to desist.

She said anecdotally, persons have indicated that Molly has been mixed with alcohol and ganja at parties.

Atkinson said from the assessment and focus groups, students were able to describe what the pills looked like, how it was crushed and placed into alcohol, and the influence music had on its use, among other things.

“Students spoke about pills costing as low as $300 and as high as $2,500. What does this suggest? Internationally, it is known that Molly has a high potential for mixing with other drugs,” Atkinson explained.

“Another thing that came up is that it is felt to be a drug that is useful for sexual activity.

“What some students said is that when some women use the Molly they get on freaky, and Molly is for women and ecstasy is for men,” she said.

However, Atkinson said it is clear from those accounts that students do not have an idea of what Molly is, because “Molly and Ecstasy are the same thing.”

She said that some students also have expressed the view that the risk levels associated with using Molly are low.

“In other words, they think it is just a feel good, fun drug, and the fact that it can have serious impact on their health is not wildely known,” the research analyst shared, adding that the report for the rapid assessment details more from the students’ perspectives.

Though alcohol is not as popular anymore, Atkinson noted that it is still being used by some students in creative ways by soaking gummy bears in it and rebranding it as ‘Rummy Bears’.

The assessment also revealed that guidance councillors pointed out that students were struggling with issues relative to suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

El pelotero puertorriqueño Fernando Cruz, quien jugó para los Cangrejeros de Santurce, entre otros equipos, de la liga de béisbol Doble A, fue ascendido a las Grandes Ligas del deporte tras 16 años de espera. Este fue firmado por el equipo los Reds de Cincinnati. 

Fernando Cruz, de 32 años, jugará su primer partido con los Reds hoy y se enfrentará a los Rockies de Colorado.

“Felicitamos a nuestro cangrejero Fernando Cruz, quien recibió la llamada que tanto anhelaba al ser ascendido a las Grandes Ligas por primera vez en su carrera con los Reds de Cincinnati”, publicó el equipo de los Cangrejeros en sus redes sociales.

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Según el portal La Academia Deportiva, el atleta fue firmado como jugador de cuadro en el Draft del 2007 por los Royals de Kansas City en las Ligas Menores. Luego, en el 2011, cambió a la posición de lanzador. Posteriormente, en el 2013 Cruz comenzó a jugar en la Doble A y fue integrante de los equipos, los Navegantes de Aguada y los Maceteros de Vega Alta.

El deportista, además, ha participado con el equipo de Puerto Rico en Series del Caribe y obtuvo medallas de oro en los Juegos Panamericanos y Centroamericanos. 

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

One man is dead and a woman is seriously injured following a shooting in Enterprise, Christ Church.

Around 9:30 pm on Wednesday, August 31, police responded to reports of an incident at Keizer Hill Drive, Endeavour, Enterprise, Christ Church.

Upon arrival, officers from the Oistins Police Station discovered the body of an adult male in a bushy area near a residential property and a female was found with critical injuries. She was transported by ambulance for medical attention and is said to be in “serious but stable condition”.

According to lawmen, the man and his companion were in a motorcar and arrived at their residence, when a group of armed men appeared from a dark, bushy area, attacked them and started shooting.

“Both individuals ran away in an attempted to escape injury. The man was chased after and shot a numbers of times. He died at the scene. Meanwhile, the assailants fled the scene by driving away the motor vehicle used by the couple.”

The car bears the registration SA3501 – a gold coloured Toyota Axio.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have any knowledge about its occurrence or persons involved, is encouraged to contact the Oistins Police Station at 418 – 2612, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS), Police Emergency at 211 or any other Police Station.

NewsAmericasNow.com