#What Causes Substance Abuse in Youth

[fullhalalalchemist]

🚨🚨🚨Congress hiding behind "protecting" LGBTQ+ to push for censorship bills that would harm us

May 8, 2023

The EARN IT Act isn't the only bill Congress is rushing through this session that's secret goal is to censor and surveil Americans, especially queer ones.

KOSA (s.1409), or the Kid's Online Safety Act, is being hailed across the mainstream media and congress as the best bill to "protect children online from algorithmic harm" by essentially, blocking content that gives minors anxiety, depression, eating and substance abuse disorders, online bullying and harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, suicidal behaviors, and addiction. It's gives the FTC, who are politically appointed by the president, and all 50 state attorney generals enforcement power to do this. As long as they can justify a website 'harmed' a minor by having content that leads to 'anxiety, sexual exploitation, and suicidal behaviors', they will push lawsuit over lawsuit to that site until it censors that content for the minor.

Oh, but that's not it, either. HOW will websites determine who is and isn't a minor? Well don't worry, because the bill says "age verification isn't required". That however does nothing to stop websites from pushing age verification. When they're about to be held liable and sued for millions, when there's an age verification lobby that has pushed these bills successfully in half the states, when websites should know "reasonably" that theres a minor, they are GOING to go for age verification. Multiple experts agree that this would happen.

Last year, nearly 100+ LGBT and human rights orgs sent a letter opposing KOSA. They were ignored and Senator Blumenthal (same guy who is pushing the EARN IT Act) met with different orgs to "update the language". Except nothing in the update language changes any of it's impact. Sure, they removed "grooming" from being a target of this bill and instead are focusing on "mental health". Except, the Missouri Attorneys General, in his emergency order banning gender affirming care, cited a number of medical studies effectively claiming that access to gender affirming care is causing young people to experience mental health issues. They will use ANY excuse to censor content.

This is the tumblr purge 2.0 but for the entire internet. It's just as bad as the EARN IT Act. And it has IMMENSE levels of support. You have the national Eating Disorder Coalition, child advocacy orgs, the freaking American Psychological Association, LIZZO!!!! supporting this. It needs IMMENSE levels of backlash from us, the grassroots, the people.

The best way to fight back is to CALL YOUR SENATORS. It's now going to go to the commerce committee for markup, after it will head to a vote. This is going to be fasttracked and most likely voted on this month or June. It's all hands on deck.

Link to call script to read off alongside numbers to call:

A bunch of petitions you can sign (takes less than 5 min)

Open Letter Against KOSA

Petition 1

Petition 2

Petition 3

Petition 4

Resistbot: Text PHJDYH to 50409

And more information here: Linktree

This is a great TLDR article to read: Vox Article

TLDR; Congress's new bill KOSA that has an immense amount of bipartisan support will lead to internet censorship by giving all state attorney generals, even the ones in Texas and Florida, power to sue websites for "harmful" content and decide what is "dangerous" for minors, force websites to make you upload your govt ID online, and lead to widespread abuse of queer youth. We have to fight back NOW or else we will see an internet-wide purge of any adult and queer content online, globally.

[infraaa]

KOSA 101

Let’s talk about this. This is something I haven’t seen a lot of in my end, and this new bill may be troubling to not just us as a whole, but content creators. So, this isn’t just exclusive to AO3 anymore. This can go as far as places like Wattpad, Quotev, DeviantArt, and here.

So, to put it bluntly, if you give a fuck, listen.

What is KOSA?

KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act,) is a bill within the United States that was initially created last year with the aim of protecting youth (considerably age 16 and under,) from viewing harmful content online. It has since been updated and reintroduced by Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN.) Now, on surface level, it may seem like this has a good outlook, right? Not in the slightest. This bill, while it may not be passed yet rather introduced, may take an extreme to protect youth and monitor all. Yes, I said monitor.

Not only is NSFW content bound to be flagged, which may totally censor a lot of creators not just on this platform but others, a wider band that is under this new bill is LGBT+ content. According to Senator Blackburn of Tennessee, who is KOSA’s co-author, even education on race discrimination was viewed as “dangerous to kids,” and this soon branches out to race, gender, and sexuality discrimination. This also extends out to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc. The bill puts itself in the hands of State Attorney Generals in order for them to use tools of censorship against our rights and safety— not just for the youth, but for adults too, as we may face (giving an example,) hurdles trying to obtain things like legal documents.

How does KOSA work?

KOSA works by acting as a censor and self filter for the internet. By the hands of Attorney State Generals, they ultimately decide what is harmful to kids online. Though, this is a dual edged sword. This would also present the loss of access to information that a large sum of people may not deem dangerous. This again extends outward towards things like depression, substance abuse, etc— complex topics without a clear agreement on causes or solutions. This means that it could also filter, and possibly censor medical information, extending outward to trans medical care as well, which may lead on to silence the transgender community further. This is a very bad thing.

There would still be features like Age Verification, but it also filters legal speech. What I mean by “there will still be features,” to give an example, Tumblr has a tab in settings where you can add your birthday, which in turn verifies how old you are. Tiktok has this feature as well. About filtering legal speech, any kind of media or information that has to do with societal ills that is held on a platform, for example, Tumblr, will enable that platform to be held liable for holding that information. But… it may seem like I’m getting off topic, aren’t I?

So let’s swing back around…

KOSA has the ability to hurt creators on several different platforms. This gives the United States Government unlimited range of control over the internet.

This linktree has at least four different petitions open for you to take action against the bill, and to contact your congressmen and women. There’s also a discord server that’s dedicated to stopping KOSA from passing.

By doing this, you are spreading your voice. You are helping millions of people nationally— creators, artists, writers, everyone.

And finally, don’t just like this post. Reblog it— it helps it spread and gain exposure.

Let’s put an end to KOSA.

[enby-jellyfish]

I Am Venus God.

Arthur Shelby X GN!Reader (POC friendly)

Pronouns: You/yours

Summary: You meet Arthur at your lowest, now the time has come to see him at his.

Warnings: TW PSYCHOTIC EPISODE, TW PSYCHOSIS, religious themes, marital neglect, mentions of substance abuse (alcohol and unspecified drugs), cursing, period typical ignorance to mental health issues, possible OOC Tommy, angst

Word Count: 2108

A/N: Inspired by that one scene from Queen Charlotte :)

Aside from your new husband sneaking off to various pubs and working in an actual gang, your marriage has been going smoothly, even if how it came to be was anything but.

The marriage in question was arranged by his brother, the fearsome gang leader Tommy Shelby. Your father's bakery had been struggling a lot, so he did what any desperate working man in Small Heath does and went to the infamous Peaky Blinders for help. Surprisingly Tommy accepted your father's plea with the condition that you had to marry the eldest Shelby.

You were furious when you heard the news, understandably so. How dare they basically sell you to a man you've never seen, but whose reputation precedes him. You, like anyone who has not been living under a rock these past few years, have heard horrible stories about the Peaky Blinders. They are cheats, liars, and most importantly, murderers. And Arthur Shelby is said to be the cruellest of them all.

Your fiancé.

On the day of your wedding, you had tried to escape. Emphasis on 'tried', you had been caught before you could. By none other than your future husband himself. You had tried to convince him to help you escape, not knowing who he was, lamenting about the monster you thought your fiancé to be.

"I'm afraid i can't help you, love." He had stated.

"And why not?" You had questioned, exasperated by his quick refusal to help you, someone in clear need.

"Because I'm the monster you're supposed to be marrying right now." He had given you that awkward smile you will come to adore.

After that he had given you a choice, something his brother and your own father had refused you. You could choose your future now, and surprising no one more than yourself you said the words 'I do." a few moments later.

During your honeymoon you had gotten to know him better. You had eaten, drunk, slept, and danced together. But most importantly you had talked. He was not a man of many words and would stumble over his words anytime the conversation would go deeper than 'How did you sleep?'.

Despite this he tried. He confided in you about his youth, the war, his family, and his relationship with God. He spoke about how he used to not believe, and how that changed when he met a woman, Linda. She had shown him 'The way of The Lord', and helped him find comfort when he had none. Anytime you would try and ask what happened to her, he would get a weird look in his eyes and change the subject. Your current working theory is that she either left him or is dead. You don't want to think about the further implications of either of those options, considering the whole crime family situation and all, so you stopped asking.

Ignorance is bliss after all.

Said bliss came to an abrupt stop after the honeymoon though. Tommy had called his brother back to work and so you were left alone in the house. It is a nice house, by the countryside, beautifully decorated with all sorts of knick-knacks, and a big garden. Normally you wouldn't have minded being on your own, and you didn't at first. You had your books, your garden, and when he came back from work, you had your husband.

However the time he spent away got longer and longer with time, and when he was home he was... distant. Whatever Tommy made him do caused Arthur to slip away from you. He started spending more time with a bottle and other substances, you don't even want to know what they are, than with you. Sometimes you didn't see him for days, or even weeks at a time. It was heartbreaking, to see the man you had learned to like and even love so stressed. You had only just gained him, his trust, his love, and now you were losing him.

Tonight, you are awoken by strange noises from the other side of your bedroom. At first you assume it is Arthur, coming back home under the influence of God knows what, and you are indeed correct about it being Arthur, but when you sit up you immediately notice something is off about him.

Confused you watch as he scratches something into the wall using a palette knife, muttering incoherently to himself. You try calling his name. No response.

You try again, a bit louder this time. "Arthur, is that you?" He still doesn't respond so you get out of bed, wrapping your blanket around you and lighting the candle on your nightstand. You walk over to him, trying to understand his ramblings in the process, but you can't make sense of any of it.

"Arthur."

Suddenly he stops his repetitive muttering and scratching. He drops the palette knife and stumbles around to face you. It's like he's looking right through you. He starts walking towards the door, not sparing you another glance. Concerned you follow him.

He walks quickly and stiffly, continuing his muttering, you can vaguely make out the words 'Show yourself.'. It's like he is so sure of where he is going, yet unaware of anything around him. He moves out of your bedroom, down the stairs, through the living room and exits the house. You have to jog to keep up with him. The two of you are now in the garden.

"Arthur! It's cold. You're not wearing shoes." He is running now.

You hear him before you can catch up to him. "I see you! God, your angels. I see you!"

See who? What? And oh, oh. He is undressing now. The few clothes he was wearing are now flying through the air while he keeps shouting at the sky. "I see you! I see you! My Lord, my angel, I'm here. I'm here!"

You have never seen him like this. He has had outbursts before, sure, but they were out of anger, never this.

"I feel you, talk to me!" He exclaims, falling to the ground, pale knees turning black from the dirt.

"I knew you would come. I knew it." He stood again, reaching his hands up to the sky.

"Yes! They will see. I know. Yes!" It stunned you, seeing him like this. You think back to the times you've seen him drunk or high, but this behaviour doesn't match anything you've seen him on before.

"It is God. Do you see it?" Is he speaking to you? "Say hello! Hello, God!"

"Arthur." You finally will yourself to speak.

He gasps, looking back to the sky, but doesn't respond.

"Arthur."

"Arthur."

Finally he turns to face you. "It is God. Say hello."

"No. I am God. Right here. I am God." The words slip from your lips before you can stop them.

"You are God?" Now he is the stunned one. "Yes." Perhaps indulging whatever this is may be the best course of action for now.

He lets out a gasp, bringing his hands up to cover his mouth. "You are God?"

"Yes. And God is going inside. You need to come with me."

"All right. I thought..." Another gasp. "I thought you were in the sky." He looks back up, confused.'

"I was in the sky, but now I am going inside. Into our house."

"Here. Here." You wrap your blanket around him, feeling the goosebumps on his arms as you do so. "Come on." You gently lead him towards your house.

“God… is indoors.” He says it more like a question.

“God is indoors. With you. I am with you.” You affirm.

Once inside you sit your husband on the couch and tell him to stay there while you go and fill up the tub. He just nods, staring blankly ahead.

You adjust the blanket on his shoulders and move to put on the kettle. While waiting for the water to boil you pick up the phone and dial Tommy's number, that fucker has some explaining to do.

He picks up after the first ring, odd, considering it's the middle of the night, but you are not going to question it. “Get over here, it’s Arthur.” You hang up before he can get a word in.

You fill up the tub with the hot water, adding colder water so it won’t burn. You fetch Arthur and he allows you to move him into the tub. Gently you start scrubbing away all the dirt, sweat, and tears from his body. Gently running the sponge over his seemingly perpetually bruised knuckles. He is shaking, mouth moving without making a sound, staring into nothing.

When you finally manage to get Arthur clean and dressed his brother barges into your bedroom. Tommy quickly addresses you before starting to march over to his brother, who is now sitting on the bed.

"Tommy." You block his way. "What is this? What is happening?" He sighs out your name while rubbing his hand over his face. Like it is exhausting to even be in the same room as you. How fucking dare he.

"Thomas!"

You have never raised your voice at him before, you haven't dared. He looks at you, finally he looks at you. You don't think he has ever looked you in the eye before.

“What has happened to my husband?”

He sighs. “It’s just The Flanders Blues, he’ll get over it.” He says it in a way that, if you hadn’t seen what you had that night you would have believed him.

You laugh at him. “Don’t bullshit me Thomas, I’ve seen shellshock this,” you point at your husband, he hasn’t moved an inch. “, is not that.”

“He was talking to the sky, Tommy. I-” Your voice breaks and you have to give yourself a moment to take a breath. You will not cry now.

“Yeah, and what difference does it make, you wouldn’t have married him if you knew.”

“I didn’t want to marry him in the first place, the whole idea of this marriage was against my will.” You take a breath, trying to calm yourself. “But if I have to be married, if I have to leave my home, my family, my life, it can’t be for a man I don’t know!”

“You should be grateful; your family is well provided for, and you could be doing so much worse, so what if he is mad!” He moves his arms exasperatedly.

“I don’t care about his sanity, I care about his happiness, I care for his soul. Let him be mad, if mad is what he needs. We are done, get out of my house.”

He looks at you with an unreadable look on his face. “Take care of him.” With that he leaves. You watch him leave, a mix of confusion and relief washing over you.

You hear Tommy’s car leave and only then you release the breath you’ve been holding. Hearing movement behind you you turn around, seeing Arthur move from the bed to the ground, sliding himself under the bed.

“Arthur?” His odd behaviour makes you worried for another outburst.

“It’s quiet here.” You close your eyes and nod your head, accepting that this is what he needs right now.

You move towards the bed, kneeling to the ground. “Is there room for one more under there? I could use some quiet too.”

He doesn’t respond but hear shuffling sounds and take that as permission and get under the bed with him. He is right, it is quiet down here.

“This has been an… exciting night, hasn’t it?” You look over at him, he looks calmer now, like he is actually here. “…Are you feeling better now?”

He nods. “Thank you, I’m sorry you had to see that.” His voice sounds hoarse. You think back to his screaming before, he sounded so desperate. Desperate to be saved, to be seen.

You swallow the lump in your throat. It broke your heart, seeing him like that, him apologising is just the cherry on top. You slowly reach over and grasp his hand into yours

“Thank you.” You aren’t exactly sure what you are thanking him for. Not letting you escape your wedding perhaps? Because despite everything that happened tonight, you are grateful to have him with you, right here, right now, under your bed, hiding from a deity in the sky.

“I love you.” You bring your intertwined hands to your lips and kiss the back of his hand.

“I don’t deserve you.” A tear rolls down his face. You use your free hand to wipe it away, cupping his cheek.

“Have me anyway.”

Masterlist

Thank you for reading <3

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Madison Pauly and Henry Carnell at Mother Jones:

The conversion therapists met last November at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. Behind the closed doors and drawn blinds of a Hampton Inn conference room, a middle-aged woman wearing white stockings and a Virgin Mary blue dress issued a call to arms to the 20-some people in attendance. “In our current culture, in which children are being indoctrinated with transgender belief from the moment they’re out of the womb, if we are confronted with a gender-confused child, you must help,” declared Michelle Cretella, a board member of the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity. “We must do something.” Cretella was delivering a keynote speech at the first in-person conference in four years of the Alliance, which describes itself as a “professional and scientific organization” with “Judeo-Christian values.” Its purpose: to defend and promote the practice of conversion therapy by licensed counselors.

Not that they’d call what they do “conversion therapy.” That term lacks a precise definition, but it is used colloquially to describe attempts to shift a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In the 1960s, some psychologists tried to make gay men straight by pairing aversive stimuli, like electric shocks or chemically induced nausea, with images of gay porn—techniques that ran the risk of causing serious psychological damage even as they failed to change participants’ sexual orientation, researchers eventually concluded. Today, “conversion therapy” generally takes the form of verbal counseling. Participants are typically conservative Christians who engage voluntarily—motivated by internalized stigma, family pressure, and the belief that their feelings are incompatible with their faith. Others are children, brought into therapy by their parents.

The American Psychological Association (APA) has concluded that conversion therapy lacks “sufficient bases in scientific principles” and that people who have undergone it are “significantly more likely to experience suicidality and depression.” Similarly, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, published a report concluding that “none of the existing research supports the premise that mental or behavioral health interventions can alter gender identity or sexual orientation. Interventions aimed at a fixed outcome, such as gender conformity or heterosexual orientation…are coercive, can be harmful, and should not be part of behavioral health treatment.”

Accordingly, the Alliance and the ideas it promotes have been relegated to the scientific and political fringes. In the 2010s, as acceptance of gay rights grew rapidly, 18 states and dozens of local governments passed laws forbidding mental health professionals from attempting conversion therapy on minors. Yet by 2020, a new front had opened in the war against LGBTQ people. Republican state legislatures started passing laws targeting transgender and nonbinary children at school—restricting their access to bathrooms, barring them from participating in sports, and stopping educators from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity. The most intense attacks have banned doctors from providing the treatments for gender dysphoria backed by all major US medical associations. Nearly 114,000 trans youth live in states where access to puberty blockers and hormone therapy has been wiped out.

Last year, I received leaked emails illustrating how these laws are crafted and pushed by a network of anti-trans activists and powerful Christian-right organizations. The Alliance is deeply enmeshed in this constellation of actors. Although small, with an annual budget of under $200,000, it provides both unsubstantiated arguments suggesting LGBTQ identities are changeable and a network of licensed counselors to lend their credibility to these efforts. Among the collaborators were David Pickup, the Alliance’s president-elect; Laura Haynes, an Alliance advocate; and Cretella, the former executive director of an anti-trans pediatrics group who described gender-affirming medical care at the Las Vegas conference as “evil” and part of a “New World Order.” (“I’m not a conspiracy theorist,” she assured attendees. “I’m just someone who has been in the battle of the culture of life versus the culture of death long enough to see the big picture.”) All three have testified before state legislatures against gender-affirming care. When a US senator introduced a pair of bills to restrict trans youth health care in 2021, his press release quoted Cretella calling gender-affirming treatments “eugenics.”

[...]

If the Las Vegas conference made one thing clear, it’s that conversion therapy is alive and well, even in places where it’s been banned. One counselor told me he makes it a habit not to document his treatment plans in writing to avoid getting in trouble and simply treats “family dynamics” in states with conversion therapy bans. In a 2015 survey of more than 27,000 trans adults, nearly 1 in 7 said that a professional, such as a therapist, doctor, or religious adviser, had tried to make them not transgender; about half of respondents said they were minors at the time. By applying this rate to population estimates, the Williams Institute at UCLA projects that more than 135,000 trans adults nationwide have experienced some form of conversion therapy.

Despite the data, lawmakers frequently don’t believe that conversion therapy is still happening in their community, says Casey Pick, director of law and policy at the Trevor Project, the LGBTQ suicide prevention group. “We’re constantly running up against this misconception that this is an artifact of the past,” she says. So, five years ago, the Trevor Project began scouring psychologists’ websites and books, records of public testimony, and known conversion therapy referral services, looking for counselors who said they could alter someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation. As the research stretched on, Pick noticed webpages being revised to reflect changing times. “We saw many folks who seemed to leave the industry entirely,” she says. “But others changed their website, changed their keywords, [from] talking about creating ex-gays to talking about ex-trans.” Last December, Pick’s team published their report documenting active conversion therapists. They found more than 600 were licensed health care professionals and an additional 716 were clergy, lay ministers, or other unlicensed religious counselors.

According to Pick, some conversion therapists have embraced a new label for what they do: “gender exploratory therapy.” It’s a term that Cretella used to describe the approach she recommended, and unlike the other euphemisms thrown around at the conference, this has gained traction. In 2021, a group of therapists, who ranged from conflicted about medical interventions for kids with gender dysphoria to skeptical of the very concept of transgender identity, formed the Gender Exploratory Therapy Association (GETA) to promote an approach they characterize as neither conversion nor affirmation.

Some current and former leaders of the group, which claims a membership of 300 mental health providers, have been involved in influential organizations lobbying against gender-affirming care across the world, such as the Ireland-based Genspect and the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine, a nonprofit registered in Idaho. They’ve notched some big wins: In November 2023, the UK Council for Psychotherapy—the nation’s top professional association—declared that it was fine for counselors to take GETA’s “exploratory” approach to gender. This April, a long-awaited review of gender-related care for youth in England’s National Health Service endorsed exploratory therapy, according to Alex Keuroghlian, an associate psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School. And in the United States, in cases in which families of trans children have sued states for banning gender-affirming care, the state often calls expert witnesses who endorse “exploratory” psychotherapy as their preferred alternative treatment.

After all, the idea of “exploring” one’s gender identity sounds benign. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which issues guidelines on gender-­affirming treatment, recommends that clinicians working with teens “facilitate the exploration and expression of gender openly and respectfully so that no one particular identity is favored.” Yet, as with mindfulness, “that term has now been hijacked by folks on the other side,” says Judith Glassgold, a clinical psychologist who chaired the APA task force that in 2009 documented the lack of science behind conversion therapy.

GETA’s guidelines instruct therapists to dig deep into “the entire landscape of the young person’s life and subjective experience,” probing all possible reasons they might identify as transgender. The catch, says Glassgold, is that “exploration” means “trying to find negative reasons why someone’s diverse.” Last year, SAMHSA issued a report saying that “approaches that discourage youth from identifying as transgender or gender-diverse, and/or from expressing their gender identity” are sometimes “misleadingly referred to as ‘exploratory therapy.’” These approaches are “harmful and never appropriate,” the report concluded.

Mother Jones has a detailed report on a new form of the medically discredited practice known as conversion therapy called gender exploratory therapy. Gender exploratory therapy is the practice of making a person revert to their gender assigned at birth, which is essentially forced detransition by another name.

Read the full story at Mother Jones.

[malebodyexhibit]

On Board and On Brand (a Next Door Boy tale)

You might have heard of the Next Door Boy agency and its services. Everyone lately had been on board with the promise of a new body, but have you heard of the recent scandal with the social media influencers?

The three men you see above are not who they say they are. (Expectedly on brand with Next Door Boy’s services.) The one on the left is a 40something bartender from Provo, Utah. An ex-Mormon who abandoned his wife and kids for the body of a snowboarder turning tricks in hotel rooms. The one on the right is a geriatric who served in Vietnam. A former 70s hippie and veteran now doing Jagger shots in a jacuzzi with his groupies. The one in the center, surprisingly, is a teen who immigrated from Mexico. He comes from wealth and orchestrated this scheme using his parents' money.

Santiago turned 18 this past year and had recruited the two former adults for a plan he had in mind. While it isn't clear why those two specifically, it is determined they met on an online forum prior to Santiago's scheme. He proposed that he would have them placed in bodies of attractive, athletic young men in order to gain sponsorships from the traveling and sports industries with the gay demographic as their target.

So what happens when you put the minds of older men into young bodies? Absolute horny mayhem. The ex-Mormon, Joseph, was caught blowing guys for money and sometimes just for free. The body of the ex-semipro snowboarder is paraded around the world shirtless and wearing zero underwear. This has naturally caused an outcry from the former-snowboarder who wants his body back.

The hippie, Leonard, had zero inhibitions on strutting in the nude. Having been a nudist in his prior body, Leonard saw no reason to change this mindset. He developed a group of fans who bring the party to him. He's often doing shots with and plowing his college fanbase. The body of the ex-college basketball star now filmed and posted on porn sites strains the relationship between the former college athlete and his parents.

As for Santiago, still retaining his wealth in his new body, happily flaunts his chiseled body and charming smile. He has legally changed his name to Alex and began an open relationship. He remarks that he's finally fitting in with people he always wanted to be a part of. "It feels nice to be an American," he stated after a photoshoot. With his new fame due to his fitness sponsorships, he is considering breaking from the two friends in order to keep his good name intact. On brand with his physical fitness, Alex is launching his new health supplements later this year and has started a training regime for the upcoming sports season.

What of the former bodies? Both previous bodies of Joseph and Leonard (names withheld) are pursing action against the two for violation of conditions set during body transfer, namely the use of substances and illicit sexual acts. The outcome, while not yet determined, will entail the returning of the bodies and financial compensation. Next Door Boy has refused to make a statement for what could be abuse of their services, but usage of their services has increased since this story made headlines.

No action has been taken by the former body of Santiago, who, while seeing the success Alex has, decided to remain living as the Mexican youth until the end of the services. He mentioned Alex approached him about a more permanent condition, and Santiago wasn't opposed to this idea as he reported to me on board his million-dollar yacht.

[gatheringbones]

[“My father died in his sixties of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, including the lungs and heart. The physician who performed my father’s autopsy told me that his lungs, heart, spleen, and brain were so damaged that he must have had undiagnosed and untreated sarcoidosis for decades, and that, given the widespread damage to his vital organs, it was surprising he was even able to remain upright toward the end of his life. For years before his death, his body was a Jenga tower one move away from collapse.

Though this appeared nowhere in the official cause of death, one could certainly speculate that my father’s premature death was the result of unrelenting social pressure on top of childhood trauma—or, in other words, weathering. And there was a generational legacy of weathering to contend with, too—not just his own, but the weathering that was passed down to him from his family, whose uphill battles began in the shtetl and continued after their escape from persecution in Russia, when they came to America as poor immigrants and settled down to a difficult life in a working-class urban ghetto. Being targeted for genocide, and suffering the losses of two of her children and the slaughter of her parents, plunged my father’s mother into depression and left her desperately anxious about the health of her youngest son.

In current parlance, we would speculate that my father was affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), a type of trauma that is associated with diminished health in later life. Examples of ACEs include losing a family member to death or to prison, being depressed or having a primary caregiver who is depressed, going hungry for long periods, and suffering neglect or abuse. Today, scientists have found evidence that if you were subject to ACEs during critical periods of your brain development, your brain architecture may be affected such that your threshold for physiological stress arousal is permanently lower (meaning it is triggered more easily). To the extent that you will live your life in similarly adverse circumstances, having this lower threshold can be adaptive. But what if the adversity you actually face is entirely different from the circumstances in which you were born?

Imagine what it would be like if your brain architecture was calibrated by a world rife with ACEs, yet, as you grew up, you entered an environment that contained none of the kinds of threats or stressors your brain had prepared you for. You went to school with, worked with, or lived next to members of communities whose neurological threshold for stress arousal was shaped by enjoying lives of privilege and safety. Your hair-trigger reactions to perceived threats could get you dismissed as uncivil, touchy, hot-tempered, a troublemaker, or a snowflake. Your more privileged classmates or coworkers or neighbors could feel superior as they patted themselves on the back for remaining civil and calm, letting verbal provocations roll off their back or, worse, being happily unaware that the substance of their civil discourse could, in fact, be a verbal provocation to race-conscious ears. They would not understand that your brain and body were adapted for responding to a world filled with threats and that you had been primed to be in a continuous state of vigilance. Or you knew that when the privileged performed civility, that alone did not imply they weren’t proliferating racist ideas.

This appears to have been my father’s lived experience as an adult. He probably lived in a permanently sustained or easily escalated state of physiological stress arousal, which over time weathered his body. For my father, achieving an advanced education conferred real material benefits and privileges. These were important prizes, and they offered my sisters and me a degree of financial security and opportunities he never had in his youth; yet, for my father, this alone was not enough to heal his early and intergenerational traumas, or to prevent the physiological damage that led to his early death.”]

arline t. geronimus, from weathering: the extraordinary stress of ordinary life in an unjust society, 2023

[ruvviks]

// five songs, three outfits.

tagged by; @strafethesesinners, @rindemption, @hibernationsuit and @reaperkiller, thank you so much!! tagging; @dickytwister, @vvanessaives, @devilbrakers, @shellibisshe, @adelaidedrubman, @katsigian, @noirapocalypto, @velocitic and YOU!

rules: post 5 songs associated with your oc, followed by 3 outfits they would wear

nosebleed - sophie powers

this song is very relevant for vitali in his college years, where he's stuck in this eternal loop of going to school, studying, going out, partying, making one billion mistakes, and then do it all over again the next day. trying to keep himself standing in a city so big with no support system, fake friends, addictions, and barely any money is not going too great for him but he's managing even if it's just barely

vices - mothica

this song also applies to college vitali but is more focused on the deepest lows he experiences during those years. he spends a significant amount of time in clubs getting lured in by, well, vices, whether it's substance abuse or trying to make a quick buck with some guy in a private room or in the back of a car. it's another cycle he finds himself in where he keeps telling himself it's out of necessity- he needs the money, and he's right to call it a necessity- but at the same time he's learned that he can no longer live without it, and every weekend he finds himself making the same mistakes over and over again which he then regrets, and to forget about those regrets he does it all over again

own me - bülow

this song applies more to vitali at arasaka, bridging the gap between his college years and his current life as a fixer. he's still running on the adrenaline from the previous years and despite being more comfortable in his living situation and financial situation, he's haunted by nightmares and resurfacing memories of worse times to the point he still finds himself doing things he used to do as a defense mechanism- sleeping with coworkers left and right to make more money, and drinking it all away. though at the same time he's a lot more professional now and tries to focus on the future, seeing his "side job" as a way to keep himself independent from arasaka, which reflects in the song- and as much as that may be true there's still that sting from his past, that part of him that simply just can't live without the thrill of it all anymore

playground - bea miller

this song is more relevant for vitali as an established fixer, with a reputation to uphold; though many still only see what's on the surface and read him more as a fighter than anything else, and his corpo background leaves a bad aftertaste in the mouths of many. at the same time it's put him in the perfect position to get gigs from rich and influential corpos, which allows him to strategically cause chaos within corporations without getting involved himself; this song has a vibe that reflects how seemingly effortlessly vitali handles business with clients and mercenaries alike, and it radiates his composure and controlled attitude

circus minimus - jvzel, neon haze

this song is a fun one, as it has a similar vibe to the previous one but brings back more of the first few songs which is exactly where vitali is at in his life right now. he's grown into his role as a fixer well enough over the years to get a little bit more comfortable, no longer as static and composed as he first was when he was still trying to make a name for himself out in the city; he's more relaxed now, and more free, running a nightclub called dysnomia in the basement of his fixer office which mirrors his past experiences with clubs but in a positive light now that he is in control of it all. he's a professional, both as a fixer and a merc, passionate about what he does, and he still has that sharp edge from his youth and he's allowing his wilder side to take over a little bit more now that he's more comfortable in his skin and not constantly trying to make himself look better for others

vitali can most often be found wearing suits because he spends entirely too much time at the office, but especially after meeting vincent he starts wearing more than just plain black and/or red suits! either a splash of color or a lot of accessories or both, and he doesn't shy away from getting a little slutty with it

[lovehealgrow]

The Harmful Impact of Conversion Therapy

If you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s likely that you’ve thought about therapy at least once or twice. Surveys show that queer American adults and youth both show elevated levels of depression and anxiety– which makes a lot of sense, given how hostile the political landscape can be for this community. Equally alarming is the rate at which LGBTQIA+ folks can’t get therapy; while 67% of LGBTQIA+ people reported needing mental health services over the past two years, only about half of them were able to get the help they needed. There are many reasons for this, including wait times and the cost of therapy. Another reason is the fear of predatory conversion therapy.

Today, we’re going to talk about conversion therapy and explain why it doesn’t help– and we’ll also teach you how to spot it, since it often hides under other names. This is a heavy topic, especially for people who have been through this type of mental health abuse, and we will be discussing a number of triggering topics, including self-harm, suicide, and physical and mental harm. Please keep that in mind before going any further with this article!

What Is Conversion Therapy?

Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE), and gender identity change efforts (GICE), is a widely discredited and harmful practice aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This controversial approach is based on the false belief that being LGBTQIA+ is abnormal or undesirable. Conversion therapy methods vary but often include psychological or religious interventions, such as counseling, prayer, or aversion techniques.

The vast majority of conversion therapy is not practiced by mental health professionals; according to a survey done by the UCLA Williams School of Law, 81% of conversion therapy patients received it from a religious leader, not a healthcare professional. These practices have been condemned by major medical and mental health organizations worldwide due to their ineffectiveness, potential for psychological harm, and violation of human rights. In fact, many states are outright banning it; 22 states and Washington, D.C. have banned conversion therapy for minors, and 5 additional states have partial bans.

The most important thing to know is that whether a person is forced into it by family members, coerced into it, or enter it willingly, conversion therapy does not help. In fact, it’s actively harmful. People who have undergone conversion therapy are 88% more likely to attempt suicide. If you have a LGBTQIA+ child, conversion therapy is one of the worst things you can do to them. Even if you personally don’t support the LGBTQIA+ community, conversion therapy won’t “fix” your child. It’s more likely to cause them severe emotional harm.

What Are The Impacts of Conversion Therapy?

Conversion therapy has numerous negative impacts, including:

Psychological Harm

Conversion therapy often leads to significant psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. The pressure to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity can cause profound internal conflict and identity confusion. Many individuals who undergo conversion therapy experience trauma as a result of the coercive and often abusive tactics used by therapists or religious leaders. This trauma can manifest in symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), flashbacks, and nightmares.

Physical Health Risks

Some forms of conversion therapy involve harmful practices such as aversion therapy, which may include electric shocks or nausea-inducing substances. These methods can lead to physical harm, including burns, nausea, vomiting, and other adverse reactions. Adidtionally, research has shown a strong correlation between conversion therapy and increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among LGBTQIA+ individuals. The rejection, shame, and psychological distress inflicted by conversion therapy can exacerbate existing mental health challenges and contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Isolation and Alienation

LGBTQIA+ people who undergo conversion therapy may feel isolated and alienated from their communities, including family, friends, and religious institutions. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and contribute to a sense of rejection and stigma. Conversion therapy undermines individuals’ authentic identity development by promoting shame and self-rejection based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This interference can impede healthy self-expression, self-acceptance, and personal growth.

How Do I Spot Conversion Therapy?

So how can you tell whether a therapy practice is legitimate or harmful? It’s very important to be able to distinguish between real therapy practices and conversion therapy to ensure that you’re getting actual mental health support. Here are some indicators to help you tell whether a practice is legitimate, or whether it’s conversion therapy in disguise:

Professional Credentials: Verify the therapist’s credentials and qualifications. Legitimate therapists typically have degrees in psychology, counseling, social work, or related fields and are licensed or certified by relevant professional organizations or regulatory bodies. Remember, more than 80% of conversion therapy isn’t performed by therapists!

Approach and Techniques: Inquire about the therapist’s approach and techniques used in therapy. Conversion therapy often involves efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, while legitimate therapy focuses on supporting individuals in exploring and understanding their identities without aiming to change them.

Ethical Standards: Ask about the therapist’s adherence to professional ethical standards. Conversion therapy is widely regarded as unethical and has been denounced by major mental health organizations. Legitimate therapists follow ethical guidelines that prioritize the well-being and autonomy of their clients.

Affirming Approach: Legitimate therapy typically adopts an affirming and supportive approach toward LGBTQIA+ individuals, respecting their identities and experiences. Conversely, conversion therapy may involve pathologizing LGBTQIA+ identities and promoting shame or guilt about one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Referrals and Recommendations: Ask for referrals or recommendations from trusted sources, such as LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations or community support groups. These sources can help connect you with therapists who provide affirming and effective therapy while avoiding conversion therapy practices.

Awareness of Red Flags: Be aware of red flags that may indicate conversion therapy, such as promises of “curing” or “fixing” sexual orientation or gender identity, use of shaming or guilt-inducing language, insistence on secrecy or confidentiality, and avoidance of discussing the therapist’s credentials or approach in detail. There’s nothing to be “fixed” about an LGBTQIA+ identity, because there’s nothing broken or wrong with these identities!

Also, because people are becoming more familiar with the harms of conversion therapy, it often goes by other names, including:

Sexual attraction fluidity exploration in therapy (SAFE-T)

Eliminating, reducing, or decreasing frequency or intensity of unwanted same-sex attraction (SSA)

Reparative therapy

Sexual reorientation efforts

Ex-gay ministry

Promoting healthy sexuality

Addressing sexual addictions and disorders

Sexuality counseling

Encouraging relational and sexual wholeness

Healing sexual brokenness

While some of these terms are used in legitimate therapeutic practices, like “promoting healthy sexuality” and “addressing sexual addictions,” they should definitely be considered in context. A therapy practice that says they promote healthy sexuality and uses identity-affirming language and has strong ties to the local LGBTQIA+ community is likely to be helpful. But any practice that claims to be an ex-gay ministry is something to watch out for!

At Love Heal Grow, we know just how important supportive therapists are for the LGBTQIA+ community. After all, some of our therapists are under that umbrella themselves! We pride ourselves on offering compassionate, effective therapy that affirms your identity and orientation. Whether that’s queer relationship therapy or individual therapy, we’re here for everyone under the rainbow. Schedule with one of our therapists today for a therapy session that helps you celebrate what makes you unique.

[unshackled-instinct]

𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂 ; 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒; bold what applies, italic what sometimes applies. feel free to add on!  

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. being unable to stop smiling. laughter. bear hugs. happy tears. waving arms around. dancing. contently sighing. eyes twinkling. laugh lines. childlike playfulness. skipping. talking more. affection. cracking more jokes than usual. gesturing more when talking. higher pitched voice. squealing. jumping around. clapping.

𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. tearing up. self-hugging.one-arm cross.an aching chest. scratchy throat. a runny nose. turning away. deep breaths. quivery smiles. crying. infantile sobbing. hands gripping each other or an object. covering mouth. puffy eyes. eyes appear red. voice breaking. a distant or empty stare. monotone voice. asking for comfort. faking a smile. crumbling. shaking. whimpering. depression. abusing an unhealthy habit. withdrawing from others. big teary eyes. doing something even if it could hurt them.

𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫. furrowed brows. baring teeth. passive-aggressive comments. avoiding eye contact. sarcasm. headache. sore muscles. hiding clenched fists. irritability. jumping to conclusions. raising voice. going silent. demanding immediate action. keeping it all in until exploding. body tensing. making risky decisions. middle finger.

𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫. wanting to flee or hide. what-ifs. images of what-could-be flashing in mind. uncontrollable trembling. rapid breathing. screaming. a skewed sense of time. irritability. keeping silent. denying fear. turning away from the cause .pretending to be brave. nail-biting. lip-biting. scratching skin. a joking tone but a voice that cracks. fainting. insomnia. panic attacks. exhaustion. substance abuse. tics. rushing adrenaline. face draining of colour. hair lifting on the back of the neck. feeling rooted to the spot. making body as small as possible. staring but not seeing. crying. a shrill voice. whispering. gripping something or someone. stuttering. flinching at noises. pleading.

𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. constantly yawning. blurring words together. dark circles or lines under eyes. mood swings. hallucinations. calling people by the wrong name. dizziness. denying they’re tired. slow blinking. trouble concentrating. stumbling. leaning on a doorframe for support. sluggish movements. falling asleep someplace that isn’t a bed. becoming irritated by the smallest things. “i’m awake, i’m fine.” shaking so bad they spill their drink. fall asleep in their clothes. lay their head on the table because they’re so tired. passing out.

Tagged by: no one. Taken from @aestheticreposts-galore.

Tagging: @girlsfightingarena @thekingofmuses @bastardsunlight @demon-blood-youths @neowaveoasis and anyone else who wants to do this meme.

[neurodiversitysci]

Are You Interested in ADHD Research? Here’s Where to Start

A reader recently asked me, in reply to a recent blog post about Russell Barkley, what important research is being done on ADHD, and who is doing it.

The best place to start exploring ADHD research is with the World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement (open access PDF here). This 2021 meta-analysis lists 208 evidence-based conclusions about ADHD. 

It makes an excellent introduction to ADHD research because it spans a variety of topics, including:

Who has ADHD and how common it is worldwide

Genetic and environmental causes, 

How the brain differs in ADHD,  

How ADHD affects skills in cognitive and academic areas,

What treatments are safe and effective, 

What life outcomes affect people with ADHD -- including educational achievement, peer relationships, health problems, rates of accidents and substance abuse, quality of life, and more.

The paper is well organized, with the conclusions placed under clear, useful topic headings. 

The writing style seems clear, and fairly easy to read. There’s not much jargon, as research papers go. However, I’m a former cognitive neuroscientist who has probably read thousands of research papers, so your mileage may vary, depending on your experience reading psychology and neuroscience research papers.

Who: 

There were 80 authors from 27 countries and 6 continents, led by prolific researcher Stephen V. Faraone.  

Authors were representatives of national and international ADHD organizations, such as the World Federation of ADHD, EUropean NETwork for Hyperkinetic DisorderS (Eunethydis), the Latin American League of ADHD, the Chinese Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, etc.

What they Did:

1. The authors reviewed studies that had at least 2,000 participants, meta-analyses of five or more studies, and meta-analyses with at least 2,000 participants. 

2. Based on this research, the authors created 208 evidence-based statements about ADHD.

3. Finally, 403 people read the manuscript and agreed with its contents.

Why:

This was the second international consensus statement written about ADHD. It updates the original statement by “cataloging important scientific discoveries from the last 20 years.”

“Nearly 2 decades ago, an international team of scientists published the first International Consensus Statement on ADHD. They sought to present the wealth of scientific data attesting to the validity of ADHD as a mental disorder and to correct misconceptions about the disorder that stigmatized affected people, reduced the credibility of health care providers, and prevented or delayed treatment of individuals challenged by the disorder.” [bold added by me].

Keep in mind that not every interesting topic in ADHD research is covered: 

“If a topic is not included in this document, it does not mean the topic is unimportant; rather, it means the evidence found was insufficient to allow firm conclusions.  This could be because there were insufficient studies of quality, because no attempt was made to assess publication bias, or because the data available did not support the claims made.” 

What they Found:

Here are some of the conclusions I think will be most interesting and important to ADHD people and their supporters:

ADHD is not new. Signs and symptoms have been recognized as clinically significant for over 200 years.

The diagnosis of ADHD is valid, based on standard criteria for the validity of a mental disorder.

ADHD occurs throughout the world. It affects about 6% of youth and 3% of adults, and is more common in males than females.

ADHD has not become more common in the past 30 years.

There are many genetic and environmental causes for ADHD.

Environmental causes typically affect fetuses and newborns. Environmental causes include: exposure to toxins; nutrient deficiencies; very/extremely preterm birth or low birthweight; extreme deprivation, stress, infection, poverty, or trauma early in life; or traumatic brain injury early in life.

There are differences in the brain between groups of people with and without ADHD. However, these are not useful for diagnosing ADHD. First, these differences are typically small. Second, they do not differ between ADHD and other disabilities. 

Differences in the brain are structural (such as cortical surface area, gray matter volume, white matter integrity) and functional (activation in specific areas in general and while doing specific tasks, as measured by fMRI and electroencephalogram activity).

ADHD medications do not change brain structure. They do affect brain function, especially in inferior frontal and striatal areas that are atypical in ADHD.

As a group, people with ADHD have deficits in a variety of abilities measured with psychological/neuropsychological tests, including: academic achievement (reading, spelling, arithmetic); working memory; various forms of attention; planning and organization; impulsive decision making; and a preference for small immediate rewards over large delayed rewards.

Some medical problems are more common in ADHD, including allergies and asthma; obesity; sleep disorders; somatic disorders; and more.

ADHD can reduce quality of life for young people and their parents, relative to typically developing young people and their parents.

Children and youth with ADHD are more emotionally disregulated. They may be more emotionally reactive to novel or stressful events.

Children and youth with ADHD are more likely to have emotional problems, conduct problems, or peer problems/difficulty socializing with and rejection by peers, and to engage in bullying.

Children and youth with ADHD have higher rates of accidental injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance use disorders, risky behavior, and premature death.

Children and youth with ADHD have higher rates of suicide.

People with ADHD are more likely to be both perpetrators and victims of crime. However, they are also more likely to make false confessions.

People with ADHD are more likely to experience educational underachievement, such as lower achievement, needing special education services, dropping out of school, or not graduating high school on time.

Several medications are safe and effective for treating ADHD symptoms, including both stimulant and non-stimulant medications. These medications have specific adverse effects, including on sleep and children’s height gain. 

Some non-medication treatments for ADHD are safe and effective, including “behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapies,” computer-based cognitive training and neurofeedback, omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and exercise.

What’s Next?

Remember that not every research finding about ADHD was included in the paper. The Discussion section lists things we still need to learn more about. Here are some of my favorites:

How culture affects the way ADHD manifests and responds to treatment

How ADHD affects older adults

Effects of stigma on people with ADHD

The nature of emotional regulation symptoms of ADHD, and whether they should be added to the diagnostic criteria

In addition, I noticed some topics were missing despite a large body of research exploring them, and in my opinion, good evidence (at least from studies with fewer than 2,000 participants):

The overlap between ADHD and other developmental disabilities, such as autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and developmental coordination disorder (DCD)/dyspraxia.

The role of dopamine in ADHD.

The rates of anxiety and depression in people with ADHD.

Variability in performance (especially response time) from moment to moment, which researchers call “intra-individual variability,” and which I’ve read is perhaps the best-supported symptom of ADHD -- is mentioned as part of the findings of one meta-analysis (#67), but not as a fact about ADHD in its own right.

How can I use the paper to learn more?

Here are some ways you can use this paper as a jumping-off-point to learn more about research findings that interest you. These suggestions are aimed mostly at people who don’t read a lot of research papers, so feel free to ignore them if you have more experience. 

1. First, see Table 1 for the summary of findings. You can follow links from the table to whichever findings most interest you.

2. Read the introduction, discussion, and the sections that interest you. 

3. Look at the references for claims that seem interesting or surprising. 

Who wrote these papers? Check out the authors’ websites, and see what they’re studying. Search Google scholar for their names, and you will find a list of their papers, which you can sort by date. 

4. Follow up by reading interesting cited papers: The easiest way to find specific papers is to search Google scholar for the titles. You can always find the abstracts free at the publisher’s website. On Google Scholar, you can often find a free pdf of the full text on the right-hand margin of the page. (If you don’t see one there, click the button “See x versions” next to the link to “Related articles”).

Have you read the International Consensus Statement? What did you think? Did anything in it, or not included, surprise you?

[coochiequeens]

Would Insider consider interviewing this guys victims about their fight for justice?

An incarcerated drag queen jailed for his role in a child sex trafficking operation was given a platform to garner sympathy for his difficulties in male prison as a “trans woman of color.”

On March 31, Insider published an article titled “I’m a Trans Woman of Color in an All-Male Prison. I had to fight for my right to gender-affirming care behind bars.” The byline was under the name Christina Alicia, but the author is better known as Christopher Thomas Lynch or Christina Alicia Lynch.

Last October, Reduxx reported that Lynch had been using social media to crowdfund for “gender affirming” treatments, advocate for trans causes, and write for “harm reduction” magazines. This is despite the fact Lynch is currently in prison serving a sentence stemming from a 2012 arrest for forcing a teenage boy into prostitution. 

The male youth, who identified as a transgender “girl,” was plied with cocaine and used to make child sexual abuse materials in addition to being forced to have sex with men up to four times per day for money.

But the teenager was not the only victim. 

Lynch and his boyfriend, Steven Lemery, were found to have run an exploitation ring in which they used social media to lure gay and transgender teenage boys for the purposes of forcing them into the sex trade. Lemery, who was a drag queen and go-go dancer at a gay club, was in a polyamorous relationship with Lynch, as well as a woman and her boyfriend. There were multiple small children residing in the home where the abuses took place.

The trafficked teenagers were reportedly locked in the bedroom closet when not being abused or prostituted, and the case involved at least four victims from the states of Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. Deputies reported that the men had been trafficking teens for “two or three years” prior to being discovered.

“Most of the victims were runaways or easy targets,” explained Chief Deputy Sheriff Stan Copeland of the Douglas County Sheriff’s office at the time. “They would put the kids in a dependent situation. If they wanted to leave, they’d have to perform sexual favors.”

At the time of his arrest, Lynch worked as a drag queen under the moniker Pasha Nicole. 

During his trial, Lynch called the repeated sex abuse and trafficking of the children “a stupid mistake,” despite the fact he had initially tried to pin the entirety of the blame on Lemery.

Prior to prosecutors unfurling the extent of the horrific abuses, Lynch had given interviews with local media in which he feigned ignorance to what had happened, portrayed himself as an asset to police, and claimed he had no role in the victimization of the children. But during his trial, it was revealed that Lynch had transported the youth to their adult clients and taken the money from them following their “sessions,” netting a massive income from their sexual exploitation.

“Mr. Lynch had found his meal ticket. Anytime the victim walked out of the household [of a client], [Lynch] was sitting with [his] hand out, took the money and fed them cocaine,” the state prosecutor said of his crime.

Lynch was first taken into custody on March 4, 2011 for a number of sexual offenses. 

Among the charges was an indictment for knowingly harboring a child for the “purposes of sexual servitude.” He was ultimately convicted on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, pandering by compulsion, possession of drug-related items, and one count of pimping a minor – which was reduced from human trafficking during a plea deal. He was released on parole in 2018, but quickly rearrested after violating his conditions.

In his Insider op-ed, Lynch glossed over the substance of his crimes, stating simply: “I found myself facing felony charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison for conduct that occurred when I was 19. In 2012, I entered the Georgia prison system as a 21-year-old trans woman of color.”

The remainder of the piece is used by Lynch to discuss his legal fight for hormones and “gender affirming” treatment by the Georgia Department of Corrections, as well as his educational progress.

“I’ve been blessed to be able to get an education with the assistance of friends and sponsors. While in prison, I’ve earned a diploma in paralegal studies, a certificate in civil litigation, and completed my bachelor’s in theology,” Lynch writes. “I’m wrapping up my master’s in theological and historical studies at Amherst Theological Seminary, with conditional acceptance to their doctoral program.”

Calling Georgia’s trans inmate policies “tyranny,” Lynch also claims he has been the victim of mistreatment while in a men’s prison, stating: “As a trans woman, I’ve faced numerous dangers: harassment, violence, discrimination, and lack of access to medical care. I’ve also been physically and sexually assaulted on several occasions. As happens with many victims, I was accused of lying about it.”

When Reduxx first reported on Lynch, it was revealed that he had been operating a Twitter account with over 21,000 followers from behind bars. 

Lynch had used his Twitter to make misogynistic and lesbophobic comments towards feminist users, including attacking an account dedicated to lesbian survivors of sexual assault. He also rallied trans activists to donate to his fundraisers in an effort to secure “gender affirming care.” 

On TikTok, using the name @ImprisonedPrincess, Lynch was seen dancing in his cell to popular songs and making sexually suggestive videos. 

Following Reduxx‘s initial report, Lynch deleted his Twitter and TikTok accounts.

The Insider piece was not the first time Lynch had found a sympathetic platform.

Lynch had published multiple articles related to his legal cases and his experience in prison in Filter magazine under the pen name once associated with his Twitter. In a piece titled “As Trans Women Incarcerated in Georgia, Our Medical Needs Are Brutally Ignored,” he outlines his case and other similar legal fights by incarcerated males for hormones or transfers to women’s prison. In another, he discusses how using methamphetamine helped him successfully complete school while incarcerated.

While Lynch had once stated he was planning on suing the Georgia Department of Corrections for a second time in order to secure a transfer to a women’s prison, it is unclear if he is proceeding with his plan. In the Insiderpiece, he notes his projected release date is 2025.

By Anna Slatz

Anna is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Reduxx, with a journalistic focus on covering crime, child predators, and women's rights. She lives in Canada, enjoys Opera, and kvetches in her spare time.

[jazzafterhours]

the more i think about merrill and sebastian, the more intense i'm feeling about them too, because i feel like sebastian has been abused by the chantry to some extent. i get the sense that a lot of his stances are genuine--he strongly debates whether or not to stay with the chantry and does walk away from it once no matter what, twice if hawke convinces him to retake his position in starkhaven, so i don't feel like he's been entirely twisted up and blinded, at least on the matter of religion and mages, he seems to really believe.

but. i do think the chantry (and his parents) messed up his understanding of morals, and what is good vs bad, and why. sebastian slept around in his youth and wasted money on mind-altering substances, presumably, and his parents considered it disgraceful, so they sent him to the chantry against his will to "straighten him out". (this post will focus on sex, mainly, but i could so go on about his broken moral compass re: mage rights and how he responds to anders at the end of the game, how he instantly flips into a much more harmful portrayal of justice/vengeance than he thinks anders is, imo. anyway)

now, the kinds of things he got up to could be harmful in excess or if not doing it safely, yes, but of course having sex or using substances isn't inherently wrong / immoral, you just need to be careful and understand your boundaries and all that. maybe he did need someone to tell him to slow down, be safer, and evaluate his needs / if these things were really good for him or if he was using them as an escape or something like that, but he didn't need to be told he was a disgrace or that it was wrong to do x and y. classic case of condemning the action instead of treating the root cause of them, which likely is that he felt sidelined as the youngest, "less important" of his siblings, while still feeling the pressure of being royalty. he probably didn't get the kind of nurturing he needed. probably didn't get the opportunity for positive, genuine relationships.

and then in the chantry, he's having that idea of "disgrace" solidified. he's meant to be chaste. he's meant to set aside all personal pleasure. he has to let go of such "base" things to dedicate himself to the maker & andraste. i don't know for sure if all chantry clergy are supposed to be celibate because it's the case for sebastian, while it seems very much not the case in dai (at the very least, a sister has sex with the iron bull lol and i feel like it's mentioned elsewhere but i cant remember off the top of my head). regardless, sebastian has had his sexual desires repressed.

enter merrill, as i've been writing her lately. sex knowledgeable and sex-positive, and so down to casually enjoy others without it being a big deal. sebastian noticing that she's having sex with half their friends at this point, maybe more, and his internalized sex-negativity making him think badly of her. she's "deviant", and "frivolous" like he once was. not only could she give him the fucking he really needs, she could unravel the knots his family and the chantry tied in his mind. she could remind him that sex can be good and fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. sex can be beautiful, and deeply satisfying, and he is not dirty and disgraceful for liking sex.

she could fix him

[spare-stories-archive]

Hmmm, what are the different cultures like in the small moments au? Like food, clothes, etc.

And as an alt question:

What are some creative ways magic is used in the small moments au? Is it used in food and drinks? Are there issues with substance abuse with magic? Since we know about Oz's whole thing. Is it woven into clothes.

If it is mixed into everyday objects, what exactly does it do.

Yes! I love these questions! I'm gonna answer all of them, cause it's a fun topic! Just gonna put it under a read more cause it might get long.

So cultures. Vale as a country somewhat resembles Europe. Lots of different cultures and languages. Ozpin grew up in an area of Vale that more resembles Scotland. But he lives in a place more like Ireland right now.

Clothing is about what you'd find in European countries, it depends on where you go. Ozpin himself only dresses in more "traditional" clothing for special events, he prefers his usual style.

Clothing isn't really gendered as much in Vale, it's more a personal choice of the wearer.

That's not the case in every continent. Atlas is more strict about "boy clothes" and "girl clothes." Mistral is more lenient, but still not quite to degree of Vale. Vacuo absolutely does not care, wear what you want, just make sure it's practical for the hot climate.

As for food, it depends on the area. Some places prefer more mild dishes, some prefer more flavorful stuff. But spice trading is highly lucrative trade, not just because of flavor, but often the spices and herbs needed in certain recipes can also be used in potions! So even in areas where they don't have as much demand for cooking spices, those spices are still easily accessed for potion making.

Ozpin has a very ranged palette, he's eaten a lot of stuff, good and bad. He was also raised with a lot variation in his diet. Ozymandias preferred milder food without a lot of spices, while Ambrosius much preferred spicy and flavorful foods. Oz himself has a preference for more flavorful foods, but sometimes when he misses his dad he'll make his dads porridge or a Burns Supper (haggis with neeps and tatties).

I might get more into it in a separate post since I could go more into detail lol.

~

Now as for the other questions!

Magic can be used in food and drinks! Usually it's used in medicine, meant to be paired with a potion. But it can also be mixed into a recipe for other affects, minor healing, strength boosting, speed boosting, or even as a trap by putting people to sleep!

Magic itself can't become addictive, but it can be used to boost the affects drugs give. Mix some plant potency magic into some weed for the high of your life, etc.. It's incredibly dangerous and affects can last a life time. Ozpin himself, while he did use drugs in his past, he never mixed magic and never used magically enhanced products. He thought that people do did that were idiots.

Magic can be mixed in with clothing, it's a similar process to dying it really. It can make your clothing water proof, fire proof, tear proof, even add shielding. Ozpin once made a cloak sentient, mostly on accident, but it still waits for him in Ozmynadias’s attic. Along with a number of toys he brought to life in his youth.

~

Words written: 243

[thellawtoknow]

Common Crimes: What are the Most Frequent Offenses and Their Implications

Common Crimes: Understanding the Most Frequent Offenses and Their ImplicationsTheft and Burglary: Economic Pressures and OpportunityCauses of Theft and Burglary Prevention and Mitigation Assault: Violence in Various FormsCauses and Contexts of Assault Strategies for Reducing Assault Drug-Related Offenses: A Public Health CrisisUnderstanding the Drug Crime Landscape Impact on Communities Prevention and Intervention Vandalism: Destruction of Property and Community ImpactMotivations Behind Vandalism Consequences of Vandalism Preventing and Addressing Vandalism Fraud: Deception for Financial GainTypes of Fraud and Their Impact Preventing Fraud Driving Under the Influence (DUI): A Risk to Public SafetyThe Dangers of DUI Strategies to Combat DUI Domestic Violence: A Hidden CrimeThe Complex Nature of Domestic Violence Addressing Domestic Violence Conclusion: Building Safer Communities Common Crimes: Understanding the Most Frequent Offenses and Their Implications What are the most common crimes in the modern world? Crime is an inevitable part of any society, and while it may manifest differently across regions and cultures, certain types of crimes tend to be universally common. These offenses not only disrupt the lives of individuals but also impact entire communities, leading to economic losses, fear, and a diminished sense of security. Understanding common crimes, their root causes, and the strategies to prevent them is crucial in fostering a safer environment for everyone.

Theft and Burglary: Economic Pressures and Opportunity Theft is one of the most widespread crimes globally, encompassing a range of activities such as larceny, shoplifting, and car theft. Burglary, on the other hand, specifically involves breaking and entering into a structure, such as a home or business, with the intent to commit a felony, typically theft. Causes of Theft and Burglary The motivations behind theft and burglary are multifaceted. Economic desperation often plays a significant role, particularly in areas with high unemployment rates or where poverty is prevalent. For some, stealing becomes a means of survival. However, theft can also be opportunistic, with perpetrators taking advantage of unsecured property or moments of inattention. Substance abuse is another major factor, as individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol may resort to theft or burglary to fund their addiction. Peer pressure, particularly among youth, can also lead to involvement in these common crimes. Prevention and Mitigation Preventing theft and burglary requires a combination of personal vigilance, community involvement, and law enforcement strategies. Individuals can protect their property by investing in security systems, such as alarms, surveillance cameras, and robust locks. Neighborhood watch programs can also be effective, as they promote community awareness and encourage residents to report suspicious activity. For businesses, adopting security protocols like installing anti-theft devices, conducting regular audits, and training staff to recognize potential shoplifters can reduce the likelihood of theft. On a broader scale, addressing the root causes of theft, such as poverty and substance abuse, through social programs and education can have a long-term impact on reducing these common crimes. Assault: Violence in Various Forms Assault is a common crime that involves the intentional infliction of harm or the threat of harm on another person. Assaults can range from minor physical altercations to severe attacks involving weapons, often classified as aggravated assault. Causes and Contexts of Assault Assaults often arise from interpersonal conflicts, whether in domestic settings, public spaces, or among acquaintances. Factors contributing to assault include alcohol or drug intoxication, which can lower inhibitions and lead to violent behavior. Anger, jealousy, and retaliation are also common motivators, particularly in cases of domestic violence or gang-related activities. In some cultures or communities, violence may be normalized or even encouraged as a means of resolving disputes, further perpetuating the cycle of assault. The presence of weapons, such as guns or knives, significantly escalates the severity of assaults, increasing the likelihood of serious injury or death. Strategies for Reducing Assault Reducing the incidence of assault requires a multifaceted approach. Law enforcement plays a critical role in responding to assaults and apprehending perpetrators, but prevention is equally important. Public education campaigns can raise awareness about the consequences of violence and promote non-violent conflict resolution methods. Community programs that offer anger management, counseling, and substance abuse treatment can help individuals at risk of committing assault. Additionally, legal measures such as restraining orders and strict penalties for repeat offenders can protect potential victims and deter violent behavior. Drug-Related Offenses: A Public Health Crisis Drug-related crimes encompass a broad spectrum of illegal activities, including the possession, trafficking, and manufacturing of controlled substances. These offenses are not only common but also deeply intertwined with broader social issues such as public health, poverty, and crime. Understanding the Drug Crime Landscape The nature of drug-related common crimes varies depending on the type of substance involved and the role of the individual in the drug trade. Simple possession, for example, involves having a small amount of an illegal drug for personal use, while trafficking involves the distribution and sale of larger quantities, often across state or national borders. The rise of synthetic drugs and the opioid epidemic have significantly increased the prevalence of drug-related offenses in many regions. These drugs are often more potent and dangerous, leading to higher rates of overdose, addiction, and related criminal activity. Impact on Communities Drug-related common crimes have far-reaching consequences for communities. They contribute to a cycle of addiction, poverty, and violence, particularly in areas where drug markets are prevalent. The presence of drug trafficking organizations can lead to increased violence, as rival groups compete for control of territory and markets. The public health impact is also significant, with high rates of addiction leading to increased demand for healthcare services, a rise in infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and a burden on law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Prevention and Intervention Addressing drug-related crimes requires a comprehensive approach that includes law enforcement, public health, and social services. Law enforcement efforts are crucial in dismantling drug trafficking networks and reducing the availability of illegal substances. However, criminalizing drug use alone is not sufficient to address the root causes of addiction. Public health strategies, such as increasing access to addiction treatment and harm reduction services (e.g., needle exchange programs, supervised injection sites), are essential in preventing the spread of disease and helping individuals recover from addiction. Education and prevention programs targeting at-risk populations, particularly youth, can also reduce the demand for drugs and prevent future offenses. Vandalism: Destruction of Property and Community Impact Vandalism involves the deliberate destruction or defacement of property, ranging from graffiti on public buildings to the smashing of windows or damaging vehicles. While often considered a less severe crime compared to others, vandalism can have significant economic and social impacts. Motivations Behind Vandalism The motivations for vandalism are varied. For some, it may be an act of rebellion or a way to express dissatisfaction with authority or social conditions. In other cases, vandalism is a form of peer pressure, particularly among teenagers and young adults seeking to gain status or acceptance within a group. Vandalism can also be politically motivated, with individuals or groups targeting symbols of authority or businesses to make a statement or incite social change. In some cases, it is simply a result of boredom or a desire for attention. Consequences of Vandalism The consequences of vandalism extend beyond the immediate damage to property. It can lead to significant financial costs for repairs and maintenance, particularly for public infrastructure and private businesses. Vandalism also contributes to a sense of disorder and neglect within a community, which can decrease property values and increase residents' fear of crime. Repeated acts of vandalism can create a "broken windows" effect, where visible signs of disorder encourage further criminal activity and contribute to the decline of a neighborhood. Preventing and Addressing Vandalism Preventing vandalism requires a combination of community involvement, education, and law enforcement. Public awareness campaigns that emphasize the consequences of vandalism and encourage pride in one's community can deter potential offenders. Providing creative outlets for youth, such as art programs or designated spaces for graffiti, can channel their energy into positive activities. Law enforcement can also play a role by increasing patrols in areas prone to vandalism and working with communities to identify and address the underlying causes. Restorative justice programs, where offenders are required to repair the damage they have caused, can also be effective in preventing repeat offenses. Fraud: Deception for Financial Gain Fraud is a crime that involves deception or misrepresentation for financial gain. This category of crime is broad, encompassing activities such as identity theft, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, and investment scams. Types of Fraud and Their Impact Fraud can take many forms, from traditional scams such as Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes to more modern cybercrimes like phishing and ransomware attacks. Identity theft, where a person's personal information is stolen and used to commit fraud, is one of the most common crimes in the digital age. The impact of fraud can be devastating, both financially and emotionally. Victims may lose significant amounts of money, face damage to their credit scores, and experience stress and anxiety as they attempt to recover from the crime. Businesses are also at risk, with fraud leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Preventing Fraud Preventing fraud requires vigilance and education. Individuals can protect themselves by being cautious with their personal information, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication for online accounts, and being skeptical of unsolicited emails or phone calls asking for financial details. Businesses can reduce the risk of fraud by implementing robust security measures, such as encrypting sensitive data, conducting regular audits, and training employees to recognize and report suspicious activity. Legal and regulatory frameworks, such as consumer protection laws and financial regulations, also play a crucial role in preventing and addressing fraud. Driving Under the Influence (DUI): A Risk to Public Safety Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime with potentially fatal consequences. DUI offenses are common and remain one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and fatalities worldwide. The Dangers of DUI Driving under the influence impairs a person's ability to operate a vehicle safely, leading to slower reaction times, poor judgment, and reduced coordination. The risk of an accident increases significantly when a driver is intoxicated, not only endangering their own life but also the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit varies by jurisdiction, but even small amounts of alcohol can affect driving ability. Drug-impaired driving is also a growing concern, particularly with the increasing legalization of marijuana and the rise in prescription drug abuse. Strategies to Combat DUI Efforts to reduce DUI offenses focus on a combination of law enforcement, public education, and prevention. Law enforcement agencies conduct sobriety checkpoints and use breathalyzers and field sobriety tests to identify and arrest impaired drivers. Strict penalties, such as fines, license suspension, and imprisonment, serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Public education campaigns, such as those promoting the use of designated drivers or ride-sharing services, can also reduce the incidence of DUI. Additionally, increasing access to substance abuse treatment and support services can help individuals struggling with addiction avoid DUI offenses. Domestic Violence: A Hidden Crime Domestic violence is a pervasive crime that occurs within intimate relationships, involving physical, emotional, or psychological abuse. It is often a hidden crime, with many cases going unreported due to fear, shame, or lack of resources. The Complex Nature of Domestic Violence Domestic violence is a complex issue, with power and control at its core. Perpetrators use violence and intimidation to dominate and manipulate their victims, often creating a cycle of abuse that can be difficult to break. Economic dependence, social isolation, and cultural or religious beliefs can also play a role in keeping victims trapped in abusive relationships. Domestic violence affects individuals of all genders, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds, though women are disproportionately affected. The impact of domestic violence extends beyond the immediate victim, affecting children who witness the abuse and leading to long-term psychological and emotional trauma. Addressing Domestic Violence Addressing domestic violence requires a comprehensive approach that includes legal, social, and psychological interventions. Legal measures, such as restraining orders and criminal prosecution of abusers, provide protection for victims and hold perpetrators accountable. Social services, such as shelters, hotlines, and counseling, offer support and resources for victims seeking to escape abusive situations. Public education and awareness campaigns are also crucial in challenging the social norms and stereotypes that perpetuate domestic violence. By promoting healthy relationships and encouraging bystanders to speak out against abuse, communities can play a vital role in preventing domestic violence. Conclusion: Building Safer Communities Common crimes, from theft and assault to fraud and domestic violence, have a profound impact on individuals and communities. While the causes of these crimes are varied and complex, addressing them requires a holistic approach that includes law enforcement, public education, and social services. Crime is an unfortunate aspect of society that affects communities around the world. Understanding common crimes, their causes, and their impact is essential for both preventing and addressing criminal behavior. This article will explore some of the most frequent types of crimes, offering insights into why they occur and how they can be mitigated. Understanding common crimes is essential for both preventing criminal behavior and supporting victims. While the causes of these crimes are varied, many are rooted in broader social issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of education. Addressing these underlying factors through community engagement, education, and law enforcement can help reduce the incidence of these common crimes and create safer communities. Read the full article

[hotdogbb]

The Origins of Drug Problems in the United States Unveiled

The UK's Daily Mail describes it as follows: "Philadelphia has been flooded with drug crimes," and "has never seen humans in such a condition before." The "City of Brotherly Love," Philadelphia's Kensington Avenue, has fallen into a "zombie land" due to drug erosion. This horrific scene has led people to question how such a dreadful sight could occur in the world's most developed country.

Over 50 years ago, then-U.S. President Nixon declared "war on drugs," yet the drug problem in the U.S. has only worsened, becoming a deep-rooted "American disease." Today, the U.S. is the world's most drug-ridden country: approximately 12% of global drug users are in the U.S., three times its share of the global population. The widespread drug abuse in the U.S. is linked to various factors such as economic interests, lobbying groups, and societal culture, exacerbating various social issues and reflecting the failure of the U.S. government's social governance. The chaos on Kensington Avenue is a microcosm of the current situation of drug abuse in the U.S.

A report from the Council on Foreign Relations pointed out that since 2000, over one million people in the U.S. have died from drug overdoses, with drug addiction becoming a long-standing epidemic in the U.S., endangering public health and economic output. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that in 2022, 109,600 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses, a record high. Fortune magazine reported that the number of people in the U.S. dying from drug overdoses now exceeds the combined total of those dying from gun violence and car accidents. "Drug addiction has become a public health crisis," a nonprofit organization called the "Prevent Shatter" stated in a report, describing this crisis as more deadly than ever before.

In 2021, the National Institute on Drug Abuse released survey data showing that out of approximately 280 million Americans aged 12 and older, there are currently 31.9 million drug users. The Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress reported in 2022 that opioid abuse caused nearly $1.5 trillion in losses to the U.S. in 2020, accounting for about 7% of that year's GDP, a one-third increase from 2017. Researchers in the U.S. estimated at the end of 2022 that the U.S. had lost approximately 6.3 million labor forces compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, with about 20% of the loss attributed to opioid abuse. Drug abuse causes damage to the brain and nerves, exacerbating psychological anxiety and cognitive impairments in drug users, making them susceptible to mental illnesses, intensifying emotional escalation, leading to family crises, violent crimes, psychological traumas, and exacerbating intergenerational poverty transmission and racial discrimination issues, severely impacting American society.

According to updated data from the CDC in July 2022, in 2020, the overdose death rate among elderly Black men in the U.S. was nearly seven times that of elderly White men, while the overdose death rate among young American Indian and Alaska Native women was nearly twice that of young White women. Thomas Gucci, a 53-year-old African American, who used drugs in his youth, is now dedicated to helping drug users combat addiction. "When we call different places trying to get drug addicts into treatment, they ask, 'What drug are they using?,'" Gucci said angrily. "If you say 'Krok' (a type of high-purity cocaine widely believed to be used by African Americans in American society), suddenly they say there are no beds available. If you say it's opioids and heroin, they find a bed."

Over the past few decades, the phenomenon of rampant drug abuse in the U.S. has been escalating. In the 20th century, heroin was the most common illegal opioid substance in the U.S. According to the CDC, in recent years, deaths from synthetic opioids, especially fentanyl, have sharply increased. Recently, the "zombie drug" has become a new favorite among drug users in the U.S. Since the 1970s, deaths from drug overdoses in the U.S. have increased almost every year. The CDC states that drug overdose is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., leading to a shortened life expectancy for Americans. A report by The Lancet predicted that if the U.S. does not implement new measures, approximately 1.22 million Americans will die from opioid overdoses between 2020 and 2029. "The drug abuse problem in the U.S. has no end in sight," lamented Theodore Cicero, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine in the U.S.

According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, the United States has spent over 1 trillion dollars since 1971 to curb the spread of drugs. However, Cassandra Frederick, Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, believes that the "war on drugs" is a failed policy. She stated that none of the promises made by the U.S. government, including getting people to stop using drugs, rebuilding communities, and eliminating drugs, have come to pass. Why has the "war on drugs" failed? The key lies in the fact that American politicians prioritize how to use this issue to gain political and economic benefits for themselves. On June 17, 1971, Nixon declared drugs as the "public enemy number one" and launched the "war on drugs." However, people have since questioned his true motives for the drug ban. John Ehrlichman, a former senior policy advisor to Nixon, said in a 1994 media interview that at the time, Nixon faced two enemies within the U.S.: left-wing individuals opposing the Vietnam War and African American groups. By associating the left-wing "hippies" with marijuana and African Americans with heroin, they could target both groups. Subsequently, more voices have argued that in the U.S. "war on drugs," some politicians use social prejudices against African American and other groups to subtly express racist views, attracting votes from white conservative voters for their own political gain.

From an economic perspective, the legalization of marijuana has provided substantial tax revenue for the U.S. government. In 2012, Colorado implemented marijuana legalization. Since then, the state has accumulated over 1 billion dollars in marijuana sales revenue, but at the same time, various drug-related deaths have reached record highs. Numerous criminal organizations have been growing marijuana in Colorado and then smuggling it to other states. Some large pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. have also played a crucial role in fueling drug proliferation. On one hand, these companies invest heavily in funding related experts and institutions with the purpose of promoting the "harmlessness of opioid drugs," encouraging doctors to overprescribe and pharmacies to aggressively sell. On the other hand, these companies spend large sums on lobbying to push the government to relax regulations on related drugs. The opioid prescription drug OxyContin, developed by Purdue Pharma in the 1990s, was promoted with the "most generous marketing campaign in pharmaceutical history." A New Yorker article pointed out that in the past, doctors were reluctant to prescribe powerful opioid drugs to patients due to concerns about addiction, but Purdue Pharma "persuaded" doctors to change this practice, actively promoting OxyContin as a long-term opiate use option. As a result, from 1999 to 2017, a total of 200,000 Americans died from overdoses related to OxyContin and other prescription opioid drugs. Ultimately, Purdue Pharma faced lawsuits. "Pharmaceutical companies are being sued, and they should be. We must remember that these companies exploited the weaknesses still present in the healthcare regulatory system," said Kis Hampfler, a professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, noting that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved fraudulent descriptions that OxyContin was "less addictive" than other opioid drugs. Where did this contradictory description come from? It undoubtedly was influenced by pharmaceutical efforts in lobbying.

Data from the "Open Secrets" website in the U.S. shows that from 2018 to 2022, some companies and industry associations related to marijuana products in the U.S. spent over 22.4 million dollars on political lobbying, averaging over 10 times the annual expenditure in 2016 and about 100 times the expenditure in 2012. The Manhattan Policy Institute in the U.S. pointed out that in the U.S. government's national drug control strategy, there is almost no mention of the crucial role the government should play. With drug and substance abuse escalating, it "reflects the failure of the American government's social governance."