US vacation hotspot testing water supply for drugs
Nantucket officials are beginning to test the island's sewage for cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, nicotine, and opiates.
The Health Department aims to use this data to understand trends in illegal substance use and assess the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs.
Biobot, a Cambridge-based company, will conduct the drug testing using samples already collected for COVID-19 and other disease monitoring.
The initiative seeks to provide a data-driven understanding of local drug usage, moving beyond anecdotal evidence.
Test results will be shared with healthcare partners to inform outreach and treatment efforts, though they will not be made public.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Panic as Social Security bosses set date America will run out of cash
The US Social Security and Medicare programs for seniors will both run short of funds to pay full benefits in 2033. The go-broke dates the two trust funds have moved up due to rising health care costs and new legislation affecting Social Security benefits, according to an annual report released Wednesday. The yearly assessment found that Medicare's hospital insurance trust fund will be unable to fully cover costs beginning in 2033 — three years earlier than last year's estimate. Higher-than-forecast hospitalizations of Americans over 65 years old was a key factor. Social Security's combined trust funds, which support retirement and disability benefits to 70 million Americans, are also expected to be depleted in 2033. While the year was unchanged from last year's report, it was advanced by three calendar quarters within that year. The projections reflect higher-than-expected healthcare spending, along with recent legislation that increased Social Security benefits for some workers. Once the funds are exhausted, beneficiaries would still receive payments, but at reduced levels. Medicare would be able to cover just 89 percent of hospital costs, while Social Security could pay only about 81 percent of promised benefits. The trustees say the latest findings show the urgency of needed changes to the programs, which have faced dire financial projections for decades. But making changes to the programs has long been politically unpopular, and lawmakers have repeatedly kicked Social Security and Medicare´s troubling math to the next generation. President Donald Trump and other Republicans have vowed not to make any cuts to Medicare or Social Security, even as they seek to shrink the federal government´s expenditures. 'The financial status of the trust funds remains a top priority for the administration,' said Social Security Administration commissioner Frank Bisignano in a statement. The new forecast adds urgency to a long-standing challenge facing Congress, which has repeatedly delayed making reforms due to political sensitivity around the issue. Lawmakers would need to act — either by raising taxes, reducing benefits, or both —to ensure long-term solvency. President Donald Trump and many Republican lawmakers have pledged not to cut Medicare or Social Security benefits, but critics say recent legislative changes have worsened the programs' financial outlook. One provision enacted in January—the Social Security Fairness Act—eliminated two rules that had reduced benefits for certain workers, effectively increasing payments and accelerating the trust fund's projected depletion. Romina Boccia, director of budget and entitlement policy at the CATO Institute, called the change 'a political giveaway masquerading as reform.' Instead of tackling Social Security´s structural imbalances, Congress chose to increase benefits for a vocal minority-accelerating trust fund insolvency.' About 68 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicare, and more than 70 million receive Social Security benefits. Both programs are primarily funded through payroll taxes, but costs are projected to outpace revenues due to the country's aging population and rising healthcare expenses. Experts say failure to act soon could result in sudden benefit cuts and instability for millions of retirees and disabled Americans. 'Congress must act to protect and strengthen the Social Security that Americans have earned and paid into,' said AARP CEO Myechia Minter-Jordan. Several policy proposals have been floated in recent years, but none have gained significant momentum. The last major reform to Social Security came in 1983, when the eligibility age for full retirement benefits was raised from 65 to 67. Without further legislative changes, the federal programs that serve as the backbone of retirement security in the US could face significant challenges within the next decade. Last year, billionaire CEO Larry Fink said Americans should work beyond the age of 65 to stop the Social Security system collapsing. Meanwhile, experts recently said Americans are making a big mistake by claiming their Social Security checks early, since delaying their claims could lead to higher payments. Every year you delay taking a Social Security payment after full retirement age you receive a significant increase in payments up to the age of 70.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Lizzo FINALLY admits to using Ozempic amid extreme weight loss transformation
has finally admitted to briefly using Ozempic to aid in her extreme weight loss transformation. The Truth Hurts singer, 37 - who has confidently showed off her slimmer frame on social media - opened up about the topic during Thursday's episode of Trisha Paytas' Just Trish podcast. The Grammy winner explained that she started to take Ozempic at the beginning of her weight loss journey in 2023, but soon came to the conclusion that GLP-1 medication wouldn't help her in the long term. 'I tried everything. Ozempic works because you eat less food, yeah? So if you eat right, it makes you feel full.' Lizzo then added, 'But if you can just do that on your own and get mind over matter, it's the same thing.' When it came to the star achieving her weight loss goal, the performer explained that her change in diet was the major factor. Lizzo had been following a plant-based diet for many years - including only consuming vegan foods from 2020 through 2023. 'What did it for me is, it was not being vegan,' she told Trisha. 'Because when I was vegan, I was consuming a lot of fake meats. 'I was eating a lot of bread, I was eating a lot of rice and I had to eat a lot of it to stay full. But really I was consuming 3,000-5,000 calories a day.' The songstress also talked about how some food products - even if they are small in size - can be packed with 'fake sugar' that can leave you still feeling hungry. 'So for me, when I started actually eating whole foods and eating like beef, and chicken, and fish. Like, I was actually full and not expanding my stomach by putting a lot of fake things in there that wasn't actually filling me up.' While the star made the choice to stop taking Ozempic early on, she stated that she didn't see it as 'cheating' for those that have taken the medication to help with losing weight. 'It's not easy. It's a drug to help somebody with something they're struggling with,' the performer expressed. 'I think their way of being fat phobic when you're telling someone they're cheating.' 'So for me, when I started actually eating whole foods and eating like beef, and chicken, and fish. Like, I was actually full and not expanding my stomach by putting a lot of fake things in there that wasn't actually filling me up,' Lizzo added It was previously revealed back in January that Lizzo lost 16% of her body fat and reduced her body mass by 10.5. When it comes to how she feels now after dropping the weight, Lizzo explained, 'I feel like I worked really really hard and it was intentional with what I did with my body. 'So when I get compliments, I go, "Thanks b***h." Like I really receive it because I need to receive that. I don't take it any weird way because I tried to do this.' Last year, the singer had shut down allegations that she was taking Ozempic in order to achieve her slimmer figure. At the time, she shared a short Instagram reel as she posed wearing a colorful, satin robe while her hair was pulled back into a low up do. The star added text towards the bottom which read, 'When you finally get ozempic allegations after 5 months of weight training and calorie deficit.' Lizzo then shared a screenshot of a comment from a social media user where they accused her of taking ozempic or 'coke.' The songstress had also been promoting pieces from her Yitty brand in a clip and wrote, 'What's is it… THE BRAIDS?! Cotton Bodysuit by @yitty.' The troll had typed in the comment section, 'did she use ozempic or did she snort coke.' In response, the Grammy winner wrote, 'whyyyy do u follow me?' followed by four crying face emojis. Lizzo then shared a screenshot of the Instagram user's account which had been set to private. Earlier this year in January, the singer proudly announced that she had achieved her weight loss goal. On Instagram at the time, she shared: 'I did it. Today when I stepped on my scale, I reached my weight release goal. 'I haven't seen this number since 2014! Let this be a reminder you can do anything you put your mind to. Time for new goals!' And in April during an episode of the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast, Lizzo explained how she uses the term 'weight release' instead of weight loss. She credited her boyfriend Myke Wright and explained, 'My man, he's so funny. He was the one that brought it to my attention at first. Because at first I was like, "Oh my gosh I lost five pounds" and he was like, "Where did it go?" 'I was mad at him, I was like, "Why would he say that?" but he was like, "Where did it go?"' The Good As Hell hitmaker further explained that she did not want to 'lose anything' but instead wanted to 'win.' Lizzo expressed, 'I want to be very intentional about the words that come out of my mouth because there's young people who are watching me and they're experiencing what I'm putting into the world. Also on Thursday, the star further showed off her weight loss while making an appearance at the Dodgers game in L.A. She slipped into a pair of white pumps and allowed her platinum blonde locks to flow down straight past her shoulders The Good As Hell hitmaker was seen strolling onto the baseball field to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers took on the San Diego Padres 'They're applying it to their own experience and their own life just like I did when I was a kid.' The star then got candid about 'how the media treated people who gained and lost weight' had an effect on her 'brain chemistry. 'Be careful with your words because it can affect somebody in ways you don't even know.' The performer added, 'Even me releasing the weight has affected people and I take that seriously. I take that responsibility. And because of that I want to transmute it into something that makes people feel comfortable and less afraid of it.' During a recent appearance on The Jason Lee Show, Lizzo explained why she hasn't revealed exactly how much weight she has lost. 'If I say the number, I don't think people could do the math. I've just seen a lot of TikToks where it's like, "Lizzo talks about her 500lbs weight loss!" Why are y'all putting numbers on me? It kind of annoys me.' Also on Thursday, the star further showed off her weight loss while making an appearance at the Dodgers game in L.A. The singer sported a pair of fitted white capri pants as well as a cropped shirt that had 'Juneteenth' embroidered on the front. She slipped into a pair of white pumps and allowed her platinum blonde locks to flow down straight past her shoulders. The star flashed a big smile as she paused for a quick snap on the field Lizzo was also seen wearing a chained necklace to further glam up her ensemble for the outing Lizzo opted to add minimal accessories to the look and also sported a pair of silver shades. The Good As Hell hitmaker was seen strolling onto the baseball field to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers took on the San Diego Padres. Before testing out her skills by throwing a pitch, the singer was spotted standing on one side of the baseball field at Dodger Stadium Lizzo also had the chance to take part in the Celebrity Softball Game at the venue to celebrate Black Heritage Night.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
The deadly problem that is now on the rise in Australia: 'There is a need to actually act'
Isolation and loneliness are back among the top factors for elevated suicide risk following the COVID-19 pandemic, a major report reveals. Cost of living and personal debt lead the list for distress, followed by family and relationship breakdowns, findings from Suicide Prevention Australia's Community Tracker quarterly survey show. Social isolation - reported as the biggest factor behind distress during COVID-19 lockdowns - was third, on the rise again and overtaking housing affordability for the first time since 2023. The report says the findings spotlight a shift toward 'deeper social challenges impacting the nation'. Australians aged 18 to 24 were increasingly feeling isolated, with one in three reporting loneliness - 10 per cent more than those older than 50. Things affecting the general population tended to be more extreme for young people, Suicide Prevention Australia acting chief executive Christopher Stone said. 'There is kind of a common perception that loneliness is only a problem for older people ... it's hard to know exactly what's causing that,' he said. 'One of the things I have heard talked about is the possibility that for young people who are still suffering some of these tough economic problems, that is leading to their inability to actually kind of get the social contact that they need.' The June report found almost three in 10 Australians knew someone who had died by or attempted suicide in the past year. While one in seven people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months, people were reaching out to prevention services and personal networks. One in four young people experienced suicidal behaviour in the past year, with 44 per cent of all young Australians seeking help from services. The report found young Australians were increasingly reaching support through community and peer connections, with access to services at a record high. But distress linked to these issues was gradually declining, it said, as the federal government's economic policies took effect and alleviated financial stress. Cost of living remained the lead stressor for all Australians at 45 per cent, but was down five percentage points from its peak in February 2024. 'That's not surprising ... but it is a good sign,' Mr Stone said. He urged the government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. 'That's a plan that the government has released only a few months ago and it's an excellent plan,' he said. 'But it is currently not funded or implemented and the best plan in the world is nothing if you don't actually act on it. 'What these (report) results are showing is that there is a need to actually act.' The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken in partnership with YouGov Australia. The survey of 1008 adults was conducted online from May 13 to 15. Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25) Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
