Latest news with #NationalFentanylAwarenessDay
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plea hearing Wednesday for ex-Ankeny Chamber CEO in theft, money laundering case
DES MOINES, Iowa — The former head of the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to be back in court Wednesday for a plea hearing. Melisa Cox, 47, is accused of stealing more than $250,000 over the three years she led the organization. In January, she was charged with 14 counts related to the alleged theft. Ankeny American Legion looking to stand out with new, patriotic mural The trial information filed in February showed she was facing eight counts: three counts of first-degree theft, three counts of unauthorized use of credit card, and one count each of money laundering and second-degree fraudulent practice. Online court records show the deal offered by the Polk County Attorney's Office is for Cox to plead guilty to one count each of first-degree theft, unauthorized use of credit card, money laundering, and second-degree fraudulent practice. Cox is expected to accept the plea deal at Wednesday's hearing. Cox faces a sentence of up to 35 years in prison. If Cox does not accept the plea deal, here trial is scheduled to begin on May 5th. Country star bringing tour to Des Moines in 2025 Plea hearing Wednesday for ex-Ankeny Chamber CEO in theft, money laundering case Ankeny American Legion looking to stand out with new, patriotic mural The countdown is on: 100 days until the 2025 Iowa State Fair; see what's new Iowans share stories to help others on National Fentanyl Awareness Day Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
DEA: Fentanyl overdoses kill three people a day in Colorado
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) spoke more about the impact fentanyl has had in Colorado throughout the years. On Tuesday, April 29, law enforcement and public health partners across the country recognized National Fentanyl Awareness Day. According to the DEA, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, excluding methadone, spiked from 2011 through 2021. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic drug that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic. Rocky Mountain Field Division (DEA RMFD) Special Agent Jonathan Pullen talked to FOX21 News on Tuesday and noted that the drug kills almost 100,000 Americans each year. 'In Colorado, five people overdose and die every single day in the state, three of those from fentanyl,' Pullen said. In December 2024, Colorado officially surpassed the previous record set in the state for fentanyl pills seized, totaling 2.7 million confiscated by the DEA RMFD. The previous record set in 2023 was 2.61 million fentanyl pills. 'Fentanyl is in every community,' Pullen said previously. 'It doesn't matter what race you are, what ethnicity you are, whether you come from a good neighborhood or a bad neighborhood, what kind of car you drive—fentanyl is in your neighborhood.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Snapchat Shares Insights into its Evolving Efforts to Combat Drug-Related Content
This story was originally published on Social Media Today. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Social Media Today newsletter. Snapchat has shared some new stats on its efforts to block drug-related content, with a particular focus on fentanyl, as part of 'National Fentanyl Awareness Day' in the U.S. Fentanyl use has become a major issue in America, with the CDC reporting that synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) are now the primary driver of overdose deaths in the nation. It's also a big focus for Snap in particular, given various reports linking Snapchat to illegal drug dealing, due to its popularity among younger users. And it is taking action to address such. As explained by Snap: 'At Snap, the safety of our community is paramount. We are deeply committed to removing content associated with the spread of illicit pills and powders that may be laced with fentanyl, and proactively educating the Snapchat community about the dangers of fentanyl.' Snap's ephemeral messaging is another element that could benefit illegal drug trading, and as noted, various anecdotal reports have traced the app as a key source in various drug-related cases. Snap, however, doesn't have to share data on such, with the usage of its platform protected by Section 230, which means that the platforms themselves cannot be held legally responsible for how individuals use the app. And with Snap also focused on user privacy, there's no definitive evidence that links Snap more specifically to the drug trade. But either way, Snap has implemented a range of detection processes and tools to help catch out illegal activity. According to Snapchat, in 2024 it: Removed more than 2.4 million pieces of drug-related content Disabled 516,000 accounts due to drug-related content violations, and took further steps to block the devices associated with those accounts from using Snapchat. Detected more than 90% of the overall illicit drug activity in the app proactively, enabling Snap's team to remove such before user exposure/report. For context, in Q4 2024, Facebook also removed 2.4 million posts related to drugs. In a single quarter, so on balance, Meta's actioning a lot more of the same, though Facebook's usage is about 4x Snapchat (in terms of daily active users), so they're relatively on par in comparative enforcement. The data, then, shows that Snap is undertaking significant efforts to combat drug-dealing in the app, despite working with fewer resources, while Snap also notes that it's also working with law enforcement groups and drug prevention organizations in order to share insights and coordinate efforts. Though it's an evolving battle, which will never truly be won. Drug dealers change their terminology to avoid detection, and change accounts, profiles, devices, there's a range of ways that people can use Snap, or other social apps, for illicit purpose. Which is why it's important for the platforms to maintain their focus, and to continue to evolve their processes in line with these shifts. Recommended Reading Snap Announces New Measures to Comply With EU Digital Services Act
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a Valley mom is on a mission to prevent future fentanyl overdoses
The Brief April 29 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. One Valley mother is dedicating her time to spreading awareness of the dangers of fentanyl after her daughter died of an overdose in 2021. Josephine Dunn has been fighting to get laws through the state legislature to prevent overdoses like the one her daughter died from. PHOENIX - Josephine Dunn says she is dedicating her life to fighting fentanyl. As the saying goes: one pill can kill. Her hope is that no mother experiences the pain that she still feels today. "The amount of agonizing and excruciating pain that I have suffered since the moment we got that phone call at 1:08 a.m. that she was in the hospital, I cannot put into words," said Dunn. The backstory Ashley Dunn of Prescott was just 26 when she died the day after her son's fifth birthday. "She was the most gentle and genuine, kind, generous. She was most trusting person on earth," said her mother Josephine. In May of 2021, Ashley overdosed on a pill laced with fentanyl. "They had Ashley's dealer in custody within 24 hours. Ashley's murderer is sitting in the Arizona Department of Corrections and serving ten years for what happened to Ashley. Not for manslaughter, not for murder, but because she was a repeat drug offender and drug trafficker," said Dunn. What we know Since her daughter's death, Josephine Dunn has been sharing her daughter's story to save others. "I just want to spread awareness and help other grieving families and stop this poison. That's it. I'm not doing this for money, I'm just doing this to save lives," she said. Last April, Governor Katie Hobbs signed the Ashley Dunn Act into law. It targets fentanyl dealers by increasing sentences for offenders convicted with more than 200 grams of the drug. "This law is doing incredibly well in our state. People are being arrested, they're being convicted, and they're being sentenced to prison," she said. She's also an advocate for the "Sale of Lethal Fentanyl" state law, which makes it a class 2 felony to knowingly sell fentanyl that causes another person's death. Just this week, Cruzita Leon became the first person indicted under this new law. She's accused of selling fentanyl to 49-year-old Todd Gordon, who then died of an overdose back in November. "I am all about that law. I support that law wholeheartedly," said Dunn. "I want every single law, as many laws that can be on the books for this, this poison that there can be, because without tools, law enforcement cannot do their job." What's next In Josephine's latest efforts, she has started a foundation in honor of her late daughter called the Ashley Dunn Foundation. The Arizona Department of Child Safety is working to increase fentanyl awareness as well, calling overdoses one of Arizona's most urgent public health emergencies. They have resources to connect parents to support and resources.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Virginia officials announce record reduction in fentanyl overdose deaths
The Brief Tuesday marked National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Virginia officials announced that fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Virginia declined 44 percent year over year. VIRGINIA - Virginia officials announced a record reduction in fentanyl overdose deaths at a Tuesday press conference. By the numbers Governor Glenn Youngkin said that fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Virginia declined 44 percent year over year, according to new data from the Virginia Department of Health Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The governor also said that, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Virginia led the nation in year-over-year percentage declines in drug overdose deaths between November 2023 and November 2024. What they're saying "So many of these overdoses have come from this terrible, terrible drug, and to see the gains that we have made in Virginia, is incredibly encouraging," Youngkin said at the press conference, held on National Fentanyl Awareness Day. "A 40 percent reduction in drug overdoses, a 40 percent reduction in lives lost, a 40 percent increase in family members who are at that dinner table," he added. "That has been amazing work." Big picture view As for why the reduction in overdose deaths has occurred, Youngkin cited several factors. Those included heightened enforcement efforts, new legislation, education initiatives, and making sure people have the training and tools to save lives.
