What's happened
Authorities in Canada and Hong Kong are grappling with escalating drug crises. In Canada, a drug lab linked to Mexican cartels was uncovered, producing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is moving to legislate against 'space oil,' a dangerous substance containing etomidate, following a surge in related deaths and arrests.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post reported on Hong Kong's Secretary for Security Chris Tang's announcement regarding the expedited legislation against space oil, highlighting the alarming rise in related deaths and arrests. The New York Times noted the discovery of a drug lab in British Columbia, emphasizing its connections to Mexican cartels and the implications for Canada's drug trade. The Independent provided further context on the scale of drug production and the associated public health risks, illustrating the urgent need for effective policy responses.
How we got here
The drug crises in Canada and Hong Kong have been exacerbated by the rise of synthetic opioids and new psychoactive substances. In Canada, the influx of precursor chemicals from Mexico and China has fueled the production of potent drugs. In Hong Kong, the emergence of space oil has led to alarming health risks and fatalities.
More on these topics
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Fentanyl, also spelled fentanil, is an opioid used as a pain medication and together with other medications for anesthesia. Fentanyl is also used as a recreational drug, often mixed with heroin or cocaine.
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British Columbia is the westernmost province in Canada, located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. With an estimated population of 5.1 million as of 2020, it is Canada's third-most populous province.
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a metropolitan area and special administrative region of the People's Republic of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta of the South China Sea.