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Immunotherapy Significantly Improves Lung Cancer Survival Rates
Pregabalin ‘Street Drug’ Seizures Surge in France Amid misuse Concerns
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- Pregabalin ‘Street Drug’ Seizures Surge in France Amid misuse Concerns
French authorities are grappling with a surge in seizures of pregabalin, a prescription medication increasingly misused as a street drug. In mid-April, customs officials in Paris intercepted 30,000 doses of pregabalin alongside other contraband, highlighting a growing trend observed since 2023.
The Rise of Pregabalin as a Street Drug
Pregabalin, sometimes called “the poor’s drug,” is being sold on the streets of Paris and Marseille, France, as a cheaper alternative to drugs like cocaine.According to addictologist Dr. Dorian Rollet, Lyrica, a brand name for pregabalin, is readily available on the street market for €1-3 per dose, compared to approximately €66 per gram for cocaine.
Did You Know? Pregabalin is also prescribed to treat neuropathic pain, a type of long-lasting pain caused by nerve damage from conditions like diabetes and shingles [[2]].
Why is Pregabalin Being Misused?
Originally prescribed for conditions like epilepsy and generalized anxiety disorder, pregabalin is being diverted for its anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. Dr.Rollet notes that users also seek its euphoric and psychostimulant properties.
Dr. Laurène Dufayet, a medical examiner and toxicologist, explains that manny young people, notably those in migratory situations, use pregabalin to “forget” their hardships. The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) reports that abuse and dependence cases are predominantly among men (82%), with a significant portion being minors (25%).
the Dangers of Pregabalin Misuse
while the risk of overdose from pregabalin alone is considered low, Dr.Dufayet warns of a heightened risk of overdose and respiratory arrest when combined with other drugs or alcohol [[1]]. She also emphasizes the drug’s potential for dependence due to its effects on the central nervous system.
Pro Tip: If you are taking pregabalin, it is crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions and avoid alcohol or other drugs that can increase the risk of side effects [[1]].
Efforts to Combat Pregabalin Misuse
In 2021, the ANSM implemented stricter prescription guidelines, limiting prescriptions to six months and requiring secure prescription forms to deter falsification. Despite these measures, reported cases of abuse, dependence, and related complications continue to rise.
According to Corinne Cléostrate, a customs supervisor, the illicit pregabalin is often trafficked through express and postal services, with orders placed on the Darknet.Seizures have occurred at airports, such as the discovery of over 13,000 tablets from a traveler arriving from Greece at Beauvais Airport in January. A previous operation by the National Antifraude Office (ONAF) uncovered a network trafficking 300,000 tablets to Marseille, generating €600,000 in revenue.
Cléostrate notes that the drug’s origin is not always Greece, as it can be manufactured in countries like China, Bulgaria, Poland, or Germany.
Pregabalin Dosage and Forms
Pregabalin is available in capsule form and is prescribed in varying dosages depending on the condition being treated [[3]]. It is indeed crucial to adhere to a doctor’s prescribed dosage and to never share prescription medication with others.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Uses | Epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder, neuropathic pain |
| Street Price (france) | €1-3 per dose |
| Risk Factors for Misuse | young men, minors, individuals in migratory situations |
| Dangers | Overdose (when combined with other substances), dependence |
| Origin of Illicit Supply | Darknet orders, trafficking from various countries (e.g., China, Bulgaria) |
The Broader Context of Prescription Drug Misuse
The misuse of prescription drugs like pregabalin is a growing global concern. Factors contributing to this issue include the accessibility of these medications, the desire for self-medication, and the perception that prescription drugs are safer than illicit substances. Public health initiatives focused on education, prevention, and treatment are crucial to addressing this complex problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pregabalin Misuse
What are the long-term effects of pregabalin abuse?
Long-term pregabalin abuse can lead to dependence, cognitive impairment, and other health problems. More research is needed to fully understand the long-term consequences of chronic misuse.
How can I tell if someone is misusing pregabalin?
Signs of pregabalin misuse can include changes in behavior, mood swings, drowsiness, and seeking the drug from multiple sources. If you suspect someone is misusing pregabalin, it’s vital to seek professional help.
where can I find help for pregabalin addiction?
Resources for pregabalin addiction include addiction treatment centers, support groups, and mental health professionals. Talk to your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider for guidance.
Disclaimer: This article provides information for general knowledge and awareness only. it does not constitute medical advice and should not be substituted for professional medical consultation. If you have concerns about pregabalin use or addiction,consult a qualified healthcare provider.
What steps can be taken to further prevent the misuse of prescription medications like pregabalin? How can communities better support individuals struggling with addiction?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.Subscribe to World Today News for more updates on important global issues.
Bladder Cancer: Early Detection, Risk Factors, and Support
Bladder cancer, characterized by the disruption of cells in the bladder wall leading to tumor formation, affects thousands annually. In France alone, over 14,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with men accounting for approximately 80% of these diagnoses. The good news is that the majority of cases are localized,frequently enough resulting in a relatively favorable prognosis.
The Primary Culprit: Tobacco Use
The bladder’s role in concentrating urine before elimination means its lining is exposed to toxic substances, including tobacco derivatives. The bladder concentrates the urine before eliminating them and the bladder mucosa therefore remains in contact with all the toxic substances which are eliminated from our body, such as tobacco derivatives
, explains Dr.Delphine Borchiellini, a medical oncologist. Consequently,tobacco use stands out as the leading preventable risk factor.
did you know? Smokers are two to four times more likely to develop bladder cancer compared to non-smokers.Quitting smoking substantially reduces this risk over time.
Beyond tobacco, other contributing factors include chronic infections and occupational exposure to chemicals found in industries like painting, dyeing, metalworking, and oil refining.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
The most common initial sign of bladder cancer is hematuria, or blood in the urine. While other conditions, such as infections or urinary tract stones, can also cause this symptom, they typically present with additional indicators. Dr. Borchiellini emphasizes,this is the presence of blood in the urine. if other pathologies can be responsible for it (infection,urinary tract calculations),they are often associated with other signs that make the difference. If in doubt, especially if there are no other symptoms or in the event of a recurrent hematuria, you must consult your doctor or an urologist.
Any unexplained or recurring hematuria warrants immediate medical evaluation.
The Imperative of Early Diagnosis
Early detection is paramount in improving treatment outcomes. A public awareness campaign, supported by MSD France and the Cancer Vessie France association, aims to educate individuals about the importance of monitoring urine color and seeking prompt medical attention if blood is detected. The campaign utilizes a color chart to help people recognize abnormal urine coloration.
Pro Tip: Regularly check your urine color. Any shade of red or pink, even if it appears only once, should be reported to your doctor.
Lori Cirefire, president of Cancer Vessie France, notes, Cancer Vessie France is the only association of patients dedicated to bladder cancer in France.
The association focuses on increasing awareness of the disease’s signs and symptoms to promote early diagnosis. We work to make the signs of the disease better known and promote early diagnosis. Too often, patients consult late.A survey by the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (2023) reveals that 54 % of patients were not aware of the signs and symptoms of bladder cancer before their diagnosis, ignoring that the presence of blood visible in the urine was a key symptom. This alert signal should never be taken lightly: even isolated, it requires immediate consultation. Awareness remains essential in the face of this disease.
Treatment Strategies and Innovations
When detected early, at a localized stage, the primary goal is often curative.Dr. Borchiellini states, The objective remains healing. The higher the disease,the lower the chances of healing,even if there have been many innovations in the treatments used for the past 5 years.
However, advanced disease stages present greater challenges, although recent advancements in treatment options offer hope.
Less common symptoms that may indicate bladder cancer include persistent abdominal or pelvic pain and kidney failure due to urinary tract obstruction.In cases of metastasis, symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss may also occur. This is the case of abdominal or pelvic pain that last, renal failure by obstruction of urinary tract. in case of metastases, certain other symptoms must alert: fatigue, lack of appetite, weight loss …
explains Dr.Borchiellini.
Available Support and Treatment Modalities
Treatment approaches vary depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer. For superficial bladder cancer, tumors are typically removed via endoscopic procedures, sometimes followed by local treatments. In the event of superficial illness, tumors are removed by endovesical routes, with possibly other local treatments
, says Dr. Borchiellini.
For more invasive cancers, treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.For infiltrating disease, management is based on total surgery or radiotherapy, sometimes associated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.In the event of metastases,these drug treatments are privileged,the ablation of the bladder is not recommended in first intention.Many innovations improve management at all stages, especially in robotic surgery, radiotherapy and new targeted therapies.
The role of Patient Support Associations
Patient support associations play a crucial role in providing facts, resources, and emotional support to individuals affected by bladder cancer. Lori Cire emphasizes, The bladder cancer remains a subject little mentioned, so patients and their loved ones can feel isolated. Our association offers them a space for exchange and support between peers, facilitating their journey and improving dialog with their doctor. A well -informed patient adheres better to his treatment, which is why we provide scientifically validated information. We also support research by relaying the needs of patients to health professionals and the French Urology Association. Patients can contact us via our website www.cancer-vessie.fr by email, or on Facebook.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)
what is the most common symptom of bladder cancer?
The most common symptom is blood in the urine (hematuria).
what is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer?
Tobacco use is the main preventable risk factor.
Is bladder cancer curable?
When detected early, bladder cancer is often curable.
Where can I find support for bladder cancer?
Organizations like Cancer Vessie France offer support and resources.
This past Wednesday, a pilot of the Turkish airline Turkish Airlines died in flight after an illness, causing his plane to make an emergency landing in New York.
“Our captain lost his life before landing”
The plane, which left Tuesday night from Seattle, on the west coast of the United States, was destined for Istanbul. “The captain of our Airbus 350 plane […] TK204 died during the flight. After a futile attempt at first aid, our horse [composé de deux autres pilotes, NDLR] they decided to make an emergency landing, but our captain lost his life before landing,” Turkish Airlines spokesman Yahya Üstün told X.
The pilot, aged 59, had passed a routine medical check-up in early March, the Turkish company said.
2024-10-09 13:19:00
#UNITED #STATES #Airline #pilot #dies #midflight #plane #emergency #landing #York
You don’t know how to keep your child busy this weekend or during the next school holidays: what if you stimulate their interest in science? The 33rd Science Festival, which takes place from October 4 to 14, aims precisely to promote scientific knowledge and careers. For the occasion, we offer you experiments to do easily at home. Who knows, this could ultimately spark a vocation…
“The point of experiments is to conceptualize. Up to 8-10 years old, it is by manipulating that we memorize best,” explains Élodie Castro, in charge of mediation at the Cité des enfants of the Cité des sciences in Paris. That’s good: during confinement, the establishment published on its site dozens of practical sheets to reproduce experiments at home. All for free, with explanations and basic materials. Here are six that caught our attention.
Water games to understand the concept of capillarity (2 to 7 years old)
To carry out this experiment, all you need is a marker, paper, a pair of scissors, a bowl and water. The child must first draw a basic flower on a sheet, cut it out and bend each of its petals towards the center. You must then place the flower on the surface of a bowl filled with water and watch the petals open.
The next step is to cut a boat out of cardboard and soak a cotton swab in dishwashing liquid. Once in the water, the boat remains stationary as it is “pulled” from all sides. But if you place the cotton swab at the back of the boat, it will move forward because the dishwashing liquid will lower the tension.
Build the tallest tower possible and defy the laws of physics (2 to 7 years)
To understand the laws of physics, the easiest way is to test them. Get a box of lump sugar and a measuring tape. The objective here is to build the tallest tower possible by taking turns placing a sugar cube and measuring the tower each time. When it collapses, start again but with a base of two sugars and compare the results. Don’t hesitate to blow on your constructions to test their stability!
In the same vein, you can also use toothpicks (20) and modeling clay (10 balls of approximately 1.5 cm in diameter) to build the tallest construction possible. Don’t hesitate to play as a team and set a time limit to spice up the game.
Launch your own tasting workshop to test your senses (2 to 7 years old)
The experience here consists of testing your five senses to understand their usefulness. To do this, set aside chocolate, fruit, orange juice, syrup, powdered salt and powdered white sugar. Blindfold your guinea pig, make him smell each food and record his responses. Repeat the same manipulation but this time, let him taste it.
Finally, remove his blindfold and ask him to recognize the elements. Then compare the answers and explain to your child the usefulness of olfactory receptors and taste buds, particularly in distinguishing salt from sugar.
Make a sundial to find out if the Earth still rotates at the same speed (5 to 12 years)
Make a sundial (see practical sheet) and place it in a sunny place all day. Then compare the time indicated by the dial and that displayed on your watch at several times of the day. Isn’t it the same? This is normal: the time on our watch is calculated according to the rotation of the Earth and not according to solar time, which varies depending on the place from which we observe the Sun.
Decode a message broadcast in Morse code (5 to 12 years old)
Teach your child the importance of communication by introducing them to Morse code. To do this, nothing could be simpler: have him watch the video below and try to decode the message it contains with him. All you need is a sheet of paper, a pencil and the international Morse code (downloadable here).
Create a water fountain to observe the principles of communicating vessels and atmospheric pressure (5 to 12 years)
To create a water fountain, you will need a balloon, a plastic bottle, a straw, fixing paste, water and a pencil. Start by inflating a balloon, slip it over the neck of the empty bottle and observe how the air takes up space, even when you can’t see it.
Then remove the balloon and make a hole in the bottle, halfway up, using a pen. Place a straw in the hole with it pointing upwards and seal the hole with fixing paste. Fill the bottle three-quarters full of water and observe the water: it is at the same level in the bottle and in the straw, in accordance with the principle of communicating vessels. Finally, add an inflated balloon to the neck, as at the beginning of the experiment. This time, it will deflate and cause water to gush out through the straw: you thus observe… the atmospheric pressure.
Looking for other experiment ideas? There are a multitude of ways to interest our children in science, but “those that work well generally have gameplay,” says Élodie Castro. Shadow theater, cooperation or coordination games, quizzes… The Cité des sciences website is full of free resources. All you have to do is try them with your family!
Certainly, these two don’t have the same way of drinking their coffee. When one says What else ?, the other responds in Italian in reference to the major coffee maker brand based in Treviso of which he is the muse. This is their only bone of contention: Brad Pitt and George Clooney have been friends for twenty-five years. And not just because they have shot six films together: they call each other regularly and have houses very close to each other in the south of France.
So it’s particularly tasty to see them distrust each other and jealous of each other in Wolfsavailable this Friday September 27, 2024 on Apple TV. This film written and directed by Jon Watts (who signed three episodes of the franchise Spiderman) and which they both produced with their respective companies, above all gives us the opportunity to once again see two huge stars opposite each other in a thrilling action film.
In a luxurious hotel, a politician prominent for her security visions (she is played by Amy Ryan who plays a psychopath in the series Only murder in the building) is in the grip of indescribable panic. The very young boy she found in the hall and to whom she had offered to come up to her room was the victim of a fatal accident. While he was jumping on the bed to act silly, he lost his balance and fell onto a glass table which shattered.
Distraught, she decides to call a number given to her in the event of an unsolvable problem: she doesn’t really know what will happen, but is totally cornered. She then sees the almost mute and very directive Nick (George Clooney). He is a “fixer” of his state (henchman responsible for cleaning up crime scenes and making the clues disappear). When he has just given the applicant some advice and begun his sleight of hand work, the door opens again.
The rivalry of two “cleaners”
Jack (Brad Pitt) practices the same secret profession as Nick and was commissioned by the management of the hotel who had hidden a mini-camera in the room and witnessed the accident. Each believing themselves to be unique, Jack and Nick will alternate between challenges, unsolicited advice and pettiness… Until they find the victim’s backpack full of drugs. Worse ! While they are on their way to dispose of the body, the dead man wakes up!
Chases, Croatian mafia, shootouts, traps and theatrics, we don’t breathe for a second. Facing the two superstars, the young Austin Abrams seen in Euphoria or giving the answer to Cara Delevigne in The Hidden Face of Margo comes off with flying colors, ending up playing the same heartstrings of Jack and Nick.
But it is above all these two dashing sixties (63 years old for George Clooney and 60 for Brad Pitt) who excite as they seem to have fun playing with the aging side of their characters… Which is also theirs. Champions of self-deprecation, they multiply the winks about their age: in his car, Nick listens No ordinary love et Smooth operator de Sade which, although brought up to date by Tik-Tok, remains emblematic of the 80s and 90s.
But the most striking scene in this area, as if the two stars wanted to insist on the fact that the era of Batman and Robin for one and Thelma et Louise for the other were long gone, it is when they are both forced to put on their reading glasses to decipher a message.
Wolfs is excellent entertainment packed with action, laughter and emotion; carried by two immense actors, the equivalent of the Cary Grant and Gregory Peck of our time.
“Wolf”, Friday September 27, 2024 on Apple TV. Duration: 1 hour 48 minutes.