Island Boys Rapper and TikTok Star Arrested on Drug Charges

A member of the rap group “Island Boys” was arrested Sunday in Florida, on drug and gun charges according to reports. Arrest records from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office show Franky Venegas was arrested for possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and delivering, possessing, and selling a firearm with an altered serial number.

The 23 year old was pulled over around 10 PM by a local Naples deputy when Venegas’ yellow Corvette allegedly ran a stop sign. The vehicle’s license plate tags were also found to be expired. TMZ reported that the car’s registration was later determined to be valid and up to date. 

An unnamed woman was driving the car in which Venegas was a passenger. During the stop the deputy found a plastic bag of pills on the passenger side floorboard. The deputy identified 13 pills suspected to contain oxycodone.

Venegas denied having possession of the pills though it was reported that he claimed to have a prescription for the oxycodone that was not with him. 

A blue spray painted handgun was also confiscated from a handbag found in the floorboard of the car. The bag also contained credit cards with Venegas’ name on it. A straw containing a white powdery substance was found in the center console of the vehicle.

As one half of the twin brother duo Franky became a TikTok influencer after the release of the viral hit “I’m an Island Boy” in 2021. TMZ reports that Venegas’s criminal history includes reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle without a license and domestic battery arrests. The news outlet also noted that Venegas was identified as a documented gang member during the arrest.

Opioids like Oxycodone are a leading cause of addiction and drug-related fatalities in the US. With the appropriate care, including medical detox and longer-term outpatient support, recovery from substance use disorder is possible and the spiral of addiction can end before it truly begins.

First Non-Opioid Pain Reliever in Decades Approved by the FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first new non-opioid pain reliever in more than 20 years according to a new report. The new drug is known as Journavx and it holds promise as a much needed alternative to opioid painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin. These opioids have long been associated with a high risk of addiction and overdose. 

Researchers hope the drug may prove a safer option for short term pain relief following surgeries or injuries. They also hope it might be effective for the management of chronic pain. 

Opioid use disorder remains a significant public health concern nationwide. Those who become dependent on these substances often require intensive support including detox and rehab programs. 

Journavx researchers caution that the analgesic effects of Journavx are modest at this time. Yet they’re hopeful that the drug may be the first of many new and even more effective medications targeting new pathways for relieving pain.

Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to block pain but Journavx belongs to a new class of drug that works on different pain pathways. These drugs are thought to block specific proteins that trigger pain signals before they ever reach the brain. This innovative approach allows the drug to reduce pain while sidestepping the addictive properties linked to opioids. 

The trials involved more than 870 patients who had undergone foot or abdominal surgeries. Journavx provided more pain relief than a placebo but was not as effective as the traditional combination of opioid and acetaminophen treatments. This was a promising outcome that hinted at the drug’s power and potential. 

It’s been more than two decades since there’s been a major advancement in pain treatment quite like this one. The drug’s real capacity will keep unfolding as development continues.