Fourth of July Alcohol Safety Tips to Avoid Tragedy
Fourth of July alcohol safety should be top of mind as Americans gather this weekend for cookouts, beach trips, and boating. But alcohol can turn these fun and festive moments into tragedies. The month of July brings heightened risks of alcohol related injuries and illnesses, making this holiday one of the most dangerous of the calendar year.
Dangers on the Water
No Fourth of July celebration is complete without some fun in the sun and on the water. But whether you’re enjoying your Independence Day by the lake, the river or the sea it’s important to remember that alcohol and water fun don’t mix. According to the CDC 31% of drownings involve blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of 0.10% or higher.
In addition to its various health risks, alcohol impairs your judgment and increases risk taking. This can lead swimmers to venture too far or divers to misjudge pool depths which imposes a risk for collisions or hypothermia.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported alcohol as a leading cause of boating accidents in 2020. Boat operators were reported to have a 0.08% BAC which is about four drinks for women or five for men in two hours. Intoxication dulls balance, vision and reaction time endangering boaters and passengers alike and increases the crash death rate by 14 times.
Risking It On the Road
The Fourth of July is among the deadliest holidays due to drunk driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has noted that even one drink raises crash risks.
Vacation travel can amplify alcohol’s effects as higher consumption or unfamiliar drink strengths increase accident risks and worsen conditions like motion sickness or heat related illnesses. Alcohol also heightens the risk of dehydration as it causes fluid loss through urination.
Celebrating Safely
Avoiding alcohol while swimming, boating or driving during your Fourth of July celebrations is the safest option to keep you and your loved ones safe this Fourth of July. Hosts should offer healthy snacks and nonalcoholic drinks to help guests celebrate responsibly.
Prioritizing Fourth of July alcohol safety isn’t just about one day, it’s a step toward a healthier, safer future.
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Baltimore Drug Crisis and Homelessness Escalate
The Baltimore drug crisis has come to McElderry Park and reports say residents are increasingly alarmed by the growing presence of homelessness and drug activity near their homes. The area behind the McElderry Park Community Center has become a hotspot where dozens of unhoused individuals gather to use and sell addictive substances.
Overdoses and Drug Use in Residential Areas
Residents like Melissa Canady and Mrs. Alexander describe scenes of drug use and overdoses as well as unsanitary conditions occurring not only in the open field behind the center but also in alleys directly behind their own homes.
Mrs. Alexander has lived in the area for over 30 years and is expressing deep frustration. She describes the situation as having spiraled out of control and that constant drug traffic makes the area feel unsafe and unlivable.
There are ongoing outreach efforts in the community such as weekly food pantries and distribution of essential items coordinated by Melissa Canady and others. But still the illicit activity continues.
Canady noted that many individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction see the area as a place where they have some comfort and resources and this can make it difficult to encourage them to seek treatment.
Despite Progress, Challenges Persist
Councilman Antonio Glover has a personal stake in the Baltimore drug crisis because he’s lost more than one family member to addiction.
Councilman Glover emphasized that addressing the issue will require a comprehensive and collaborative approach involving city officials, social and mental health services and community members working together to create lasting solutions.
Temporary shelter and outreach services are being provided but solutions for more permanent housing and sober residences are urgently needed. The complex nature of homelessness and addiction and underscores residents’ pleas for stronger and more effective interventions to restore health, safety and stability in their neighborhood.
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US Border Patrol Finds Drug Smuggling Tunnel
US Border Patrol agents recently discovered a sophisticated drug smuggling tunnel connecting Mexico and California. This nearly 3,000 foot tunnel began in Tijuana and led to a commercial warehouse in Otay Mesa in California. Agents report that the tunnel was actively under construction at the time of the discovery with over 1,000 feet extending into U.S. territory.
Massive Drug Smuggling Tunnel Operation
The San Diego Sector Tunnel Team discovered the Mexico-US drug tunnel which was apparently to be used for trafficking narcotics and other drugs. It ran beneath the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and was equipped with lighting and ventilation as well as electrical wiring and a track system designed to transport large quantities of drugs.
Art Del Cueto is the vice president of the U.S. Border Patrol Council. Del Cueto stated this was likely orchestrated by Mexican drug cartels.
The entrance of the cartel drug tunnel was hidden under freshly laid tile in a Nueva Tijuana residence. It was located through collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations and Mexican authorities during the execution of a search warrant.
Agents faced makeshift barricades intended to slow their progress inside the residence. This highlights the cunning efforts made by the tunnel workers to evade detection. The tunnel measured 42 inches high and 28 inches wide and reached 50 feet underground at its deepest point.
Contractors will pour thousands of gallons of concrete to seal the tunnel in an effort to prevent usage by foreign terrorist organizations. This is a common practice as over 95 tunnels have been decommissioned in the area since 1993.
Protecting American Lives
Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker asserts that the “disruption of narcotics smuggling tunnels is critical to protecting American lives.” He went on to praise the tunnel team’s bravery and the cooperation between Mexico and the United States.
The discovery of the drug smuggling tunnel underscores the persistent challenge of cartel driven smuggling. A past operation in 2020 resulted in another tunnel seizure yielding massive drug hauls.
The February 2025 arrests of smugglers Brian Alan Torres Gonzalez and Soledad Morales Nava in Juarez show the collaborative efforts and power of multinational action in dismantling criminal networks.
These efforts are made to protect communities from drugs and violence associated with the cartels and their nonstop operations in their efforts to smuggle addictive substances and humans into the United States.
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Massive Psychedelic Seizure in Baltimore Drug Bust
Authorities have just seized nearly 700 pounds of psychedelics in a major Baltimore drug bust according to reports. The raid marks just one more milestone in a busy year for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents throughout the city and across the nation.
More than $500K in Narcotics Confiscated
There were three different shipments of dimethyltryptamine, a psychedelic drug, transported from Chiapas, Mexico. The 300 vacuum-sealed bags were shipped by air cargo between May 7 and May 27. The brown powdery drug is known as DMT, and the seizure’s estimate amounted to around $555,000.
Officials intercepted the shipment on June 11. The officers join those in other cities who have been part of a DMT drug seizure over the past five years. Some of the most recent locations have been Louisville, Memphis, Laredo, and Philadelphia.
Baltimore Drug Bust Part of Larger Trend
DMT seems to be gaining popularity again, since first hitting the drug scene in the sixties. There is no medicinal use for the substance and it comes with a high probability of abuse and addiction.
DMT can be brewed into drinks, snorted, or smoked, so its versatility may appeal to more people looking for a short psychedelic high. The dangers of DMT cannot be overstated, though. The effects include auditory distortions, hallucinations, increased heart rate, and hypertension.
However some people use DMT for religious reasons and in spiritual practices. Researchers are also studying the use of controlled, clinical use of psychedelics for trauma disorders and some mental illnesses.
Still, DMT remains a dangerous substance and that’s why the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a Schedule I drug.
Could DMT be the next mainstream drug of choice? This interdiction of hundreds of thousands of dollars in psychedelics in Baltimore is really just the tip of a deadly iceberg. The global marketplace has expanded the reach of drug trafficking and harmful substances into communities and neighborhoods across America.
And that makes efforts to expand addiction education, prevention and treatment programs more critical and more urgent than ever before. There is life, hope and promise on the other side of addiction.
Rehabs.org lists affordable treatment centers in Maryland and across the U.S.
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Biggest NYC Drug Trafficking Bust in 30 Years
The biggest NYC drug trafficking bust in over 30 years just went down and it’s put an end to a massive drug trafficking ring according to reports. On June 11, a case was filed in federal court that brought together 18 months of collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies.
It all started in upstate New York with what seemed like a fairly straightforward drug investigation. What they stumbled into may have surprised even the seasoned investigative team.
A Sophisticated Drug Trafficking Network
They’re calling it one of the biggest drug trafficking operations tied to New York in decades. Thirteen arrests were made and thousands of pounds of illegal drugs were recovered. What makes this case different is how the ring operated.
Instead of the usual street level dealing, authorities describe the ring more like a logistics company. It makes sense because the trucks used to transport the drugs are allegedly owned by one of the key defendants, Brosillyon Campbell. The illicit products were sometimes stashed in home appliances inside the trucks.
Campbell may have owned the trucking company, but there are other people involved at an even higher level. Two key figures are Samer Abdelhak and Leon Chen. Abdelhak was the top organizer. Chen allegedly handled coordinating supply and distribution.
They ran their processing operation from an apartment in Flushing, New York. Another apartment in Nskayuna was a stash location. That’s where investigators found cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Both apartments were rented using stolen identities. Investigators also found several receipts that tied one of the defendants directly to the ring.
Thousands of Pounds of Narcotics Confiscated
What authorities found should make anyone take a step back. They seized close to 500 kilos of cocaine and roughly 200 pounds of methamphetamine. A large amount of marijuana was also recovered.
The massive NYC drug trafficking bust also yielded a staggering number of pills seized. Authorities hauled away thousands of them. Many were counterfeit and laced with fentanyl and meth.
This bust was a win, not only for law enforcement but for the community. And the message is clear. Law enforcement will continue their focus of protecting citizens by taking down large scale drug rings.
Drugs don’t have to threaten our homes, families and communities. The safest and surest way to deal with the drug cartels is to put them out of business one person at a time.
If you or someone you love is experiencing drug addiction, there’s hope. Reach out today to find a qualified recovery center near you. Help is just a phone call away. Call
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Brad Pitt Talks Alcohol Recovery After Divorce
Brad Pitt’s alcohol recovery journey following his high-profile divorce is making headlines. The Hollywood icon is opening up about his experience attending Alcoholics Anonymous after his difficult breakup with actress Angelina Jolie.
Needing a Reboot
The 61 year old actor was featured on the new episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast. Pitt describes the tumultuous time that drove him to seek help. He joined AA, where he confronted years of addiction.
Pitt mentioned that he felt his life needed a reboot and he was open to trying “anything anyone threw at me.”
Shepard has also been candid about discussing his own sober journey and relapse after 16 years.
Men Supporting Men in Recovery
Pitt split from Jolie in 2016 and he felt that it was the catalyst that gave him permission to say, “Okay, I’m gonna step out on this edge and see what happens.”
Pitt recalls his nervousness about attending AA but says he soon grew to love AA.
He also spoke of his gratitude and appreciation for the support he’s receiving from other men in recovery. He marvels that the men in his group share “their experiences with their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it.”
Pitt was born in Oklahoma and raised in Missouri, where he felt the environment discouraged men from being emotionally open.
Pitt said in a 2019 interview with The New York Times that he felt AA offered him a safe space that was judgment free and that it was liberating to be able to expose the ugly side of himself.
He felt that the group gave him the ability to “revoke his drinking privileges,” and acknowledged that he had used other substances in addition to alcohol to help him deal with pressure and fame.
Pitt shares six children with his ex wife and his decision to get sober came after their split. They were married in 2014, but began a bitter divorce in 2016 which concluded in December 2022.
The actor lives in Los Angeles with his current partner, a 34 year old jewelry executive Ines de Ramon.
The Brad Pitt alcohol recovery story shows that overcoming alcohol addiction is possible. If you or someone you love needs help, peer groups and medical professionals are ready to support you in building the healthy and happy life you deserve.
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Ex-Cop Caught Smuggling Drugs Into Jail in Bible
A former cop has just been arrested for smuggling drugs into jail in a Bible at a detention facility in Tennessee. The 40 year old corrections officer named Joshua Duncan was arrested on June 23 for attempting to smuggle Suboxone into the Monroe County Jail.
Suboxone is approved by the FDA for addiction recovery but because it’s an opioid with a significant potential for misuse and dependency in its own right it’s classified as a Schedule III narcotic.
Conspiring With Inmates
Duncan was charged with conspiracy to introduce contraband into a correctional facility. A transition coordinator had been given a Bible to deliver to a specific inmate but closer inspection revealed the Suboxone hidden inside.
The transition coordinated then informed Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones of the suspected contraband conspiracy. Duncan was arrested two days later.
Further investigation has revealed that Duncan collaborated with three inmates who were also charged with conspiracy. The group had allegedly smuggled Suboxone into the facility at least once before, according to jail officials who are fighting Suboxone abuse in jail.
A Trend of Smuggling Drugs Into Jail
Smuggling Suboxone into jail using a Bible is only the latest in a series of high profile drug smuggling busts inside correctional facilities in recent months.
Sheriff Jones condemns the former officer’s behavior: “No one is above the law. We hold our officers to the highest standards and when those standards are violated, accountability is not optional.”
The investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the operation. The four suspects are pending charges related to drug distribution in jail.
These arrests serve as a reminder of the continuing battle against drug addiction across Monroe County and around the nation. Sheriff Jones has vowed to uphold integrity to protect both the inmates and the public.
The fight against drug addiction doesn’t begin at the jailhouse door. People are suffering in our homes, workplaces and communities. But help is available and recovery is real. Call
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Teen Cannabis Psychosis Linked to High-Potency THC
A troubling increase in rates of teen cannabis psychosis is being blamed on today’s more potent cannabis products. In Massachusetts there’s been a surge in the number of teens and young adults who are now seeking addiction treatment for heavy use of high-potency cannabis products.
These products aren’t just putting young people at risk for addiction. They’re also being linked to an increase in severe mental health issues such as psychosis.
From Vaping to Hallucinations
Recently a Massachusetts mother and her son shared their disturbing story. On the surface the teen appeared to be doing well in school, sports and friendships but he was secretly using highly potent THC vape pens.
These vapes are nearly odorless and easy to conceal and his use escalated quickly. The teen recalls his compulsion to smoke numerous times a day–at school, work and home. He describes waking in the middle of the night to vape.
His parents only realized the severity of the situation when he began exhibiting bizarre behavior and experiencing auditory hallucinations. By the time he was hospitalized he was in a full-blown manic state so severe his family feared he might never return to reality.
After months of intensive treatment, including two months in a residential facility, the teen regained stability and is now back on track, but his story is becoming increasingly common across the state and the nation.
THC Potency Driving Teen Cannabis Psychosis
Dr. Sharon Levy of Boston Children’s Hospital and Dr. Aaron Quiggle of Massachusetts General Hospital reports a dramatic rise in young patients seeking help specifically for cannabis-induced psychosis. High-potency cannabis products are significantly more powerful than marijuana available in past decades and may be a leading contributor to the epidemic of teen cannabis psychosis.
Yesterday’s cannabis products typically had THC levels between 1-5% but today’s high-potency varieties may contain as much as 95% THC. Many teens are using these products several times per day and unaware of the risks tied to such frequent, high-dose exposure.
Evidence emphasizes that frequent use of these highly potent products greatly increases the risk of cannabis use disorder and cannabis-induced psychosis. Alarmingly, cannabis-induced psychosis can sometimes evolve into lifelong mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Experts are urgently calling for increased parental education and greater public awareness to address the growing dangers of modern cannabis products. If you suspect a young person in your life is experiencing cannabis addiction, help is available.
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Alanis Morissette’s Addiction & Recovery Journey
It’s not easy being an introverted icon. Alanis Morissette’s addiction battle is just one example of the toll fame takes on even the strong. In a series of recent interviews, Morissette reflects on the patriarchal and toxic cultures of the 1990s music industry. At the tender age of 21 she won acclaim for her trailblazing album, Jagged Little Pill.
A Disorienting Surge to the Top
While Morissette’s first two albums were greeted with little fanfare, the raw intensity of her highly autobiographical third album brought a level of notoriety she was little prepared for and even less able to cope with.
Morissette describes feeling unprotected during her rise to fame and noted that men often struggled to engage with her professionally if their sexual advances were unmet. She suggests that the music industry in the 1990s was infected by the pervasive sexism of the era.
Morissette describes herself as an introvert who was compelled to conform to the industry’s preference for bold and extroverted personalities like Courtney Love. She did this to thrive in a culture that valued “loudness.”
And so Morissette adopted a facade to cope with industry pressures by self-medicating with tequila and Xanax simply to maintain her tough chick public persona.
She recalls making the decision that would change her life and risk her mental health. Realizing the expectations set for a female rocker in the 1990s, she decided, “Okay. I’m going to pretend to be an extrovert for the next 25 years.”
Now at 51 years old, Morissette embraces authenticity and is expressing comfort in her natural temperament and rejecting the need to conform.
Fighting to Survive
Morissette is also openly discussing her battles with addiction and eating disorders, a dual diagnosis she struggled with for years. She abused alcohol and sedatives to try to navigate the always-on life of a rock star even as she spiraled into eating disorders to meet the “size zero” aesthetic and hypersexualization of the time.
And it’s a dangerous cycle she sees resurging in today’s media. She’s expressed frustration that the body acceptance movement of the early millennium is now lapsing once again into an unhealthy obsession with thinness. She described contemporary media’s hypersexualization of women as boring and regressive.
Her reflections highlight the resilience required to navigate an industry that often marginalizes women who don’t fit its mold. Her journey from pretense to self acceptance underscores her enduring commitment to authenticity and inspires others to challenge harmful norms.
Alanis Morissette’s addiction story remains a powerful testament to overcoming systemic oppressions while staying true to oneself. She is reinforcing her legacy as a voice for empowerment and change in the music world.
Several other musicians, including Miley Cyrus and Keith Urban, have also recently opened up about their own addiction battles.
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San Francisco Overdoses Tied to Sober Housing Shortage
San Francisco overdoses are being fueled by a scarcity of sober housing, experts say. A record 320 lives have been lost to drug overdose as of May.
Should this trend continue, the city will see 770 overdose deaths by year’s end. Statistics aside, this is people’s lives lost, families destroyed, and communities ravaged.
Drug Use Retreating Behind Closed Doors
The rapid rise in drug overdose deaths comes in the aftermath of a city-wide effort to stem the tide of drug-related fatalities among San Francisco’s homeless population. But now the city’s overdose crisis is disproportionately impacting another vulnerable community: residents of public housing.
Richard Beal has worked in mental health, addiction and recovery for almost 30 years and he views the situation as unprecedented and dire.
The crisis comes amid increased law enforcement efforts against open air drug use. These initiatives have forced people inside, especially into Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units, where they’re using drugs alone and behind closed doors where there is no one to render aid in the event of an overdose.
San Francisco Overdoses Hit the PSH
The Housing First model in San Francisco was born from a desire to address homelessness but it has gaps that experts warn are fueling the overdose crisis. There are currently more than 500 single room occupancy (SRO) buildings in San Francisco with over 30,000 tenants in the PSH program. About 80% of those tenants struggle with mental illness, substance misuse or both.
But right now PSH residents who are experiencing addiction or mental illness are not required to engage in any form of treatment. Without access to addiction recovery or mental health services persons living in PSH units are left to spiral into their disease. As long as this situation continues unchecked, authorities caution, more lives will be lost.
Richard Beal, Directory of Recovery Services for the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, argues that the answer lies not in abandoning the Housing First initiative. Rather he argues for more structure, accountability and safety in PSH housing.
This includes ensuring access to sober housing for PSH residents who wish to pursue recovery. At present San Francisco has no permanent drug free public housing sites and it’s a gap in services that Beal suggests is contributing to the record number of drug fatalities ravaging the city.
Edward Shaw, of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, recommends that residents who are experiencing addiction or mental illness be required to receive case management services. Such services could include access to medical and mental health care and addiction recovery programs.
Low and no cost treatment options are available across the San Francisco Bay Area and around the nation. You can get well. Call now
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Purdue Pharma $7.4B Opioid Settlement Reached
Purdue Pharma has just agreed to a landmark $7.4 billion opioid settlement following years of litigation with attorneys general from across the US. The pharmaceutical giant and the Sackler Family, who own and control the company, have been widely implicated in the opioid crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
The Supreme Court Weighs In
This is the second time the Purdue Pharma opioid settlement has reached the Supreme Court. In 2024, the Court struck down a Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement that would have required the family and Purdue to pay out more than $4.5 billion but given the Sacklers broad immunity from any civil lawsuits related to the case. In a 5-4 vote, the Court decided that the Sacklers could not receive that liability protection.
Under the family’s leadership, Purdue has manufactured and marketed a range of opioid pain medications for decades. Their product line includes OxyContin, a well-known painkiller that can be heavily addictive.
In their efforts to turn a profit, the attorneys general say that the Sacklers relentlessly promoted OxyContin, failing to consider the long-term implications of prescribing the drug to such a degree. These actions, they explain, have greatly contributed to the opioid epidemic and the rising number of overdoses across the U.S.
A Nationwide Call for Justice
To date, the Purdue Pharma opioid settlement involves 39 states as well as five territories and Washington, D.C. Its total value is now $7.4 billion. Each state will receive its own payout with expected values ranging from $75 million for Colorado to as much as $440 million for California.
If the lawsuit is approved, the payouts will take place over 15 years. Purdue Pharma would fall into bankruptcy and would be unable to market or lobby opioids again. Instead, a board of trustees appointed by the states in the lawsuit would oversee and control the company.
The states plan to use the opioid settlement money to help reverse opioid use, compensate victims, and deliver life saving therapies for opioid use disorder. Money can’t buy back the lives lost to the disease of addiction, but for families and affected individuals, it’s a major step in a new, healing direction.
If you or someone you love is experiencing opioid dependency, there is hope. Call
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Miley Cyrus Reflects on Past Drug Use and Sobriety
Miley Cyrus’ sobriety journey was fueled in part by the pop star’s decision to step away from the dangerous party girl persona a recent interview revealed. The singer opened up on The Ringer’s Every Single Album podcast about the addiction that could have claimed her life.
In the podcast Cyrus revealed that during the making of her 2015 album Miley Cyrus and Her Dead Petz she was a multi-drug user. She also claims she labeled drug expenses as “vintage clothes” to hide them from her accountant.
“The drugs were the biggest cost,” she admitted and this raised her accountant’s suspicions. Cyrus recalled fielding questions like “Where’s that $15,000 original John Lennon T-shirt you bought?” from her accountant.
The Pressure to Perform
Cyrus described drug use as a major part of her creative process at the time but she now writes her music sober. It’s clear that Miley Cyrus’ sobriety has since become an important part of her life and career.
She also reflected on the tension between the public image she felt pressured to keep up and her sobriety.
After Dead Petz didn’t perform well Cyrus said she felt pushed to return to themes of partying. She talked about how “that made me feel like a fraud”.
Cyrus notes that she was told not to make her sobriety public at the time because it may make her seem “uncool” to her fans.
Sober But Not in a Recovery Community
Now that she’s in a healthier place Cyrus says she doesn’t attend recovery meetings. But she does maintain a sober lifestyle. Miley Cyrus’ addiction and recovery story offers a glimpse into the complicated realities of living in the spotlight.
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