Views expressed in opinion columns are the writer’s personal.
The Biden administration’s federal pardon on hashish possession is a probably strong begin for ushering in a brand new period of drug coverage in America. The blanket pardon comes with a name regarding the “expeditious” reassessment of hashish as a Schedule 1 drug. Nevertheless, that is merely a step in the appropriate route, not a closing vacation spot. The unjust imprisonment of individuals for hashish possession within the first place is a symptom of a extra overarching drawback: the criminalization of habit.
Merely reclassifying medicine doesn’t get to the foundation of the issue. In 2018, greater than two thousand Marylanders misplaced their lives to opioids, a price that interprets to greater than 5 opioid-related deaths each day. In 2020 alone, greater than an estimated 68,000 People died from opioid overdoses — extra than the mixed American loss of life tolls within the Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq wars. The opioid disaster has ravaged communities in America for many years, and coverage proposals haven’t been sturdy sufficient to fight it. The state of Maryland must set precedent by implementing overdose prevention websites and treating drug abuse for what it’s: a well being drawback. Overdose prevention websites are region-specific amenities the place drug customers can inject previously-obtained unlawful substances with sterile gear. Moreover, sufferers are supervised and topic to speedy intervention within the occasion of an emergency. This system additionally streamlines sufferers into remedy packages that assist them combat habit.
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This rehabilitative method to habit shouldn’t be merely a hypothetical thought on paper — it’s backed by tried and true outcomes internationally. For example, within the run-up to the flip of the century, Portugal had an excessive drug drawback, and an estimated one % of the inhabitants was hooked on heroin. Now, the drug-induced loss of life price in Portugal is 2 % of America’s drug-induced loss of life price.
How did Portugal repair its drug drawback? In 2001, the nation decriminalized all medicine and non-governmental organizations similar to Crescer spearheaded outreach initiatives with unofficial overdose prevention websites that confirmed addicts they had been sufferers, not criminals. Against this, the U.S. continued to dehumanize and imprison addicts based mostly on century-old racist and draconian drug insurance policies.
The advances in Portugal will not be distinctive. In 2003, Vancouver, Canada, made historical past by opening the primary authorized supervised injection website — a federally sanctioned OPS — in North America. Canadian researchers Jennifer Ng, Christy Sutherland and Michael R. Kolber concluded that “proof from cohort and modeling research means that SIS’s are related to decrease overdose mortality… 67% fewer ambulance requires treating overdoses, and a lower in HIV infections.”
From Vancouver to Barcelona, Spain, research throughout the globe have discovered these supervised drug use websites dramatically cut back deaths, crime and HIV transmission charges whereas enhancing well being outcomes and the overall welfare. Moreover, the research of a hypothetical OPS in Baltimore predicted it could convey in additional than 100 rehab sufferers whereas producing virtually a internet $6 million in financial savings by avoiding the prices of the American well being care system. For Marylanders, these websites current a revolutionary resolution to fight the opioid disaster.
Lastly, some areas within the U.S. are adopting this method, with Rhode Island changing into the primary state to legalize OPS’s in 2021, and nonprofits in New York Metropolis opening rits OPS doorways later that 12 months. It’s time for Maryland to observe go well with.
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As Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott penned in Maryland Issues, “It’s time for our state legislators to acknowledge the success of our neighbors, each up Interstate 95 and overseas, and take motion to avoid wasting lives — together with passing laws permitting the institution of life-saving OPS’s all through the state.” In Annapolis, the laws Scott referred to by no means made it previous committee in 2021. The coverage notice even remarks the invoice wouldn’t require any extra funding. Because the invoice didn’t move, hundreds of Marylanders could have died preventable deaths.
This invoice to determine OPS’s must be revived and enacted as quickly as doable to stop tomorrow’s deaths right here in Maryland. With sturdy statistical proof and peak political help, Maryland legislators have to strike whereas the iron is sizzling to avoid wasting our communities and at last deal with habit like the general public well being affliction that it’s.
America wants to return to phrases with the truth that the “Conflict on Medication” has solely ever succeeded in a single war-related method: killing People. These insurance policies have left numerous dad and mom, siblings, lovers and pals in its wake. Present archaic drug coverage has accomplished unfathomable hurt to Maryland, however a treatment is lastly right here by way of OPS’s. Repeating our previous errors in relation to habit could be as catastrophic as it could be negligent.
Rohin Mishra is a sophomore economics and authorities main. He will be reached at rohinpmishra@gmail.com.
Ensure that your prospective college offers globally recognized credentials if you plan to further your education or practice internationally.
Consider Your Future Goals
Considering your goals when choosing an online college helps you select a program that fits your current needs and prepares you for long-term success.
If you intend to work right after graduation, choose a program that aligns with your desired career path. Look for concentrations or specialized tracks that can provide in-depth knowledge in your field.
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However, if you plan to pursue further education such as a master’s or doctoral degree, ensure that credits from your online college are transferable to other schools. Also ensure that the college’s credentials are globally recognized, if you intend to work or study abroad.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Online colleges in Maryland (particularly private institutions), can be quite expensive, compared to other online schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average undergraduate tuition and required fees for four-year public schools is $9,750 per year; meanwhile, enrollees in four-year private colleges may pay north of $38,000 per year.
If private university tuition is out of your budget, consider enrolling in a state-owned online school such as the University of Maryland Global Campus, which only requires about $8,000 in annual tuition and fees.
Aside from seeking affordable online programs, here are other ways to fund your college education:
Complete the FAFSA®
Apply for institutional scholarships
Take a private student loan
Enroll in a work-study program
Ask your employer about a tuition reimbursement program
BALTIMORE – With a little more than two months until election day, the majority of Marylanders surveyed in the new Gonzales Poll would vote for Vice President Kamala Harris over Donald Trump for president.
A total of 820 registered voters in Maryland who indicated they are likely to vote in the 2024 general election were queried for the poll by live telephone interviews, utilizing both landline and cellphone numbers between August 24 and August 30.
A cross-section of interviews was conducted throughout the state, reflecting Maryland’s general election voting patterns, the pollster said.
The Gonzales Poll stated that “the margin of error, per accepted statistical standards, is a range of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points and if the entire population was surveyed, there is a 95% probability that the true numbers would fall within this range.”
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Presidential survey
According to the latest Gonzales Poll, 56% of Marylanders surveyed said they would vote for Harris over Trump for president.
According to the latest Gonzales Poll, 56% of Marylanders say they would vote for Kamala Harris over Trump for president.
Gonzales Poll
The poll says 84% of Democrats support the Harris/Tim Walz ticket and 80% of Republicans support the Trump/JD Vance ticket. Also, 83% of Black voters polled would vote for Harris/Walz.
Among the independents, 38% favor Harris/Walz and 36% prefer Trump/Vance, according to the poll.
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Gov. Moore’s approval gets a bump
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who led the state’s response to the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March, has the approval of 64% of Marylanders surveyed. Moore has a 35% “mostly soft approval” among Republicans who were surveyed (7% strongly approve, 28% somewhat approve),” the poll shows.
His approval rating increased by 33% since the last Gonzales Poll in the winter.
His approval rating increased by 33% since the last Gonzalez poll in the winter.
Gonzales Poll
Last month, the governor spoke at the Democratic National Convention in support of Harris, who was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.
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He framed Harris’ candidacy as “the story of a prosecutor who defended our freedoms and had Maryland’s back when we needed it most. And now MVP: We’ve got yours.”
President Biden’s approval
The Gonzales Poll shows that 53% of Maryland voters surveyed approve of the job President Joe Biden is doing, while 45% disapprove. Seventy-six percent of the Democrats believe Biden is doing a good job in office, and 84% of Republicans disagree.
Gonzales Poll
State transportation and juvenile reform
According to the poll, 95% of Marylanders think it is “important for the State to invest in improving its transportation infrastructure.”
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And, when it comes to juvenile crime, voters were asked, “What type of laws, in your opinion, ultimately better help our children under 18 who commit crimes – Laws that are strict, which include things such as juvenile detention and boot camps. This hold individuals responsible and accountable for their behavior; or Laws that are lenient, which include social programs and counseling. This recognizes that society is responsible for much of this behavior?”
The poll showed that 58% of Marylanders are in favor of strict laws, which hold juveniles responsible and accountable for their behavior, and only 34% desire laws that are lenient.
Gonzales Poll
The poll shows that 58% of Marylanders are in favor of strict laws, which holds juveniles responsible and accountable for their behavior, and only 34% desire laws that are lenient.
“A majority of nearly every demographic group backs strict laws to inspire a sense of personal responsibility and to best assist our juvenile offenders ultimately realize at least a chance at a successful, happy life,” the poll said.
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Is the country going in the right direction?
Fifty percent of Marylanders polled say the country is headed in the right direction, while 45% say the country is headed in the wrong direction.
According to the poll, 93% of Maryland voters who think the country is moving in the right direction are voting for Harris/Walz, and 70% of Maryland voters who think the country is moving in the wrong direction are voting for Trump/Vance.
Fifty percent of Marylanders polled say the country is headed in the right direction, while 45% say the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Gonzales Poll
In the previous poll, 41% of voters said the country was headed in the right direction.
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“The mood of voters in Maryland vis-à-vis how they perceive things overall going in the country is a tad less grumpy than it was in winter,” the Gonzales Poll said.
Adam Thompson
Adam Thompson is a digital content producer for CBS Baltimore.
Proud Montgomery County, MD resident Gavriella Kaufmann (Potomac) won her episode of FOX’s game show “Name that Tune”, which aired last week.
Kaufmann, who was born and raised in Potomac and graduated from Churchill High School in 2015, stated in an interview with FOX 5, that she has always been into music and referred to herself as a music and game show savant. When she saw an ad on LinkedIn about being on season 4 of the game show, she immediately knew she had to do it.
“I’ve loved game shows for as long as I can remember, and music has always been a huge part of my life. Being on Name That Tune was the perfect combination of both passions—it was like a dream come true.” Kaufmann told us.
The episode had a happy ending, with Kaufmann winning a whopping $85,000! She added, “When I was on Name That Tune, I was so focused on doing my best and naming as many songs as possible that I completely lost track of the score. It wasn’t until Jane, the host, told me my total. I was in complete shock, but it was such an incredible moment!”
