New Street Drug Puzzles Authorities

[Mackenzie Lohnes]

There is a brand new street drug popping up in the South, specifically Atlanta, Georgia and Alabama. This new drug is called "Grey Death." The name is fitting not only because it has been the cause of several lethal overdoses but also because of it's unnatural grey color. So far Georgia police has seized about 50 batches of this mysterious new drug. The drug is mysterious because no one really knows the true contents of the concrete powder. Every batch that has turned up has been a different mix of many opioids. Some of these include, U-47700, heroin, and fentanyl. Each of these ingredients are deadly on their own but when combined they become a new kind of lethal. Because of the ever-changing contents of Grey Death the DEA and local police departments are having a hard time identifying which overdoses may have been caused by the new drug. However, Cayman Chemical and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's crime lab are working to identify this drug and help keep it off the streets.

This article shows just how involved the government is in everyday life. The government agencies are working hard to figure out just what this drug is and to keep it out of the hands of citizens. They are trying to protect the inhabitants of the United States of America. While some government involvement may be perceived as bad or intrusive, this kind of involvement should only be seen as positive. I, for one, view this government involvement in everyday life as a good and necessary means to keep us safe.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/12/health/grey-death-opioid-drug/?iid=ob...

[Jessica Farnell]

Mackenzie, I also had not heard about this new drug issue. It is unfortunate that drugs are such a common struggle for mankind. You made some good points about government involvement in this issue. I do think that it is important for the government to get involved in investigating the contents of the drug. It would likely be beneficial for this drug to be treated with the same intensity as the contents, such as heroin, that have already been found in it. However, I do think there is a fine line with government involvement here. As a christian, I believe it is important to not partake in this illegal activity. However, I also believe that it is important for us to reach out, love, offer support, and simply build relationships with those struggling with drug usage. I do not see it as beneficial for us to sit back and tell people who do not believe in God to follow our moral standards without taking some action to show love. 

[Hannah Hester]

Mackenzie, this is such a crazy issue. It is amazing to me that even after all of these deaths, people still continue to use this drug. Drugs are corrupting our society and are completely unnecessary. I believe that the government does have a responsibility to step in and get this off the streets. It is especially important for them to know the ingredients in this powder so that they can know if this stuff is dangerous for even people not taking the drug (for example, if something like this can pollute the air). Our nation is in a very morally corrupt state, and as Christians, it is our responsibility to not only pray for our nation and authority, but also to be an example to others.