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Big Pharma: The addictions offered by the new cartel

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1 year ago

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Photo by Roberto Sorin

BY STEVEN KASZAB

They come upon us as helpers, trying to assist us with the pain we experience. Whether found in our backs, arms, or legs, even our minds, pain is they’re pounding away, stretching our ability to withstand its destructive, inner pulsating cry for absolution and normalcy.

Pain is everywhere, within most of us spreading its tentacles throughout our bodies and attacking our minds’ ability to find a resolution to our problems. Pain. Just awful itching feelings that attack our emotions, our reasons to live, and when they come, the drug dealers are both legal and illicit. It is like they can smell a person in pain, and they offer a solution to those in pain, a resolution to their unending health-mental situation.

Drugs, some created to ease pain, others to just make you feel fine for a time, allowing you to float in darkness of nothingness until their power declines and pain is divine and upon you once again.

How I hate drug dealers, both those who stand on corners selling a bag or two, or the well dressed salesperson of a pharmaceutical giant who represents a firm that creates death, and then promotes it as medicine. Addiction is what they are selling and promoting. How I hate those who take the lives of others in such a way. People do not intend upon becoming addicted, oh no! It just happens according to the corporate plan of a multitude of pharmaceutical firms that you know too well. The “Blue Pill” of erectile dysfunction fame has killed 4,190 men since 1998 in America (heart attacks). The maker of this drug also makes opioids that have killed: kids, teachers, workers, business folks and more. How does it work?

You have an accident at work perhaps, so you go to a doctor who writes you a prescription for a painkiller. It’s powerful stuff, so you feel better. Then your body gets used to the dose, and you need more and more powerful stuff. You get it from the doctor, who is on a pharma plan that promotes and awards doctors who sell their drugs. Once enough folk are addicted, the government tells doctors to prescribe five pills at a time (they used to sell hundreds at a time). You need more meds, so you go to the black market.

Black market sellers do not sell pure stuff, but pills that have up to 55 different items within the pills. Most of these items are not good for you. In fact much of it is toxic. Your addiction’s cravings drive you to buy what you know is a dangerous product. Just need the fix. If this stuff has fentanyl in it, you’re probably screwed.

Those who are supposed to protect us have become a part of the domestic drug cartel. These doctors like the benefits given them by Big Pharma: vacations, cash, cottages etc. The health system is developed to assist pharma to dispense these drugs to those in need. Government trusts its business partners, so this plan continues indefinitely until enough bodies have piled up and the government cannot ignore death’s laying before it.

The system further complicates things through privacy protections. The addicted cannot be forced to get help. For people who just want a high, you cannot expect logic or objectivity to rule the day. The addicted that are rich get by, while the rest of humanity is screwed.

We all think about drug cartels as foreign entities that we don’t have to deal with, but domestic home-grown cartels exist and are flourishing in your neighbourhood, 145 doctors in Ontario, 2,809 in America became the Cartels pushers. These are only those caught and prosecuted. Like the unending flow of illegal migrants across America and Canada’s borders, drug pushers in the form of medical professionals and big business sales staff fulfil the needs of senior citizens and those injured.

Seniors are primary users of illicit drugs, be they elicit blue bills, or opioids. Where there is pain, there is a potential buyer and seller of illegal and legal drugs. Addict and normal user of medication often play doctor, prescribing doses to themselves. Overdoses are on a swift upswing everywhere. This is no longer an urban phenomenon, but a population buster, the only real equality we can experience. Old, young, rich, or poor; Black, White, Latino, Asian too. The equality we were promised by America, Canada and other governments across the globe can be found here, as to how we are treated by healthcare, the cartels and addiction. If you are a “customer” and purveyor of drugs these folks will supply you.

Years ago a family doctor filled a prescription to my brother who had injured his back; 300 opioids at a time. 300 hundred! The doctor stopped prescribing these drugs only after my brother had received 3,500 pills. My brother, needing money, sold most of them to biker gangs for cash. What an absolutely crazy mess. The system allowed doctors to become big time drug deals, and my brother a reseller of narcotics.

Criminality in every way; the very system ignored the effects of these drugs, many of which were not fully investigated. Seems the FDA will approve anything so long as a big enough check arrives in their offices. Corporate propaganda and revenue assures the approval and sales of their products.

What about the patients, the users of these drugs? Many die or remain in bed comatose with brain injuries. Insurance does not pay out on such deaths or medical conditions so many families go bankrupt. A vicious cycle appears before us, showing us that greed will overcome most anything, and is protected by our governmental regulations. The little guy and gal are left to deal with their situations as best they can. If addicted, we know what that action will be. Seek out and consume drugs.

Big Pharma was protected legally when the pandemic happened. First thing legislatures across the planet did, protect the vaccine makers themselves from potential future legal actions. How many people died from the effects of Covid vaccines? What about the side effects of these vaccines in the long term? In North America over a million people are suffering from side effects of these vaccines, and there is nothing we can do about it except go to the hospital and beg for some medical procedure that could help. Like bandits, Big Pharma sidesteps legal responsibilities and profits to the tune of two trillion dollars. Nice if you can get it right. Within the medical-pharmaceutical field there is no justice, no equality, no fairness. just greed and profiteering (just like the grocery biz).

Seniors are popping pills daily. Costs for med’s have skyrocketed like everything else. As you age, the injuries of the past come to painfully remind you that your body and mind are machines that break down.

Seems like the government and private healthcare organizations are limiting their healthcare staff, counting the costs, and managing the books. Healthcare is drifting in a sea of uncertainty while the private sector absorbs as much profit as it can. All in the name of those inflicted we are told, drugs for every situation, disease or painful moment.

Every time I think about the pharmaceutical industry, I think of a song heard in my youth. It goes like this, “I have drugs in my pocket and I don’t know what to do with them” (The Monks). Big Pharma knows what to do. Any existing drugs that can benefit an existing disease rebrand it and sell it as a solution to that illness. There are sales to be made, profit to be made. Governments take a long time to respond to patient and customer complaints. Lots of time to find excuses why the side effects are happening, protecting Big Pharma from governmental insight or possible legal actions.

The pandemic has brought Big Pharma into a partnership with governments and political parties. One partner serves the public while the other itself. How can we have laws and regulations initiated and established to protect the public from financial, medical and pharmaceutical propaganda, profiteering and undue manipulation when our governments are in league with pharmaceutical giants that legally and illegally usurp our elected officials power through undue influence and possible corruption.

All this while, the addict is looking for their next high, a source that hopefully will be safe from toxic additives.

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Urban Alliance on Race Relations celebrates and highlights Racial Justice Award recipients

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4 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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BY PAUL JUNOR

It has been almost 40 years since the Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) has been at the forefront of: promoting tolerance, social justice, racial equity and fairness. Since it was formed in 1975, they have celebrated and recognized changemakers in the fight for racial justice in diverse sectors such as: health, labour, government, education, arts, media, environment, and justice.

On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, there was a great turnout at the 2024 Racial Justice Awards Night held at The Estate Banquet & Event Centre in Scarborough. In attendance were many community supporters, civic officials, long-time racial justice warriors, and individuals from diverse ethnic groups.

UARR is grateful for all the sponsors of the Racial Justice Awards Night Celebration. It notes in its email to its supporters on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024, the importance of its sponsors including:

  • United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) of Canada, UFCW, Local 175
  • The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 353
  • Unite Here! Local 75
  • Toronto & York Region Labour Council
  • Canadian Labour Congress
  • The Coalitions of Black Trade Union (CBTUL)

“Your sponsorship plays a vital role in shining a light on individuals and organizations driving equity, justice, and change in our communities. This celebration is more than an event, it’s a movement. Thanks to your support, we’re: honoring changemakers, amplifying unheard voices, and funding initiatives that break down systemic barriers.”

The categories and names of the awards and recipients were:

Racial Justice in Arts: Hannia Cheng

She is an artist and cultural worker who co-founded Unit 270, a DIY gallery and multi-purpose grassroots community hub in Chinatown Centre.

Racial Justice in Labour: Vanessa Story

She is the founder of the Black Youth York Region and co-founder of the York Communities for Public Education coalition.

Racial Justice in Education: Shannon Simpson

She is Senior Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Toronto.

Racial Justice in Environment: Dr. Ingrid Waldron

She is a Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace and Health in the Global and Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University.

Urban Alliance of Race Relations Agent of Change Award: Kirk Mark

He is the Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Consultant at KIRK Mark & Associates.

Racial Justice in Media: Amanda Parris

She is an award-winning writer, tv host and producer, and former host of CBC Arts Exhibitionist.

Racial Justice in Health: Camille Orridge

She is former CEO of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (TCLHIN).

Racial Justice in Government: Amira Elghawaby

She is a journalist and human rights advocate who was appointed in January 2023 as Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia.

Racial Justice in Justice: South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario (SALC0)

This legal clinic supports low-income South Asian people in Canada.

The funds raised from the Awards night will be going toward the work of the Diversity Youth Fellowship Program. This innovative and creative program is directly involved in enabling racialized youth to get paid experience working in municipal governments and at various public policy making organizations across Canada.

The performers at the event included: Katheen Zaragosa (a Filipino music performer), Rithika Jeristus & Maya Jeristus (Bharatanatyam dancers) and Yasmin Said (spoken word artist)

UARR is looking forward to its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and shared five of its strategic priorities for the next 10 years including:

  • Employment and economic opportunity: The goal is to foster inclusive workspaces and economic opportunities.
  • Education: The goal is to promote racial equity in education and research.
  • Communication: The goal is to expand public awareness and reach to amplify our stories.
  • Community engagement and outreach: The goal is building community capacity and convening towards change.
  • Truth and reconciliation-relationship building and supporting calls to action. The goal is to strengthen our solidarity and action towards truth and reconciliation.

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What is it about those short videos that keep us captivated? Oh! Yes! Our short attention span

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4 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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BY KAHA GEDI

As our attention spans decrease, short form videos are becoming more popular. From TikTok, to YouTube Shorts, to Instagram Reels, these “snack sized” videos have positive qualities alongside the bad. Mainly we want to know what makes them so effective, and why are they becoming the go-to choice for both viewers and marketers? In this article, I will be discussing how these videos have received such popularity worldwide.

First, we need to understand what counts as and what is short-form content. According to blog.hubspot.com, “Short-form videos are videos that are less than 60 seconds long.” However, some marketers and content creators agree that short-form videos can be up to 3 minutes. “They are videos that deliver information in a ‘digestible’ format so that viewers can quickly watch and save content if they’re in a hurry or enjoy it.” Now, I’ll talk about the main reasons why these videos are so popular.

First, our attention spans have gone down exponentially. Dr Gloria Mark has written a book called “Attention Span,” and she says her research indicates people’s attention spans have been shrinking over the last 20 years. According to the same article Dr. Mark said that “Back in 2004, we found the average attention span on any screen to be two and a half minutes on average. Throughout the years, it became shorter. So, around 2012, we found it to be 75 seconds. Then in the last five, six years, we found it to average about 47 seconds.” So, it’s notable that our attention spans started out longer but then decreased over time.

Secondly, these videos have become cheaper and easier to make. Unlike long-form videos, which require extensive: planning, editing, and storytelling, short-form videos are simpler. To the point where they can even be shot on a smartphone. For example, DuoLingo, the app that helps learn new languages, went viral on TikTok a long time ago by posting funny, low-budget videos that resonate with millions. Like a video of a DuoLingo plus being: tossed down the stairs, sitting outside on a rainy day, or being soaked by the shower with the title “When you ignore my notifications.”

Lastly, they provide valuable information in a short amount of time, and they are easily accessible. According to a recent Adobe Survey, two in five Americans use TikTok as a search engine, and nearly one in 10 Gen Zeers are more likely to rely on TikTok than Google as a search engine. This isn’t always reliable for real news because anyone can claim to be an expert, and you wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth. So, even though they give valuable information in a short time, they can also give misinformation or mislead you.

Short-form videos have changed how we watch and learn things. They fit our short attention spans, are easy to make, and share information quickly. Even though they’re fun and helpful, they can also spread false information or leave out important details. Even with these problems, short-form videos are here to stay, so we should use them in proportion, but also enjoy the benefits.

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Dr. Edward McInnis on the Importance of Preventive Care in Family Medicine

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4 days ago

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December 19, 2024

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Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Preventive care is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing potential health concerns before they escalate into severe conditions. By focusing on proactive measures such as regular screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle counseling, preventive care offers individuals and communities the opportunity to achieve long-term wellness.

Below, Edward McInnis highlights the transformative potential of prevention in reducing healthcare disparities, alleviating systemic challenges, and ensuring that every individual has the tools and access needed to lead a healthier life.

Understanding Preventive Care in Family Medicine

Preventive care in family medicine focuses on proactive measures to maintain health and prevent illness before it occurs. This approach emphasizes regular health evaluations, screenings, and interventions that identify potential issues early, reducing the likelihood of severe complications. Preventive care fosters long-term well-being by addressing risk factors and promoting healthier lifestyles while minimizing the burden of chronic diseases.

The philosophy behind preventive care aligns with the idea that staying healthy is more effective and less costly than treating illnesses after they arise. Early detection of conditions such as hypertension or high cholesterol allows patients and physicians to manage these issues effectively, preventing them from escalating into more severe health problems. Beyond individual benefits, this care model contributes to healthier communities by reducing the overall demand for healthcare systems.

Benefits of Preventive Care for Individuals and Communities

Preventive care profoundly impacts individuals and the broader community by addressing potential health concerns before they evolve into severe conditions. Early detection through routine screenings can significantly lower the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. This improves individual health outcomes and reduces the emotional and financial toll of managing advanced diseases.

Communities prioritizing preventive care experience a ripple effect of healthier populations and reduced strain on healthcare resources. When more people engage in regular check-ups and adopt healthier habits, the prevalence of preventable conditions drops, creating a collective benefit. Individuals who invest in their health through preventive measures often enjoy longer, more active lives, positively influencing families, workplaces, and society.

The economic advantages of preventive care are undeniable, as early intervention typically costs far less than treating advanced illnesses. Vaccination programs, such as those targeting seasonal flu or childhood diseases, can drastically curb outbreaks, saving lives and reducing medical expenses. These benefits demonstrate how preventive care is a cornerstone of sustainable and effective healthcare systems.

Core Preventive Services in Family Medicine

Family medicine emphasizes various preventive services designed to address health needs across all stages of life. Regular health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, are critical in identifying silent health risks. These assessments provide actionable insights that allow individuals to make timely adjustments to their lifestyles or begin treatment when necessary.

Vaccinations are another cornerstone of preventive care, protecting individuals and communities from infectious diseases. From childhood immunizations to seasonal flu shots, these interventions safeguard personal health and prevent the spread of illnesses within larger populations. Counseling services, including guidance on nutrition, exercise, and stress management, empower patients to take an active role in their long-term well-being.

The Role of Family Physicians in Prevention

Family physicians play a pivotal role in fostering preventive care through their ability to build lasting, trust-based relationships with patients. These relationships enable them to understand not just medical histories but also lifestyle factors, family dynamics, and social determinants of health. This comprehensive knowledge allows physicians to craft personalized preventive strategies that resonate with each patient’s unique circumstances, ensuring a more practical approach to maintaining health.

Beyond individual care, family physicians act as educators, equipping patients with the knowledge to make informed health decisions. Whether discussing the significance of regular screenings or addressing misconceptions about vaccines, their guidance helps patients take ownership of their health.

The continuity of care provided by family physicians also ensures that preventive measures are consistently monitored and adjusted as needed, fostering long-term well-being. Their ability to provide holistic and deeply personalized care sets the foundation for healthier patients and communities.

Challenges in Accessing Preventive Care

Despite its proven benefits, accessing preventive care remains challenging for many individuals and communities. Financial barriers, such as lack of insurance coverage or high out-of-pocket costs, often deter people from seeking preventive services. Additionally, limited awareness about the importance of early detection and health promotion means that some individuals may only prioritize preventive care once a health issue becomes severe.

Geographical disparities also play a significant role in limiting access. Rural and underserved areas frequently face shortages of healthcare providers, making it difficult for residents to receive consistent preventive services. In such regions, innovative approaches like mobile health clinics and telemedicine have emerged as solutions to bridge the gap. Expanding these efforts could help overcome logistical obstacles and ensure that preventive care reaches those most in need.

Cultural factors and mistrust of the healthcare system can further complicate access to preventive services. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes community engagement, culturally sensitive care, and efforts to build trust between healthcare providers and patients. Strengthening health literacy and facilitating dialogue between healthcare institutions and the communities they serve are also critical steps in overcoming these barriers.

Promoting and Advancing Preventive Care

Advancing preventive care depends on raising awareness and fostering a culture that values proactive health management. Educational campaigns, workplace wellness programs, and school-based health initiatives encourage people to adopt preventive practices. These efforts create an environment where individuals feel empowered to prioritize their well-being, leading to healthier lifestyles and earlier intervention.

The integration of technology is revolutionizing how preventive care is delivered. Wearable devices that track physical activity, heart rate, and sleep patterns provide individuals with real-time data about their health, prompting timely action when irregularities arise. Similarly, data analytics and predictive tools enable healthcare providers to identify at-risk populations and deliver targeted interventions, improving outcomes on a broader scale.

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