To the Point
Legal Highs with Lethal Consequences
They’re called Legal Highs, drugs that mimic illegal substances like marijuana and cocaine, but are just chemically different enough to pass through customs on their way from labs in China and India. Now they’re causing a rash of overdoses in cities across the country. Are legalization and regulation the answer?
By Barbara Bogaev • • 52m ListenThey’re called Legal Highs, drugs that mimic illegal substances like marijuana and cocaine, but are just chemically different enough to pass through customs on their way from labs in China and India. Now they’re causing a rash of overdoses in cities across the country. Guest host Barbara Bogaev explores what to do when legal drugs are more dangerous than the illicit ones they’re replacing.
Also, the Justice Department will open an investigation into the Baltimore Police Department. On today's Talking Point, a Starbucks program that help its employees pay for college. Has it paid off for baristas or does the hype outweigh the results?
In this episode
3 storiesDOJ to Investigate Baltimore Police
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced today the launch of a sweeping investigation of the Baltimore Police Department for " excessive force, including deadly force, unlawful seizures and discriminatory policing." The probe follows the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, and criminal charges filed against six officers.
Read the story7 minLegal Highs with Lethal Consequences
They call them "legal highs" or, in the acronym driven drug lingo, NPS. Novel psychoactive substances are drugs that mimic the highs of banned substances like marijuana or cocaine, but their chemistry has been tinkered with just enough that they fall through the cracks of international drug control laws.
Read the story34 minThe Upwardly Mobile Barista
Last summer, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz made headlines with a big promise: he announced his company would team up with Arizona State University to help Starbucks employees finish college .
Read the story9 min
