OPIOIDS EPIDEMIC

Homeland Security Investigations is trying to fight the opioid crisis by providing virtual currency training to law enforcement departments around the nation. HSI said that drug dealers are taking advantage of the dark web and digital currency, like Bitcoin, to sell opioids and other narcotics anonymously. The HSI training teaches law enforcement departments to know what to look for when investigating narcotics trafficking on the dark web. San Antonio departments will be taking part in the training in the near future. To read the full story, click here.

SAN ANTONIO – For years, Bexar County has been fighting to reduce the rates of infection of HIV among residents. But there is a wrinkle in those efforts that has not been helping: opioid addiction. Opioid abuse and addiction takes the lives of thousands of people each year in the U.S. For many, it starts with prescription pain killers. “There is quite a lot of data that supports the idea that patients who suffer from addiction, specifically from an opioid addiction have poorer outcomes in their HIV course,” Levounis said. Though uncommon, someone without HIV could buy the life-saving medication to help fuel their own addiction.