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THE RECRUITMENT AND USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS IN SUDAN

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A report by Brenda Salazar and Olivia Cash, Genocide Watch March 2025 The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been fighting for control of Sudan since April 2023. This brutal power struggle has killed over 60,000 people and has displaced millions. Over 30 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has caused a severe child protection crisis. Over 10 million children have been exposed to brutal violence due to the indiscriminat

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National forests face the hatchet as Trump administration boosts logging

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A new policy opens 58% of U.S. national forests to logging by rolling back environmental protections.

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The page to find all of Hurricane Helene related information, including FEMA updates, FAQs, and links to other resources.

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Sleep-deprived, cyberbullied teenagers addicted to smartphones now a common phenomenon in schools

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A new study of 50,000 primary and secondary school children has demonstrated the combined mental health impacts of mobile phone use at night and cyberbullying.

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Plastic Pollution in Charleston's waters

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Plastic Pollution in Charleston's waters

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Tons of plastic litter are polluting the ocean in Charleston Harbor

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Scientists found tons of single-use plastics and nurdles on the shorelines of Charleston Harbor in South Carolina. These plastics are harming the marine ecosystem and impacting humans health.

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Second Grade:

M-2.1.1 Define the terms mental health, emotional health, and social health.

M-2.1.2 Discuss ways to be a good friend.

M-2.1.3 Describe good character traits (e.g., honesty, respect for self, respect for others, dependability, responsibility).

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Adult Prevalence of Mental Illness - Adults with Any Mental Illness (AMI)

23.08% of adults experienced a mental illness in the past year, equivalent to nearly 60 million Americans.

5.86% experienced a severe mental illness.

The state prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 19.38% in New Jersey to 29.19% in Utah.

According to SAMHSA, "Any Mental Illness (AMI) aligns with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criteria and is defined as having a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, other than a developmental or substance use disorder. These estimates are based on indicators of AMI rather than direct measures of diagnostic status."

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23.08% of adults experienced a mental illness in the past year, equivalent to nearly 60 million Americans. 5.86% experienced a severe mental illness. The state prevalence of adult mental illness ranges from 19.38% in New Jersey to 29.19% in Utah.

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Health standard Standard 2: “Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and

other factors on health behaviors”

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About half of SC’s 3rd to 8th graders can read on grade level. Math scores are worse. • SC Daily Gazette

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Statewide test scores for students in grades 3-8 lagged behind pre-pandemic levels in math, while reading has improved.

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"Everything should be made as simple as possible; but not simpler."
-Albert Einstein

Complaints & Concerns

Over the years, the Department of Public Service has fielded countless complaints and concerns regarding the drainage of the City of Charleston. Many of the concerns are accompanied by suggestions on how the drainage might be improved and the flooding mitigated. While many of the suggestions have good technical merit, the complexity of the problems are not understood fully and thus the potential solutions are unable to be implemented. Oftentimes, the lack of implementation of a solution is seen as indifference on the part of the City, and friction may result with the citizen.

In the past, as I attempted to explain many of the complexities of the problems to citizens, I realized that each separate element of the problem relates to the others and none can be fully understood without understanding all of them. As a result, I began to formulate a detailed explanation and put it into a format that could be accessed and read by all citizens.

Presentation

The purpose of the presentation is to educate the public on why the City of Charleston and the surrounding areas experience persistent and significant flooding problems. As I developed the presentation, I adhered to Albert Einstein's advice. While I am not attempting to reconcile quantum mechanics and general relativity into one Grand Unifying Theory, I have tried to take some relatively complex concepts and make them as non-technical as possible without sacrificing the ability to accurately present necessary information. My hope is that at the end of the presentation, the general public will have a better understanding of why these persistent problems exist and why they are so difficult to overcome.
Why Does It Seem Like Charleston Always Floods When It Rains? (PDF)

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why does it seem like charleston always floods when it rains?

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Why Does It Seem Like Charleston Always Floods When It Rains?

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Why does it seem like Charleston always floods when it rains? This page provides a straight-forward, non-technical explanantion for the drainage challenges the City of Charleston faces and what we are doing to solve them.

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Kneecap Call for a Free Palestine During Uncensored Coachella Set

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Kneecap end Coachella performance with ‘Free Palestine’ message criticizing the U.S. government’s funding of Israel’s ongoing attacks.

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For more information on Narcan distribution and how to get an Opioid Overdose Kit, please see the DPH Narcan Distribution and Opioid Overdose Kits webpage.

South Carolina Opioid Overdose Death Trends

In South Carolina, as across the nation, Fentanyl has become the primary driver for overdose and the leading cause of overdose deaths. Without the user's knowledge, Fentanyl is often mixed with cocaine, methamphetamine, and other illicit drugs, therefore increasing the risk of a fatal overdose.

In 2023, there were 2,157 drug overdose deaths in South Carolina, which was a 6.1% decrease from the 2,296 drug overdose deaths in 2022. This is the first time since 2014 that South Carolina has seen a decrease in the number of drug overdose deaths (DPH Vital Statistics).

Deaths involving prescription drugs, opioids, psychostimulants with abuse potential, fentanyl, heroin and methadone decreased in 2023 as compared to 2022. However, drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased 5.2% (DPH Vital Statistics).

For more information on 2023 Overdose Mortality Statistics please see the 2023 South Carolina Drug Overdose Death Report.

South Carolina's Opioid Emergency Response Plan

In 2017, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a statewide public health emergency for the opioid epidemic and established the Opioid Emergency Response Team. The Governor's emergency declaration allows state officials, private partners, and law enforcement to combat the growing epidemic or opioid deaths, addiction, and abuse.

"We are confident that if there is a group capable of combating this problem, providing treatment for those affected, and bringing about tangible results that will change lives, it's this group of dedicated, talented individuals that we have been able to put together" -Gov. Henry McMaster.

Xylazine in South Carolina

Xylazine Facts

The South Carolina Opioid Emergency Response Team, to include DPH, has been monitoring deaths involving the drug Xylazine. According to provisional estimates from the DPH Division of Biostatistics, deaths involving Xylazine have been on the rise, with an anticipated 379 percent increase between years 2020 and 2021. Xylazine can contribute to oversedation alongside opioids, an individual experiencing an overdose may remain unresponsive even after Naloxone administration if Xylazine is present, and the person may need rescue breaths. It is important to administer Naloxone for a suspected opioid overdose. Although Naloxone will not reverse the effects of Xylazine, Naloxone will reverse the effects of any opioids present.

Xylazine and Overdose Death

Xylazine is a veterinary tranquilizer and long-acting sedative with analgesic and muscle relaxant properties. Xylazine is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human consumption. In humans, Xylazine can cause slowed heart rate, reduced breathing, lowered blood pressure, and unresponsiveness. Xylazine is commonly found in combination with fentanyl, heroin and other substances not purchased from a pharmacy. Xylazine can be present in powder form or in pills that are not purchased with a prescription from a pharmacy. Common names of drugs cut with Xylazine are "tranq or "tranq dope." Xylazine is often in drugs without a person's knowledge.

For more information, please see the Increase in Overdose Deaths and Health Hazards Associated with Xylazine in South Carolina Health Alert Network Advisory.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Overdose Data to Action States Cooperative Agreement

DPH participates in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Overdose Data to Action States initiative. DPH was first awarded OD2A funding in 2019 and was recently awarded OD2A-S funding in 2023 for another five years. DPH coordinates with internal and external partners across the state to implement overdose surveillance and prevention activities. To learn more please visit the CDC Overdose Prevention Data webpage.

Internal (DPH) Substance Use Prevention Resources

External Substance Use Prevention Resources

DPH's Efforts to Combat Opioid Overdose Deaths

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How increased screentime at a younger age is stunting cognitive development and robbing kids of crucial, real life experiences in play, socializing, connecting, and exploring the world around them

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Back to School: How Screen Time Affects Children’s Brains

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As children return to school, Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s expert shares recommendations and tips on managing screen time and protecting brain development

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Charleston residents seek answers after downtown housing redevelopment stalls

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A downtown Charleston housing project that promised to replace a 12-unit complex with a new 77-unit development has stalled, leaving relocated families uncertain about if or when they can return.