“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” -Alvin Toffler

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Awareness: DANGER..... OTC Drugs that Children may be ingesting from 7-11's, Convenience Stores, and Service Stations. July 9, 2026

Mental or Physical health crisis.

Be aware.  Even the energy shots, and many of the ‘POWER’ drinks may be detrimental to your overall health and well-being. 

Many MIMIC POWERFUL ADDICTIVE OPIOIDS.

READ THE LABELS

Eat well, stay healthy for you and your loved ones.

https://share.google/aimode/sIs1rJvge4BxH9pLL 

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has filed intent to temporarily place highly concentrated, synthetic kratom compounds into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), effectively banning them nationwide.

On July 1, 2026, the DEA filed two Notices of Intent targeting the specific potent compound 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and related synthetic chemicals. The emergency ban is scheduled to take effect as early as August 5, 2026, and will remain in place for at least two years.

What is Being Banned

The DEA's reclassification specifically targets highly concentrated and fully synthetic alterations of the kratom plant, which public health officials warn mimic powerful, addictive opioids.

The emergency scheduling applies to:

  • 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH): Banned in products where concentrations exceed 0.05% by dry weight, or any individual product containing more than 1 milligram of 7-OH.
  • Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP): A chemical rearrangement product of 7-OH.
  • MGM-15: A synthetic derivative of 7-OH.
  • MGM-16: A synthetic derivative of 7-OH. 

These compounds are commonly manufactured into concentrated

  • tablets,
  • liquid shots, and
  • flavored candies

often sold at gas stations and smoke shops under the guise of "kratom extracts".

What is Excluded

  • Natural botanical kratom leaf: The DEA explicitly stated that this emergency order does not regulate or ban raw botanical kratom products or natural kratom leaf powder that only contains naturally occurring, trace amounts of 7-OH (which usually makes up less than 2% of the plant's natural alkaloid content). 

Key Timeline and Legal Impacts

  • August 2026 Effective Date: The Attorney General is expected to officially issue the temporary Schedule I order 30 days after the initial notice, making the ban legally binding in early August.
  • Two-Year Duration: The emergency ban will last for two years, with a legal allowance to extend it for a third year while federal agencies conduct further scientific and medical reviews to decide on a permanent classification.
  • Criminal Penalties: Once the order goes into effect, the manufacturing, distribution, online sale, retail sale, and possession of these high-potency 7-OH substances will face strict federal criminal and civil penalties.
  • Regulatory Backing: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully backed the DEA's push, citing an imminent threat to public safety, unpredictable health risks, and an uptick in overdose emergencies tied directly to concentrated 7-OH.
 
 
 

 
 
 

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Community Imperative: GCHIC Data Center 101 videos and Underground Data Center possibilities. June 2026

One Community Perspective.  Information and awareness.  
 
Greater Capitol Heights Improvement Corporation (GCHIC) Four episodes Data Center 101 at gchic.org/data-centers 
 
 
 DATA CENTER  101
 
 

Underground Data Center.  (NOTE:  NOT an endorsement by BEMA Int)

 Statement on Underground Data Centers

Thank you to the residents who have raised questions about the possibility of underground data centers in Prince George’s County. While I appreciate the creativity behind exploring alternatives to above‑ground facilities, my position remains firm: I do not support the development of hyperscale data centers in Prince George’s County — whether above ground or underground.

Our communities already shoulder significant environmental, health, and infrastructure burdens. Underground data centers do not eliminate these impacts; they simply relocate them. In many cases, they introduce new risks.

Economic Concerns

  • Low Continuous Employment: Like traditional data centers, underground facilities require very few permanent staff. After construction, they offer minimal long‑term job growth for local residents.
  • Astronomical Upfront Costs: Excavating or retrofitting underground caverns demands massive capital investment.
  • Specialized Labor Needs: These projects rely on costly structural, mining, and geological engineering expertise.
  • High Maintenance Costs: Managing underground moisture, ventilation, and air circulation requires continuous, expensive oversight. 

Environmental & Infrastructure Impacts

  • Water Table Contamination: Leaks from closed‑loop cooling systems can pollute underground aquifers.
  • Surface Pollution: Diesel backup generators still vent pollutants at ground level, affecting nearby communities.
  • Energy Demand: Hyperscale and AI‑driven data centers require enormous electricity loads, often triggering new transmission lines, substations, and diesel backup systems.
  • Construction Disruption: Excavation and tunneling can disturb groundwater, cause vibration, and impact stormwater systems — all major concerns in a county already facing flooding and aging infrastructure.

 

Safety Risks

  • Confined Space Hazards: Fires, gas leaks, or equipment failures pose heightened risks for workers during evacuation.
  • Geological Instability: Seismic shifts, rock collapses, or groundwater intrusion can damage or destroy hardware and endanger personnel.

Community Voice Matters

Reduced public opposition should never be a justification for siting major industrial facilities. Community voice is not an obstacle — it is a requirement. Land‑use decisions must prioritize the health, safety, and long‑term wellbeing of residents.

My Commitment

If……………………………safeguarding our environment, and ensuring that economic development aligns with community needs — not the demands of energy‑intensive industries.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Washington


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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