Police in a Chicago jail are examining every scrap of paper as they search for synthetic drugs linked to a wider and deadly drug epidemic in the United States.
The operation focuses on preventing synthetic substances from entering or circulating inside the jail. The search includes small pieces of paper, reflecting the measures being taken to identify and restrict the drugs.
The wider crisis is examined through accounts from people who use the substances, dealers, prison workers and recovery workers. Their experiences offer different perspectives on the impact of synthetic drugs and the challenges faced by those trying to control their spread.
The material presents the issue as part of a broader American drug emergency, involving law enforcement, people in custody and services supporting recovery. The latest situation described is an ongoing search inside the Chicago jail, while the wider battle against synthetic drugs continues across the United States.
