Inside Chicago’s battle against the synthetic drugs flooding the US

• Synthetic drug crisis escalating: Chicago faces a significant public health challenge from synthetic drugs requiring urgent clinical awareness and updated management protocols
• Community-based response needed: Effective tackling of synthetic drug use requires coordinated efforts between healthcare systems, local services, and community organisations
• Clinical implications for frontline staff: Doctors should expect increased presentations related to synthetic drug use, necessitating familiarity with recognition, acute management, and safeguarding referral pathways

The BBC's Quentin Sommerville reports from Chicago, where communities are battling a new wave of synthetic drugs.

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