Here is your requested summary of the provided extracts, rewritten into a coherent report with one sentence per line, within 2000 characters:

Labubu, a character and collectible plush toy created by Hong Kong designer Kasing Lung and marketed by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, has become a viral sensation among teenagers and young adults.

The popularity of Labubu figurines has contributed to a surge in global revenue for Pop Mart, significantly increasing the wealth of the company’s founder.

Fans are often seen lining up to buy these collectible toys, and celebrities such as Rihanna have been spotted with Labubu, adding to its appeal.

The trend has gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok, where users create and share videos featuring Labubu, often highlighting unboxing experiences, collection showcases, and creative storytelling.

The appeal of Labubu is attributed to its unique and whimsical design, evoking nostalgia, individuality, and a sense of belonging to a wider community of collectors.

Limited edition releases and blind box purchasing formats create excitement and exclusivity, encouraging fans to purchase multiple figurines in hopes of completing their collections.

Social media algorithms amplify viral content about Labubu, helping the trend spread rapidly across global markets.

This phenomenon reflects a broader movement towards collectible culture and designer toys, with Labubu becoming a symbol of self-expression and social connection among Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

The “Labubu Phenomenon” has prompted parents and educators to take note of shifting youth interests and the influence of digital communities on consumer behavior.

As Pop Mart continues to expand internationally, the Labubu brand exemplifies how creative design, strategic marketing, and social media synergy can drive a product to global prominence.

Here is your requested summary of the provided extracts, rewritten into a coherent report with one sentence per line, within 2000 characters:

Labubu, a character and collectible plush toy created by Hong Kong designer Kasing Lung and marketed by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, has become a viral sensation among teenagers and young adults.

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Blood Blood Sugar Defender [United States] USA Trusted Official Website Claims User Results?

Last Updated 29 January 2024, 11:56 IST

Are you suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes type 2, have you put on weight, or have you been told by a doctor that you have a heart issue? Blood makes up about 7% of your total body weight. Blood goes around your body almost 19,000km (12,000 miles) three times every minute in one day.

This detailed review article looks into the details of Blood Balance, finding out its ingredients, how it works, what benefits it can give, how safe it is, and what people who use it say. This article talks about a solution that uses reliable parts to help you keep your blood healthy and control your blood pressure and sugar levels.

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Blood Sugar Defender  is a food supplement that makes your blood better by reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. We want to give you a complete analysis of this supplement and share information for people who want to improve their blood health. Keep reading to learn more about the Blood Sugar Defender supplement, its powerful natural ingredients inside the pills, its advantages, and how to get the real product.

What Is a Blood Sugar Defender?

Blood Sugar Defender is a natural health supplement that helps you balance your blood sugar levels. It has 24 ingredients that are shown by science to work on the main cause of blood sugar imbalance. The maker of Blood Sugar Defender says that the formula is good for everyone because it has very effective ingredients.

The supplement is in liquid form and each bottle has 60 ml or 2 fl. oz which is enough for one month. The Blood Sugar Defender  blood sugar support complex is made in good lab facilities with careful supervision using the best technology and equipment. It is also free from things that can harm you, like stimulants, GMOs, addictive substances, and other bad substances. In the next sections, I will check each claim made by the maker to see if the Blood Sugar Defender sugar balance formula is real.

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Ingredients

The Blood Defender is a supplement that has 8 natural ingredients that can help you have healthy blood sugar levels. These ingredients are:

Eleuthero: This is a plant that some people call Siberian ginseng. It can help your body deal with stress and reduce swelling. It can also make your cells more sensitive to insulin, which is a hormone that controls your blood sugar levels.

Coleus: This is an extract from a plant that grows in India. It has a substance called forskolin, which can increase a chemical in your cells called cAMP. This can make your body use more fat and lose weight.

Maca Root: This is a superfood that comes from Peru. It has many antioxidants and nutrients that can help your blood sugar levels stay steady. It can also give you more energy and make your brain work better.

Gymnema: This is an herb that is found in India and Africa. It has been used in old medicine for a long time to help with blood sugar problems. It has acids that can stop the sweet taste in your mouth, which can make you eat less sugar.

African Mango: This is an extract from the seeds of a fruit that grows in Africa. It has a lot of fibre, which can help your blood sugar levels stay stable. It can also make you feel less hungry and control your weight.

Guarana: This is an extract from the seeds of a plant that grows in South America. It has natural caffeine, which can give you energy all day without making you feel nervous. It can also improve your attention, focus, and concentration while helping your blood sugar levels.

Chromium: This is a mineral that is important for how your body uses carbohydrates. It can help insulin work better in your cells, which can lower your blood sugar levels. It can also help your cells use glucose for energy.

How does Blood Sugar Defender work?

The reason why this product works so well is because of its powerful mix of natural ingredients that could work well to give you the best results.

The product has ingredients that people have used for a long time in old medicine to make their energy and thinking better. By making your mind clear and focused, it could help you be smart all day.

It is important for controlling how your body uses sugar, which keeps your blood sugar levels healthy. It could help your hormones stay balanced and could help you feel less tired and sad because of blood sugar problems.

It could also work by stopping your body from taking in too much sugar from your food. This could be very helpful for those who have trouble with their weight.

It can also make you feel less hungry and help you lose weight. It could give you a natural source of energy that lasts long without making you feel bad later.

It could help your blood sugar levels stay normal while Ginseng, one of its ingredients, could make your body use insulin better and help your cells use sugar better. By putting all the powerful ingredients into one complete supplement, the Blood Sugar Defender Blood Sugar formula could help you have healthy blood sugar levels while making your energy high and your thinking sharp all day.

What Blood Sugar Defender Can Do For You:

Blood Sugar Defender is a supplement that can help you keep your blood sugar levels healthy, feel more energetic, and think more clearly. Some of the benefits you may get from it are:

May keep your blood sugar levels steady. It may help your body use insulin and sugar better, so your blood sugar levels stay in a normal range. This is good for people with diabetes or those who want to avoid blood sugar highs and lows.

May give you more energy naturally. You don’t need to depend on coffee or sweets for energy. Blood Sugar Defender Walmart Price  has ingredients like Eleuthero and Guarana that may make you more awake and active without any side effects.

May improve your brain function by making you think sharper Blood Sugar Defender has Coleus and Ginseng that may improve your focus and memory while reducing your stress.

May help you lose weight effectively Blood Sugar Defender has African Mango extract that may help you manage your appetite and eat less. This is an extra benefit for people who want to improve their health and wellness.

How To Use Blood Sugar Defender?

As you already know, Blood Sugar Defender is a liquid supplement and each bottle has 60 ml of it. You should take one full dropper of it under your tongue before breakfast or mix it with water. Don’t take more than that as it may harm your health. For better results, you should also eat well and exercise regularly.

The Truth and the Facts:

Many people online are saying good things about Blood Sugar Defender, a product that claims to lower blood sugar and help with weight loss. But you should know that these stories are not the same as scientific proof. They are just personal opinions that may not apply to everyone, and sometimes people feel better just because they believe something works.

Blood Sugar Defender is made of natural ingredients that have some research to support their benefits for blood sugar control, but most of this research is not very strong or reliable. Also, we don’t know exactly how these ingredients work together or how they affect the body. We need more and better studies to show if Blood Sugar Defender  is really effective and safe for controlling blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes.

A Careful Approach:

Don’t be tricked by the attractive advertising claims. You should be careful when thinking about using Blood Sugar Defender. Here are some important things to remember:

Not a substitute for medical advice: Blood Sugar Defender is not a cure for type 2 diabetes and should not replace a doctor’s advice.

Possible interactions: People who are taking medicines for diabetes or other problems should talk to their doctor before using Blood Sugar Defender to avoid any unwanted effects.

Unknown side effects: We don’t know how Blood Sugar Defender affects the body in the long term, especially when used with other medicines.

Individual differences: Results can change a lot from person to person depending on things like health conditions, lifestyle choices, and medicine use.

Blood Sugar Defender Price For Each Pack

The Blood Sugar Defender bottle is cheaper than other health products in the market. The maker has lowered the price for a short time so that everyone with diabetes can use it. Here are the Blood Sugar Defender price and pack details:

Get the 30-day bottle for $79 per bottle (+ Shipping Cost) Get the 90-day bottle for $59 per bottle (Free US Delivery) Get the 180-day bottle for $49 per bottle (Free US Delivery)

These are the different Blood Sugar Defender packs that you can buy now. You can choose any one pack that fits your health needs.

How To Buy The Real Blood Sugar Defender Product?

Right now, the Blood Sugar Defender blood sugar helper is only for sale on its official website. The maker has stopped the sale on other sites because of the risk of fake products being made by illegal sellers.

This is true, but the Blood Sugar Defender  fakes are sold on other websites like Amazon and even stores. These products have similar website looks and product labels to trick unaware customers. These products do not show scientific evidence and can cause health problems. To avoid these problems, make sure to buy it only from the Blood Sugar Defender official website which is easy to use and has many benefits for users.

Blood Sugar Defender Review: There are so many supplements in the market, and new ones keep coming every day. Some of them look good, but others are very bad. When someone wants to improve their health, they may find both kinds of supplements and get confused and not know what to choose.

One of these supplements that people talk a lot about, in groups for diabetes and obesity, is Blood Sugar Defender. The name says that it helps the body from having too much sugar. In this review, we will talk about different things, so that you can make a smart and careful decision, especially if you are a new customer. There is also a special offer for new customers of Blood Sugar Defender on the official website. Is Blood Sugar Defender real, or is it just a fake product in the market? Can you believe it? Keep reading this Blood Sugar Defender review.

Blood Sugar Defender is a product that helps your metabolism and keeps your blood sugar levels normal. The official website says that it was made by Jeffery Mitchel. He used 24 ingredients from natural sources to make this mix. These ingredients have been studied by different researchers. But they have not been tested together, and there is not much information about it.

It comes in a liquid form, which makes it easy to use. But if someone does not like to use the supplement as drops, this product may not be a good option for them. The supplement is made with the newest technology and follows the standard rules for quality. There are no strange ingredients, and the ingredients do not make you addicted. Click here to go to the official Blood Sugar Defender Review website today and see the latest prices and deals.

How Common Is a High Blood Sugar Problem?

You may be shocked to know that billions of people around the world have trouble keeping their blood sugar levels normal. In the US, this number is 38 million, according to the numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Almost 88 million Americans have prediabetes, which means they are close to getting type 2 diabetes. Also, millions of others do not know that they have this problem and have not been checked yet.

Most people do not know the dangers that they face if their body cannot keep sugar levels normal. People with bad sugar control have a high chance of getting sick, and some of these illnesses can kill them. Some of them are:

Heart problems Nerve damage Kidney failure and kidney problems Eye problems Skin and mouth problems Hearing problems Alzheimer’s Sadness and worry

Managing and controlling this problem can save you from these illnesses. You can get help from a natural supplement that helps with sugar levels. Products like Blood Sugar Defender say that they can do this, but you have to look at the ingredients and other details before you think about using these supplements.

What Does Blood Sugar Defender Do For You?

Blood Sugar Defender helps you to fix the problems that make your body unable to control sugar levels. It uses 24 natural ingredients that work together to help your body heal itself. It does not say how it works exactly. The ingredients inside are approved by doctors and can make your overall health better, not just your sugar levels. It is said that this supplement makes your whole metabolism better, so your body can use food better and keep your weight and energy balanced.

Ingredients

The quality of any product depends on what is in it. Most good companies tell the public what is in their products because they only use the best ones. If a company does not tell you this, it could be a bad sign, and you should not trust any company that hides information from you.

For Blood Sugar Defender, here are the ingredients that it uses.

Eleuthero

The first ingredient is eleuthero, which makes your metabolism better and keeps you from feeling weak and tired.

Coleus

Coleus makes your cells work better, helps you burn fat, keeps your blood flow good, and does many other good things for your body.

Maca Root

This root boosts your energy levels and keeps them steady for a long time. It also fights inflammation, which can harm your cells and metabolism.

African Mango

This is a fruit that has a lot of health benefits. It stops your body from absorbing too much fat and makes you less hungry, so your body does not have very high or low sugar and cholesterol levels.

Guarana

This plant comes from the Amazon area. People who live there have used it for many treatments. It helps with digestion, heart health, and weight loss.

Gymnema

This plant makes you less hungry and stops you from eating too much. It also keeps your digestive hormones and cholesterol levels healthy, so your body can stay at a good weight.

Ginseng

Panax Ginseng gives your body antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage. It also makes your brain work better and helps you think and focus more, while keeping your sugar levels stable.

Chromium

The last ingredient is chromium, a mineral that is important for controlling blood sugar. Taking chromium every day can stop you from getting metabolic diseases, like being overweight.

These ingredients are not allergic. But if you are allergic to plants, you should ask a doctor before using this product.

How to Use Blood Sugar Defender

The best way to use Blood Sugar Defender is to take a full dropper under your tongue every day before breakfast. Or, you can mix the formula in a glass of water and drink it. When your body gets used to the ingredients, you will feel less hungry, more energetic, and have better blood sugar numbers.

According to the website, most people who use Blood Sugar Defender see good results in the first week. Use the formula every day for at least 90 to 180 days for the best results. Blood Sugar Defender not only balances your blood sugar, but also gives you good nutrition for your overall health and wellness.

Blood Sugar Defender is a gentle formula with 100% plant ingredients and natural minerals that are proven by science. Each ingredient is checked for quality, purity, and strength. Blood Sugar Defender has no GMOs, toxins, or chemicals and is made in a safe, FDA-approved, and GMP-certified place in the USA.

How Much Does Blood Sugar Defender Cost?

You can only buy Blood Sugar Defender online from its official website using this link. It is cheaper than other supplements that control sugar levels. Even people with a low health budget can buy it easily.

The company does not have any partners or sellers. So, do not trust anyone who sells this product in other places. They may not be real. Only the website has the original products.

Right now, the company has a special offer. Here are the prices after the discount.

Pay $79 for one bottle (30 days) plus delivery fee

Pay $59 for three bottles (90 days) with free delivery in the US

Pay $49 for six bottles (180 days) with free delivery in the US

Pick how many bottles you want and put them in your cart. Choose any way to pay that works for you and complete the order. Give your address and phone number for shipping. You will receive your package in three to five days. Read the instructions on the website to learn how to use this product the right way. Or call the customer service if you have any questions.

You can find the contact details on the official website to reach the customer service team.

Free Gifts For Blood Sugar Defender Customers

The company appreciates the customers who pick three and six-bottle packs. They will get two eBooks for free. Here is some information about these eBooks.

Free Gift #1: The Ultimate Tea Remedies (PDF copy)

This book has different recipes for making herbal teas at home. They do not need costly or rare herbs. Most of them use common things in your kitchen. These teas help the body get rid of toxins and waste, which helps to improve sugar control.

Free Gift #2: Learn How to Manage Type 2 Diabetes (PDF copy)

The second eBook has some advice on how to cope with and live with diabetes. It has daily care plans, food tips, prevention steps, and other information that could make your life easier.

You can use these eBooks along with the Blood Sugar Defender drops. You do not have to search for the eBooks on the website. They are added automatically when you pick a bundle pack. Usually, the customers get the link after the order is confirmed. Clicking this link will start the download right away. You can download these eBooks on any device, like iPad, laptop, phone, etc, and read them later.

Blood Sugar Defender Money-Back Guarantee

You can get a full refund for Blood Sugar Defender if you are not happy with it. You have 60 days (two months) to try this offer. In this period, you can send back the bottles and get your cash back. The company will not ask why, and this process will be easy and quick.

Send your order number by email to customer service at support@sugardefender.com. You can also call them using the numbers on the website.

You can only ask for a refund if you do it within 60 days of buying. If you contact the company later, you may not get anything. Buy the Blood Sugar Defender drops from the official website or your refund request can be denied right away.

Final Thoughts On Blood Sugar Defender Reviews

To conclude this Blood Sugar Defender review, it looks like a product you can use without worry. But the results are different for each person. It can work differently for different people. You can make it work better by changing what you eat and how you live.

The good thing is that it is natural, and the plants are unlikely to cause trouble. Also, it is cheap and does not cost much for your health. Read the feedback and scientific evidence of the ingredients to learn more.

It is ready to be sent to you now. The website has a lower price, which can stop anytime. If you want to pay less, order your bottles before they run out, or the company changes the prices back.

Keeping your blood sugar levels under control is good for your overall health. Blood Sugar Defender supplement drops may be a natural and useful way to support healthy blood sugar levels, boost energy, and enhance mental focus.

Blood Sugar Defender drops may be a good option for those who want a natural way to keep their blood sugar levels steady while also feeling more lively and alert.

Blood Sugar Defender has some possibility for helping with blood sugar control because of its herbal ingredients that have some research behind them. But the research is not very strong or clear, and there may be some dangers or troubles with using Blood Sugar Defender . People with type 2 diabetes should not use Blood Sugar Defender without talking to their doctor first. The best way to manage blood sugar and type 2 diabetes is to follow a healthy lifestyle and get medical care that suits your needs.

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(Published 29 January 2024, 11:56 IST)

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Which designers does Pop Mart collaborate with?

Which products are increasingly viewed as treasures by collectors?

The popularity of Labubu figurines has contributed to a surge in global revenue for Pop Mart, significantly increasing the wealth of the company’s founder.

Fans are often seen lining up to buy these collectible toys, and celebrities such as Rihanna have been spotted with Labubu, adding to its appeal.

What are the traits of collectible toy consumers?

Which products are increasingly viewed as treasures by collectors?

The trend has gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok, where users create and share videos featuring Labubu, often highlighting unboxing experiences, collection showcases, and creative storytelling.

which social platforms does Gen Z tend to prefer?

The appeal of Labubu is attributed to its unique and whimsical design, evoking nostalgia, individuality, and a sense of belonging to a wider community of collectors.

How do teenagers gain identity and intimacy?

What about the person on Tiktok persuades buyers to buy what they see in their feeds?

What are the traits of collectible toy consumers?

What does the collectible toys concept emphasize/

Limited edition releases and blind box purchasing formats create excitement and exclusivity, encouraging fans to purchase multiple figurines in hopes of completing their collections.

What Pop Mart marketing ploy features highly desirable hidden models?

Which products are increasingly viewed as treasures by collectors?

Social media algorithms amplify viral content about Labubu, helping the trend spread rapidly across global markets.

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IT WAS FENTANYL. MY DAUGHTER WAS POISONED TO DEATH. >> TO THIS D,AY MOM STILL DOESN’T KNOW WHERE THE DRUGS CAME FROM. >> I DON’T WANT TO RELIVE THIS EVERY DAY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I DON’T WANT ANY OERTH FAMILY TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS. IS THE WORST TNGHI IN THE WOR.LD A PARENT SHOULD NEVER OUTLIVE THEIR CHILD. >> TRAGEDY CAN ALSO BE FELT INSIDE THIS VALLEY SPRINGS HOME. >> IT WAS UNIMAGINABLE. MY DAUGHRTE HAD NO HISTORY OF DRUG USE, EVER. >> JANUARY 2, 2021, THE DAY HER PHEON RANG. HER DAUGHTER’S FRIEND, FRANTIC ON THE OTHER END. >> I WAS WONDERING WHY WAS SHE CALLING. WHY WASN’T AT MY DAUGERHT THAT CALLED. SHE WAS HYSTERICAL AND TOLD ME SHE WAS DEAD. I WAS LIKE, WHAT ? >>HE S WAS A 39-YEAR-OLD MOTHER OF THREE FOUND DEAD IN HER OWN BED. >> IT WAS A KICK IN THE STOMACH. >> LIKE JADE, SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS TAKING PERCOCET, BUT NO PERCOCET WAS FOUND IN HER SYSTEM, IT WAS FENTANYL. >> I THINK ABOUT IT CONSTANT,LY EVERY WAKING MOMENT. I THINK ABOUT IT WHEN I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING. 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HE WAS A 17 YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IN ROCKLAND AND WAS MAKING PLANNING FOR COLLEGE WITH AN INCREDIBLY BRIGHT FUTURE AHD,EA BUT IT ALL ENDED BECAUSE OF HE BOUGHT WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS AER PCOCET FROM SOMEONE HE MET ROTHUGH SNAPCHAT. THAT DEALERS SOLD HIM A COUNTERFEIT PILL MADE WITH FENTANYL. JOINING ME ARE ZACK’S PARENTS AND, THESE ARE THE TWO PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST RESNSPOIBLE FOR OPENING MY EYES TO THIS PROBLEM ANDHE TY HAVE REALLY HELPED TO RESHAPE THE WAY THAT KCRA 3 IS COVERING THE EPIDEMIC. IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. >> I REMEMBER ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO WHEN YOU TOLD ME THE STORY AND YOU SAID BRIAN, WE DIDN’T KNOW AND WE’VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT OTHER PARENTS KNOW ABOUT THIS. AND YOU BOTH HAVE DEDICATED YOUR LIVES OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR, TO DOING JUST THAT. TELL ME ABOUT THIS JOURNEY. >> IT WAS A DIFFILTCU DECISION TO MAKE BECAUSEAC ZH WAS LIVING THIS GREAT LIFE AND YOU WORRY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE WILL THINK OF YOUR CHILD, BUT WE KNEW HIM SO WELLND A WE KNEW HE ALWAYS WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE, AND WE KNEW HE WOULD NOT WANT US TO BECOME AWARE OF THIS CRISIS IN THAT SHOW WHAT WE LEARNED. AS A FAMILY WITH OUR OTHER KIDS WE DECIDED TO MAKE THIS OUR MISSION AND WARN OTHER FAMILIES SO THEYON D’T HAVE TO SUFFER THIS WAY. BRIAN: I KNOW YOU GO INTO SCHOOLS, YOU DO PRESENTATIONS, I HAVE BEEN THERE. YOU DO THEM FOR PARENTS AS WELL. TELL ME, HOW HAS THIS BEEN RECEIVED, ESPECIALLY AMONG TEENS? >> IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED QUITE WELL, BUT I THINK THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF TREPIDAONTI AND HEARING THE IDEA OF A PARENT OR AN ADULT WANTING TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT A TRICKY TOPIC. BUT WHEN IT’AS PARENT, A GRIEVING FAMILY THAT COMES INTO THREI CLASSROOM, AND WE COME FROM A VERY OPEN PERSPECTIVE AND AN HONEST PLACE, AND TO SAY, THIS IS A DANGER, WE ARE NOT TRYING TO LLTE YOU WHAT TO DO OR WHAT NOT TO DO, WE ARE TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT THERE IAS DANGER. THERE IS DECEPTION BEHINDHE T DANGER, AND YOUR AGE GROUP IS THE MOST IMPACTED, AND WE WANT YOU ALIVE. WE WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND AND TO KNOW. BRIAN: WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP IN THIS ADVOCACY MOVEMENT? ONE OF T THEHINGS YOU BOTH HAVE WORKED HARD ON IS TRYING TO GET THE SOCIAL MIAED PLATFORMS TO DO MORE. AND THEY ARE DOING MORE THAN THEY WERE BEFORE, MAYBE IT’S ARGUABLE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE DOING ENOUGH, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE NEXT STEP? >> JUST CONTINUING TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT. IN PERSON, WE FIND IT WORKS WELL. WHEN WE GET IN FRONT OF THE KIDS AND THEY HEAR OUR STORY FACE TO FACE AND SEE OUR CONCERN FROM THEM. GETTING MESSAGES OUT THROUGH SOCIAL MIAED, WHERE THE KIDS ARE. DIFFERENT PUBLISEC RVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT THEY WILL SEE WILL -- WHERE THEY ARE, AND GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS HAS BEEN REALLY EYE-OPENING FOR THEM, THEY ARE SO COMPASSIONATE, THEY ARE SO KIND, AND YOU CAN TELL THE MESSAGE IS REALLY LANDING. BRIAN: IT’SOT N JUST THE AWARENESS, BECAUSE YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN REALLY INVOLVED IN THE CAPITAL, GOING TO THE CAPITAL, TRYING TO GET NEW LAWS PASSED. SOMETHING ATTH WILL STIFFEN THE PUNISHMENTS FOR FENTANYL TRAFFICKERS. WHAT'’ YOUR MESSAGE DAN WHAT DO YOU THINK IS NEXT? >> I THINK THAT THERE IS AN OLD PARADIGM THAT WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH. IN OUR ADVOCACY, ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS THE STIGMA THAT TENDS TO CONNECT WITH THE MESSAGE WE ARE SAYING. WHEN A NEW PROBLEM, A NEW COMPLEXITY OF WHAT FENTANYL BRINGS, IT’S HARD TO UNDERSTAND PEOPLE, GENERAL PEOPLE, PARENTS, EDUCATORS DAN EVEN LAWMAKERS TEND TO COMPARTMENTALIZE AND THINK, THAT’S AN OLD PROBLEM. BUT THAT’S A MISUNDERSTANDING AND THEY ARE MISSING THE MESSAGE. WE NEED TO GET PAST THAT AND SAY IT’S A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. IN THE PAST IS A SPPLIERY SLOPE WHEN SOMEONE WOULD EXPERIMENT WITH A PRODUCT LEIK MARIJUANA, HEROIN OR ANY OTHER ILLITIC PRODUCT. BUT NOW, WITH FENTANYL INTO PLAY, DAN THIS MADE IN CLANDESTINE LABS THAT ARE LEALTH, IT CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT THAT’S LIKE A MINE FIELD AND THERE IS NO CHANCE TO LEARN LIFE’S LESSONS DREW THE SLIPPERY SLOPE. WE NDEE TO ENTAC NEW LAWS AND IMPLEMENT BETTER SAFEGUARDS TO PREVENT THESE SENSELESS DEATHS. BRIAN: WE FIRST MET YOU BOTH TOLD ME YOU WANTED TO HONOR YROU SON AND YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY DONE THAT. I WANTED TO SHARE A MESSAGE THAT I TGO TODAY FROM THE PLACER COUNTY DTRISICT ATTORNEY WHO LDTO ME, THIS IS HIS QUOTE, LAURA AND CHRIS’S ACTIVISM AND PASSION HAVE HELPED COUNTLESS OTHER GRIEVING PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH THEIR DARKEST DAYS AND IT CONTINUES TO BE INSPIRATIONAL. HE SAID IT REALLY WELL, THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. WHEN WE COME BACK, THE NEW FORMS OF FENTALNY PARENTS MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THIS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE AWARE. WE SPEAK WITH THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FROM STANISLAUS COUNTY ABOUT WHAT TO WATCH T OUFOR. BRIAN: WELCOME BACK TO OUR SPECIAL REPORT. FENTANYL HAS CHANGE THE GAME FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. AGENCIES FROM ETH BAY TO THE FOOTHILLS AND UP AND DOWN THE CENTRAL VALLEY ARE SCRAMBLING TO GET THIS DEADLY DRUG OFF THE STREET. AND THEY ARE MAKING BIG BUCKS. THIS IS A PHOTO FROM GAULT POLICE. IT’S A BAG OF COUNTERFEIT PILLS FOUND IN A HOTEL ROOM EARLIER THIS WEEK. OFFICERS SAY THISAG B HAS A WHOLE POUND OF PILLS. LISTEN TO THIS, POLICE SAY THERE’S ENOUGH FENTANYL THERE TO FILL UP TO 227,000 PEOPLE. THAT’S BECAUSE A DOSE OF JUST TWO MILLIGRAMS OF FENTANYL WOULD FILL MOST PEOPLE. JUST YESTERDAY MODESTO POLICE ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THIS MAN. POLICE SAY HE RAN FROM A TRAFFIC STOP AND LEFT BEHIND A STASH OF 300 PILLS CONTAINING FENTANYL. IS WANTED FOR DRUG CHARGES AND TWO OUTSTANDING DRUG WARRANTS. JOINING US LIVE NOW IS SOMEONE WHO IS NOT SHOCKED BY THOSE PHOTOS AND THOSE STORIES. PATRICK HOGAN IAS DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN STANISLAUS COUNTY AND I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH DRUG AND GGAN CASES. WE TALK ABOUT FENTANYL THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. COUNTERFEIT PILLS ARE KILLING PEOPLE UNKNOWINGLY, THEN WE HAVE PELEOP WHO ARE DRUG USERS WHO ARE PURPOSELY GOING OUT AND SEEKING FENTANYL THESE DAYS. HELP OUR VIEWERS UNDERSTAND JUST HOW BIG THIS PROBLEM IS NOW AND HOW MUCH BIGGER IT HAS BECOME SINCE COVID. PATRICK: IT’S A DIFFICULT THING TO TALK ABOUT. IN OUR COUNTY WE DESCREIB IT AS WE HAVE AN OVERDOSE CRISIS AND A POISONING CRISIS. WEAV HE PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING FENTANYL AND OVERDOSING, WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO IDEA THE DRUG THEY ARE TAKING. THEY ARE BEING POISONED TO DEATH. I TALKED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE IN EVERY AGENCY IN MY COUNTY AND WHAT THEY DESCRIBE IS A CRISIS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE VETERANS FOR 20 THIS 30 YEARS. THEY ARE SEEING DEATHS AT THE LIKES THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN. IN OUR COUNTY WE LOSE THREE TO FOUR PEOPLE EVERY WEEK TO OVERDOSE. BRIAN: YOU THINK OF ALL THE CHALLENGES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY ARE DEALING WITH VIOLENT CRIME, THEFT, THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH HOMELESSNESS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE FENTANYL IS THIS COMMON THREAD WEAVING ITS WAY THROUGHOUT ALL OF IT, IS THAT TRUE? PATRICK: WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OUR COUNTY IS BETWEEN 20 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND NOW IT IS A CHANGE IN THE WAY IN WHICH NARCOTICS ARE OPERATING. FENTANYL IS DISPLACING EVERY OT HER DRUG. FENTANYL IS SHOWING UP IN EVERY SINGLE DRUG. WE ARE TESTING METHAMPHETAMINE SHOWING WITH FENNYTAL, WE ARE SHOWING PILLS SHOWING UP WITH FENTANYL. WE ARE SEEGIN FENTANYL PUT ITS CLAWS INTO EVERY PART OF OUR SOCIETY. BRIAN: RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT VIDEO. THESE ARE THE M 30 PILLS. THIS IS STILL OUT THERE ON THE STREETS, BUT THIS WAS A BIG PROBLEM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. THAT’S NOT EVEN THE BIG PROBLEM ANYMORE. PATRICK: IN 2020 WE SAW THESE M 30 PILLS ON E THSTREETS. THEY ARE NOW KNOWN AS BLUES. IN 2020 WE HAD AN OVERDOSE CRISIS IN STANISLAUS COUNTY -- BY OVERDOSE, I MEAN OVERDOSE AND POISONING. WE WERE LOSING ONE TO TWO PEOPLE A WEEK, AND THAT WAS SHOCKING TO US. THE DIFFERENCE IS, IN 2021, WE HAVE DRUG USERS THAT ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING THOSE SAME PILLS THAT WERE POISONING PEOPLE IN 2020 BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE DRUGS. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THAT HIGH. BRIAN: WE ALSO HAVE THE COLORED FENTANYL THAT IS A NEW MARKETING THING. IT’S ALSTMO A PUTTY-LIKE SUBSTANCE. TELL ME WHAT THIS IS AND WHY PEOPLE ARE SEEKING THIS OUT. PATRICK: LAST YEAR IN 2020 WE BEGAN TOEE S THIS BRIGHTLY COLORED FENTANYL AND I AND OTHER MEMBEROFS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COUNTY DIDN’T INTERVIEW WITH A DRUG DEALER WHO IS BRINGING FENTANYL INTO THE COUNTY AND HE SAID HE COULD GO INTO SAN FRANCISCO INTO THE TENDERLOIN AND DRIVE DOWN THE STREET AND PEOPLE WOULD COME TO HIS CAR AND SAY, I HAVE READ, I HAVE BLUE, I HAVE PURPLE. THA’'S BECAUSE THEY WERE SELLING FENTANYL IN COLORS. THE PHOTO YOU JUST SHOWED WAS A BUS TT HAWAS DONE BY THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATED UNIT OF MY COUNTY’S DEPARTMENT. THAT IS THE MOST RECENT EXAMPLE OF THIS BRIGHTLY COLORED FENTANYL TAKING OVER THE MARKET. WE THINK IT’S A MARKETING GIMMICK, BUT IT SHOWING UP EVERYWHERE. BRIAN: YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS, WE ARE TALKGIN ABOUT A DRUG THAT IS SO ADDICTIVE. YOU HAVE SEEN ISTH PROBLEM THROUGH EVERY LENS POSSIBLE. IT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE YOU NTWA OUR VIEWERS TO GET TONIGHT? PATRICK: TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. I WORK WITH INCREDIBLY DEDICATED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, PEOPLE WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO SAVE LIVES. BUT WHAT’S AMAZING IS, NO MATTER HOW MUCH FENTANYL SOMEONE IS SELLING -- AND THIISS INCREDIBLE -- IT DOESN’T QUALIFY FOR STATE PRISON. IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, SOMEONE COULD BE OUT THERE SELLING A POISON THAT’S KILLING PEOPLE IN THE THOUSANDS, AND OUR LEGISLATOR IN LAW’S VIEWHA TT AS A NONVIOLENT OFFENSE. BRIAN: THAT’S SHOCKING TO HEAR. PATRICK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU ARE DOING WITH THE STANISLAUS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE. PATRICK: THANK YOU FOR COVERING THIS. BRN:IA THIS PROBLEM IS GROWING QUICKLY, IT CAN BE SCARY FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE PARENTS OF TEENS, THOSE MOMS AND DADS KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO MONITOR WHAT THEIR CHILDREN DO AT ALL TIMES. MELANIE WINGO TALKED WITH THREE TEENAGERS FROM THE SACRAMENTO AREA AND SHE JOINS US WITH THEIR PERSPECTIVE. MELANIE: WE WANTED TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS KNOW ABOUT FENTAN.YL TALKED WITH TEENAGERS FROM OUR AREA TO SEE WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS DRUG. >> I HAD TO PEERS THAT PASSED AWAY BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY REWE TAKING SOMETHING, IT WAS ACTUALLY SOMETHING ELSE. >> THE PROBLEM I’M SEEING NOW IS FENTANYL AND TEENS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE COUNTERFEIT PIL ALSND HOW EASILY SOMETHING GETS LACED. >> -- MELANIE: IT’S CLEAR TEENAGERS ARE HEARING ABOUT FENTANYL, THAT THE TRAPS SOME MAY FALLNT IO ARE THEY UNDERESTIMATE ITS DANGER, SOME KIDS MAY NOT KNOW THEY ARE GETTING FENTANYL IF THEY GO ON SOCIAL MEDIA LOOKING FOR PILLS LIKE ECSTASY OR PAIN KILLERS AND GET SOMETHING LACED WITH FENTANYL. >> I COULD MESSAGE THEM FOR THE MENU, AND WITHIN ANYWHERE BETWEEN AN HOUR OR TWO THE DAY, DEPENDING ON WHEN THEY ARE OUT DRIVING AROUND, I COULD HAVE IT ON MY DOORSTEP WITHIN AN HOUR OR TWO OR 24 HOURS. >> WHEN YOU ARE BY YOURSELF YOU MAY FEEL LIKE, I WANT TO TRY SOMETHING. I’M BORED. NOTHING IS REALLY GOING ON FOR ME. SO, I MIGHT AS WELL TRY, WHAT IS THERE TO LOSE. >> MY GENERATION IS RECKLESS AND THEY JUST DON’T CARE, OR IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME BECAUSE I’VE BEEN DOING IT FOR SO LONG OR I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING OR I ONLY GET IT FROM THIS ONE PERSON. MELANIE: WHEN IT COMES TO HOW TEENAGERS ARE TALKING WITH THEIR PARENTS ABOUT FENTANYL, IT VARIES. SOME KIDS HAVE DISCUSSED FENTANYL SPECIFICALLY WITH THEIR PARENTS, OTHERS VEHA HEARD ABOUT THE DRUG DANGERS OVERALL. >> WITH PARENTS, THEY GAVE ME THE TALK AND IT WAS LIKE, WE DON’T NEED YOU TO DO THAT, WE NEED YOU TO STAY FOCUSED AND STAY ON THE RIGHT PATH. >> MY MOM ALWAYS TELLS ME YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IT COULD BE LACED WITH. YOU RVENE KNOW. YOU CAN SMOKE FOR 10 YEARS AND ONE DAY YOU GO TO SMOKEND A IT’S LACED WITH SOMETHING AND YOU ARE DONE. >> YOU ARE A PARENT AND YOU LOVE YO UR KID BUT YOU DON’T KNOW THIS WORLD. SOCIAL MEDIA, SNAPCHAT. MELANIE: A BIG REASON WE CONTINUE TO COVER THIS TOPIC IS TO HELP PARENTS HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR KIDS ABOUT FENTANYL. COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, MY CONVERSATION WITH A FAMILY THERAPIST, HER THOUGHTS ON HAVING MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUTEENS. BRIAN: CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FENTANYL. WE HEARD FROM TEENAGERS AND GOT THEIR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ABOUT PARENTS? THEY MIGHT BE WONDERING, WHAT DO I DO, HOW DO I APPROACH THIS. YOU TALKED WITH AN EXPERT WHO HAD ADVICE. >> FENTANYL POISONING IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER. WE LEARNED TTHA OVER THE MONTHS HERE. EXPERTS SAY IF WE LEAVE THINGS TO CHANCE WHEN IT COMES TO EXPRESSING THOSE DANGERS TO OUR KIDS, TTHA CAN HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. SO WE TALKED WITH KELLY RICHARDSON, SHE'’ A LICENSED PSYCHOTHERAPIST WITH A FAMILY THERYAP PRACTICE IN FOLSOM, AND SHE SAYS AVOIDING TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THESE DANGERS CAN BE QUITE A MISTAKE. >> WE CANNOT FOOL OURSELVES INTO THINKING, NOT MY KID, BECAUSE GOOD KIDS STILL MAKE IMPULSIVE, BAD DECISIONS. BURYING OUR HEADS IN THE SAND DOES NOT DOES -- DOES NOTHING TO HELP US AND HAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR CHILD. MELANIE: RICHARDSON SAYS OUR APPROACH AS PARENTISS KEY. WE ARE HERE TO COMMUNICATE AND EDUCATE, AND IT’S OK TO EXPRESS EMPATHY. LETTING YOUR KID KNOW YOU GET IT, EXPERIMENTATION ISN’T LIKE WHAT IT WAS WHEN WE WERE KIDS. THERE IS NO MARGIN FOR ERROR. >> WE DON’T WANT OUR KIDS TO FEEL JUDGED, AND WE DON’T WANT THEM TO FEEL PUNISHED OR CONDEMNED. WE WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN OPEN, NONJUDGMENTAL CONVERSATION THAT WE CAN COME BACK TO WHENEVER WE NEED TO, THAT THEY CAN DIP IN, SHARE A LITTLE BIT AND DIP OUT AND WE WANT IT TO BE FLUID. BRIAN: SO WE WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION, BUT HOW DO YOU START THIS? MELANIE: THAT IS WHAT RICHARDSON SAYS YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE A TIMELINE ON. THESE CONVERSATIONS COULD BE FIVE MINUTES, THEY COULD BE 30 MINUTES, AND YOU MAY NOT SEE THE RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT OF THIS DIALOGUE IMMEDIATELY. YOUR CHILD COULD BE FACED WITH THE PRESSURE TO TRY A DRUG YEARS AND YEARS FROM NOW, BUT THEY WILL -- THEY WILL REMEMBER THE TALKS YOU HAD WITH THEM, AND ULTIMATELY, IT COULD END UP SAVING THEIR LIFE. BRIAN: THAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION, HEFOPULLY PARENTS TOOK SOME GOOD NOTES. OUR COVERGE CONTINUES ON THE KCRA 3 MOBILE APP, AND YOU CAN SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE AN INTERACTIVE MAP. WE HAVE PUT IT TOGETHER AND IT SHOWS YOU HOW MANY FENTYLAN RELATED DEATHS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE STATE FOR 2020, AND IT SHOWS YOU THE IRENCDIBLE IMPACT ON YOUNGER PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR BEING
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KCRA 3 Investigates special report: Fighting fentanyl
There has been a shocking rise in deaths in the Sacramento area caused by fentanyl. Exactly one year ago, KCRA 3 brought you the heartbreaking story of 17-year-old Zachary Didier of Rocklin. It's a story we believe has not only raised awareness in the months since, but possibly saved lives. It's also one that's changed how we report these tragedies and the language we use. Zach's story opened our eyes to the fact that this black hole – called fentanyl – isn't just swallowing those who are addicted to drugs. It's also killing people who don't even know they're taking it. KCRA 3 takes a look at how the conversation has evolved over the past year, the education and outreach in schools and ways for parents to start a conversation with their children. Plus, hear from teens who say the problem is bigger and runs deeper than you might think.Watch the full special in the video player above. Related ContentMAP: Fentanyl-related deaths by California county and age for 2020 Northern California mothers warn about the dangers from fake pills containing deadly fentanylQ&A: Zachary Didier's parents talk about their mission to raise awareness about fentanyl since Rocklin teen's deathStanislaus County deputy DA explains how fentanyl epidemic has gotten worse since pandemic

There has been a shocking rise in deaths in the Sacramento area caused by fentanyl.

Exactly one year ago, KCRA 3 brought you the heartbreaking story of 17-year-old Zachary Didier of Rocklin.

Advertisement

It's a story we believe has not only raised awareness in the months since, but possibly saved lives. It's also one that's changed how we report these tragedies and the language we use.

Zach's story opened our eyes to the fact that this black hole – called fentanyl – isn't just swallowing those who are addicted to drugs. It's also killing people who don't even know they're taking it.

KCRA 3 takes a look at how the conversation has evolved over the past year, the education and outreach in schools and ways for parents to start a conversation with their children. Plus, hear from teens who say the problem is bigger and runs deeper than you might think.

Watch the full special in the video player above.

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Robotic animal dolls, though unconventional, have been embraced as companion pets by individuals like Diana Wise and Carol Brown.

Wise established the “Share the Love” Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund to support bringing robotic pets to seniors.

Joy for All offers lifelike robotic pets that can be muted as needed, allowing users to control noise levels.

Providing these robotic pets gives recipients something comforting to hold and care for.

Through partnerships with organizations like WACOG, donations of robotic puppies and kittens have been made to seniors.

Some users crate their robotic pets at night, mirroring real pet routines for comfort and familiarity.

Diana Wise feels personally connected and believes her mother would be proud of this initiative.

Robotic pets have also helped individuals like Cathy’s husband cope with pet loss and loneliness.

They may offer emotional comfort and help alleviate the pain of losing loved ones.

Many seniors lack nearby family or friends, as noted by Charlotte Mather-Taylor of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

Rosemary Mullarkey was among the first 300 people to receive a robotic pet.

Agencies now seek grants to cover the $89 monthly fee per person for these robotic companions after initial funding ends.

Conversational AI companions, such as ElliQ, greet users daily and ask how they feel, potentially reducing isolation.

Greg Olsen from the New York State Office for the Aging notes that the future of such technology is already here.

In 2017, the U.S. recognized the role of technology in older adults' care but admitted it cannot replace human interaction.

For some, naming and caring for robotic pets offers routine, a sense of purpose, and satisfaction.

Events like CES 2024 have showcased advancements in AI, mobility, and pet technology.

AI companions provide emotional support via chatbot capabilities, marking a new era of technological companionship.

Robotic animal dolls, though unconventional, have been embraced as companion pets by individuals like Diana Wise and Carol Brown.

Title:

Content: Robotic animal dolls may not be the first thought that comes to mind when considering a companion pet, but Diana Wise and Carol Brown believe otherwise. In fact, the two say Joy for All companion pets can make a big difference in providing comfort to aging adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia who are struggling with social isolation.

Wise saw this firsthand in her mother, who had dementia for years and lived in a memory care unit at an assisted living facility. Wise would visit her mother regularly, but when COVID hit, she could no longer do so.

“I was unable to see her for eight months,” said Wise, “And when I finally was able to see her, I saw the decline of how much the isolation affected her … [W]hen I found my mom, well, they said that all she did was sleep – what else was there to do? And so that isolation impacted her a lot. Her memory was just – everything had changed about her.”

Wise’s mother, Helen Espinoza, passed away in November 2020 from COVID complications. In the midst of her grief, Wise found herself wanting to do something in her mother’s memory that would help someone else. After having heard an idea from Brown about robotic companion pets, she soon had the idea to partner with her. As a result, Wise formed the “Share the Love” Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund.

“The first thing that came to mind was these animals to help with memory care units or caregivers, assisted living, with this isolation,” said Wise. “I mean, with COVID it really put a lot of perspective about how hard it is on these residents without having [companionship.] They can’t have little animals and stuff, but why not have this – the best, next best thing? You know, the interaction itself?”

The idea to use robotic pets came when Brown was doing her own research into solutions for the decline in quality of life brought on by isolation in these affected residents. Brown stated that with the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) Area Agency on Aging, she focuses heavily on three areas that affect seniors the most, and one of them is Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“For several years, we’ve been extremely aware that social isolation is causing a huge decline in quality of life and life expectancy in our seniors,” she said. “And COVID did shine a huge light on it: people started understanding how detrimental it is to be isolated like that. So we were looking for solutions prior to, but with COVID, it really lit a fire underneath to start seeking out possibilities to help resolve some of the issues going on.”

Brown explained that people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can struggle with extreme anxiety and agitation. They often benefit from having something to do with their hands. Their senses of time, space and reality can become skewed. Changes in environment or schedule can be really upsetting. And sometimes people with these diagnoses live alone with no help or companionship.

“On the other side is the caregiver, who – especially during COVID – found themselves 24/7 alone with that loved one, providing all the care because many of them didn’t want the services even coming into their home,” she said. “They were too afraid to let anybody in … So if their loved one isn’t sleeping, neither are they. So now the caregiver’s extremely stressed out, exhausted, overwhelmed, and they need help.”

Enter Joy for All’s lifelike robotic pets. With options between cats and puppies, the companion pets have heartbeats, can purr or lick, meow or bark, move and respond to motion, voice and touch. When needed, they can be muted as well. As robotic pets, they avoid the liabilities and dangers of caring for a living creature while still providing the comfort of an animal.

Brown had been demonstrating two pets in an interview with the Sun when a passerby had stopped to say, “Wow, I thought they were real!” Brown shared that she’s seen people visibly relax with the pets.

“There’s a lot of studies that were done years ago about giving folks with Alzheimer’s a baby doll,” she explained. “Many facilities don’t allow it. They consider it demeaning … But they were missing the point that if you’re not going to do that, then what are you going to do? You need to provide them with something that they can hang on to.

“Because these are so lifelike, it does exactly what the studies, the research, shows: it’s going to bring down the anxiety level. If there’s aggression, it tends to fall back down just as well … [and] you’re giving their caregiver a break.”

Wise and Brown shared that they hope not only to provide these pets to individuals with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers, but also to facilities with assisted living and skilled nursing memory care units where current shortages in staff mean individuals may be doing the work of two or three staff members at a time.

Brown shared that the Joy for All puppy typically costs about $140 while the cat costs $120. With bulk purchasing, she can bring the cost down a bit, but not by much. Additionally, the fund needs to cover rechargeable batteries for the pets.

The foundation will need to raise more funds to acquire more pets, but Wise and Brown reported that they’ve already been able to provide a few pets thanks to a donation made by AARP.

“So we were able to place a couple already at Daybreak Adult Daycare Center,” said Brown. “They are one of the providers that WACOG works with, so we were able to make a donation and bring them a puppy and kitten.

“They’re very popular. [The staff] make sure they handle it in a certain way so that there isn’t fighting. I think last time I talked to Mary, I think what they do is they got animal crates so when it’s time for them to go to bed, they get put in their crate.”

Seeing the difference the pets are making, Wise not only wishes to raise more funds to provide more of them, she also hopes to get the word out in case people may want to purchase the pets for their own family members.

“What I witnessed seeing the other residents that have Alzheimer’s, dementia: they do hold onto things and it gives them comfort,” she said. “My heart just went for this and so I know my mom would be really proud of that.

“… I needed something to come out positive about this, especially about how we’ve heard so much about the isolation with people in senior living homes and stuff, so we needed to have something a little bit more positive and something that we can do to uplift out of this whole thing.”

Wise and Brown also noted that despite the setbacks in kickstarting their fundraising campaign, now is a good time for people to learn about “Share the Love” and the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers month.

As older adults continue to face the obstacles of Alzheimer’s and dementia in a pandemic, Wise and Brown hope to further reduce isolation for Yuma County’s elderly one companion pet at a time.

To learn more about the Helen Espinoza Memorial Fund and make a donation, visit https://www.azfoundation.org/Donors/Give-to-a-Memorial-Fund/-Share-the-Love-Helen-Espinoza-Memorial-Fund. To learn more about WACOG and connect with the resources they provide to aging adults, visit https://www.wacog.com/area-agency-on-aging/

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

Sisko J. Stargazer can be reached at 928-539-6849 or sstargazer@yumasun.com.

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Through partnerships with organizations like WACOG, donations of robotic puppies and kittens have been made to seniors.

Some users crate their robotic pets at night, mirroring real pet routines for comfort and familiarity.

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Robotic pets have also helped individuals like Cathy’s husband cope with pet loss and loneliness.

Title:

Content: High-tech companions aim to help fight loneliness epidemic among South Florida seniors

MIAMI - The state of Florida and Broward County are spending thousands of dollars every month on artificial intelligence robots for seniors to help fight the loneliness epidemic.

One senior owns a robotic cat named "fluffy."

"The best part is we don't have to spend any money on food and no vets," says Cathy.

This interactive robot rolls over, blinks and purrs whenever it wants.

Cathy saw a friend using one to overcome the loss of a pet and loneliness and figured it would be perfect for her husband.

"He had sciatic pain. Maybe that will help you with your pain in some way. Even though he's on medicine and therapy because real animals when you pet them it helps with pain management."

Higher tech was delivered to some Broward seniors.

"...Thanks for letting me out of that box."

The company that makes them aims artificial intelligence at the loneliness epidemic.

"During the week when everyone is working, there's times when I'm lonely."

"When I go deliver and install for seniors, they're like I just want somebody to say good morning," says Antonella.

"Many of them don't have family or friends nearby. Maybe their loved ones have passed on or some of their friends have passed on," said Charlotte Mather-Taylor, who serves as the CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

According to US Health and Human Services, half of all American adults are lonely.

It's threatening health, increasing risks of heart disease, dementia, stroke, anxiety and depression.

According to HHS, lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death at levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Last May, the US Surgeon General dropped a first-ever advisory on loneliness and isolation.

"By strengthening our relationships, we can improve our heart and brain health, reduce our risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, boost our immune systems and lower our risk of depression," said Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.

In Broward County, Mather-Taylor is spending state and federal dollars on artificial intelligence for people over 60.

"There's so much I want to ask you..."

These robots named after the Norse goddess of old age cost 89 dollars a month, but the aging agency is giving them away for free.

Rosemary Mullarkey is one of the first 300 to have one.

"I'm a little excited and a little apprehensive..."

Intuitive Robotics CEO Dor Skular created her specifically for older adults to help manage their health, and wellness and connect to loved ones.

"There's an algorithm that tries to get a reward and it gets a reward when the user completes things that are part of healthy aging. For example, if they hydrate," said Skular.

Reviews are so strong that cities like Pembroke Pines and Lauderhill are pushing to get more robots for seniors in their communities.

"People reported back that she was bringing them joy. I mean, she's telling some jokes. She's responding to them. They wake up in the morning, she asks them how they are. She'll remind them to drink their glass of water. So, she's caring about them for them," said Mather-Taylor.

Two years later, seniors like Rose are getting free, AI robots that make and take video calls.

With all of the concerns about AI, should seniors and their families be worried?

"We would not be offering it unless we felt comfortable that they did have those safety guards in place," said Mather-Taylor.

"Is this device unhackable? There's no such thing as an unhackable device. It's always a war between defender and attacker," said Skular.

"Random people, fraudsters etcetera, can never call into the robot because they need to be added by the older adult as a contact for them to be able to open up the calling features."

What is the next step with the robots?

They only speak English. South Florida has plenty of seniors who do not. Developers are working on a Spanish robot.

In the future, developers also see it being able to order medicines for seniors. Much sooner though, developers expect to further integrate the robots with senior health care providers. They are working on ways of opening new avenues to communicate health info about seniors to loved ones, provided the senior signs off on it.

How long can this program last?

State, federal funds will last two years. After that, the agency has to find other grants to cover the $89 a month per person fee.

Currently, data from robots and users is being collected to quantify success. The company insists it will not sell any of the information it gathers.

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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

They may offer emotional comfort and help alleviate the pain of losing loved ones.

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Many seniors lack nearby family or friends, as noted by Charlotte Mather-Taylor of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County.

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Rosemary Mullarkey was among the first 300 people to receive a robotic pet.

Agencies now seek grants to cover the $89 monthly fee per person for these robotic companions after initial funding ends.

Conversational AI companions, such as ElliQ, greet users daily and ask how they feel, potentially reducing isolation.

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How AI Companions Are Redefining Human Relationships In The Digital Age

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In an era where technology is increasingly intertwined with every aspect of our lives, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to fill roles that were traditionally reserved for humans, including those of friends, confidants, and even romantic partners. This burgeoning relationship between humans and AI raises profound questions about the nature of companionship, the human need for connection, and the potential consequences of substituting human interaction with digital entities.

The Emergence of AI Companions

The concept of AI companionship is not new, but its realization in practical applications is a relatively recent development. These AI companions are designed to provide emotional support, companionship, and in some cases, even mimic romantic or intimate human relationships. Replika is one of the most well-known examples. It is an AI chatbot designed to provide emotional support. Users interact with Replika through text conversations, and the AI learns over time to provide more personalized responses, simulating a genuine emotional connection.

Another example is Gatebox. They have taken the concept a step further by creating a holographic AI companion. Aimed at people who live alone, Gatebox’s AI avatar can send messages throughout the day, welcome users home, and even control smart home appliances, creating a sense of presence and companionship.

Next, there is Harmony by RealDoll. A more controversial use, Harmony combines AI with a lifelike humanoid robot to offer a romantic and physical companion. Harmony can hold conversations, remember user preferences, and express various personality traits.

The Psychology Behind AI Relationships

Why are people turning to AI for companionship? The reasons are as varied as the individuals themselves, but several key factors contribute to this phenomenon. First, we are experiencing a rapidly growing loneliness epidemic. In a world where social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as major health risks, AI companions offer a semblance of connection for those who feel disconnected from human relationships. This is particularly poignant in countries like Japan, where societal changes have led to a rise in solitary lifestyles. Second, AI relationships provide a level of convenience and control that is not always possible in human interactions. These digital companions are available 24x7, don’t have their own emotional baggage, and can be switched off at the user’s convenience. Third, advances in AI technology have enabled these digital entities to appear more human-like in their interactions. From remembering past conversations to displaying empathy, AI companions can simulate many aspects of human interaction, making them more appealing as social partners.

The Impact on Human Relationships

The rise of AI companionship is not without its implications for society and how we perceive human relationships. For some, AI companions can serve as a bridge to better emotional health. These AI systems provide a non-judgmental space for people to express themselves, which can be particularly valuable for those with social anxiety or other mental health challenges. Moreover, AI companions serve as a stepping stone, helping individuals develop social skills and confidence that can be transferred to human relationships. However, there are concerns about the long-term impact of relying on AI for companionship. One major concern is that these relationships could lead to further social isolation, as individuals might prefer the uncomplicated nature of AI companions over the more challenging dynamics of human relationships. This could potentially exacerbate the loneliness epidemic rather than alleviate it. Then, there are also ethical considerations surrounding the development and use of AI in such intimate roles. The attachment to AI entities that don't possess genuine emotions or consciousness raises questions about the nature of empathy, affection, and what it means to be human.

Implications for Traditional Dating and Marriage

As AI companions become more prevalent and sophisticated, their impact on traditional dating and marriage is inevitable. There is a very real possibility that AI may supplement or even replace human relationships. For some people, AI companions are the outlet for support and companionship that are traditionally forged through human interaction. Moreover, we are already seeing a trend in which younger generations leverage Ai as a practice ground for social interactions, potentially enriching users' capacity to engage in human relationships. However, there is a possibility that some individuals might prefer AI companions to traditional human partners. The predictability, lack of judgment, and customizable nature of AI entities can make them more appealing, especially for those who have had negative experiences with human relationships. As a result, there is a changing perception of what companionship means. Thus, the rise of AI companions challenges our traditional notions of companionship, love, and emotional connection. It raises questions about what it means to love and be loved, and whether these concepts are exclusively human.

Navigating a New Era of Companionship

As AI companions become more prevalent in society, it's crucial to navigate this new era responsibly. That’s why it's important to find a balance between utilizing AI for emotional support and maintaining human connections. Encouraging and facilitating human social interactions alongside the use of AI companions can help mitigate the risk of social isolation. Developers of AI companions have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their creations. This includes being transparent about the limitations of AI companionship and avoiding designs that could exploit vulnerable individuals. Moreover, ongoing research is needed to understand the long-term effects of human-AI relationships fully. This research should inform policies and guidelines for the development and use of AI companions. Moreover, open dialogue about the benefits and risks of these relationships is essential to navigating the ethical landscape.

The advent of AI as a substitute for human relationships, including love and friendship, marks a significant shift in our social landscape. While AI companions can offer support and connection to those in need, they also bring with them a host of ethical, psychological, and social implications. As we venture further into this uncharted territory, a cautious and thoughtful approach is vital. The future of human-AI relationships will depend on our ability to balance technological advancements with a deep understanding of human needs and values. In this new era of companionship, we must tread carefully, ensuring that our pursuit of innovation does not lead us away from the essence of what makes us inherently human: our capacity for genuine connection and empathy.

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What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?

Greg Olsen from the New York State Office for the Aging notes that the future of such technology is already here.

Title:

Content: Want to age-in-place? You may have a robot keeping you company.

Artificial intelligence can help reduce loneliness for older adults aging at home.

A 95-year-old woman and her 74-year-old daughter, each who live alone and could be at risk for isolation and loneliness, recently received a lifeline to conversation and companionship in the form of an artificial intelligence robot.

The women can now receive medical reminders, health and wellness check-ins, play music and games, and experience virtual travel.

“It’s helping with loneliness and socialization for people who would be otherwise trapped in their home watching TV all day,” Christopher Lewoc, case manager for Greene County Human Services in New York said. “It’s a way to keep people sane and active mentally and physically. It’s letting people live a more social life.”

Lewoc sets up free artificial intelligence care companions for older adults, giving them a lifeline to conversation and health reminders.

He recently installed ElliQ, voice-activated proactive and empathetic care companion, in the homes of the elderly mother and her daughter, giving them some companionship as they each live alone. He’s found that a little conversation may go a long way to helping to mitigate isolation and improve care for older adults.

Under a contract with the New York state Office for the Aging, Intuition Robotics is providing the ElliQ smart technology for about 800 older adults in an effort to battle social isolation and support aging-in-place. The ElliQ recipients need internet access for the free device to be set up in their home by a caseworker. The state works with local offices for the aging and partners to identify older adults who would most benefit from the technology

“ElliQ will greet them in the morning and ask them how they feel. If they slept poorly, ElliQ will say ‘would you like me to call your doctor?’ It’s interactive and helpful,” Lewoc said.

“It allows them to have a companion, engage in conversation and get reminders about drinking their water or whatever medications they need,” said Lewoc. “A lot of folks don’t have smartphones and ElliQ can show them photos, take them on trips to different countries and teach them about the culture. It can play trivia with you, call your family, play music to have a dance party.”

ElliQ responds to questions but also initiates conversation and questions, offers sleep relaxation exercises, physical activity exercises, nutrition-related chats and medication reminders for each user’s unique condition.

“This product does so many things to improve health, combat isolation, and improve overall well-being and independence. Designed with input from older adults, the future of supporting and serving older adults includes technology. The future is here,” said Greg Olsen, director for the New York state Office for the Aging.

“Despite misconceptions and generalizations, older adults embrace new technology, especially when they see it is designed by older adults to meet their needs,” Olsen said, adding that ElliQ served as a “powerful complement to traditional forms of social interaction and support from professional or family caregivers.”

The New York program and rising interest in AI companions comes as more older people want to age in place and finding home healthcare amid a persistent shortage of healthcare workers becomes increasingly difficult.

In 2017, the U.S. Surgeon General declared social isolation to be a “global epidemic” – one that only worsened in the COVID-19 health emergency. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, social isolation drives $6.7 billion in additional associated Medicare spending per year.

Read: Opinion: What robots will mean for your retirement

Amid a report by the McKinsey Health Institute on healthy aging that found that nonclinical factors affect 80% of an individual’s health, Intuition Robotics sees great potential for ElliQ helping older adults age in place in a healthier way.

Users have an average of 20 daily interactions with ElliQ, according to Dor Skuler, CEO and co-founder of Intuition Robotics, a startup company based in Israel. ElliQ users report an 80% decrease in loneliness and 82% of users access the mental health features, Skuler said.

The new second-generation ElliQ offers users experiences such as museum exhibit tours and virtual travel. The new companion app provides users’ families and caregivers with different methods to communicate with the users and updates them on the user’s well-being.

Read: Opinion: This $3,000 dog could be a perfect gift for Grandma

Skuler called ElliQ a “lighthearted character that moves into the person’s home.” While Intuition Robotics has not marketed directly to consumers, it was named a Time Best Invention of the Year and word-of-mouth during the holidays has been good for business.

Outside of the New York state program, ElliQ can be had for a $249.99 enrollment fee, plus a monthly subscription of $29.99 if you buy a year subscription or $39.99 if you enroll month-to-month.

Intuition Robotics is talking with other states and senior living facilities about offering ElliQ in more places, as well working to measure how the conversational robot improves health outcomes to reduce the cost of care, Skuler said.

Of course, it’s a robot and not a human, so the interaction is limited.

“There’s a place for technology, but it’s no substitute for human interaction. We know the power of human touch and human interaction,” said Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, a gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead Senior Care, a home care service agency. “Industrywide, the workforce is not at the level it needs to be at, so there’s a need for technology, but there has to be a balance.”

Do you have questions about retirement, Social Security, where to live or how to afford it at all? Write to HelpMeRetire@marketwatch.com and we may use your question in a future story.

In 2017, the U.S. recognized the role of technology in older adults' care but admitted it cannot replace human interaction.

For some, naming and caring for robotic pets offers routine, a sense of purpose, and satisfaction.

For whom would robotic animal dolls make a big difference?

those with Alzheimer's or dementia, struggling with isolation

Events like CES 2024 have showcased advancements in AI, mobility, and pet technology.

Title:

Content: CES 2024: A Showcase of Innovation in AI, Urban Mobility, and Pet Technology

By: Rizwan Shah
CES 2024: A Showcase of Innovation in AI, Urban Mobility, and Pet Technology

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas was a hotbed of innovative technologies, augmenting the realms of artificial intelligence, urban mobility, and pet technology. Among the standout showcases were the AI companion robot, Wehead, the electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle by Supernal, and ingenious pet technologies like Pawport and Flappie.

Wehead: A Leap in AI Companionship

Unveiled by a U.S. startup, Wehead is an AI companion robot that promises human-like conversations. Powered by generative artificial intelligence and running on ChatGPT, Wehead not only engages in real-time conversations but also remembers past interactions, providing a supportive and nonjudgmental presence to its users. The robot, which is available for adoption on a subscription basis, marks a significant advance in AI-powered companionship.

Supernal’s eVTOL: An Answer to Urban Traffic

Another highlight from the CES was Supernal’s eVTOL, a product of the Hyundai Group subsidiary. This electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle is being developed as a solution for urban traffic congestion. It can carry a pilot and four passengers and aims to provide a more cost-effective and quicker alternative to car travel in cities. Despite the prospect of launching the service in 2024, Jaiwon Shin from Supernal acknowledged the significant regulatory and technological challenges ahead.

Innovations in Pet Technology

In the realm of pet technology, CES showcased some unique innovations. Martin Diamond’s Pawport, a hermetically sealed pet door, allows pets to enter and leave the house while keeping out wildlife. It is set to be available from May. Swiss twins Oliver and Denis Widler introduced Flappie, a smart pet door equipped with AI cameras. It only allows entry to pets with a microchip and prevents them from bringing unwanted ‘gifts’ into the house. Priced at 299 Swiss francs, Flappie is another testament to the growing integration of AI technology into everyday life.

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AI companions provide emotional support via chatbot capabilities, marking a new era of technological companionship.

What problems can companion robots solve for the elderly or those with cognitive difficulties, according to one study?