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New York City Mayor Eric Adams was proud to announce August 9 as “RUN-DMC Day.”
The iconic rap group was honored at a RUN-DMC Pop-Up Celebration hosted by Adidas Originals where the city’s mayor came to present the hip-hop legends with their day in their hometown, Complex reports.
The announcement came ahead of RUN-DMC’s 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Concert on August 11th and celebrated their 40 years in the art form and their association with the Adidas Originals brand.
“Adidas Originals is intricately woven into the fabric of Hip Hop culture,” Rupert Campbell, president of Adidas North America, said.
“As a brand that embodies authentic creativity, we are so proud that we brought the Superstar to Run-DMC and they brought it to the world.”
The rap veteran’s relationship with Adidas dates back to 1986 when they released the hit single “My Adidas” off their third studio album “Raising Hell” and has become synonymous with the group. Adidas has even released several special edition pairs of the shell top Superstar shoes to honor RUN-DMC.
In addition to receiving their own day in New York City, RUN-DMC is also celebrating 50 years of hip hop with two new custom coolers in partnership with Igloo, Billboard reports. The first of the limited-edition coolers releases on August 10, one day before hip hop’s 50th anniversary.
The cooler collection includes a first-of-its-kind Run-D.M.C. It’s Tricky KoolTunes cooler with Bluetooth speakers.
“These coolers are great for the beach, concerts, travel, picnic, outside work and all events,” Daryl “DMC” Matthews said of the collection.
The Run-D.M.C. ‘It’s Tricky‘ KoolTunes Cooler retails for $174.99 and holds up to 26, 12-ounce cans in a weather-resistant cooler with Bluetooth speakers. The Run-D.M.C. Graffiti Little Playmate is on sale for $39.99.
The latter holds up to nine cans and pays homage to the group’s classic red, black, and white color scheme and features the Run-D.M.C. logo on the top along with custom artwork and a throwback photo of the group on the side.
“Collaborating with RUN DMC is the chance of a lifetime, and we’re beyond thankful to bring together the original undisputed kings of hip-hop and our iconic Playmate cooler,” Adrienne Berkes, Igloo’s vice president of marketing said in a press release.
“We’re launching our RUN DMC Collection at a really special time, giving fans the chance to keep celebrating 50 years of hip-hip and 40 years of RUN DMC with their collectible cooler along for the ride.”
Find More on Ringroad Search Engine n Directory ! … Larger Than Life Hip-Hop Group Run DMC Transformed Into Fisher-Price Little People

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.