Category Archives: Drug Dependency

Forcing beneficiaries to take drug tests under tough new welfare rules is potentially illegal, the Privacy Commissioner says. In a submission to the Government's latest round of welfare reforms, commissioner Marie Shroff says making beneficiaries take pre-employment drug tests could violate their privacy. It could also leave beneficiaries in a "catch-22" situation, caught between an unlawful drug test and the threat of losing their benefit, she said. The Government's latest welfare reforms - contained in the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill - will create three new benefit categories with a greater focus on finding work. The bill passed its first reading in September but has faced opposition at the select committee hearings, with some claiming it breaches human rights obligations. As part of the reforms, all beneficiaries will be required from July this year to take pre-employment drug tests when requested by a prospective employer. Those who refuse to take the test, or repeatedly fail, will have their benefits cut or suspended. At present, any beneficiary can decline to apply for a job requiring a drug test without facing penalties. Shroff said in her submission that pre-employment drug testing was required by law only for safety-sensitive … Continue reading →

Kansas Sen. Jeff King, R-Independence, has put forward a bill to require drug testing for recipients of cash assistance and unemployment benefits, and require employers to report to the state when a job applicant on the unemployment rolls fails a drug test. The legislation is modeled after similar laws in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi and Florida. Such legislation has met with varied success, drawing the ire of privacy advocates and launching legal challenges to "random" drug testing among a specific group of people. Yet there is logic to the notion that those receiving help from the community shouldn't be allowed to abuse drugs on the taxpayer's dime. Nevertheless, the central concern should be less about drug testing and more about the legislation's intent, and that's where the debate is less than straightforward. If the Legislature's intent is to trim government spending, such legislation likely would be a bust. The cost of administering, processing and tracking test results likely would cost more than the state might save. Andif the intent is to abruptly shuttle people off of welfare and unemployment rolls, the social costs most likely would devour any savings in state-financed programs. Despite the sins of a parent, it does … Continue reading →

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce is under fire for some comments he made at the Legislature on Thursday. "If we require people who work to take drug screens, we should require people who don't work to take drug screens," he said. "If they are going to get public assistance then let's require that." In his address to the Legislature, Pearce, a Republican representing New Mexico's First Congressional District, said would love to see state or federal legislation require the drug screens. The Democratic Party quickly fired back along with the New Mexico Drug Policy Alliance, which says it's a terrible idea. They also pointed out that it's been found to be unconstitutional in Florida. Pearce said dependency is part of the unemployment problem in America. "We're finding that there are people who refuse to work," he told KRQE News 13. "They can't qualify, number one, if on drugs can't pass a drug screen. "Then another group people, employers telling us everyday, I hired them but they then said no. They are afraid to give up their government check." Pearce also believes there should be incentives for businesses to hire older, less able people looking for work. Go … Continue reading →

A new year is a good time to start again, start fresh, and clear the slate. It is also a time to try to end bad habits and start good ones. New Year resolutions abound, and weight loss commercials can be seen and heard across every TV and radio station. There is one bad habit that is very difficult to break, and can find a warm home sometimes in family businesses: chemical dependency. Chemical dependency is certainly an uncomfortable topic to discuss, and one wonders how it fits into the realm of concern of family businesses especially as it is not contained to just family businesses. Indeed, it is estimated that up to 5 percent of the population in the United States may suffer from alcohol dependency and abuse. While it is probably the most popular chemical that is abused, there are of course many others. A quick search in Wikipedia defines alcoholism as A broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinkers health, personal relationships, and social standing. It is medically considered a disease. What causes alcoholism? Of course what makes … Continue reading →

Local residents will get a chance to voice their concerns on a proposed mental health tax initiative. The Port Orchard City Council set a public hearing for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, for input on the Kitsap County Mental Illness and Drug Dependency Action Plan that could generate between $2.8 million and $3.4 million annually. The meeting is in the City Hall Council Chambers, 216 Prospect St. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council could support or oppose the resolution. Persons wishing to provide input may submit their comments in writing to the city clerks office no later than 4:30 p.m. Tuesday or in person during the public hearing. For more information, call the city clerks office at (360) 876-4407. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the council could take action by adopting a resolution in support or opposition. Persons wishing to provide input may submit their comments in writing to the city clerks office no later than 4:30 p.m. Tuesday or in person during the public hearing. A group which includes judges, health and hospital officials is proposing a one-tenth of 1 percent increase of the sales and use tax that would provide funds for the provision … Continue reading →

GREENVILLE While the exact long-term effects of using the new synthetic drug, K2, are unknown, experts say they are harmful and potentially deadly. In my professional opinion, from a longitudinal standpoint, we dont know the long-term effects, Dr. LaVelle Hendricks, student affairs coordinator for Texas A&M University-Commerce, and an expert on the drug, said. We dont know how deadly it will be. Hendricks has presented K2 facts before the 82nd Texas Legislative session and was a speaker at the International Conference on Drugs and Addictions, held in San Jose, Costa Rica. Although more research is needed to verify the long term effects it has on the body, recent studies has shown the drug stores itself in the fatty tissue of the body and impacts all major internal organs. And they also believe it to be linked with causing kidney and liver disease. I cannot overemphasize the dangers of this drug, he said. I am here to say its deadly. K2s main ingredient is the chemical compound JHW-018, and is on average 20 times more potent than marijuana. These street chemists can change one compound in the chemical and its more powerful, he said. The potency only goes higher and higher. … Continue reading →

BARSTOW Barstow Community Hospital staff are trained to detect drug abuse among pregnant women, which is important since between 10 and 12 percent of mothers admitted have a drug addiction, with the most prevalent drug being methamphetamine, according to Obstetrics Nurse Lauren Stapp. Its a significant concern because when we find mothers who have a drug dependency it has a major impact on the pregnancy, OB Director Susan Wooley said. For instance, cocaine addiction causes premature delivery and it can affect the babys development. The hospital has a contractual agreement with Pomona Valley Hospital for transportation and care of high-risk and preterm babies as Barstow Community doesnt have a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We need a little more resources in the community because of transportation problems, Stapp said. According to Wooley, when a mother comes in and shows signs of drug abuse the hospital must first do a drug screening. If the drug screening is positive, it is reported to Child Family Services. We are required by law as a health care provider to report it, Wooley said. But in the process, we do everything we can to provide the support to assist them and help them get on their … Continue reading →

The pre-baccalaureate program integrates theory with practical skills to prepare students to effectively work with the growing alcohol and drug-abuse populations Irvine, CA (PRWEB) January 17, 2013 The CalSouthern Certificate in Addiction Studies is a 33-semester-unit program comprised of addiction-focused psychology courses. Students should expect to take approximately two years to complete the program, although the flexibility provided by CalSoutherns 100-percent online learning platform allows students to move through the program more quickly or at a more leisurely pace, according to their individual circumstances. The CalSouthern certificate is fully approved by, and meets the educational requirements for the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) and the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), which are recognized internationally for their adherence to the highest standards of quality and professionalism in the treatment of alcohol and other drug addictions. CalSouthern is extremely pleased to introduce this critically important certificate program, says University President Dr. Caroll Ryan. Alcohol and drug addiction is a devastating problem not only for those who suffer from addiction, but for their families and society as a whole. We are proud to be able to help provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary … Continue reading →

WILLIAM BENDER, Daily News Staff Writer benderw@phillynews.com, 215-854-5255 Posted: Friday, January 18, 2013, 3:01 AM MATTHEW ELLIS started popping painkillers as a teenager and switched to heroin a few years later. It was simple economics, and a common progression among today's opiate addicts - the recreational drug dabbler turned full-time junkie. That's usually when the nightmare takes hold. You start living life one injection at a time. Everything else - career, family, self-respect - is prioritized behind the next little wax-paper bag of dope. "I was hopelessly addicted to heroin," said Ellis, 25, a carpenter's assistant and father of two young boys. Ellis, who lives in Deptford, N.J., repeatedly tried to get clean. He attempted to taper off his habit with Suboxone. He also did about seven rounds of treatment, both outpatient and inpatient. Some of his stints lasted months. But the drug seemed to stalk him from within. "It would get in my head and stay in my head until I did it," Ellis said. Today, after enrolling in a clinical study at the University of Pennsylvania, Ellis has three months of heroin-free time under his belt. Neuroscientists at the university's Center for Studies of Addiction are using MRI … Continue reading →

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013, 12:01 a.m. Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Thomas Wynne on Wednesday called what Anna Boyle did in September the "epitome of bad parenting" and then sentenced her to six months in the county jail. Before he handed down the sentence, Wynne read to Boyle the conditions of the court order that prohibits her from seeing or contacting her children. The order is valid until 2017. After Boyle was arrested, her children, ages 5, 7 and 8, were removed and placed with relatives. Boyle, 28, could earn the chance to see her children sooner if she meets the requirements established by the dependency court. She also could eventually regain custody of her children. Boyle likely will need to undergo drug treatment, parenting classes and mental health counseling. Boyle pleaded guilty last month to drug possession and unlawful imprisonment in connection with the Sept. 23 traffic stop. She faced a maximum of eight months in jail. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a mid-range sentence because of Boyle's lack of criminal history and her willingness to plead guilty. Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Jarett Goodkin said that the standard range sentence didn't necessarily reflect the seriousness of the crime. "Ms. … Continue reading →