Category Archives: Drug Dependency

Action News PHILADELPHIA - October 18, 2012 (WPVI) -- Drug abuse is a problem for many people and families in our area, and is often a lifelong battle that can end tragically. Dr. Sachin Mehta with the Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment says battling addiction is a lifelong and gruesome struggle for some people. "It is extremely addictive physically as well as psychologically," he said. "They continue to feel a little depressed; feel like something is missing in them, and this often leads to a relapse. Garrett Reid had been struggling with drug abuse since 2001. He was seemingly doing better last summer while working at Eagles training camp as a strength coach, until his life abruptly ended in an accidental heroin overdose while in his dorm room at camp. Dr. Mehta says drug overdoses can occur after a period of sobriety. "If they are able to stay clean for a period of about 6 months to a year, their bodies have gotten used to not being on drugs," said Dr. Mehta. Link: A sober look at drug dependency … Continue reading →

A new study by the University of Colorado Denver reveals that todays adolescents are abusing prescription pain medications like vicodin, valium and oxycontin at a rate 40 percent higher than previous generations. Denver, CO (PRWEB) October 16, 2012 That makes it the second most common form of illegal drug use in the U.S. after marijuana, according to Richard Miech, Ph.D., lead author of the study and professor of sociology at CU Denver. Prescription drug use is the next big epidemic, Miech said. Everyone in this field has recognized that there is a big increase in the abuse of nonmedical analgesics but our study shows that it is accelerating among todays generation of adolescents. The study was published Tuesday in the Journal of Adolescent Health. It drew on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a series of annual, nationally representative, cross-sectional surveys of U.S. drug use. The analysis used data from 1985 through 2009. According to Miech, the prevalence of prescription pain medication abuse among the current generation of youth is higher than any generation ever measured. This finding was present among subgroups of men, women, non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics. Miech and his co-authors said … Continue reading →

Public release date: 15-Oct-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: David Kelly david.kelly@ucdenver.edu 303-315-6374 University of Colorado Denver DENVER (Oct. 16, 2012) A new study by the University of Colorado Denver reveals that today's adolescents are abusing prescription pain medications like vicodin, valium and oxycontin at a rate 40 percent higher than previous generations. That makes it the second most common form of illegal drug use in the U.S. after marijuana, according to Richard Miech, Ph.D., lead author of the study and professor of sociology at CU Denver. "Prescription drug use is the next big epidemic," Miech said. "Everyone in this field has recognized that there is a big increase in the abuse of nonmedical analgesics but our study shows that it is accelerating among today's generation of adolescents." The study was published Tuesday in the Journal of Adolescent Health. It drew on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a series of annual, nationally representative, cross-sectional surveys of U.S. drug use. The analysis used data from 1985 through 2009. According to Miech, the prevalence of prescription pain medication abuse among the current generation of youth is "higher than any generation ever measured." This finding was … Continue reading →

Freedom From Chemical Dependency workshop As part of Colorado Rocky Mountain School's ongoing commitment to prevention and wellness, we have once again invited a faculty member from Freedom from Chemical Dependency Educational Services (FCD) to join our community and facilitate a parent workshop that is open to the public. Join us at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at CRMS for this workshop that will offer parents support and guidance in helping their children enjoy a drug-free adolescence. Among the topics discussed will be: Effective ways to communicate with your child about drugs and drug use. Up-to-date facts about current drug use and trends. What to say about your own experiences with alcohol and/or drug experimentation. How to spot early warning signs of trouble and effective ways to respond. This series is free to the public and will cover employer responsibility of how to verify new hire documentation along with other subjects. RSVP to the Glenwood Springs Workforce Centers at 970-945-8638 or to Rifle at 970-625-9716 by Monday, Oct. 15. Applications are available at Colorado Mountain College student services/financial aid offices at Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Spring Valley and Carbondale. Email kygirlncokid@aol.com to receive an application via email. Scholarship application deadline is … Continue reading →

NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NPSP) rose the most in about 21 months after a Food and Drug Administration staff report showed the companys lead experimental drug candidate may have a clearer path to U.S. regulatory approval. The drug, Gattex, helps patients with short-bowel syndrome absorb nutrients, weaning them off a time-consuming intravenous nutrition program, the staff said today ahead of an Oct. 16 meeting of FDA advisers who will vote whether to recommend approval. NPS jumped 19 percent to $10.86 at the close in New York, the biggest single-day gain for the Bedminster, New Jersey-based company since Jan. 31, 2011. NPS has advanced 65 percent this year. The FDA staff said it would support NPSs risk-management plan for Gattex, which would be targeted to specialty physicians who understand the dangers associated with the drug, including tumor growth. The staff also suggested additional educational materials for prescribers emphasizing the key serious risks. The FDA is scheduled to make a final decision on Gattex by Dec. 30. The agency does not believe that access to Gattex for SBS should be restricted or require elements to assure safe use, FDA staff wrote, referring to short-bowel syndrome. NPS, which reported about $101 million in revenue … Continue reading →

LAKE COUNTY -- The struggle with addiction can be difficult, but sometimes help can come from someone who's been there already. "For me, the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life was get clean and sober," drug and alcohol counselor Wayne M. Anderson said. "I wanted to help people because the disease of addictions is at epidemic proportion," Anderson, 64, has worked in the field for about 10 years. He draws from the knowledge he gained during his battle with dependency in order to help others in similar situations. "I was heavily into methamphetamine and I was selling methamphetamine," the Soda Bay resident said, reflecting on his 1987 narcotics arrest in Lake County. "Obviously, I sold to law enforcement, and I wasn't aware of it at the time." Anderson spent a little more than two years in state prison after his conviction, but his issues with drugs continued once he went back on the streets. "After I got released out of prison, I had two violations for dirty tests and I was still using. Then I got arrested again," he said. That May 30, 1991 arrest occurred four days before his son was born, which helped motivate … Continue reading →

St. Louis (KSDK) - On Wednesday the Salvation Army celebrated 80 years of helping men recover from drug addictions. More than 900,000 men have gone through the Adult Rehabilitation Center's chemical dependency rehabilitation program. On Wednesday some current clients in the program graduated to the next level and listened to a big success story. Five years ago Raven Steele was a drug user and dealer, was shot twice, and even went to jail. Now he works as the program's communications specialist. "The Salvation Army no short of saved my life I was given an opportunity to rehabilitate myself and restore myself through going to work every morning, participating in chapel services and counseling services and the consequence of that was a spiritual awakening where you learn that the way you have been living is a slow suicide and it takes an effort on your part to kind of turn the tide," said Steele. In honor of 80 years the mayor's office declared Wednesday "Salvation Army Arc Day." KSDK Read the rest here: Salvation Army celebrates 80 years of helping men overcome addition … Continue reading →

Just months after being hired, the new drug and alcohol counselor for the Yankton School District (YSD) has already made significant impacts. Tiffany Kashas, who was hired as the counselor by Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Service (LCBHS), came to Yankton from the University of South Dakota (USD) where she had served as coordinator of prevention services and a staff counselor for about four years. Her job at USD focused on prevention-related activities, along with doing some chemical dependency assessments. Officials at YSD hope Kashas will help curb drug and alcohol use in the school district which increased substantially last year. Kashas has been available from day one of school as a resource person for our students and parents, said Yankton High School (YHS) principal Dr. Wayne Kindle. I know our students and parents appreciate having a valuable resource like her at our school. She is available for us to use at any time if the need arises. Some components of the new drug and alcohol prevention program at YSD includes designing alcohol, drug and tobacco curriculum aimed at helping students resist pressures to use substances and correcting misperceptions about them; a parent program that includes parental education and informational … Continue reading →

Madison County leaders began the process of outsourcing the countys alcohol and drug treatment program Tuesday, a transition officials said could be complete by Jan. 1. Earlier this year, county officials issued a request for proposals for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, known as ADAPT, which provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment for individuals and families. On Tuesday, the board agreed to enter into contract negotiations with Family Counseling Services of Cortland County, one of four vendors who replied to the countys call for bids. The administrative and financial pressures placed on Madison Countys chemical dependency treatment program by the federal and state government under Medicare and Medicaid have become increasingly burdensome, read the resolution that supervisors approved Tuesday. There are increasing taxpayer concerns and expectations about the public sectors fiscal viability, productivity and accountability, especially as the state and nation moved toward managed health and behavioral healthcare, the resolution read. The move followed last years sale of the countys 44-employee certified home health agency to Home Care of Rochester Inc. a transition that will save county taxpayers $750,000 in next years budget, said Madison County Administrator Mark Scimone. When supervisors voted to privatize, the home health … Continue reading →

Consumer Energy Solutions has sponsored a free Drug Education program in their company and they are using it to keep a Drug Free workplace as well as promote to other businesses the importance of a drug free environment. Clearwater, FL (PRWEB) October 10, 2012 Bringing the effective drug education materials of Foundation for a Drug-Free World to our society is their passion. Connecting with others who work to protect the lives of honest people is a natural partnership. Law enforcement groups welcome their educational materials because they know full well how dangerous drugs are to the individual, how much of crime is caused by drug use and dependency, and indeed what a large percentage of crimes are actually committed by people who are high or intoxicated. To offer help, Consumer Energy Solutions (CES) attended several key law enforcement events. National School Safety Conference Orlando, Florida This national conference is held for school police officers, principals and superintendents from around the United States. Attendees are presented new ideas and technology to keep their schools safe. We signed up 100 schools from over 30 states around the country, for the Foundation for a Drug-Free Worlds Educators Program. Each of these has approximately … Continue reading →