Justice Minister Judith Collins has marked the first hearings at the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court pilot sitting in Auckland and Waitakere District Courts today. Ms Collins says it is extremely pleasing the pilot Court is now up and running, helping to reduce re-offending by supporting offenders who make a serious commitment to change. "This AODT Court is a first for New Zealand. I am delighted we now have a Court that can deliver a new holistic approach to reducing re-offending. "The AODT Court gives offenders an opportunity to confront the drug and alcohol dependency that has fuelled their offending, giving them the tools and support they need to free themselves from a life of addiction. "Re-offending has fallen by almost 7 per cent over the past year. If we are to continue delivering results, we need to explore innovative new ways of working. The AODT Court is a perfect example of this in action," Ms Collins says. When the pilot Court has been running for a significant length of time, it will be evaluated for success in treatment outcomes, reduction in reoffending, and cost effectiveness. "Studies of the effect of AODT on recidivism rates in the United … Continue reading →

In autumn of 2009, Ali Salama was training for the ING New York City marathon and felt some numbness in her legs. Originally, she attributed the problem to shin splints and took a break. But the pain wasnt going away, so she decided to see a neurologist. At the age of 35, Salama was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease which has no cure and affects 2.5 million people around the world. The autoimmune disorder attacks the bodys nervous system and can lead to numbness, paralysis and loss of vision. - Ali Salama, MS patient of learning about new oral pill Salama said she was shocked. You read about it. You obviously go on websites, (and) you see that people are in wheelchairs and how mobility becomes more difficult, Salama said. Theres vision issues, so all those things run through your mind. Salama said she wondered about the treatment and became fearful when she learned many treatment options included something she always hated shots. Dr. Aaron Miller, medical director of the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in NYC and Salamas doctor, said he was primarily prescribing injectable medications for his patients. These, … Continue reading →

HOUSTON, Nov. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Frederick Churbuckis the first person in the United States to have completed treatment utilizing the AcceleDent device designed to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. He was able to have his braces removed after just over 9 months of treatment, which is significantly less time than the 18 months predicted. The treatment was administered by Dr. Robert Rudman, DDS, MS, of Denver, Colorado. Dr. Rudman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marquette University School of Dentistry and has been described as among the top orthodontists in the world. Mr. Churbuck, Market General Manager at LivingSocial in Denver, enthuses, "My teeth are beautiful and in 9 months. It feels too good to be true. I am in a place so far beyond thrilled that I never even knew existed." He continues, "I am seriously an evangelist for AcceleDent. As they say, I'm on fire with the brand and most importantly my results." Dr. Rudman, commented, "Orthodontic technology is rapidly evolving in many areas, but innovation geared at significantly shortening treatment times have not proven effective until now. AcceleDent offers the first non-invasive product to successfully and safely address our patients' desire to dramatically shorten treatment, while still maintaining the … Continue reading →

ST. LOUIS A weekly clinic for people with multiple sclerosis has reopened at Barnes-Jewish Hospital after low funds forced its closure in July. The Gateway Area Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society donated $50,000 to the John L. Trotter MS Center, which serves patients with Medicaid or no insurance. They are very committed to making sure MS patients in the region have access to an MS specialist, said Dr. Robert Naismith, a neurologist and director of the clinic. About 400,000 people in the U.S. have multiple sclerosis, a degenerative disease of the central nervous system that can cause symptoms ranging from numbness and weakness in the limbs to fatigue and vision impairment. The course of the disease and severity of symptoms varies in each person with MS. Most people with MS take disease-modifying drugs with a goal of slowing its progression. The clinic will serve 150 to 200 patients when it is open a half day each week. Each patient is expected to visit the clinic at least once a year. It is named for Dr. John Trotter, a leading MS researcher and clinician at Washington University who died in 2001. Each new patient will spend an hour with … Continue reading →