Around 80 to 90 per cent of crime is related to alcohol and drug misuse, according to one of New Zealand's top judges. Chief District Court Judge Jane-Marie Doogue described alcohol abuse as "a thick vein coursing through our country" at the launch of a pilot alcohol and drug treatment court in Auckland yesterday. "When misuse and abuse takes an extreme form, it becomes dependency," Judge Doogue said. "Offenders are then locked into a cycle of substance abuse and criminal offending which they cannot break out of by willpower alone." The programme will start next week at both Auckland and Waitakere District Courts and will be trialled for five years as part of Minister of Justice Judith Collins' self-imposed target of reducing crime by 15 per cent by 2017. Other goals include reducing violent crime by 20 per cent, youth crime by five per cent and re-offending by 25 per cent by addressing the underlying triggers. Courts dealing with the underlying effects of crime are already in place at the Rangitahi Court, Porirua Community Court, the Pasifika Youth Courts and the Christchurch Youth Drug Court. If the pilot is successful it may be implemented in district courts nationwide. The addiction … Continue reading →

Justice Minister Judith Collins today officially launched New Zealands first Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment (AODT) Court in Auckland. Ms Collins says the five-year pilot Court will sit for one day a week in both the Auckland and Waitakere District Courts and aims to help 100 offenders each year deal with the underlying addiction issues that have fuelled their offending. "Dealing with an offenders addiction prior to sentencing is a new approach for New Zealand. We want to reduce reoffending by giving offenders the opportunity to confront their drug and alcohol dependency, while still holding them to account for their actions," Ms Collins says. Selected defendants who have pleaded guilty, and are facing imprisonment for up to three years, have the opportunity to participate in an addiction treatment programme. Participation and the success of the treatment will be taken into account at sentencing. "This is no easy way out for offenders - it requires a serious commitment to change. Those accepted into a treatment programme will undergo intensive treatment for around 12 to 18 months and will be drug tested twice a week. "We know the harmful effects of alcohol and drug dependency can be devastating for many communities. Alcohol … Continue reading →

The first Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court in Auckland aims to help 100 offenders each year deal with underlying addiction issues. Justice Minister Judith Collins formally launched the five-year pilot court at Auckland District Court on Thursday morning, saying it was not an alternative to prison. Defendants will still be sentenced for their crimes once they have completed treatment but the new court will take their treatment success into account. "Dealing with an offender's addiction prior to sentencing is a new approach for New Zealand," Ms Collins says. "We want to reduce reoffending by giving offenders the opportunity to confront their drug and alcohol dependency, while still holding them to account for their actions." Ms Collins said similar courts in the US generally added value to the courts, with offenders less likely to reoffend or use substances on release. The court will sit one day a week at both Auckland and Waitakere District Courts, starting next week. Selected defendants who have pleaded guilty and are facing imprisonment for up to three years can participate in an addiction treatment programme. "This is no easy way out for offenders - it requires a serious commitment to change," Ms Collins said. Those … Continue reading →

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - Pharmacists can rattle them off the top of their heads, familiar polysyllabic terms, Phendimetrazine, Adder, Hydrocarbon, Boycotting, Dilaudid, Morphine, Methadone, Codeine, drugs frequently abused by the public - and by their colleagues, fellow pharmacists. "It could happen to anybody and nobody's immune," said Huntsville pharmacist Darden Heritage. "It's especially disturbing when it's somebody who's working in that environment, which makes it so much easier to get, as opposed to having to go out and buy it on the street." Heritage is CEO of Star Market and Pharmacy and he reports seeing pharmacists that work for him slip into the trap of drug dependency. "You become a different person," he said. "They're out of it, basically.They're in a euphoric state, so they're not really making good sense. They talk slow, slurred speech - that type of thing." The Alabama Board of Pharmacy reports that, out of almost 18,000 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the state, it has 104 pharmacists and 27 technicians who are at some level of officially approved recovery for substance abuse. Pharmacists or techs found to be filching pills for the purpose of selling them can be permanently banned from the industry. But for … Continue reading →

According to TMZ, Octomom has checked into the Chapman House Drug Rehabilitation Center in Orange, California. Suleymon entered the rehab center over the weekend. Octomom was taking Xanax to combat stress, according to TMZ. Xanax is used to treat anxiety and panic disorders and Suleymon admitted to becoming dependent on the prescription drug. Speaking to TMZ, Octomom's spokesperson said Nadya wanted to get off the Xanax she was prescribed by her doctor and learn to deal with her stress, exhaustion and anxiety with professional help with a team of doctors. Nadya wanted to deal with her issues and make sure she is the best mother she can be. Suleymon will be spending at least 28 days at the rehab center. While Suleymon will be getting the care and treatment she needs to battle drug dependency, another matter of concern is the care of her 14 children. According to TMZ and ABC News, Octomom has left her 14 children in the care of three nannies and two friends. Suleymon also has a driver that will transport the children to school. In an act of good faith, Octomom's treatment at the Chapman House Drug Rehabilitation Center will be free of charge. According … Continue reading →

Nadya Suleman checked into a rehab facility on Monday (October 29). The mother of 14 - dubbed the 'Octomom' - entered the treatment centre for a dependency on the prescription medication Xanax, her spokesperson told TMZ. Her representative said in a statement: "Nadya wanted to get off the Xanax she was prescribed by her doctor and learn to deal with her stress, exhaustion and anxiety with professional help with a team of doctors. "Nadya wanted to deal with her issues and make sure she is the best mother she can be." Suleman is expected to remain in treatment for 30 days and has reportedly left her children with their nannies and two friends. She most recently made headlines for starting a porn career, which helped her pay for a new home after her previous house was foreclosed. The star also split from her latest boyfriend, bodybuilder Frankie G, in July. Read the original: Octomom Nadya Suleman enters rehab for 'prescription drug dependency' … Continue reading →

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 →