Posts Tagged ‘drug abuse’
Thursday, March 10th, 2011
The prescription drug abuse problem and proliferation of pill mills in Florida has led to the creation of a tip line. The Drug Enforcement Administration has started a tip line for pill mills in the hope of fighting the prescription drug abuse epidemic.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, undercover law enforcement officers have made hundreds of purchases of prescription painkillers from pill mill physicians in the last year.
The tip line is 888-954-4662. The website is
Florida.Pill.Mill.Tips@USDOJ.GOV
.
Tags: drug abuse, drug detox, Drug Enforcement Administration, pill mills, prescription drug abuse detox, prescription drug abuse problem, prescription painkillers, treatment center
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Wednesday, March 9th, 2011
According to autopsy reports in Oklahoma, hydrocodone abuse cost 130 people their lives in 2009. This figure is more than overdose deaths from methamphetamine and cocaine combined, reinforcing the fact that prescription drug abuse is on the rise in Oklahoma.
On a per capita basis, Oklahomans were prescribed more hydrocodone than Californians. This is compelling evidence that the epidemic of prescription drug abuse is escalating in Oklahoma, as in every other state in the country. The Drug Enforcement Administration found that only Nevada, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky and Alabama exceeded Oklahoma in hydrocodone prescriptions in 2008. According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, residents were prescribed 120 million hydrocodone pills in 2008.
“I used to say that prescription drug abuse is a silent cancer. But it’s manifested itself to the level where you don’t need an MRI to detect this cancer now. We’ve got to get a grip on this,” said Darrell Weaver, bureau director.
Tags: drug abuse, drug detox, hydrocodone, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, Prescription Drug Abuse, prescription drug detox, Prescription Pain Medication, treatment center
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Tuesday, March 8th, 2011
A member of the Puerto Rican House of Representatives has resigned his seat after a drug test found he had used cocaine.
Representative Ronaldo Crespo, 35, resigned as the House Marjority Whip after the drug test results were made public. The Speaker of the House of Representatives had ordered drug tests for all of the members of the House. The governor of Puerto Rico was supportive of Crespo’s decision.
“He should seek the help he needs to take back his life,” said Governor Luis Fortuno.
Tags: Cocaine, Cocaine addiction, cocaine detox, crack detox, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug detox
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Monday, March 7th, 2011
More and more Canadians are becoming addicted to prescription drugs. An addiction researcher for Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health can explain the increase.
“In the illegal street market, prescription opioids have replaced traditional drugs, such as heroin,” said Dr. Jurgen Rehm. “The second reason pertains to the general population. When more and more people…have been using painkillers for medical purposes, a certain percentage become hooked on them.”
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health estimates that about 5 percent of adults in the province of Ontario are addicted to prescription pain medication. A 2010 study found that there was a 60 percent increase in admissions to drug treatment centers in Ontario between 2004 and 2009. The Canadian Medical Association Journal found that there was a 41 percent increase in deaths form opioids – both legally and illegally prescribed – in the period between 1999 and 2004.
Tags: drug abuse, drug detox, prescription drug detox, Prescription Pain Medication, Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, treatment center
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
An anti-drug campaign called “Above The Influence” has been successful in reducing teenager’s use of marijuana. A research study of more than 3.000 students across the country learned that by the end of 8th grade, 12 percent of teenagers who had not seen the campaign started using marijuana. This was compared to 8 percent among teenagers who had seen the “Above The Influence” campaign.
The campaign began in 2005 and was initially funded at almost $200 million dollars each year.
“The ‘Above The Influence’ campaign appears to be successful because it taps into the desire by teenagers to be independent and self-sufficient,” said Michael Slater, the lead researcher and a professor of communication at Ohio State University.
Tags: above the influence, drug abuse, drug detox, marijuana treatment, the treatment centers, treatment centers
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration finds that 5.9 percent of children aged 12 to 13 drank alcohol in the past month. The study also learned that 93.4 percent did not pay a penny for their alcohol. About 44.8 percent of 12 to 14 year olds who drank alcohol received their alcohol from their family or at home. This figure includes 15.7 percent of children who were provided alcohol by their parents.
“People who begin drinking alcohol before the age of 15 are six times more likely than those who start at age 21 and older to develop alcohol problems. Parents and other adults need to be aware that providing alcohol to children can expose them to an increased risk for alcohol abuse and set them on a path with increased potential for addiction,” said Pamela S. Hyde, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration director.
Tags: alcohol and drug treatment centers, Alcohol Detox, Alcohol Treatment, drug abuse, drug detox, the treatment center, treatment centers
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Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
A group of researchers decided to conduct one of the largest studies to reevaluate the cognitive effects of ecstasy. The study was funded by a $1.8 million dollar grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
“Researchers have known for a long time that earlier studies of ecstasy use had problems that later studies should try to correct,” said lead author John Halpern. “When NIDA decided to fund this project, we saw an opportunity to design a better experiment and advance our knowledge of this drug.”
The new research experiment involved 52 people who used ecstasy on a regular basis. Their cognitive function was contrasted against 59 people who did not use ecstasy. The conclusion was clear, according to Halpern.
“Ecstasy consumption is dangerous. Illegally made pills can contain harmful contaminants, there are no warning labels, there is no medical supervision, and in rare cases people are physically harmed and even die from overdosing.”
Tags: drug abuse, drug detox, ecstasy detox, National Institute on Drug Abuse, the treatment center, treatment centers
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Friday, December 31st, 2010
In his job as a sheriff in Idaho, Rick Layher has seen his share of drug cases. But last month, Layher experienced firsthand how drug addiction can shatter a family.
John R. Layher, 27, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia. After suspecting his son was abusing methamphetamine, the sheriff made the difficult decision to turn his son in to state police.
“I truly feel that turning him in, I did the right thing for him,” Layher said. “One way or another, he’s going to get some help…to me, this was his last chance.”
Layher hopes his son will finally get treatment for his drug addiction.
Tags: drug abuse, drug addiction, drug addiction treatment, drug detox center, drug treatment centers, treatment centers
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Monday, November 29th, 2010
The White House drug policy director, Gil Kerlikowske, is concerned about the disturbing increase in drug use among minority teenagers. A 2009 survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration identified marked increases in drug use among African American teenage girls and Hispanic teenage boys between 2008 and 2009. Both groups reported increases in drug use of more than 3 perecent, making them the demographic groups with the largest increase in illicit drug use in that time period. Illicit drug use among black, non-Hispanic girls between 12 and 17 years of age increased from 7.3 percent in 2008 to 10.4 percent in 2009. Drug use by Hispanic male teenagers increased from 9.2 percent in 2008 to 12.8 percent in 2009.
“Parents, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, and community leaders should do their part by taking action today to protect these at-risk youth groups from a lifetime of drug-related consequences,” said Kerlikowske.
Tags: drug abuse, drug addiction, drug detox, Drug Rehab, substance abuse, treatment centers
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Monday, November 22nd, 2010
A new study has discovered that binge drinking during adolescence may permanently harm stress hormones. This can lead to mental disorders later in life. The study found that rats exposed to large amounts of alcohol in teenagers have altered stress responses in young adulthood. These changes could result in depression and anxiety disorders.
“Exposing young people to alcohol could permanently disrupt normal connections in the brain that need to be made to ensure healthy adult brain function,” said lead researcher Toni Pak.
A survey conducted in 2005 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 18.8 percent of people aged 12 to 20 years of age reported binge drinking in the past month. Binge drinking can cause a myriad of health and social problems.
Tags: Alcohol addiction, Alcohol Treatment, Alcoholism, drug abuse, drug detox, treatment centers
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