Blog Entries tagged 'drug addiction'

Too Few Parents Talking to Teens About Drugs

aotate1@gmail.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100

A recent survey by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy found that the majority of parents have difficulty engaging in meaningful conversations about drug use with their teens."'This poll reinforces a disconcerting trend we're seeing with parents today. Too many parents are avoiding tough conversations - or tough stances - because they're afraid of jeopardizing their relationship with their teens,' said John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Pol [...]

Huffing is Nothing New

aotate1@gmail.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100

In the 1980's it was gasoline and rubber cement. Today it's hair and cleaning products. "Huffing", the practice of inhaling dangerous chemical in order to get high, is not as prevalent as other forms of substance abuse, but still exists."These products are cheap, easy to access, provide a quick, intense buzz and allows students to return to classes odorless, unlike smoking or drinking."The high experienced by huffing is caused by a lack of oxygen. Though the effect is [...]

Teen Dies of Apparent Overdose

aotate1@gmail.com — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100

A West Vancouver (Canada) teenager who left her home after telling her mother that she was going to the movies was found dead later that night at the Edmonds SkyTrain station. The cause of death appeared to be a drug overdose. "Jenni was the second teenager to die suddenly within the past month in circumstances that suggest illegal drugs might have been involved."Though autopsy reports haven't returned yet, police suspect Ecstasy is to blame for the teen's death. Authorities ho [...]

Illinois Mom Thinks Drug Testing is Good for all Students

aotate1@gmail.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100

Tammy East has a son in junior high, and she thinks the random drug testing that he and other students will be subjected to throughout the year is good. She only has one objection:"I think they should have drug testing for everyone, not just those in sports or other extracurricular activities..."The drug testing policy, which has been in place at the high school level since the 1997-98 school year, has previously applied only to athletes. This year, however, testing will be expanded to [...]

Officials Attempt to Outlaw an Herbal High

aotate1@gmail.com — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100

Salvia is an herb that can produce short, intense, hallucinogenic trips when it's smoked. For years, the substance went relatively unnoticed by law enforcement personnel - but it has recently garnered the attention of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as several local governments that are trying to ban it. "A dozen states have outlawed or begun regulating salvia since 2005, including Delaware, whose law was pushed by a mother who believes salvia contributed to her son's suic [...]

Teens Give Advice

aotate1@gmail.com — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100

Talk about teen substance abuse typically centers on extreme behavior - getting drunk at parties, habitual drug use, and so on. But even occasional use can create a dangerous habit. "Most teenagers will tell you gulping down an occasional glass of beer along with a cigarette at a bar is fun, not substance abuse. That's where they are wrong. One glass of beer may not be addictive, but can lead to a chain of behavior that can leave you a physical and mental wreck. It can become a habit.&q [...]

New Tool May Help You Spot Drug Abuse

aotate1@gmail.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:00:00 +0100

The state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) of New York has created tool it hopes will help parents spot drug abuse problems in the home. "The state Office... created the tool to help New Yorkers track prescription and over-the-counter medicines in their home. It's intended to be filled out weekly." The PDF tool is downloadable off the OASAS website and is a grid-like worksheet that can be used to track: a medication's dose amount, when the prescription [...]

New "Gimmick" Markets Meth to Younger Crowd

aotate1@gmail.com — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:00:00 +0100

Police and substance abuse officials in western states are beginning to report the appearance of candy-flavored methamphetamine. Strawberry, chocolate, and cola are among the flavors being marketed to younger people."They [meth dealers] are having a tough time selling this product, especially to younger people. What do people in marketing do when they have a tough time selling a product? They have to come up with some sort of gimmick."It's believed that meth dealers hope to increas [...]

Breaking the addiction is difficult.

dirincome@stopaddiction.com — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Alcohol addiction can pose a serious threat to a person's life. To break the addiction is difficult for a number of reasons: the psychological desire for the effects brought on by the drugs; the brain's adaptations to the chemical changes brought on by the drug; and a slew of habits and environmental triggers that support the addiction. Just like any serious health concern, an addiction to alcohol will require long-term professional help to break the cycle. The [...]