Another fear of methadone in pregnancy is the child being born early, lung under development and heart problems.  These risks cannot be overlooked.  These may seem small to some Dr’s but this is a realization that I myself went through with the birth of my son.

If you need help to get off medications during pregnancy please call someone today. Don’t start taking methadone without getting ALL the facts and PLEASE don’t just stop taking the methadone after reading this. That is itself can kill your fetus because of the severe withdrawals in the womb.

Suburban Addiction

If you have been reading in the news lately you will notice the amount of drug busts’ happening closer and closer to home. Drug manufacturing has moved out into the suburbs and rural areas whereas, there was a time one could only find drugs in the urban districts of town. Methamphetamine and marijuana are being manufactured in homes that at one time would be considered “the house next door”. Times are changing, and everyone must educate themselves and become aware of the dangers that drugs impose on someone’s life, family, community and nation; drugs are now affecting your very own survival. Addiction treatment educates not only the one addicted but also the family and friends of the sufferer.

Methamphetamine is manufactured from extremely flammable chemicals and if ingested can lead to death. The risk of explosion involved from making meth would have one think twice about this harmful drug. This is just how powerful addiction is that one would put their lives, and the lives of others, at risk to manufacture and use the drug. When a house is found to have the chemicals used to make methamphetamine, a HASMAT team is dispatched to remove the chemicals and the residue that is left behind. Often times the house is condemned because it is considered a danger to anyone who may approach it. And most often the house will have to be destroyed.

When one thinks of addiction it is normally processed that someone uses drugs. However, addiction takes another turn in that those who manufacture drugs are also addicted to the making and selling of those drugs. Drug rehab will provide services for those who are addicted to the manufacturing and selling of drugs.

If you or a loved one is addicted to the manufacturing or using of drugs, Narconon of Georgia Drug Education and Rehabilitative services provides an avenue for the one addicted and offers freedom from the cycle of addiction.

Eat Those Apples

This article underscores an unfortunate point – too many doctors are creating drug addicts.   Though it is not a majority of doctors, prescription drug abuse is generated through the prescription pad much more than it should be.

In today’s world “eating an apple a day to keep the doctor away” might just save lives in more ways than one.

There are some doctors we want to keep away – in fact far away.

“LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Search warrants filed Thursday in court in Clark County, Nevada, and carried out at properties of Michael Jackson’s doctor imply that investigators looking into his death believe the singer was a drug addict.

The warrants, signed by District Judge Timothy Williams and given to CNN by Las Vegas affiliate KTNV, say “there is probable cause to believe” that searches would uncover evidence at the Las Vegas home and office of Dr. Conrad Murray of excessive prescribing, prescribing to an addict, excess treatment or prescribing, unprofessional conduct, prescribing to or treating an addict and manslaughter.

They cite “probable cause to believe” that the premises contained “records, shipping orders, distribution lists, use records relating to the purchase, transfer ordering, delivery and storage of propofol (Diprivan).”

A source told CNN on Monday that the Texas-based cardiologist allegedly gave Jackson the anesthetic propofol — commonly known by the brand name Diprivan — in the 24 hours before he died.”

Source

Street Drugs

Drug Addiction is killing our children

I found out almost a year ago that my step-son from a previous marriage was murdered in a drug related act of anger and jealousy. He got mixed up with the wrong people which many of us do. He was unable to get away. The drug addiction continued to drag him down. He wasn’t your typical drug dealer (although now there aren’t “typical”drug dealers anymore) but more of the boy next door. You would never imagine looking at him that he was either doing or selling drugs. It’s time to wake up. No one is immune to this disease of drug addiction.

J grew up in a broken home but a home filled with all the love a mother and father could possibly give him. He had 2 sisters and 2 brothers. They were all very close. He had a child at a young age but that didn’t stop him from continuing becoming a great father. He and the babys mother had recently split but were looking to reconcile. Between the drugs he was doing, the person he was with doing drugs there was an argument that led to death.

From the information I am getting the state in which he was found dead has an un-talked about rule. If you die of anything related to drugs it is investigated but not with the diligence that should been taken. J should have been able to RIP but he is unable because the person accused of the death due to drugs is still out there. Out of the officers mouth “she probably did it, we have no proof”.

It’s sad to see such a promising young man go down the road that J went on. Drugs were suppose to be cool, easy money.  Knowing what we know now he should have been in a drug rehab. If this is a story that you are familiar with or know someone heading down the wrong road STOP THEM! It’s not too late to help them with their drug addiction.

Let’s let kids be kids – not doped up kids.  Whether they are getting them from their friends or their doctors, children in this country are getting a LOT of drugs – in fact more than most children in Europe.

According to this study there are many reasons, but unless the result is that our kids are doing better than their European counter parts, the reasons are wrong.

While growing up things happen.  A kid can stumble, but when they stand up, they are forced to learn a lesson.  What kind of conclusions about experience can someone draw when they are on mind altering drugs?

If doctors are doctors and parents are parents, then kids can be kids.

“Doctors in the U.S. are more likely to prescribe stimulants, antidepressants and other psychotropic drugs to youth than doctors in the Netherlands and Germany, Medpage Today reported Sept. 24.

Researchers at  the University of Maryland examined administrative claims data for the year 2000 on insured children and teens in the Netherlands, Germany and the U.S. and found that use of psychotropic medications in the U.S. was 2.27 times higher than in the Netherlands and 3.33 times higher than in Germany. Prevalence of prescription psychotropic drug use was 6.66 percent among American youths, compared to 2.9 and 2 percent, respectively, among Dutch and German youths.”

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Early Release

Prisoners in Pennsylvania without any history of violent offenses are eligible for early release – i.e. those most likely locked up for substance abuse or possession. This is humane and long term, is most likely the best investment that Pennsylvania can make for its economy.  While we all understand the expense of keeping someone locked up, there is the constant hidden expense of addiction in terms of lost productivity, theft and increased medical costs due to illiteracy and drug abuse.  These have a better chance of being treated once an offender is isolated as a drug abuser.  Also, prison for a young person can scar them for life and decrease their productivity.

It is not common sense or compassion as much as necessity which drove the state of Pennsylvania to offer early release to these non-violent offenders.   Overcrowded prisons helped to prompt the offer of opportunity for offenders to transition back into society sooner through various programs.  Participation in addiction treatment, literacy and anger management programs can make arrestees eligible for early release.

It is better to treat addicts before they get caught up in the legal system but if they are already caught up in the system, this is a sensible solution.

“Thanks to new legislation, more prisoners in Pennsylvania without any history of violent offenses are eligible for early release — a policy change seen as a possible answer to the state’s growing problem of prison overcrowding, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Oct. 27.

Prisons in the state are operating over capacity by 8 percent, and the state Corrections Department projects that Pennsylvania’s overall prison populations will reach 57,000 by the end of 2012. Advocates hope the the new law will help clear space in cramped prisons for the most serious offenders.”

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