Archive for August, 2009

Substance Abuse and Crime

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other Addictions on August 4th, 2009

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Recently a workshop on the Status and Impact of Substance Abuse in T&T was organized –“Detection, Early Intervention and Creation of a drug free workplace.” A comment made by Dr. Amery Browne, the Social Development Minister invoked mixed reactions from the audience. He said, “Substance abuse continues to destroy families, caused our children to be murdered. Substance abuse is tied to violence, poverty and terrorism.”

The obvious question that arises is “Are alcohol and drug abusers criminals?” Working for the cause for more than a decade and being a witness of lives that have changed after stopping drug use, I would rather say that there are certain factors that lead to their involvement in criminal activities. The most common one being the compulsion to sustain their addiction.  Larceny, burglary, embezzlement, robbery, etc. to get money for drugs, are frequent. They can go to any extent to fetch money for the chemical. In third world countries like India, drugs addicts are also known sell their blood for money. Yes, this is true.

The pharmacologic effects of drugs on the behavior of the user also contribute a lot in generating violence. Alcohol is known to generate violence by reducing inhibitions while marijuana has no such effect. Reports received from the law enforcement agencies of the country have shown that a good percentage of criminals had performed the crime under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The officials have given testimony before the Congressional Committee about the close relationship between property crime and drug addiction. They have also said that the percentage of such crime will reduce with incarceration of the drug users. 

Possession and distribution of drugs itself is a crime thereby making drug addicts law offenders without actually getting involved in other antisocial activities. The lifestyle of the drug users increases the chance to get exposed to situations that encourage crime.

So the treatment options available for addiction should always stress on crime free recovery. Please let me know your views on this issue. It’s our collective responsibility to make every house drug free.

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Sports, Superstars, and Cocaine Addiction

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing on August 3rd, 2009

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Soccer fanatics all over the world would have loved to watch Diego Maradona’s skill in the Soccer ground for some more years had it not been for a hydra-headed monster named cocaine overpower Soccer’s most powerful man and end his illustrious career prematurely. Cocaine is the second most popular drug in the U.S plaguing the nation even today.

Cocaine is a crystalline alkaloid obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant. It is highly addictive and its cultivation, possession and distribution are illegal in almost all parts of the world. South American countries are known to grow cocaine in abundance which is then smuggled into the U.S and Europe.

The cocaine market is controlled to a large extent by organized criminal groups. Crack is the street name for cocaine. It contains impurities such as ammonium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. When it is heated it makes a cracking sound and hence the name “crack”.

Routes of intake

Oral or smoking – the users may rub the powder on the gums or put it into cigarette filter and smoke it. Some may also wrap up cocaine in rolling paper and swallow it. This method is known as ‘snow bomb’.

Snorting or Sniffing – This is the most common route of intake of cocaine in the western world.

Injection – The powder is dissolved in water and then injected.

The immediate effects of cocaine are euphoria, reduced fatigue, increased energy and mental alertness. The intensity and duration of the effects depend on the route of intake.

Adverse effects Mood disturbance, irritability, restlessness, increased body temperature, headaches, abdominal pain, nausea are common. Cocaine suppresses appetite making a chronic user malnourished.

Cardiovascular or cerebrovascular emergencies leading to death is one of the serious hazards.

Snorting of the drug leads to loss of olfactory sensation, nosebleed, chronically running nose. Oral intake results in bowel gangrene while injectors are vulnerable to contracting HIV and other blood borne diseases.

If you wish to know more about drug abuse these can be of great help: www.drugabuse.gov and www.nida.nih.gov

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Salvia Divinorum: The Deadly Herb

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Drug Testing on August 1st, 2009

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On July 22, 2009 the Arizona police spotted a burglary in a store. Among the items stolen were glass smoking pipes, silver necklaces and a large quantity of Salvia Divinorum. The substance, with street names like Shepherdess’s Herb, Ska Pastora, has been gaining immense popularity among teens for its psychedelic effects.

What is Salvia Divinorum? More commonly known as diviner’s sage, it is a mind altering herb that originated in Mexico for traditional spiritual practices. Salvinorin A – the active property of the herb is a potent, naturally occurring hallucinogen. It could be either ingested (liquid form) or smoked (powdered form).

The risks associated with its long term use are not yet confirmed since not much research on the issue has been done as yet. But the short term effects of Salvia Divinorum are life threatening. When inhaled the devastating effects of the herb strikes very quickly which could result in the following :

Senseless, uncontrollable laughter.

Sensation of being moved or twisted by some force.

Visual hallucination – seeing two dimensional surfaces, filaments, membranes.

Identifying oneself with any object.

Loss of emotional reactions.

Overlapping realities – perceiving oneself to be present at different places at the same time.

The risks range from nausea, lightheadedness, slurred speech, paranoia, confusion, hallucination which poses a threat for self injury or injuring others and even death. The effect generally stays for 20 – 30 minutes after which it subsides.

The substance is sold legally in some states of the United States. It is available online. Several bills have been proposed in the senate but none have been passed as yet.

If you have a teenager at home talk to him about the ill-effects of drug use. Involve doctors, counselors, teachers as well. Remember Salvia Divinorum is a posing dangerous threat to a number of families who are at a risk of losing their loved ones.

You may visit www.mayoclinic.org for detailed info.

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