Drug Addiction

Lessons from Chris Washburn’s NBA Downfall

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on July 16th, 2010

For people who are well versed in NBA history, specifically in the year 1986, Chris Washburn was NBA’s no. 3 draft pick courtesy of the Golden State Warriors. He had it all: the talent, the strength, the touch.

Chris WashburnPortland Trailblazer’s coach Nate McMillan who was with Washburn in North Carolina State told Yahoo Sports , “some of the things that Shaquille [O’Neal] was doing, Washburn was doing as a forward-center who could run and jump and shoot. He could do it all. He had the talent to certainly be an All-Star.”

After the Warriors signed him on, Washburn was already hooked up with drugs. George Karl, who was then Chris’ coach, already sensed that he was in deep trouble, all because he can’t let go of the dope. Even the great Julius Erving, who extended a helping hand to Washburn, could not make any difference.

After three months into the game season, Chris checked in a rehabilitation facility in California. This did not help much, as he continued his drug use, and he was draining his bank account day by day for the drugs. He had a mansion, but he opted to stay with folks who barely have water and electricity and slept on dirty floors with no carpet, all because he could not leave his habit.  In June 1989, his NBA career ended. He failed a third time on his drug test and earned a lifetime ban in the NBA, just after 72 games in the league. In 1991-1994, Chris was going in and out of prison for drug-related case.

Washburn finally came out clean in 2000. He is now one of the speakers in the Dallas Life Foundation Center. When he speaks, the kids listen to him, and he now makes a positive impact on their lives. His message was clear: learn from what has happened in his life; he had the chance of becoming a great NBA player, but he wasted it because of drugs.

No Comments

Should Parents Be Worried About Digital Drugs?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on July 15th, 2010

There are a lot of substances that have been used over time to alter one’s state of mind. We have talked about the effects of drugs like cocaine and heroin, prescription drugs, and household chemicals. The unifying factor of all these is the fact that they are chemical substances. Various news reports, though, talk about a new way that kids are said to be using to “get high”: the so-called “digital drugs.”

digital drugs“Digital drugs” are described as sound waves that can have the same effect on the brain as chemical drugs. A feature on The Seattle Times talks about a brand of digital drugs called I-Dosers, which is said to be gaining popularity among teenagers; but there are experts who are skeptical about the effects that these “digital drugs” will have on a person.

Some parents who have learned about this new “craze” of sorts are worried. Will it be digital drugs today, then more hard drugs tomorrow? Will “digital drugs” be the new “gateway drug?”

The concept behind digital drugs is something called binaural beats, where one frequency plays in one ear while another frequency, slightly different, plays in the other ear. These sound waves can be downloaded as MP3 files or played through special software that reads .DRG sound files; the I-Doser free software is said to be the second most downloaded program in the science category of CNET.

While there may be insufficient scientific evidence to support the claim that I-Dosers can mimic the effects of chemical drugs, we agree with the opinion of Jose Szapocznik of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, who said: “When your child is looking for an altered state of consciousness because they’re bored, or because their world is painful for them … that’s what parents should be worried about.”

No Comments

500 Pounds of Marijuana Busted in Minneapolis

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction on July 14th, 2010

After a period of surveillance and studying gang activities, the Minneapolis Police Gang Enforcement Team have proven that they have what it takes to put a stop on illegal drugs activities, at least in their area.

The team successfully busted a total of more than 500 pounds of marijuana, 1.5 kilos of cocaine and some guns. Four people are now facing charges for what has been uncovered by the sting.

marijuanaIt has been a fact that in recent days, the streets of Minneapolis have been a site for violence where gangs and drugs play great roles. With what the police has been able to do, it sends out a clear signal that they are dead set on catching the criminals.

Capt. Don Banham, a member of the Enforcement Team has said that they were able to establish three things on this operation. First, they were able to take out the drugs in the street. It’s no joke to have that much drugs in the area and the money involved will really be significant. Second, by catching the criminals, they have somehow disrupted their behaviors and prevent their planned drug-related activities. Third, with the arrests made and people put behind bars, Minneapolis streets may become a little peaceful, although not completely free from crooks. This can somehow decrease violent scenarios in the streets which have been happening for the past couple of months.

Aside from the drugs and guns that were seized, a whopping $100,000 was also confiscated. Minneapolis Police authorities are hoping for more successful drug busts in the coming days. They are seeking the help of civilians to eradicate violence and drug operations on the streets. If people will become active in the fight against illegal drugs, police work can be made a lot easier.

No Comments

Chicago Lawyer Says No to Lindsay Lohan’s Case

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on July 13th, 2010

Well, things aren’t getting any better in Lindsay’s world! After having talks with Chicago lawyer Stuart Goldberg for six hours over the weekend, it looks like LL should be looking out for other lawyers who might want to take on her case.

Lindsay Lohan in courtLindsay’s up for 90 days in jail after her probation revocation hearing last July 6 at a Beverly Hills Court. Shawn Chapman Holley who represented Lohan during the hearing resigned last week.

According to Goldberg, the actress seems not to be aware of what she might be facing during her 90-day prison stint. “I’m concerned that she’s not disciplined or tethered enough to the reality of adult consequences,” he told People mag. Lohan appeared to be in a difficult and dangerous situation and when asked if she might hurt herself, she allegedly started sobbing quietly. The Chicago lawyer even offered a piece of advice to the starlet to leave LA but LL didn’t give any attention on what he had suggested.

Goldberg is said to be very worried on this particular case. Though he refused to take on the matter, he can’t help but voice out his opinion on Lindsay’s present state of mind. After having been able to sit with the Lohans, the actress in particular might have succumbed to the idea that what is happening is just fate and that she’s having an inner sadness that still hasn’t surfaced yet. What becomes scary in her current situation is that she might just take on her jail time and be on a program that will not do her any good. It’s as if she’s already bound to fail.

So, who can be a candidate to help LL? Maybe OJ Simpson’s former lawyer, Robert Shapiro, can do the job for Lindsay. Shapiro’s office when contacted regarding the issue didn’t give any immediate response. We might have to wait and see.

No Comments

Will “Good Samaritan” Laws Be of Help?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction on July 12th, 2010

The Good Samaritan is a staple figure in Christian belief, that one man who had compassion to help a troubled fellow man lying on the wayside. In this day and age, this same symbolism is being invoked, in the hopes of saving troubled lives due to drug abuse.

heroin abuseIn a feature on Newsweek early this month, recommendations given by researchers from Roosevelt University in as far as medical care for heroin overdoses were concerned were discussed. The study determined that Chicago had the highest number of emergency room visits related to heroin; those who were able to make to emergency rooms and constituted this statistic, however, are the lucky ones.

The feature shared stories about friends leaving their friends – addicts and users all – who overdose on heroin to die. Some are left in bedrooms and bathrooms as they OD, their bodies dumped and disposed of unceremoniously. This choice is made so as to stay away from prosecution, which is what both the victim and the one who calls for help will face.

In most states, a friend who dials 911 or takes the time to bring a friend who has OD’d to a hospital can be prosecuted for use, possession and distribution. Meghan Ralston, of the Drug Policy Alliance, shared: “That sends a chilling, disturbing message to all people who will one day witness an overdose… People who use drugs tend to be highly aware that they can be arrested for drug possession at any time, under any circumstance.”

It is for this reason that there is a push towards what are being termed as “Good Samaritan Laws,” which essentially calls for the granting of limited immunity from prosecution for drug users who seek help for a companion during an overdose. There are those, however, who oppose these laws, saying that it is tantamount to condoning drug dealers.

No Comments

Volatile Substance Abuse and the Need for Proper Education

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on July 11th, 2010

Research shows that most drug users usually start with volatile substance abuse before they become fully hooked on illegal drugs. The need to have drug education plays an important role to prevent young people from experimenting with these types of substances. It is very alarming to know that the youngest to die due to volatile substance abuse was a boy at seven years old!

volatile substanceThe biggest problem that parents may face regarding this type of abuse is that most of these volatile substances are inexpensive and legally available. Simple household cleaning agents and substances found in offices may contain certain ingredients like solvents and propellants that can be easily inhaled. In a certain household, there may be up to 50 products that can be abused. Examples of these products are aerosols, nail polish removers, permanent marking pens, and paint thinners.

The vapors of these substances are usually inhaled directly when there are open containers or spray canisters left in the house. Unlike most drugs, there are no needles, pipes, or any material needed to administer the drugs. We often see children inhaling volatile substances in plastic bags or rags saturated with these harmful materials.

Inhaling these substances, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, may bring about some undesirable effects on the body. Adults and young children alike will experience symptoms like vomiting, headaches, hallucinations, and speech problems when exposed to these drugs. Solvent abuse can also dramatically decrease the amount of oxygen in the blood which can lead to hypnoxia. Things can go from worse to worst when a person continues this habit which will result to damage in the kidneys, brain, and liver. The nervous system will also be greatly affected and we all know what this can mean.

Proper education that starts in our homes plays a very important role. It would help if children’s curiosity will be addressed at the earliest stage so as not to promote experimenting on these harmful substances. Give enough information that may send the proper signal for children to stay away from these volatile substances.

No Comments