Posts Tagged drug free homes

HIV/AIDS and Drug Addiction: Vulnerability of Street Teenagers

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation, Prescription Drug Abuse on August 29th, 2009

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The developing countries in the eastern part of the globe are facing a new challenge – controlling the spread of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS amongst street teenagers. Such children, who are on the street deprived of any guidance and affection, are at a risk of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS contraction. The difficult circumstances under which they live make drug abuse and sexual exploitation inevitable parts of their lives.

Street children are abjectly neglected and are mostly considered as a nuisance to the society. They are an extremely mobile population who are abused at different levels. The threats of street life force them to conform to gangs where drug abuse and sexual activity are desired sources of pleasure. Lack of information regarding the issues is yet another curse which makes them even more vulnerable.

The Government and Non-government agencies have been trying hard to bring the situation under control. Dr.Nghyen Dang Phan of the Binh Dan hospital in Vietnam said that in 2004 and 2006 he had witnessed 85 HIV/AIDS patients die in Mai Khoi Charity Medical Centre of whom 93% were male drug users. Phan said 66% of the HIV positive people are infected through drug abuse and 18% through unsafe sexual practices. He was attending a seminar organized by the Centre for Applied Social Work of HCM City Open University to promote a healthy life for street teenagers. This was a part of the project launched by the university to help addicts quit their habit. The Director of the Department said that last September a group was formed with 15 former drug users who work as peer motivators encouraging other users to kick the habit.

Different NGOs in India are also working for the cause. Homes have been set up for these children. Education and Life Skills Training form integral parts of the different projects that are being run by different organizations that have proved to be extremely successful.

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Dirty Money: Traces of Cocaine on 90% of US Dollar Bills

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Facts, Drug Testing on August 25th, 2009

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The next time you deal with paper currency, be aware of the fact that a large percentage of U.S. bills contain traits of cocaine. Yuegang Zuo, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, conducted a research which revealed that 90% of the bills circulated in the U.S. are contaminated with cocaine.

This startling information is a confirmation of the findings of previous studies on the issue. In 1985 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration study showed that a third to a half of all the randomly tested currency in a Federal District Bank had traces of cocaine. In another study, more than 135 bills were tested in seven cities of the country and all except four, were contaminated. Cocaine binds in the green dye in the bill.

Zuo said that the contamination was 100% in cities like Detroit, Boston, Orlando and Los Angeles, 85% in Toronto, 77% in Salt Lake City, Utah, 75% in Brasilia and 20% in Tokyo and Beijing. He also found that $5, $10, $20 and $50 had greater chances of contamination. 

The quantity of contamination could vary between a nanogram (one-billionth of a gram) to milligram. Thus it actually does not pose any health risk. But those who have to handle an extremely large number of bills everyday – in bank tellers or soft rooms of casinos- repeatedly inhale cocaine involuntarily and has a chance of being positive on a drug test report.

Money gets contaminated if a cocaine user snorts with it and also during drug deals. But not all money gets infected that way. In powdered form cocaine is extremely fine. So when a dirty bill is processed or sorted through the machines, traces of the drug are easily passed on to the other bills in the same batch. Thus bills also get infected through ATMs, counting machines in banks and casinos. Whatever be it, the fact remains that the initial contamination was through the drug users and dealers.

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Why do people take drugs?

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Facts, Drug Rehabilitation on July 29th, 2009

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I  have been dealing with substance abusers for more than fifteen years. I have seen bright young potentials getting lost and wasted under the influence of drugs.

The society has lost some of its human resources that it would have otherwise loved to treasure – doctors, engineers, academicians. Many a time I hear people saying that drug addiction is on the decline.

But I beg to differ from them. It is true that the trend has changed, but the menace of drug addiction still continues to maintain its overpowering nature grasping the young generation under its venomous claws.

“Why did you start taking drugs” – is one of the basic questions that are asked to people having problems with the substance. Interesting enough, a large majority say “Just for fun”. It is true that none of the drug users start using drugs to get hooked to it. Some can manage to stop after having the fun while others fail. They become drug dependents.

Some of the most common factors that lead to drug use are

Curiosity and the urge to experiment – teenagers are always trying to experiment with new things. They are curious to experience the feeling of “high” associated with the use of a drug. This could be the starting point of addiction.

Peer pressure – teenagers always strive to conform to their peer group. Drug abuse in the peer group is a risk factor.

Stress – resulting from problems at school / college, work pressure, strained relationship, financial difficulties.

Frustration and depression resulting from several factors like failed romance, bereavement, marital problems, academic failure.

Mental illness – to overcome depression, anxiety.

Physical conditions like severe pain, insomnia, etc. might lead to abusing prescription drugs.

Loneliness and boredom.

Childhood trauma.

Family history of addiction.

A knowledge of these causative factors will help you in assessing the vulnerability of your child and helping him to stay away from drugs.

Looking forward to your suggestions, tips, and experience!

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Contributors

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Other Addictions on June 23rd, 2009

TeamWe are a group of concerned parents, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors whose goal is to promote drug free homes everywhere in the world. We believe that the abuse of drugs can hurt families and relationships, and so we aim to bring relevant information about drug abuse, drug abuse prevention, drug abuse treatment and drug testing to help families deal with the challenges of drug addiction.

Not all of us are writers, but each one of us has a mission — to inform, inspire and ignite change. We devote our time and effort to different tasks that all lead to one goal, and that is to build drug free communities. We are united by a shared passion to keep parents and kids away from the real dangers of illegal drugs.

Join our discussions by leaving comments on posts or sending us emails.

Contributors

Editor

Fleur Li

Technical Writers

Dana Williams
Christine Taylor

Contact Information

5663 Balboa Ave #464 , San Diego CA 92111
info@drugfreehomes.org
(1) 800 908 5663

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