FACT - Drug Abuse in America is at an all time high. More Americans are ending up sick, in the hospitals, and in emergency rooms from drugs then ever before.
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Information About Prescription Drug Abuse - Pain relievers
Granted, society is 5-8 years late recognizing this serious problem, but at least it is now out in full view.
Prescribed problem Illegal use of medications a growing concern
OHIO - 2009 - The Daily Record - The stereotypical view of drug addicts buying their daily fix in small bags in back alleys is giving way to a new reality of prescription drug abuse where pharmaceuticals come in plastic bottles with a prescription pasted on the side.
Police and drug enforcement are dealing with a growing threat in the form of abuse of pharmaceutical opiates such as Oxycontin, Vicodin and Percocet. Typically prescribed for pain through legitimate prescriptions, obtained by deceptive means, or raiding medicine cabinets, the drugs are creating a new culture of addicts and dealers.
Only the OraPoint on-site drug screen effectively screens for these prescription pain relievers.
The problem with pharmaceutical opiates, according to Medway Drug Enforcement Agency Director David Smith, has grown in recent years so much it had to double its pharmaceutical diversion unit.
"If they learn there's an easy mark out there, they'll travel. Within that type of community, that word travels real fast. I'm sure they go to rural areas because they assume no one's watching, (rather) than to go to a bigger city," Smith said. "We have seen people from all over, not just adjacent counties, (but) two, three counties away."
The pharmaceutical diversion unit began May 2008, with aid of grant funding, consisting of former Wayne County Sheriff's deputy Jim Garrett. Bill Hofer, a former Wooster Police officer, came on in May to help with the caseload.
Cases investigated come from complaints filed, whether it's a doctor's office, a pharmacy, law enforcement or anonymous tips.
Medway made seven buys of Xanax in 2008, compared to two buys in 2007, and six buys of Oxycontin in 2008, compared to one buy in 2007. Other opiates purchased in 2008, not seen in 2007, include morphine, Darvocet, Lorazepam, Percocet, Klonopin and Hydrocodone.
Garrett said he has done a lot of outreach to local pharmacies, hospitals and they have been receptive and cooperative.
"They're on the front lines, they have a keen sense of observation," he said of local doctors. "Red flags will go up. They'll either question it or call us."
In 2008, Wooster Police reported 29 thefts of medication. So far this year, 11 thefts of medication were reported, Chief Steve Glick said.
"It's a tough one for us to do anything in a preventative measure because it's going to be happening inside people's homes," Glick said. "... It's kind of a wide ranging problem. Drugs like cocaine have to be imported and have to get here. Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, those drugs are readily available, and it's not the health profession's fault necessarily, it's just the fact that the drugs are available because they are prescribed."
Millersburg Police detective Sgt. Roger Estill said investigations have turned up instances of trafficking as well as addiction involving opiate-based prescription drugs. The drugs are often obtained through fraudulent means from pharmacies and emergency rooms, prompting physicians and pharmacists to watch for signs that illegal activity is occurring.
"I don't think there is an increase in activity. What's happening is an increase in reporting," Estill said. "The medical community is looking for it more, were getting a lot of cooperation from pharmacies."
Two individuals facing felony charges in Holmes County Common Pleas Court are charged with using deceptive means to obtain the drugs. The cases involve a 48-year-old Millersburg man who tried to get a prescription filled twice after claiming to have lost the first prescription, and a 28-year-old Warsaw woman charged with changing the number of pills on a prescription form.
In both cases, the drugs were legally prescribed by a physician, only not in the amounts requested.
"I find that when you go talk to them, they acknowledge it's a problem, but they don't know how to address the problem," Garrett said of people addicted to opiates. "They're just embarrassed to come to their family and say 'I have a problem.' Unfortunately, it takes us to contact them to admit it."
Friday, May 22, 2009
Oregon Discovers Prescription Drug Abuse Problem
May 21, 2009 Source-ABC News
MEDFORD, Ore. - The number of people abusing prescription pain medication is on the rise across the country.
Non-medical prescription drug-related deaths has risen by nearly 115-percent nationwide in the last few years.
"It's a little bit more difficult to catch people, because people will have a prescription for it, or maybe they obtained it fraudulently," says Sergeant Phil Eastman with the Medford Police Department.
Eastman supervises the Street Drug Unit with the Medford Police Department. He says the department sees at least one person a week trying to fill a fraudulent prescription, and the department is trying to crack down on prescription drug dealers.
"Those dealers are no different than meth dealers or heroine dealers," says Eastman.
Police admit it's hard to catch the dealers because many have a prescription themselves.
"Part of the attraction is the availability, the ease at which they can obtain the drugs," says Eastman.
Males ages 18-to-25 are the most common abusers of prescription drugs.
The MPD says it is even seeing school age kids abusing.
"I think it's no different that a kid finding dad's Jack Daniel's in the liquor cabinet, and he just takes a drink of it," says Eastman.
Medford's Addiction Recovery Center says prescription drug abuse is it's largest area of growth in the last year.
"It starts becoming an issue of taking medication just to relieve symptoms that are created by taking the medication. so it becomes a spiral," says ARC Operations Director Ed Burns.
ARC says it used to see an average of three to four people in its programs on a typical day. Now, it's anywhere from 12 to 15.
The MPD says the top two prescription drugs abused in the area are OxyContin and Methadone.
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Effective Oral Fluid Drug Tests
MEDFORD, Ore. - The number of people abusing prescription pain medication is on the rise across the country.
Non-medical prescription drug-related deaths has risen by nearly 115-percent nationwide in the last few years.
"It's a little bit more difficult to catch people, because people will have a prescription for it, or maybe they obtained it fraudulently," says Sergeant Phil Eastman with the Medford Police Department.
Eastman supervises the Street Drug Unit with the Medford Police Department. He says the department sees at least one person a week trying to fill a fraudulent prescription, and the department is trying to crack down on prescription drug dealers.
"Those dealers are no different than meth dealers or heroine dealers," says Eastman.
Police admit it's hard to catch the dealers because many have a prescription themselves.
"Part of the attraction is the availability, the ease at which they can obtain the drugs," says Eastman.
Males ages 18-to-25 are the most common abusers of prescription drugs.
The MPD says it is even seeing school age kids abusing.
"I think it's no different that a kid finding dad's Jack Daniel's in the liquor cabinet, and he just takes a drink of it," says Eastman.
Medford's Addiction Recovery Center says prescription drug abuse is it's largest area of growth in the last year.
"It starts becoming an issue of taking medication just to relieve symptoms that are created by taking the medication. so it becomes a spiral," says ARC Operations Director Ed Burns.
ARC says it used to see an average of three to four people in its programs on a typical day. Now, it's anywhere from 12 to 15.
The MPD says the top two prescription drugs abused in the area are OxyContin and Methadone.
Navigent3.com
Effective Oral Fluid Drug Tests
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Mexican Drug Cartels are the "New Mafia"
As Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told the Senate Judiciary Committee this month, Mexican cartels have infiltrated as many as 230 U.S. cities and now represent the most serious organized crime threat to the United States. In other words, the horse is already out of the barn.
According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million people 12 and older used cocaine in the previous year, and 2.4 million were current users.
So the question is not so much how to stop the drugs from getting into the country as how to stop the drugs from getting inside of us. Reduce the demand and the supply takes care of itself.
Kerlikowske, the drug czar, said he wants to see more emphasis put on drug treatment and less on incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses. "We are not at war with people in this country," he told the Journal.
But a battle rages nonetheless. And he'll need to rally the troops. For the foe is cunning, capturing the brain. In a war, that would be the strategic high ground, and it must be retaken if we are to win.
via Courtland Miloy - Courtland Milloy: Drug Treatment - washingtonpost.com.
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Oral Fluid Drug Screens - Orapoint Technology
According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6 million people 12 and older used cocaine in the previous year, and 2.4 million were current users.
So the question is not so much how to stop the drugs from getting into the country as how to stop the drugs from getting inside of us. Reduce the demand and the supply takes care of itself.
Kerlikowske, the drug czar, said he wants to see more emphasis put on drug treatment and less on incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses. "We are not at war with people in this country," he told the Journal.
But a battle rages nonetheless. And he'll need to rally the troops. For the foe is cunning, capturing the brain. In a war, that would be the strategic high ground, and it must be retaken if we are to win.
via Courtland Miloy - Courtland Milloy: Drug Treatment - washingtonpost.com.
www.navigent3.com
Oral Fluid Drug Screens - Orapoint Technology
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Teen Drug Abuse on Rise
Police say teen drug abuse is on the rise in the Desert Southwest, as the number of hospital visits for drug abuse is increasing nationwide. Police say kids are having "pharming" parties; they show up with their pharmaceutical drugs, dump them in a bowl, and have at it. Yuma Police Department School Resource Officer Erick Resendiz held a presentation Wednesday night at City Hall as part of the Yuma Education Series. His message is if you abuse drugs, you're taking your life in your hands.
"We don't want to be responding to your house for an overdose when we can be responding to your house for advice on how to stop it," says Resendiz. Drugs can take a perfectly normal person, and turn them into a zombie. Resendiz says more kids in town are potentially throwing their future down the drain. He says police are seeing "over the counter and prescription drug abuse. Kids are trying any drug, if they have a drug that affects them somehow they think well if I take it more, can it help, will it help me." Resendiz also says more kids are inhaling toxins. Why are they doing drugs? To get high, deal with problems, change their body, help with school work, and a slew of other reasons. Resendiz says kids can find information on how to abuse drugs with the click of a mouse. "There's also experiment websites; sites they (kids) can go on-line that tell them how to abuse these drugs to get better highs safer. They even have rules like they're supposed to have a watcher; someone who can standby them when they're getting high in case something goes wrong." Resendiz says once a kid starts abusing drugs, they'll become a completely different person. Signs and symptoms of look out for: "Changes in behavior, changes in appearance, drastic things that don't normally happen in juveniles. Kids are giving away their belongings, they're losing an inappropriate amount of weight."
Resendiz says you can potentially save a loved ones life by getting them help before it's too late, and also studies show that if you talk to your child about not doing drugs, they'll be more likely to stay away from them. His advice for anyone is "don't even try them, don't even abuse them, don't take them any way, you shouldn't take them unless prescribed by a doctor. If you're already taking them get help, before you get past that addiction point where you can't get help anymore." For more information on Wednesday night's presentation, or for ideas on future presentation topics for the Yuma Educational Series, contact Officer Resendiz at the Yuma Police Department.
www.navigent3.com
Oral Fluid Drug Tests
"We don't want to be responding to your house for an overdose when we can be responding to your house for advice on how to stop it," says Resendiz. Drugs can take a perfectly normal person, and turn them into a zombie. Resendiz says more kids in town are potentially throwing their future down the drain. He says police are seeing "over the counter and prescription drug abuse. Kids are trying any drug, if they have a drug that affects them somehow they think well if I take it more, can it help, will it help me." Resendiz also says more kids are inhaling toxins. Why are they doing drugs? To get high, deal with problems, change their body, help with school work, and a slew of other reasons. Resendiz says kids can find information on how to abuse drugs with the click of a mouse. "There's also experiment websites; sites they (kids) can go on-line that tell them how to abuse these drugs to get better highs safer. They even have rules like they're supposed to have a watcher; someone who can standby them when they're getting high in case something goes wrong." Resendiz says once a kid starts abusing drugs, they'll become a completely different person. Signs and symptoms of look out for: "Changes in behavior, changes in appearance, drastic things that don't normally happen in juveniles. Kids are giving away their belongings, they're losing an inappropriate amount of weight."
Resendiz says you can potentially save a loved ones life by getting them help before it's too late, and also studies show that if you talk to your child about not doing drugs, they'll be more likely to stay away from them. His advice for anyone is "don't even try them, don't even abuse them, don't take them any way, you shouldn't take them unless prescribed by a doctor. If you're already taking them get help, before you get past that addiction point where you can't get help anymore." For more information on Wednesday night's presentation, or for ideas on future presentation topics for the Yuma Educational Series, contact Officer Resendiz at the Yuma Police Department.
www.navigent3.com
Oral Fluid Drug Tests
Federal Government Survey - Prescription Drug Abuse is the Real Problem
Prescription Drug Abuse
Despite the prevalence of prescription drug abuse, especially pain releivers such as Oxycontin and Vicodin, most organizations.. including federal mandated DOT drug testing do not monitor their use.
A recent Federal Survey* says prescription drug abuse by teens and young adults continues to be a serious problem in the United States.
Today, teenagers are not using as much marijuana, cocaine, crack, LSD, and ecstasy as the adolescents of the 1960’s. American kids have a new favorite way to get high; painkillers and other prescription drugs are being abused at record levels.
This group of young adults has been given the name “Generation Rx.”
For the first time, national studies show that today’s teens are more likely to have abused a prescription painkiller than any street drug.
Surveys shows, that kids as young as 12 years old are trying or using prescription drugs -- to get high or for "self-medicating." The pharmaceuticals are often more available to kids than street drugs because they are often found in their very own homes. Also, pills may regarded as safer because they are professionally manufactured in a lab.
The survey also shows that painkillers are the most common pharmaceutical abused by teens with stimulant abuse more common among older teens and college students than younger teens.
Many young adults think these drugs are safe because they have legitimate uses, but taking them without a prescription to get high or to “self-medicate” can be as dangerous – and as addictive – as using street any drug they find on the streets.
*The Monitoring the Future survey – now in it’s 33rd year – is a series of classroom surveys of eight, tenth and twelfth graders. It is conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan under a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the national Institutes of Health (NIH), and US Dept. of Health of Human Services (HHS).
The survey indicates a continuing high rate of prescription drug abuse among teens, with little change seen in the past six years. In fact, seven of the top 10 drugs abused were prescribed or purchased over the counter. The most common drugs used were Vicodin and Oxycontin.
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Drug Free Workplace Solutions
- Orapoint oral fluid drug screen
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Study: Delinquency and Drug Abuse
Adolescent Risk-Taking Has Major Consequences When It Comes To Marriage
Delinquency linked to early marriage for both sexes, substance-abuse to later marriage for girls
April 21, 2009
BUFFALO, N. Y. -- A national study of data collected over 12 years finds that delinquent teens marry earlier than their peers, while substance-abusing teens -- especially girls who abuse marijuana -- marry later than peers, if at all.
"The Influence of Risk-Taking Behaviors on the Transition into Marriage: An Examination of the Long-Term Consequences of Adolescent Behavior" by University at Buffalo sociologist Sampson Lee Blair, Ph.D., is a rare look at the long-term effects of teen delinquency and drug abuse on adult role attainment.
Delinquency was defined as anti-social behavior, including frequency of running away, arrests, physical fights and behavioral problems in school.
The study analyzed data from a U.S. Department of Education survey collected from a nationally representative sample of 9,813 young adults from 1988 to 2000. The results were presented at the March conference of the Eastern Sociological Society in Baltimore, Md.
The results are significant, says Blair, associate professor of sociology at UB, because in the U.S. marriage is commonly regarded as offering substantial economic, social and health advantages for individuals. The vast majority of high school girls -- much more so than boys -- tend to view marriage as "extremely important" to them.
But adolescent substance abuse and delinquent behaviors, he says, clearly have far-reaching consequences for the marital status of young adults, particularly girls.
"Most previous studies have focused on the relatively short-term effects of adolescent substance use and delinquency," he says, "but here we find good evidence that, for both sexes, delinquent behavior is linked to an increase in the likelihood of marriage and a lower age at first marriage. On the other hand, adolescents with relatively high levels of abuse of alcohol and marijuana have a lower likelihood of marriage even by their late 20s.
"The likelihood of marriage by that age is substantially lower among female adolescent substance abusers, particularly if the substance abused is marijuana."
He says the results suggest that delinquency and substance abuse may influence adolescents' orientation toward other adult roles as well.
The analyses employed data from 5,331 females and 4,482 males participants in the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS), a nationally representative sample of high school students that collected information from respondents over a 12-year period.
NELS, conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, collected data from surveys of students, parents, teachers and school administrators in 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994 and 2000, at which time most of the students in the sample were in their mid- to late-20s, had completed their educational goals and had already entered into marriage.
Adolescent respondents were asked about the frequency of their alcohol use and marijuana use; delinquent and anti-social behavior, including frequency of running away, arrests, physical fights and school problems (cutting classes, skipping school, getting into trouble for violating rules, suspension or probation, transfer for disciplinary reasons).
The study also assessed data relative to family income, parental expectations about college attendance and the importance peers placed on various activities like going to parties, drinking alcohol, having sex and using drugs. Control measures for the race/ethnicity of respondents were used as well.
"It is certainly the case that many of these variables had an effect on the timing of the participants' marital experience," Blair says.
"Nevertheless, this analysis clearly suggests that even when all of them are considered, adolescent substance abuse and delinquent behaviors have far-reaching consequences for the marital status of young adults," he says.
"Additional research is needed to learn how developmental processes of adolescence are affected by delinquent behavior and substance abuse and the relative influences of these sex-based differences on other forms of adult status attainment."
Blair is a widely published expert in the sociology of the family, child and adolescent development, gender and ethnicity. He is the former editor of the journal Sociological Inquiry and former associate editor of Social Justice Research Journal of Family Issues and Marriage and Family Review.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities
www.navigent3.com
Drug Free Solutions
Delinquency linked to early marriage for both sexes, substance-abuse to later marriage for girls
UB sociologist Sampson Blair studies marriage and family. His latest research shows that deliquent teens marry earlier in life, while teenage girls who smoke marijuana marry later than peers.
April 21, 2009
BUFFALO, N. Y. -- A national study of data collected over 12 years finds that delinquent teens marry earlier than their peers, while substance-abusing teens -- especially girls who abuse marijuana -- marry later than peers, if at all.
"The Influence of Risk-Taking Behaviors on the Transition into Marriage: An Examination of the Long-Term Consequences of Adolescent Behavior" by University at Buffalo sociologist Sampson Lee Blair, Ph.D., is a rare look at the long-term effects of teen delinquency and drug abuse on adult role attainment.
Delinquency was defined as anti-social behavior, including frequency of running away, arrests, physical fights and behavioral problems in school.
The study analyzed data from a U.S. Department of Education survey collected from a nationally representative sample of 9,813 young adults from 1988 to 2000. The results were presented at the March conference of the Eastern Sociological Society in Baltimore, Md.
The results are significant, says Blair, associate professor of sociology at UB, because in the U.S. marriage is commonly regarded as offering substantial economic, social and health advantages for individuals. The vast majority of high school girls -- much more so than boys -- tend to view marriage as "extremely important" to them.
But adolescent substance abuse and delinquent behaviors, he says, clearly have far-reaching consequences for the marital status of young adults, particularly girls.
"Most previous studies have focused on the relatively short-term effects of adolescent substance use and delinquency," he says, "but here we find good evidence that, for both sexes, delinquent behavior is linked to an increase in the likelihood of marriage and a lower age at first marriage. On the other hand, adolescents with relatively high levels of abuse of alcohol and marijuana have a lower likelihood of marriage even by their late 20s.
"The likelihood of marriage by that age is substantially lower among female adolescent substance abusers, particularly if the substance abused is marijuana."
He says the results suggest that delinquency and substance abuse may influence adolescents' orientation toward other adult roles as well.
The analyses employed data from 5,331 females and 4,482 males participants in the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS), a nationally representative sample of high school students that collected information from respondents over a 12-year period.
NELS, conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, collected data from surveys of students, parents, teachers and school administrators in 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994 and 2000, at which time most of the students in the sample were in their mid- to late-20s, had completed their educational goals and had already entered into marriage.
Adolescent respondents were asked about the frequency of their alcohol use and marijuana use; delinquent and anti-social behavior, including frequency of running away, arrests, physical fights and school problems (cutting classes, skipping school, getting into trouble for violating rules, suspension or probation, transfer for disciplinary reasons).
The study also assessed data relative to family income, parental expectations about college attendance and the importance peers placed on various activities like going to parties, drinking alcohol, having sex and using drugs. Control measures for the race/ethnicity of respondents were used as well.
"It is certainly the case that many of these variables had an effect on the timing of the participants' marital experience," Blair says.
"Nevertheless, this analysis clearly suggests that even when all of them are considered, adolescent substance abuse and delinquent behaviors have far-reaching consequences for the marital status of young adults," he says.
"Additional research is needed to learn how developmental processes of adolescence are affected by delinquent behavior and substance abuse and the relative influences of these sex-based differences on other forms of adult status attainment."
Blair is a widely published expert in the sociology of the family, child and adolescent development, gender and ethnicity. He is the former editor of the journal Sociological Inquiry and former associate editor of Social Justice Research Journal of Family Issues and Marriage and Family Review.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities
www.navigent3.com
Drug Free Solutions
Prescription Drug Abuse - Teens
Source: StatesmanJournal.com
This is not about a teen mistakenly taking the wrong medication or dose. This is about the intentional use of a drug to get high. Aside from the mistaken idea that medicine is safe, what has led to the increased abuse in our youth?
Access: The drugs are easy to get. They can be purchased on the Internet, taken from the family medicine cabinet or purchased from friends.
Awareness: The visibility of these drugs has increased through television advertisements. Teens have also learned to access information about using and mixing these drugs for a "personalized effect" on the Internet.
Attitude: teens believe that since these drugs have a medical use, they are less risky than illegal drugs.
Reducing risks
Some ways to reduce the risk of prescription and OTC drug abuse in your home:
-Make your expectations and values clear by setting a good example. Always use prescription and OTC drugs as directed.
-Take inventory of the drugs stored in your home. Properly destroy unused or outdated medication.
-Monitor Internet use in your home. It is easy for anyone to purchase prescription drugs or access information about mixing drugs.
-Of course, the most important thing you can do is talk to your kids about the risks of abusing prescription or OTC drugs. Let them know that using any medicine other than directed is just as dangerous as using an illegal drug.
This is not about a teen mistakenly taking the wrong medication or dose. This is about the intentional use of a drug to get high. Aside from the mistaken idea that medicine is safe, what has led to the increased abuse in our youth?
Availability: There are many prescription and over-the-counter drugs that have potential for abuse. They are being used more frequently and are readily available.
Access: The drugs are easy to get. They can be purchased on the Internet, taken from the family medicine cabinet or purchased from friends.
Awareness: The visibility of these drugs has increased through television advertisements. Teens have also learned to access information about using and mixing these drugs for a "personalized effect" on the Internet.
Attitude: teens believe that since these drugs have a medical use, they are less risky than illegal drugs.
Reducing risks
Some ways to reduce the risk of prescription and OTC drug abuse in your home:
-Make your expectations and values clear by setting a good example. Always use prescription and OTC drugs as directed.
-Take inventory of the drugs stored in your home. Properly destroy unused or outdated medication.
-Monitor Internet use in your home. It is easy for anyone to purchase prescription drugs or access information about mixing drugs.
-Of course, the most important thing you can do is talk to your kids about the risks of abusing prescription or OTC drugs. Let them know that using any medicine other than directed is just as dangerous as using an illegal drug.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Utah - Program to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse
Task force to fight prescription drug abuse
April 16th, 2009 @ 11:49am
SALT LAKE CITY -- A new task force will fight the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in Utah.
The number of deaths related to non-illicit drugs in the state doubled between 2001 and 2007.
Members of the Utah Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Project say they will work with federal law enforcement as well as public health workers to pinpoint where the drugs are being bought, sold or used improperly.
They also will launch a series of public service announcements warning people about the dangers of prescription drug abuse
April 16th, 2009 @ 11:49am
SALT LAKE CITY -- A new task force will fight the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in Utah.
The number of deaths related to non-illicit drugs in the state doubled between 2001 and 2007.
Members of the Utah Pharmaceutical Drug Crime Project say they will work with federal law enforcement as well as public health workers to pinpoint where the drugs are being bought, sold or used improperly.
They also will launch a series of public service announcements warning people about the dangers of prescription drug abuse
Saturday, April 11, 2009
2008 Report - Substance Abuse Treatment Data
Highlights for 2007 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS)
The report provides information on the demographic and substance abuse characteristics of the 1.8 million annual admissions to treatment for abuse of alcohol and drugs in facilities that report to individual State administrative data systems. TEDS does not include all admissions to substance abuse treatment. In general, facilities reporting TEDS data are those that receive State alcohol and/or drug agency funds (including Federal Block Grant funds) for the provision of alcohol and/or drug treatment services.
Five substances accounted for 96 percent of all TEDS admissions in 2007:
alcohol (40 percent);
opiates (19 percent; primarily heroin);
marijuana/hashish (16 percent);
cocaine (13 percent); and stimulants
(8 percent, primarily methamphetamine.
More than two-thirds (69 percent) of all alcohol-only admissions were non- Hispanic White
For primary heroin admissions, the average age at admission was 36 years.
Just over half (53 percent) of primary non-heroin opiate admissions were male
Non-heroin opiates admissions are increasing from from 1 percent of all admissions in 1997 to 5 percent in 2007. These drugs include codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, morphine, opium, oxycodone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, and any other drug with morphine-like effects. Non-prescription use of methadone is not included.
Methamphetamine/Amphetamine and Other Stimulants* * The proportion of admissions for abuse of methamphetamine/amphetamine and other stimulants increased from 4 percent in 1997 to a high of 9 percent in 2005. In 2006 admissions decreased to 8 percent and remained at 8 percent in 2007.
The report provides information on the demographic and substance abuse characteristics of the 1.8 million annual admissions to treatment for abuse of alcohol and drugs in facilities that report to individual State administrative data systems. TEDS does not include all admissions to substance abuse treatment. In general, facilities reporting TEDS data are those that receive State alcohol and/or drug agency funds (including Federal Block Grant funds) for the provision of alcohol and/or drug treatment services.
Five substances accounted for 96 percent of all TEDS admissions in 2007:
alcohol (40 percent);
opiates (19 percent; primarily heroin);
marijuana/hashish (16 percent);
cocaine (13 percent); and stimulants
(8 percent, primarily methamphetamine.
More than two-thirds (69 percent) of all alcohol-only admissions were non- Hispanic White
For primary heroin admissions, the average age at admission was 36 years.
Just over half (53 percent) of primary non-heroin opiate admissions were male
Non-heroin opiates admissions are increasing from from 1 percent of all admissions in 1997 to 5 percent in 2007. These drugs include codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, morphine, opium, oxycodone, pentazocine, propoxyphene, tramadol, and any other drug with morphine-like effects. Non-prescription use of methadone is not included.
Methamphetamine/Amphetamine and Other Stimulants* * The proportion of admissions for abuse of methamphetamine/amphetamine and other stimulants increased from 4 percent in 1997 to a high of 9 percent in 2005. In 2006 admissions decreased to 8 percent and remained at 8 percent in 2007.
Drugged Driving - 30% of traffic fatalities
New 2008 Study by CANADIAN CENTRE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE CANADIAN CENTRE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE
2008 study shows that while fewer people driving after drinking, more doing so after taking drugs.
There is growing evidence that drug impairment is a major contributor to collisions, such as a 2004 study showed that drugs, often combined with alcohol, were detected in up to 30% of fatally injured drivers. The fact that people are driving after using drugs suggests that they don't think the use of drugs impairs their ability to drive a car or that they don't believe the police can do anything about it.
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Oral Fluid Technology
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Why is Prescription Drug Abuse So Common?
(Source: THE EXAMINER.COM)
"Twice as many teens died from prescription-drug overdoses in 2006 as from methamphetamines, heroin and cocaine combined”
- Arizona State Health Department.
Nowadays, we tend to think of environmental dangers as being threats from the outside. Whether it be air pollutants, man-made disasters or unspeakable crimes, these external threats are seen by many as inexcusable, preventable and foreign. Nonetheless, a major threat facing the Valley does not come from the outside but instead comes from a secure, friendly environment--the home. The threat: prescription drugs. Unfortunately, many seem to forget that the home milieu can be dangerous as well.
This may be due to the constant reminders of negative world events inundating our television sets every night, or the frequent sightings of emergency vehicles in-action as one drives home from work; whatever the case, these external threats seem to blind us to the dangers closest to us.
This point is poignantly illustrated by a recent article from the Arizona Republic entitled “Are you your kid’s drug dealer?”. The writer gives a personal account of a local mother’s hapless experience when her teenage son came close to death as the result of a drug overdose at school. As expected, the mother was shocked to hear that her son had overdosed and prescription medication was the culprit.
Should we really be shocked anymore? We live in an age where seemingly anything can happen--and does happen. Teenagers today are exposed to countless threats, more so than decades ago.
So what has changed within the past 10 or 20 years to make kids more vulnerable to prescription-drug abuse? The answers are many; however, I would like to focus on one possible reason-- unethical physicians.
Although may doctors are ethical, law-abiding citizens--there are many doctors that write a death sentence with their prescription pads.
I readily saw this abuse of power from one doctor during my time in retail pharmacy. For over a year, I worked as a pharmacy technician while going to school, and during this time, I would see this one physician constantly write prescriptions for heavy-duty narcotics; this person would charge patients outrageous co-pays for the “legal” reception of narcotics.
Just like a street corner in an impoverished neighborhood, this doctor was using our pharmacy as a pick-up spot for his drug-dealings. Although it was clear that these actions were very questionable to say the least, the doctor technically did not do anything illegal that warranted legal recourse.
Although the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has cracked down on unlawful doctors--more has to be done in order to prevent rampant prescription-drug abuse.
Unfortunately, dangers will always be a part of society. Some will be apparent and others, like the shadowy doctor, will be less so.
"Twice as many teens died from prescription-drug overdoses in 2006 as from methamphetamines, heroin and cocaine combined”
- Arizona State Health Department.
Nowadays, we tend to think of environmental dangers as being threats from the outside. Whether it be air pollutants, man-made disasters or unspeakable crimes, these external threats are seen by many as inexcusable, preventable and foreign. Nonetheless, a major threat facing the Valley does not come from the outside but instead comes from a secure, friendly environment--the home. The threat: prescription drugs. Unfortunately, many seem to forget that the home milieu can be dangerous as well.
This may be due to the constant reminders of negative world events inundating our television sets every night, or the frequent sightings of emergency vehicles in-action as one drives home from work; whatever the case, these external threats seem to blind us to the dangers closest to us.
This point is poignantly illustrated by a recent article from the Arizona Republic entitled “Are you your kid’s drug dealer?”. The writer gives a personal account of a local mother’s hapless experience when her teenage son came close to death as the result of a drug overdose at school. As expected, the mother was shocked to hear that her son had overdosed and prescription medication was the culprit.
Should we really be shocked anymore? We live in an age where seemingly anything can happen--and does happen. Teenagers today are exposed to countless threats, more so than decades ago.
So what has changed within the past 10 or 20 years to make kids more vulnerable to prescription-drug abuse? The answers are many; however, I would like to focus on one possible reason-- unethical physicians.
Although may doctors are ethical, law-abiding citizens--there are many doctors that write a death sentence with their prescription pads.
I readily saw this abuse of power from one doctor during my time in retail pharmacy. For over a year, I worked as a pharmacy technician while going to school, and during this time, I would see this one physician constantly write prescriptions for heavy-duty narcotics; this person would charge patients outrageous co-pays for the “legal” reception of narcotics.
Just like a street corner in an impoverished neighborhood, this doctor was using our pharmacy as a pick-up spot for his drug-dealings. Although it was clear that these actions were very questionable to say the least, the doctor technically did not do anything illegal that warranted legal recourse.
Although the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has cracked down on unlawful doctors--more has to be done in order to prevent rampant prescription-drug abuse.
Unfortunately, dangers will always be a part of society. Some will be apparent and others, like the shadowy doctor, will be less so.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Employee Assistance Programs / Support Groups
For People Who Have a Substance Use Disorder
Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www. alcoholics-anonymous.org
Chemically Dependent Anonymous: http://www.cdaweb.org
Cocaine Anonymous: http://www.ca.orgCrystal
Meth Anonymous: http://www.crystalmeth.org
Heroin Anonymous: http://www. heroin-anonymous.org
LifeRing Secular Recovery: http://www.unhooked.com
Marijuana Anonymous: http://www. marijuana-anonymous.org
Methadone Anonymous: http://www.methadone-anonymous.org
Narcotics Anonymous: http://www. na.org
Secular Organizations for Sobriety/Save Our Selves: http://www.sossobriety.org
SMART Recovery: http://www. smartrecovery.org
Women for Sobriety: http://www. womenforsobriety.org
For People With Co-Occurring Disorders
Double Trouble in Recovery: http://www.doubletroubleinrecovery.org
Dual Recovery Anonymous: http://www.dualrecovery.org
For Families, Friends, and Significant Others
Al-Anon/Alateen: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
Co-Anon: http://www.co-anon.org
Families Anonymous: http://www.familiesanonymous.org
Nar-Anon: http://nar-anon.org
Navigent3
Drug Free Workplace Solutions
Drug / Substance Abuse Support Groups
For People Who Have a Substance Use Disorder
Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www. alcoholics-anonymous.org
Chemically Dependent Anonymous: http://www.cdaweb.org
Cocaine Anonymous: http://www.ca.orgCrystal
Meth Anonymous: http://www.crystalmeth.org
Heroin Anonymous: http://www. heroin-anonymous.org
LifeRing Secular Recovery: http://www.unhooked.com
Marijuana Anonymous: http://www. marijuana-anonymous.org
Methadone Anonymous: http://www.methadone-anonymous.org
Narcotics Anonymous: http://www. na.org
Secular Organizations for Sobriety/Save Our Selves: http://www.sossobriety.org
SMART Recovery: http://www. smartrecovery.org
Women for Sobriety: http://www. womenforsobriety.org
For People With Co-Occurring Disorders
Double Trouble in Recovery: http://www.doubletroubleinrecovery.org
Dual Recovery Anonymous: http://www.dualrecovery.org
For Families, Friends, and Significant Others
Al-Anon/Alateen: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org
Co-Anon: http://www.co-anon.org
Families Anonymous: http://www.familiesanonymous.org
Nar-Anon: http://nar-anon.org
Navigent3
Drug Free Workplace Solutions
Reason NOT to use Urine for Drug Testing
Oral fluid drug screens target parent compounds, and do so at a much greater sensitivity vs. urine. The below is an example of how certain drugs can case "false positives" with urine-based drug test kits:
Potential to Interact with Urine Drug Test Kit
Amphetamines / Methamphetamines
Pharmaceutical Name Brand Name Drug Use
Amantadine Amantadine Parkinsonism
Bupropion Wellbutrin & Zyban Antidepressant&Smoking cessation
Chloroquine AralenTreats Malaria
Chlorpromazine Thorazine, Largactil Psychotic disorders
Desipramine Norpramin Antidepressant
Dextroamphetamine Dexedrine Narcolepsy "sleep
Ephedrine Ephedra and Ma Huang Amphetamines
Fenfluramine Fen Phen Diet pill outlawed by FDA Labetalol Labetalol Blood Pressure
Mexiletine Mexitil Cardiovascular
n-acetyl procainamide Procainmide Cardiovascular
Phentremine Adipex/Obenix/Oby-Trim Diet Pills
Propranolol Inderal Cardiovascular
Phencyclidine
(PCP)
Dextromethorphan Dextromethorphan Cough treatment
Diphenhydramine Benadryl Allergies
Thioridazine Mellaril RidarilinCanada Tranquilizer
Venlafaxine Effexor Antidepressant
Potential to Interact with Urine Drug Test Kit
Amphetamines / Methamphetamines
Pharmaceutical Name Brand Name Drug Use
Amantadine Amantadine Parkinsonism
Bupropion Wellbutrin & Zyban Antidepressant&Smoking cessation
Chloroquine AralenTreats Malaria
Chlorpromazine Thorazine, Largactil Psychotic disorders
Desipramine Norpramin Antidepressant
Dextroamphetamine Dexedrine Narcolepsy "sleep
Ephedrine Ephedra and Ma Huang Amphetamines
Fenfluramine Fen Phen Diet pill outlawed by FDA Labetalol Labetalol Blood Pressure
Mexiletine Mexitil Cardiovascular
n-acetyl procainamide Procainmide Cardiovascular
Phentremine Adipex/Obenix/Oby-Trim Diet Pills
Propranolol Inderal Cardiovascular
Phencyclidine
(PCP)
Dextromethorphan Dextromethorphan Cough treatment
Diphenhydramine Benadryl Allergies
Thioridazine Mellaril RidarilinCanada Tranquilizer
Venlafaxine Effexor Antidepressant
Friday, April 3, 2009
Student Prescription Pain Reliever Abuse
12.4 percent of young adults age 18 to 25 used prescription pain relievers nonmedically in the past year, and 1.7 percent met the criteria for past year prescription pain reliever dependence or abuse.
How did these young adults get these medications?
According to a recent report from SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies, among young adults age 18 to 25 who used prescription pain relievers nonmedically in the past year, over half (53.0 percent) obtained their most recent pain reliever used nonmedically from a friend or relative for free.
Among young adults age 18 to 25 who used prescription pain relievers nonmedically in the past year and met the criteria for prescription pain reliever dependence or abuse, 37.5 percent obtained their most recent prescription pain relievers for nonmedical purposes for free from a friend or relative, 19.9 percent bought them from a friend or relative, and 13.6 percent obtained them from one doctor.
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