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How to recognize teen drug use

As parents, we say that we want to know everything about our children but we are often uncomfortable or choose to ignore certain attitudes and behaviors in hopes of preserving peace in the family. We rationalize to ourselves that it is just a phase our teenagers are going through and will grow out of. By doing this we often overlook the warning signs that identify teen drug use.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>How to Recognize the Signs of Teen Drug Use</strong></span><br /><ol><li>Observe the appearance and personal hygiene of your teen. Consider whether it has changed. Drug abusers often stop caring about their appearance and personal hygiene.</li><li>Monitor school grades of your teen. Drug abusers lose the ability to focus and their grades begin to drop.</li><li>Question unexplained weight loss in your teen. Drug abusers often experience weight loss. Determine if your child has been ill or recently began a new physical activity or diet. If not, weight loss is certainly a cause for concern.</li><li>Discover who your teen is friends with. Drug abusers often change friends because their old friends don't understand or approve of their drug use.</li><li>Examine the spending habits of your teen. Ask yourself if your teen suddenly needs extra money for lunch, school activities and such. Drug abusers can never get enough and need more and more money to support their habit.</li><li>Scrutinize any sneaky, deceptive behavior of your teen, like lying about where she is going and who she is with. Drug abusers know that drug use in unacceptable, especially to parents so they try to hide any and all evidence.</li></ol><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tips & Warnings:</span></strong><br /><ul><li>If any of these warning signs seem to apply to your teen it is time for you, as a parent, to take a closer look.</li><li>If several of these warning signs apply to your teen, intervention is necessary immediately.</li><li>Teen drug use often begins months, or even years, before parents actually become aware of it.</li><li>The consequences of teen drug use can be devastating, possibly even fatal.</li></ul>

How to recognize teen drug use

As parents, we say that we want to know everything about our children but we are often uncomfortable or choose to ignore certain attitudes a...

6:30 AM

Help you school in drug prevention

<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0qbNhCtOlDdmksXULkQCOETjBUDkiuVjEuOmVt8LpTahyphenhyphenI0yb4dUnsU-GDZpewypYSBcKxp-Xmsl1Sf4Z2JmPrZsqYXiPwz1j80lHFpjsVKaIeo5Q46oxGnP4W-4IhP-HgZ3A7NsSz4E/s1600/4e409a52b7a19_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0qbNhCtOlDdmksXULkQCOETjBUDkiuVjEuOmVt8LpTahyphenhyphenI0yb4dUnsU-GDZpewypYSBcKxp-Xmsl1Sf4Z2JmPrZsqYXiPwz1j80lHFpjsVKaIeo5Q46oxGnP4W-4IhP-HgZ3A7NsSz4E/s200/4e409a52b7a19_image.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Children have the best prospects for leading healthy, drug-free lives when schools support parents in </div>their anti-drug message. There should be nothing confusing or contradictory in what children learn <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">about drugs from the adults in their lives, and school policies need to reflect the same attitude </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">toward alcohol and drugs that you express at home: Drug use is not acceptable. Drugs diminish a </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">child’s ability to concentrate and follow through on academic responsibilities, they cause </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">absenteeism and loss of motivation, and students who use them can be disruptive and drain </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">teachers’ time and energy.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>The best way to ensure that the anti-drug policies at your child’s school are strong is to be involved. </strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>You can: </strong></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Learn about the current policies regarding alcohol and other drugs at your child’s school. If there is no anti-drug policy in place, attend parent volunteer or curriculum review meetings, or schedule an interview with the principal to help develop a policy. The policy should specify what constitutes an alcohol, tobacco or other drug offense, spell out the consequences for failing to follow the rules, and describe procedures for handling violations.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Familiarize yourself with drug education in your child’s school. Faculty members should be trained to teach about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Drug education should be taught in an age-appropriate way at each grade level throughout the year rather than only once during a  pecial week. Drug education may be taught during health class, but all teachers should incorporate anti-drug information into their classes. There should be a parent education component. The school’s program should be based on current research. Depending on the drug education conditions at your child’s school, you may want to become more involved and inform the school administrators that there is a need for improvements in these areas.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynDvpQoL0fKokI8bANbmNRLELXAnbkGCnHLldlIpB79NKdiv7lrAR6rv_FOF1ACY49HhcXPlnJUJMWFglrruL2kUHWHV7IXjQ88WAYp6TH9nkEK2uDf7OCR5ozh30LaalODx0roHUEKXY/s1600/redribbon.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynDvpQoL0fKokI8bANbmNRLELXAnbkGCnHLldlIpB79NKdiv7lrAR6rv_FOF1ACY49HhcXPlnJUJMWFglrruL2kUHWHV7IXjQ88WAYp6TH9nkEK2uDf7OCR5ozh30LaalODx0roHUEKXY/s200/redribbon.bmp" width="152" /></a>Immerse yourself in the school’s drug education program at home. Ask your child to show you any materials distributed during or outside class and take the opportunity to review them together.</li><li>Find out if your child’s school conducts assessments of its drug problem and whether these results are used in the program.  </li><li>Ask what happens to those who are caught abusing drugs. Does the school offer a list of referrals for students who need treatment? </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Request and examine any existing materials. Do they contain a clear message that alcohol, tobacco and other drug use is wrong and harmful? Is the information accurate and up to date?</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Investigate whether your school’s drug program is being evaluated for success. Research indicates that some of the most effective programs emphasize the value of life skills such as coping with anxiety, being assertive and feeling comfortable socially. When these lessons are  combined with drug education, students confronted with drugs are better equipped to resist them.</li></ul>

Help you school in drug prevention

Children have the best prospects for leading healthy, drug-free lives when schools support parents in their anti-drug message. There shoul...

8:12 AM

Tips for Middle School Aged Youth on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyYD0KPXxApjZzAD99XzeuASmaLltBWr7rYXSS4RKWHOQ18qSRIq7GqUgfBCMrYScZW_X9YCQBZAocE4ivR18hkkR6bH8GcZe0M9KmDLIX4EV9zZBUqYgtYOc_YN97ZlzdLy_OH5WWvwF/s1600/article-page-main_ehow_images_a07_iv_4o_reasons-drug-testing-middle-schools-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyYD0KPXxApjZzAD99XzeuASmaLltBWr7rYXSS4RKWHOQ18qSRIq7GqUgfBCMrYScZW_X9YCQBZAocE4ivR18hkkR6bH8GcZe0M9KmDLIX4EV9zZBUqYgtYOc_YN97ZlzdLy_OH5WWvwF/s200/article-page-main_ehow_images_a07_iv_4o_reasons-drug-testing-middle-schools-800x800.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The year your child enters middle school or junior high school is both an exciting and a challenging time. They are little fish in a big pond and often want desperately to fit in. Because your children may now see older students using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and may think they are cool and self-assured, your children may be tempted to try drugs too.<br /><br /><div> </div>Drug use goes up dramatically in the first year of middle school or junior high.<br /><br /><div> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>To help your children make good choices during this critical phase, you should:</strong></div><br /><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Make sure they are well-versed in the reasons to avoid alcohol, tobacco and drugs;</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Get to know their friends by taking them to and from after-school activities, games, the library and movies (while being sensitive to their need to feel independent);</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Volunteer for activities where you can observe your child at school; and</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Get acquainted with the parents of your children’s friends and learn about their children’s interests and habits. If it seems that your child is attracted to those with bad habits, reiterate why drug use is unacceptable.</li></ul><br /><div> </div><strong>To make sure that your child’s life is structured in such a way that drugs have no place in it, you should:</strong><br /><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If possible, arrange to have your children looked after and engaged in the after-school hours if you cannot be with them. Encourage them to get involved with reputable youth groups, arts, music, sports, community service and academic clubs.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVjFb2g1Kke3PWLJ9aGDCyqsa5_sZdfwf_7WyKEyktczf1L-O1dG1AtAQS0bNb6IrDoYBiX8IRkKvMgW3XFYY9kWLRB8iNCNm4uONTFMkNDsPG2ytjT8qZvoYiWcqp_xz9REVpyCZVWPO/s1600/young-boy-w-pills-having-lunch-at-school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVjFb2g1Kke3PWLJ9aGDCyqsa5_sZdfwf_7WyKEyktczf1L-O1dG1AtAQS0bNb6IrDoYBiX8IRkKvMgW3XFYY9kWLRB8iNCNm4uONTFMkNDsPG2ytjT8qZvoYiWcqp_xz9REVpyCZVWPO/s200/young-boy-w-pills-having-lunch-at-school.jpg" width="200" /></a>Make sure children who are unattended for periods during the day feel your presence. Give them a schedule and set limits on their behavior. Give them household chores to accomplish. Enforce a strict phone-in-to-you policy. Leave notes for them around the house. Provide easy-to-find snacks.</li><li>Get to know the parents of your child’s friends. Exchange phone numbers and addresses. Agree to forbid each others’ children from consuming alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in their homes, and pledge that you will inform each other if one of you becomes aware of a child who violates this pact. </li><li> Call parents whose home is to be used for a party. Make sure they can assure you that no alcoholic beverages or illegal substances will be dispensed. Don’t be afraid to check out the party yourself to see that adult supervision is in place. </li><li>Make it easy for your child to leave a place where substances are being used. Discuss with your child in advance how to contact you or another designated adult in order to get a ride home. If another adult provides the transportation, be available to talk to your child about the situation when he or she arrives home. </li><li>Set curfews and enforce them. Weekend curfews might range from 9 p.m. for a fifth-grader to 12:30 a.m. for a senior in high school. </li><li>Encourage open dialogue with your children about their experiences. Tell your child, “I love you and trust you, but I don’t trust the world around you, and I need to know what’s going on in your life so I can be a good parent to you.”</li></ul>

Tips for Middle School Aged Youth on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

The year your child enters middle school or junior high school is both an exciting and a challenging time. They are little fish in a big pon...

12:45 PM

Teachable Moments about Drug Use

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil3472MflN_b3uni1I3XSp0Rp25kq1fKrDXNhOEiRs9tfVMEeKDT7QfAhI_RLg9Bx3gezk8f2xcYlq-Gk6KB19LyYkloARFTgBj_2RETXZxWA4po8x6nChIN6C_3GMy-vQ0d7JEKhth_c/s1600/pd_mom_talking_teen_080303_ms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil3472MflN_b3uni1I3XSp0Rp25kq1fKrDXNhOEiRs9tfVMEeKDT7QfAhI_RLg9Bx3gezk8f2xcYlq-Gk6KB19LyYkloARFTgBj_2RETXZxWA4po8x6nChIN6C_3GMy-vQ0d7JEKhth_c/s200/pd_mom_talking_teen_080303_ms.jpg" width="200" /></a>Having trouble talking to your teen about the risks of drugs and alcohol? Here are five everyday examples of easy ways to bring up the topic. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>Fictional Character</u></strong> -You just took your teen to a PG-13 movie in which one of the main characters drinks and smokes excessively. It’s a good thing you insisted on tagging along, because now you have the opportunity to discuss the film—especially that lead character’s addiction—with your teen. Did your son think the main character’s drug use was cool or did he recognize that she had a problem? </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm4TL_wQe9qqFH-WEAP08IE_CWXnNoLSH_gIUS58En6qWD64ieoGHf1o6NvyO0PGM2ByXODdbyxwdRmwNHolWuhXfnG8PQS3ZFbImd0Zl0PO_lfbrTon1YEsC1aTxnWez9m86WEkwtBfv/s1600/hdr-parentingAdvice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhm4TL_wQe9qqFH-WEAP08IE_CWXnNoLSH_gIUS58En6qWD64ieoGHf1o6NvyO0PGM2ByXODdbyxwdRmwNHolWuhXfnG8PQS3ZFbImd0Zl0PO_lfbrTon1YEsC1aTxnWez9m86WEkwtBfv/s200/hdr-parentingAdvice.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong><u>Movie Star</u></strong> - Your daughter reads every magazine she’s in, owns all her movies, and has her posters taped to her wall. So what happens when her magical movie star goes to rehab for the third time? When that famous face graces the cover of Us Weekly, ask your daughter why she thinks Britney or Lindsay or Paris or whoever it may be this week is such a cool person. If your daughter only cares about her expensive clothes and good looks, remind her that her role model should also be someone who drinks responsibly and either doesn’t do drugs or has taken the initiative to get help for her drug problem. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>Professional Athlete</u></strong> - For as long as you can remember, you’ve taught your daughter that “cheaters never win.” Unfortunately, this holds true when her favorite athlete is in the news for taking drugs. Ask your daughter how she feels about professional athletes using illegal substances of any kind and point out how much it can hurt a person’s career and reputation —especially when they get caught. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv_ii45btbio_QIxbYZVahbQcTfjcHrM6dPo0KA-4V0xbF4Rc9P9rrkDEYVBl1Tc-ORfj6td5rs6oA1650jP9X8Znn5JSOMlo3M8yBtcnlZQo4WfNXnvHteO6egQnLi9WMHUhxtr5CVP3/s1600/Woman-and-girl-in-discussion_Black_249x148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv_ii45btbio_QIxbYZVahbQcTfjcHrM6dPo0KA-4V0xbF4Rc9P9rrkDEYVBl1Tc-ORfj6td5rs6oA1650jP9X8Znn5JSOMlo3M8yBtcnlZQo4WfNXnvHteO6egQnLi9WMHUhxtr5CVP3/s200/Woman-and-girl-in-discussion_Black_249x148.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong><u>Classmate</u></strong> - You don’t need a movie star to get the conversation going with your teen. Two kids in your son’s school each received a DUI over the weekend — and they had other friends in their car when it happened. A lot can come out of this conversation — why drunk driving is so dangerous, the consequences of getting caught, and why you never want your son to get into a car with a friend who’s been using — no matter what. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>Relative</u></strong> - Substance abuse issues can often hit close to home, and it’s important that we’re open and honest with our kids when it happens. I f you can, tell them all the details about your relative who is struggling. Explain why there’s a problem and how you, as a family, are going to do what you can to support one another through this tough time. If your teen isn’t asking a ton of questions, that’s okay—he might be feeling uncomfortable about the topic. It might help to emphasize that while addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life, it is always possible for him or her to make a recovery with the support of friends and family.</li></ul>

Teachable Moments about Drug Use

Having trouble talking to your teen about the risks of drugs and alcohol? Here are five everyday examples of easy ways to bring up the topic...

9:14 AM

The truth about drugs: Teens Lie, but so do their parents!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq4rz_0ZLqvvc33YpEo2B50EOQ2mPDZngA2kC35vC6gbaWy4uFTtm2UWZrjFJ6rA0_7GymAiDMGi1dseiBz-Ave18bUsm7xeEvAxOXJC5JcTl6h67DIFlkC1JcUihdAJ7anJr7TfYx5v/s1600/3_22-Drug-Abuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq4rz_0ZLqvvc33YpEo2B50EOQ2mPDZngA2kC35vC6gbaWy4uFTtm2UWZrjFJ6rA0_7GymAiDMGi1dseiBz-Ave18bUsm7xeEvAxOXJC5JcTl6h67DIFlkC1JcUihdAJ7anJr7TfYx5v/s200/3_22-Drug-Abuse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Teenagers' confidential reports about illicit drug use are used by doctors and public health experts to measure the extent of the problem, and to help teens in trouble. But it turns out that teens fib big time in those anonymous surveys—and their parents do, too.<br /><br /><div></div>A study conducted by researchers asked 432 African-American teenagers and their parents to participate in an anonymous survey about their use of cocaine, opiates, and marijuana, and said they would also be drug-tested. Of the 211 teenagers whose hair was tested for cocaine, 2 said they used it—while 69, or 34 percent, tested positive, according to a new study in Pediatrics. Of the 244 parents tested, 15 said they had used cocaine, while 69, or 28 percent, tested positive.<br /><br /><div></div>The parents surveyed were pretty bad at guessing if their child was using alcohol or drugs. For instance, 9.6 percent of the parents said their teenager drank alcohol, while 25 percent of the teenagers said they did. With marijuana, 9.5 percent of parents said their teenager smoked dope, while 17 percent of the teens said they did.<br /><br /><div></div>This is not the first time that a study to found parents are clueless about teens' drug and alcohol use. That may be because parents tend to shrug off drug and alcohol use as standard teen behavior, according to a survey published last January in Pediatrics. But that cluelessness comes at a price. Early drug and alcohol abuse increases a child's risk of addiction and health problems in adulthood, and also of teenage suicide.<br /><br /><div></div>But the key take-home here is not so much that teens are using drugs, but that they are not likely to admit it. That's not a huge surprise, given that we're talking about illegal behaviors that can have big consequences. The self-reported drug use in the study was typical of the amount reported in national anonymous surveys of drug use for urban neighborhoods. The researchers, at Wayne State University in Detroit, say that relying on anonymous surveys could lead researchers, parents, and pediatricians seriously astray in estimating the health risks teenagers face.<br /><br /><div></div>Parents can increase the likelihood that their children will come to them with questions and concerns about drugs and alcohol if they:<br /><br /><div></div><ul><li>Start talking about the risks of drugs and alcohol when children are still young. Children who learn about drugs and alcohol from their parents are half as likely to use as are children who learn from peers, according to the <a href="http://www.drugfree.org/prevent">Partnership for a Drug-Free America.</a></li><li>Help children rehearse what they will say to peers who want them to drink or use drugs with them; studies have found that practicing responses makes it much more likely that teenagers will successfully fend off peer pressure. </li><li>Use brain science. Researchers now think that teenage brains are more vulnerable to tobacco, drugs, and alcohol because they are still forming vital connections. Drug-prevention efforts increasingly include information on how to keep a teen brain healthy and powerful.</li></ul><br /><div></div>There are a lot of reasons for teenagers (and parents) to say "I don't" when asked about drug use. But by making the perils and lure of illicit substances part of ordinary family discussion, parents may be doing their children a big favor—and may get a clearer sense of the realities of teenage life.<br /><br /><div></div>

The truth about drugs: Teens Lie, but so do their parents!

Teenagers' confidential reports about illicit drug use are used by doctors and public health experts to measure the extent of the proble...

9:00 AM

Drug Alert: Bath Salts

Another drug new drug to be concerned about for parents is "bath salts" This new over the counter drug are being sold with names like “Ivory Wave,” “White Lightning” and “Hurricane Charlie.” But these typical average bath salts that you pour into the bathtub to soak in after a long, hard day to relax – these so-called bath salts are intended to be snorted, smoked or injected – and users are getting high off of them.<br /><br /><br />The $20 packets are available in corner stores, truck stops and on the Internet, and marketed as bath salts or sometimes plant food and come with the (often-ignored) disclaimer, "not for human consumption." They're not subject to regulation even though they contain various potent chemicals, including mephedrone, which is a stimulant. <br /><br />The powders often contain mephedrone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, also known as MDPV, and can cause hallucinations, paranoia, rapid heart rates and suicidal thoughts, authorities say. The chemicals are in products sold legally at convenience stores and on the Internet as bath salts and even plant foods. However, they aren't necessarily being used for the purposes on the label.<br /><br />There are reports all over the country of people experiencing extreme psychotic episodes. "It's a derivative that's very similar to amphetamines, and its side effects are largely the same side effects we see with amphetamines in large dose," said Jeffrey Baldwin, professor of pharmacy practice and pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, which seems not to have experienced this scourge -- at least not yet. "Those side effects would be increased heart rate and blood pressure, not sleeping, not eating and eventually becoming paranoid."<br /><br />"If you take the very worst of some of the other drugs -- LSD and Ecstasy with their hallucinogenic-delusional type properties, PCP with extreme agitation, superhuman strength and combativeness, as well as the stimulant properties of cocaine and meth -- if you take all the worst of those and put them all together this is what you get. It's ugly," added Ryan, who recounted some harrowing stories. <br /><br />"The psychosis is impressive," he said.<br /><br />Once an addled user gets to the emergency room, they're not controllable with normal sedatives such as Valium, even in high doses, Ryan noted. <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScIbeClV-vkIpMrymGbmis0-n-GcQdifQpHKeHSAXxPDA7f1Kl5fRGLf73r4Liau1P6NFgBXNunvqfHtZq8eesBAuK-f3xL-AyhOmhmcxooPwYdoFxIcrv1DDheh8aAOZW0bBx6NLb7LL/s1600/Bath-Salts-Lines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScIbeClV-vkIpMrymGbmis0-n-GcQdifQpHKeHSAXxPDA7f1Kl5fRGLf73r4Liau1P6NFgBXNunvqfHtZq8eesBAuK-f3xL-AyhOmhmcxooPwYdoFxIcrv1DDheh8aAOZW0bBx6NLb7LL/s320/Bath-Salts-Lines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And when doctors try to wean patients off stronger sedatives or even anti psychotic medications, they just become uncontrollable again. "The longest I heard was someone who was sedated for 12 days and the psychosis came right back," Ryan said. "The huge concern is the possibility that some of these effects could be permanent. We don't know because we've never tested it on humans." </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At least with older drugs, sedation works and the patient returns to "normal," at least until they hit the streets again. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Gary Boggs, an executive assistant at the DEA, said there's a lengthy process to restrict these types of designer chemicals, including reviewing the abuse data. But it's a process that can take years.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dr. Mark Ryan, director of Louisiana's poison control center, said he thinks state bans on the chemicals can be effective. He said calls about the chemicals have dropped sharply since Louisiana banned their sale in January.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ryan said cathinone, the parent substance of the drugs, comes from a plant grown in Africa and is regulated. He said MDPV and mephedrone are made in a lab, and they aren't regulated because they're not marketed for human consumption. The stimulants affect neurotransmitters in the brain, he said.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"It causes intense cravings for it. They'll binge on it three or four days before they show up in an ER. Even though it's a horrible trip, they want to do it again and again," Ryan said.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Ryan said at least 25 states have received calls about exposure, including Nevada and California. He said Louisiana leads with the greatest number of cases at 165, or 48 percent of the U.S. total, followed by Florida with at least 38 calls to its poison center.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dr. Rick Gellar, medical director for the California Poison Control System, said the first call about the substances came in Oct. 5, and a handful of calls have followed since. But he warned: "The only way this won't become a problem in California is if federal regulatory agencies get ahead of the curve. This is a brand new thing." </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In the Midwest, the Missouri Poison Center at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center received at least 12 calls in the first two weeks of January about teenagers and young adults abusing such chemicals, said Julie Weber, the center's director. The center received eight calls about the powders all of last year.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dr. Richard Sanders, a general practitioner working in Covington, La., said his son, Dickie, snorted some of the chemicals and endured three days of intermittent delirium. Dickie Sanders missed major arteries when he cut his throat. As he continued to have visions, his physician father tried to calm him. But the elder Sanders said that as he slept, his son went into another room and shot himself.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"If you could see the contortions on his face. It just made him crazy," said Sanders. He added that the coroner's office confirmed the chemicals were detected in his son's blood and urine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sanders warns the substances are far more dangerous than some of their brand names imply.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"I think everybody is taking this extremely lightly. As much as we outlawed it in Louisiana, all these kids cross over to Mississippi and buy whatever they want," he said.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In northern Mississippi's Itawamba County, Sheriff Chris Dickinson said his office has handled about 30 encounters with users of the advertised bath salts in the past two months alone. He said the problem grew last year in his rural area after a Mississippi law began restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in making methamphetamine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU3i1B4QiKP4kKTHSwsMkNV7GWb7QfpWnPEbECdF8Fb6ona_fxMIu6vt4povx7FDABsGNexaRzPsCPAdwfRpVtJhjCn7gQ1qy6V_BZ46dbk9q6t_l78-cTaDOIINCCkZaRsiwTPmkyiwe/s1600/ivorywave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsU3i1B4QiKP4kKTHSwsMkNV7GWb7QfpWnPEbECdF8Fb6ona_fxMIu6vt4povx7FDABsGNexaRzPsCPAdwfRpVtJhjCn7gQ1qy6V_BZ46dbk9q6t_l78-cTaDOIINCCkZaRsiwTPmkyiwe/s1600/ivorywave.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dickinson said most of the bath salt users there have been meth addicts and can be dangerous when using them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"We had a deputy injured a week ago. They were fighting with a guy who thought they were two devils. That's what makes this drug so dangerous," he said.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But Dickinson said the chemicals are legal for now, leaving him no choice but to slap users with a charge of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Kentucky state lawmaker John Tilley said he's moving to block the drug's sale there, preparing a bill for consideration when his legislature convenes shortly. Angry that the powders can be bought legally, he said: "If my 12-year-old can go in a store and buy it, that concerns me."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Illinois has recently banned the sale and possession of the substance.</div>

Drug Alert: Bath Salts

Another drug new drug to be concerned about for parents is "bath salts" This new over the counter drug are being sold with names l...

9:15 AM

Gateway Gazette is now out!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8TM5_8GWhO_GVEACUXbA04tsZ5PO4biO_Mk6m1kJK1PD_uKJIwZ53KrDTtgWRnXF_zNxld2K7Hm4si2hr7E6GtiToE-r87t1Tm-r2JIxhyuzjvPi_wlMgJR2CSr7gUFe-xfIyR3TQxaW/s1600/0309_teen_drug_abuse_170x170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8TM5_8GWhO_GVEACUXbA04tsZ5PO4biO_Mk6m1kJK1PD_uKJIwZ53KrDTtgWRnXF_zNxld2K7Hm4si2hr7E6GtiToE-r87t1Tm-r2JIxhyuzjvPi_wlMgJR2CSr7gUFe-xfIyR3TQxaW/s1600/0309_teen_drug_abuse_170x170.jpg" /></a>Our newest edition of our online newsletter is now available. Read the latest information on gang prevention, drug trends, youth violence and everything prevention related. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Follow the <a href="http://www.openthegate.org/pdf/newsletter/currentissue.pdf">link</a></div>

Gateway Gazette is now out!

Our newest edition of our online newsletter is now available. Read the latest information on gang prevention, drug trends, youth violence an...

7:00 AM

Misuse of Pain Medication is Pathway to High-Risk Behaviors

<div>A recent research study released at Drexel University School of Public Health found a link between those that abuse prescription pain mediation may be an gateway to the use of injected drugs such as heroin. This study was published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, and it explored factors surrounding young injection drug users initiation into the misuse of opioid drugs. The study discovered common factors which included family history of drug misuse and receiving prescriptions for opiod drugs in the past. The result of the study support a need for efforts to prevent misuse of prescription drugs, particularly adolescence.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfWMSiu6Cgt7HJHYBz-s1nOJiVISA4jZWOIXoiLhJxVqM1dtsy4W0G1i90aL6YsEFTfVw1shnDIA-O0Sr_M5y6Qq-aQOLhHpaqTpkYJ9HdsMG6CKilt8-D9AXdWCNYQDObvHJAOXaV7Rb/s1600/prescription_drugs_and_bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikfWMSiu6Cgt7HJHYBz-s1nOJiVISA4jZWOIXoiLhJxVqM1dtsy4W0G1i90aL6YsEFTfVw1shnDIA-O0Sr_M5y6Qq-aQOLhHpaqTpkYJ9HdsMG6CKilt8-D9AXdWCNYQDObvHJAOXaV7Rb/s200/prescription_drugs_and_bottles.jpg" /></a></div><div> Dr. Stephen Lankenau stated the study showed, “Participants were commonly raised in household where misuse of prescription drugs, illegal drugs, or alcohol, was normalized.” As well as “Access to prescription medications – either from a participant’s own source, a family member, or a friend – was a key feature of initiation into prescription drug misuse.”</div><br />In numerous cases, the desire to experiment with a prescription opioid drug (the common class of drugs that includes codeine and oxycodone), combined with financial incentives or pressures from friends to sell available quantities, resulted in escalated patterns of opioid misuse, according to the study.<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Lankenau and fellow researchers detailed two key findings as evidence of an emerging dynamic among misuse of opioid drugs and the use of injection drugs. First, four of five IDUs misused an opioid before injecting heroin, in contrast to more conventional patterns of using opioids as a substitute drug after initiating heroin use. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18o7kYNq_WwlJfiJL4X63J0BJ2Ppl1nmEBL8Rv-T4WwJ1U_qTkn61R8LUUdn84Ss_2Kep3J8o3MFfitBg7Rg6cMeMF74-GsdVvznbjbxFBpaJxZV3Yu6UNyiCYp_KZ4vM9bE2pPo8_mmh/s1600/opiate-abuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18o7kYNq_WwlJfiJL4X63J0BJ2Ppl1nmEBL8Rv-T4WwJ1U_qTkn61R8LUUdn84Ss_2Kep3J8o3MFfitBg7Rg6cMeMF74-GsdVvznbjbxFBpaJxZV3Yu6UNyiCYp_KZ4vM9bE2pPo8_mmh/s200/opiate-abuse.jpg" /></a>Second, in nearly one out of four young IDUs in this study, a prescription opioid was the first type of drug they injected. Prescription opioids are rarely reported at initiation into injection drug use amongst young IDUs. All but two of these participants later transitioned into injecting heroin.</div><br /><div>Opioid misuse is an important public health concern due to the increasing association of opioids with drug dependence and fatal overdose, and much research has focused on the factors affecting how and when people initially misuse opioids. However, descriptive data about initiation into prescription opioid misuse among young injection drug users are scarce.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq4rz_0ZLqvvc33YpEo2B50EOQ2mPDZngA2kC35vC6gbaWy4uFTtm2UWZrjFJ6rA0_7GymAiDMGi1dseiBz-Ave18bUsm7xeEvAxOXJC5JcTl6h67DIFlkC1JcUihdAJ7anJr7TfYx5v/s1600/3_22-Drug-Abuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq4rz_0ZLqvvc33YpEo2B50EOQ2mPDZngA2kC35vC6gbaWy4uFTtm2UWZrjFJ6rA0_7GymAiDMGi1dseiBz-Ave18bUsm7xeEvAxOXJC5JcTl6h67DIFlkC1JcUihdAJ7anJr7TfYx5v/s200/3_22-Drug-Abuse.jpg" /></a>To fill this gap, in this study researchers interviewed 50 young IDUs aged 16 and 25 years old in New York and Los Angeles, who had misused a prescription drug at least three times in the past three months, to study contextual factors leading to their use of opioid drugs. Participants were recruited in natural settings, such as parks, streets, and college campuses, during 2008 and 2009. A mixed-methods research design was utilized that collected both quantitative and qualitative data.</div><br /><div> Additional findings and descriptors of the study population include:</div><ul><li>Most were white, heterosexual males in their early 20s </li><li>Many did not complete high school, were expelled from school, or held back a grade </li><li>Nearly all were homeless at some point, most were currently homeless, and most regarded themselves as “travelers,” (i.e., moving from city to city in search of work, housing, or adventure)</li><li>Most had received a psychological diagnosis, such as depression, anxiety, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and many had a history of drug treatment</li><li>Most generally regarded prescription opioids as readily accessible, valued commodities that could be traded or sold</li><li>Nearly three-quarters had been prescribed an opioid in their lifetime, which occurred on average at 14.6 years old, often for common ailments such as dental procedures or sports injuries</li><li>Most witnessed family members misuse one or more substances during childhood and adolescence, ranging from alcoholism to injecting heroin</li><li>The authors conclude that prevention efforts, especially during adolescence, are needed, and that parents and guardians need to carefully monitor and safeguard all prescription medications, particularly opioids, within the household. Although households where drug use is normalized or where broader social or psychological problems exist are more difficult to remedy with prevention efforts or policy changes, future research examining prescription opioid misuse among a range of adolescents and young adults to better understand the contextual and environmental factors of drug use may yield additional solutions.</li></ul>The article was co-authored by Karol Silva (Drexel University); Michelle Teti (University of Missouri); Alex Harocopos (National Development and Research Institutes); and Jennifer Jackson Bloom and Meghan Treese (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles).<br /><br />Lankenau is also principal investigator of two studies evaluating the effectives of overdose prevention programs in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.<br /><br /><div>Lankenau is an associate professor in the Department of Community Health & Prevention at the Drexel University School of Public Health. He received his PhD and MA degrees in Sociology from the University of Maryland. He earned his BA in Sociology at the University of Vermont.</div><br /><div> <strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: newswise.com</span></strong></div><br /><div></div>

Misuse of Pain Medication is Pathway to High-Risk Behaviors

A recent research study released at Drexel University School of Public Health found a link between those that abuse prescription pain mediat...

11:01 AM

As teen births go down, Drug use goes up!

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM9w6awMepGiWCnlnaYZH81jAhwv3jt-JffFKi3pUtedZ4dpRz2n4P8ns7uQe5yQnvxqSCAziaObR3WFjrKOSl_On6TiQgVhDthUNy8FTFV1WW1h39hAgtCmXJnfUAShQAJjGGcL9X5N3/s1600/teen-pregnancy-rates-rise-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" /></a>A recent <a href="http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/06/u-s-kids-health-teen-births-down-early-drug-use-up/">CNN blog post </a> discussed areport which showed births to adolescents declined for the second consecutive year.  The report was a compilation of statistics from numerous organizations, in which there was a decline in the U.S. The report stated a drop in the adolescent birth rate, from 21.7 per 1,000 girls ages 15-17 (2008) to 20.1 per 1,000 (2009, preliminary data).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There was also other good news, the report also noted that adolescent injury deaths have also decline. This drop in injury-related deaths among teens ages 15-19 from 44 per 100,000 (2008, preliminary data) to 39 per 100,000 (2009, preliminary data). The number also includes teenage driving deaths. These numbers might be an indication that some legislation has had an impact on teen driving, but the researchers also indicated that there could be multiple factors at play.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8TM5_8GWhO_GVEACUXbA04tsZ5PO4biO_Mk6m1kJK1PD_uKJIwZ53KrDTtgWRnXF_zNxld2K7Hm4si2hr7E6GtiToE-r87t1Tm-r2JIxhyuzjvPi_wlMgJR2CSr7gUFe-xfIyR3TQxaW/s1600/0309_teen_drug_abuse_170x170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" /></a>The report is title America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2011 all though the full report is not yet available, <a href="http://www.childstats.gov/index.asp">previous reports</a> are. The group gathers statistics from asthma cases in children to their test scores in math.  The report is a collection of 22 federal agencies. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now for the bad news. The report also found a rise in the proportion of eighth graders who reported using illicit drugs in the past 30 days, from 9 percent (2009) to 10 percent (2010). The report found that more children were likely to live in poverty and fewer children were likely to live with one parent working year round, full time.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Surely this information bears further scrutiny and helps monitor the well being of America's youth.

As teen births go down, Drug use goes up!

A recent CNN blog post discussed areport which showed births to adolescents declined for the second consecutive year. The report was a co...

7:26 AM

Drug Related Suicides - Up for Men!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjwWBm0uT8-xCisBaqbwZFZC8FFXVhwU9zTUyA-BoCZXqbWi92BSnK-adYe-w94t0cq2Wi-SRRlQRL6AoYYbuA62i-hRm9eP7tdoGlWRrOyNg55CNJXxcqD_RT99IQcTws5qf51NaBCod/s1600/teen+drug+addict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" /></a></div>A recent study was released that showed a 55% increase in emergency room visits for drug-related suicide attempts for men aged 21-34 from 2005-2009.  The study was conducted by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).  <br /><br /><div></div>The study found that in 2005 there were 19,024 ER visits for drug-related suicide attempts among men 21 to 34. The number jumped to 29,407 visits in 2009. <br /><br />Antidepressants increased over 155% among men aged 21 to 34, while suicide attempts involving anti-anxiety and insomnia medications increased by 93.4%.  In addition ER visits for suicide attempts among males 35 to 49 that involved narcotic pain relievers nearly doubled from 2005 to 2009 and these numbers almost tripled among men aged 50 and older.<br /><br />In the last several years there have been several high-profile deaths in the media where the cause of death or injury is an accidental overdose, suicide attempt, or suicide, which at times may blur the lines between the two.<br /><br />The growing problem of prescription drug abuse of painkillers, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs and sleep aids. Because of the pervasiveness of the abuse the need for due diligence is imperative. According to Dr. Peter J. Delaney, the Director from SAMSHA who oversaw the study said that, "These drugs are effective, important treatments for pain, insomnia, and or depression, so we don't want to throw the baby out with bath water." Delaney said, "But we need to restrict access to prescription drugs, and keep them in safe, restricted places in homes." The latter helps prevent the medications from falling into the wrong hands. <br /><br />Suicide warning signs in teens or adults who may be considering suicide: <br /><ul><li>change in eating and sleeping habits </li><li>withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities </li><li>violent or rebellious behavior, running away </li><li>drug and alcohol use </li><li>unusual neglect of personal appearance </li><li>persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork </li><li>frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. </li><li>not tolerating praise or rewards </li></ul><br /><div> Be alert to suicide warning signs such as those detailed above. If you see these signs, try to get the person help and if you believe them to be a danger to themselves, call 9-1-1. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK.</div>

Drug Related Suicides - Up for Men!

A recent study was released that showed a 55% increase in emergency room visits for drug-related suicide attempts for men aged 21-34 from 20...

9:31 AM

Teens get twice the visit to the ER over 4th of July Weekend!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyiKRExN4tNSV0QTEz8f1Lx7wJ5zFepqfJ6IOsuU0_Gi9Tc4Yu2kWWrC1Jtwv2kn6_gfgvSe04Oxq85P4m9Zwlc4ZP0eiD47PsT1Y87Nr9GBR0IVwiwtXBsrFMuvji13MwiSC_ifAzMSp/s1600/Thinkstock_H_040611_TeenDrinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" /></a><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) released a report on Emergency Room visits and it found that on July 3rd and 4th teen boys who end up in emergency rooms for drinking-related injuries doubles over the July 4th weekend. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYr88ydoE6kx8ySRx6gIsWyH_N8YPFILWucRnZtV7aTNeoTowIePQ8QB50yBnPrwwJB0IuE9nQKNQ9Y3InvFfRbYiHEHMsuPEdfkDGzPSBlVamgX94R3GogHX0t__dYsp00wLKBXZGCNMN/s1600/emergency-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">According to the report, drinking on July 3 and 4th results in a daily average of 1,000 youth under the age of 21 two thirds of them male - to the Emergency Room for problems related to alcohol use the report stated.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Drinking related injuries include actions such as fights, car accidents and other types of incidents. Drinking teens and young adults, are at a high rate of risk for all those activities. The report for SAMSHA released a statistics from July 4th, 2009, that showed 622 boys and 304 girls ended up in the emergency room. It also revealed that emergency room visits for girls held steady throughout the month of July, but that the number for boys doubled over the holiday weekend. </div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDsZtwNYX6K3eY_AlbUjbRhHVRj5YjgnqUMGFncR1p9K1W5rt0Rn-O6oSKovbg8UNg8o9_mSWIdaqh7MssWwVEMfzwAtlm6IwaZBinuTF0pIBG78GXwUNpn-uL2qXZmrUbjTUrhNhoIej/s1600/teen_drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" /></a> </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Delany said drinking-related injuries are from fights, car accidents and other mishaps. When kids drink, "they are at greater risk for all those activities that can get you hurt," he explained.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The information was gathered from the <a href="http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k10/DAWN034/EDHighlights.cfm">2009 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) report</a>, conducted by SAMSHA, which reports drug related hospital emergency department visits around the country. </div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When it's a holiday weekend, what we are finding now is that kids, especially young men, are ending up at the emergency room because of alcohol-related problems at almost double as what they would on any other day during July," said Peter Delany, director of SAMHSA's Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Parents take the time to monitor your children, but also take the time to have that conversation with your young adult children as well. We as adults believe our 18, 19 and 20 year olds can take care of themselves. The reality and that statistics show that they are at a higher risk. Have that conversation with them. Here are some quick tips to help you have those conversations.</div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are here to make it clear that we will not tolerate any drug or alcohol use by you. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We have rules in the family. The rules do not permit teen drug and alcohol use. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Even though you think everyone is using drugs or alcohol, it is illegal and not allowable. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You can endanger your life and the lives of others. We don’t want anything bad to happen to you. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We count on you as a family member. Your brothers and sisters look up to you and care about you. What would they do if you were gone? </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Drug and alcohol use can ruin your future and chances to…graduate, go to college, get a job, and keep your driver’s license. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are here to support you. What can I do to help you not use? </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Sometimes kids use drugs and alcohol because there are other issues going on like stress, unhappiness and social issues. Have you thought about this? Are there other problems you want to talk about? </li><li>Are your friends using? How are you handling that? Is it hard to not use in that environment? </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We won’t give up on you because we love you. We’re going to be on your case until you stop completely. If you need professional help, we will be there to support you and help make it happen.</li></ul>

Teens get twice the visit to the ER over 4th of July Weekend!

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) released a report on Emergency Room visits and it found that on ...

6:30 AM

Sythetic Cannabis: Spice and their friends

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi4qst9hrGMnQVLxtKprZCCnGzlfnjSI8b9YDvIYKvnEeQXBApUx34lNoJ2zH9rPTlVfPOvzNrodvbXoWoW_OeFzwjvxDPBe1Lb2-f1sYyHh3PKTxB671bel_jMxX7sqGLPAYIucBEsh-/s1600/800px-Spice_drug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi4qst9hrGMnQVLxtKprZCCnGzlfnjSI8b9YDvIYKvnEeQXBApUx34lNoJ2zH9rPTlVfPOvzNrodvbXoWoW_OeFzwjvxDPBe1Lb2-f1sYyHh3PKTxB671bel_jMxX7sqGLPAYIucBEsh-/s200/800px-Spice_drug.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_cannabis">Spice</a> is a new herbal blend being sold legally in some locations and not in others. The ingredients according to users are herbal and natural. But when synthetic cannabis blends first went on sale in the early 2000s it was thought that they achieved an effect through a mixture of legal herbs. A Laboratory analysis in 2008 showed this was not true and that they in fact contained synthetic cannabinoids which act on the body in a similar way to cannabinoids naturally found in cannabis, such as THC. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkESJoNUBEOj1P1ED5c3OV0-Km68BR9Zad9rd6TLUNogaGsvvhdRw8tLvk31m7p1WUjj4ya6RUbPBg1qrMCcfglwn-N-KVgr49yI3yXpRW-kma-Zr2YqZo9T-urdIENA8Pcbbbm3BfrrDP/s1600/234L_1_Synthetic_drug_K2_pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkESJoNUBEOj1P1ED5c3OV0-Km68BR9Zad9rd6TLUNogaGsvvhdRw8tLvk31m7p1WUjj4ya6RUbPBg1qrMCcfglwn-N-KVgr49yI3yXpRW-kma-Zr2YqZo9T-urdIENA8Pcbbbm3BfrrDP/s200/234L_1_Synthetic_drug_K2_pic.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A large and complex variety of synthetic cannabinoids, most often cannabicyclohexanol, JWH-018, JWH-073, or HU-210, are used in an attempt to avoid the laws which make cannabis illegal, making synthetic cannabis a designer drug. It has been sold under various brand names, online, in head shops and at some gas stations.</div><br />Spice is smoked the same way organic cannabis is smoked. But unlike cannabis, it takes longer for the hit to take effect, but once it does, it's effects last much longer. For the novice user who may have experienced organic cannabis their belief that the drug will kick in normally might pose a risk to attempts to smoke much greater amounts than they would with the organic cannabis.   <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPHiZEqXsiIHpOv6vsNwVgvoSJaTTcUhf36D-5-8eHLBSbrWuOtKgveTMyYaIRzM2tNxQqIHdN3uT0Cn6Vg6rX424Z4VPSiOA76fsZebAlJ1gJPCZudQHhERCYiTa7zI7tq4LrIBfROtU/s1600/teen-drug-use2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPHiZEqXsiIHpOv6vsNwVgvoSJaTTcUhf36D-5-8eHLBSbrWuOtKgveTMyYaIRzM2tNxQqIHdN3uT0Cn6Vg6rX424Z4VPSiOA76fsZebAlJ1gJPCZudQHhERCYiTa7zI7tq4LrIBfROtU/s200/teen-drug-use2.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>Parents need to pay attention to what their children are doing and using and yes your children can say to you "No, Mom this isn't illegal!"  The difficult battle for parents, law enforcement and legislators is to stay aware of and involved in drug trends as they occur. As with these synthetic cannaboinoids, the legal system is slow to react and needs to be coaxed by legislators, parents and law enforcement. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Regardless of legality, parents, adults, educators, law enforcement and legislators need to be proactive and involved in understanding several issues. First, anything that a teen uses to create an intoxicating or hallucinating state should be a concern. There are many legal products that teens and adults use that create a brief intense "high!" Products that are readily available and legal might include glue, dust off spray, paint, paint thinner and other household products. Second, because these products skirt the legal system and were never truly intended to be used to get a "high." the risk of side effects are greatly increased.  The potential for side effects including exposure to cancer causing materials and psychological issues can be greatly increased. Lastly, you should have the <a href="http://www.theantidrug.com/advice/safeguarding-and-monitoring/conversation-tips/default.aspx">conversation </a>with your child or teen regarding their use and abuse of drugs. Parents who have those conversations greatly reduce the risk of your child experimenting or conducting risk taking behavior. This includes sending a clear unambiguous message to your child about your views of drug abuse and the risk surrounding it. </div>.

Sythetic Cannabis: Spice and their friends

Spice is a new herbal blend being sold legally in some locations and not in others. The ingredients according to users are herbal and natur...

8:21 AM

Legal Drug Can Cause Dangerous Effects for Children!

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRmpupOfXKiR9Y6WOQOdcBKOKX2JJ-llg8L_1BA9m1kIqQRM-SJlvqyzchbeQurv0rZ3_j5lWYhjwTuyxE4Z_FK8W1EuYBlrSnDDn5Y3mdQU_pjs1sOH1S345L059nBoNKJuL2eK0ZPKq/s1600/lazycakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRmpupOfXKiR9Y6WOQOdcBKOKX2JJ-llg8L_1BA9m1kIqQRM-SJlvqyzchbeQurv0rZ3_j5lWYhjwTuyxE4Z_FK8W1EuYBlrSnDDn5Y3mdQU_pjs1sOH1S345L059nBoNKJuL2eK0ZPKq/s200/lazycakes2.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>I am sure many of you have heard about brownies that have had weed mixed into them and cooked. But I am relatively sure that most have not heard about "Lazy Cakes!" <a href="http://www.mylazycakes.com/">"Lazy Cakes!"</a> are marketed as herbal brownies designed to help adults de-stress. The brownies contain a high dosage of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin">melatonin</a>, a hormone that helps people sleep. According to the "Lazy Cakes" website, each brownie contains two servings or about 8 mg of the hormone. According to medical experts most people need a much smaller does of melatonin when it is used as a sleep aid.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2OLkToBDhi0tf5vIruC9xsMEzvy8zOsCERFvnFmYi7Us449H2AmG8UveyWvjBTK9dQMmg7iSnFf1JRzdWrm8DrRTBXoAYn_O7C8RtQqrvp8E9fV9CWAN47q_lUQuJAnE8HrYxKX36aE1/s1600/lazycakesingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2OLkToBDhi0tf5vIruC9xsMEzvy8zOsCERFvnFmYi7Us449H2AmG8UveyWvjBTK9dQMmg7iSnFf1JRzdWrm8DrRTBXoAYn_O7C8RtQqrvp8E9fV9CWAN47q_lUQuJAnE8HrYxKX36aE1/s200/lazycakesingredients.jpg" t8="true" width="181" /></a>The problem with this product is that seen in the picture it's cutsie marketing and cartoon character appearance is clearly marketed at children and teenagers. Lazy Cakes are currently available in most convenience stores throughout the country. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">According to Dr. David Zich of Northwestern Memorial Hospital "Melatonin helps calm us down. It also lowers our core temperature and prepares us for sleep." But there are risks. "Melatonin can actually cause seizures in people who are predisposed to it. If you're a woman trying to get pregnant, or a man trying to start a family, it can interfere with your ability to start a family." For children and teens the effects may be more profound. Since "Lazy Cakes" have hit the market there have been several reports of children being hospitalized after eating them. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div>Currently Arkansas became to first state to ban "Lazy Cakes."  Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has sent a letter to the FDA requesting them to regulate "Lazy Cakes."<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QBBs5nLGdf48q59phrBKbvOGAjxBixJfS_RIHKxjsMNiaQ3UT2PYakIt_-Zk1RSSxavZoqH3XerW0Vz_cL-hZycXyH8YOorLkWR6sL9kzQtbcx-wFpsjnlrPGi4LIOAKx5ywNDMq0Q9G/s1600/kushcakes2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QBBs5nLGdf48q59phrBKbvOGAjxBixJfS_RIHKxjsMNiaQ3UT2PYakIt_-Zk1RSSxavZoqH3XerW0Vz_cL-hZycXyH8YOorLkWR6sL9kzQtbcx-wFpsjnlrPGi4LIOAKx5ywNDMq0Q9G/s200/kushcakes2.png" t8="true" width="170" /></a>But where there is one there are others, including <a href="http://www.kush-cakes.com/">"Kush Cakes"</a> and "Lulla Pies"  On the Kush Cakes website the warn that they should be taken with alcohol, and then contradicts itself with a this listing on the FAQ page, <em>"<span style="color: yellow;">4. Are Kush Cakes safe to eat while drinking alcohol?" "Does a 1 legged duck swim circles? Of course! You can eat a Kush Cake while enjoying a nice cold beer, or glass of wine perhaps. Be careful, you may get REALLY relaxed. Oh no!"</span></em><span style="color: yellow;"> </span>This seems extremely contradictory and can be misleading to children and teenagers. According to Kush Cakes "<span style="color: yellow;"><em>are made with more potent concentrated cakes are baked with love, our proprietary blend of natural ingredients and of course lots and lots of luscious chocolate!"</em> </span>but a listing of their ingredients are not readily available. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdx-qhGZvOHG4nyeVtsdM-pFPpA1IAsXAIkFe_4wVJiKzWUlOI8NjvlDH4mrXbLrZcMz7ATQbHDbjS24elJNiPeeVs_8Zw1vg-USofGCLwEZ0t0v-dMLpVJz-BStwPgYYfRhZC7OOhevw/s1600/188167_222780781069567_8352917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdx-qhGZvOHG4nyeVtsdM-pFPpA1IAsXAIkFe_4wVJiKzWUlOI8NjvlDH4mrXbLrZcMz7ATQbHDbjS24elJNiPeeVs_8Zw1vg-USofGCLwEZ0t0v-dMLpVJz-BStwPgYYfRhZC7OOhevw/s1600/188167_222780781069567_8352917_n.jpg" t8="true" /></a>Then there are <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lulla-Pies/222780781069567">"Lulla Pies"</a> which are either a cookie or brownie. Seriously do adults need to use brownies or cookies to relax, are we all that stressed that cookies help us relax, my opinion is no! But these very items are extremely popular with children and teens "chocolate goodness" how would we feel if we labeled "heroin" with "chocolate goodness" would we feel better about it, NO! Now before you get worked up I am not saying the two are the same. But the ambiguity that we are allowing to be sent to our children is setting them up to begin using drugs or drug infused foods to help them deal with "stress" at even an earliar age! That to me is a recipe for disaster!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">These items are directly targeting the population that is looking for legal alternatives to getting high or increasing their high through poly drug use.  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Either way this is another clear attempt of marketing that is designed to be attractive to children and teens. Otherwise why not market them like many other brownies packets in plain clear plastic with the label on them. These colorful, character driven packaging are marketed to your kids. Contact your legislature, community leader to let them hear your dissatisfaction with this really bad idea.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>

Legal Drug Can Cause Dangerous Effects for Children!

I am sure many of you have heard about brownies that have had weed mixed into them and cooked. But I am relatively sure that most have not h...

9:30 AM

Teens Suicide: On the Rise!

Teen years are very tumultuous times for both the teens and parents alike. Being aware of the differences between depression and normal teenager behavior before a tragic outcome occurs is what every parent wants. <br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_bJock7fzeIXTQWXCAw5iWmo-fLMnPfoXJJYPIYH5g6LJCU3g-yygUI8xyPkiaEUF1XS49AXPqXhWPcMv2h4cLwynjRZoE1nlcXlUlr8U1bm2yFDOSwSqxiy8I2kfxIMecWn3NlK5U1e/s1600/teen+suicide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="92" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_bJock7fzeIXTQWXCAw5iWmo-fLMnPfoXJJYPIYH5g6LJCU3g-yygUI8xyPkiaEUF1XS49AXPqXhWPcMv2h4cLwynjRZoE1nlcXlUlr8U1bm2yFDOSwSqxiy8I2kfxIMecWn3NlK5U1e/s200/teen+suicide1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Teen suicides were on a decline in the 1990’s, but about five years ago the suicide rate began to rise. A report in the March 2, 2010 edition of the Kansas City Star reported that there is “no one can explain with certainty the reason for the increase, expert’s points to teens having more pressures at home and at school, financial worries for families and the increase of alcohol and drug use.”</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Every 100 minutes a teen commits suicide in the United States, which means that on average 14 teens commit suicide every day. How prevalent is it really? One of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers is suicide. The Centers for Disease control report that it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing is the fact that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What is rarely reported is that there is what is called a “ripple effect”, according to Dr. Fred Newton, the director of counseling services at Kansas State University. The “ripple effect means that one suicide affects at least six other people. That means the effect without counseling can be felt for years afterwards.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Causes of teen suicide </strong></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdhTyL7zW_kmNjYLjIJ31Q4QtbPPE6ITplB2UZp1WYgAcCJV9llr7SzHfdYyYYEZKQ-8GYm4kT1mf1c7fZrEr_Tgj_Sfn4L8TfYUWAYxrgZM13XZEyoMx5fjiaFMwSlN6Fmwwr8fHKg1z/s1600/teen+suicide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdhTyL7zW_kmNjYLjIJ31Q4QtbPPE6ITplB2UZp1WYgAcCJV9llr7SzHfdYyYYEZKQ-8GYm4kT1mf1c7fZrEr_Tgj_Sfn4L8TfYUWAYxrgZM13XZEyoMx5fjiaFMwSlN6Fmwwr8fHKg1z/s200/teen+suicide2.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are several different factors that made lead a teenager to take his or her life, but the most common is depression. Feelings of hopelessness and anxiety, along with feelings of being trapped in a life that one can't handle, are very real contributors to teen suicide. In some cases, teenagers believe that suicide is the only way to solve their problems. The pressures of life seem too much to cope with, and some teenagers look at suicide as a welcome escape. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Other factors that may contribute to teen suicide include:  </div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Divorce of parents. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Violence in the home. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Inability to find success at school. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Feelings of worthlessness. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Rejection by friends or peers. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Substance abuse. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Death of someone close to the teenager. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The suicide of a friend or someone he or she "knows" online. </li></ul><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Signs that your teenager may attempt suicide </strong></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is important to be on the look out for signs that your teen may attempt suicide. What is so difficult about some of these warning signs of teen suicide is that some of them are similar to normal adolescent behavior. The teenage years are a trying time, and sometimes normal behavior looks a lot like possibly destructive behavior. But it doesn't hurt to look into the following warning signs of teen suicide: </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Talks about death and/or suicide (maybe even with a joking manner). </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Plans ways to kill him or herself. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Expresses worries that nobody cares about him or her. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Has attempted suicide in the past. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dramatic changes in personality and behavior.</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Withdraws from interacting with friends and family. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shows signs of depression. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shows signs of a substance abuse problem. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Begins to act recklessly and engage in risk-taking behaviors. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Begins to give away sentimental possessions. </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Spends time online interacting with people who glamorize suicide and maybe even form suicide pacts. </li></ul><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Preventing teen suicide </strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Often, preventing teen suicide means treating teen depression. Since 75 % of the people who commit suicide are depressed (according to the University of Texas), it is a good start to begin by treating the symptoms of teen depression. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFZzt0jB9EU5zwJCGl-Y6N_93IRcH30XRy3uI7Lqvv1_ODbvALslNZ4EaNovDf2cgiuI1BHutGKS8IoTSX2y2p9nbzrSRQ-61tM9drlfOL_cRqyd3vEHmXlHZTOoHVEvMLGYShqNAw47-/s1600/teen+suicide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFZzt0jB9EU5zwJCGl-Y6N_93IRcH30XRy3uI7Lqvv1_ODbvALslNZ4EaNovDf2cgiuI1BHutGKS8IoTSX2y2p9nbzrSRQ-61tM9drlfOL_cRqyd3vEHmXlHZTOoHVEvMLGYShqNAw47-/s200/teen+suicide.jpg" width="200" /></a>It is possible to get professional help in preventing teen suicide. Indeed, this is a preferred option. If you are concerned about your teenager, talk to your child's doctor about the available options and therapies for teen depression. You should see someone immediately (and never leave your teen alone) if you suspect that a suicide attempt is imminent. Some things you might try include: </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  <br /><u>Counseling.</u> This can be done individually or as a family. Techniques allow your teenager to learn to cope with life. Often, when a teen learns how to handle problems (and families learn how to help), the desire to kill him or herself dissipates. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>Residential treatment.</u> This is treatment in which a suicidal teen goes elsewhere to live for a time. This can be a special treatment facility, or it can be a therapeutic boarding school. In these settings, the teenager is monitored 24/7 in order to prevent a suicide attempt. Additionally, most residential treatment facilities have trained professional staff that can help a suicidal teen. </div></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><u>Medication.</u> This is often seen as a last resort, or as something complementary to other treatments. It is important to note that in some teenagers, medication can have the opposite effect desired; some studies show that for some teens anti-depressants actually increase the chance of teen suicide. Carefully consider your teen's needs before medicating. </div></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><br /><div>  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is important to treat your child with respect and understanding. Show your unconditional love, and offer emotional support. It is important that a teen considering suicide feel loved and wanted. Show your teenager that it is possible to overcome life's challenges, and make sure that he or she knows that you are willing to help out. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>

Teens Suicide: On the Rise!

Teen years are very tumultuous times for both the teens and parents alike. Being aware of the differences between depression and normal teen...

10:59 AM

Single Parent Tips: 10 Tips for Preventing Teen Drug use

<div style="text-align: justify;">Raising healthy and responsible teenagers is one of the most difficult tasks for parents today. As children grow older, they become more susceptible to peer pressure and the negative influences generated by society.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">10 things parents can do to keep their teens from dabbling in drug use. Follow the tips below to build a drug-free family:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><ol><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U8aE_qvqIqe0k6h0wP8pPjtcNU0A4ufXiHb-y0X_e9bwcgv1MdaAPikQFir4R0CVm7Sr03QAy58ozidRDnyL1VAuwgNXErQTs4DCnkORJlQ7bq4KoNzB9Ob4uOIohCgRKDE6jubdh8zz/s1600/parenting-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U8aE_qvqIqe0k6h0wP8pPjtcNU0A4ufXiHb-y0X_e9bwcgv1MdaAPikQFir4R0CVm7Sr03QAy58ozidRDnyL1VAuwgNXErQTs4DCnkORJlQ7bq4KoNzB9Ob4uOIohCgRKDE6jubdh8zz/s200/parenting-A.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong>Be there for your teen when he needs to get out of a bad situation</strong>. - Be the scapegoat: ‘I can’t do that, my parents would kill me!’ Or be the parent who will pick up your teen without repercussions if he finds the party he’s gone too has drugs available or her date has been drinking.</div></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Get to know your teen’s friends and their parents on a first name basis.</strong> Ths will help you know what your teen is doing and you may make a good friend to boot!</div></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Keep connected in the after school hours.</strong> If you can’t be home with your teen, call and leave notes. Have another adult supervise your teen, or sign him up for an after school program. If these things aren’t possible, establish a routine for your teenager and keep him busy during this time.</div></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Talk to your teen often about drugs.</strong>  Use ice breakers from television shows or the radio in the car. Remember these are conversations, not lectures.</div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Get your teen involved in extra-curricular activities.</strong>  Schools offer sports or clubs and community organizations offer classes and youth groups. These will help him mold his identity in a positive way and give him less time doing nothing and becoming bored. Studies have shown teens that have less time to just hang out are less likely to do drugs. </div></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ask questions when your teen makes plans to go out.</strong>  Who will he be with, where is he going, what will he be doing, etc. Then check up on him. Call other parents and do this together.</div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be a role model.</strong>  If you drink, drink responsibly – and don’t ever use illegal drugs. </div></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Unite your family against drugs using strong family beliefs.</strong>  Establish that your family doesn’t use drugs. Not that you will shun your child should he make a mistake, but that your family believes there are other healthier ways to enjoy life and fix problems rather than escaping into a drug haze.</div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qbDF3DLHHaN5HQO5pK29p_aUwMw9QDJX9eA9nZM8dxNL_Y12UpJrpcMUTexzKf6m1QkPNtCYy3YxyYRZ2OID4PLUJNt-C2n_6jRwapHQ2eaoZebPVCc8DdDvB5JtlrWdmpSqORnUA0bc/s1600/imagesCA58414E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qbDF3DLHHaN5HQO5pK29p_aUwMw9QDJX9eA9nZM8dxNL_Y12UpJrpcMUTexzKf6m1QkPNtCYy3YxyYRZ2OID4PLUJNt-C2n_6jRwapHQ2eaoZebPVCc8DdDvB5JtlrWdmpSqORnUA0bc/s200/imagesCA58414E.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong>Connect with your teen by doing things together as a family.</strong>  Make this a routine outing and have your teen help plan it. Eat family meals together. Studies have shown that kids who enjoy dinner together with their parents on a normal basis are less likely to become involved with drugs.</div></div></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Drop any baggage you may be carrying.</strong>  Don’t allow the mistakes you made as a teenager or young adult to influence your teen in a negative way. Tap into the mature adult you’ve become and let the past go.</div></li></ol>

Single Parent Tips: 10 Tips for Preventing Teen Drug use

Raising healthy and responsible teenagers is one of the most difficult tasks for parents today. As children grow older, they become more sus...

12:20 PM

Hallucinogen Drugs

<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">DMT</span></u></strong><br /><strong>What is DMT?</strong> DMT is found in a variety of plants and seeds; it can also be produced synthetically.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><strong>Street Names</strong> - "businessman's trip," "fantasia" <br /><br /><div></div><div></div><strong>How is it taken?</strong> Sniffed, Smoked, Injected<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><strong>What are the effects?</strong> The effects of DMT are known as a "trip" and last only 45 minutes to one hour. DMT has no effect when taken orally; unless it is combined with certain drugs.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><strong>What are the dangers?</strong> It causes impaired judgment that often leads to rash decisions and accidents. It can cause extremely frightening trips or flashbacks.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><strong>Is it addictive?</strong> It is not considered an addictive drug like cocaine, heroin or alcohol because it does not produce the same compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, like addictive drugs, it produces greater tolerance in some users who take the drug repeatedly. These users must take higher doses to achieve the same results as they have had in the past. This could be an extremely dangerous practice because of the unpredictability of the drug effect on an individual.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">LSD</span></u></strong><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>What is LSD?</strong> LSD is the most potent hallucinogen known to man. LSD is derived from a fungus that grows on rye and other grains; however, it is also semi-synthetic and is chemically manufactured in illegal laboratories.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><strong>Street Names</strong> - "acid" <br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>How is it taken?</strong> LSD is usually taken orally, but it is sometimes inhaled or injected. Pure LSD is a white, odorless crystalline powder that is soluble in water. Because an effective dose of the pure drug is almost invisible, it is mixed with other substances, such as sugar, and sold in the following forms: </div><ul><li>Blotter acid: paper, usually with pictures on one side, that has been soaked in an LSD solution.</li><li>Capsules.</li><li>Microdots: tablets.</li><li>Solutions.</li><li>Window panes: thin squares of gelatin.</li></ul><br /><div></div><div><strong>What are the effects?</strong> An LSD "trip" can last eight to 10 hours. Physical reactions include dilated pupils, lowered body temperature, nausea, "goose bumps," profuse perspiration, increased blood sugar and rapid heart rate. LSD causes the user to have hallucinations and intense emotions: </div><div>  </div><ul><li>During the first hour after ingestion, the user may experience visual changes, with extreme changes in mood. </li><li>In the hallucinatory state, the user may suffer impaired depth and time perception, accompanied by distorted perception of the size and shape of objects, movements, color, sound, touch and the user's own body image.</li><li>LSD can impair judgment and concentration, and invoke a distorted sense of self-preservation leading to physical risk.</li><li>Effects can be dependent on the user's environment, mood and the people around him or her.</li></ul><br /><div>  </div><div> <strong>What are the dangers?</strong></div><ul><li> LSD can impair judgment and concentration, and invoke a distorted sense of self-preservation leading to physical risk.</li><li>A high dosage or impure mixture can produce a "bad trip" (acute anxiety reactions, paranoia, feelings of loss of control). </li><li>Once a "trip" begins, there is no way to stop it.</li><li>Flashbacks or recurrences of parts of a "trip" can occur days or months after taking the last dose.</li><li>LSD is illegal to posses in the United States.</li></ul><strong>Is it addictive?</strong> It is not considered an addictive drug like cocaine, heroin or alcohol because it does not produce the same compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, like addictive drugs, LSD produces greater tolerance in some users who take the drug repeatedly. These users must take higher doses to achieve the same results as they have had in the past. This could be an extremely dangerous practice because of the unpredictability of the drug effect on an individual.<br /><div></div><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">PCP</span></u></strong><br /><br /><strong>What is PCP?</strong> In the 1950s PCP was invented as a medical anesthetic; however, it caused serious side effects of confusion and delirium and was discontinued. In 1960, its name was changed to Sernylan and was sold as a veterinary anesthetic.<br /><div></div><div><strong>Street Names</strong> - "Angel Dust," "Supergrass," "Killer Weed," "Embalming Fluid," and "Rocket Fuel"</div><br /><div></div><div><strong>How is it taken?</strong> In its pure form, PCP is a white crystalline powder that dissolves in water. PCP sold on the street is often contaminated by poor manufacturing, causing the color to range from tan to brown and the consistency ranges from powder to a gummy mass.</div><br /><div></div><div>PCP is found in the following forms: </div><br /><div></div><ul><li>Tablets and capsules. </li><li>Powder. Liquid. </li><li>A covering for a leafy material such as parsley, mint, oregano or marijuana to be smoked. </li></ul><strong>Physical effects include: </strong><br /><br /><div></div><ul><li>Numbness.</li><li>Slurred speech.</li><li>Loss of coordination, which may be accompanied by false feelings of strength and invulnerability.</li><li>The observable effects in a user are a blank stare, rapid and involuntary eye movements, and an exaggerated walk.</li></ul><br /><div></div><div><strong>Psychological effects include: </strong></div><br /><div></div><ul><li>Feelings of detachment, and distance from the user's surroundings.</li><li>Auditory hallucinations.</li><li>Distorted visual images.</li><li>Severe mood disorders.</li><li>Acute anxiety and a feeling of impending doom.</li><li>Paranoia and violent hostility. </li><li>Mental psychosis similar to schizophrenia.</li><li>It may also result in amnesia.</li></ul><br /><div></div><div><strong>What are the dangers?</strong> The U.S. DEA considers PCP one of the most dangerous drugs of abuse. Lack of coordination and exaggerated feelings of strength can cause the user to harm himself or others. PCP is extremely addictive.</div><br /><div></div><div><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Peyote & Mescaline</span></u></strong></div><div></div><div><strong>What are Peyote and Mescaline? </strong>Peyote is a small, spineless cactus. Mescaline is a hallucinogenic substance found within the Peyote cactus. Mescaline can be taken from the Peyote cactus or created synthetically. Throughout history, Peyote and Mescaline have been used by natives in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States as a part of traditional religious rites.</div><br /><strong>Street Names:</strong> "buttons," "mesc," "peyote" <br /><br /><strong>How are they taken? </strong>The top of the cactus ("the crown") has disc-shaped buttons that are cut off and dried. The buttons are chewed or soaked in water to produce an intoxicating liquid. <br /><br /><strong>What are the effects?</strong>  The hallucinogenic effects last about 12 hours.<br /><br /><strong>What are the dangers?</strong> The effects can cause a chemically induced model of mental illness.<br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>Is it addictive?</strong> It is not considered an addictive drug like cocaine, heroin or alcohol because it does not produce the same compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, like addictive drugs, mescaline produces greater tolerance in some users who take the drug repeatedly. These users must take higher doses to achieve the same results as they have had in the past. This could be an extremely dangerous practice because of the unpredictability of the drug effect on an individual.</div><br /><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Psilocybin Mushrooms</span></u></strong><br /><br /><strong>What is psilocybin?</strong>  Psilocybin is a chemical obtained from certain mushrooms found in Mexico and Central America.<br /><br /><strong>Street Names</strong>- "Magic mushrooms"or "Shrooms" <br /><br /><strong>How is it taken?</strong><br /><ul><li>Eaten raw.</li><li>Cooked in food.</li><li>Dried and ingested.</li></ul><br /><div></div><div><strong>What are the effects?</strong></div><ul><li>Psilocybin may induce sensory hallucinations and intense feelings (including personal and spiritual insights).</li><li>It can cause nausea when first ingested. </li><li>Its effects last five to six hours. </li></ul><br /><strong>What are the dangers?  </strong>Psilocybin is often fake (such as supermarket mushrooms laced with LSD or toxic mushrooms, which can lead to permanent liver damage or death).  Death, if you eat the wrong mushrooms (some poisonous mushrooms look similar to "shrooms"). Psilocybin can cause stomach pains and diarrhea.  Bad trips occur and are often very scary. Psilocybin is illegal to possess in the United States.<br /><br /><strong>Is it addictive?</strong> It is not considered an addictive drug like cocaine, heroin or alcohol because it does not produce the same compulsive drug-seeking behavior. However, like addictive drugs, it produces greater tolerance in some users who take the drug repeatedly. These users must take higher doses to achieve the same results as they have had in the past. This could be an extremely dangerous practice because of the unpredictability of the drug effect on an individual.

Hallucinogen Drugs

DMT What is DMT? DMT is found in a variety of plants and seeds; it can also be produced synthetically. Street Names - "businessman...