Drug Abuse Solution

CDC Reports Painkillers Causing Over 14,000 Deaths Each Year

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:49:23 +0000

The Centers for Disease Control reported that painkillers caused 14,800 deaths in 2008 alone and the death toll is rising. To put that number in perspective, that is 3 times as many Americans that died on D-Day in 1944.

How can this happen? What is the cause of all of this? Are we a nation who is chronically in pain or have we accepted medication as a viable option to suppress even the slightest of discomforts? It would be easy to blame the doctors, calling it a “racket” or a “pill mill” – but really, the responsibility lies elsewhere.

It is the responsibility of the addict.

There are many aspects to addiction but one factor holds true for all: once a person experiences a problem, whether physical or emotional, and takes a drug that offers relief from that problem, the drug is then adopted as a solution. That assigned worth and importance is the only reason the person ever uses drugs a second, third or more times.

And from that point on, the addict lives a downward spiral. The physicians, the prescriptions, the deaths and statistics all become a foregone conclusion. Only a long term drug rehab program can help turn the spiral back around and help the addict get back on track.

Narconon Louisiana understands the downward spiral of addiction and offers a solution to those who suffer. Narconon helps the person not only solve his addiction, but resolve the problem behind his addiction. If you need help for a loved one suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, call us at 1-877-340-3602. We have proven drug abuse solutions.

Doctors in two states are no longer caregivers – they are inmates accused of taking lives instead of saving them

admin — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:44:56 +0000

The monetary gain experienced by these physicians which led them to forsake their sacred oath to “do no harm,” has proven as equally as addictive as the drug. Clearly, it is not only the drugs that are addictive.

In New Jersey, Brian R. Crowell, the Special Agent in Charge of the New Jersey Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Paul J. Fishman, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced Vincent Hsia, a pharmacist and the former proprietor of Lincoln Pharmacy Network, located in Edison, N.J., was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for conspiring to distribute oxycodone as well as filing false personal and corporate tax returns. New Jersey drug rehabs are seeing a rise in the incidence of prescription drug abuse in the state, and this is just one incident that is an example of the larger trend.

A Pennsylvania news channel reported that a 79-year-old doctor, Lewis Meyers Jacobs, was sentenced to five years in prison today for running a pill mill out of his North Philadelphia medical practice. Jacobs admitted that he sold sham prescriptions to drug dealers and addicts, paid a drug-dealing office employee in prescriptions, and also issued prescriptions to a drug-dealing paramour. He would typically charge about $50 in cash per sham prescription.

In response to the rising number of cases such as these, the Director of the National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said, “It is unconscionable that this very small number of doctors trained to ‘do no harm’ would willingly endanger lives or prolong the misery of addiction for any American for the sake of an easy profit.”

Narconon Riverbend understands that with drug use, contra-survival behavior is very common and causes a drug user to struggle with their own personal values and integrity – to finally give them up in order to continue using drugs. This tenet extends to physicians who see a profit over care and treatment of their patients.

If you or someone you love is suffering with addiction, call Narconon Riverbend at 1-877-340-3602. Our long term drug rehab program is one of the best in the nation.

Over-the-counter meds as destructive as street drugs

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:41:24 +0000

Dextromethorphan, DXM, a popular cough suppressant that is found in over 120 over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines has become a designer drug to millions of teens.

DXM is abused in high doses to experience a sense of euphoria and visual and auditory hallucinations. Illicit use of DXM is referred to on the street as “skittling” or “dexing.” Abuse of DXM has traditionally involved drinking large volumes of the over-the-counter liquid cough preparations. However, more recently, abuse of tablet and gel capsule preparations has increased.

Some of the psychoactive effects associated with high-dose DXM include, confusion, inappropriate laughter, paranoia, agitation and hallucinations. Other sensory changes include the feeling of floating and changes in hearing and touch. Long-term abuse is associated with severe psychological dependence. Often only a long term drug rehab program can reverse this cycle of dependence.

Because DXM is primarily abuse by teens and young adults, it is important to understand two things why someone would take a drug in the first place as well as why you need to act rapidly when someone you know has a problem with drugs.

A person who takes drugs does so to get rid of some emotional or physical pain or to avoid problems and unwanted feelings. These unwanted feelings could be any unpleasant feelings, including boredom. Drugs are then considered valuable to the degree they produce a desirable effect and an effect that is, in the addict’s mind, better than what they were dealing with before. To understand why someone takes drugs now, you need to know what was wrong before he or she started taking them.

Narconon has worked with families and communities for over thirty-five years in salvaging those under the influence of drugs. If you or someone you love is suffering with addiction and/or alcoholism, contact an Intake Counselor at Narconon Louisiana who can help you understand why someone takes drugs and what you can do to help them. A trusted drug rehab like ours can be your best option. Call 1-877-340-3602 to speak to someone immediately.

Pharmacists Becoming Drug Dealers

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:39:03 +0000

The arrest reports in newspapers across the country list the thousands of reports of addicts obtaining narcotics by fraud and the subsequent charges imposed on them. However, less frequently reported are charges imposed on those whom we entrusted our care and general well-being, the Pharmacists.

Recently, the Associated Press reported two stories involving two pharmacists in our communities::

Florida:

Investigators said they’ve arrested the pain pill kingpin of Volusia County. But he isn’t just any street dealer: the suspect is a pharmacist. Deputies arrested Michael Lomangino when they found some pills during a traffic stop on Tuesday. Lomangino was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance as well as a traffic violation.

Tim Jobson runs the mom-and-pop operation where Lomangino was employed as a Pharmacist. Jobson is still absorbing the news that his trusted employee went to jail. “I’m just very, very upset about it because I never.., I would have guaranteed that this would have never happened,” Jobson said.

New York:

A Baldwin, New York, pharmacy owner was arrested last year for illegally supplying a teen driver who fatally struck a retired woman on her lawn. Recently, he was arrested again.

Lutful Chowdbury, 62, was arrested on new charges at his Aim Pharmacy in Baldwin, which he owns and where he is the supervising pharmacist. Chowdbury was charged with illegally distributing oxycodone and forging prescriptions.

New York drug rehabs are seeing an increase in prescription drug related addictions.

The consequences of addiction is very widespread and touches many lives adversely. When people can no longer trust persons whom they entrust with their lives, whether it be pharmacists, medical doctors or nurses, we have to realize the degree to which drug and alcohol addiction has consumed our lives and our society. The only remedy is to aggressively handle addiction, one addict at a time.

Narconon Louisiana understands that those who started down the path of addiction were unable to handle some aspect of their life. Using drugs or alcohol made them then damage their physical and mental selves that the quality of life in general deteriorated.

If any type of drug abuse continues unchecked, eventually the person is faced with so many unpleasant circumstances that each sober moment is filled with despair and misery. All the addict now wants to do, is escape those feelings by medicating them away. This is the downward spiral of addiction and this is what we at Narconon Louisiana, will get the person to address.

If you are someone you love is suffering from addiction and/or alcoholism, call Narconon at 1-877-340-3602.

Narconon Louisiana Success Story

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:49:21 +0000

In the words of a ex-addict, recently graduated from Narconon Riverbend:

I am a 45 year old female that just got out of Narconon Louisiana. I had a problem with my back when I was 26 and of course the doctors gave me pain killers, as many as I wanted to take as often as I wanted so you can see I really got addicted to these painkillers. I had a husband and I have two children. I really gave my family hell. When I was into my drugs I changed completely. I began to mistrust my husband accusing him of being unfaithful, then spending all of our savings and all the while I made all the people in my family wrong and of course I kept saying, “don’t you understand I am hurting”. Well of course this all led to a divorce and then I became the bitter divorcee and the children didn’t want to talk with me anymore; I would poison their attitude about their father. I couldn’t work anymore because I was just worried about where do I get my next prescription so I wouldn’t go into pain.

One day a good friend of mine showed up with a representative from Louisiana Narconon and I was totally upset. I fortunately did sit long enough to listen. The rest is history; a good one I want to share. When I got to this treatment center I did get to sit in a sauna and had to take much vitamins and minerals. Of course that was spot on because I really wasn’t taking care of myself. The detoxing and withdrawing lasted for three weeks. I thought cool I’m going home; but no. Then I was in various courses about “being there” what a concept. I had never tried to be in present time before. Then I did some studying and found out that absolutely I had created all my problems with my family and my work. My life was useless until I came to Narconon. I did take some course that helped me to communicate better with anyone about anything. That was invaluable to me. Today I am home and my ex-husband is coming over for dinner tonight. I have gotten in good communication with him and have apologized for all of my miss adventures and have begun to make up the damage I have created. The children were with me yesterday and they are very excited that I am no longer taking pain killers. They absolutely see a huge change in me. I am making up the damage with them also. I get to be with my daughter when the grandson comes into the world. I go to physical therapy and do exercise to help with my back problem.

I really was not living. I was a walking dead person. Drugs were more important to me than all the other wonderful things I had in my life. Narconon Louisiana saved my life.

If you or someone you love needs the help of our rehab in Louisiana, call our hotline now at 1-877-340-3602. We’re here to help.

Report on Drug Abuse in Assumption Parish, Louisiana

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:49 +0000

It was reported in The Advocate that there was an eight month investigation by the Assumption parish Sheriff’s Department and that led to the arrests of 16 people.

Sheriff Waguespack said, “Undercover officers bought Lortab, Oxycodone, Lorcet and morphine, along with crack cocaine and marijuana, throughout the parish as part of ‘Operation Should Have Got a Real Job’. It was the second large-scale investigation of street-and mid-level dealers of prescription and illegal drugs in the area.”

Waguespack spoke about one of the suspects, a 25 year old of Napoleonville that was found with what appeared to be 470 grams of hydroponic marijuana, a small amount of crack and a scale. He was arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine. All of the people that were taken into custody during this roundup were booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center.

Here is some information about some of the drugs they were distrusting in and around the state of Louisiana. Louisiana drug abusers refer to cocaine as “snow,” “sniff,” or “coke”. Cocaine is commonly abused in Louisiana either in its powder form or in solid rocks known as crack cocaine. Cocaine is produced from the active ingredient in the coca plant, and is one of the most highly addictive drugs found in the streets of Austin. Coke produces a rapid, concentrated high that leads into an edgy, depressed state that causes its user to crave more. Cocaine abusers experience a skyrocketing heart rate, spasms and conclusions. Many Assumption Parish families have been torn apart by the paranoia, irrational anger and hostility that coke addiction cause to its user. When a person gets a dependence on cocaine it leads to a lower and lower point of severe depression after each use. There are some Assumption Parish residents who have even committed suicide when they couldn’t get their next fix. Police blame many of the crimes committed in Assumption parish to cocaine addiction, even if their cause is not readily apparent. Abusers of cocaine and crack will go to any length to get their next hit of the drugs. Cocaine is a major problem in Louisiana. This group that was arrested absolutely got a way to get crack cocaine into this parish and onto the street. If you know someone who wants to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center where they can detox and withdraw in a safe and natural way. Something can be done about it.

Louisiana drug rehabs need help in dealing with the drug threat.

If you or someone you love needs help with drug abuse, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana drug rehab resource can help. Call a counselor now at 1-877-340-3602.

Report on Cocaine Abuse in Washington, D.C.

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:53:03 +0000

Just recently on an ordinary day at school four children at Thompson Elementary School complained they were ill. After some questions being answered it was discovered that they either sniffed or swallowed an unknown amount of drug and so they were taken to the hospital. Later it was also discovered that a fourth grader brought cocaine to school and he just wanted to share it with his friends. A D. C. fire deprtment spokesman, Peter Piringer said, “The students were fine aside from having sore throats.” The school principal sent a letter to the parents saying child protective services and the police are doing some investigating and they want to find out how the child got the cocaine in the first place. The child was eventually charged with drug possession.

That is just one of the most interesting stories that Washington D. c. has to offer. In December of 2011 D. C. Police and the Bureau of alcohol, tobacco and Firearms announced a major crackdown on a D.C. drug operation. They arrested over 70 people and seized more than $7.1 million in guns and drugs. There was about 80 pounds of meth, 9.6 kilos of cocaine, 1.25 gallon of PCP and 23.5 pounds of marijuana, heroin and ecstasy. They also seized 161 firearms including 29 assault weapons.

D. C. Police Chief Lanier said, “If these drugs and guns had made it to our streets, the impact would have been devastating to community. These suspects had bragged about other violent crimes they had committed and had no qualms about killing police officers, guards and other innocent people.” Well done Task force. That absolutely will make a big difference in this community. That may be where this fourth grader got the cocaine.

Drug rehabs often have to deal with the problems caused by youth abusing drugs and becoming life-long addicts.

If you or someone you love needs a drug rehab serving Washington, D.C., we can help. Call our hotline: 1-877-340-3602.

Cocaine Abuse in Galveston, Texas

admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:47:56 +0000

A TV news station reported just recently that more than two dozen bricks of cocaine washed ashore on Galveston Island. These drugs had been adrift in the Gulf of Mexico and they came ashore at Indian Beach.

There were only a few people walking on the beach and they came across a bag full of cocaine and it turned out this cocaine was worth about $2 million dollars. A beach visitor said, “It’s a family beach. You wouldn’t expect that.” Captain Jeff Heyse with the Galveston Police Department said, “A jogger found a large burlap bag in the sand, he took it with him unopened; but then he cut into it and found the bricks, which obviously, from television, look exactly like they do in real life. He found what he believed to be cocaine, called the police, we went out and investigated, and sure enough, that’s exactly what it was.”

It was reported that the bricks had stamps typical of cartel contraband. So they were assuming that they may have been a shipment that was set afloat from smugglers off shore that drifted from the pickup point. The DEA was doing a thorough investigation. This find is not what the beach goers expected to see that day. Another tourist stated, “It’s kind of alarming, you know, there’s a lot of kids out here. Who’s to say a kid won’t open that bag and try to taste something in that bag?”

Good point. I am sure that will not be the last time some of these packages will float onto the beaches in Galveston, Texas. This story makes the public aware that drug smuggling is going on everyday in every way.

If you or someone you love needs long term drug rehab in Texas, call our hotline now: 1-877-340-3602. We’re here to help.

Report on Drug Abuse in Atlanta, Georgia

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:44:34 +0000

There are criminal implications that are coming from a greater number of pill Mill operations in Georgia. Atlanta Criminal Defense lawyer, Benjamin Von Schuch discusses his analysis on PRWEB.

There is a high volume of pain clinics commonly called pill mills, and they have been on the increase throughout Atlanta and the surrounding area of Georgia. These pill mills dispense many prescriptions for pain. An article published by USA Today in late 2011 stated that same fact. An observation was made that nearby states including Florida have amplified drug law penalties and regulation of pill mill operations. The operators of these pill mills are noticing that it is very profitable to run these operations so they now are going to other states to avoid new laws, increased criminal penalties and prescription pill databases in order to set up their pain shops.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported a high rise in pill mills, drug shops, and pain clinics in Atlanta strip Malls and also along interstate highways because dealers and individuals from Florida, Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland and Kentucky are seeking new mean to obtain pain pills. In 2010 there was a 10% increase in prescription pill overdose in Georgia.

Many states like the ones mentioned above now have databases in effect that track drug tourists, or individuals who have a valid prescription for medication but go to several states to have the prescription filled numerous times. The purpose of these databases is to actually crack down on individuals who doctor shop. The state of Georgia is waiting for their prescription drug monitoring program because it has been approved but won’t be in operation until 2013.

Von Schuch stated, “The recent increase in pain pill clinics in Atlanta will probably result in a higher number of drug arrests throughout the state. These individuals can be charged with a number of drug crimes, including possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell or distribute, and even drug trafficking in some cases. Possession of a controlled substance is a serious offense in Georgia and can result in imprisonment ranging anywhere from one to 30 years depending on the schedule the substance is classified in. Additionally, any doctor that overprescribes pain pills can permanently lose their license to practice medicine.”

The addict will do anything to get his fix. Even if it means driving to another state to get what he needs. This business of pain killers is a very profitable one and now it is on the increase in the state of Georgia.

Georgia drug rehabs need help in dealing with the drug threat.

If you or someone you love needs help with drug abuse, an Atlanta, Georgia drug rehab resource can help. Call a counselor now at 1-877-340-3602.

Report on Drug Abuse in Detroit, Michigan

admin — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:42:19 +0000

Here are some statistics about Drug trafficking in Michigan. These figures are reported by the Michigan High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Marketing Analysis and give us information about what drugs are being brought and used in what areas.

The Michigan HIDTA region is made up of nine counties, including Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne in eastern Michigan, and Allegan, Kalamazoo, Kent, and Van Buren in western Michigan. The population of this region is approximately 5.8 million. 70% of the people reside in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo and these are the primary drug markets in this region. They actually serve as distribution centers for smaller drug markets within the region and in neighboring states.

Reports found that the distribution and abuse of cocaine pose the most significant drug threat to the Michigan HIDTA region. However cocaine has increased in price decreased in purity so the availability has decreased.

The law enforcement officials in Michigan have noted that young Caucasians are increasingly abusing heroin. They switched to heroin after abusing prescription opioids. Property crimes in the HIDTA region that are attributed to heroin use have increased.

Marijuana production has increased in Michigan. The HIDTA reports that they are seizing cannabis plants in the region and that activity has doubled from 9,964 kilograms in 2007 to 20,950 kilograms in 2008.

Local meth production and abuse has increased in the past year. The number of the lab incidents has more than tripled in just one year. The way they are tracking that is that there has been a 30 percent increase from 2007 to 2008 in the number of treatment admissions for meth.

The report said that African American traffickers are smuggling MDMA from Canada into the HIDTA region. These supplies are distributed and it results in increased availability among African American in Detroit.

(CPD) is controlled Prescription drugs and they are being diverted and widely abused in the HIDTA region however it was noted that some Oxycontin abusers are switching to heroin because it is less expensive.

These are the stats for the drugs that being trafficked in this region. The stats on crime rates would probably parallel these stats. Something can be done about this problem. If you know someone who is in need of help from drug abuse get them to an inpatient treatment center where they can detox and withdraw in a safe and natural way.

Michigan drug rehabs need help in dealing with the drug threat.

If you or someone you love needs help with drug abuse, a Detroit, Michigan drug rehab resource can help. Call a counselor now at 1-877-340-3602.