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Bloomington and Normal, Illinois, are establishing a prescription drug disposal program as a way to combat prescription drug abuse. In a recent federal survey, over half of individuals ages 12 and older who used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons reported obtaining the drug from a friend or relative for free. Among teens, especially, prescription drugs have gained disturbing popularity.

Heartland Coalition Director Kellie Rubbel-Henrichs commented, "They'll pretty much take anything from a medicine cabinet without knowing side effects or what they'll do." The Heartland Coalition is partnering with local police departments to install security drop boxes, which provide a safer alternative to keeping medications around the house, throwing them away, or flushing them down the toilet. (Source: centralillinoisproud.com)

Labels: prescription-drug-abuse

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A new circuit judge in Putnam County, West Virginia, has applied for a federal grant to implement a teen drug court. If funded, the program will be fully functional by summer.

Judge Phillip M. Stowers has drafted a plan to establish the court within 30 days of receiving funding. A teen drug court will give the judge the prerogative to mitigate and/or modify sentences for drug-related convictions based on the individual teen's compliance with court-ordered treatment.

Judge Stowers commented, "I've talked to a lot of professionals in Putnam County who are truly interested in helping teens. ... They tell me surely we have a place for this model. ... The most important thing is that it is a post-disposition court. ... The teenager knows the charges that have been made, and they have pleaded or stood trial." (Sources: www.dailymail.com)

Labels: drug-court

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According to a recent story appearing in the Salt Lake Tribune, Summit County and Tooele County lead the state in the percentage of troubled teens. In Summit County, six out of 10 high school seniors are at risk for drug and alcohol abuse. These data come from the statewide Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) surveys that were conducted in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 in 2003, 2005, and 2007. The results have been posted to a website recently established by the University of Utah's Criminal Justice Center. (Source: www.sltrib.com)

Labels: drug-use, risks, teenagers

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A delegation of doctors from Afghanistan is visiting Maryland this week to learn more about treating addiction. Addiction is a huge problem for the country, where almost 90 percent of the world's opium is produced. One devastating issue is that many poor mothers sedate their children with opium because it makes them appear happy and quiet. It is also a cheap and easy way for them to keep their children quiet and under control while they work. The delegation will spend a week observing group therapy sessions and how drug treatment programs in the United States are designed and delivered. (Source: www.news8.net)

Labels: addiction, treatment

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A company called Smoking Everywhere has developed an electronic cigarette. The invention looks like a real cigarette, right down to the glowing red tip, but is smokeless, free of the harmful chemicals found in tobacco products, and delivers only one ingredient: pure liquid nicotine.

The battery powered unit is activated when the user inhales; the battery warms the liquid nicotine and a vapor of nicotine is released. The FDA has been prohibiting importation of the product since last summer, saying that the "e-cig" is an unapproved new drug because the product lacks scientific proof that it is safe or effective. Elicko Taieb, CEO of Smoking Everywhere, commented: "Our product is comparable to the nicotine patch except people still get the oral fixation, which they love."

(Sources: www.cnn.com)

Labels: cigarettes, smoking

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The British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA) released a report today asking the government to formally recognize addiction as a chronic disease, and cover the treatment of this disease under the province's public healthcare system. BCMA argues that providing public funding for treating addictions could help reduce the even costlier impact on society of untreated addictions.

Dr. Shao-Hua Lu, who is clinical practice director for the new Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, is quoted in the Vancouver Sun: "In 2002, the estimated cost of treating substance abuse in B.C. was more than $6 billion, or $1,500 per person per year, with alcohol, gambling and tobacco taking the biggest toll on society."

The Health Minister George Abbott agrees with the findings of BCMA, especially in light of the fact that addictions are often linked to a mental illness. However, he expresses concern over the additional pressure on the healthcare system during the current economic downturn. (Source: www.vancouversun.com)

Labels: addiction, disease

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Doctors in Wisconsin have seen rates of infant addiction - infants born addicted to substances due to drug use by their mothers - skyrocket in the last four to five years. The problem is largely related to the treatment of heroin addiction and addiction to prescription painkillers using methadone. Babies are being born addicted to methadone, and many of them don't live more than a couple of months. John Glaspey, a pediatrician and neonatologist in Wisconsin, commented:

"The number of methadone-withdrawing babies has skyrocketed in the last four to five years. The problem right now is much worse than it ever was before."

(Source: www.jsonline.com)

Labels: addiction, infants

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Addiction experts at the University of Virginia Health System and the University of Michigan have discovered new insights into the genetics of addiction. According to a landmark paper to be published in the April 2009 issue of Nature Reviews Genetics, some of the same genes associated with alcohol dependence are also closely linked with other addictions, including nicotine, cocaine, opioids, and heroin. Paper co-author Ming Li, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the UVA School of Medicine, commented on the findings:

"Addiction researchers have found that several genes are linked with multiple addictions. ... So, we're narrowing the scope to specific genetic targets. Once researchers can pinpoint exact genetic variants and molecular mechanisms, then we can create much more effective, even personalized, treatments for individuals addicted to a variety of substances." (Sources: ScienceDaily.com)

Labels: addiction, genetics

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Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) have uncovered a surprising insight into addiction by investigating Parkinson's disease. Many Parkinson's disease patients develop addictions while receiving medical treatment. MNI's findings indicate that "persistently elevated levels of dopamine in the brain promote the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors."

The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a key role in both addiction and Parkinson's disease. Addiction is marked by persistently elevated levels of dopamine, Parkinson's by persistently depleted levels. Many Parkinson's patients are therefore treated with medications called dopamine agonists - medications that mimic dopamine. Dr. Alain Dagher, co-author of the review and a neurologist at MNI, commented on the findings:

"In some instances Parkinson's disease (PD) patients become addicted to their own medication, or develop behavioural addictions such as pathological gambling, compulsive shopping or hypersexuality. ... This is surprising because PD patients typically have a very low incidence of drug abuse and display a personality type that is the opposite of the typical addictive personality. These rare, addictive syndromes, which appear to result from excessive dopaminergic treatment, illustrate the link between dopamine, personality and addiction."

Labels: addiction, disease, parkinson's

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The findings of a new government survey indicate that a smaller rate of teens are sniffing glue, lighter fluid, spray paint, shoe polish, and other household substances to get high. However, the number of teens who abuse inhalants remained stable between 2002 and 2007, indicating a need for ongoing prevention and intervention efforts.

Ed Jurith, acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, commented on the findings, "Most parents don't realize how dangerous inhalants can be ... these productsfound in every home in Americaare among the most popular and deadly substances that kids abuse."

Approximately one million youth between the ages of 12 and 17 used an inhalant in 2007; this represents 3.9 percent of respondents, compared to 4.4 percent in 2006 and 4.5 percent in 2005.(Source: Associated Press)

Labels: inhalants, getting-high

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According to the Healthy Youth Survey, a survey taken every two years by students in Washington State, many youth are still regularly using alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Approximately 20 percent of 10th graders reported having five or more drinks in a row (binge drinking) at least once in the past two weeks, and about 10 percent of 10th and 12th grade students reported using a prescription painkiller to get high.

Another interesting finding of the study included the fact that 41 percent of 8th graders who drink reported getting alcohol from home, and 24 percent said that their parents have not talked to them about alcohol and associated risks.

Approximately 210,000 students participated in this year's survey. Washington State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky commented on the findings, "This survey is a snapshot of what's going on with youth in our state. ... We're working hard to help kids make the right choices for their health. When they develop healthy habits early in life it provides an excellent foundation as they become adults."

Labels: drugs, alcohol, tobacco

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In 2006, Oklahoma voters passed "Cody's Law," named for a 16-year-old Tulas boy who died of an overdose while staying the night at a friend's home where the friend's parents were hosting a teen party. The parents, Kelli and William Henry, received a one-year deferred sentence for 11 counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Cody's parents, stunned by the light sentence, are now working to pass a new law that would require harsher penalties for adults who provide drugs and/or alcohol to minors. Under the current law, adults are only held responsible if a child is injured or dies while consuming drugs or alcohol under the supervision of an adult; the new law would hold adults accountable for simply hosting a party for minors where alcohol and/or drugs are available. The new bill, Senate Bill 1146, would also require a misdemeanor for the first offense with jail time and fines; extended jail time and fines for a second offense; and an automatic felony for a third offense.

Labels: underage-drinking, liability, party

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