Answer Addiction

Tag: drug use

  • The Child Welfare System and Addiction in Nevada

    The Child Welfare System and Addiction in Nevada

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: This article provides an overview of child welfare systems in Nevada. It explains what happens when abuse or neglect are reported in combination with substance use. Review how the process is directed by the NV State Child Welfare Agency. Plus, learn about state laws that protect children. More below.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    Why Did They Take My Child?

    If you are using drugs or drinking while your kids are in your care, the State of Nevada can find you “unfit” to properly care for your child. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can mean that you cannot provide proper:

    • Care
    • Control
    • Supervision

    Further, parents who are high or drunk have problems providing adequate food, education, shelter, medical care, or other care a child needs for his/her well-being. This is considered child neglect.

    Child Protective Services, or CPS, is a state run agency set up through law. The Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 432B outlines CPS duties. Mainly, the Nevada State CPS is in charge of investigating reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.

    If it’s determined that you’ve been using drugs or drinking in the presence of your children, you could lose legal custody of your kids. They might be placed in foster care or even adopted by another family. [1]

    You need to know what to expect and what steps to take if you’re are involved in a child protective service case. Using drugs or drinking doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, it just means you need professional help. Reach out and let us help you. We can discus treatment options together.  Call us today and be connected with American Addiction Centers. Or, continue reading to learn more about the procedure of the Child Welfare system in Nevada.

    Who Has Reported Me?

    Anyone in the state of Nevada can report a parent to the local child welfare agency or to the police. If you suspect that a parent neglecting is drinking or using drugs, your call can help a child. The identity of the person making the report is kept confidential. NRS 432B.260 does not allow the child welfare agency to release the name of the person who reported the abuse and neglect concerns. [3]

    1. Nevada’s CPS hotlines:

    • Clark County: 1-702- 399-0081
    • Washoe County: 1-755-784-8600
    • All other counties: 1-800-992-5757

    2. Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453

    3. Your local police department

    In the State of Nevada, there are professionals who are obligated by the State law NRS432B.220 to report their suspicions. [2] Mandated reporters are required to make a report immediately to a CPS or law enforcement agency. A report must be made within 24 hours after there is a reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected. There are penalties for mandated reporters when a report is not received within the time limit NRS 432B.240. [4] Mandatory reporters include:

    • Athletic trainer
    • Attorneys, under certain circumstances
    • Christian Science practitioner
    • Counselors, therapists, and other mental health
    • Foster care and child care employees
    • Hospital administration and personnel
    • Law enforcement officers
    • Medical examiners or coroners
    • Members of the clergy ,religious healers
    • Optometrist
    • Persons who maintain youth shelters or foster homes
    • Physicians, nurses, and other health-care workers
    • Probation officers
    • Schools employees
    • Social workers
    • Volunteer referral abuse service

    What Happens When I’m Reported?

    STEP 1. Intake. Intake is the first stage of the child protective service process and is one of the most important decision-making points in the child protection system. It is the point at which reports of suspected child abuse and neglect are received. Information gathered by caseworkers is used to make decisions regarding safety, risk, and the type of CPS response required. Referrals in Nevada are accepted from all sources, and each report is treated as a potential case of child maltreatment.

    STEP 2. Investigation. Upon receiving a referral, the intake worker attempts to gather as much information as possible about each family member, the family as a whole, and the nature, extent and severity, of the alleged child maltreatment. Once the initial intake information is collected, the caseworker conducts a check of agency records and the Central Registry to determine any past reports or contact with the family. Then, the caseworkers must collect and analyze the information and determine if it meets the criteria outlined in Statute regarding the definition of child abuse and neglect and the requirements for response.

    STEP 3. Prioritization and Response. Nevada State CPS prioritizes the investigation response time based on a number of factors including the nature of the allegations and the age of the child. The response times are either immediate, within 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, or 10 days. The average response time for CPS agencies in Nevada is at the 90th percentile level.

    STEP 4. Case Determination. Upon completion of the investigation of a report of abuse or neglect, a determination of the case findings are made based on whether there is reasonable cause to believe that a child is abused or neglected or threatened with abuse or neglect. The case manager will assess whether the child is safe or unsafe, and if the child or family is in need of services. S/he will review what changes need to happen for the child to be safe at home. If the case manager determines that abuse or neglect did not occur, the report is “unsubstantiated.” If the case manager determines that abuse or neglect has occurred, the report is “substantiated.” You have the right to appeal a substantiation. [5]

    What Happens Next?

    Within 45 days of beginning the assessment, the case manager must decide if abuse or neglect has occurred. If the case manager finds that your child is unsafe, the case manager will work with you to establish a safety plan and services will be provided to assist in reducing any safety threats that exist. If a safety plan cannot be made, the case manager will talk with your family to:

    • Find a temporary safe place for your child to stay with relatives.
    • Place your child in foster care.
    • Arrange for you to see your child.
    • Arrange services for your child and family.

    In certain situations, your child may be placed outside of your care without your permission. A protective custody court hearing must be held within 72 hours excluding weekends and holidays from the time the decision was made to remove your child. You will be notified of the date, time, and location of the hearing. You must attend the hearing. At the hearing, the court decides whether your child can safely be returned to your care until the next court hearing. You will be informed of your rights at this hearing. [6]

    Child Welfare Laws

    There are federal requirements for each state to have laws about reporting and investigating child abuse and neglect, as mandated by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The laws in Nevada that protect children and incorporate the federal mandates can be found under Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 432B. Here’s a basic review of main federal and state laws regarding child protection.

    1. Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act,CAPTA. This is the key federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect. [7]

    2. Protection of Children From Abuse and Neglect – CHAPTER 432B. This Law defines child abuse and neglect for NV State. The law authorizes child protection and law enforcement agencies to investigate reports of alleged child abuse and neglect. Parental substance abuse is considered neglect. The statute also outlines who is obligated to report child abuse and neglect. [8]

    3. NRS 128.106 (d) Specific considerations in determining neglect by or unfitness of parent. This law states that in determining neglect by or unfitness of a parent, the court shall consider, without limitation, the following conditions which may diminish suitability as a parent: Excessive use of intoxicating liquors, controlled substances or dangerous drugs which renders the parent consistently unable to care for the child. [9]

    The Courts that are In Charge?

    Family matters in Nevada are resolved under the jurisdiction of the District Courts. Only Clark County has a specific Family Court Division. The Family Court helps people with divorce, annulment, child custody, visitation rights, child support, spousal support, community property division, name changes, adoption, and abuse and neglect. [10]

    The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and its primary responsibility is to review and rule on appeals from District Court cases. The court does not conduct fact-finding trials, but it rather determines if legal or procedural errors were committed during the case. The Supreme Court assigns one-third of all submitted cases to the Nevada Court of Appeals. [11]

    What Happens to Parents?

    If CPS’s case worker decides that a child has been neglected because of parental substance abuse, s/he will work with the parent to establish a safety plan. Services like rehab and counseling will be probably provided in order to reduce the harm caused to the child. If the parent doesn’t want services, but the child is unsafe, the case worker may ask the court to order that the parent takes part in a treatment program. It is very important for the parent to be involved in the discussion with the case worker.

    What Happens to Children?

    Depending on the severity of the case, children may remain at home or be removed into foster care.

    In low-risk cases, children may remain in their own homes with their families. In these cases, families may receive in-home services and supports. This usually includes a combination of parent education, safety planning, counseling, and more. Families may also be connected with community services such as therapy, parent training, and support groups.

    Most children in foster care are placed with relatives or foster families, but some may be placed in a group or residential setting. While a child is in foster care, he or she attends school and should receive medical care and other services as needed. Visits between parents and their children and between siblings are encouraged and supported, following a set plan. [12]

    What Happens if I Drink or Use?

    The goal of the NV State Child Welfare System is to reunite child with parents. But if you drink or use drugs, you need to go through  rehabilitation to make it possible. You must follow the Nevada court’s orders. This means that you’ll need to actively participate in counseling. Plus, you’ll need to make other lifestyle changes so that your child can live with you safely.

    If the judge sees that you have continued to drink or use drugs and made no real effort toward reunification with your child and s/he might order that your parental rights be terminated. When this happens, the child is placed for adoption or with a legal guardian, possibly a family member.

    While foster care is defined as temporary placement of the children until you get better, the termination of parental rights in permanent.

    So why risk it?

    Your children need you. And you deserve a better life. You can live a life without drugs or alcohol. A good treatment program can change your life forever. Are you ready to do what’s best for your family? Call us to learn more about your rehab options in the Silver State. Our admissions navigators are available day and night to talk with you. We can walk you through the process of change. You can do it!

    Can I Get My Child Back?

    Yes. About 3 in 5 children in foster care return home to their parents or other family members. However, before your children come home, the Nevada child welfare agency and court must be certain that:

    • You can keep your children safe.
    • You can meet your children’s needs.
    • You are prepared to be a parent.

    Being involved with the child welfare system can give your family support and a chance to be stronger than before. By fully participating in your case plan and the services it includes, you can strengthen your skills to become the best parent that you can be for your children. [13]

    Your Questions

    Got any questions?

    If you still have question and concerns about the child welfare system in Nevada, please post your comments in the section below. You can also find more information about the child welfare system in Nevada here.

    Reference Source: [1] Nevada Revised Statutes: CHAPTER 432B- PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
    [2] Nevada Revised Statutes: CHAPTER 432B- PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
    [3] Nevada Revised Statutes: CHAPTER 432B- PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
    [4] Nevada Revised Statutes: CHAPTER 432B- PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
    [5] Nevada Department of Health & Human Services: Division of Child & Family Services
    [6] Nevada Department of Health & Human Services: DCFS: Parents Guide to CPS
    [7] Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
    [8] Nevada Revised Statutes: CHAPTER 432B- PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
    [9] Nevada Revised Statutes: CHAPTER 128 – TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS: Specific considerations in determining neglect by or unfitness of parent.
    [10] Eight Judicial District Court, Clark County Nevada: Family Courts
    [11] Nevada Judiciary: About the Nevada Judiciary
    [12] Child Welfare Information Gateway: How the Child Welfare System Works
    [13] Child Welfare: Reunification
    Nevada Department of Health & Human Services: DCFS: Nevada Child Abuse and Neglect Allegation Definitions

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • Is Burning Man All About Drug Use? The Answer Might Surprise You

    Is Burning Man All About Drug Use? The Answer Might Surprise You

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: According to the Burning Man website, the event is, “not a festival. Burning Man is a community.” This article seeks to look teach you about the purpose of Burning Man and whether or not it’s simply another backdrop for drug use.

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    What is Burning Man?

    The first Burning Man was held in 1986 on Baker Beach in San Francisco, California. Founded by Larry Harvey and Jerry James, both of whom produced the first “Man” to be burned, the event had the intention of creating a community which investigated a variety of forms of artistic self-expression. According to Harvey himself, his motivation behind the ritual was an impetuous act of “radical self-expression.” [1]

    The first Man to be burned stood 8 feet tall. By 1988, that height grew to 30 feet. Likewise, the number of people attending the event increased from 35 to 200. [2] This was mainly because Harvey handed out flyers surrounding the event and actively spread the word throughout San Francisco. With the city’s hippie history and open-minded community, it comes as no surprise locals were attracted to the original concepts of Burning Man.

    [banner variant=”article-1″]

    The main concept?

    The main concept behind the Burning Man Festival is to let go. To burn away your bad memories and make light for optimism. To create and understand, no matter what the effort, it won’t last.

    Today, Burning Man is a yearly event which goes on from the last Sunday of August to the first Monday of September. It’s located in the Black Rock Desert of northwest Nevada and attracts over 65,000 people annually. [3] [4] It’s described by many as an experience rather than a festival. An experience in community and art.

    In order to properly understand Burning Man and why it holds the potential to attract drug abusers, we must first look into its 10 primary principles.

    [banner variant=”article-2″]

     

    Burning Man’s 10 Primary Principles

    We know that people use drugs at Burning Man. And while the festival permits psychedelic experience – even encourages breakthroughs in perception – the principles behind the event tolerate but do not celebrate drug use. In fact, it might be surprising to know that civic responsibility is one main principle of Burning Man.

    [banner variant=”sidebar-1″]

    In other words, following laws that keep people safe is encouraged.

    The purpose of the founding principles gives newcomers a sense of the atmosphere. They also establish boundaries. [5] Below is a list of the 10 primary principles that surround the event as well as a description of how each principle defines the experience:

    [banner variant=”sidebar-3″]

    1. Radical Inclusion

    The idea of radical inclusion is that anyone and everyone is invited to the Burning Man event. Though it’s a community with a strong history, the people who participate always welcome strangers. Those who decide to attend don’t need to have any preconditions. All that’s asked is that they provide themselves with their own basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.

    2. Self-reliance

    People go to Burning Man to experience something within themselves. The experience has people seek out something within their “inner resources” which may have been held back priorly. The hope is that attendees will not only learn something about who they are as individuals, but that they also reflect on the experience later in life. Ultimately, the hope is that the experience can help you become a better individual.

    3. Self-expression

    The idea behind self-expression is to act upon your inner talents. Yet, not just to act on them, but to offer it to others. What these talents are is up to you to determine based upon discoveries you may make at the event or perhaps a skill previously known. Organizers hope that you realize a hidden talent you didn’t know you had to offer or never honed in on. And through your discovery, realize what is yours is also everyone else’s. Then the task is to not be afraid, but to share what you have to offer to everyone.

    [banner variant=”article-5″]

    4. Community Cooperation

    Going along with self-expression, community cooperation is a principle based on interacting and working with others at the event. This can be something as simple as producing a sculpture to burn at the end of the week or to explore deeper conflicts within yourself through another person. The principle encourages you to network with those around you, to protect the safety of the space, and to keep the space in which all this occurs as clean as possible.

    5. Civic Responsibility 

    This principle is based on a respect of civil society. It’s expected that those who participate in Burning Man must follow local, state, and federal laws. They must understand their responsibility for the property of the event as well as each individual within the community.

    6. Gifting

    According to the event’s website, “Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift giving.” People within this community consider the act of gifting as a wholehearted form of value. Furthermore, those who give shouldn’t expect anything in exchange. They should give to others without expecting anything in return.

    7. Decommodification

    At this community event, commercial business is not allowed. To promote, advertise, or attempt a transaction for your business is entirely prohibited. People who consider doing this should be aware those at the event will shut them down. Not only would these kinds of acts change the overall atmosphere of Burning Man, but it would also take away from the community’s promotion of giving.

    8. Participation

    At Burning Man, there’s a belief that a metamorphosis can only be made through personal participation. The concept behind this is that if the world worked for others rather than for individual gain, much progress can be made within society. Therefore, at Burning Man, everyone is invited and encouraged to work.

    9. Immediacy

    It is believed that in day-to-day life, we place barriers between us and our inner selves. We don’t experience life within the moment. One of the purposes of Burning Man is to experience reality immediately. To take in what’s around you, whether that be other people or the natural world, and accept it as is. The principle encourages you to place yourself beyond the human experience.

    10. Leaving No Trace

    Quite simply, the people of Burning Man have a respect for the environment and don’t want to leave any trace of the activities performed there. The purpose of this principle is to encourage everyone to clean up after themselves, whenever it may be, and to make sure upon leaving, they don’t leave anything behind.

     

    What Drugs do People do at Burning Man?

    Unless you’ve been to Burning Man, there’s no true way to tell what kinds of drugs circle around the event. As mentioned above, those who host the event expect those to follow local, state, and federal laws. Therefore, since drugs are prohibited, it’s expected people must keep their use private.

    However, after getting a taste of the principles of Burning Man, it’s understandable that the event attracts a certain kind of crowd. Particularly, those seeking to open their minds, experience something new and of which can bring upon a great change. Generally, people of this category are attracted to psychedelics. [6]

    Psychedelic drugs include:

    • 25I-NBOME/N-BOMB
    • 2C Family
    • Dextromethorphan (DXM)
    • DMT/Ayahuasca
    • GHB
    • Ketamine
    • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
    • Marijuana
    • MDMA
    • Mescaline/Peyote
    • PCP
    • Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
    • Salvia

    These are psychoactive drugs that transform perception and mood and influence a variety of cognitive processes. [7] Of all drug seized by police at Burning Man in 2017, 1,913.75 grams were that of psychedelics, not including 217 tabs of LSD. [8] The only other drugs seized included 231.85 grams of cocaine, 13.5 grams of methamphetamine, and about 170 unidentified pills.

    Though these drugs aren’t addictive physically, they do have psychological affects which can develop a dependence. For example, some people may turn to a hallucinogenic as a means of avoiding particular life stressors. [9]

    When it comes to Burning Man, the twist is the community wants you to face life stressors head on; to accept yourself for who you are and the environment you choose. 

    It’s not surprising some people think they can get there with the help of drugs. However, not everyone who goes to Burning Man is on drugs. Some people go purely for the experience. Like people who just want to watch their favorite band live or enjoy themselves at a club, Burning Man isn’t solely a place people go to to take drugs.

    So, if that’s the case, what is Burning Man all about?

    What is Burning Man All About?

    To assume that an event is all about drug use simply because it attracts that kind of crowd is unfair to those who host the event and are strong participants. Burning Man isn’t all about drug use. Rather, the Burning Man website advertises its experience as, “…entering a ‘decommodified’ space that values who you are, not what you have.”[10]

    Essentially, Burning Man is about being a part of a community that values a collection of people and the talents they can offer the world. It’s about discovering who you are or who you really could be without social barriers. It’s about experiencing something very difficult to experience in other settings.

    Burning Man can’t be defined by its drug use because people don’t go there for the sole sake of taking drugs. Yes, there will be drugs at Burning Man and people will hold the belief that drugs are essential to amplifying the experience. However, drugs aren’t what Burning Man is all about.

    It’s about community. It’s about valuing who you already are. It’s about discovering something new. It’s about being one with the earth and planet.

    Is It Safe For Me to Go to Burning Man?

    This depends on what you define as “safe”.

    To begin, it should be noted that people in early addiction recovery SHOULD NOT go to Burning Man. The easy access to drugs could lead into a relapse of addiction. [11] It’s important for people in the first 2-3 years of recovery to avoid triggers. This often means staying away from environments where drugs are known to be in use, such as clubs or festivals.

    If you’re currently facing a drug addiction and thinking about going to Burning Man, it should be noted the safety precautions involved. The disease of addiction can lead to hazards to your health both in long-term and short. Since Burning Man takes place in the middle of a desert, there’s not nearly as much access to emergency services as there would be in a city or suburbia. Therefore, if anything were to happen – such as an overdose – there’s more of a risk involved.

    Furthermore, if you’re facing a drug addiction then it’s important to seek out treatment before seeking out further ways too get high. If you don’t know where to look to find treatment, you can give us a call.

    If you want to go to Burning Man purely for the experience, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out an enlightenment the festival has to offer. However, it needs to be noted that you’re going to be in a environment of people who participate in drug use. With that in mind, there are precautions to be considered in order to stay drug safe at the event.

    Lastly, the website informs all those who attend to be aware of the environments’ harsh natural climate. This includes very hot days and cool nights as well as the necessity for food and water. You can find their safety video: Burning Man Safety – Desert Survival. [12]

    Your Questions

    If you have any further questions pertaining to Burning Man, we invite you to ask them below. If you have any experience at or information on Burning Man, we’d also love to hear from you. We try to reply to everyone in a prompt and personal manner.

    Reference Sources: [1] THE NEW YORKER: How Larry Harvey, the Founder of Burning Man, Taught America to Experiment
    [2] BURN.LIFE: 1986-1990: THE EARLY YEARS
    [3] The New York Times: Scenes From Burning Man
    [4] Burning Man: Timeline
    [5] Burning Man: The Culture – Philosophical Center
    [6] F1000 Research: Over 30 million psychedelic users in the United States
    [7] Pharmacological Reviews: Psychedelics
    [8] Reno Gazzete Journal: What were the top drugs police seized at Burning Man last year?
    [9] SAMHSA: Physical and Psychological Effects of Substance Use Handout
    [10] Burning Man: The Even – Preparation
    [11] Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine: Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery
    [12] Burning Man Safety: Desert Survival

     

    [banner variant=”article-6″]

    View the original article at addictionblog.org

  • Soulja Boy Denies Drug Use After Fan Accusation

    Soulja Boy Denies Drug Use After Fan Accusation

    The “Crank That” rapper shot back at a Twitter user who accused him of using crack cocaine. 

    People across social media are comparing their photos today with pictures from 10 years ago as part of the viral “how hard did aging hit you” challenge. After a fan used the challenge to compare two photos of Soulja Boy and suggest he was using drugs, the rapper reacted angrily this week. 

    The mashup included an old headshot of the rapper alongside a more recent selfie where Soulja Boy was looking haggard. 

    “I said Soulja Boy looking mad cracky now,” the fan wrote on Twitter. “DIS IS CRACK.”

    Soulja Boy wasted no time responding to the allegations, saying that he is not doing cocaine and that he looked rough in the picture because he was recently in a serious car accident, Vibe reported.  

    “First of all, I want to say, for everybody that’s saying, ‘Soulja Boy look like he’s on drugs. Soulja Boy look bad. Soulja Boy look like he’s on crack, on powder.’ Bitch, don’t play with me like that!” the rapper said in a live video posted to social media. “I ain’t never did crack in my life, bitch. I’m worth muthafucking $30 million… I never did cocaine in my life.”

    He seemed personally offended by the suggestion that he might be doing drugs. 

    “Don’t be making fun of my fucking appearance and my fucking looks,” he said. “I’m worth 30 million, google that shit. Y’all got me fucked up.” 

    Soulja Boy posted on January 6 that he had been in a car accident during mudslides in California and said that could explain the difference between the two pictures that the fan posted. 

    “I was just in a bad car accident two days ago, bitch, I almost lost my life,” he said. “I hit my fucking face on the fucking dashboard on the car, bitch, and my shit swollen and my teeth, I need surgery and shit.”

    Soulja Boy, who is 28, became a household name back in 2007 when his song “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” topped the charts. Although his name was out of the press for years, he claimed on Twitter that he was the biggest comeback story of 2018, Billboard reported. 

    “I had the biggest come back of 2018 big facts,” Soulja Boy tweeted. “Signed a record deal. Did four new tv shows and signed an endorsement deal with Fashion Nova release my own smart watch and video game console n—az thought it was over for me after all that beef shit. Never count a real one out!”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Risks of Drug Abuse in Developing Asia | Can We Help?

    Risks of Drug Abuse in Developing Asia | Can We Help?

    TABLE OF CONTENTS:

    A Lack of Funding or Geopolitics?

    Understanding drug abuse in developing Asian countries is a more complex task than you might think. Between the realities of a geopolitically divided world and the many challenges unique to Asia itself, the interrelated problems of drug abuse and the spread of communicable disease have lingered past the point of reason in developing countries such as:
    • The Republic of Korea
    • Myanmar
    • Indonesia
    • Cambodia

    …and elsewhere.

    However, no matter how you measure it, the situation ends up looking like a referendum on austerity. A lack of public funding is the proximate cause of these nations’ struggles with drug abuse and the risks it represents. But a lot of the blame lies with Western leaders, who for generations have preferred exporting conflict instead of practical knowledge and cooperation.

    Before the rest of the world can understand the requirements, we need to take an honest look at some of the factors that contribute to this ongoing problem in the first place. Nobody should believe the proximate cause is a lack of self-control or a lapse in individual morals, as we’re often meant to think about drug users.

    Rather, drug abuse is both a social and practical problem.

    Drug use in developing countries is a problem with a clear solution. In fact, the problem has steps worth taking, for both Asian nations and for those looking on in interest and concern from other shores.

    Understanding the Risk Factors

    The developing parts of Asia are not, in the grand scheme of things, “uniquely” at risk of abusing drugs. But there are some factors here which make drug use uniquely interrelated with the spread of highly infectious and dangerous diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

    One challenge health care workers and world institutions face is the sheer size and diversity of Asia’s population. Another challenge is that, in parts of the continent, a working knowledge of modern medicine has not permeated yet. The use of heroin, cannabis and hashish is common throughout Asia — and not exclusively for recreational use, either. Depending on the region, people have used some of these substances for traditional and medicinal purposes for generations unnumbered, according to the WHO.

    Furthermore, injection is the preferred method for administering some of these “medicines.” In the 1990s, for example, the use of amphetamine-style drugs began to dramatically rise in popularity throughout the developed and developing parts of Asia, including the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines and elsewhere. And at locations where a local doctor or religious leader administers ostensibly “medicinal” drugs, it’s not uncommon for up to 50 “patients” to share a single needle.

    Another condition that has shaped Asia’s relationships with illicit drugs also include the overlap between what experts call “IDUs” — injecting drug users — and sex work. In the parts of the world where sex work is most common, drug abuse seems to follow.

    So, it quickly becomes apparent that risk of disease is high. Add to this the lack of authoritative, accessible health care systems and an inclusive educational system…and we can begin to understand the complexity of regional issues. Each of these factors contribute to the likelihood of drug abuse and exposure to its many risks.

    Although men abuse a majority of opium and other drugs in Asia, the WHO has observed upticks in the number of female and child drug users in developing regions.

    Profiles of Drug Users in Asia

    Reports have disagreed for years about the rate at which women abuse drugs in Asian countries. Smoking opium, in particular, was historically a male pursuit. But authorities worry we’ve been underreporting the rate at which women use injectable drugs. They are also concerned we’ll see current numbers rise even further — perhaps to as high as 25 percent of the drug-using population — as we study these trends and better understand these “hidden” populations in Asia.

    The portraits of at-risk communities in portions of Vietnam, Cambodia and even parts of China include higher-than-average percentages of homeless children and high rates of both male and female sex workers, all of which has known ties to drug abuse. Educational levels vary among Asia’s drug-using population, but unemployment and underemployment are also major drivers and sustainers of drug use in Asian communities.

    What Asia Needs from the Rest of the World

    In their most recent tussles over tariffs and the exportation of goods and knowledge, most wealthier nations haven’t worried themselves too much about exporting the materials and personnel necessary for up-and-coming countries to invest in their education and health care systems. Indeed, wealthy governments don’t usually concern themselves with ensuring the prosperity of other peoples of the world, especially those in developing nations.

    Suffice it to say, evidence-based drug abuse and HIV prevention measures are not common in middle-income and impoverished countries in Asia. If there’s a public health budget at all, rather little of it tends to be earmarked for prevention and educational/outreach purposes.

    This general lack of institutional health resources — plus the public tendency toward avoidance of topics about the relationships between promiscuous sex, the spread of STDs and the use of injectable drugs — trap developing countries in cycles of poverty that leave people lacking essential resources and a livable degree of dignity for generations at a time.

    The main point is this: Living life in poverty further fuels drug use in at-risk communities in Asia and beyond.

    But it’s not just care for, and education of, the drug user or patient that matters. We must also make efforts to help these countries better educate their police forces. There is a balance to be found between approaches that emphasize harm reduction and those that focus on occupational safety for police officers. There is, appropriately, concern among law enforcement that drug users might have dangerous paraphernalia on them, such as used needles. And accidents can happen.

    Efforts to better educate members of the law enforcement community can yield better, and more compassionate, results. In Kyrgyzstan, officers who received education about what daily life is like for drug users came to employ more compassionate means to keep the peace in their communities, including referring patients to public health facilities, instead of confiscating their property or condemning them to criminal proceedings.

    Supervised Injection Sites

    In Europe, and even certain areas in the United States, one type of public health investment that’s resulted in positive returns is called a “supervised injection site.” Citing successes in Europe, cities like Seattle, Washington provide drug users with safe places where they can gradually wean themselves off chemical dependencies. Supervised injection sites are motivated by harm reduction ideologies, without the need to use on the street and risk using a contaminated syringe or needle.

    The idea is not to encourage “moderate” drug use. It’s to provide community-based aid and practical, compassionate next steps for people suffering from the effects of drug dependency. Beyond that, supervised injection sites help slow the spread of infectious diseases among drug-using communities that might otherwise be sharing needles.

    Still, safe injection facilities are uncommon even in the developed world due to social stigmas and a lack of funding — and that makes them even rarer in developing countries. In Kazakhstan, for example, political controversy derailed a national opioid substitution therapy program. And in Uzbekistan, a similar federal-level pilot program for weaning patients off opioids got rejected before the first trials had finished.

    General Takeaways

    There is now plenty of evidence linking the abuse of drugs in developing nations with incidences of HIV/AIDS and STD transmission, among other forms of social harm. But what tends to be missing is serious attention and follow-through from the countries who have the resources to do something.

    The institutions whose job it is to study trends like these and draw up actionable conclusions, such as the WHO and Family Health International, agree reducing drug abuse and its many ancillary types of harm in the developing areas of Asia comes down to three major components of a long-overdue consciousness-raising campaign:

    1. Syringe exchange programs are a proven success that can save lives and tens of millions of dollars. If the developing world adopts them in higher numbers, they can save lives there, too, and help prevent the spread of infection.

    2. Residents of these nations need better access to biomedical and behavioral preventive medicine. Behavioral prevention might take the form of educational mission trips, which can help deliver some of the practical, and potentially life-saving, knowledge these citizens need to understand their health better.

    3. Developed nations must share their resources for HIV/AIDS treatment strategies, including making testing protocols more widely available and sharing plans for education and early detection.

    Still, economic austerity plays a hugely detrimental role in the health of world citizens. In Greece, following that country’s economic meltdown in 2007, some of the following years saw roughly 15-fold increases in rates of HIV infection. As a country’s tax revenue falls — or, rather, gets siphoned off to fund privately owned enterprises — that country’s investments in public health and medicine must also fall, and the health and “health literacy” of its citizens necessarily suffers.

    It’s possible to measure a country’s greatness by how willing it is to help vulnerable people turn their lives around. Because of this, Asia’s struggle with drugs is everybody’s struggle.

    Your Comments

    Like what you’ve read here?

    Have an opinion yourself?

    Please leave your comments in the section at the end of the page. We’d love to hear from you! We will try to respond to all comments and questions personally and promptly.

    View the original article at

  • Top 8 Most Dangerous Drugs

    Top 8 Most Dangerous Drugs

    ARTICLE OVERVIEW: No psychoactive drug is 100% safe. Yes, under medical supervision, some drugs can be beneficial to people in certain situations. However, EVERY drug holds potential for abuse. This article seeks to explore which drugs are the most dangerous and the threats involved in taking them. At the end, we invite you to ask questions.

    ESTIMATED READING TIME: Less than 10 minutes.

    Table of Contents:

    How Do We Define the Most Dangerous Drug?

    There are two primary factors which allow us to better understand what makes a drug so dangerous:

    1. How much harm it causes to the body and mind.
    2. Its risk of addiction.

    We can further separate harms to the body and mind into short-term and long-term effects. Short-term effects of drug use are the immediate consequences that work against your health. These effects vary depending on the drug. For example, when someone takes heroin, a large amount of dopamine is released into the system. As the high begins to come down, the dopamine leaves your system and the brain needs time to refuel itself with natural dopamine. During this time, the user feels symptoms that are very similar to the flu (such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting).

    Long-term effects are the health consequences which appear overtime after continuous use of drugs. This is a prime concern for people who struggle with addiction. Again, the exact effects depend on the drug of choice and how often/much you use. Common long-term symptoms of drug use include, but aren’t limited to:

    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Hear complications
    • Kidney problems
    • Liver problems
    • Lung complications
    • Paranoia

    For the most part, health problems and addiction go hand-in-hand. People who experience addiction usually have one or more associated health complications. Four common health issues due to drug addiction include:

    • Cancer
    • Heart or lung disease
    • Mental health conditions
    • Stroke

    If you’re using any of the following drugs, you’re not only at great risk of forming an addiction quickly…you also risk adverse health complications. The following list is a compilation of the most dangerous drugs our current market has to offer.

    #8 – Heroin

    At one point in history, heroin was prescribed as a painkiller for chronic pain. But because so many people could not control their use, the drug became illegal. Since its discovery in 1874, it’s been one of the most destructively abused drugs people have gotten their hands on. This is namely due to its intense euphoric effects which are highly addictive.

    When heroin metabolizes in the body, the brain reacts by flooding the system with neurotransmitters. This triggers pain relief and a sense of euphoria, the basis of a person’s addiction. But when someone stops taking heroin, their body and brain reacts with almost opposite effects. Dysphoria and depression are common, accompanied by very uncomfortable withdrawal.

    #7 – Cocaine/Crack

    Since crack is cocaine with additives (such as baking soda), the additional chemicals make it a more dangerous drug than cocaine itself. Sometimes dealers cut crack with toxic ingredients. However, both have hazardous effects on the individual for both long and short term.

    The following are long-term effects of crack and cocaine use:

    • Angina, a pain in the chest due to tightening vessels.
    • Arrhythmia, an irregular heart rate.
    • Blood clots which could lead to a heart attack, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or a stroke.
    • Brain damage.
    • Damage to the nose and mouth due to cocaine being either snorted or smoked.
    • Gastrointestinal damage.
    • Infectious diseases.
    • Kidney damage.
    • Liver damage.
    • Myocardial infarction, due to a lack of oxygen from poor blood flow, a heart muscle can die.
    • Permanently increased blood pressure.
    • Respiratory problems and pulmonary damage.
    • Tachycardia.

    Furthermore, since cocaine is a stimulant, the heart pumps faster when someone is high on it. This can lead to a heart attack or other overdose complications which hold potential to be fatal. Crack and cocaine are very dangerous and people develop addictive habits to them quickly due to the intensity of the high and the immediate effects it has on the body. It’s important to seek help if you or a loved one is currently addicted to crack or cocaine.

    #6 – Crystal Meth

    Crystal meth is one of the most devastating drugs you can get your hands on. Short-term effects include being anxious and sleep deprived. Long-term effect include brain damage, damage of blood vessels, and sinking of the flesh.

    Since the high of the drug starts almost immediately, and fades after 10-12 hours, people tend to continuously dose in order to keep the high going. This kind of behavior is known as a “binge and crash” pattern and is very dangerous considering how consistently drugs are being put into the body.

    Furthermore, crystal meth affects your brain chemistry. Naturally, neurons recycle dopamine. But when you put crystal meth in the brain, it releases lots of dopamine itself, causing neurons to not have to work. When you stop taking dopamine, the neurons must learn to naturally recycle again and the body goes through crystal meth withdrawal.

    #5 – AH-7921

    Since AH-7921 isn’t very common, there’s a likely chance you won’t come across it. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s highly addictive and dangerous. AH-7921 is a synthetic opioid which has around 80% of the potency of morphine.

    The health complications are very similar to heroin, but since it’s also a synthetic, there’s risk of causing respiratory arrest and gangrene.

    #4 – Flakka

    This is a newer drug which recently hit Florida’s Fort Lauderdale area. Also known as alpha-PVP, Flakka is a stimulant which has similar chemical structuring to amphetamines found in bath salts. The effects it has on the user are similar to cocaine, but 10 times stronger. These include:
    • Extreme agitation and violent behavior
    • Hallucinations
    • Increased friendliness
    • Increased sex drive
    • Panic attacks
    • Paranoia

    Not only is Flakka extremely addictive, it also has serious risks to your harm. Unfortunately, since these drugs have only recently hit the market, there’s only so much known about how the amount of impairment it can do to the brain and body. However, researchers are aware that the consequences of Flakka are similar to the next drug on our list.

    #3 – Bath Salts

    This drug was originally sold online and used the term “bath salts” to disguise what it really is: cathiones. There isn’t enough research conducted for bath salts to fully understand the effects it has on the body for short-term and long-term use. However, clinicians at U.S. poison centers have discovered that some of the consequences to taking bath salts are:
    • Agitation
    • Chest pains
    • Delusions
    • Extreme paranoia
    • Increased blood pressure
    • Increased heart rate

    Furthermore, there’s been an alarming rate of ER visits due to bath salts. Though this drug is dangerous in itself, due to the fact that there’s so little known about it, people who take it are putting themselves at greater risks which may be unknown. If you or someone you know is taking bath salts, it’s important to seek treatment immediately.

    #2 – Whoonga

    Whoonga is one of a kind in the sense that it’s unlike most drugs in the illicit market. It’s a combination of antiretroviral drugs – which were created for the sake of treating HIV – and cut with other substances such as poisons and detergents. It’s not common in the United States, but has found prominent popularity in South Africa due to the high rate of HIV in South Africa.

    Whoonga is highly dangerous towards your health and can cause:

    • Death
    • Internal bleeding
    • Stomach ulcers

    Again, since this is a relatively new drug, little is known about the drug.

    #1 – Krokodil

    A recent drug which has been trending in Russia, Krokodil has affected over a million people. The problem with it is people have supplemented it for heroin due to its price – about a third of the price. The danger with Krokodil is it’s often homemade which can be very unsanitary and hosts a variety of ingredients including, but not limited to:
    • Gasoline
    • Industrial cleaning agents
    • Iodine
    • Lighter fluid
    • Painkillers
    • Paint thinners

    Most people who take these toxic chemicals usually do so through injection. In turn, this has caused some of the following reactions to happen very soon after getting hooked on the drug:

    • Gangrene
    • Phlebitis, injury to the veins
    • Severe tissue damage
    • Spread of HIV

    Krokodil hasn’t been seen widely in the United States yet, but is spreading through Europe rapidly.

    Am I Addicted?

    Health problems can be directly caused by an addiction. But what is an addiction? Addiction defined as:

    Compulsive behavior during which the user has the inability to stop taking drugs despite the negative consequences it has had on their life.

    It’s important to note that addiction isn’t a choice, but rather, a disease which is very hard to control. No one seeks to become addicted to drugs.

    You may wonder whether you or someone you know is addicted to drugs. In order to find out, you can ask the following questions:

    • Are you unable to keep up responsibilities due to your drug use?
    • Has use of drugs affected previous activities you used to enjoy?
    • Have you continued to use drugs despite it causing problems in your relationships?
    • Have you ever tried to quit drugs without having success?
    • Do you find yourself craving to use drugs?
    • Do you spend a large amount of time thinking about, obtaining, or using drugs?
    • Do you find yourself engaging in risky sex or high-risk situations because of drugs?

    If you or your loved one answered yes to any of the above questions, you’re most likely facing an addiction. It’s important consult a doctor as you don’t want to fall victim to certain health problems due to your addiction.

    Basics to Drug Addiction Treatment

    Though treatment works differently, depending on the drug you take, there are a variety of common patterns found in treating addiction. What usually differs is the amount of time a person undergoes treatment and the exact effects they’ll feel while being treated. Upon entering a treatment facility, you can expect the following:

    1. A medical assessment in which you’ll be tested for a variety of things and asked an assortment of questions. The purpose of all this is to collect information of your current condition as a means of pursuing the best treatment options.

    2. A medical detox in which your body will rid itself of the drug’s chemical structure and reform back to its homeostasis – withdrawals. It’s very important you’re under medical supervision during this time there are dangers when withdrawing from certain drugs.

    3. Psychotherapies which are meant for treating underlying issues that are brought upon by drug use. These therapies are designed to teach you how to handle everyday emotions and life stressors without drugs being a factor in your life. You’ll also be educated in how to reduce drug cravings. Psychotherapies include:

    ◦ Family therapy
    ◦ Group therapy
    ◦ Individual counseling

    4. Pharmacotherapy (medication) is meant for the sake of easing withdrawals and reducing cravings. The medication you receive all depends on the drug of addiction and how severe your addiction is.

    5. Education sessions which are designed to inform you of the dangers in drug use and how to prevent relapse.

    6. Aftercare services which provide additional support in order to maintain sobriety.

    Your Questions

    If you have any questions pertaining to the most dangerous drugs or how to treat drug addiction, we invite you to ask them below. If you have any advice to those struggling with addiction or wondering more about the most dangerous drugs, we’d also love to hear from you. We try to reply to each comment in a prompt and personal manner.

    View the original article at

  • Professors Accused Of Selling Drugs, Sexual Misconduct On College Campus

    Professors Accused Of Selling Drugs, Sexual Misconduct On College Campus

    Female students allege that the professors tried to get them to “sexually service professors at other colleges.”

    Several professors at John Jay College of Criminal Justice are under criminal investigation for sexual assault and drug dealing.

    Four of the accused professors are on administrative leave, while more are named in the accusers’ complaints. They are being investigated by the New York State inspector general and Manhattan district attorney.

    The complaints allege that the professors used and sold drugs on the New York City campus. As the New York Times reported, “Drug use and sex were said to be common in the offices of some professors and in an area known as ‘the Swamp’ in one of the school’s buildings.”

    Anthropology professor Ric Curtis, 64, was the ringleader of the alleged misconduct. The accusers and eyewitnesses claim Curtis frequently used and sold drugs in his office at John Jay. They recalled seeing drug paraphernalia in his office, including a pipe, a grinder and needles.

    Curtis, former chair of the sociology, anthropology, and law and police science departments, has been at the school for 30 years.

    One accuser, 24-year-old recent graduate Naomi Haber, told the New York Post that Curtis convinced her to go off her medications, including antidepressants, for bipolar disorder—and “introduced weed into my life, instead.”

    Haber also claimed that Curtis held on to his “devotees” by hooking them with drugs. “Ric supplied weed to his devotees, several times a day, which made it even harder for [‘swamp’ devotees] to leave once they had become dependent on the drugs and by extension, him.”

    The women also accused the men of sexual assault, and attempting to have them “sexually service professors at other colleges,” as well as rape, according to the Post.

    John Jay was apparently aware of the allegations since at least May, the Times reports, and found significant quantities of drugs and drug paraphernalia in an internal investigation.

    However, the school did not alert police until September—and when it did, John Jay did not disclose the “circumstances under which [the evidence was] recovered.”

    Another accuser, 39-year-old Claudia Cojocaru, a former student who is now an adjunct professor at John Jay, criticized the school’s handling of the allegations.

    “They were incredibly rude and victim-degrading. They made us perform like circus animals, distorted the facts, and distorted what we talked about,” she said. “They tried to brush the whole thing under the rug, so to speak. They re-traumatized us by making us relive all sorts of traumatic experiences.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Meth Use Rises Among Youth, Heroin Use Declines

    Meth Use Rises Among Youth, Heroin Use Declines

    The results of a new survey from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration revealed some positive movement for the opioid crisis.

    In another reminder of how complicated addiction and addiction treatment is, compiled survey results from 67,500 Americans in 2017 found that while new heroin users in certain age groups have almost declined by half, methamphetamine and marijuana use has increased.

    The survey, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, (SAMHSA) parsed survey takers by age groups, types of drugs used, amounts of drugs used, and the starting point for the usage or abuse of each drug.

    The most dramatic, positive findings were around new heroin users; 81,000 reported using heroin for the first time in 2017, less than half of the 170,000 reported the year before.

    However, when looking at the age group of 18-25, the decline in new heroin users was “almost imperceptible” according to USA Today. 

    The 18 to 25 category also reported less prescription opioid abuse. SAMHSA estimated that in 2015 8.5% of people in this vulnerable age range misused prescription opioids; In 2017 the percentage was at 7.

    Yet marijuana and meth use for youths 12-17 increased from all previous years. Marijuana use for both youth and adults was associated with opioid use, heavy alcohol use, and major depressive episodes.

    The concerning effects of heavy marijuana use on mental illness has been somewhat put to the backburner as popular culture embraces the positive aspects of the drug. Some research show a direct correlation between marijuana overuse and mental distress and illness.

    With all the publicity surrounding deaths from heroin laced with fentanyl, addiction specialist Sally Satel says most addiction experts had anticipated a move away from opioids and toward another drug.

    “I was waiting for this,” Satel told USA Today, “This is how it works. People still want to alter their mental state. So they look for what’s cheap and what’s available and the reputation of the drug.” 

    Jim Beiting, CEO of Transitions, Northern Kentucky’s largest drug treatment and recovery organization, told USA Today that meth is “magnetic” for people with addiction trying to move from opioids. “It’s cheaper,” he says. “It’s more readily available, (and) the potency is higher than it used to be.”

    Other positive news from the SAMHSA report reveals that more people struggling with heroin addiction are seeking treatment, up 53.7% from previous years. This seems to reflect on the increased funding, country-wide, into access and quality of addiction treatment services.

    The news is mixed but overall illuminates how bad the addiction crisis remains in our country. James Carrol, acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told the Washington Times, “Use of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine are all up. So we aren’t just in an opioids crisis. It’s an addiction crisis.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • The US Workforce Is Taking More Drugs

    The US Workforce Is Taking More Drugs

    A new study about workplace drug testing found that opioid use declined between 2016 and 2017, while use of other drugs is on the rise.

    Members of the workforce in the United States are testing positive for drugs more often than they have in the past 10 years, according to a new study that analyzed more than 10 million drug test results. 

    The study, conducted by Quest Diagnostics, painted an interesting picture of the ways that drug use is affecting different areas of the country. Overall, 4.2% of people drug tested at work tested positive, up from 3.5% in 2012, which was a 30-year low. 

    “It’s unfortunate that we mark 30 years of the Drug-Free Workplace Act with clear evidence that drugs continue to invade the country’s workplaces. Not only have declines appeared to have bottomed out, but also in some drug classes and areas of the country drug positivity rates are increasing,” said Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology at Quest Diagnostics.

    The data, perhaps unsurprisingly, showed that marijuana use is up in states that have legalized recreational use. It also indicated that use of cocaine and methamphetamine is on the rise. 

    “These changing patterns and geographical variations may challenge the ability of employers to anticipate the ‘drug of choice’ for their workforce or where to best focus their drug prevention efforts to ensure a safe and healthy work environment,” Sample said. 

    Cocaine use increased for the fifth year in a row. The jump was particularly sharp in Nebraska (which had a stunning 91% increase between 2016 and 2017), Idaho (88% increase) and Washington (31% increase).

    Use of methamphetamine was up in midwest and southern states. Between 2013 and 2017 positive tests for methamphetamine positivity increased 167% in the region covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin; 160% in the region covering Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee; 150% in the region covering New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania; and 140% in the region covering the eastern seaboard from Delaware to Florida.

    The number of people testing positive for opioids declined 17% between 2016 and 2017, suggesting that efforts to address the opioid epidemic have been paying off. 

    “The depth of our large-scale analysis supports the possibility that efforts by policymakers, employers, and the medical community to decrease the availability of opioid prescriptions and curtail the opioid crisis is working to reduce their use, at least among the working public,” said Kim Samano, scientific director at Quest Diagnostics.

    Matt Nieman, general counsel at the Institute for a Drug-Free Workplace said that the opioid numbers were encouraging, but there was still work to be done. 

    “The 10-year high in positivity rates—spurred by nationwide surges in cocaine and methamphetamine positivity as well as double-digit marijuana spikes in states with newly implemented recreational laws—serves as a stark warning that efforts to prevent substance abuse in the workplace are as important today as ever,” he said. 

    View the original article at thefix.com