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Parents may try their best to educate their kids to avoid drug use, but if they then send them to a school where drugs or alcohol use or trafficking is common, their efforts are more likely to fail. This is according to a 2008 survey from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.
According to this survey, one-third of parents surveyed felt that the presence of drugs in the child’s school would not increase his or her risk of drug or alcohol use. But in a 2007 report, CASA stated that eighty percent of America’s high school students and 44 percent of middle schools students have personally witnessed drunk or high students or illegal drug use, dealing or possession on school grounds. And that on average, students who go to schools with higher rates of drug abuse themselves manifest higher rates of illegal drug or alcohol use.
This year, for the first time, teens reported that it is easier to get prescription drugs to abuse than it is to obtain beer. And 43 percent said that they knew where to buy marijuana within a day.
“Drugs are out there and our kids know it very well,” stated Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma.
“It helps to keep out our kids safe to educate them on the true dangers of drug abuse and to stay fully involved in their lives by sharing experiences with them and having family dinners,” added Mr. Hallmark.
To read the rest of this article, please go to: Drugs in Schools or visit the Narconon website.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Prescription Drugs in the Home are the Key to Abuse by Teens
While figures for some kinds of drug use among teens have dropped slightly over the last several years, prescription drug abuse shows no signs of letting up. Supporting this abuse is the ease with which our young people can lay their hands on prescription drugs to abuse, particularly prescription pain relievers.
A recent report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University shows that one-third of teens who know prescription drug abusers say that these kids get their drugs from home. Another third say they can get these drugs from a friend or classmate.
The annual survey of teen attitudes on substance abuse drew the conclusion that probably half of all prescription drugs being abused by teens are coming from someone’s home medicine chest.
And this ease of acquisition showed in the statistics on prescription drug abuse. By 2007, one in every twenty high school seniors had found and tried OxyContin, a powerful narcotic painkiller with a high, when abused, similar to heroin. While this is bad enough, the statistic of seniors who had abused Vicodin, a painkiller containing hydrocodone, was almost twice as high.
“Prescription pain relievers are addictive, whether it’s teens or adults abusing them,” stated Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. “We help people of all ages, from eighteen to seventy-five and up, recover the drug-free life they lost. Seventy percent of our graduates remain drug-free after graduation, as a result of our holistic program that addresses the three main barriers to recovery: the cravings, guilt and depression experienced by every addict.”
To read the rest of this article, please go to: Drugs in the Home or visit the Narconon website.
A recent report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University shows that one-third of teens who know prescription drug abusers say that these kids get their drugs from home. Another third say they can get these drugs from a friend or classmate.
The annual survey of teen attitudes on substance abuse drew the conclusion that probably half of all prescription drugs being abused by teens are coming from someone’s home medicine chest.
And this ease of acquisition showed in the statistics on prescription drug abuse. By 2007, one in every twenty high school seniors had found and tried OxyContin, a powerful narcotic painkiller with a high, when abused, similar to heroin. While this is bad enough, the statistic of seniors who had abused Vicodin, a painkiller containing hydrocodone, was almost twice as high.
“Prescription pain relievers are addictive, whether it’s teens or adults abusing them,” stated Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. “We help people of all ages, from eighteen to seventy-five and up, recover the drug-free life they lost. Seventy percent of our graduates remain drug-free after graduation, as a result of our holistic program that addresses the three main barriers to recovery: the cravings, guilt and depression experienced by every addict.”
To read the rest of this article, please go to: Drugs in the Home or visit the Narconon website.
Drug Abuse by Teens: Parents Are Both Part of the Problem and Part of the Solution
A recent study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) shows that many parents fail to take essential actions that prevent drug use or drinking by their teenaged children. At the same time, the study shows that parents who do take these actions have children with lower rates of drug or alcohol use, meaning that they can be part of the solution. The study is the annual Back to School Survey, published each year in August 2008.
The factors found to discourage substance abuse by teens were:
• Being engaged in the teens’ day-to-day life
• Relaxing with them
• Frequent family dinners
• Supervision, especially of time spent with friends on weeknights
• Setting positive examples of healthy behavior.
On the other hand, neglect of these factors was found to coincide with greater drug use.
The study found that 46 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds typically leave home to hang out with friends on school nights, but only 14 percent of parents say their kids usually leave home on these nights. The later that teens are out, the more likely it is that they will be around alcohol and drug use while they are out and the more likely it is that they will join in. Apparently, many parents miss the fact that their teens are leaving home at night.
A startling new result in this report was the increase in the percentage of kids who could quickly obtain marijuana. Twenty-three percent of teens can get it in an hour or less, the highest figure yet. Forty-two percent could get it in a day or less. Of those who could get it in an hour or less, nearly half of the teens surveyed had used the drug.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration reports that almost two and a half million people initiate use of marijuana each year, more than half of them 12- to 17-year-old children. And many of these people will go on to use other addictive drugs. The director of CASA, Joseph Califano, reports that “Twelve- to seventeen-year-old children who used marijuana were eighty-five times more likely to use cocaine” than those who did not.
“A certain number of young people who start abusing drugs early will wind up addicted and in need of rehabilitation,” commented Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead.
To read the rest of this article, please go to: Drug Abuse by Teens or visit the Narconon website.
The factors found to discourage substance abuse by teens were:
• Being engaged in the teens’ day-to-day life
• Relaxing with them
• Frequent family dinners
• Supervision, especially of time spent with friends on weeknights
• Setting positive examples of healthy behavior.
On the other hand, neglect of these factors was found to coincide with greater drug use.
The study found that 46 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds typically leave home to hang out with friends on school nights, but only 14 percent of parents say their kids usually leave home on these nights. The later that teens are out, the more likely it is that they will be around alcohol and drug use while they are out and the more likely it is that they will join in. Apparently, many parents miss the fact that their teens are leaving home at night.
A startling new result in this report was the increase in the percentage of kids who could quickly obtain marijuana. Twenty-three percent of teens can get it in an hour or less, the highest figure yet. Forty-two percent could get it in a day or less. Of those who could get it in an hour or less, nearly half of the teens surveyed had used the drug.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration reports that almost two and a half million people initiate use of marijuana each year, more than half of them 12- to 17-year-old children. And many of these people will go on to use other addictive drugs. The director of CASA, Joseph Califano, reports that “Twelve- to seventeen-year-old children who used marijuana were eighty-five times more likely to use cocaine” than those who did not.
“A certain number of young people who start abusing drugs early will wind up addicted and in need of rehabilitation,” commented Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead.
To read the rest of this article, please go to: Drug Abuse by Teens or visit the Narconon website.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ten Reasons to Take Action Against Addiction: #10: Addiction Can Be Overcome
Addiction is one of society’s most severe and tragic ills, creating the loss of life, wealth, families, happiness and productivity. For years, a solution has been sought that will free addicts from trap of in addiction. Solutions abound, starting with incarceration and proceeding on through tens of billions spent on an alphabet soup of federal and state agencies.
Out in society, rehabilitation services are based on everything from ancient philosophies to brand new ideas. Nationally, more than 11,000 drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers offer help. Over 55,000 Alcoholics Anonymous groups offer support and guidance to the recovering alcoholic and 25,000 Narcotics Anonymous groups help drug addicts. Federal dollars support the development of a roster of drugs created to treat addiction’s cravings or symptoms.
The result is a bewildering maze of treatment options. Many treatment options treat addiction as a chronic, incurable brain disease that requires medication, the same as diabetes or heart disease. Some addiction services believe that an addict will always be an addict and will never recover.
“Our experience is that the right program enables a person to leave addiction behind,” noted Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. Mr. Hallmark went on to describe how the Narconon program achieves its 70 percent success rate. “Our recoveries start with a sauna and nutritional program that flushes drug residues from the body to help the person reduce or even eliminate cravings. Unless cravings are addressed first, most addicted people can’t focus on their recovery. Next, counseling helps a person leave the pain and grief of addiction behind, and life skills training teaches them how to live a new, drug-free life.”
To read the rest of this article, please go to Addiction Can be Overcome. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
Out in society, rehabilitation services are based on everything from ancient philosophies to brand new ideas. Nationally, more than 11,000 drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers offer help. Over 55,000 Alcoholics Anonymous groups offer support and guidance to the recovering alcoholic and 25,000 Narcotics Anonymous groups help drug addicts. Federal dollars support the development of a roster of drugs created to treat addiction’s cravings or symptoms.
The result is a bewildering maze of treatment options. Many treatment options treat addiction as a chronic, incurable brain disease that requires medication, the same as diabetes or heart disease. Some addiction services believe that an addict will always be an addict and will never recover.
“Our experience is that the right program enables a person to leave addiction behind,” noted Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. Mr. Hallmark went on to describe how the Narconon program achieves its 70 percent success rate. “Our recoveries start with a sauna and nutritional program that flushes drug residues from the body to help the person reduce or even eliminate cravings. Unless cravings are addressed first, most addicted people can’t focus on their recovery. Next, counseling helps a person leave the pain and grief of addiction behind, and life skills training teaches them how to live a new, drug-free life.”
To read the rest of this article, please go to Addiction Can be Overcome. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
Ten Reasons to Take Action Against Addiction: #9: Lost Productivity
In the workplace, substance abuse exacts a huge price. According to Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services, substance abuse costs American business an estimated $166.5 billion each year. Studies in the workplace have found that substance abusers higher numbers of accidents and illnesses. Heavy alcohol users are nearly twice as likely to have changed employers three or more times in the past year.
A 2008 study by Norwich Union showed that a third of workers admitted going to work with a hangover and 15% confessed that they had been drunk at work. A recent survey of human resource professionals found that substance-abusing staff created problems through absenteeism, untrustworthy behavior, damage to the company’s reputation, poor job performance, increased medical costs and conflicts between staff.
The good news is that when a person is employed prior to entering treatment for substance abuse, they generally have a better chance of recovery than a person who was unemployed before entering treatment.
“Simply by eliminating substance abuse and addiction, companies can achieve greater overall productivity from their employees,” noted Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. “Those pursuing careers have their best chance of success when they are free from substance abuse. Narconon Arrowhead is proud to support the productivity of America by providing drug and alcohol rehabilitation services with a 70 percent success rate. Every year, we return hundreds of individuals to their homes and their workplaces with a renewed ability to live clean and sober.”
To read the rest of this article, please go to Lost Productivity. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
A 2008 study by Norwich Union showed that a third of workers admitted going to work with a hangover and 15% confessed that they had been drunk at work. A recent survey of human resource professionals found that substance-abusing staff created problems through absenteeism, untrustworthy behavior, damage to the company’s reputation, poor job performance, increased medical costs and conflicts between staff.
The good news is that when a person is employed prior to entering treatment for substance abuse, they generally have a better chance of recovery than a person who was unemployed before entering treatment.
“Simply by eliminating substance abuse and addiction, companies can achieve greater overall productivity from their employees,” noted Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. “Those pursuing careers have their best chance of success when they are free from substance abuse. Narconon Arrowhead is proud to support the productivity of America by providing drug and alcohol rehabilitation services with a 70 percent success rate. Every year, we return hundreds of individuals to their homes and their workplaces with a renewed ability to live clean and sober.”
To read the rest of this article, please go to Lost Productivity. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
Ten Reasons to Take Action Against Addiction: # 8: Lost Potential
When a drug overdose steals a young life, we lose that young life’s potential. When any person becomes addicted to alcohol, illicit drugs or prescription drugs that are being abused, families lose the bright person they loved and all the potential they knew was resident in that beloved son or daughter, brother, sister or parent.
Unfortunately, the highest levels of alcohol dependence occur in 18 to 20 year old Americans, according to the Surgeon General’s Office. Additionally, 5,000 young people a year lose their lives due to injuries involving alcohol, 1,900 of them from auto accidents.
A 2007 study from The National Center on Substance Abuse and Addiction reported that nearly half of America's 5.4 million full-time college students abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month.
“These years are when a person should be studying for a career or getting started in life,” noted Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. “When a young person becomes dependent on or addicted to drug s or alcohol, it can seem more tragic because that person has not yet had the chance to achieve their full potential. Narconon Arrowhead has had great success in helping addicted people young and old achieve their potential by learning to build themselves drug-free liees. Seventy percent of our graduates successfully leave that addiction behind when they graduate.”
To read the rest of the article, please go to Lost Potential. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
Unfortunately, the highest levels of alcohol dependence occur in 18 to 20 year old Americans, according to the Surgeon General’s Office. Additionally, 5,000 young people a year lose their lives due to injuries involving alcohol, 1,900 of them from auto accidents.
A 2007 study from The National Center on Substance Abuse and Addiction reported that nearly half of America's 5.4 million full-time college students abuse drugs or drink alcohol on binges at least once a month.
“These years are when a person should be studying for a career or getting started in life,” noted Derry Hallmark, Director of Admissions and Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the country’s leading drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, located in Canadian, Oklahoma. “When a young person becomes dependent on or addicted to drug s or alcohol, it can seem more tragic because that person has not yet had the chance to achieve their full potential. Narconon Arrowhead has had great success in helping addicted people young and old achieve their potential by learning to build themselves drug-free liees. Seventy percent of our graduates successfully leave that addiction behind when they graduate.”
To read the rest of the article, please go to Lost Potential. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
Ten Reasons to Take Action Against Addiction: # 7: Trafficking Violence
Should we care about drug trafficking violence across our southern border in Mexico? Does it have any impact on Americans?
For background, consider that in the last year, border towns and cities within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border have experienced record levels of violence and murders as the drug cartels compete for turf. In the last year, more than 3,700 killings related to drugs and organized crime have occurred in Mexico, up from about 2,700 last year. In Tijuana alone, there have been 99 people killed just since September 26th. Ciudad Juarez, just across the border from El Paso, has seen more than 1,000 killings this year.
Most law enforcement officials walk off their jobs, are targets for murder or feel helpless to prevent further crimes.
John Walters, the head of the White House, talking about the crimes being committed just across the border, admitted that some traffickers “come across (the U.S. border), kidnap, murder, carry out assassinations.”
And then there is the cost. Congress has thus far sent $400 million in aid to Mexico for their anti-drug efforts. The President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, has complained that because America is the world’s largest market for illegal narcotics and because it provides much of the weaponry used by the cartels, it should focus more attention on these problems.
To read the rest of this article, please go to: Trafficking Violence. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
For background, consider that in the last year, border towns and cities within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border have experienced record levels of violence and murders as the drug cartels compete for turf. In the last year, more than 3,700 killings related to drugs and organized crime have occurred in Mexico, up from about 2,700 last year. In Tijuana alone, there have been 99 people killed just since September 26th. Ciudad Juarez, just across the border from El Paso, has seen more than 1,000 killings this year.
Most law enforcement officials walk off their jobs, are targets for murder or feel helpless to prevent further crimes.
John Walters, the head of the White House, talking about the crimes being committed just across the border, admitted that some traffickers “come across (the U.S. border), kidnap, murder, carry out assassinations.”
And then there is the cost. Congress has thus far sent $400 million in aid to Mexico for their anti-drug efforts. The President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, has complained that because America is the world’s largest market for illegal narcotics and because it provides much of the weaponry used by the cartels, it should focus more attention on these problems.
To read the rest of this article, please go to: Trafficking Violence. Or visit the website for Narconon Arrowhead.
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