Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 30, 2015 under Addiction Trends, Synthetic Drugs | 
Earlier this month the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made an announcement about its progress in reducing the amount of synthetic drugs hitting the streets. According to their release, they seized thousands of kilograms of various types of synthetic drugs as well as weapons, cash and assets totaling more than 15 million dollars.
There are several types of substances that fit into this category, including synthetic marijuana, flakka, bath salts and more. The surge in these types of chemicals has fueled concerns throughout the country as more incidents involving users going to the emergency room are reported. The DEA reports that most of these substances come from china and then the final processing, packaging and distribution happens here in the U.S.
“This poison ruins and takes too many lives; this is incredibly dangerous stuff,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg. “Project Synergy III demonstrates our collective commitment to pursue those who produce and distribute this garbage to our children and I am grateful for the partnership of HSI and CBP on this operation.”
In addition to reducing the flow of synthetic drugs into the United States, the project continues to reveal the transfer of millions of dollars from the sale of these drugs to countries of concern in the Middle East.
It has also been revealed through national surveys that users of synthetic drugs like these are also much more likely to abuse other drugs. Aside from law enforcement tactics, the more people are aware of the dangers of the substances, the more lives we can save.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 20, 2015 under Addiction Trends |
Americans who consume cocaine likely have purchased the drug from a dealer or a friend. They use the drug recreationally or habitually, but very rarely does anyone really consider where the powerful narcotic actually came from. Most of the cocaine that is smuggled into the country comes from Peru and other South American countries. Across the border there are wars, crimes, and murders committed every day so that the cocaine trade can continue. South American governments work tirelessly to combat the drug traffickers, but United States residents and their insatiable demand for cocaine, help to fuel the cocaine trade and war.
In an attempt to deal a severe blow to drug traffickers, many are calling for the ability to better monitor the air space over the Amazon rainforest. Deep within the forest, cocaine manufacturers utilize small planes to deposit money and pick up large packages of cocaine. These transactions do not only deal with cocaine that is destined for the U.S. Countries all over the world receive shipments of cocaine that originated deep within the Amazon forest. Preventing these drop-offs and pick-ups can be essential to putting a dent in the drug trafficking of cocaine, but officials are having a difficult time getting the funding for personnel and tighter control of the area.
“One way of being able to corral and diminish drug trafficking’s speed and efficiency is to get control of the air space. But the government has shown that it’s not interested,” explained retired air force Maj. Gen. Cesar Torres. One reason why Torres and other advocates of more Amazon control are meeting with resistance is because a significant amount of those that are tasked with monitoring the air field are corrupt. While this has not been proven, it is rumored that officials charge the drug cartels $10,000 to land and take off without police intervention.
Despite destroying record amounts of coca plants, the government in Peru still manages to allow more cocaine than ever to be produced. Until the police corruption is handled, the drug cartels will continue to be able to smuggle large amounts of cocaine into the United States and other countries throughout Europe.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 15, 2015 under Addiction Trends |
As parents become more educated on drugs and the potential for their children to start abusing different substances, teenagers have gotten craftier when it comes to hiding drugs and paraphernalia. In a recent interview, drug counselors show different methods teenagers have for hiding their stash. This information can be useful when it comes to monitoring potential drug use at home. Parents, educators and healthcare providers who continue to share information with each other will allow for better monitoring when it comes to drug use.
Hiding drugs is not an uncommon thing for anyone to do, especially teenagers. However, what is uncommon, up until now, is that children are able to share their hiding innovations through social media. This quick way to access information is precisely what parents need to watch out for when it comes to making sure their children are not abusing drugs. In addition to keeping tabs on where drugs might be hidden, social media accounts can also be checked.
In an effort to get the word out there, a news report was done to expose the potential hiding places teenagers may use to conceal their drugs. “It looks like lipstick, but it’s actually a one-hit pipe. It looks like a highlighter, but if you open this part of it, it’s a pipe. Look at some of these cans that are false bottom or can open up, same with these dog food cans,” explained a drug counselor during an interview.
The report also went on to say that many parents are unaware of what some drugs even look like. Experts are warning parents that ecstasy often gets mistaken for candy. While this information can seem overwhelming, an effective way to determine if children are under the influence is usually by noticing any changes in behavior or appearance. Teenagers that are abusing or even experimenting with drugs may withdraw from family and friends. They may start hanging out with a different group of people. Drug use often changes a person’s appetite. Sudden weight loss or weight gain can also be a sign that drugs are in the picture.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 8, 2015 under Addiction Trends |
The United States Surgeon General is the top spokesperson regarding medical issues and concerns in the United States. Several decades ago the Surgeon General came out with a warning on tobacco. Until that time the majority of the population considered cigarettes and other tobacco products to be safe and ok for consumption. Experts credit the study for drastically reducing the amount of people that use tobacco products. This landmark study illustrates the power of the Surgeon General. The office is hoping to duplicate their success with tobacco when it comes to illegal and prescription drug abuse.
The Office of the Surgeon General announced that it would be releasing information from a comprehensive study in 2016 that encompasses all illegal and prescription narcotics. The goal of the study is to examine all the relevant medical research that has been conducted over the years and compile it into one package. This will allow medical professionals, behavioral health professionals and members of the general public to better understand the specific risks imposed by drug consumption.
“We’re going to look at the best science on everything, from heroin and marijuana, to alcohol and prescription opioids. And we’re going to launch a national campaign to tackle the prescription drug crisis because we know that someone dies from an opioid overdose every 24 minutes in this country,” explained Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General.
In addition to delving into the effects of drug use on the user, the project will also investigate how families and children are affected by drug use. This is vital information because current studies show that children are more likely to abuse drugs if a close family member abuses drugs. In order to have as significant of an impact as they hope, the Surgeon General and his team will need to cover all aspects of addiction.
Once the study is completed, the idea is that the information could be used to streamline and improve treatment and prevention practices as well.
