May 15

Psalm 63:1
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thy irsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.

The rock face extended straight up. Terry was halfway up, and his arms ached. From the ground it hadn't looked nearly so great a distance. The sun was scorching, and all Terry could think of was a cool drink of water. He would give anything to be able to stop and drink, but there was not safe place to even think of doing it. The more he thought of water, the worse his thirst got. He comforted himself by thinking the next drink he took would be the best he'd ever had.

 

We often don't appreciate the simple things in life until we are unable to enjoy them. Taking god's gifts for granted is easy to do. Clean air, water to drink, food on the table; these things come easily to most of us, and so we are not as thankful as we might be if we didn't have them. Many in our world have to do without. Remember than even the most basic of our needs is met by the loving grace of God. Thank Him for everything He has given.

 

Prayer: For the air that I breath, the warmth of the springtime sun, the food that nourishes me, and for so much more, I lift my voice in thanks and praise to You, Lord. Amen.

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Rob Lowe Celebrates 23 Years Sober | The Fix

Rob Lowe Celebrates 23 Years Sober | The Fix

Joe Walsh - One Day At A Time (Official Video)

May 14

Psalm 62:10
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Glenn prayed for things to get easier. Every day he lifted his concerns to the Lord. Each day he faithfully read the Bible and thought about the Lord's loving works. Finally, his financial woes began to turn around. He thanked God for hearing him and helping him. His wealth began to increase, but as it did, Glenn turned less and less to God. He rarely prayed, almost never did he turn to God's World, and he spent his time thinking of all the wonderful things he could do with his newfound wealth. Glenn attained a level where he could have been called a rich man. At the same time, Glenn attained a level of spiritual bankruptcy. The cost of wealth is often our very faith. Let not the wealth of the world turn you from God. There is the devil's finest work.

 

Prayer: Forgive me when I let things come between us, Lord. Material wealth is nice, but not if it mea ns that I lose my relationship with You. Help me be satisfied with what I have, and keep my mind and my heart on You. Amen.

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"Born Drug Free Florida"

• About

  "Born Drug Free Florida" is an initiative by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Office of the Attorney General and the Florida Department of Health to raise awareness about babies being born exposed to prescription drugs. The campaign educates expectant mothers about the importance of discussing prescription drug abuse with their doctors and to offer assistance to the women.
  Attorney General Pam Bondi worked with the Florida Legislature during the 2012 legislative session to create a Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns. She chaired the task force, which was charged with examining the scope of the problem of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, the costs associated with caring for babies with NAS, the long-term effects of NAS, and strategies for preventing prescription drug abuse by expectant mothers.
  This initiative is one of the Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns Task Force’s recommendations intended to end NAS in Florida’s newborns. The Department of Children and Families took the lead role in executing this educational initiative.
  

May 13

Psalm 61:2 
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Eric ran back and forth behind the crowd. The parade was coming, and he really wanted to have a good spot to watch it from. Everyone was so much taller than he was. Wherever he went, somebody was standing in front of him. In frustration, he began to cry. Suddenly, two strong hands lifted Eric up and placed him on shoulders high up above the mass of people. From the vantage point of the stranger's shoulders, the entire parade was easy to see.

 

Sometimes we need a boost. Problems loom too large, and we can't see our way around them. Pressures build up, and we don't feel big enough to cope with them. God sees all that and He is ready to lift us up; to give us a new vantage point. Reach up to the Lord, and He will lead you to Himself, a rock which is higher than any problem we might have.

 

Prayer: Pick me up, Lord, and hold me in Your loving arms. Protect me from the pressures of the day, and remove the heaviness from my heart. Inspire me with the knowledge that You and I together can handle anything. Amen.

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Florida Launches New Initiative on Newborns Exposed to Prescription Drugs

By Join Together Staff | May 10, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Government, Parenting, Prescription Drugs & Prevention

Florida is launching a new initiative to tackle the growing problem of newborns exposed to prescription drugs, the Associated Press reports. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi held a press conference Friday with the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Health to announce the new program.

In February a task force of doctors, public health experts and social workers in Florida released a report designed to combat the growing problem of babies born to mothers who are addicted to prescription drugs. The report found more than 1,560 babies born in Florida in 2011 were diagnosed with symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). These babies often spend three weeks in neonatal intensive care, with a cost as high as $53,400 per baby. In contrast, the typical hospital cost for a healthy newborn is $9,500.

NAS babies suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, abdominal pain, incessant crying, rapid breathing, and sometimes seizures, the report notes.

The task force made recommendations in the areas of prevention, intervention and best practices, and treatment. It recommended that hospitals be required to report babies born with symptoms of NAS, as they do with babies born with infectious diseases such as measles and tuberculosis. The group wants to help treatment facilities reach more women, and recommended considering new laws to offer pregnant women immunity for seeking substance abuse treatment.

In April, state officials launched a new website, BornDrugFreeFL.com and a 1-877-233-5656 helpline, to raise awareness about babies being born exposed to prescription drugs. The campaign is designed to educate expectant mothers about the importance of discussing prescription drug use with their doctors, and to offer the women assistance. The campaign is being advertised through billboards across the state.

A MUST ATTEND EVENT! EVERYONE WELCOME!

Where to Draw the Line on Mind-Altering Substances? | The Fix

Where to Draw the Line on Mind-Altering Substances? | The Fix

Vivitrol: A Shot in the Dark | The Fix

Vivitrol: A Shot in the Dark | The Fix

May 11

Psalm 59:9
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

The young man sat quietly in the courtroom. He trembled as he waited for the hearing to begin. He had never been to court before. His parents had rarely even taken him into town. The Amish kept pretty much to themselves. He was being asked to fight in an army that he did not believe in, and that was something he could not do. They would ask him all kinds of hard questions, but all he knew was that war and killing were wrong, and he would have no part of it, even if it meant sitting in a jail for the rest of his life. They would want excuses, but all he could say was no. God was his only defense. Nothing more was needed.

 

Prayer: People do not always understand why I feel the way I do or believe the things I do. Help me to accept that, Father. Help me to be secure in my faith. Let me be an example of faith in a world full of doubt. Amen.

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Pregnant Teens in Substance Abuse Treatment Face Many Challenges

By Join Together Staff | May 10, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Alcohol, Drugs, Parenting & Youth

Pregnant teens, who are more likely than pregnant adults to face medical issues, face a host of additional challenges if they are also being treated for substance abuse, a new government report finds.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found pregnant teens being treated for substance abuse were three times more likely than other female teens in treatment to receive public assistance as their main source of income—15 percent versus 5.3 percent). The report also found 74 percent of non-pregnant female teens in treatment who were not working were students, compared with just 44.2 percent of pregnant teens treated for substance abuse.

Half of pregnant teens in treatment used drugs or alcohol in the month before they started treatment, HealthDay reports. Almost one-fifth used drugs or alcohol daily during that month. The report notes that when mothers use drugs during pregnancy, their babies can show signs of addiction at birth. Long-term effects of a mother’s prenatal drug use have been observed in children at 6 years of age.

Marijuana was the most commonly used substance among female teens in treatment programs. The report found 73 percent of pregnant teens and 70 percent of non-pregnant teens used the drug. Pregnant teens were twice as likely to use methamphetamines and amphetamines, compared with other female teens—17 percent versus 8 percent.

Overall, pregnant teens make up about 4 percent of the 57,000 females ages 12 to 19 admitted to substance abuse treatment programs annually, according to SAMHSA.

“Pregnant teens entering treatment face difficult challenges, but the good news is that treatment is a very positive step in helping them regain their lives and generate new hope for themselves and their children,” SAMHSA Administrator Pamela Hyde said in a news release.

Heroin Addiction Takes Toll in Suburban New Jersey

By Join Together Staff | May 10, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related & Drugs

New Jersey officials report a rise in heroin addiction, drug-related crime and deaths among young people in suburbs. Many became addicted to prescription painkillers, and switched to heroin because it is cheaper, potent and widely available, according to The Record of Woodland Park.

The growth of heroin use among young people in the suburbs is being seen nationwide. According to the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the number of people who were past-year heroin users in 2011 (620,000) was higher than the number in 2007 (373,000).

New Jersey is a center of heroin use in part because of its ports and highways, which are conduits for South American heroin, the article notes. Heroin found on New Jersey streets today is at least five times more pure than it was several decades ago, law enforcement officials say. The increased potency leads to quicker addiction, they add.

“Heroin is much more commonplace than it’s been in years,” Ellen Elias, Director of the Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources in Hackensack, told the newspaper. “We see it all around. It seems like the population in which heroin is most prevalent is that 18- to 25-year-old population.”

Police in Bergen County, in northern New Jersey, report increases in shoplifting, home invasions, burglaries and armed robberies, by people addicted to heroin who are seeking money to buy drugs.

Last week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law a measure that encourages people to report drug overdoses. The law allows people to call 911 to report a drug overdose, without the fear of getting arrested for drug possession themselves.

Commentary: National Prevention Week 2013 Is May 12-18: Participate and Make a Difference in Your Community!

By Fran Harding | May 10, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Alcohol, Community Related, Government, Mental Health, Prescription Drugs & Prevention

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) second annual National Prevention Week begins on Sunday, May 12. This national health observance, which continues through May 18, aims to increase public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues. This year’s theme – Your voice. Your choice. Make a difference. – emphasizes that the choices we make each day are important and have a real effect on our health and the well-being of our families and communities. Each day of National Prevention Week 2013 has a unique focus to recognize states’ and communities’ prevention efforts and highlight multiple facets of behavioral health:

May 12: Prevention and Cessation of Tobacco Use
May 13: Prevention of Underage Drinking
May 14: Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Use
May 15: Prevention of Alcohol Abuse
May 16: Suicide Prevention
May 17: Promotion of Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Well-being
May 18: (Communities identify an issue of their choice)

Our nation’s states and communities provide many evidence-based programs and strategies promoting mental and emotional well-being and preventing substance abuse. SAMHSA applauds their excellent work in showing that prevention works. As a result of states’ and communities’ concerted prevention efforts, important progress has been made in many areas, such as in the decline of underage binge and heavy drinking rates between 2002 and  2011¹.  However, much work remains to be done.

• The adverse health effects from cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke account for an estimated 443,000 deaths, or nearly one of every five deaths each year.²

• One quarter of young people between the age of 12 and 20 currently drink alcohol, and an estimated 6 million participated in binge drinking at least once in the last 30 days.³

• Approximately 23 million Americans aged 12 or older, or roughly 9 percent of the population in this age group, are current illicit drug users.⁴ This includes individuals who use illicit drugs, as well as the approximately 6 million people who report that they currently use prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes.⁵

• Each year, suicide accounts for more than 38,000 deaths in the United States, and in 2011, it was the 10th leading cause of death.⁶

• An estimated 1 in 5 people aged 18 or older had a mental illness in the past year.⁷

National Prevention Week 2013 offers a way for everyone to voice their support for prevention and take action to make a difference in their communities. One way to get involved is to take the Prevention Pledge and share it with colleagues, family and friends. Another way is to participate in a National Prevention Week event in your community or a community near you. Individuals also can take part in the National Prevention Week “I Choose” Project. Snap a photo of yourself or a friend with a sign saying why you choose prevention, and then send it to SAMHSA for posting in our photo gallery. Be a part of National Prevention Week 2013, and use your voice and positive choices to champion healthy living year-round.

Frances M. Harding
Director
SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

¹Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2012). Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. NSDUH Series H-44, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4713. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11Results/NSDUHresults2011.htm.
²U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.
³Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2012). Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. NSDUH Series H-44, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4713. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11Results/NSDUHresults2011.htm.
⁴Ibid.
⁵Ibid.
⁶Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2012). Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2011. (National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 61, No. 6: October 10, 2012). Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr61/nvsr61_06.pdf.
⁷Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2012). Results from the 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Findings. NSDUH Series H-45, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4725. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11MH_FindingsandDetTables/2K11MHFR/NSDUHmhfr2011.htm.

Wisdom from the Psalms

Wisdom from the Psalms




May 10

Psalm 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.



Larry had developed quite a reputation over the years. Most people in his life said he couldn't be trusted. If there were a way for Larry to rip them off, he would do it. It had been Larry's nature from the time he was very small. As a child, he had told lies with unbelievable ease. He bullied other children without the least bit of guilt or remorse. In school he had cheated his way to the top of his class. He bought answers to tests in college, and entered the business world believing that anything he wanted could be gotten my means both legal and illegal. It was all the same to Larry.





There are people in our world who have lived their entire lives by selfish and evil means. It's as if something good was left out of them, and they are incapable of doing what is good. The way we deal with people like that is to forgive them and vow we will never be like them. Evil people are not to be hated, but pitied. They are our mission in life. Lives devoid of the Good News are lives not worth living. Reach out to people who do wrong through your prayers. They need them most of all.





Prayer: Lord, show me how to love even the most unlovable people. Instead of showing anger, let me show compassion, and grant me a deeper understanding of why people can be so bad. Fill my heart with Your love to share. Amen.


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The buzz has begun all over the U.S. but few people have the opportunity to see this film right now   YOU DO! May 23 in Philadelphia--But tickets are going fast!   CLICK HERE to view the Trailer
This is a screening of a feature documentary film about the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery, and the emerging public recovery movement that will transform how alcohol and other drug problems are dealt with in our communities. By our SILENCE we let others define us. . .  About The Council    The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc., an affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), is a private nonprofit organization serving Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County. The Council provides a wide range ofservices to families, schools, businesses, individuals and the community at large regardless of ability to pay, ethnicity, race, gender, age and/or sexual orientation.  www.councilsepa.org  About PRO-ACT PRO-ACT is the regional nonprofit organization working to mobilize and rally individuals in recovery from addiction, as well as their families, friends and allies in a campaign to end discrimination, broaden social understanding and achieve a just response to addiction as a public health crisis.  www.proact.org   Help 24/7    Contact our Information and Recovery Support Line 1-800-221-6633			There won't be admittance at the door if we sell out in advance, as happened in other cities      Order tickets HERE or call Kristin at 215-345-6644 ext 3114 VIP Reception and film: $75 Film: $15 (at door if available $20) Thursday, May 23, 2013 at Holy Family University Corner of Frankford and Grant Avenues, Philadelphia, PA (plenty of free parking) A catered VIP Reception will be held prior to the screening and will offer attendees the opportunity to talk with business leaders, legislators, experts in the field, the filmmaker and others VIP Reception: 6:00 pm Film: 7:00 pm (doors open 6:45 pm) Panel Discussion: 8:30 pm The moving story of The Anonymous People is told through the faces and voices of citizens, leaders, volunteers, corporate executives, public figures, and celebrities who are laying it all on the line to save the lives of others just like them. This passionate new public recovery movement aims to transform public opinion, engage communities and elected officials, and finally shift public policy toward lasting solutions. Help us to change the conversation from problems to solutions for America's top health problem! Any funds raised through this event will be used to support Advocacy and Recovery SOME SPONSORSHIP AND EXPO OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE  Send an email to Marita by clicking here or call her at 215-345-6644, ext. 3160 www.councilsepa.org

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Dear Joseph, I’m Pernilla, mother of two young children and in long-term recovery. I’m also a member of the National Parent Network at The Partnership at Drugfree.org. As a member, one of my roles is to listen. It’s to be there for parents who have children struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction. Parents who need the support and encouragement from others who share similar experiences.  That one-on-one conversation can make a huge difference to every mother and father in need, and I hope right now we can count on you to do two things to express your love and support. First, click below to Donate and help me and others in the National Parent Network be there for even more parents.  Second, please send this free Mother’s Day eCard to a loved one and let them know that they are in your thoughts and heart. I wish you and the moms in your life a very Happy Mother’s Day. Sincerely,Pernilla Burke

 

This Mother's Day please take a moment to help us help another. Share a special gift (the link below our addict's mom Face Book group) with another addict's mom or with a family member of an addict. I know he/she will find comfort, friendship, hope and above all love.      https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaddictsmom/ Sometimes the most precious are free.... Much love to all addict’s moms and their friends and   families. (Please help add a friend to our group any member can do that) You can also send her the link to our online community.

Visit The Addict's Mom Online Community at: http://addictsmom.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

This year we are adding wonderful resources to our groups and online community. You are so important to us. You matter ...thanks for your help.

Much love to all addict's moms and their families.....hugs Barbara

Visit The Addict's Mom at: http://addictsmom.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

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Silent & Live Auction Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland, PA 18974 May 11, 2013 LIVE AUCTION ITEMS: Penn State Weekend Private dinner for 4 with Head Basketball Coach Pat Chambers and his wife, 2 hotel rooms for 2 nights & tickets to the Peen State vs Virginia – September 6th – 8th. Philadelphia Weekend Dinner at the Capitol Grill, tickets to Walnut Street Theatre, overnight accommodations at Loews Hotel with Sunday brunch at the Russete. Ocean City Vacation A weeklong stay in Ocean City NJ, in a 3 bedroom home, beach block (week to be chosen from availability schedule).   SILENT AUCTION ITEMS: Ø  Private tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Vault, not available to the public - $2500 value. Ø  4 seats in the Yankee Box – value $1500 Ø  Dinner for 8, prepared at your home by Chef Lisa Bryman Ø  A “behind the scenes” day with the Villanova Basketball Team 4 people can attend a basketball practice, meet the coaches & players. Receive a private tour, signed ball & lower level seats to the game of your choice at the Wells Fargo Center – Go Wild Cats! Ø  Coach Bag Legacy Leather Candace Carryall – value $328 Ø  Limited edition signed Chase Utley bat with 3 lower level Phillies tickets Ø  New Hope weekend with dinner at Marsha Brown’s, tickets to The Bucks County Playhouse and hotel accommodations at the Logan Inn Ø  Signed Allen Iverson framed poster Ø  Weeklong stay at the beautiful Tuscan Resort in Orlando, minutes from Disney World Ø  Top Red Wines from around the world   …and many more items! Tickets are still available for the event; click the link below, call 267-503-2998 or just come to the event that evening! http://plantaseedfoundation.org/FundraisingEvent.php   Over the past 4 years, the Plant a Seed Foundation has helped more then 300 children pursue their passions while interacting with positive role models. www.plantaseedfoundation.org Our Mission To provide low income children with the opportunity to pursue their passions while interacting with positive role models News and Events Click here for the latest stories and events. Stay informed and read our latest articles and press releases.   donate Find out about the numerous ways you can help make a child's dream come true.

You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive updates regarding Plant A Seed Foundation. Thank you! Plant a Seed Foundation 301 Oxford Valley Road Suite 1506 Yardley, Pennsylvania 19067 Add us to your address book Copyright (C) 2013 Plant a Seed Foundation All rights reserved.

Law Enforcement Has Few Tools to Crack Down on Nitrous Oxide Abuse

By Join Together Staff | May 6, 2013 | Leave a comment | Filed in Community Related, Drugs & Legal

Law enforcement officials who are trying to crack down on the growing problem of nitrous oxide abuse have limited options to punish people who sell the gas to those who use it to get high, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Nitrous oxide, or “nozz,” is a prescription drug inhaled by recreational users to get high, usually from balloons filled from large cylinders. It is also sold as a product to improve car performance. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the drug can cause many significant and debilitating side effects, including, in extreme cases, death.

In a news release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office notes, “during the past year, several teens in the Los Angeles region have been killed in car accidents linked to the use of nitrous oxide, and acts of violence have been associated with the inhalation or sale of the drug, according to court documents.” The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department says sales of nitrous oxide as a drug have dramatically increased in Southern California over the past five years.

A person selling nitrous oxide used by someone to get high can be charged with a misdemeanor violation of the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.

While possessing nitrous oxide with the intent to ingest it for non-medical or dental reasons is a misdemeanor in California, intent is difficult to prove, the article notes. In 2009, the state passed a law that makes it a misdemeanor to sell nitrous oxide to a minor.

Southern California officials say the problem is increasing. “I had hoped it would dissipate,” said Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Veronica De Alba. “But it just seems to be getting bigger.”