STEP ONE !
Surrender, and I am powerless to control myself , are you kidding me.When I began my journey to recovery facing the first step was hard for me to put my mind and heart into it especially when you told me to give my will to a higher power! God and Jesus are the Higher Powers and are the ones I needed to give my life to because they are real and they will actually help you when you get out of the way and truly stop trying to run your life the way you think it should go. Realizing in your addiction that living your life the way you have been living it ,the pain sorrow fear deceit and every other thing we do to get through the day is not what this world or your life is all about.Step one is a tough one but it works and it is absolutely neccessary , if we are to begin that journey to recovery. Ask Jesus to help forgive and guide you He will!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Florida Lawmakers Propose Making Synthetic Drug Crimes Third-Degree Felony
Florida Lawmakers Propose Making Synthetic Drug Crimes Third-Degree Felony
Legislators in Florida have proposed making crimes related to the manufacture, delivery or sale of synthetic drugs such as “bath salts” and “K2” a third-degree felony.
Last year, the state legislature banned several forms of synthetic drugs. Since then, chemists have been able to come up with similar formulas that evade the law, The Miami Herald reports.
“We will not allow chemists who are altering the components of these dangerous synthetic drugs to circumvent state law,” Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a news release. “Prompt action by the legislature will help protect our communities from the growing threat of synthetic drug abuse.”
The new measure “allows us as law enforcement to be one step ahead of the chemists for a short period of time,” said Assistant Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Jim Madden.
The proposed legislation will make it a third-degree felony for an individual to “sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver” new forms of synthetic bath salts and synthetic marijuana, or K2.
According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, the number of calls to centers regarding exposure to bath salts rose from 304 in 2010, to 6,138 in 2011. In January 2012, centers received 228 calls related to bath salts.
DEA Targets Large Industry Players in Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse
DEA Targets Large Industry Players in Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse
When the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently charged a major health care company and four pharmacies with violating their licenses to sell controlled drugs, it marked the most aggressive efforts by the agency to combat prescription drug abuse, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The DEA said Cardinal Health had an unusually high number of shipments of controlled painkillers to four pharmacies. The agency suspended Cardinal Health’s controlled substance license at its distribution center in Lakeland, Florida. The center serves 2,500 pharmacies in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. After the DEA suspended the company’s license, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order against the DEA’s suspension order.
The agency also moved to suspend four pharmacies in Sanford, Florida, including two CVS pharmacies, from selling controlled substances.
A federal judge has granted CVS a temporary restraining order, which will allow the company to continue to sell controlled prescription drugs at two pharmacies in Florida. Judge Amy Berman Jackson, of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., said it was likely CVS will be able to show that the DEA did not establish the “imminent danger to public health” that is needed to suspend pharmacies’ registrations.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the DEA said the pharmacies were dispensing “staggering” amounts of oxycodone. The agency also said in 2011, Cardinal shipped enough oxycodone to Sanford to give 59 of the pills to every man, woman, and child there.
The DEA’s strategy targets not only individual doctors and patients, but also retail chains and suppliers. The agency wants these companies to closely monitor where their drugs are going, and to quickly act on signs they are being diverted.
Both Cardinal and CVS deny any wrongdoing, and say they did react quickly when they saw signs of problems with controlled drugs. Cardinal said it needs better guidance from the DEA on how it should police the pharmacies and hospitals it distributes drugs to.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Parents Key in Fighting Synthetic Drugs, Experts Say
Parents Key in Fighting Synthetic Drugs, Experts Say
Parents are a key part of the fight against the emerging threat of synthetic drugs, said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. He spoke at a working group session Thursday on synthetic drugs, which was co-hosted by The Partnership at Drugfree.org.
“Synthetic drugs like ‘Spice,’ ‘K2,’ and ‘bath salts’ are a serious threat to the health and safety of young people throughout America,” Kerlikowske said in a news release. “We will continue to coordinate a comprehensive government-wide response, but we cannot do this alone. Parents and adult influencers must understand the serious threat these drugs pose and act today to talk to teens about the serious health and safety consequences of drug use – in whichever form it may come.”
The session included high level officials from government agencies, as well as representatives from the private sector, who met to discuss how to coordinate the Federal, state and local response to these drugs.
The Partnership at Drugfree.org introduced a new information kit for parents and adult influencers, which contains tools to help them talk with teens about synthetic drugs, and how to recognize the warning signs of use. The kit includes a slidecast about these drugs and provides information on what to look for, their street names, and what their effects are.
The kit is available at The Partnership at Drugfree.org website and is part of a “Parents360″ community education program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.
TUERK CONFERENCE ON ADDICTION TREATMENT
2012 Tuerk ConferenceTuesday, APRIL 17, 2012
"INTERVENTIONS IN 2012 ~CURRENT ADVANCEMENTS"
- Laurence Westreich, MD
- Joani Gammill, RN, BR1
- Judge Mark Farrell
Click here for 2012 Sponsor Form.Click here for 2012 Tuerk Brochure.Click here to register online for Tuerk.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Providence Ministries Dalton Ga.
Women seeking residential alcohol and drug rehab treatment may be surprised to hear that getting sober is not the hard part… it's staying clean, living in recovery, and healing from a past full of hurts and hang-ups that's the real challenge.
Unfortunately, people suffering from addiction often allow their pain, failures, and character defects to define their identity, or how they view themselves and what they in turn base their choices on. Spiritual transformation is at its roots, a process of healing by letting go of the illusion of control, discovering and uprooting the false beliefs that trap people in the addiction cycle, and replacing those lies with God's truth about their identity in Christ.
For this reason we proudly offer intensive in-house Christian faith-based addiction services which were developed to help women safely transition onto the challenging path of long-term recovery... and we offer it all at a cost people can afford, 90 Days for $3,900. That's only $300 per week. We know that the key to long term stand firm recovery is through Christ led spiritual transformation. Fly in to Chattanooga and Still Save!
The Providence Ministries' Women's Program is heavily subsidized by sales from our thrift stores, as well as through the charitable contributions of our donors, sponsorship cost has been reduced to just $3,900 for 90 days, which means you could literally fly in to Chattanooga Tennessee, (we're 20 minutes south in Northern Georgia) to attend our program, and still save money when compared to most other rehabilitation centers. And unlike those other recovery facilities, we are part of a large family of missions where we put Christ first. We are not driven by profits or investors, but rather by a calling to serve him.
What we are offering is an opportunity many people will never have. A chance to give yourself a break and take 90 days in exchange for the rest of your life. To once and for all put an end to a life you know in your heart cannot continue the way it has. The end of the path of addiction is always prisons, institutions, and death, and the sad truth is that family and loved ones suffer just as much as anyone.
Our program works for those who have suffered enough and want to change for themselves. If you can admit that you have a problem and that you can't fix it alone, then you've already taken the first step. Now we're asking you for just a bit more courage to take the next, and to give us a call at (706)275-0268, and we'll guide you from there.
If you'd like more information about any aspect of our program, please visit the other pages of this site or send us a message from the box below and we'll be happy to return your call. Though we've never met, you are indeed in our prayers and we want you to realize that there is hope and recovery through Jesus and Providence Ministries.
If You're Tired of The Misery of Addiction, and you Are Ready to Find a New Better Way of Life, Click: I'm Ready to Begin the Admissions Process
TUERK CONFERENCE ON ADDICTION TREATMENT
2012 Tuerk ConferenceTuesday, APRIL 17, 2012"INTERVENTIONS IN 2012 ~
CURRENT ADVANCEMENTS"
Laurence Westreich, MD
Joani Gammill, RN, BR1
Judge Mark Farrell
CURRENT ADVANCEMENTS"
Laurence Westreich, MD
Joani Gammill, RN, BR1
Judge Mark Farrell
Homelessness & Reentry Lobby Day
SAVE THE DATE!
Homelessness & Reentry Lobby Day
Homelessness & Reentry Lobby Day
MARCH 1, 2012
Annapolis, Maryland
Join us as we urge legislators to provide increased services to individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are adversely affected by the consequences of a criminal record.
This daylong event will feature a march to the capitol, rally on Lawyers’ Mall, visits with legislators, informative workshops and more. Lunch will be provided.
Transportation will be provided for those traveling between Baltimore and Annapolis. Buses will depart Health Care for the Homeless at 7:30am and return by 3pm. A detailed agenda for the day will be available soon. RSVPs are required.
For more information or to RSVP, contact:
Caryn York / caryn@jotf.org / 443-692-9424 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 443-692-9424 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Adam Schneider / aschneider@hchmd.org / 410-215-8319 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 410-215-8319 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Sponsored by Health Care for the Homeless & Job Opportunities Task Force
Friday, February 17, 2012
Our Masters Camp Pikeville TN.
Christian Drug Rehab Centers & Christian Drug Alcohol Treatment Program Alternative
"We want you to know that recovery...is not a by-product of cost."
Our men's residential Christian alcohol and drug rehab intensive treatment and rehabilitation alternative is one of the most value packed recovery centers in the United States. We have helped clients recovering from addiction from nearly every state in the nation, and we can help you too. Our program is so inexpensive that even those outside of a reasonable driving distance can easily fly into Chattanooga and still pay less. Watch this short video to learn how Our Master's Camp saves men from the grip of addiction.
Because we are a 501(c)3 non-profit faith based Christian ministry, we're able to subsidize your cost and offer our service at a fraction of what it actually costs to provide our comprehensive Christian care. We have thrift stores, sponsors, and local Christian community members that help us raise funds and donations; a benefit we pass directly to our clients by reducing the fee to just $3,900 for 90 days. Thats less than $308 per week!
Our Master’s Camp is located on 100 acres of land in a remote mountain location of beautiful Tennessee. Our location provides a safe place for clients to gain serenity and peace while discovering God’s intended and perfectly designed plan for their lives. No one aspires to have their goals and dreams swallowed by the deadly and powerful heartbreaking grip of alcohol and drugs. God wants us to grow along spiritual lines, live abundantly, and have serenity and peace. It says in Isaiah 26:3; "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because, they trust in you."
Our Christian drug rehab program alternative is not only designed to help our clients recognize and alleviate their character defects that manifested as a result of prolonged drug abuse, but more importantly, those that led them to drug and alcohol abuse in the first place. Recovery, treatment, and rehabilitation are vital in battling alcohol and drug abuse problems and require a complete lifestyle change...a change in which our unique faith based approach and scenic location lends itself too perfectly.
About Our Master's Camp Founder Roy Johnson
If you admit you have a problem and are willing to go to any lengths to fix it, then you are willing to take certain steps. At some of these we balked, but we found there is no easier softer way. We urge you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. High cost beach getaway rehabs guarantee nothing but a painfully large bill. Our Christian alternative to drug and alcohol treatment is cost effective and produces men transformed by the highest power, thus enabling them to find joy, recovery, and peace, living in God's will.
"We want you to know that recovery...
is not a by-product of cost."
Legalizing drugs won't prevent abuse By William J. Bennett, CNN Contributor
(CNN) -- On the evening of Whitney Houston's death, renowned recording artist Tony Bennett told the audience of Clive Davis' Beverly Hills party, "First it was Michael Jackson, then it was Amy Winehouse, and now, the magnificent Whitney Houston. I'd like to have every gentleman and lady in this room commit themselves to get our government to legalize drugs -- so they'll have to get it through a doctor, not to some gangsters who just sell it under the table."
Bennett's idiotic comments were followed closely by the often original, but in this case mistaken, Arianna Huffington.
On Monday morning's edition of "CNN Starting Point With Soledad O'Brien," she agreed with Bennett: "The point I think is absolutely fair -- that the war on drugs has failed, and we are not acknowledging it. We are spending over $50 billion a year fighting a war that has become a war on our own people." First, we do not know the immediate cause of Houston's death. But we do know that she had a long and public struggle with drugs, both legal and illegal. But legalizing drugs and making them more readily available would not have saved her life, or the life of Michael Jackson, or the thousands of other drug-related deaths each year.
Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning -- a legal, easily available substance.Lest Tony Bennett forget, Michael Jackson died from acute propofol intoxication administered to him by a doctor.
Brittany Murphy died from multiple drug intoxication's (only prescription and over-the-counter medications according to the medical exam) combined with pneumonia.A fatal combination of painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-depressants -- all legal prescription drugs -- killed Heath Ledger. And Anna Nicole Smith overdosed on prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
All these drugs are legal and prescribed by doctors. Contrary to what Tony Bennett and other legalizers would like to think, legalization does not prevent the abuse and misuse of drugs. In fact, it accelerates it.
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy,prescription drug abuse is the nation's fastest-growing drug problem. In 2007, there were 28,000 deaths from prescription drug overdoses. This is five times higher than the number in 1990. More people die in America every year from prescription drug abuse (i.e., legal and available drugs) than from heroin and cocaine combined.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of deaths from prescription narcotics increased fourfold over the past 10 years. This coincided with a fourfold increase in the number of prescriptions written for powerful painkillers. Legalization increases supply and when you increase supply, you increase the use and misuse of deadly drugs.
As for Bennett's envy of Amsterdam, he should realize that its legalization experiment has backfired. With the legalization of marijuana came an increase in drug addictions and dependency followed by illegal drug trafficking, human trafficking and crime. After a rapid influx of organized crime, the Netherlands has announced that it will ban foreigners from the country's pot shops starting in 2013.
Drug decriminalization in Portugal has also been a failure.
As of 2007, Portugal was still the country with the most cases of injected drug related AIDS, and it was the only European country to show a significant increase in homicides from 2001 to 2006.
"With 219 deaths by drug 'overdose' a year, Portugal has one of the worst records, reporting more than one death every two days. Along with Greece, Austria and Finland, Portugal is one of the countries that recorded an increase in drug overdose by over 30% in 2005," according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
Bennett and Huffington's misguided solutions would result in more tragic deaths like Houston's. Illicit drugs are not harmful because they are illegal, they are illegal precisely because they are harmful. It is my hope that in the national dialogue surrounding Houston's death, our country's loudest voices would speak honestly and seriously about the drug problems in America.
In the 1980s and '90s, the U.S. beat back the cocaine and heroine epidemics, not by legalization or decriminalization, but by tough law enforcement, strong prevention and education programs and public outcry. You could hardly watch TV without seeing the Partnership For a Drug-Free America's famous "This is your brain on drugs" advertisements. If we are to be successful today, we must reignite that same national effort.
Whitney Houston's mother, Cissy Houston, understood the seriousness of drug abuse. In a 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston recalled how her mother showed up one day at her doorstep with sheriff's officers and a court order in a drug intervention.
"(My mother) says, 'I have a court (injunction) here,' " Houston said. "Either you do it my way, or we're just not going to do this at all. We are both going to go on TV, and you're going to retire.'"
If more Americans, celebrities in particular, spoke and acted like Cissy Houston, rather than like Bennett or Huffington, fewer Americans would be victims to drug addiction.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The greatest thing in the world a man can do is not build a financial empire or great city. It is not obtaining a great position of power in politics running a great country. The greatest thing a man can do and the only thing that truly matters that he has done is loving, nurturing and raising a child. So today when you look at your children remember this is what life is all about and this is the most important thing a man can do. To raise a child in the way they should go.
REMEMBER JESUS LOVES YOU!
REMEMBER JESUS LOVES YOU!
ARC MANOR KITTANNING PA.
Getting Teens Talking
According to a survey of 6,500 teens by the Partnership for a Drug Free America, 73 percent said the number one reason they turn to drugs and alcohol is to relieve stress at school. As the new school year begins, how can you help your teen adjust -- and to open up about what's going on?
"You can push too much and that'll shut the child down. So it's a fine balance: Be available, be a good listener, and also know when you do need to push in case they're into some things that they shouldn't be," says Gloria Meaux, Ph.D., a psychologist.
Jessie gives an example of a question she hates: "How was your day?"
Experts say parents are better served asking about something specific: school projects coming up, weekend plans with a friend, or a test that the child may be worried about.
"The more talking they'll do because they'll be open," says Licensed Clinical Social Worker Freddie Wilson. "[They'll be more open if they feel] you're open to hearing what I'm saying rather than talking and giving them solutions and solving their problems for them. They want someone to hear them."
And knowing when your child really needs your ear comes from getting to know your child. "I’ll look at her and I’ll say 'You look like you’re down, did something happen?' Yes. Was it so and so? Yea," explains Jessie’s mom. "It helps to know that she cares and that she’s actually wanting to know about things," says Jessie.
Jessie gives an example of a question she hates: "How was your day?"
200 OAK AVENUE KITTANNING, PA 16201
724-548-7607 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 724-548-7607 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Retreat at Lancaster County
Mission:
Is to provide a compassionate and spiritual environment for those suffering from the disease of addiction, and begin the journey to recovery by providing enlightenment and education to the individual and their families.
Overview:
The Retreat, a 120-bed inpatient Substance Abuse facility located in Ephrata, PA on a picturesque and secluded 24 acre campus. We provide our patients with inpatient medically monitored detox, inpatient rehabilitation, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient care. Retreat is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs for 30 detox and 90 rehabilitation beds accredited by CARF.
Our Staff:
Our professional and compassionate staff understands the complexities of addiction. Credentialed and licensed therapists under the guidance of our ABAM Certified Medical Director, use a unique multi-disciplinary model of addiction treatment to engage patients and motivate them to fully participate in their own recovery. Treatment plans are customized and tailored to each patient’s needs and reviewed daily by the medical and clinical team. Low patient-to-staff ratios and frequent individual therapy sessions are essential to ensuring that each patient is given the care and attention necessary to fully participate in their treatment.
*Call Now: 855-859-8808 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 855-859-8808 end_of_the_skype_highlighting*
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