“Bath Salts” Abuse: What You Need to Know Part II

By Sullivan Smith, MD | April 6, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs &Healthcare


In the second half of a two-part column, Sullivan Smith, MD, Medical Director of the Cookeville (Tennessee) Regional Medical Center, talks to health care professionals about how to treat “bath salts” patients, and what you can do to help address the growing problem of abuse.

Because bath salts are relatively new in the United States, many health care professionals are grappling with how to treat these acutely intoxicated patients.

There are a few basic principles. First, provide for your own safety. These patients can become explosively violent, phenomenally strong and do not feel pain. The potential for serious bodily injury to you or your staff is very real. Always deal with these patients in groups and in the calmest and quietest environment possible.

Treatment consists of intravenous fluids and sedation. It will often take very large amounts of both in order to stabilize these patients. IV fluid volumes on the order of those used to treat sepsis are a good idea. That’s a lot of fluid, but these patients are usually significantly volume depleted.

Even more startling is the amount of sedation required to control these patients. A benzodiazepine such as midazolam (Versed) is an excellent choice. Very large amounts are often required, to the point that many practitioners are very uncomfortable with the doses required.

On several occasions in our Center, doses of more than 100 mg of intravenous midazolam have been required in order to resuscitate and control these patients. This high-dose benzodiazepine and intravenous fluid therapy not only controls the delirium, it also corrects the high body temperatures, high blood pressures, fast heart rates and seizures. Some patients will require chemical paralysis and mechanical ventilation because of persistent violence or in order to protect their airway because of very high-dose sedation. All of these patients will require admission to an intensive care unit, sometimes for several days.

This is clearly a national problem. It is growing rapidly. It is costing our health care system significant dollars. It is killing people. These designer drugs we call bath salts and plant food are truly a health care crisis.

Currently, there are a couple of plans to address the bath salts problem. First, there is legislation in Congress to address the rapidly growing abuse of these drugs. The House bill, HR 1254 (the Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2011, sponsored by Representative Dent of Pennsylvania), passed out of the House last month and has now moved into the Senate, where the companion bill is currently stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

There are also three Senate bills that have passed and are now winding their way through the House: SB 409 (the Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act of 2011, sponsored by Senator Schumer of New York), SB 605 (the Dangerous Synthetic Drug Act of 2011, sponsored by Senator Grassley of Iowa) and SB 839 (the Combating Designer Drugs Act of 2011, sponsored by Senator Klobuchar of Minnesota).

I encourage you to contact your representative and senators and tell them to support this very important legislation.

Sullivan Smith, MD, FACEP, is Medical Director of the Cookeville (Tennessee) Regional Medical Center; the Medical Director of Putnam County EMS and Clay County EMS; Chairman of the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services Board and Lieutenant of the Cookeville Police Department SWAT.

HAPPY EASTER!

Recovery conncections would like to wish you all a happy and safe Easter.HE HAS RISEN FOLKS!

12 STEPPING TO RECOVERY DAILY THOUGHT!! 4-6-12

.STEP-1 Powerless / Unmanageable!

STEP-2 We have come to believe that a power greater than our selves can restore us sanity.




It took me thirty two years to get to step one and once there I realized wow I made a mess.My mother spent thirty two years praying I would find my way and start living life right well I am glad she did.Now lets look at the power greater than ourselves.That power is GOD your heavenly father the creator of you and the universe.There are alot of groups out there who are not specific at all in regards to a higher power and that just leaves people lost and looking for answers.God is the one and only true higher power in the universe and he misses you HIS creation.Your life is a mess because you lived apart from him and have tried to live life on your own terms didn't work did it.GOD loves us so much that HE wrote a two thousand page instruction manual for us to read and live by.Try putting together a bicycle with out the directions your going to mess it up aren't you.Well the same thing goes for our lives ,if your not reading the instructions(BIBLE) your gonna screw it up. Thats why your life is unmanageable and you are powerless we were not meant to live this life alone and away from GOD.Start living life according to the book and he will restore you to sanity.



Romans 10:9

New International Version (NIV)
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Sales of Prescription Painkillers Increasing Across the United States, Analysis Shows

By Join Together Staff | April 5, 2012 | 1 Comment | Filed in Prescription Drugs


Sales of oxycodone and hydrocodone are sharply rising in areas of the United States where these prescription painkillers were not as popular in the past, according to an analysis by the Associated Press. The rise in sales is driven by an aging population with pain issues, as well as an increase in addiction, experts say.

The AP found a dramatic increase in the distribution of oxycodone between 2000 and 2010 in areas including New York’s Staten Island and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Hydrocodone use is rising in Appalachia and in the Midwest, the AP found, after analyzing data from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Painkiller sales are spreading rapidly in areas where there are few resources to treat people who become addicted.

The increase in prescription painkiller use coincides with a rise in overdose deaths and pharmacy robberies, the article notes.

The number of Americans who died from overdoses of prescription painkillers more than tripled in the past decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More people now die from painkillers than from heroin and cocaine combined. An estimated 14,800 people died in the United States from painkiller overdoses in 2008, a more than threefold jump from the 4,000 deaths recorded in 1999, the CDC said in a report released last November.

While 40 states have prescription drug monitoring programs, many are not linked together, according to the AP. That means patients can go from one state to another shopping for pills. Currently there is no federal monitoring of prescription drugs at the patient level.

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Free Tool Kit To Help Parents save their teens!

Shocked by what you saw last week, Joseph? You can do something about it.

There was a disturbing number in the infographic we shared with you last week: 90%. That's the percentage of addictions that start in the teen years. The infographic got a ton of shares on Facebook, but it left people wondering how to tackle the problem.

We have an answer. Actually, a lot of answers. They're all in our Parent Toolkit -- and you can make a huge impact on the teens in your life by spreading the word about it.

Share our Parent Toolkit and take on substance abuse now.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org has put a lot of work into this toolkit, and it gets real results.

It has expert tips on spotting alcohol and drug use. It guides you on how to make those tough conversations with teens a lot easier. It even has advice divided up by age group. And that's just the beginning.

Knowledge is power -- and we're more powerful when we share our knowledge.

Tell your friends and family about the Parent Toolkit:

http://my.drugfree.org/share-the-toolkit

Thanks,

Kim Manlove
Parent Advisory Board
The Partnership at Drugfree.org

SOBERSTOCK 3 TELETHON

Saturday, September 1, 2012

10:00am until 9:00pm



Snipes Farm & Golf 890 west bridge st. morisville PA 19067




WE MOVED SOBERSTOCK TO SNIPES FARM .we were looking for a place with more of a woodstock feel. all local bands . a barbaque. a few vendors . WE WILL HAVE AN OPEN MIKE. TIKETS 15.00 each At the gate.NEW DATE 9-1-12 . labor day weekend .BOND FIRE AFTER DUSK.BRING A BLANKET. BRING A FREIND. SOBER FUN IN THE WOODS. WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE LOCAL BANDS. PLEASE LET ALL YOUR FREINDS KNOW ABOUT SOBERSTOCK. ALL ARE WECOME! TO BENIFIT HOW TO SAVE A LIFE FOUNDATION. CALL US Doug 267-718-4702 .SOBERFEST IS A CELEBRATION OF RECOVERY.IF YOU CAN NOT ATTEND SOBERSTOCK YOU CAN MAKE A PLEDGE. PLEASE HELP US TO PUT PEOPLE INTO DRUG AND ALCOHOL REHABS. thank you.

May 2012 Adolescents Webinar

May 2012 Adolescents Webinar

Access Granted: Building a Therapeutic Alliance with Adolescents




Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Time: 3pm - 4pm EST (12pm - 1pm PST)

Click here to register (Problems with your registration? Contact us for help )

Questions/problems? Take a look at our FAQs



Description: Adolescents with substance use disorders are a special population with special needs. Building a therapeutic alliance with them can be difficult and challenging. This webinar provides a skill- and metaphor-based method for conceptualizing the therapeutic alliance with adolescents. It will provide clinicians with the tools that are necessary for creating a therapeutic bond with an often untrusting, resistant population.



Price: Education is FREE to all professionals



Earn Continuing Education Credit: All applicants for CE credit are required to complete and pass this online CE Quiz(coming soon) after viewing the presentation. Members of NAADAC or AccuCare Subscribers receive a Certificate of Completion for 1 CE for free. Non-members of NAADAC or Non-subscribers of AccuCare receive 1 CE for $15 (make payment here). A CE certificate will be emailed to you within 21 days of submission and receiving payment, if applicable. Click here for a complete list of who accepts NAADAC Continuing Education Credit.




Learning Objectives:

As a result of participating in this webinar, you will be able to:
achieve an understanding of the specific skills that assist in forming a therapeutic relationship with a teen and why the use of skills is preferred over a manualized process;
be able to use the “House Metaphor” as a tool in clinical observation and as a developmental model of therapeutic relationships with adolescents; and
understand why alliance means relationship.



Presenter:

Kansas Cafferty has been in the behavioral healthcare field for 15 years. His experience and training have emphasis in the areas of addiction, eating disorders, adolescents, chronic relapse and PTSD. He has served on the NAADAC Adolescent Specialty Leadership Committee since 2007. He is the founder and director of True North Recovery Services in Carlsbad, CA and is the Director of Clinical Services for Orange County Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine in Newport Beach, CA. He has been a featured author in multiple industry publications including "Addiction Professional" magazine and is an articulate and adept trainer and presenter.






Who Should Attend:
Addiction professionals, employee assistance professionals, social workers, mental health counselors, professional counselors, psychologists andother helping professionals that are interested in learning about addiction-related matters.



Archived: This webinar will be recorded for later viewing. Complete the registration form to receive after the live broadcast links to the free recording and the online CE Quiz.




Click Here to Register



Technology Partner

This webinar is produced in partnership with Orion Healthcare Technology.





Questions or comments about NAADAC Education? Email Misti Storie

This presentation is for individual use only and may not be reproduced without permission from NAADAC.

Living on the Edge

Gov. Corbett's budget, if enacted, could push thousands of drug addicts out onto Philly streets.

Daniel Denvir

City Paper

Neal Santos

CLEAN HOUSE: Anthony Grasso runs Next Step, a Frankford recovery house that serves addicts who don't qualify for city-funded care.


[ DEVASTATION ]

For an estimated 1,000 to 4,500 recovering addicts in the city on any given day, the only option for getting clean in Philadelphia is checking into one of more than 300 informal recovery houses scattered across Kensington, Frankford and North Philly. It's a fragile network, administered mostly by former addicts and funded largely through residents' welfare dollars, in particular the nine-month, one-time General Assistance (GA) payments offered by the Commonwealth.

In Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, GA is eliminated altogether. Advocates say the impact could be devastating, affecting 34,843 Philadelphians who receive GA money (including people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence) and pushing thousands of addicts out onto the street.

"If you cut all this, the bottom line is that the streets are going to overflow with people," says Anthony Grasso, co-owner of the Next Step recovery house in Frankford. "Do you know how many people are going to commit more crimes to get what they need?"

Recovering addicts are typically awarded medical insurance and food stamps; the rest of their benefits come via GA. It's not much: $205 monthly, unchanged and unadjusted for inflation since 1990.

"When looking at this year's budget, the state is facing significant challenges," says Corbett spokeswoman Kelli Roberts, who argued that the governor made "tough decisions" to "preserve core services." In this case, Roberts says that eliminating GA — cash assistance she says only 19 states provide — allowed the commonwealth to preserve the Medical Assistance available to the same groups. But Corbett's budget also cuts $170.3 million from that program.

Media attention has focused on Corbett's proposed 20 percent cut to Philly's social services, disguised by a new "block grant" that rolls seven line items — funding programs for the homeless and those with mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities — into one. But while that would amount to a $41 million loss in Philly, cutting GA would drain $87.5 million from the neediest Philadelphians.

GA also provides cash assistance to people who do not qualify for federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and those with pending applications for Social Security Disability Insurance. The backlogged Social Security Administration can take months to approve applications; appeals can take years. GA covers applicants in the interim, and if they are approved, the state is reimbursed. For these populations, losing GA would be a severe hardship; for recovery houses, it could be fatal.

Almost 10 years ago, Grasso walked in the door of the recovery house he co-owns today, high on speedballs, oxycontin, heroin — whatever he could get his hands on. "I had never heard about no recovery house," he says. "I know today it was God who sent me here."

His office walls are lined with treatment certificates. Some of the men have recovered, others are now dead. GA provides between 60 percent and 75 percent of the revenue at Next Step. If houses like this one close, the city cannot fill the gap.

"A good portion of the population comes through the uninsured door," says Roland Lamb, director of Philadelphia's Office of Addiction Services. "That means you will have a lot of people who will not be able to be sustained in our system."

The city has 24 recovery houses under contract to provide services, he says. These must meet Department of Licenses & Inspections requirements and have staff complete training programs. The city cannot, however, afford to fund most recovery houses — and so they are, by and large, unregulated.

That can result in a broad range of issues. Some, says Lamb, are "more flophouses than they are recovery programs." Others have been accused of exploiting addicts for cash, or requiring them to perform questionable "volunteer" labor — including at election time. Neighbors complain that most are concentrated in just a handful of zip codes, taking advantage of the abundant cheap and sometimes vacant row homes. Even good houses, Lamb says, are underfunded and thus pose "some definite problems insofar as safety issues are concerned."

"It's all of the above, really," says Paul Yabor, who lives in a recovery house in Frankford.

Most recovery houses follow the 12-step model; others, like the Adonai House on Frankford Avenue, take different, faith-based approaches. Adonai's Bob Beck, like many people who run houses, is a recovering addict you would not have liked to meet when he was using.

"I rode on the wrong side of the tracks," the tattooed, muscular former bike-gang member tells City Paper. Now Beck goes down to Kensington and Somerset avenues most days to pray with addicts. Other times, men come to his door straight from prison: Admission to a recovery house is frequently a condition of an addict's parole or probation.

Everyone — service providers, the city — says recovery houses are indispensable.

"I have no idea how the system would continue if they eliminate General Assistance," says Mimi McNichol, director of social services at the AIDS service organization Philadelphia FIGHT. "These places fill a huge gap not just in terms of recovery, but also homelessness."

Recovery houses also help addicts deal with other medical issues like HIV, which Yabor, an activist with ACT UP, has survived since 1990.

Philly's recovery-house movement began in the 1980s during the crack-cocaine epidemic. A recovering drug addict named Rev. Henry Wells — everyone just calls him "the Rev" — opened one of the first, inviting people to recover at his home. One Day At a Time — or ODAAT, as people call it — is now a sprawling recovery empire with its main facilities at the corner of 25th Street and Lehigh Avenue in North Philly. Over the years, Wells graduates took over ODAAT houses or simply opened their own. And so it grew. "This is the grandfather of all recovery houses," says Mel Wells, the Rev's son and ODAAT president.

Though worried about the cuts, Wells won't speak ill of Corbett.

"We've been trying not to get caught up in the politics," he says.

Nonetheless, he pledges that ODAAT will "raise some hell" to defend GA. On April 3, they're taking buses of recovering addicts to Harrisburg and mobilizing local political support.

Sharif Street, son of former Mayor John Street, sits on ODAAT's board. The recovery house was in John Street's City Council district, and the councilman defended them when the Department of Licenses & Inspections came poking around. (In 1999, hundreds of ODAAT volunteers returned the favor, campaigning for Street.) It is unclear whether local connections will provide sufficient leverage in Philly-hostile Harrisburg. Plus, says Street, "this is a population that, for a lot of folks, is easy to dismiss."

Philadelphia is home to one of the nation's most thriving markets for cocaine and heroin in the nation. People from the suburbs come here to buy drugs, and then move on to places like ODAAT to recover. Indeed, recovery houses are full of people from elsewhere — including from Baltimore, New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. Recovery houses, like the Kensington and Frankford neighborhoods where the open-air drug trade flourishes, are extraordinarily diverse.

PRO-ACT Honors Its Volunteers in April during National Volunteer Week

PRO-ACT Honors Its Volunteers in April during National Volunteer Week

PRO-ACT is celebrating the profound impact our volunteers have had on our Recovery Community. April 15 - 21, we are joining the rest of America in recognizing the 63 million volunteers who have given themselves through service. PRO-ACT thanks our many volunteers who dedicate themselves to service every day. To honor them we are holding events in all of our Recovery Community Centers.

Overdose Prevention and Education

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. is spearheading an initiative focused on overdose prevention and education. Nationwide the number of deaths due to prescription and non-prescription drugs out numbers the deaths related to motor vehicle accidents. This number has continually increased over the years and Bucks County is not immune to the nationwide trend.

According to 2010 information from the Bucks County Coroner’s Office, of all deaths that involved toxicology, 65.8% were directly related to drugs. 37.2% of those deaths were of people under the age of 30. This number reported by the coroner’s office has almost doubled in the past four years. Oxycodone, Xanax, Heroin, Codeine and Morphine were among the highest reported drugs found at the time of death.

There have been initiatives of varying levels in other states from education and awareness, to passing laws giving immunity to those responding to an overdose by calling 911 and establishing programs that distribute a lifesaving antidote to an opioid overdose. Bucks County needs to take action.

This site will include information on the progress of the newly formed Overdose Prevention and Education Advisory Board’s presentations, steps taking place in other communities, legislative actions that are initiated, education and information on drugs and overdose, and resources and references.

If you would like to become involved in this initiative please click on the Advisory Board link and check the calendar or contact Valerie Fahie, Overdose Prevention Coordinator at 215-230-8218 x 3158 orvfahie@councilsepa.org.

Who Should Treat Addiction?

By Dr. Stuart Gitlow | March 30, 2012 | 23 Comments | Filed in Addiction &Healthcare

Think about a patient with addiction. He seeks attention for his illness and would like treatment. Should he go to a counselor, a nurse practitioner or a physician? How would his treatment differ in each case? If you’d like to shake things up further, please add psychologists and social workers to the mixture.

If our hypothetical patient is seen by a nurse practitioner in an ambulatory setting yet fails to improve with respect to his addiction, has he failed medical treatment? Would the next step be for the patient to see a physician? Or would it be to enter a more intensive treatment setting?

Our nation is moving quickly toward an environment in which a greater quantity of medical care will be delivered by clinicians who have not attended medical school. Interestingly, we already have that environment in the field of addiction, and have had that scenario for decades. What we do not know, however, is whether this approach is efficacious for the treatment of patients.

Take a simple research study: 200 patients with newly diagnosed addictive disease are divided into two groups matched by age, sex and socioeconomic background, as well as by drug of choice. One group is seen by addiction specialist physicians, the other by addiction specialists who are not physicians, and both are seen with the same frequency and intensity. At 12 months, determine whether there is a difference between the two groups in terms of recovery rate as defined by abstinence and functional improvement.

The study has never been performed.

No one has ever bothered to determine whether social workers are better than physicians at treating addictive illness, or whether physicians are better than psychologists. And though no one has ever bothered to determine if surgical nurses could perform appendectomies successfully, or if counselors can treat life-threatening illnesses like cancer, there has not been a need to answer those questions. So addiction is in an odd place: there is no proof that non-MD/DO care has sufficient quality to be utilized as a replacement for physician-based treatment, yet non-physician treatment already represents the standard in many locations. And of course, there is no proof that non-MD/DO care does not have sufficient quality either.

In the vast majority of patients coming to my practice, prior misdiagnosis or mistreatment reigns high on the problem list on initial intake. Patients treated incorrectly for depressive illness when they have sedative-induced depression, patients treated with combinations of sedatives and stimulants for alleged anxiety accompanying ADHD, patients with known alcoholism prescribed benzodiazepines for mild insomnia or anxiety: the list goes on and on, with physicians in my community being as much to blame as other clinicians.

Addiction is a complex lifelong disease which, if unaddressed, commonly results in death of the patient. Shouldn’t we have some research to determine to whom these patients should be referred?

Stuart Gitlow, MD, MPH, MBA, is Executive Director of the Annenberg Physician Training Program in Addictive Disease and Associate Clinical Professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is Acting President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

RECOVERY ROCKS RADIO!

Holistic Lifestyles Radio Network Directory

Be a part of the online directory on the Holistic Lifestyles Radio Network. Join today at no cost. We want to pass on your business info to people who need your goods or services.

Our directory is broken up into categories designed to help you find what your looking for
Like the following to name a few:
Radio shows,podcasts,informative blogs, addiction recovery,
addiction help, recovery social websites and rehab services.
We also list legal services,music, movies, sports, products , and services that will benefit mind,body, and spirit.
Please check out the Holistic Lifestyles Radio Network’s directory for all your recovery mind,body, and spirit needs.

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1st Step Sober House

Our staff is experienced and dedicated to changing the lives of 1000?s of people with addictions.Our years of experience in recovery gives a structure that no other sober house can offer. Come by our office and meet with our staff about helping you a friend or a family member get the recovery they need.
Addiction Treatment Solutions

Treatment Solutions Network is unlike any other approach to addiction recovery. Through our relationships with the nation's premier treatment facilities and addiction professionals across the country, we make the arrangements and handle the details so our clients can focus on one thing: their recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous®

Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
All Florida Bail Bonds

We at All Florida Bail Bonds Inc. understands addiction and the help that is needed for the addicted person to get treatment and to have a true shot of doing something different with their lives. A bondsmen is often the first person to help with such action.
All Florida Bail Bonds Inc.

Bail Bonds, Private Investigations, Notary-on site and mobile, security-high and low threat, fugitive recovery
Bechert & Associates Attorney

Bechert & Associates is a dedicated full-service law firm that thrives on providing superior legal representation for individuals and businesses alike. Through our experience and skill, it is our mission to obtain results for our clients. We represent individuals and businesses in serious personal injury, immigration/ deportation, divorce and family law, criminal, employment /Unpaid Overtime matters, and business litigation disputes.
Benzodiazepines Addiction

Benzodiazepine addiction has raged here in america and around the world for almost 50 years. The amount of people who have taken benzodiazepines recreationally and in therapy, for the last half century, is staggering.Nearly 11 per cent of people surveyed in 1990 reported some benzodiazepine use the previous year. A full one-third of the people taking benzodiazepines for longer than one month will become dependent.
Blog Talk Radio

BlogTalkRadio allows anyone, anywhere the ability to host a live, Internet Talk Radio show, simply by using a telephone. Receiving attention and acclaim from leading media outlets like USA Today, CNN.com, CNET.com, TechCrunch, FoxNews, and dozens more, BlogTalkRadio is revolutionizingsocial media and radio broadcasting and redefining what it means to have a conversation in an online environment.Launched in 2006, the network hosts and preserves millions of conversations and brings together like-minded individuals into diverse online communities.
Cannatelli Builders, Inc

Cannatelli Builders services both residential and commercial clients alike. With over 100 years of combined construction experience we have proven to be an industry leader... and it’s lonely at the top.• Custom built homes• Additions to existing homes• Remodeling of kitchens• Remodeling of baths• Impact Windows
Celebrate Recovery / Planet Serenity

We are a brick & mortar book and gift store catering to the needs of the 12 step community, inclusive of all types of 12 step groups for over 20 years. We sell anniversary cards, medallions, bronze & aluminum chips, tee shirts, hats, stickers, unique gifts, posters, jewelry, books, etc. Our meeting room is the home of over 600 12 Step meetings a year. We also take our store to conventions and professional conferences all around the country. We wholesale a number of items to other stores, inter groups and rehabs.
Celebrate Recovery in the Treasure Coast of FL

Mon.: Morningside Church Port St. Lucie (772)335-5166 *Contact:Mike B.Tues.: Grace Place Church,Stuart (772)287-6388 *Contact: StephanieTues.: CR -Sebastian(772) 202-0121 *Contact: BillThurs.: Grapevine Church – Port St. Lucie (772) 878-3484 Thurs.: Immanuel Church – Vero Beach (772)562-3185 *Contact: RogerThurs.: Sunlight Church - 477 SW Cashmere Boulevard- Port St. Lucie (772)-879-6326 Contact: J.D.Fri.: First Baptist of Vero Beach(772).567.4341 Fri.: First United Methodist Church Stuart (772)287-6262 *Contact: JamesSat.:First Baptist Church of Port St. Lucie –(772) 878-1488 *Contact: Mark
Celoebrate Recovery New Tampa-Lifepoint Church

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery ministry for everyone struggling with hurts, habits, or hang-ups; together we find hope and healing in the power of Jesus Christ through Eight Recovery Principles and the 12 Biblical Steps.Are you ready for your life to be changed "Super-Naturally"? Come to CR!
comedymayhem

a 90 min+ comedy magic //ventriloquistsideshow stunts ACT - extravaganza- that uses it's irrevence /video /special effects to bring attention to the 2nd step of the 12 step program : THAT ONLY A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES COULD AND WOULD RESTORE US TO OUR SANITY
comedymayhem

We bring the comedy club to you COMEDYMAYHEM is A RAUCUS WILD RIDE INTO THE HEART OF RECOVERY-RESTORATION - REDEMPTION...using comedy magic / ventriloquism and side show stunts...this daring duo put on a 90-100 min. show - they bring a beautiful theatrical backdrop,lights ,special fx and state of the art sound,sure to make any group have the time of their lives...big bro george clean and sober since '87 Dockery James- Alanon since '94 www.comedymayhem.com for info
Destin Travel Services

Destin Travel is a full service travel agency. We offer discount vacation packages, low rate air fare, and hotel accommodations. We support the Holistic lifestyle and look forward to serving the great people in the recovery community.
Destination Hope

Destination Hope’s singular focus is to provide the highest caliber of substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and addiction treatment available in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
Dr. Willard's Water

We thank you for taking the time to learn more about our amazing Dr. Willard's® products. Forty years ago, Dr. John Willard, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, developed a complex formula that alters the molecular structure of normal water. Water which has been altered by Dr. Willard’s patented micelle catalyst becomes more efficient and more reactive. Testing has shown that when ingested by plants and animals, Dr. Willard's Water® creates a more biologically active form of water in the bloodstream, so it does a better job of performing basic functions such as delivering food and nutrients to cells and expelling toxins.
Everlast Event Productions

With all our talented and experienced staff we are equipped with all the necessary tools and skills required to allow us to take full advantage of an event small or large to the next level quickly, efficiently and safely.We are the professionals that producers, artist, event planners, hotels and other audio visual companies turn to for their production needs.
Farfromusen

When I hear interesting recovery sayings in meetings I put it on all sorts of gifts like t-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, magnets or one of the many other gift items in the store. These are not the typical 12 step recovery slogans, God Boxes and now have a great selection of Anniversary cards, as well as recovery underwear!All make great gifts for sponsees, sponsors, family members and friends in any recovery program, All 12 step recovery programs can find something here.Remember to bookmark us for all your anniversary and birthdays in recovery!! or you can always find us at WWW.FARFROMUSEN.COM
Holistic Healing Center

The Holistic Healing Center offers services that promote total body wellness. Our services are performed in a friendly, caring and professional manner in order to bring about optimal health & healing.For body detoxification we offer Colon Hydrotherapy and the Ion Cleanse, Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Hair Analysis and Heavy Metal Detox programs as well as individualized all-inclusinve Bio-Nutritional Programs that address Heavy Metal Toxicity as well as nutrient imbalances.
Holistic Lifestyles Radio Network

Holistic Lifestyles Radio Network and Rockers In Recovery Network has been live on the air in south Florida 24 hours a day 7 days per week since January 2008. The networks are dedicated to producing many interviews, informational blogs and live video and audio broadcasts in the music industry, concerts production, festivals events, sporting events, sport and celebrity interviews with many lively topics.
Holistic Treatment Center for Drugs and Alcohol

G & G Holistic Addiction Treatment Program is located in North Miami Beach, Florida. Surrounded by the warmth of the sun and lush tropical breezes clients come to escape from the clutches of the disease of addiction .
In The Rooms

In The Rooms Addiction Social Network's purpose is to help people with Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, Prescription Drug Addiction, Pain Killer Addiction and More
Jocko’s Complete Automotive

Handling necessary automotive repair today means a better-performing vehicle down the road. 1141 W. McNab Road Pompano Beach, FL 954-330-7672
Joy's House

Joy's house: www.joyshouse.info 786-227-4842Special to help fill beds: $150 a week instead of $165 & includes woman counselor once a week for private group with girls at Joy's House, computer w/wireless, pool, bbq, volleyball, max of 8 girls, 1 acre, & 4 dogs! :)
Joy's House

Joy’s House is a beautiful 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom home dedicated to bridging the gap from early recovery to independent living.Located on 1 acre in the heart of North Miami Florida, Joy’s House is limited to only 8 women for your comfort. We strive to achieve a close, family feeling where a small, intimate group of women will be there for one another. An atmosphere of mutual support and accountability allow an opportunity for the healing process to begin. Our house is based on 12-step principles & Joy’s House is located near 5 different 12 step meeting rooms.
Kayos Productions

Kayos Productions is a full-service music company offering a wide spectrum of services imperative to success in today’s music business. Based in downtown New York City, Kayos Productions is a boutique agency spearheaded by seasoned music industry executive Carol Kaye. Kayos is a hub for services including public relations, marketing and consulting.Having implemented effective PR campaigns for such iconic artists as KISS, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Paul McCartney, Queen, AC/DC, Alice Cooper, The Eagles, The Ramones, Blondie, and many others.
Klean Radio

A radio show broadcast every Sunday night at 8 pm on KFWB 930AM, from CBS Studios, covering addiction and recovery issues with an interesting mix of celebrities and treatment experts. Klean Radio is hosted by Klean CEO, Andrew Spanswick and the only Republican Jew with a sense of humor, Judah Friedman
Kt1Photography.com

We are an up and coming Photography business that believe in the beauty of the simple and innovative. We have conections in Nashville, NC, and Florida. Love the Music industry, we have a growing artist portfolio. Go to our website an check us out. Suggestions and feedback are always welcome!! We will also travel where we are needed.
Lifestyles In Balance

There comes a time when people hit their bottom with Western Medicine/Diets and realize it's not resonating with them anymore. I help people create a better quality of living through Ayurvedic Nutrition and Holistic Lifestyles; one day at a time - one person at a time.

PARENTS TOLL FREE HELP LINE

We’re Here to Help.

Call Us Today:
1-855-DRUGFREE
(1-855-378-4373)

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed or have a specific question about your child’s drug or alcohol use? Our Parents Toll-Free Helpline is anationwide support service that offers assistance to parents and other primary caregivers of children who want to talk to someone about their child’s drug use and drinking. Our trained and caring parent specialists will:
Listen to your concerns, challenges, setbacks and emotional turmoil that you have experienced with your child’s substance abuse or addiction
Help you outline a course of effective action – whether it’s prevention, intervention, seeking treatment or supporting recovery – grounded in science-based resources
Inform you of different resources available to you nationally

Our Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm ET. We are closed on weekends and holidays. The Helpline is not a crisis line. If you do not connect with a parent specialist, please leave a message and we will make every effort to get back to you by the next business day. If you are in need of immediate or emergency services please call 911 or a 24 hour crisis hotline.

Our parent specialists are licensed social workers and psychologists with years of experience helping individuals and their families prevent and overcome substance abuse problems.

We’re Here to Help – Call Us
Parents Toll-Free Helpline
1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373)
Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm ET

Survey: Ten Percent of American Adults Report Being in Recovery from Substance Abuse or Addiction

By Josie Feliz | March 6, 2012 | 2 Comments | Filed in News Releases

Data Show More Than 23 Million Adults Living in U.S. Once Had Drug or Alcohol Problems, But No Longer Do

New York, NY, March, 6 2012 – Survey data released today by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) show that 10 percent of all American adults, ages 18 and older, consider themselves to be in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse problems. These nationally representative findings indicate that there are 23.5 million American adults who are overcoming an involvement with drugs or alcohol that they once considered to be problematic.

According to the new survey funded by OASAS, 10 percent of adults surveyed said yes to the question, “Did you once have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do?” – one simple way of describing recovery from drug and alcohol abuse or addiction.

“The OASAS study is an important contribution to the public’s understanding of recovery, as it represents the actual voices of millions of Americans whose lives have improved because they are living free of alcohol and other drug problems,” said Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “This newlearning provides a big reason – more than 23 million reasons – for all those who are struggling with their own, or a loved one’s substance use disorder, to have hope and know that they are not alone. These findings serve as a reminder that addiction is a treatable disease and recovery can be a reality. We are just scratching the surface here and more research is needed in this area, but we are proud to collaborate with New York OASAS in this meaningful process.”

“This research marks a vitally important step for those who are struggling with addiction by offering clear evidence to support what many know experientially – that millions of Americans have found a path to recovery,” said New York State Office of Alcoholism andSubstance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “It is my hope that this new evidence will strengthen and inspire individuals and those that provide treatment and recovery services to help the broader community understand that treatment does work and recovery is possible.”

Other self-reported findings from the new data conclude that:
More males say they are in recovery than females (12 percent vs. 7 percent).
More adults ages 35-44 report being in recovery, compared to younger adults (18-34) and adults who are 55 years of age or older.
The Midwest has a higher prevalence of adults (14 percent) who say they are in recovery compared to adults in the South (7 percent). In other regions of the country, the percentage of adults[1] who say they are in recovery is 11 percent for the West and 9 percent for the Northeast.

The study also found no significant difference between parents and adults without children who say they are in recovery. This demonstrates that parents are as likely as non-parents to be in recovery.

“This new research also supports findings from a groundbreaking survey done for Faces and Voices of Recovery by Peter Hart Associates that provided the initial evidence that there was a large population in recovery in the United States,” said Tom Hedrick, Senior Program Officer and one of the founding members of The Partnership at Drugfree.org. “Those 2004 findings concluded that ‘38 percent of adults have a family member or close friend (or both) who is in recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs.’”

Insights from Experts in the Field of Substance Abuse and Addiction:

“I’ve learned that there is ‘a science of addiction, but not a science of recovery.’ With the survey conducted by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and OASAS, we now have a very strong beginning to developing that science. Through past initiatives, we established some sensible definitions of what ‘being in recovery’ actually means – and this additional work provides fundamental information on how many people are in recovery. These are not only the building blocks for the ‘recovery science’ that have been called for, but they are the foundation for public understanding, acceptance and ultimately, the celebration of recovery.” – A. Thomas McLellan, PhD, Former Deputy Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

“Every American is acutely aware of the negative impact of drug and alcohol addiction; it’s impossible to ignore. Yet we have somehow missed a very positive story about addiction that is right in front of our nose: Tens of millions of our fellow citizens come out the other side to live substance-free, healthy and productive lives. This study is a wake-up call to the reality of recovery in America, as well as a source of hope for the millions of American families who are currently struggling with drug and alcohol problems.” — Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine

“As these findings demonstrate, recovery is everywhere. All across our country people are living healthy and productive lives in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, benefiting themselves, their families and communities. Recovery is our best kept secret. It’s time to invest in understanding the solution to alcohol and other drug problems, advocate for the right resources to recover and demonstrate the power and proof of long-term recovery, offering hope to the over 23 million Americans who have yet to find recovery.” — Pat Taylor, Executive Director, Faces and Voices of Recovery

“This research is vitally important – it shows that, until now, even addiction experts have been unaware of how many people across the country are in sustained recovery. We often hear about the latest celebrity’s bad behavior, but it’s rare for the public to see people overcome their addictions, achieve their goals, and go on to become great parents, employees, citizens, etc. The public won’t know these success stories unless we tell them, and that’s what this research does. It breaks new ground and provides tremendous inspiration for those who are currently struggling with drug and/or alcohol problems and their families.” – Deni Carise, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer, Phoenix House Foundation

Resources for Those in Recovery and for Families Facing Addiction

The Partnership at Drugfree.org is reaching families directly through its transformative campaign, You Are Not Alone, which calls on all those affected by addiction – individuals, families, communities and organizations – to take action and help our loved ones in need. You Are Not Alone comes to life in a collection of visual stories, each one a message dedicated to the families of the 11 million teens or young adults who are struggling with substance abuse.

This public storytelling – stories of hope and healing – puts a face to the disease of addiction and brings together the millions directly impacted with those who currently know someone who needs help.

For those families who are currently struggling with addiction or have a loved one who is in recovery, please visit The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s online resource, Recover at drugfree.org.


# # # #

Survey Methodology

The nationally representative survey from The Partnership at Drugfree.org and OASAS was conducted among 2,526 adults, ages 18 and older, living in the United States. Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) conducted the survey in 2011, with a sample consisting of 1,272 male and 1,254 female respondents and with a margin of error +/- 2 percentage points.

ORC CARAVAN® random-digit-dial omnibus survey is conducted among adults 18 years of age and older living in private households in the continental United States. It is a multi-client nationally projectable study and the sample includes both unlisted and listed landline telephone numbers and is fully replicated and stratified by region. All national telephone surveys are weighted to U.S. Census data for age, gender, geographic region, education and race in order to improve the projectability and reliability of the random telephone sample. The survey is enhanced with a sample of cell phone interviews to reflect the growing importance of adults who do not have landlines or rarely use them. This captures the best representation of the adult population, especially among younger adults 18-34.

Survey Question: “Did you used to have a problem with drugs or alcohol, but no longer do?”

About The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Ninety percent of addictions start in the teenage years. The Partnership at Drugfree.org is dedicated to helping families solve the problem of teen substance abuse. Bringing together renowned scientists, parent experts and communications professionals, this public health nonprofit translates research on teen behavior, parenting, addiction and treatment into useful and effective resources at drugfree.org. Its You Are Not Alone campaign is dedicated to supporting families of the 11 million teens and young adults who need addiction treatment, while the organization’scommunity education programs reach families at the grassroots level. The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s mission to help parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by their children depends on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector. We are thankful to SAG/AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity.

About OASAS

OASAS oversees one of the nation’s largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. To get help for someone in need, call the toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us. Follow OASAS:www.twitter.com/nysoasas / facebook profile: NYS OASAS /www.youtube.com/nysoasas / www.flickr.com/photos/nysoasas

Five Public Policies That Will Lead to Pain Relief Without Prescription Overdoses

By Celia Vimont | March 13, 2012 | 8 Comments | Filed in Addiction,Healthcare & Prescription Drugs


Major policy changes are needed to resolve the tension between providing adequate pain relief and tackling the epidemic of prescription opioid overdoses, according to drug policy expert Keith Humphreys, PhD. At the recent American Academy of Pain Medicine meeting, he laid out five policies that can achieve a realistic balance.

“Some of the policies are relatively easy to implement, while others involve changing cultural norms, which is much more difficult,” said Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, and a former Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, from 1991 to 2009, prescriptions for opioid analgesics increased almost threefold, to more than 200 million. The Drug Abuse Warning Network system, which monitors drug-related emergency department visits and drug-related deaths, found that emergency room visits related to the nonmedical use of pharmaceutical opioids doubled between 2005 and 2009.

The five policies that Dr. Humphreys recommends are:
Implement prescription monitoring programs. “Some of the initial programs were slow and clunky, but we are now seeing systems, such as the one in New York, that are starting to make a difference,” he says.
Use the reimbursement power of insurance programs to lock “doctor shoppers” into a single prescriber. “If an insurer sees someone have five doctors writing them pain pill prescriptions, they can designate one provider as the patient’s pain doctor,” notes Humphreys.
Make prescription recycling a standard practice. “I remember when recycling bottles and cans was considered a strange thing, but now everyone does it,” he says. “Prescription take-back days won’t be fully effective until they become the cultural norm. Dropping off unused pills needs to be something everyone does when they go to the drugstore.”
Make it easier for drug companies to develop abuse-resistant drugs. “Pharmaceutical companies who are trying to do the right thing need to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to develop a pill that becomes inert when crushed, and then they have toapply for a New Drug Application. We need the Food and Drug Administration to create an accelerated review process for these new formulations.”
Change opioid-related medical practice. “We need to educate patients and providers that opioids are not the only treatment for pain,” Dr. Humphreys says. “There are other options, including different types of medications and physical therapy. We also need to educate prescribers in the emergency room and in dental offices that they shouldn’t automatically write a 30-day prescription for opioids. They have to start thinking about how much medication a patient really needs.”

With so many people dying of prescription drug overdoses, a response of doing nothing isn’t an option, he emphasizes. “I tell doctors that change is coming, and they can get involved, or else an uninformed policymaker may do it for them, with some potentially bad results.”

Tobacco Killed 50 Million People in Last Decade Worldwide, Health Groups Say

By Join Together Staff | March 21, 2012 | 3 Comments | Filed in Tobacco


Fifty million people worldwide have died from tobacco-related causes over the past decade, according to a new report by the World Lung Foundation and the American Cancer Society. The groups estimate that if current trends continue, a billion people will die from tobacco use and exposure in this century.

The Tobacco Atlas notes smoking rates in the developed world are on the decline, while rates are climbing in poorer areas of the world. Last year, tobacco use resulted in the deaths of almost 6 million people worldwide, with almost 80 percent occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In China, tobacco is the number one killer, responsible for 1.2 million deaths per year, according to the atlas. That number is expected to grow to 3.5 million by 2030, Reutersreports.

The report said the tobacco industry has launched legal challenges to anti-tobacco policies such as plain cigarette packaging, laws banning smoking in public places, bans on advertising and health warnings on cigarette labels.

According to the report, the world’s six biggest tobacco firms made $35.1 billion in profits in 2010, an amount equal to the combined earnings of Coca-Cola, Microsoft and McDonald’s.

“The tobacco industry thrives on ignorance of the true harms of tobacco use and using misinformation to subvert health policies that could save millions,” Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer of the World Lung Foundation, said in a news release.

$100 REWARD FOR REPORTING DRUNK DRIVERS PROPOSED BY CALIFORNIA LAWMAKER

Mar 16, 2012 | No Comments
Written by Kate McGinty

Strapped for cash? Maybe you should start reporting drunken drivers.

State Sen. Robert Calderon, a Montebello Democrat, has proposed legislation that would give tipsters $100 if they report a drunken driver who is convicted.

And for a little poetic justice: Calderon would have the court order the drunken driver to pay the reward.

"By engaging civilians to report drunk drivers, this bill would directly and immediately lower the number of roadway deaths," Calderon said about the bill. "Killing or injuring someone as a result of drunk driving is a horrendous crime that can easily be avoided. This bill is one step closer to ensuring that our roads and highways are safe from drunk drivers."

In 2010, 791 people were killed in DUI crashes on state roadways, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.
Less drinking, less crime

Speaking of drinking, it's decreased alcohol consumption -- and not tougher sentencing policies -- that have led to a drop in crime nationwide, a new study concluded.

In fact, the state's three-strikes law has contributed significantly to the state's financial woes because more people spend time in prison, says Robert Nash Parker, a sociologist and director of the Presley Center for Crime and Justice Studies at University of California, Riverside.

Continue Reading: desertsun.com

FAMILY TALK

If you’re new to Family Talk, welcome! You are now part of a huge and supportive community. We’re very glad you’ve joined us.

If you’re a returning Family Talk fan, you probably noticed that things look a little different around here: new photos, new links and some new faces. That’s because Family Talk has been completely updated for 2011, thanks to the expert advice of MJ Corcoran, a nationally recognized, certified parent coach.

On our wall and in our Parent Guide, you’ll find practical tips on how to create deeper and more meaningful conversations about underage drinking with your children—the kinds of conversations that lead to mutual trust, accountability and hopefully positive results. Together, we can be the influence.

Antipsychotics Increasingly Prescribed for “Off-Label” Conditions

By Join Together Staff | March 13, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed inHealthcare, Mental Health, Prescription Drugs & Youth

A growing number of patients are receiving “off-label” prescriptions for a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics, according to The Washington Post. These drugs are increasingly being prescribed to treat anxiety, attention deficit, sleep problems, behavior problems in toddlers, and other conditions for which they are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Atypical antipsychotics, such as Seroquel, Zyprexa and Abilify, are approved to treat mental illnesses including schizophrenia andbipolar disorder. Some also have been approved to treat severe depression, the article notes.

A recent study found prescriptions for antipsychotics for non-approved uses doubled between 1995 and 2008—from 4.4 million to 9 million.

“Antipsychotics are overused, overpriced and oversold,” Allen Frances, former Chair of Psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine, told the newspaper. He said in some cases, off-label use of these medicines may be appropriate for patients who have not responded to other treatments for certain conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. He added that they are being used “promiscuously, recklessly,” in many cases to control behavior. He points out the drugs have serious side effects, including rapid, major weight gain, diabetes, irreversible facial tics, and breast development in boys. The drugs also increase the risk of death in the elderly.

One factor driving the rise in antipsychotic prescriptions is the growing number of non-psychiatrists prescribing them, says James H. Scully Jr., Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association. Many of these doctors do not have the experience and expertise to properly diagnose and treat mental illness, he said.

Among children, antipsychotic prescriptions are growing in large part because of the increase in bipolar disorder diagnoses, experts say.

12 STEPPING TO RECOVERY DAILY THOUGHT!! 3-14-12

STEP 1

I think its time to move on, we have spent the last two months going over step one and I am hoping and believing you have reached the point of, "my life is a mess".

STEP 2

Now we have come to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Most of the 12 step groups are not very specific in regards to a higher power.  Some think its self, others think it is some sort of God and there are those like myself who know its God and his son JESUS CHRIST.  In fact they are the only living true higher powers on the planet and beyond.  Lets examine this.  My favorite book (Bible) states he created the world and us in his image.  You were designed for a purpose and without proper instruction from parents, you were lead away, left to fill whatever purpose you felt fit you. Lets put it this way.  Did you ever put a round peg in a square hole?  Won't fit will it?  No matter what you do with that peg it wont fit. Well that's what happens to our lives when we are not taught about GOD and we are left to our own vices.  We fumble through life with a constant emptiness.  No matter what we try to satisfy that emptiness with we just cant seem to fill that void.  You are missing the most important part of you, and that's being one with your creator!  Its like buying the most expensive exercise bike in the store, opening the box and there are no directions on how to put it together.  Your life is unmanageable because your not reading the instruction book GOD gave you(BIBLE).  I dare you to read the book.  My recommendation, Tyndanle life recovery bible is available at all book stores.  Just think about this.... the BIBLE is still the number one selling book in the world. 3,000 years and still counting.

Prescription Drug Abuse: America’s Problem

By Karen Kelly | January 13, 2012 | 3 Comments | Filed in Advocacy,Community Related, Government, Healthcare, Legislation & Prescription Drugs


A toddler sits silently amid the squalid interior of his modest home. Jack longs for food, but the shelves have not been stocked in days. What little money that was available has been used to feed the addiction of his caregivers.

Jack is not alone. At least 75 percent of all child abuse or neglect cases across the country involve substance abuse by parents or caregivers, according to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare.

The teenage daughter of a prominent city official is caught shoplifting. Although she lives in a nice home, Jane says she needed the merchandise to pawn for pills purchased from an unscrupulous cash-only pain clinic.

Jane’s case isn’t unique. An estimated 12 million people in the United States used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes in 2010, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA). Unbelievably, NIDA notes that there were enough prescription painkillers prescribed “to medicate every American adult around-the-clock for a month.”

Prescription drug abuse has no socio-economic barriers. But it does come with a huge human cost.

Each day an estimated two people die from drug overdoses and another 40 are admitted to emergency rooms with life-threatening conditions, according to the Prescription Monitoring Program of Excellence at Brandeis University.

American businesses – from industry to mom-and-pop establishments – face lost productivity and increased workplace hazards because of addicted employees. This is a threat to sustainable economic development in both urban and rural communities.

Health insurers alone lose up to $72.5 billion annually in bogus claims. These costs are, by necessity, passed along to consumers.

Trying to get a handle on the problem – which has now reached epidemic proportions – is not easy. Ten years ago, Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-5th) created a program to help states track the sale of prescription drugs. In 2010, he helped launch the bi-partisan Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, which seeks to raise awareness of abuse, and to work toward innovative and effective policy solutions incorporating treatment, prevention, law enforcement and research.

Finding a solution goes beyond political allegiances. As Rogers notes, “The prescription drug abuse problem can’t be solved in one state, with one simple strategy.”

In an effort to bring all parties together, Operation UNITE is coordinating a National Rx Drug Abuse Summit in Florida from April 10-12, 2012. This will be the first conference focusing only on the issue of prescription drug abuse. The goal of the Summit is to foster better understanding and cooperation between state and national leaders, law enforcement officials, medical professionals, community advocates, treatment experts, educators, private industry leaders and others who are finding success in battling this nationwideepidemic.

Keynote speakers at the Summit will include R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy; Vice Admiral Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, the U.S. Surgeon General; Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse; and the Hon. Joseph T. Rannazzisi, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Diversion Control with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Left unchecked, the prescription drug abuse problem will continue to grow out of control, draining limited resources and devastating families.

Join this important national conversation on April 10-12, 2012. America’s future is at stake.

Karen Kelly, President/CEO, Operation UNITE

Sober St. Patrick’s Day

A Grand Celebration of Irish Culture!

Saturday, March 17th from 3pm to 7pm

The best in Irish, music, dance and comedy!
Purchase your ticket (only $12 per person)


A Family Friendly Alcohol-Free Party
World-Class Irish musicians and dancers to entertain.
Regis H.S. Use entrance at 60 East 85th Street, NYC

Many New Yorkers in recovery, who have long since abandoned this holiday, and those who also want an alcohol-free, family-friendly event, will gather to enjoy the best of Irish culture. Irish step dancers in colorful costumes will twirl around the floor to live traditional music. Actors, pipe bands and musical guests, like KT Sullivan, John Whelan (eight time “All Ireland Champion” button accordion player), and Brian Conway(five time “All Ireland Champion” fiddle player) will serenade the crowd with soulful and lively Irish tunes. Light food and soft drinks will be served.

“Sober St. Patrick’s Day” will be a welcome new addition to the hundreds of events on March 17th thanks to all of our sponsors listed at the bottom of this page. All ticket sales will be made payable to NCADD.

View the full program