While Illicit Drug Use Decreases in Cities, Prescription Drug Abuse Climbs

By Join Together Staff | October 16, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed inCommunity Related, Drugs & Prescription Drugs


While illicit drug use has decreased in most large American cities, prescription drug abuse has climbed, according to a new study.

The study evaluated emergency room visits related to drug abuse in 11 major metropolitan areas, and some smaller urban areas, from 2007 to 2009. The researchers found illicit drug use accounted for more emergency department visits than prescription drug abuse in 2007 (26 percent vs. 20 percent), for all metropolitan areas except Phoenix.

From 2007 to 2009, emergency departments reported an 8 percent drop in visits for illicit drug abuse, while visits for prescription drug abuse rose 2 percent, HealthDay reports. In 2009, illicit drug use accounted for 28 percent of ER visits, while prescription drug abuse accounted for 22 percent.

The findings were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

“The harsh reality is prescription drug abuse has become a growing problem in our society,” study author Dr. Asokumar Buvanendran of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said in a news release. “We hope the results of this study will aid physicians in effectively treating patients who struggle with prescription drug abuse, as well as encourage widespread patient education about the safe use, storage and disposal of medications.”

City of Angels of NJ upcoming events

Don't Miss These Events!

Annual COA Halloween Party Saturday, October 27, 8 pm - midnight Don't miss this ghoulishly great Halloween Bash! There will be music, dancing, food and tons of fun. Come in costume or just come as your scary self! All are welcome. To watch a video of last year's Halloween party, featuring Redneck rocking the dance floor in a print dress & high heels,click here.For more details, contact CityofAngelsNJ@Hotmail.com. COA Thanksgiving Dinner Sunday, November 18, 4 pm - 7 pm  Celebrate everything we have to be thankful for at this bountiful dinner at the Dwier Center with your COA family! COA will roast the turkeys....just bring a dish to share or a few good jokes to tell! There'll be plenty of food, fun and good cheer. Live music will be provided by Facedown, a local band that is quickly building a big following. All are welcome. For more details, contact CityofAngelsNJ@Hotmail.com.

Florida Needs More Resources to Help Babies Exposed to Opioids, Experts Say

By Join Together Staff | October 15, 2012 | 2 Comments | Filed in Addiction,Community Related, Drugs, Parenting & Youth

Florida needs more resources to help the many newborns exposed to opioids, experts told a statewide task force. They said the number of such babies far exceeds the number of treatment beds available for mothers addicted to prescription drugs, and their newborns.

For example, in Duval County, Florida, 113 babies were born with neonatal withdrawal syndrome in 2010, but only 13 treatment beds were available, the Sun-Sentinel reports. These babies suffer symptoms of withdrawal, including shaking, inconsolable crying, skin rashes, vomiting and diarrhea.

Florida’s Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act is severely underfunded, with just $1 million allocated, according to state Representative Dana Young, a member of the Statewide Task Force on Prescription Drug Abuse & Newborns. The task force was formed by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. It is charged with defining the severity of the problem and devising solutions.

“The task force will draft a recommended policy designed to address the problem that will be sent to the legislature after the first of the year and will hopefully serve as a model for the rest of the country,” Bondi said.

Earlier this year, hospitals on the west coast of Florida reported a rise in the number of newborns exposed to opioids.

Last Door recovery Society

About
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Company OverviewLAST DOOR RECOVERY SOCIETY has been providing addiction treatment and support services since 1984. Last Door has two core programs = Last Door Youth Program 14 - 18 years old and Last Door Adult Program 19 and over. as well as several adjunct programs including Last Door' Family Program.

Our core philosophy of providing abstinence based quality treatment has remained intact over the years. Level and types of services have increased over the years as we respond to community needs. Our programs continue to grow ever year, thank you for your support.

Description
LAST DOOR YOUTH PROGRAM provides long term residential treatment for male youth 14 to 18 years. We provide a healthy environment to halt the development of addictive behaviors and assist the youth to gain self esteem and a healthy peer support network.

LAST DOOR ADULT PROGRAM provides long term residential treatment for males 18 and older. We provide an opportunity for them to overcome unproducti
ve habits and gain new attitudes, better values and a renewed zest for life.

LAST DOOR FAMILY PROGRAMS help families get the knowledge, skills and and support that enables them to deal productively with their family members’ addiction and recovery. A sense of freedom and security is gained through interactions with other families who are dealing with the same dilemmas. Program provides services for couples, parents, co-parenting, women and peer support groups.

LAST DOOR TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAMS provides residents with transitional living residences and access to a large Alumni base that are part of a thriving recovery community. Giving residents the optimum opportunity to maintain long term recovery using a total abstinence model.

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Email publicrelations@lastdoor.org
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Injecting Painkiller Opana Can Lead to Serious Blood Disorder, FDA Warns

By Join Together Staff | October 12, 2012 | 1 Comment | Filed in Prescription Drugs


Injecting the painkiller Opana ER can lead to a serious blood disorder that can result in kidney failure or death, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Thursday.

Opana is an opioid that contains the ingredient oxymorphone,Reuters reports. The drug is made by Endo Pharmaceuticals. Injecting Opana can cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which causes clots to form in small blood vessels throughout the body. These clots limit or block blood flow to the organs, the article explains.

Opana ER is a pill meant to be taken orally. It causes the blood clotting disorder only when it is abused by being crushed and injected intravenously, according to the FDA. The pill has an extended-release design, but crushing it releases the drug all at once.

Law enforcement officials are alarmed by the rise of Opana abuse, which they said started after OxyContin was changed in late 2010 to make that drug more difficult to snort or inject for a heroin-like high. OxyContin is a brand of oxycodone.

Opana abuse can be deadly because it is more potent, per milligram, than OxyContin and users who are not familiar with how strong it is may be vulnerable to overdosing.

Endo Pharmaceuticals has announced it is reformulating the drug. The pill will be more difficult to crush, and will turn gooey if liquid is added to it. Opana is prescribed for chronic back pain, as well as pain related to cancer and osteoarthritis.

Tennessee Officials Study Drug-Testing Programs for Welfare Recipients in Other States

By Join Together Staff | October 11, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed inCommunity Related, Drugs & Legislation

Tennessee state officials are studying drug-testing programs for welfare recipients in six other states, as they shape their own program, The Tennessean reports.

Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a law that mandates drug testing for welfare recipients. The state’s Department of Human Services has until January 2014 to finalize a plan. Department Commissioner Raquel Hatter reported to two legislative committees that her agency is studying similar programs in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma and Utah, to gain insight into how they have implemented their policy, and any obstacles they have faced.

The Tennessee law requires drug testing for any welfare applicant with a prior drug conviction or anyone who raises suspicion based on a screening. Human services officials must consult with drug treatment experts to set up a screening program to establish reasonable cause for drug testing of welfare applicants.

Arizona’s program, in place since 2009, requires adult applicants to fill out a three-question statement on illegal drug use. They must submit to drug testing if their answers provide a reasonable cause. In Florida, 108 adults out of 4,000 applying for welfare benefits who took a drug test failed. Florida’s law has been challenged in federal court.

Georgia has passed a drug-testing law for welfare recipients, but put implementation on hold until the Florida case has been resolved, the article notes.

Under all six state laws, a person who fails a drug test is ineligible for benefits for a defined period of time, between one month and three years. In most of the states there is a provision that reduces that period if the person enters a drug rehabilitation program, according to the newspaper.
By Join Together Staff | October 11, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed inCommunity Related, Drugs & Legislation

Tennessee state officials are studying drug-testing programs for welfare recipients in six other states, as they shape their own program, The Tennessean reports.

Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a law that mandates drug testing for welfare recipients. The state’s Department of Human Services has until January 2014 to finalize a plan. Department Commissioner Raquel Hatter reported to two legislative committees that her agency is studying similar programs in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma and Utah, to gain insight into how they have implemented their policy, and any obstacles they have faced.

The Tennessee law requires drug testing for any welfare applicant with a prior drug conviction or anyone who raises suspicion based on a screening. Human services officials must consult with drug treatment experts to set up a screening program to establish reasonable cause for drug testing of welfare applicants.

Arizona’s program, in place since 2009, requires adult applicants to fill out a three-question statement on illegal drug use. They must submit to drug testing if their answers provide a reasonable cause. In Florida, 108 adults out of 4,000 applying for welfare benefits who took a drug test failed. Florida’s law has been challenged in federal court.

Georgia has passed a drug-testing law for welfare recipients, but put implementation on hold until the Florida case has been resolved, the article notes.

Under all six state laws, a person who fails a drug test is ineligible for benefits for a defined period of time, between one month and three years. In most of the states there is a provision that reduces that period if the person enters a drug rehabilitation program, according to the newspaper.