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Friday, November 9, 2012
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Thursday, November 8, 2012
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Colorado and Washington Approve Measures to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
By Join Together Staff | November 7, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed inCommunity Related, Drugs & Legislation
Voters in Colorado and Washington approved measures to legalize the possession and sale of marijuana for recreational use, becoming the first U.S. states to do so. A similar measure in Oregon was defeated, Reuters reports. The measures allow personal possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for anyone at least 21 years old. They also permit marijuana to be sold and taxed at state-licensed stores.
The approval of the new state laws has set the stage for a potential showdown with the federal government, which classifies marijuana as an illegal narcotic, the article notes.
In Colorado, the recreational marijuana law received almost 53 percent of the vote. In Washington, early returns showed the measure was leading with 55 percent of the vote. Marijuana is already legal in Colorado and Washington for medical purposes.
In Colorado, marijuana cultivation will be limited to six plants per person. In Washington, personal marijuana plants will continue to be banned.
In September, nine former administrators of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wrote a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, urging him to oppose the three state legalization measures. The letter stated that not opposing the measures would indicate acceptance. The former DEA officials said the measures would pose a direct conflict with federal law.
Three other states also voted on marijuana initiatives. According toCNN, a measure to legalize medical marijuana in Arkansas trailed narrowly with 89 percent of the vote in, while a medical marijuana initiative in Massachusetts was ahead by almost a two-to-one margin. In Montana, early returns showed voters agreed to make the state’s medical marijuana law more restrictive.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Half of Addiction Counselors Say It’s OK for Some Patients to Drink Occasionally
By Join Together Staff | November 5, 2012 | 4 Comments | Filed in Alcohol,Drugs & Treatment
A survey of addiction counselors finds almost half say it is acceptable for at least some of their patients to drink from time to time. The survey included 913 members of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Counselors.
About half of the counselors said they would not object if some of their clients who abuse alcohol wanted to limit their drinking, but not totally abstain, PsychCentral.com reports. That is double the number of counselors in a 1994 survey who said moderate drinking was acceptable for some clients.
The new survey found about half of counselors said moderate drug use was acceptable as an intermediate goal, while one-third said it was adequate as a final goal.
“Individuals with alcohol and drug problems who avoid treatment because they are ambivalent about abstinence should know that — depending on the severity of their condition, the finality of their outcome goal, and their drug of choice — their interest in moderating their consumption will be acceptable to many addiction professionals working in outpatient and independent practice settings,” the researchers from Bowling Green State University noted in a press release.
Counselors were less accepting of occasional substance use for clients diagnosed with alcohol or drug dependence, which is considered more severe than alcohol or drug abuse. At least three-fourths of the counselors said they would not approve of limited or moderate consumption for these clients.
“In light of this study, we suggest that clients ask about their counselor’s openness to limited or moderate consumption as an outcome goal, and that agencies acknowledge their policy regarding negotiation of outcome goals as part of informed consent,” said researcher Harold Rosenberg, PhD.
The study was published in Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Ryan's Light of Hope
About
Ryan's Light of Hope is an informal non-profit organization to help people that are recovering from addiction.
MissionOur mission is to assist people in recovery from addiction with affordable housing and support after losing our son to a heroin overdose.
Company OverviewTo see more information on our organization go to, www.ryanslightofhope.org
General InformationWe bought our first Ryan House 8/2010.
Basic Info
Started June 2012
Contact Info
Phone
(770) 633-5468Email parkeraudrey13@aol.com
Website http://www.ryanslightofhope.org
Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse More Common in Boys: Study
By Join Together Staff | November 2, 2012 | Leave a comment | Filed in Drugs,Research & Youth
A new study suggests boys are more likely than girls to abuse over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The study of middle school and high school students in 133 schools in Cincinnati found 10 percent said they abused over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrup or decongestants.
University of Cincinnati researchers noted this type of drug abuse can lead to accidental poisoning, seizures and physical and mental addictions.
HealthDay reports the researchers found high rates of over-the-counter drug abuse were found among both female and male middle school students, but boys had a higher risk of longtime use, compared with girls. Teens who admitted to abusing over-the-counter drugs were more likely to say they had gone to parties where the drugs were available, or had friends who abused the drugs.
Teens involved in school clubs, sports, community and church groups were less likely to report abusing over-the-counter drugs. “Findings from this study highlight and underscore OTC drugs as an increasing and significant health issue affecting young people,” Rebecca Vidourek, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion, said in a news release.
The study was presented at the American Public Health Association meeting.
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