California Considers Requiring Doctors to Undergo Drug and Alcohol Tests

BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

August 5th, 2014/

California voters will decide this November whether doctors in their state will have to submit to random drug and alcohol tests.

If the measure is passed, California would become the first state to require doctors to submit to random drug and alcohol testing, according to The New York Times. The measure is part of a broader initiative that would also raise the state’s financial cap on medical malpractice awards, from $250,000 to $1.1 million.

The medical industry has already raised more than $35 million to defeat the measure, the article notes. Opponents include doctors, hospitals and medical insurance companies. Unions, the state Chamber of Commerce and the California chapter of Planned Parenthood oppose the measure, known as Proposition 46. Supporters include U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

If Proposition 46 passes, the California Medical Board would receive results of random drug tests on doctors. Hospitals would have to report the names of doctors who were suspected of abusing drugs or alcohol.

Dr. Richard Thorp, President of the California Medical Association, told the newspaper the measure is a “money grab by trial lawyers.” He added, “The decision about drug and alcohol testing shouldn’t be made by political consultants — it should be made by stakeholders in a careful, thoughtful way.”

Arthur L. Caplan, a medical ethicist at New York University, supports the measure. “It’s crucial: I can’t believe we haven’t done this already,” he said. “We can argue about how often that is, and what to do if you are positive. But the idea that we wouldn’t be screening our surgeon, our anesthesiologist or our oncologist when we are going to screen our bus drivers and our airline pilots strikes me as ethically indefensible.”

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The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                   and           Pennsylvania Recovery Organization --      Achieving Community Together (PRO-ACT)  Recovery in Our Communities August 5, 2014      Like us on Facebook                                   www.councilsepa.org                       Follow us on Twitter   Information and Recovery Support Line 24/7: 800-221-6333    Our greatest glory is not in never failing,      but in rising up every time we fail.     Ralph Waldo Emerson DRUG COURT EXPANSION  So We Can "All Rise" The most researched criminal justice program in human history is Drug Courts.  And the research is clear:  Drug Courts work!  They reduce crime and are highly cost-effective saving taxpayers anywhere from $3,000 to $13,000 per participant depending on the court.  Read more facts and figures about drug courts from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. Most citizens and celebrities are lining-up in support of drug courts.  This PSA was posted several years ago by  ALL RISE, a group that proclaims how we "All Rise" when we help a fellow citizen to manage their addiction as opposed to incarcerating them.     Its no wonder that both The White House and state governments agree that communities should expand drug court programs as much as possible.  However, expansion must be done the right way.      In Pennsylvania, there is strong support to ensure that drug court programs operate in accordance with best practices.   First, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court established a Drug Court Accreditation Program to help drug courts operate in accordance with the latest scientific research.  Second, treatment and criminal justice professionals who operate these programs formed the Pennsylvania Association of Drug Court Professionals years ago to educate, train and support others in their operation.   ARE PRO-MARIJUANA TWEETS INFLUENCING THE YOUNG? Messages Can Change Attitudes About A Dangerous Drug Many young Americans receive pro-marijuana "weed-tweets" several times a day, according to a study released by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.   One such twitter account has over 1 million followers and posts  11 tweets per day.  The findings are concerning because young people may be  receptive to social media influences.  "It's likely a young person's attitudes and behaviors may be influenced when he or she is receiving daily, ongoing messages of this sort," says Patricia Cavazos-Rehg, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry.  "It is important to remember that [marijuana] remains a dangerous drug of abuse," she said.  In 2011, marijuana use contributed to more than 455,000 emergency room visits, with 13 percent of those for patients aged 12 to 17.  For more on why researchers say pro-pot messages set the stage for drug use, read the Full Press Release from Washington University in St. Louis. Some Upcoming Events Aug. 20th: Meet The Council Open House, 8 - 9 am at 252 West Swamp Road, Bailiwick Office Campus, Unit 12, Doylestown, PA 18901 September 12, 2014: 7:05 pm. Recovery Night at the Baseball Game, Phillies vs. Marlins, Citizens Bank Park. Click here for tickets.  September 20, 2014: PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! 2014, Great Plaza, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia. Click here to register and get more information. Employment Opportunities: Please click here

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August 5 v 169 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS

May my cry come before you , O ' Lord ; give me understanding according to your word .

STEP 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

I spent countless nights in my addictive state crying myself to sleep . Why God do I have to suffer ,why are you doing this to me . Those were my thoughts ! We will never get free until we recognize God , acknowledge God , and surrender to God ! Then we must accept His authority forgiveness and directions for our lives and how to live them . If you can sincerely do the above He will give you understanding of his precious word which contains the key to freedom (sobriety) , peace , love , joy , and the list goes on (Gods big Book Bible ) ! You have got to realize and recognize your life is a mess because you made it that way ! God gave you the gift of life and along with it instructions (Gods big Book Bible ). Gods choices for your life are peace love and joy your choices are addiction pain and sorrow . 

John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

By Joseph Dickerson

New Clothes for Men in Recovery   We have a wonderful opportunity for men in recovery: a group of volunteers has donated a large selection of new clothes from Kohl's. All sizes, casualwear.  If you or a loved one are in recovery, or on your way to treatment/sober living - and have a need in this area, please contact Bill G (609-587-7215). Update: Walk with the Angels      The new numbers are in. In the first 6 months of 2014, COA paid over $30,000 for 50 young people to receive medical care, enter sober living and/or begin long term treatment for addiction. Without this support, many would not be in recovery today. If you make charitable donations, please consider supporting COA. We're doing a major fundraiser right now. Tom Garofola, a longtime friend of the recovery community and leader of The Breakfast Club, a support group for families dealing with addiction, has generously offered to match all donations up to a total of $1,000. To donate to his fundraising team, The Breakfast Club, click here.    The Breakfast Club meets each Sunday morning at the Dwier Center (392 Church Street, Groveville, NJ) and is open to all. If you haven't checked it out yet, drop by!   To visit the main fundraising website for Walk with the Angels, click here.    Walk With the Angels will be held onSeptember 14, 2014 in Mercer County Park to will support continued scholarships for recovery.  The goal is to raise $50,000 and 100% of that will be used to send people to treatment for addiction and/or get them into sober living or medical care.       *COA is a service organization: all COA services are completely free of charge and everyone who works for COA is a volunteer. That means we can be completely objective and impartial, recommending the best options for our clients, based upon their individual situations. For help with a drug problem, call COA at 609-910-4942 or visit us online atwww.cityofangelsnj.org. Affirmation Mirror Workshop This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone in Recovery! This is a 2 day workshop using a combination of the technique of mosaic and layering!  We will start with an 8 x 8 inch square of wood.....and a piece of mirror.......and create a personalized inspirational beautiful piece of Art that will remind you each time you look at it how wonderful you are and how much you are loved!! The cost of this workshop is: $40.00 (which is un-heard of for a 2 day workshop!) This includes all materials to create a finished project Square Peg's Cindy R. will work with you the entire time to help you learn and create your own personal Affirmation Mirror filled with your own personal messages that will help you each time you look at it to change those negative thought patterns that run through our minds every day! Cindy knows because she is also in addiction recovery and found a wonderful and fun way to express herself through Art!!  "I do not have any degrees in Art," she says.  "I just know what makes me happy and I allow myself to play! I would love to show you what I have learned.....and invite you to come and play too!" The DATES : Saturday August 16th & Sunday August 17th The TIME: 10:00 am to 4:00 The PLACE: SQUARE PEG ROUND HOLE 117 Farnsworth Ave Bordentown NJ  609-291-7062 Seating is limited......registration can be made by phone. This is open to only those affiliated with COA! Payment must be made in full 7 days before the class is to start to ensure your space! This will be a FUN and inspiring workshop done in an open laid back informative environment! The only materials you will need to bring if you wish are those things that are meaningful to only you that Cindy may not have .....ie. broken plates or little statutes etc., charms coins special broken jewelry tiny toys etc that you can incorporate into your piece that would only mean something to you!  On COARR  Let's Talk About Recovery! With 10 original shows, COARR plays Recovery Talk 24/7/365....past shows are available online atwww.coaradio.com/pastshows.html and in each show's online archive.  Tune in thru the smartphone app (free in the iphone/droid stores) or on www.coaradio.com to hear what's playing now.....   New on COARR!    Wellness in Recovery.  This groundbreaking new show brings some very important ideas & resources to the recovery community - things that have proven beneficial in the "outside" world - and adapts them specifi cally for recoverees.  And the show host, Nancy Tilelli, couldn't be more perfect! You may remember her from COA's Wellness Day in March. She is also aCOA-certified Recovery Coach and a health & wellness coach.  To visit her website, and get tips on how you feel soooooo much better with just a few small lifestyle changes, click here to visit her website.         Listen to past COARR shows any time: For "Women & Addiction" with Terri Thomas, click here. For "Hope Fiend" with Minister Rich Mollica, click here. For "Emotional Sobriety" with Andy Finley MFT, click here. For "Journey Thru the 12 Steps with the Life Recovery Bible," click here. For "Share Your Scars" with Vicki, click here. For "Wings Over Water: Creativity in Recovery" with recovery musician Kathy Moser,  click here. For "Laughter & Recovery" with stand up comic Wil B. Kleen, click here. For "Relationships in Recovery" with Alexa, click here. For "Saving Lives" with COA Director of Interventions Tom Redneck Clark, click here. For "Nar-Anon Families of Addiction Information Line" click here .

CALL OUR ADDICTION & COUNSELING HELPLINE: 1-844-543-3242 (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE) Share Tweet Forward Tune in to hear Lighthouse Network's Karl Benzio, MD, on the air! YES-FM | Toledo, Ohio 7:40 a.m. EST Tuesday, August 5 Program: AM Mayhem with Tommy Briggs "Dangers of Powdered Caffeine" Listen online: yeshome.com   Check out other media interviews including TV appearances, radio programs, print features and articles here... Lighthouse Network is a Christian-based, non-profit organization that offers an addiction and mental health counseling helpline providing treatment options and resources to equip people and organizations with the skills necessary to shine God's glory to the world, stand strong on a solid foundation in the storms of their own lives, and provide guidance and safety to others experiencing stormy times, thus impacting their lives, their families and the world. Lighthouse Network offers help through two main service choices: Lighthouse Life Change Helpline (1-844-LIFE-CHANGE, 1-844-543-3242), a 24-hour free, national crisis call center, where specialists (Care Guides) help callers understand and access customized treatment options. Life Growth and self-help training resources for daily life, including online and DVD series and training events to help individuals achieve their potential.   unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences Follow Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter Visit Our Website

August 3 Chapter 11 v 2 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS 

The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings .

They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right .

STEP 5 - Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Sometimes in our lives others will be jealous of our success . Especially when we get sober ! We will discover if we are truly honest in working step 5 that our past relationships were with people we dont even like .We were hanging with them because misery loves company and most times they would turn us on as long as we did the same. Reaching the breaking point in our addictive lives and realizing we gotta get out before its too late is something we should not share with the ones we use with . Can you hear them now , we are a team , I cant do this without you ,I will die out here you cant leave me. What we have to realize is unless you want die with them you gotta turn your back and walk away and never look back . They will do everything they can to manipulate and keep you trapped . The Psalm is so right on with this and you will experience this in all areas of life . Some people become consumed with envy and jealously ,when that is not dealt with it becomes hate and that can be very dangerous too yourself and others.Never be the reason for someones relapse and always wish the best for people because in the long run we reap what we sow or what goes around comes around .

James 3 ,14- 15 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

By Joseph Dickerson