Virginia’s School Takes the Use of Any Kind of Substance Seriously

As parents, we rely on schools to protect our kids from the dangers of drugs within their walls. All of the rules and regulations are in place to ensure our kids are in a safe and drug free environment. But for Hayley Russel and her family, the circumstances were different.

The 13 year old student of Rachel Carson Middle School in Fairfax County Virginia, was worried about her acne and bought medicine, erythromycin, a common antibiotic that a doctor prescribed for her skin, to prevent another outbreak. She kept it in her locker and did not think about it but was reprimanded when a school official confronted her. Hayley admitted that it was a mistake but it did not change the outcome. The incident caused a disciplinary process that kept her out of class for more than seven weeks and banned her from appearing on school grounds without official permission. The event turned Hayley's middle school experience into a horrific one. Rumors churned wildly, with false accusations and painful insults about what she did to get into so much trouble. "Preggo," a classmate wrote on her Facebook wall, "Druggie," texted another. The subsequent days were no better. Her parents met with an attorney who took the case to court but were told that Hayley would inevitably have to transfer. Their attorney agreed that this was the only solution.

Hayley is not alone in this undesired situation. Her case follows a pattern in at least 18 other cases in Fairfax: Students are suspended from school for a month, two months, or longer if an appeal is filed. They go to disciplinary hearings expecting unbiased reviews and instead find what they consider a confrontational and accusatorial process.

For Hayley, who is now 14, the experience was not welcoming and she is still shocked over what happened. For some parents in Virginia, it may be a relief to at least know the school takes the use of any kind of substance seriously and are not tolerant of the obstruction of their regulations, for others it may be taking drug abuse prevention a little too far.

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South Carolina Officers Train to Bust Teen Drinking Parties

Officers from several area law enforcement agencies are getting ready for 2011 "Out of their Hands Campaign."

It will be no April Fools Days on April 1 as officers in South Carolina kick-off the campaign of enforcement and education blitz coordinated by The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS). The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of underage alcohol use.

South Carolina officers have been trained on how to effectively break-up parties where underage drinking is involved. During a full day of classes, the officers got review lessons on South Carolina law as it relates to alcohol related offenses and juveniles as well as a crash course on the alcoholic beverages are popular among the underage drinking population today.

Officers were introduced to a host of other issues during the mock party exercise from language barriers and “escapees”, to “fire crews” responding to the party location after someone pulled the “fire alarm.”

Through the statewide “Out of their Hands” campaign, South Carolina's Alcohol Enforcement Teams help direct activities aimed at limiting access to alcohol by young people under the age of 21. The campaign emphasizes that it is against the law for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages and sends the message that underage drinking can be dangerous.

Cornerstone Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission of Greenwood representative says:“Ultimately we hope to reduce fatalities among youth in regards to risky decisions and alcohol.”

Besides fatalities related to alcohol use, there is also a concern of young adults becoming addicted to alcohol. Most young adults drink because they learn to associate “drinking” with adult behaviors. One drink turns into more drinks. Alcohol use many times become alcohol abuse or addiction, most young adults are unsure as to how to approach the issue. Also most young adults are not well informed about the potential brain damage, as a result of alcohol use, abuse, and alcohol addiction.

If you are a friend or family member of a young adult struggling with alcohol abuse, call now for help.

Reach out to us. For information on our addiction treatment programs contact us:

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The New Highs - Drugs of Abuse

In 2009, colored ecstasy pills started popping up around the country in the shape of President Barack Obama’s head. Those came on the heels of yellow smiley-faced marijuana gum balls appearing at a Howard County school, THC candy bars called “Stoners” marketed underground in California, and turtle-shaped chocolate psychedelic mushrooms in Oregon. Every year, it seems, people think up new ways to get high. According to the feds, below are some unusual drugs the DEA says saw spikes in usage in the past year and others that are making a resurgence.

PURPLE DRANK What is Purple Drank?: Prescription-strength cough syrup combined with lemon-lime soda and pieces of hard candy. Variations include using juice or sports drinks.

Effects of Purple Drank: It’s a sedative and gives users a “woozy” feeling of “swooning euphoria.” The feds say Purple Drank is “highly addictive” and has contributed to overdose deaths, including that of the Texas man widely credited with popularizing the mixture.

Street names: Lean, syrup, Texas tea, purple jelly, purple tonic, sip-sip, player potion, purp and sizzurp.

Rise in Popularity: Used since the 1960s, the mixture has enjoyed a revival as Lil Wayne, Eminem, Kanye West, Fast East Movement and other acts have included references in their music.

Legal Status: With a cough syrup prescription from a doctor, this drink is a combination of legal substances.

KILL What is Kill?: A narcotic, such as heroin, laced with another substance, such as fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, approximately 50 times more potent than heroin.

Effects of Kill: Results in irrational behavior and is extremely dangerous to the user’s health.

Street names: Kill or keel.

Rise in popularity: Used among hard-core junkies drawn in because of its reputation for being more powerful than heroin.

Legal status: Illegal.

BZP What is BSP?: Originally a parasite treatment for cattle, tablets containing the synthetic stimulant drug BZP (N-benzylpiperazine) are often combined with caffeine. BZP is typically pressed onto logo-embossed tablets or shaped into cartoon-character tablets.

Effects of BZP: BZP produces euphoria and cardiovascular effects similar to those of amphetamine, but much less severe. Effects generally last six to eight hours.

Street names: A2, Benny Bear, Benny, Frenzy, Legal E, Legal X, Molly and Nemesis.

Rise in popularity: Law enforcement agencies have reported a spike in usage as the drug is sold as ecstasy to unsuspecting buyers.

Legal status: Illegal in the United States but legal in some parts of Europe.

OPIUM TEA What is Opium Tea?: A tea brewed with various parts of opium poppy plants.

Effects of Opium Tea: Users initially experience a warm feeling and a state of euphoria and sleepiness. At high doses, death can occur through respiratory depression. Effects of the tea begin within 30 minutes and may last up to eight hours. According to medical examiners in several states, five men ingested poppy tea shortly before their deaths.

Street names: Opium tea or poppy tea.

Rise in popularity: Users can find legal ingredients to make the tea at farmer’s markets or on the Internet.

Legal status: Poppy seeds are legal in the United States, but other parts of the plant are illegal. Is your teen abusing drugs? Reach out to us. For information on addiction treatment programs contact:

Teen Addiction Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237

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Young Adults and Adults Addiction Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Pastor in Tennessee Addresses Epidemic Issues of Illegal Drug Abuse

MONROE COUNTY, Tenn., Pastors will take a public stand with a day of prayers in April 2, 2011 to address epidemic issues of illegal drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and their effects on children and families.

Pastor David Cooper’s gathering is inspired by the documentary movie "Appalachian Dawn".

During CCC News interview with Pastor David Cooper, he was asked what has lead him to organize this day of prayer and he answers : "Well, about a year and a half ago God put it upon my heart to combat drugs in east Tennessee. I know so many young people who have been on meth and oxycotton. Many of them have died. I happen to be the pastor that performed the funerals. God put it upon my heart to start praying and fasting about the drug problems in our area. Then the Appalachian Dawn DVD appeared and my wife and I watched it. We decided to show it to our church. After the church saw it, I really prayed hard about the next step. One thing just lead to another and its lead us to where we're at. We're just responding to the call of God, to be obedient to God."

Mr. Cooper has reported that there are other people involved in an operation they call operation P.U.S.H. Together they hope to combat drug abuse and addiction in the area.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse or addiction and is in need of help, Inspirations Teen Rehab offers a flexible and affordable teen addiction treatment program. Our aim is to treat the whole person, and not just an isolated symptom. During the addiction treatment process we will work with the teen to identify the factors that may have contributed to the prescription drug abuse and addiction – home, friends and medical history. We believe that families have a vital role to play in the recovery process, and each addiction treatment program has a place for family participation, to educate them in the treatment process and to equip them for their role as supporters.

Reach out to us. For more information on our treatment programs contact us:

Teen Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237
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What Motivates Teens to Engage in Prescription Drug Abuse?

A nothing-can-hurt-me attitude, the desire of experience life, experiment with new things along with, many times, peer influence and bad judgment can lead a teen to become addicted to prescription drugs.Ultimately, their desire for getting high outweighs their perception of the risks.

Every day, 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. They're accessing these drugs in the comfort of home where they can easily reach to a cupboard, drawer, or medicine cabinet.

Statistics Show:
• 12 to 17 year olds abuse prescription drugs more than they abuse ecstasy, crack/cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined
• 60% of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before age 15
• There are as many new abusers age 12 to 17 of prescription drugs as there are of marijuana

Teenagers turn to prescription drugs because they perceive them as less dangerous than illegal drugs because this is after all, a drug that has been prescribed by a doctor. Because of this, teenage prescription drug abuse is on the rise. The good news is, as a parent, you can influence your teen's decision not to use any type of drugs. The majority of teens still report that their parents—not their peers or the media—have the biggest influence on their decision to stay drug-free. Use this influence to talk to your teen about the danger of misusing prescription drugs.

If you suspect your child is abusing prescription drugs, seek professional help and remember these three C's: that 'you didn't Cause, can't Control and can't Cure' your child's problems. But you can and must take charge if you find out your child is abusing prescription drugs. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better will be the outcome for your child.

Reach out to us. For more information on our treatment programs contact us:

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PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION ABUSE IN UTAH

Prescription painkillers overdoses which had cases isolated to adults over 20 years of age is now also a problem for teens in Utah. There are reports of teen prescription drug abuse in Payson and Cottonwood Heights.

Though Utahan health officials claim that the numbers of prescription pill deaths has dropped as far as 12% in recent years; many families are still suffering the detrimental consequences of having a loved one addicted to pain killers. In fact, according to Fox 13 news, 10% of high school seniors reported using prescription drugs on at least one occasion in order to experience hallucinogenic effects.

Many citizens, worried over the problem in their community have reached out to their local healthcare practitioners demanding precise pill dosage, in order to eliminate easy access to the excess numbers of medication left from a prescribed dose. Some have even suggested funding educational programs that instruct people on how and when to properly dispose of their superfluous prescribed pill killers, in order to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Many families of Utahan victims are now reaching out to the schools in their communities in an attempt to create awareness amongst young teens who may be tempted to succumb to peer pressure and follow this dangerous prescription pill popping fad that has the potential of taking their lives and obliterating the lives of their concerned families.

Many are hopeful that proper public awareness through diverse channels of education are key to decreasing and hopefully eliminating the causalities of prescription pill overdose and usage within the next decade.

Reach out to us. For more information on our treatment programs contact us:

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Inspirations for Youth and Families Sponsors Writers in Treatment Fundraising Event

Inspirations for Youth & Families (http://www.inspirationsyouth.com/) and the owners Karen Walsh and Chris Walsh was one of the sponsors of this year’s Writers in Treatment Festival of Laughs in Los Angeles, California.

Writers in Treatment (W.I.T.), a non-profit organization founded by Leonard Lee Buschel, Robert Downey Sr., Vernon Scott IV and Heidi Lloyd is an organization that helps writers addicted to alcohol and/or drugs to get effective treatment for their disease.

W.I.T. along with Inspirations for Youth and Families presented its 2nd annual Festival of Laughs on March 8th at 7:30 PM at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA.

At the Festival of Laughs, Writers in Treatment honored Lou Gossett Jr., actor and the author of “An Actor and a Gentleman”, with the “Experience, Strength and Hope Award” for his artistic accomplishments, creative endeavors and carrying the message of recovery to a society struggling with addiction.

The award was presented by Tony Denison, co-star of “The Closer” and star of the groundbreaking series, “Crime Story.”

Special appearance by Joanna Cassidy (Blade Runner, Six Feet Under, Boston Legal, etc.) and legendary comedian Barry Diamond with impressive credits such as “Friends,” “Seinfield,” “Politically Incorrect,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. The fun-filled evening was a fund raising event to raise funds to provide addiction treatment scholarships for individuals in need.

By partnering with top tier rehabilitation facilities like Inspirations For Youth & Families and Cove Center for Recovery, Writers in Treatment can provide the highest quality addiction treatment care available in America.

For more information on addiction treatment contact:

Adolescent Treatment Programs: 1-888-757-6237
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Young Adults and Adults Treatment Programs: 1-888-387-6237
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