Xanax the New Norm

Earlier today a young rapper that went by the stage name Lil Peep was found dead in Arizona. The cause of death? A coroner suspects an overdose of the anti-anxiety prescription Xanax.  He was only 21 years old. The latest case of prescription drug abuse sweeping the nation among young kids.  Xanax is a prescription medicine that when used correctly can treat anxiety, panic disorders, and anxiety caused by depression. It is a member of the benzodiazepines group of drugs more commonly referred to as benzos. Benzos affect the central nervous system and reduce the activity of neurons to the brain.

Xanax is increasingly becoming a commonplace in pop culture. With it’s rise as a recreational drug comes a higher rate of overdose. Xanax accounted for 31% of the prescription drug overdoses in 2013. The overdose rate has quadrupled in the period of 1999-2013 and those numbers are only steadily rising. The prescription abuse that comes with Xanax usage is overshadowed in part to the prescription opiate crisis. However, both opiates and benzodiazepines are substances that can users can easily become addicted to. Not only did the number of prescriptions in the 18 year period between 1996-2013 increase 67% but the amount of pills per prescription more than doubled.

Xanax has become increasingly popular because of the effects it has on the human body when mixed with other narcotics. Dr. Joanna Starrels a professor of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine reported  75%  of people that overdose benzos had other narcotics present in their system.  Xanax when mixed with alcohol can make the user experience symptoms of drowsiness, fatigue, and clumsiness.  Xanax can cause memory loss and the effects similar to “blacking out” on alcohol. The drug is broken down by the same enzymes that break down alcohol and therefore produces withdrawal symptoms similar to alcohol. Withdrawal from the drug can cause seizures, anxiety, agitation, and delirium. 

Since 2010 it is reported that the overdose rate has leveled off for the general populations, however, the populations with the most rise in overdose are Blacks and Hispanics.  This number could be due in part to increasing references to Xanax in hip-hop/ rap songs. A prominent rapper in the industry Chance the Rapper chronicles his issues with Xanax in a lyric from his song “Finish Line” in which he raps “Last year got addicted to Xans , Started forgetting my name and started missing my chance”  Because of it’s glorification in hip-hop music and the false representation that it can’t be dangerous because it is a prescription drug the number of African-Americans overdosing from the drug is rising. In 2015 Chance the Rapper tweeted “Xanax  the new heroin, don’t let em fool you”.

While Chance the Rapper dedicated parts of his last album Coloring Book to speaking about the ill effects of the drug, many other prominent rappers have continued to glorify the recreational usage of the drug as a party drug. Xanax is commonly referred to as “bars” and individuals on Xanax refer to themselves as being “barred out”. Juicy J raps in his song “Geeked up Off them Bars” about his partying experience with Xanax. He raps “I’m on them Xany bars my weed is medical… Juicy J one crazy high ass n****”.

The Migos are a prominent rap group that dominated the charts in 2017. In their song titled “Designer Drugs” one member Quavo raps “I fell in love with the drugs, I think I’m a addict, Percocet, molly, and Xanax, I feel like I land on the planet, I’m on Designer drugs, on Designer drugs, on Designer drugs”. He then goes on to rap “Sober ni**** out of style” these lyrics further perpetuate the glorification of Xanax and other narcotic abuse in hip-hop culture and make the claim that sober people are out of style.

Not only can abuse of Xanax cause withdrawal symptoms commonly referred to as worse than heroin withdrawal but they can also carry legal issues. In the state of Virginia Xanax is considered a schedule IV narcotic. Possession of a Schedule IV narcotic is a class II misdemeanor. A class II misdemeanor can result in up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.  Drug possession charges can be placed upon anyone possessing Xanax without a prescription.

With the death of Lil Peep this morning November 16th I thought what better time to discuss the issues with Xanax Abuse in my blog. Just because it is a prescription drug does not make Xanax safe. The misuse and abuse of this prescription only creates a bigger hassle for those with anxiety that actually need the drug. Xanax is not just a buzzword rappers use to get more listeners on their songs, the problems that arise with misuse are real issues and must be taken seriously. Representation of this drug as a recreational or party drug in media is wrong. James Madison University is a school with a party reputation and the threat of Xanax abuse is prevalent on campus and in the surrounding area.  It is important to understand the risks associated with this drug and the potential for addiction that comes along with even recreational usage.

The History of Cocaine

For many years people who lived in the Amazon Rainforest have eaten coca leaves to get a high feeling. According to European scientist’s cocaine came in the 1850’s from coca leaves. Once known as a medical drug that did miracles is now recognized as one of the most addictive drugs in the world. One of the oldest plants in South America is the coca plant. According to botanists the coca plant cultivated in the Amazon Rainforest and spread through the Andres mountains. The people of South America have eaten the coca leaf for hundreds of years. The coca leaf is also included in the Inca culture and its religious traditions. (history.gov) As a drug in the streets Cocaine looks like a white powder with crystals in it. Drug dealers usually mix cocaine with other things like cornstarch, baby powder, or flour to rise their profits. (drugabuse.gov)

Cocaine is the second most abused illegal drug in the United States after marijuana. According to CBS news about 15 percent of Americans have used coke and 6 percent of 12th graders have gotten high from using the drug. (cbsnews) In 1859 Cocaine was removed from coca leaves by Albert Nieman who is  a chemist from Germany. In the 1880’s it started to get popular in the medical society. Sigmund Freud an Austrian psychoanalyst used the drug and he was the first one to promote cocaine as simulant to heal depression and sexual dysfunction. In 1886 he put out an article called “Uber Coca” which supported cocaine benefits and he called it a miracle substance. Freud used cocaine on a regular basis, and he prescribed it to his girlfriend and one of his best friends and he suggested it be used for general purpose. He believed it takes a very large dose of cocaine for it to be toxic and that there is no dose that is lethal. (drugfreeworld)

In 1886 John Pemberton used coca leaves in Coca Cola and the drug’s popularity increased from that. The effects of euphoria and the energizing feeling on the buyer helped to increase Coca cola’s popularity as a soft drink. (drugfreeworld) At first coca cola was sold only at soda fountains that were segregated by race and then it became popular with middle class white people. In 1899 Coca cola started being sold in bottles and minorities that were lower class had ways to approach cocaine infused drug. In 1903 the company eliminated from its services. The move happened because of racial bias incidents and health issues. (history.com)

From the 1850s to the beginning of the 1900’s cocaine, opium, tonics, and wine were highly used by people around the world. Thomas Edison and actor Sarah Berhardt were two famous individuals who promoted the amazing effects of cocaine tonics. The drug was popular in the movie industry in Hollywood and there were messages coming out that were pro-cocaine use and it influenced millions of people. Cocaine use in the community expanded and it started becoming visible that the drug was dangerous. The pressure from the public forced the company of Coca cola eliminate the cocaine from the soda in 1903. By 1905 snorting cocaine became popular and in 5 years hospitals and medical books started reporting situations of nasal injuries that resulted from using the drug. In 1912 it was reported by the United States government that there were 5000 deaths from Cocaine use in one year and in 1922 the drug was banned. (drugfreeworld)

The Narcotic Act of 1914 was established by Francis Burton Harrison, who was a representative of New York to ban access to cocaine and coca leaves except if it was used for medicinal purposes.  The establishment of pharmaceutical amphetamines postponed the non-medicinal use of cocaine in the 1930s. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 regulated the production of pharmaceutical amphetamines, which decreased their availability significantly.  The use of cocaine began rising during that time and the rise increased when crack cocaine started being used in the 1980s. (MethOIDE)

Crack started to become popular in the 1980s and many people were using it. From 1985 to 1989 there were 4.2 people who used cocaine and the number jumped up to 5.8 million. During that time crime started to increase in large cities. According to the Bureau of Justice statistic crack use caused 32 percent of homicides that took place and 60 percent of drug associated homicides in New York City in 1988. There were concerns by the public over illegal drug use during the 1980s and tensions started rising as the world entered the “crack epidemic” (History.com)

The Anti-Drug Abuse of 186 established penalties for criminals for the amounts of crack and cocaine they had. For possession of crack cocaine there was a five-year prison sentence. The same penalty was given for having 1 gram of crack cocaine and for 100 grams of powdered cocaine. There were individuals who disagreed with the law and thought it was racist since most users of crack are African Americans. The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 responded to these criticisms and they lowered the weight rate between crack and powdered cocaine from 100:1 to 18:1 and removed the 5-year prison sentence for possessing crack. (History.com)

 

References:

http://www.history.com/topics/history-of-cocaine

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocaine

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/cocaine-a-brief-history-of-blow/5/

http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/cocaine/a-short-history.html

http://methoide.fcm.arizona.edu/infocenter/index.cfm?stid=168

Crocodile: The Flesh Eating Drug

I am sure that when one hears the word crocodile, they think of the big jawed, green, scaly reptile that we all have seen. Though what if I told you that this was also the street name for a flesh-eating drug that is starting to become mainstream? One may then think I was making stuff up or that one has never heard of this. However, that is which will be discussed today. What will be covered is what is Crocodile, how it’s made, its effects, its origins, where it is common, and then some resolutions.

As stated above, what exactly is this crocodile? First it must be noted that crocodile goes by a many of names. While the listed above name is one of its main street names, it is also known by the name Krokodil (the Russian street name), and as desomorphine because of its main ingredient. To which for the rest of this article crocodile will be referred to its actual name Krokodil.

In answering the first question above, according to TOXNET, “Krokodil is a mixture of several substances and was first reported to have been used in Russia in 2003. The core agent of “Krokodil” is desomorphine, an opioid-analogue that can be easily and cheaply manufactured by oneself.”

Though the next thing would to be to describe what other substances is combined with desomorphine to create this drug. To which according to TOXNET, “Desomorphine has attracted attention in Russia due to its simple production, utilizing codeine, iodine, gasoline, paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, lighter fluid and red phosphorus.” This already sounds like ingrideints to another common drug such as meth.

The next question lies in how is such a thing made? According to EROWID:

“Clandestine manufacture of desomorphine involves two steps: the extraction of codeine from pharmacuetical products, followed by the synthesis of desomorphine from the codeine. The extraction of codeine involves mixing the codeine source (which often contains acetaminophen and other substances) with organic solvents such as gasoline, adding a strong base such as lye and then adding an acidic solution such as hydrochloric acid to produce water soluble codeine salts that will reside in the aqueous layer. The codeine can be further extracted but many will proceed directly with the next step. The extracted codeine is mixed with iodine, hydrochloric acid, and red phosphorus to reduce the codeine to desocodeine. Subsequently the desocodeine is demethylated itto desomorphine in a one-pot synthesis that may take 45 minutes. There are some reports of attempts at neutralization at the end of the reaction using cigarette ash or sodium bicarbonate.”

With a drug that has such a crude manufacturing process and ingredients, it would be safe to assume that the effects are not pretty. According to Narconon:

“Effects include:

  • Disruption of endocrine system due to the iodine content
  • Muscle destruction, also due to iodine
  • Bone damage due to high phosphorus levels
  • Nervous system damage due to iron, zinc, lead and antimony content
  • Inflammation of liver and kidneys also due to these metals
  • Ulcers that will not heal
  • Arms and legs that wither and die
  • Veins used for injection burn up from the caustic chemicals
  • Abscesses and gangrene
  • Overall collapse of health”

Once reading through hit can be seen why this is known as a flesh-eating drug. Though it gets its name from one other side effect they listed which includes “it makes some users’ flesh turn green and rough, like a crocodile’s skin

Though how where could such a horrid thing have originated? In a fact that may surprise many, the main ingredient originated from the United States almost 90 years ago. According to the DEA, “Desomorphine (Dihydrodesoxymorphine ordihydrodesoxymorphine-D) is a synthetic morphine analogue synthesized in the 1930s in the United States.” Though it would be almost another 70 years before any international incidents would be reported. Though the toxic mixture, which is listed, as according to TOXNET, was “first reported to have been used in Russia in 2003”.

However, where is most common then? If we look at in the sense of the drug, then this is mainly exclusive to the Country of Russia. Though if one is to look at the main ingredient desomorphine, then this is still in use today. There has only been one country that still uses this medically and that goes to Switzerland.

Though what could be some possible resolutions to such a horrid drug? One can mark out the idea of banning the chemicals that make it because they are everyday things. The main ingredient isn’t even pharmaceutically available in the majority of countries. So where does one start.

As with most drugs it starts with the users. Russia has been in the process of getting people off of this drug with rehabilitation centers. Though I believe they are heading in the right direction, I believe as well that they need to educate people. It must be treated like any other drug, thus starting with education about it, it may deter those on it or looking to start something.

-Samuel Good lll

 

References

The Issue at the Border

“I will build a great, great wall on our southern border and I will make Mexico pay for that wall.” was a quote to which is credited to the current President of the United States Donald Trump. Though this may be a controversial thing to start this off with, this quote had come from his resolution that there is a major problem at the border. The problems to which he listed was immigration and drug problems. This leads to which I would like to discuss, how the drugs get across the border, the importance of the business, what is brought in at the border, how much is brought, and lastly resolutions.

To his credit and in relation to this topic, there is a major problem at the border regarding not just immigration but with the drug trade. This may surprise people because generally when we think of drug trade or trafficking we think of heroin and cocaine from the cities or places like Florida and California. Whereas drugs like marijuana can be seen from coming from the country side and meth is usually associated with some RV or trailer park in the South. Though these contribute, there is a many of ways to which drugs get here, mainly at the border.

Before getting too detailed or in depth, the first thing is, what is drug trade or trafficking? The UNODC or United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime helps to give us a clear definition of the problem to which “Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws.” Granted this says global but today’s topic is strictly on where America’s drugs come from.

However, moving on to how these illicit drugs get here, according to the NY Times , these are how drugs can get over the border.

“The majority of illegal drugs enter the United States in an assortment of vehicles, with drugs hidden in secret compartments in door panels or the roof, gas tanks, tires and even engines. Smugglers also dig cross-border tunnels, primarily to move large volumes of marijuana. While many tunnels are rudimentary, others have lighting, tracks and ventilation systems, even elevators. As of March 2016, a total of 224 tunnels were discovered on the Southwest border since 1990. Cargo trains, tractor-trailers and passenger buses have been used to move illegal drugs. Trucks and trains carrying fresh produce such as watermelons, limes and other fruits and vegetables have been used to bring in narcotics. Drug shipments are often painted green and hidden within crates with fake watermelons or limes. Cocaine has been found in tomato crates.”

To put this issue in the perspective of money, the Drug Abuse website provides us with some economic facts. “Drug trafficking in Mexico is a business worth over $50 billion per year.” With this as well “It is believed that the loss of the drug trafficking industry in Mexico would cause that country’s economy to shrink by over 63 percent”. The fact that this makes up over half of Mexico’s economy just goes to show the sheer scale of the problem.

However, this leaves with one other aspect. This includes in such what type of drugs are crossing over the border from Mexico in to the United States. The type of product to which is distributed revolves around 4 main drugs. According to the DEA “These Mexican poly-drug organizations traffic heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana throughout the United States, using established transportation routes and distribution networks”. These four drugs should bring back a recent memory to which these are some of the main ones that a drug dealer in United States offers.

The next set of data may seem a little contradicting though. One may think that with the way the United States is we must have a very effective border patrol. Then again, if this half of Mexico’s economy, then it must be big numbers making it across. From what data tells us, according to Drug Abuse, “In 2008, the DEA seized the following amounts of drugs within the borders of the United States: “

  • Cocaine: 49,823.3 KGs
  • Heroin: 598.6 KGs
  • Marijuana: 660,969.2 KGs
  • Methamphetamines: 1,540.4 KGs
  • Hallucinogens: 9,199,693 individual units

If this is what is being seized, then one can only imagine how much is actually getting through. Though who is at fault, the government, border patrol, or just crafty drug smugglers?

This is where one must begin with creating resolutions for the above problem. Though this may be seen as a hard thing to do because if we put a stop to it then the Mexican economy may crash. So first I believe we start with fixing the Mexican economy and trade market. Link them with more partners and offer better trade deals with, thus they will be relying on other products to boost their economy.

To which at the same time as this one must beef up funding for the border patrol, DEA, and coast guard so they can combat the trafficker’s effectively. Both tactics must be implemented at the same time so that it seems you are both feeding and starving Mexico simultaneously.

The last part of this would be to combat it in the United states. Get people off it thus resulting in a no longer need for the market. However, this is all wish full thinking. The only one that may seem to even come close to reality is beefing up our border security. Though there needs to be an effective way to combat this without putting Mexico under, and I am pretty sure building a wall between us will not resolve this.

– Samuel Good lll

 

References

The Truth about Marijuana

Marijuana is the most common used drug in the United States. More than 11 million people that are from age 18 to 25 used Marijuana in 2015. According to the survey from Monitoring the future the use of marijuana among junior and high school students has decreased and leveled down in the past couple of years. Marijuana which is also called weed is a mixture of dried leaves, flowers, and seeds that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. Marijuana is smoked in rolled cigarettes that are called joints or in pipes or bongs. They can also be smoked in blunts which are cigars that have been emptied and then refilled. People can also mix marijuana with foods such as brownies or cookies. (NIDA)

When marijuana is inhaled THC and other substances go through the lungs into the blood, which carries them all the way through the body to the nervous system. The person starts to feel the effects almost instantly and lasts for 3 to 4 hours. The side effects are different among people.  Many people feel relaxed and a sense of euphoria. There are also other effects which include increased sensory perception and appetite. The pleasant feelings of marijuana doesn’t impact everyone. Some people experience high levels of anxiety, fear and panic. These feelings take place when a person smokes too much with a high quality.  (NIDA)

Marijuana use has short term and long term effects on the brain. It can reduce short term memory and impairs judgement. It can impair school and work performance and make it hard to drive. It can affect the brains of younger people who are still maturing so if teens continue to use it regularly it can have a negative effect on their mental development which can put them in a disadvantage. A study from New Zealand and researchers at Duke University showed that individuals who started smoking marijuana in large amounts in their teens and had a cannabis use disorder lost 8 IQ points between the ages 13 and 38. The mental abilities that were lost didn’t return in in those who stopped using marijuana as adults. A study from NIDA’s Adolescent Brian Cognitive Development is tracking down a big sample of Americans from late in their  childhood too early in their adult years to help show how and to what extent marijuana and other chemical substances affect teenage brain development.

In Australia and New Zealand data from studies found that teens who used marijuana in a regular basis were less likely to finish high school or get a degree than their peers who didn’t use it. They are many studies that have linked high marijuana use to low income, more welfare dependence, unemployment, and illegal behavior. The use of marijuana can have negative consequences at work, such as a greater risk for accidents and injuries. According to National Institute on Drug Abuse employees who tested positive for marijuana on an employment drug screening test had 55 percent more industrial related accidents, more injuries, and were more 75 percent more absent compared with individuals who tested negative. (NIDA)

Marijuana has therapeutic advantages that can outweigh its health dangers.  Medical marijuana helps symptoms of sickness and other situations. The marijuana plant consists of chemicals that may treat many illnesses and symptoms and many people argue that it should be legalized for medical reasons. Weed used for medical purposes can bring positive effects. In Canada it is legal for medical treatments and in areas in the US and Europe. Some positive effects of weed that are used for medical benefits is the reduction of eye pressure and decrease in pain.  These positive effects have led to its use in medical conditions. It can be used in treating pain and vomiting that are connected with cancer treatment. It can also help with chronic pain when other pain relievers don’t work and treat Glaucoma due to marijuana being able to reduce ocular pressure in the eye. (HealthyPlace)

In The U.S. there are 22 states and Washington, DC who has passed laws to stop putting residents in jail for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Marijuana is legal for adults that are 21 and older in 8 of those states while 14 have decriminalized a small possession of marijuana.  In Colton Nutbrown’s blog Best Option for Managing Drug Usage “Decriminalization does mean it is legal to possess, substances however with marijuana as an example, it is not a criminal offense to possess small amounts.” A majority of the decriminalization states give a civil fine, which avoids the consequences that a criminal record holds. (Marijuana Policy Project)

There are some treatments for disorders from marijuana use. Studies show that treating the mental health disorder with treatments that involve medicines and behavioral therapies may help decrease marijuana use, among those who use it heavily and those with more severe mental disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy that teaches people ways to identify and fix difficult behaviors in order to increase self-control, stop drug use, and address problems that follow them.  Another treatment is Motivational enhancement therapy, which is a form of intervention made to produce change. The treatment does not attempt to heal the person, but rather mobilizes their skills and abilities for change and their engagement in therapy. (NIDA)

 

References:

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-school-work-social-life

https://www.mpp.org/issues/decriminalization/

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/available-treatments-marijuana-use-disorders

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine

https://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/marijuana-addiction/is-marijuana-harmful-positive-and-negative-effects-of-marijuana-weed/\

Heroin Treatment.. Do or Die?

Like most opiates heroin is a highly addictive drug because it gives off feelings of euphoria and pleasure. Overdoses are common with heroin because as users continue they build up a tolerance. This tolerance requires higher quantity of drugs at one time and more frequent usage. When users increase the amount they use in order to reach the same high as before they risk  the chance of overdosing.  Addicts need to continually use heroin because withdrawal symptoms are like that of having the flu. Symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, cold flashes, diarrhea and vomiting, and cravings. (DrugAbuse.Gov)

Overdose rates among heroin users are some of the highest among any abused drug.  In 2016 49,000 of 70,000 total overdoses were attributed to opioids. (Center for Disease Control) Opioids are the broader group of substances that heroin falls under. What is causing this high rate of overdose? Much can be attributed to the widespread usage of fentanyl lately. Heroin dealers have been utilizing fentanyl in order to strengthen their supply of heroin cheaply. Below is a photo provided by the New Hampshire State Police that visualizes the amounts of each substance it takes to lethally kill a male.

Heroin-Fentanyl-vials-NHSPFL-1600x900

When users overdose on heroin their last hope is intervention by someone with training and equipped with an overdose reversal drug. One of the most popular reversal drug is narcan. Narcan can be sprayed in the nose and is packaged with two doses in the case of need for repeat dosing. These drugs can save lives but even after a near-death experience addicts continue to use this deadly drug. Why do individuals continue to use heroin even after they almost die, simply because they are addicted. One individual Reese talks in an interview about the need to always have more and more of the drug no matter what. He talks about leaving his house on a stretcher and scaring his mother but even though he wants to quit he simply cant.

All of the factors discussed above explain why heroin has a relapse rate of upwards of 90% in certain studies. One study in Dublin, Ireland found that out of 109 cases of individuals that completed a 6 week inpatient detoxification program 99 relapsed. Of those 99 individuals 54 reported relapsing within a week of leaving the facility. The withdrawal from heroin can be so painful and sickening that users are left with no choice but to start using again in order to make the feelings go away. One user chronicles his issues with withdrawal for the Discovery Channel when he is arrested and forced to become sober and therefore “dope sick”.

As justice studies majors with potentially a more open view of deviant behavior is there a just way to approach heroin addiction and other substance abuse? With confidence I can say our approach of labeling addicts as criminals stigmatizes those caught up in addiction. A Philadelphia cheesesteak shop owner and local celebrity Tony Luke started a campaign to change the conversation about addiction after his son’s heroin overdose. Tony Luke  argues that we need to see the people behind addiction first because by stigmatizing addiction and labeling those with substance abuse problems we are keeping them down. The argument claims that those with addiction problems will continue to see themselves removed from society and can not comprehend seeking help when they feel like outsiders in society.

The standard for a just approach to addiction needs to change. Addicts of heroin and other substances should no longer be thrown in jail and forced to deal with their addiction on their own.  The same study from Dublin that recorded relapse rates also speculated on why those relapse rates were high. Patients that stay for the full period of an inpatient detox program are more likely to have a delayed relapse and a lower rate of relapse. The researchers speculated that to reduce relapse and overdose rates addicts should be brought into an inpatient rehabilitation center. While in that center the individual should stay for the full time of the course and then find a program to attend after being released. Addiction is not a simple crime and those arrested are not truly receiving rehabilitation by being left alone in jail. Alternative treatment should be sought to reduce stigmatization and relapse rates of heroin users.

 

 

 

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20669601

http://www.phillymag.com/news/2017/06/29/tony-luke-heroin-addiction/

 

Best Option for Managing Drug Usage?

Starting in 1971 the United States began a campaign to combat drug usage throughout the country. The then President Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs and labeled drug usage as “public enemy number one”.  Presidents after Nixon followed suit and continued this war on drugs and even added on  to campaign. Ronald Reagan for example presided as president when the Anti-Drug Abuse Act was passed in 1986. This act lead to mandatory sentence minimums for drug crimes and put non violent offenders in jail or prison for long periods of time. Even Ronald Reagan’s wife Nancy joined in on the campaign to end drug usage. Her campaign utilized a different approach and focused on educating the youth about the dangers of drugs and advocated for youth to “just say no”. 36 years later the federal war on drugs is still waged by agencies like the DEA and the drug abuse is still nationwide. What should be done to actually finish the war on drugs, and what can be used in place of mandatory sentencing and long jail terms?  After 36 years and a lack of actual societal change,where do we go from here?

Decriminalization and Legalization
An approach being used around the country to reduce the amount of individuals in prisons and jail for minor drug crimes and non-violent drug offenses is to decriminalize or legalize certain substances. The rationale behind those that adhere to this viewpoint is that individuals will always be deviant and choose to use drugs regardless of health hazards. Instead of focusing on making drug users offenders the government should legalize drug use or decriminalize offenses to better regulate sales, tax drugs, and reduce the number of individuals in overcrowded prisons that are non-violent drug offenders. An important distinction is the definitions of decriminalization and legalization. Decriminalization does not mean it is legal to posses substances however with marijuana as an example it is not a criminal offense to posses small amounts. Legalization is simply the legalization of recreational drug usage. Below is a map that details the current drug laws in the United States.

maijuanaCountries with relaxed drug laws such as Denmark have implemented progressive approaches to clean up their streets by opening legal drug consumption rooms. These rooms allow the drug user to inject heroin or use cocaine without the fear of legal ramifications. Supporters of this approach claim users can be monitored to prevent overdose but also do not have to resort to using in public restrooms or on the streets. Those that oppose the approach believe it is only enabling drug usage and fear a society that allows drug usage.

Drug Courts
In an effort to reduce offending patterns and the traditional strategy of sending individuals straight to jail drug courts have sprung up for those who are eligible. Drug courts work more as a rehabilitative effort than the method of locking a drug user up and ignoring the root cause of their addictions or crime. Jail itself is not a rehab center and should not be used as one. Drug courts require random testing of participants to stay in the program. Participants are also provided treatment and counseling services to get sober and stay sober.

Drug courts are staffed by multiple types of people such as judges, officers, social workers and prosecutors. To encourage participation drug court participants are given chances to feel successful with their efforts to be rehabilitated. I feel this is an important step to bridging the gap of addiction. In my opinion those that are drug users should not feel stigmatized by being left alone in jail and shunned by the outside world but should be encouraged to continue and maintain an active role in society.  Participants stay connected to their community through hearings, programs, and graduation ceremonies.

There is no easy way to combat drug addiction and drug usage. The war on drugs should be seen as a thing of the past. Mandatory sentencing and strict laws on drug use have not worked seeing as drug usage is still a big problem in society. Progressive actions should be sought to replace the war on drugs. One plan of action may not be the solution, but we as a society should work to implement better solutions like drug courts or decriminilization

-http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/1915

-https://www.vox.com/2014/4/9/5595240/40-states-relaxed-drug-laws

– https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/06/economist-explains-10

-http://www.history.com/topics/the-war-on-drugs

-http://www.nadcp.org/learn/what-are-drug-courts

-https://www.nij.gov/topics/courts/drug-courts/Pages/welcome.aspx

 

 

 

Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs)

Most athletes are competitive, and they have a fierce drive to win. They hope they can accomplish goals and maybe even one day win a medal in their home country. A lot of professional athletes hope to gain an advantage by taking supplements that help with muscle buildup. (Mayo Clinic) Performance enhancing drugs or doping has been a problem for athletes since the 1960s. (CNN)

There are many different types of performance enhancing drugs and the four main types are “anabolic steroids, human growth hormones, stimulants and diuretics.”(CNN) An anabolic steroid is a natural substance which helps with muscle buildup. It enables athletes to train in a harder way and helps them recover from tough workouts quickly. Tetrahydrogestrinone or THG which is also known as clear is a strong steroid that is used by legendary and well-known athletes such as track star runner Marion Jones and Major league baseball player Barry Bonds. (CNN) Athletes find these drugs to be appealing. Not only do they make your muscles larger the steroids help to recover from a tough workout in a quicker way and reduce the damage they get on their muscles during a workout session. This allows athletes to exercise harder and more often without having to over train. (Mayo Clinic)

Stimulants are drugs that contain amphetamines and they affect the central nervous system by making you more alert and reducing your appetite. They can also help improve endurance and raise alertness. A Human growth system or HGH is used for endurance improvement and for strength. Androstenedione is a drug that was in sold in the market as an over the counter drug, but FDA interfered, and the drug stopped being sold in 2004.  The NFL, Olympics, NBA and MLB have banned this drug for being used by athletes. (CNN) Androstenedione is an anabolic steroid and the body turns it into testosterone. The last main type of PED is Diuretics and they are drugs that can change how much fluid and salts your body has which leads to dehydration. The loss of the water can make an athlete decrease its weight which can help them compete in a lower weight division which most athletes prefer. Diuretics are banned because these products can dilute a urinary sample in urine drug tests and they are also taken for achieving weight loss.

There have been many scandals of doping in sports. Some scandals have started a debate regarding Performance enhancing drug use in other parts of society. Should military soldiers be allowed to pump themselves with drugs to help them reach the top and how much of this is already happening? Fighters of war are assigned with protecting and defending and if they succeed or fail it can impact the lives of citizens. Amphetamines is a performance enhancing drug that is used widely by the military workforce. In Samuel Good’s blog Drug Abuse Among Military Personal drug use is on the rise with rates being high. “The stresses of deployment during wartime and the unique culture of the military account for some of these differences…. Those with multiple deployments and combat exposure are at greatest risk of developing substance use problems.” This would make sense for military workers using amphetamine because they are tasked with long and excessive missions that can sometimes even last 20 hours. (Army-Technology, 2013)The performance drugs can help with the stresses the militants are facing and push their talents and give them more stamina while they are on a physical task. (Business Insider)

Performance enhancement drug use brings many risks. Anabolic steroids come with severe side effects.  Many athletes take doses of anabolic steroids that are a lot higher than they are supposed to. Steroids can also cause mood swings and road rage. Most athletes who take steroids feel like they need to get to the next level. You may get results and taking steroids can be a solution, but it isn’t simple. You can’t just sit down on your couch by eating bad foods and think you will get a nice physique magically. Steroids can help with the volume of training and recovery, which than allows you to train harder.  (Brotherhood life)

Diuretics and Stimulants taken at any dose can give athletes adverse side effects. Although simulants can increase performance and make you feel more aggressive they come with side effects that can hurt an athlete’s performance. Being nervous and feeling irritable can make it hard for a person to concentrate on a game or task. PED’s can be very dangerous and in some situations, they can be deadly. (Mayo Clinic)

Regularly drug testing athletes and military personal could tackle the problem of doping in some countries. The problem is athletes and the militants could avoid being detected of drugs. They can use masking agents that can speed the PED’S elimination from the body and they can also switch their samples that are positive with a sample that is clean. (SciTech Connect)

 

 

References:

Army technology: Creating Supermen: battlefield performance enhancing drugs. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from http://www.army-technology.com/features/featurecreating-supermen-battlefield-performance-enhancing-drugs/

CNN: Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports Fast Facts. Retrieved May 28, 2017, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/06/us/performance-enhancing-drugs-in-sports-fast-facts/index.html

Mayo Clinic: Performance Enhancing Drugs: Know the risks. Retrieved October 15, 2015 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/performance-enhancing-drugs/art-20046134

Kennedy, Wes: Brotherhood life: Military Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs. Retrieved February 6, 2017 from http://brotherhoodlife.com/performance-enhancing-drugs/

Hackney, Anthony. SciTech Connect: Doping Sports. Retrieved on November 4, 2016 from http://scitechconnect.elsevier.com/doping-sports-athletes-using-performance-enhancing-drugs-caught/

Woody, Christopher. Business Insider: Military and defense. Retrieved on May 17, 2017 from http://www.businessinsider.com/special-operations-super-soldiers-using-performance-enhancing-drugs-2017-5

The Breakdown of a Drug Dealer

Throughout this blog there has been a wide array of topics discussed. These topics can range from types of drugs to regions affected, and victims affected by drugs. However, today I would like to talk about a subject to which various research across multiple search engines has more than likely yielded in a result of me being placed on watch list. This subject is one of the main components of the overall drug problem; which is to no surprise drug dealers themselves.

Though we may all have a general idea of what a drug dealer is just based on the two combined words, I would nonetheless like to provide a clear definition of the title. According to Collins Dictionary a drug dealer is a noun that means “a person that makes money selling illegal recreational drugs”.

Since the definition states the selling of illegal recreational drugs, the next presumed question would be, what sort of illegal product can they offer. This is where the Rehab Center will provide the menu to which what is offered as well as a description.

Today’s specials include:

  • Marijuana: “Marijuana is often referred to as the “gateway drug” of addiction and is the most easily accessed drug on the street and can be smoked or ingested.”
  • Heroin: “Heroin is an opioid most commonly taken intravenously. This highly addictive drug gives the user a feeling of euphoria which sends the user into a trance-like state.”
  • Methamphetamine: “Meth releases a surge of dopamine to the user when injected, ingested, or snorted. Meth may also come in the form of a pill.”
  • Cocaine: “Cocaine is most commonly snorted by the user, though crystal “crack” can be smoked or injected. This recreational drug is highly addictive.”
  • Ecstasy (MDMA): “A oral synthetic drug used as both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.”
  • Ketamine: “A drug with pain-blocking and hallucinogenic qualities.”
  • PCP: “Like Ketamine, is an analgesic with hallucinogenic qualities and can also be found in powder, pill, and liquid form.”
  • Mushrooms: “The hallucinogenic quality in mushrooms is caused by the presence of psilocybin.” The following link will take you to visuals of the “shrooms”.
  • Acid (LSD): “A hallucinogenic drug produced from lysergic acid found on the fungus of grains. It can be taken orally as a liquid, tablet, gel sheet, or a piece of saturated paper. LSD users refer to the effects of the drug as a “trip” and usually feel the effects for 12-24 hours.”

With a menu, one may notice that there is something missing. If someone had guessed prices, then had prizes been given out, one would had been rewarded. Cutting jokes aside, the next to which be discussed is prices.

In such the Rehab Center helps in providing us with such details. However, first it must be noted that the above drugs are measured in various sizes such as grams, milligrams, ounces, and micrograms. The price ratio then consists of the dollar amount per whichever weight measurement is used for the associated product.

The typical amount for marijuana is $15 per gram. The second product, heroin, can run between $15 to $20 for a 0.1gram of it. The third product, methamphetamine, can run about $80 for a gram. The fourth product, Cocaine, can run between $100 and $120 for a gram.

Next for prices to be discussed is the hallucinogens. Ecstasy can run between $15-$20 for 70mg to 100mg. The sixth product is Ketamine which costs about $25 for a dose between 50mg to 100mg. Next is PCP which runs about $25 to $30 for a single gram. The second to last product is mushrooms which will run someone about $20 for a 1/8th of an ounce. Lastly, acid runs about $5 to $20 depending on the dosage which can run from 50 micrograms to 150 micrograms.

The next thing to which one may be pondering is that the writer has given me what a drug dealer is, what they may sell, and at what price; so, what is the message behind it? Well one last fact I would like to provide, thanks to Narconon is that “A drug dealer can make over $800,000 a year, selling to individual users.” This is outstanding because according to How to E-D-U, the average salary for  “College grads (with a bachelor’s degree) is $51,206” (as of 2004). Knowing how people think, don’t start thinking about changing your career.

This is the problem though, as with most illegal activities, they profit so much more than those who wish to make a viable living. Though we can begin a “drug war” again and start throwing people in jail, I do not find this to be the greatest solution.

I believe the solution is in targeting the buyers, and no not throwing them in jail either. Dealers target everyone between rich, poor, old, young, and in between. By educating and rehabilitating the majority of buyers and addicts it will dry up the market.

Of course, we can continue you preach about the harmful effects and such that is discussed in school, though I don’t find this will work. If you start to promote this as an economic issue (money), this will turn a lot of people away from it. They should envision themselves in that fancy sportscar and not just seeing the one the dealer drives.

By implementing these education programs and rehabilitation, I believe it will turn buyers away and send the market under. This can be seen with stores or a business. If they are not selling their product or service, then they tend to go under.

With people no longer being addicts, they will be way more beneficial in society, implement better work ethics and pay more in taxes because they are now making more. In this result, the programs will in no time pay for themselves. Plus, I am more than sure that drug dealers are not going to be claiming that and paying the appropriate income tax rate.

-Samuel Good lll

 

References

Opioid drug crisis

Opioids are killing Americans throughout the world and decreasing their lifespans overall. According to a medical report from JAMA Opioids take about 3 months off our lives. In 2015 life expectancy in the US decreased since the year 1993. Deaths from drug overdose continue to get higher and according to The Center for Disease control there were 64,000 deaths from a drug overdose in 2016. The amount of deaths related to Opioid’s has multiplied by four since 1999. One of the main causes for opioid overdose deaths has been from heroin and fentanyl. According to the CDC Fentanyl is the number one cause of opioid overdose. (CNN)

The situation is getting terrible and more worse. Overdose deaths will continue to soar until opioids start to get prescribed in a more careful way and until the treatment for opioid addiction is easier to obtain. Opioids are drugs that raise levels the of nervous system and make you feel a high when taking. The drugs are made from opium and some are synthetic. Hydrocodone and oxycodone are the most frequently prescribed opioids in the US. Opioids are good medicines for relieving pain. They help when you use them after having surgery or after an accident. Most Opioid prescriptions in the US are prescribed for cases of back pain. In situations like these Opioids hurt people more than help them because they can become addicted after using for a long period of time. (Centers for Disease Control, 2017) Opioid pain relievers are safe when taken for a short amount of time and as prescribed from a doctor, but because they give a euphoria feeling with the pain relief they end up getting misused. (NIDA)

Opioid pain relievers are used non- medically by patients and sold in the neighborhoods. In 2012 5 percent of people in the US that were the age 12 or older used opioid prescriptions in a non-medical way. There are consequences of Opioid pain killer abuse and they unpleasant. Prescribed pain relievers that are abused by women that are pregnant can produce many problems in newborn babies which is called neonatal abstinence syndrome.  Problems have increased because Opioid prescriptions are given to pregnant women at a very high rate.  In the US there are about 14.4 percent of women that are pregnant are given an opioid prescription when they are pregnant. (NIDA)

Most overdose deaths from opioids were from prescription opioids until 2011. Deaths from opioid prescriptions settled down while overdose deaths from heroin started to rise. So, you are wondering why this happened? Drug addicts went from Prescription opioids to using Heroin because the government put a stop to painkillers. A great amount people who used heroin after 1995 changed from prescription opioids to using heroin because it was easier to get. The use of Heroin from whites has risen since 2011. From the beginning of the crisis adults who were addicted to opioids would move to using heroin because it wasn’t expensive. (NIDA)

As individuals shifted to Heroin, the supply of heroin became dangerous. This raised overdose deaths from Heroin in 2011. Fentanyl a less expensive synthetic opioid started getting mixed with Heroin and being sold as Heroin. Examiners trained in medicine didn’t drug test persons that overdosed on Heroin but once they started to, data shows that in 2016 deaths from Fentanyl exceeded deaths from opioid prescriptions and heroin. (U.S Department of Justice)

Prescription opioid abuse is expensive. The use of opioid pain killers non- medically costs insurance agencies 72.5 billion yearly in costs of healthcare. (NIDA) The opioid situation is breaking apart communities and families. The health and human service department and NIS is taking different steps to deal with this issue.  They are trying to improve the access to getting treatment and services of recovery by include new programs and mobilizing resources to grow the overall quality and availability of lifelong recovery. The resources will help the women that are pregnant and prisoners that are in jail. (USA Today, 2017)

The NIH is finding new ways to stop opioid misuse and to control pain. NIH is forming partners with pharmaceutical companies and endorsing drugs that can prevent an opioid overdose and developing strategies that can be effective and that don’t cause addiction to help with the constant pain. (NIDA) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA gave $46 million dollars to programs to 22 states in the US to give resources to people who arrive and assist in emergencies and to those who work with people which are at high risks. (USA Today, 2017)

-Naveed Ahmed

Sources-

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-crisis

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/05/opioid-epidemic-getting-worse-instead-better-public-health-officials-warn/732192001/

https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/testimony-to-congress/2016/americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/opioid-epidemic-in-6-charts/

http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/19/health/opioids-life-expectancy-study/index.html