top 10 drugs

COCAINE

CRACK COCAINE

ESTACY

HEROIN

LSD

MARIJUANA

METHAMPHETAMINE

OPIUM

PCP

Psilocybin MUSHROOMS

Drug Addiction in America & England

THERE are in the United States about 60,000 opiate addicts, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics estimates, and some medi- cal experts believe that 1,000,000 is closer to the actual number of those addicted to morphine, heroin, and related drugs. Neither figure, however startling, indicates in itself the far-reaching ramifications of the addiction problem. For a complicated web of corruption, degradation, vicious police practice, and secondary crime has developed around the use of narcotics in America. At its center stands the punitive anti-addict policy embodied in our narcotics laws.

The country's first major legislative effort to control narcotics, the Harrison Act, was to set the direction for all future legislation in this field. The law, passed by Congress in 1914 and still in effect, was essentially a tax measure designed to regulate the handling of narcotics by distributors and dispensers. While saying nothing about addicts' as such, it was very broadly interpreted to mean that a doctor's "good faith" prescription of narcotics to an addict was itself improper; and since this law's enactment, few medical practitioners have cared te take the risk of trying to help a narcotics patient with his problems. In recent years, considerably more stringent anti-narcotics legislation has been enacted-much of it, paradoxically, tending to perpetuate the very condition meant to be curbed. The Boggs Act provided minimum mandatory sentences for all narcotics offenses-it followed the 1951 Kefauver Committee's investigations publicizing the narcotics problem. Four years later, a Senate subcommittee investigation, under the chairmanship of then Senator Price Daniel, led to the federal Narcotics Control Act of 1956, which both raises previous minimum sentences for violations and permits the death penalty to be imposed, on adults found guilty of selling heroin to persons under eighteen. This law-like most of the country's drug statutes-fails to provide the proper distinction between the addict and the peddler who is a non-addict: the mere fact of possession, purchase, sale, or transfer of narcotics is made punishable. So, too, a vast array of state laws prohibits the unauthorized possession and transfer of narcotics; finally, in several states, addiction is in itself a crime.

Legalizing Marijuana for the Right Reasons in WORLD

The current debate, in which the citizens of the State of California and the United States of America in general, are engaged in, seems to be exhausting. The medicinal debate appears to be over, now replaced with the seemingly more desperate search for an easy way out of our current economic state. Taxpayers, with the weight of the budget on their shoulders should be reminded of the old video clip of, current California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger lifting weights and weighing in on his feelings on the controversial drug. Now, that word, drug, is a word which does not accurately define marijuana for many. Perhaps, the purpose of the current debates should shift and instead focus not on making up for lost money, but toward studying closely what we know and do not know about marijuana. What facts and myths are influencing society and how it perceives marijuana? How has legal reform affected other countries? Is marijuana like other drugs or a gateway to other drugs? The answers are out there.

Tobacco, Alcohol and countless other daily use substances such as caffeine, appear to be the focus for a majority of the folks who would have you and I believe that marijuana is unhealthful and immoral. Claims of marijuana degrading the socialization of teens, sucking them dry of any ambition or desire of success are extreme at minimum. This viewpoint is old fashioned at best, quite possibly racist in foundation and exceptionally limited in any backing with substance. History will show, quite accurately, the process in which marijuana became illegal in this country.

In the book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” by Jack Herer, there is the factual story of Harry J. Anslinger, first Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now defunct) and how his influence allowed for the racist-driven illegalization of a substance associated with Mexicans and African-Americans. Police reports and other claims of rape and murder by individuals under the influence of marijuana were used to strike fear into the hearts of citizens. The claim, however, that these awful crimes were directly attributed to use of marijuana as apposed to good old fashioned sociopathy is obviously unwarranted.

Looking closely at marijuana users and the culture they are involved in may show many outsiders exactly the difference between what society believes and accepts as truth and the reality of the situation. Potheads, stoners, dopers – so many names to describe unsavory marijuana smokers and their entourage circle of smoker friends. The truth is, not all marijuana smokers are low-lifes, but many are highly respected members of society (pun intended). From law, business and marketing to the usual music, movies and the like, the positions marijuana users hold in society varies. Students of high school and college, even the unfortunate junior high and elementary children have been exposed to marijuana. Remember one thing we know about one person in particular, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This individual who has recently spoke about opening a discussion on the subject, has used marijuana in the past and has been a successful former body-builder, an actor, and now, politician. Anyone from any walk of life, involved in any type of occupation, could be a marijuana smoker, well user at least. Wait, is there a difference between a marijuana smoker and a marijuana user? Well, yes and no. Marijuana smokers are users, however not all users are smokers. How could that be?

Smoking is the most common and popular usage of marijuana consumption, but it is not the only one. Recently, vaporization of marijuana or actually of the THC within the plant matter has become increasingly popular. Vaporization eliminates many of the harmful carcinogens created when combustion of the plant material occurs. This creates a much safer and healthier method of using marijuana. Many of us have also heard of laced brownies and space-cakes, which are baked goods with marijuana as a key ingredient. Does eating marijuana do harm to an individuals body or mental state? Not many studies I have read through ever even mention this. Information. That is the near equivalent of the age-old question of marijuana being harmful to people who consume marijuana at all. Debates have stirred, studies have been conducted, yet it seems we are nowhere near the answers to these questions. Do we lack the technology or understanding of marijuana to study it appropriately? I believe that is impossible at this juncture, since marijuana has been around for approximately 4,000-5,000 years, which we know of.

Users and non-users alike can agree that substance abuse affects, not only those who do the abusing, but those around them as well. But it is the abuse, not the substance, which lends a hand in disruptive and destructive behavior. The abuse is the responsibility of the individual partaking in such substances, and in some cases, anyone else who is enabling the abuse to continue. This has been evident in codependent family systems studied in the past and is still recognized today. These are the real issues with marijuana.

A person with the hopes of truly becoming informed on the subject of marijuana law need only research the history of prohibition in the United States. Research the violence related to alcohol before, during, and after prohibition. Investigate the numerous health problems and legal ramifications of the legalization and regulation of tobacco, including marketing limits. Research the many examples of marijuana law reform in the United States and overseas. By conducting research within your own community, as well as others, you may find real people with real voices who may not have been heard by everyone. The point is to research on your own, to get involved and most importantly, focus on marijuana - not every other substance that is legal or otherwise. Focus on the people who use and do not use marijuana. Those affected by its existence, positively or negatively. No death of a human has ever been documented in the history of this plant. Yes, it's just a plant. Can a plant be immoral? Can a plant be irresponsible? I hope the focus can be shifted back to the people. All people. We are all responsible to be active and involved in the debate as well as the social implications. Are you ready? I am.

Myth #7:

If you’ve tried one rehab program, you’ve tried them all.

There are short-term, outpatient, long-term, residential and in-patient treatment, to name a few. The type of treatment a person chooses should depend on the amount of time needed for the person to learn the skills necessary to live a life of sobriety. Studies have shown that the longer a person stays in treatment, the higher his or her success rate of sobriety is. The reason for this is simple: addicts did not become addicted over night and the skills and tools needed to maintain sobriety cannot be learned over night either. A month or two of treatment is usually not enough. Six months to a year of residential treatment is the minimum amount of time most people need, followed by transitional living and an umbrella of support once the person begins to go back into mainstream society.

Myth #6:

Addicts and users won’t seek treatment until they hit rock bottom.

People enter into treatment all of the time without hitting rock bottom. The motivating factors differ from person to person but typical motivators are pressures from family and friends to seek help and personal recognition that the he or she has a problem. For teens and young adults, parents and school administrator are often the driving force in getting the person into treatment. Some people do hit rock bottom and then get into treatment but that is just some people—not all.

Myth #5:

People can just quit if they really want to.

Willpower has absolutely nothing to do with addiction. Addiction occurs in an area of the brain called the mesolimbic dopamine system that is not under conscious control. It is very hard for addicts to maintain sobriety in the long term. Because drugs change the way the human brain functions, learning behavioral and cognitive skills is necessary for abstinence. No amount of willpower can make an addict quit because the cravings are stronger than willpower. Skills and the appropriate environment help.

Myth #4:

Treatment is one size fits all.

The most successful drug and alcohol rehabs tailor their programs to meet the needs of each individual client. Some need more therapy than others. Some have undiagnosed mental disorders such as depression or a learning disability that need to be treated. Different people have different issues and problems and people respond differently to similar forms of treatment, even when they are abusing the same substance. Successful rehabs will offer different forms of treatment to meet the individual needs of each person.

Myth #3:

The user has to want treatment for it to be effective.

Most users do not want treatment. They know they will no longer have access to the drugs they crave and are addicted to and they do not want to go through the intense detoxification period and the following days without their substance of choice. Most people seek treatment because the court ordered them to or because family or loved ones urged them to seek treatment. Studies have shown that the reasons why someone seeks treatment has little influence on success rates

Myth #2:

Addicts are bad people, stupid, crazy or immoral.

Addiction is a disease that affects the brain and body. Different drugs have different mechanisms for changing how the brain works and functions. But the result on the brain is very similar, no matter which drug the person is using. The molecules and cells change, the user’s mood changes, memory changes and motor skills change. All of the changes combine to create the physical and mental need for the substance, which becomes the most powerful motivator in that person’s life. Thankfully, much of the damage to the brain can be restored after long term sobriety. Addiction does not make the addict a bad person, stupid, crazy or immoral. It’s not a character flaw—it’s a disease.

Myth #1

Most people start using drugs and alcohol occasionally, which is a voluntary decision. However, the more they choose to use, the more they become addicted. As the addiction grows they end up becoming a compulsive user, dependent and addicted. This happens because drugs and alcohol actually change the brain and these changes affect all aspects of the person’s life. The addiction grows and the person becomes more and more dependent, physically and emotionally, and the drug use gets out of control.

7 Myths about Addiction and Rehab

The public has a lot of ideas about drug and alcohol addiction and many of those beliefs are actually incorrect. These myths most likely stems from a lack of experience and understanding. Gatehouse Academy aims to dispel these myths and to provide the public with facts about addiction and recovery

Is Your Child a Drug Addict?

he thought that one's child may be abusing drugs is not something most parents wish to contemplate. However, it’s an unfortunate fact that around twenty eight million Americans have at least one alcoholic or drug-addicted parent, and that by inference, their children are at least 34% more likely to suffer from an addiction than children who don't. If both parents suffer, that figure increases to 400%, an astonishing but true statistic.
If drugs aren’t part of your life, don’t think for a moment that your child is immune from their influence. Drugs can enter a child’s life through many routes and at any age, from simple experimentation or peer pressure, to being unable to cope with feelings of stress or depression. It is not always until children are in their teens that they might experiment with mind or mood altering substances.