Like dogs and fine wine, cars age differently than humans, giving us a skewed perception of car age. But now there's a formula to tell us how old your car is in people-years.
We have to tip our hat to the folks at Blue Donut for putting together this interesting formula for determining age:
There's a simple formula for calculating this (a formula I invented). Take the mileage on the car's odometer and divide by the model year. The result is your car's age if it were a person.
Example: a 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier with 131,824 miles on it. Do the math:
131824/1994 = 66.1.
That car would be a 66 year old person.
In the case of our low-mileage Volvo from 1986 with 14,000 miles. That equates to just a touch over seven years, meaning there's a lot of life left in those wheels. What about you — how old is your car?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Prolonged Opioid Use May Induced Constipation
Constipation is one of the most commonly reported side effects by opiate users. Whether taking opiates at therapeutic levels or abusing them, many users report sluggish bowel movements. For many, constipation is a relatively mild and temporary condition easily treated with laxatives and changes in diet, exercise and water consumption.
Prolonged use of opiates including Fentanyl, OxyContin, Methadone and Suboxone can lead to serious blockages, that can lead to serious illness or death if not addressed. Harvard Health Publications say opiates don’t have serious side effects when used correctly, as prescribed by a doctor. However, they are expected to cause constipation.
That expectation of painful symptoms is one of the top reasons people avoid or abandon opioid use. For normal bowel function, doctors recommend exercise, increased fluids and dietary modifications, including more fiber. This, however, may not be enough for opiate users and addicts.
PROLONGED CONSTIPATION CAN BE FATAL
Opiates can interfere with normal elimination by relaxing the smooth muscle in intestines and preventing them from contracting and expelling waste. With regular use of opiates, stools can become rock hard, blocking the bowels. In severe cases, bowels can rupture, leading to sepsis or death.
Blockage can cause toxins to get trapped in the body, stressing the immune system and other functions. In “The Selfish Brain,” a book by Dr. Robert L. DuPont (with contributions by Betty Ford), DuPont says opiates are sometimes used to treat diarrhea because of their propensity to slow bowel function.
Symptoms of constipation include: abdominal bloating, swelling and cramping; straining to pass stool; pain, discomfort or blood with a bowel movement; nausea; weight loss; and decreased appetite.
What to look for with bowel obstructions:
* Severe abdominal pain
* Vomiting
* Vomiting fecal matter
* Fever/chills
* Reluctance to eat
* Changes in responsiveness
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug in April to help restore bowel function in those on long-term opiates. Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is an injectable medication for opioid induced constipation.
Prolonged use of opiates including Fentanyl, OxyContin, Methadone and Suboxone can lead to serious blockages, that can lead to serious illness or death if not addressed. Harvard Health Publications say opiates don’t have serious side effects when used correctly, as prescribed by a doctor. However, they are expected to cause constipation.
That expectation of painful symptoms is one of the top reasons people avoid or abandon opioid use. For normal bowel function, doctors recommend exercise, increased fluids and dietary modifications, including more fiber. This, however, may not be enough for opiate users and addicts.
PROLONGED CONSTIPATION CAN BE FATAL
Opiates can interfere with normal elimination by relaxing the smooth muscle in intestines and preventing them from contracting and expelling waste. With regular use of opiates, stools can become rock hard, blocking the bowels. In severe cases, bowels can rupture, leading to sepsis or death.
Blockage can cause toxins to get trapped in the body, stressing the immune system and other functions. In “The Selfish Brain,” a book by Dr. Robert L. DuPont (with contributions by Betty Ford), DuPont says opiates are sometimes used to treat diarrhea because of their propensity to slow bowel function.
Symptoms of constipation include: abdominal bloating, swelling and cramping; straining to pass stool; pain, discomfort or blood with a bowel movement; nausea; weight loss; and decreased appetite.
What to look for with bowel obstructions:
* Severe abdominal pain
* Vomiting
* Vomiting fecal matter
* Fever/chills
* Reluctance to eat
* Changes in responsiveness
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new drug in April to help restore bowel function in those on long-term opiates. Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is an injectable medication for opioid induced constipation.
ABUSE RESISTANT PAINKILLERS ON THE HORIZON
Several pharmaceutical companies are looking to corner the market on pain medication by developing tamper resistant products to treat chronic pain. On Nov. 13, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel reviewed the proposed Remoxy, a narcotic pain reliever that contains oxycodone. The Bloomberg news agency reports a majority of the panel of independent advisors to the FDA said Remoxy is less susceptible to abuse than Purdue Pharma LP’s Oxycontin. Remoxy, developed by Pain Therapeutics Inc. and King Pharmaceuticals Inc., is a capsule meant to be taken twice a day. Bloomberg said six companies are moving quickly to develop painkillers that can’t be crushed, snorted or injected by users seeking to get high. The advisory panel didn’t take a formal vote, Bloomberg reports, saying the FDA usually follows the panel’s recommendations but isn’t required to. The FDA is expected to decide if it will approve Remoxy by Dec. 10.
ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS ON THE RISE
The need for tamper resistant painkillers is evidenced by the soaring number of people abusing prescription opioids like Oxycontin, Percocet and Fentanyl. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2006, 16.2 million Americans 12 years of age and older had taken a prescription painkiller, tranquilizer or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the previous year.
Many experts say the abuse of prescription drugs is quickly overtaking that of illegal “street” drugs. The black market for diverted prescription drugs is big business. Headlines in newspapers across the country are reflective of that. Young people are getting their hands on adults’ prescriptions and communities are trying to figure out how to curb abuse.
The growing problem of prescription drug abuse has kept law enforcement officials busy, as related crimes have soared. In several communities across the country, doctors and nurses have been charged with writing fraudulent prescriptions. Pharmacy diversion is also a problem, as prescriptions for pills – often painkillers – have in some cases been filled fraudulently.
Oftentimes, people develop an opiate dependency after taking legitimately prescribed medication for an injury, serious illness or after surgery. In other cases, people begin taking pills that have not been prescribed because of the belief they are safe because they came from a doctor. Those who abuse opiates and other drugs sometimes crush, dissolve or inject it to obtain a quick high. This practice could be fatal, leading to overdose or death.
THE FUTURE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS
Opiate abusers are looking for a great high. Some pharmaceutical companies are looking to prevent that. There’s no doubt huge markets exist for both. But the Bloomberg agency said almost half of panelists expressed concerns that evidence fails to show Remoxy will live up to its claims. If one or more painkillers are eventually developed and prove to be truly tamper resistant, it’s fair to say the manufacturers will capture a very large portion of the market.
ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS ON THE RISE
The need for tamper resistant painkillers is evidenced by the soaring number of people abusing prescription opioids like Oxycontin, Percocet and Fentanyl. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that in 2006, 16.2 million Americans 12 years of age and older had taken a prescription painkiller, tranquilizer or sedative for non-medical purposes at least once in the previous year.
Many experts say the abuse of prescription drugs is quickly overtaking that of illegal “street” drugs. The black market for diverted prescription drugs is big business. Headlines in newspapers across the country are reflective of that. Young people are getting their hands on adults’ prescriptions and communities are trying to figure out how to curb abuse.
The growing problem of prescription drug abuse has kept law enforcement officials busy, as related crimes have soared. In several communities across the country, doctors and nurses have been charged with writing fraudulent prescriptions. Pharmacy diversion is also a problem, as prescriptions for pills – often painkillers – have in some cases been filled fraudulently.
Oftentimes, people develop an opiate dependency after taking legitimately prescribed medication for an injury, serious illness or after surgery. In other cases, people begin taking pills that have not been prescribed because of the belief they are safe because they came from a doctor. Those who abuse opiates and other drugs sometimes crush, dissolve or inject it to obtain a quick high. This practice could be fatal, leading to overdose or death.
THE FUTURE OF PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS
Opiate abusers are looking for a great high. Some pharmaceutical companies are looking to prevent that. There’s no doubt huge markets exist for both. But the Bloomberg agency said almost half of panelists expressed concerns that evidence fails to show Remoxy will live up to its claims. If one or more painkillers are eventually developed and prove to be truly tamper resistant, it’s fair to say the manufacturers will capture a very large portion of the market.
DRUG ADDICTS WAIT FOR ROCK BOTTOM
Many people believe that drug and alcohol addicts must hit “rock bottom” before seeking help to detox. You can’t get any lower than death, so why is it so many family members and friends wait to intervene? The truth is, every person addicted to alcohol, street drugs or prescribed opiates is already a step away from death.
The ultimate bottom for addicts is always within reach. Whether it’s intentional overdose, accidental death, an allergic reaction or a result of risky behavior, addictions are by nature destructive and often lead to tragedy. The concept of a “bottom” is subjective at best. To one person, the bottom could be overdose.
To another, it could be arrest. No one ever knows what someone else’s bottom is, oftentimes until it is too late. Once a pattern of abuse is established, loved ones should intervene. An addict who is forced to acknowledge the consequences of his or her actions early on may be motivated to seek help. Too often, loved ones step in to save the day but do so in the wrong way.
ADDICTS NEED HELP, NOT ENABLING
Helping addicts cover bills or giving them a place to stay while actively using is enabling them to stay sick. While it is often done out of love, it helps to keep them in denial about their addiction. This can cause them to delay treatment. Drug and alcohol addiction is a progressive disease and can be fatal.
Addiction can ruin lives, derail careers and destroy relationships. It can lead to homelessness, arrest, legal trouble, divorce, estrangement among family members, depression, physical problems and death. Abuse and addiction is soaring among prescription drug users. Whether obtained legally or not, many drugs such as opiates are highly addictive and easily lead to tolerance and dependence.
An opiate addict can have unpredictable mood swings, neglect responsibilities and relationships, lie and be manipulative and unreliable. Caught in a cycle of highs and lows, opiate addicts often try to recapture the euphoria they experienced when first using. This leads to tolerance, which cause them to take more to feel normal, and for many, ends in addiction.
EARLY INTERVENTION MAY GIVE ADDICTS A BETTER CHANCE
The fear of experiencing withdrawal from opiates may keep some addicts using. Defense mechanisms they employ include denial and rationalization of their use and its resulting behavior. When it comes to going “cold turkey,” for many addicts, the success rates aren’t encouraging. But no one is ever too far gone. Many addiction experts say there is a better chance at long-term recovery if treatment is sought early. It makes for an easier transition into sober living, they say. For those addicted to alcohol, street drugs and opiates like Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin, medically supervised detox may be necessary.
The ultimate bottom for addicts is always within reach. Whether it’s intentional overdose, accidental death, an allergic reaction or a result of risky behavior, addictions are by nature destructive and often lead to tragedy. The concept of a “bottom” is subjective at best. To one person, the bottom could be overdose.
To another, it could be arrest. No one ever knows what someone else’s bottom is, oftentimes until it is too late. Once a pattern of abuse is established, loved ones should intervene. An addict who is forced to acknowledge the consequences of his or her actions early on may be motivated to seek help. Too often, loved ones step in to save the day but do so in the wrong way.
ADDICTS NEED HELP, NOT ENABLING
Helping addicts cover bills or giving them a place to stay while actively using is enabling them to stay sick. While it is often done out of love, it helps to keep them in denial about their addiction. This can cause them to delay treatment. Drug and alcohol addiction is a progressive disease and can be fatal.
Addiction can ruin lives, derail careers and destroy relationships. It can lead to homelessness, arrest, legal trouble, divorce, estrangement among family members, depression, physical problems and death. Abuse and addiction is soaring among prescription drug users. Whether obtained legally or not, many drugs such as opiates are highly addictive and easily lead to tolerance and dependence.
An opiate addict can have unpredictable mood swings, neglect responsibilities and relationships, lie and be manipulative and unreliable. Caught in a cycle of highs and lows, opiate addicts often try to recapture the euphoria they experienced when first using. This leads to tolerance, which cause them to take more to feel normal, and for many, ends in addiction.
EARLY INTERVENTION MAY GIVE ADDICTS A BETTER CHANCE
The fear of experiencing withdrawal from opiates may keep some addicts using. Defense mechanisms they employ include denial and rationalization of their use and its resulting behavior. When it comes to going “cold turkey,” for many addicts, the success rates aren’t encouraging. But no one is ever too far gone. Many addiction experts say there is a better chance at long-term recovery if treatment is sought early. It makes for an easier transition into sober living, they say. For those addicted to alcohol, street drugs and opiates like Percocet, OxyContin and Vicodin, medically supervised detox may be necessary.
BUPRENORPHINE/Suboxone REQUIRE OPIATE DETOX
Sometimes, drugs prescribed to help you have the opposite effect. Opiate narcotics such as buprenorphine are typically prescribed to treat opiate dependence.
The problem is, buprenorphine can be habit-forming as well, to the point where detox may be necessary. Buprenorphine works by attaching to the receptors in the brain and nervous system.
It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms in those who have stopped taking other narcotics like OxyContin or heroin. The analgesic comes in two forms – tablets and a transdermal patch. Those who misuse the drug often inject it intravenously or inhale the crushed tablets through the nose. Strong warnings urge users not to crush or chew the sublingual tablets.
STUDY SHOWS MANY PATIENTS NOT WARNED ABOUT DANGERS
The Waismann Method, a world-renowned opiate dependency treatment, released a survey on buprenorphine, showing that 70% of responders taking the drug to treat an opiate dependency reported they became dependent on it and needed treatment to stop.
The study was undertaken after reports surfaced, saying buprenorphine is effective in treating addictions to prescription painkillers. Dr. Van Helsing, the who invented Rapid Opiate Detoxification, says he’s noticed an increase in patients needing to detox from buprenorphine, which had been prescribed to help them. Results also show that 53% of responders were told by their doctors that buprenorphine would cure their opiate addiction. On top of that, 50% reported they were never told by doctors that it could also be habit-forming.
PAINKILLER OVERDOSES ON THE RISE
The National Safety Council reported earlier this year that deaths from accidental drug overdoses are on the rise and that prescription painkillers can be blamed for many of the cases.
According to WebMD, the biggest rise in these accidental deaths is among men and women between the ages of 20 and 64. And many of these cases have been attributed to overdoses of prescriptions including buprenorphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and fentanyl.
Buprenorphine is currently prescribed under the names Suboxone and Subutex. Because it can be prescribed in pill form in the privacy of a doctor’s office, it doesn’t carry the same stigma that standing in line at a methadone clinic does. Doctors must receive special certification to prescribe buprenorphine for opiate dependency.
They should be obligated to be up front with patients about its potential to lead to addiction. Otherwise, many of them will have false hope that their opiate addiction will be cured.
As a result of the study, Doctors need to educate patients that buprenorphine is a replacement therapy for opiate addiction and is 50% opiate in composition.
“Buprenorphine is being sold as a miracle cure that will put an end to opiate dependency, and it has been embraced as a social cure for reducing crime and for preventing the spread of disease.”
Lets all give Thanks to the Pharmaceutical Companies that make Billions at our Expense and Life!
The problem is, buprenorphine can be habit-forming as well, to the point where detox may be necessary. Buprenorphine works by attaching to the receptors in the brain and nervous system.
It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms in those who have stopped taking other narcotics like OxyContin or heroin. The analgesic comes in two forms – tablets and a transdermal patch. Those who misuse the drug often inject it intravenously or inhale the crushed tablets through the nose. Strong warnings urge users not to crush or chew the sublingual tablets.
STUDY SHOWS MANY PATIENTS NOT WARNED ABOUT DANGERS
The Waismann Method, a world-renowned opiate dependency treatment, released a survey on buprenorphine, showing that 70% of responders taking the drug to treat an opiate dependency reported they became dependent on it and needed treatment to stop.
The study was undertaken after reports surfaced, saying buprenorphine is effective in treating addictions to prescription painkillers. Dr. Van Helsing, the who invented Rapid Opiate Detoxification, says he’s noticed an increase in patients needing to detox from buprenorphine, which had been prescribed to help them. Results also show that 53% of responders were told by their doctors that buprenorphine would cure their opiate addiction. On top of that, 50% reported they were never told by doctors that it could also be habit-forming.
PAINKILLER OVERDOSES ON THE RISE
The National Safety Council reported earlier this year that deaths from accidental drug overdoses are on the rise and that prescription painkillers can be blamed for many of the cases.
According to WebMD, the biggest rise in these accidental deaths is among men and women between the ages of 20 and 64. And many of these cases have been attributed to overdoses of prescriptions including buprenorphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone and fentanyl.
Buprenorphine is currently prescribed under the names Suboxone and Subutex. Because it can be prescribed in pill form in the privacy of a doctor’s office, it doesn’t carry the same stigma that standing in line at a methadone clinic does. Doctors must receive special certification to prescribe buprenorphine for opiate dependency.
They should be obligated to be up front with patients about its potential to lead to addiction. Otherwise, many of them will have false hope that their opiate addiction will be cured.
As a result of the study, Doctors need to educate patients that buprenorphine is a replacement therapy for opiate addiction and is 50% opiate in composition.
“Buprenorphine is being sold as a miracle cure that will put an end to opiate dependency, and it has been embraced as a social cure for reducing crime and for preventing the spread of disease.”
Lets all give Thanks to the Pharmaceutical Companies that make Billions at our Expense and Life!
What about our VETERANS?
November 11, 2008 was Veterans Day in the United States, and as a nation honored the men and women who’ve served, there are countless others often forgotten: the homeless, addicted and mentally scarred veterans who’ve had trouble reintegrating back into society.
Celebrated in other parts of the country as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, the holiday was established to celebrate the military service of dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. It is both a state and federal holiday in the U.S., and President George W. Bush has declared (Nov. 9-15 2008) as National Veterans Awareness Week.
There are an estimated 24.9 million veterans in the U.S. The National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. says there are 200,000 homeless vets on the streets on any given night. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in 2006, more than 354,000 vets received care in clinics for substance abuse disorders.
WOUNDS OF BATTLE TAKE THEIR TOLL
Alcohol and drug addiction is a serious problem for veterans and those on active duty. The stress of being away from family, combined with the mental and physical scars of battle, can take a toll on the strongest of soldiers. Many return home so psychologically scarred, they are unable to find employment and wind up homeless. The damage can lead to poverty, social isolation, broken marriages and alcohol and drug dependence.
For others, it’s the physical scars that lead veterans and active duty personnel to pain medication. Managing pain from combat wounds can also lead to addiction to opiate painkillers.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says studies have shown that people who experience stressful or traumatic events are more likely to abuse drugs or relapse into addiction. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is common among service men and women who see combat. PTSD is said to be a major risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. The high rate of PTSD and substance abuse was first reported in war-related studies where as many as 75% of combat vets with lifetime PTSD also have alcohol or drug addiction.
DRUG ABUSE AMONG SOLDIERS DATES TO CIVIL WAR
Historically, there is some evidence that drug abuse among military men and women dates back to the Civil War. Though it has been controversial and is disputed to some degree, there are stories of “Soldier’s Disease” from the 1800s. Some say the earliest example of opiate addiction as a social problem came during the Civil War. Though documentation is sketchy, some historians believe widespread addiction resulted from widespread use of opiates to treat pain from war injuries. Some say soldiers were injected daily with morphine and by 1865, some 400,000 young war vets were addicted to it.
WHAT BECOMES OF ADDICTED VETS
The government has veteran’s programs in place to help those addicted to alcohol and drugs. But drug treatment for individuals who return home damaged often comes too late – once depression, isolation and addiction have taken their hold. Every Veteran’s Day, make sure to remember not only those who have served, but also those who’ve died on the battlefields and those who’ve returned home but managed to slip through the cracks.
Celebrated in other parts of the country as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, the holiday was established to celebrate the military service of dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. It is both a state and federal holiday in the U.S., and President George W. Bush has declared (Nov. 9-15 2008) as National Veterans Awareness Week.
There are an estimated 24.9 million veterans in the U.S. The National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. says there are 200,000 homeless vets on the streets on any given night. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said in 2006, more than 354,000 vets received care in clinics for substance abuse disorders.
WOUNDS OF BATTLE TAKE THEIR TOLL
Alcohol and drug addiction is a serious problem for veterans and those on active duty. The stress of being away from family, combined with the mental and physical scars of battle, can take a toll on the strongest of soldiers. Many return home so psychologically scarred, they are unable to find employment and wind up homeless. The damage can lead to poverty, social isolation, broken marriages and alcohol and drug dependence.
For others, it’s the physical scars that lead veterans and active duty personnel to pain medication. Managing pain from combat wounds can also lead to addiction to opiate painkillers.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says studies have shown that people who experience stressful or traumatic events are more likely to abuse drugs or relapse into addiction. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that is common among service men and women who see combat. PTSD is said to be a major risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. The high rate of PTSD and substance abuse was first reported in war-related studies where as many as 75% of combat vets with lifetime PTSD also have alcohol or drug addiction.
DRUG ABUSE AMONG SOLDIERS DATES TO CIVIL WAR
Historically, there is some evidence that drug abuse among military men and women dates back to the Civil War. Though it has been controversial and is disputed to some degree, there are stories of “Soldier’s Disease” from the 1800s. Some say the earliest example of opiate addiction as a social problem came during the Civil War. Though documentation is sketchy, some historians believe widespread addiction resulted from widespread use of opiates to treat pain from war injuries. Some say soldiers were injected daily with morphine and by 1865, some 400,000 young war vets were addicted to it.
WHAT BECOMES OF ADDICTED VETS
The government has veteran’s programs in place to help those addicted to alcohol and drugs. But drug treatment for individuals who return home damaged often comes too late – once depression, isolation and addiction have taken their hold. Every Veteran’s Day, make sure to remember not only those who have served, but also those who’ve died on the battlefields and those who’ve returned home but managed to slip through the cracks.
Alternative Medical Treatments
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ONLINE PRESCRIPTIONS: DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING?
These are the kind of headlines you’ll find when trolling the Internet for prescription drugs. A few clicks of the mouse and you can get virtually anything you want – powerful narcotic painkillers, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, uppers, weight management drugs and more.
While there are some sites that legitimately dispense drugs for patients who need them, the validity of others is questionable. The Internet has become a virtual marketplace for just about everything.
The convenience of buying from home appeals to many. But when it comes to prescription drugs, the government is concerned that many consumers aren’t getting what they’re paying for. And worse, some could be receiving potentially dangerous drugs in their place.
BE WARY: NO PRESCRIPTION NECESSARY
In June 2004, the Government Accountability Office found during an investigation that agents were able to get most of the drugs they tried to get online, without a prescription. Some of these drugs even had special safety restrictions or were addictive, narcotic painkillers.
A report released this year by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University says
"85% of web sites selling prescription drugs like OxyContin, Valium and Ritalin don’t ask for a prescription."
A major problem is that some of these sites dispense drugs to anyone, of any age. Also, addiction to prescription painkillers is on the rise, making it easy for addicts to get powerful controlled substances like oxycodone, hydrocodone, Suboxone and Fentanyl.
The broad reach of the Internet makes it difficult to police. There are also jurisdictional issues for law enforcement, making it difficult to enforce state and federal laws. In order to be a valid prescription in the U.S., it must address a legitimate medical need, be written by a physician or other health care provider and be based on an actual doctor-patient relationship.
DANGER OF THE UNKNOWN
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that drugs bought on the Internet can be outdated, contaminated, too potent, not strong enough, counterfeit or the wrong prescription altogether. The agency has dealt with customers who reported paying for drugs online and never receiving them, people who received the wrong prescription and others who took what they received and experienced worsening symptoms.
Some illegal sites dispensing drugs do so after requiring nothing more than for customers to fill out an online questionnaire. Some say they offer online “doctor consultations.” The FDA says drugs imported from outside the U.S. cannot be guaranteed for safety or validity.
In July 2004, the FDA said investigators bought Viagra, Lipitor and Ambien from a site called “Canadian generics,” and that all were fake and potentially dangerous. The FDA recommends buying only from state licensed online pharmacies in the U.S. When shopping for drugs online.
While there are some sites that legitimately dispense drugs for patients who need them, the validity of others is questionable. The Internet has become a virtual marketplace for just about everything.
The convenience of buying from home appeals to many. But when it comes to prescription drugs, the government is concerned that many consumers aren’t getting what they’re paying for. And worse, some could be receiving potentially dangerous drugs in their place.
BE WARY: NO PRESCRIPTION NECESSARY
In June 2004, the Government Accountability Office found during an investigation that agents were able to get most of the drugs they tried to get online, without a prescription. Some of these drugs even had special safety restrictions or were addictive, narcotic painkillers.
A report released this year by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University says
"85% of web sites selling prescription drugs like OxyContin, Valium and Ritalin don’t ask for a prescription."
A major problem is that some of these sites dispense drugs to anyone, of any age. Also, addiction to prescription painkillers is on the rise, making it easy for addicts to get powerful controlled substances like oxycodone, hydrocodone, Suboxone and Fentanyl.
The broad reach of the Internet makes it difficult to police. There are also jurisdictional issues for law enforcement, making it difficult to enforce state and federal laws. In order to be a valid prescription in the U.S., it must address a legitimate medical need, be written by a physician or other health care provider and be based on an actual doctor-patient relationship.
DANGER OF THE UNKNOWN
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that drugs bought on the Internet can be outdated, contaminated, too potent, not strong enough, counterfeit or the wrong prescription altogether. The agency has dealt with customers who reported paying for drugs online and never receiving them, people who received the wrong prescription and others who took what they received and experienced worsening symptoms.
Some illegal sites dispensing drugs do so after requiring nothing more than for customers to fill out an online questionnaire. Some say they offer online “doctor consultations.” The FDA says drugs imported from outside the U.S. cannot be guaranteed for safety or validity.
In July 2004, the FDA said investigators bought Viagra, Lipitor and Ambien from a site called “Canadian generics,” and that all were fake and potentially dangerous. The FDA recommends buying only from state licensed online pharmacies in the U.S. When shopping for drugs online.
WOMEN AND DRUGS: A DIFFERENT SET OF NEEDS
The women we love are at risk. To be specific, several million of them. The very real threat they face is substance abuse and addiction. This demographic has been largely overlooked in the past when it comes to research and education. But as more women fall into the trap of addiction, researchers have had no choice but to sit up and listen.
Most drug abuse research has revolved around men, but in recent years the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA) and other agencies have made women’s research a priority. What they are finding from lab, field and clinical research is that women have a different set of risk factors and often need different services while in drug treatment.
NIDA says women have different biological factors that play into use, abuse and addiction. Their progression toward addiction, and consequences they face are different. This means that prevention education and treatment options need to be more tailored to women.
TROUBLED LIVES AND BIOLOGY PLAY A ROLE
NIDA’s research shows women who use drugs or alcohol often have other serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Other problems include depression, making the need for women’s mental health initiatives imperative.
Many women who abuse drugs and/or alcohol have had troubled lives. According to NIDA, studies show that at least 70% of women users have been sexually abused by the age of 16. Most have had at least one parent who abused alcohol or drugs, the agency found. Other common traits in women users include low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, social isolation and little self-confidence.
An interesting finding by NIDA shows the biological differences between men and women extend to drug use. Women can develop substance abuse problems quicker than men, according to the report. Also, many treatment programs have been historically aimed at men. Women face a different set of challenges and needs.
NIDA says women’s programs need to offer food, shelter, clothing, childcare, transportation, parenting courses, medical and mental health services, therapy, legal assistance, education and job skills.
PREGNANCY AND HIV COMPOUND THE RISK
NIDA estimates that 4 million U.S. women, from all age groups, races and cultures, currently use drugs. Nine million have used illegal drugs in the past year, the study shows, and 3.7 million have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in the past year. Most female drug abusers tend to use more than one drug, it says.
The agency is putting considerable effort behind research devoted to treatment and services for pregnant women and those with children. HIV/AIDS research is also needed for women because of health risks posed to them and their children. Women who share needles to inject drugs intravenously risk their health and can contract HIV or hepatitis.
NIDA said more than 28,000, or 70%, of AIDS cases among women are drug related. Fetuses, newborns and older children can unwittingly suffer the consequences of their mothers’ choices. Pregnant women who use drugs are at risk of having children who suffer from the following health problems:
* HIV
* AIDS
* SIDS
* Prematurity
* Low birth weight
* Stunted growth
* Behavioral problems
* Poor motor skills
* Increased risk of becoming users
Most drug abuse research has revolved around men, but in recent years the National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA) and other agencies have made women’s research a priority. What they are finding from lab, field and clinical research is that women have a different set of risk factors and often need different services while in drug treatment.
NIDA says women have different biological factors that play into use, abuse and addiction. Their progression toward addiction, and consequences they face are different. This means that prevention education and treatment options need to be more tailored to women.
TROUBLED LIVES AND BIOLOGY PLAY A ROLE
NIDA’s research shows women who use drugs or alcohol often have other serious health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Other problems include depression, making the need for women’s mental health initiatives imperative.
Many women who abuse drugs and/or alcohol have had troubled lives. According to NIDA, studies show that at least 70% of women users have been sexually abused by the age of 16. Most have had at least one parent who abused alcohol or drugs, the agency found. Other common traits in women users include low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, social isolation and little self-confidence.
An interesting finding by NIDA shows the biological differences between men and women extend to drug use. Women can develop substance abuse problems quicker than men, according to the report. Also, many treatment programs have been historically aimed at men. Women face a different set of challenges and needs.
NIDA says women’s programs need to offer food, shelter, clothing, childcare, transportation, parenting courses, medical and mental health services, therapy, legal assistance, education and job skills.
PREGNANCY AND HIV COMPOUND THE RISK
NIDA estimates that 4 million U.S. women, from all age groups, races and cultures, currently use drugs. Nine million have used illegal drugs in the past year, the study shows, and 3.7 million have used prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in the past year. Most female drug abusers tend to use more than one drug, it says.
The agency is putting considerable effort behind research devoted to treatment and services for pregnant women and those with children. HIV/AIDS research is also needed for women because of health risks posed to them and their children. Women who share needles to inject drugs intravenously risk their health and can contract HIV or hepatitis.
NIDA said more than 28,000, or 70%, of AIDS cases among women are drug related. Fetuses, newborns and older children can unwittingly suffer the consequences of their mothers’ choices. Pregnant women who use drugs are at risk of having children who suffer from the following health problems:
* HIV
* AIDS
* SIDS
* Prematurity
* Low birth weight
* Stunted growth
* Behavioral problems
* Poor motor skills
* Increased risk of becoming users
SWISS VOTERS SAY “YES” TO HEROIN
An overwhelming majority of voters in Switzerland approved a measure Nov. 30, making a government-run heroin program permanent. In the same election, voters said “no” to legalizing marijuana. The European country adopted its heroin program in 1994 in an effort to cut down on crime and give addicts a safe way to get high. Prior to that, scores of addicts could be seen openly shooting up in public parks and other spaces. Heroin, an opiate synthesized from morphine, is doled out in 23 centers across Switzerland where 1,300 addicts visit twice a day to receive controlled doses of heroin.
The drug is manufactured in a government-approved laboratory. The 1,300 people selected for the program shoot up under the supervision of nurses who offer clean syringes and paraphernalia to cut down on the spread of diseases including HIV and hepatitis.
Counseling from social workers and psychiatrists is also offered to users in the program. Approximately 2.6 million Swiss voters cast their ballots, with 68% in favor of the program. A citizens’ initiative to decriminalize marijuana failed after 63% of voters said “no.”
WORLD VIEWS ON LEGALIZED HEROIN
The program has received sharp criticism from countries including the United States, where legalizing such a powerful narcotic drug is thought of as promoting drug use. Other countries see the benefit in such a program. Australian and Canadian governments are considering similar programs based on the Swiss model, and the Netherlands has had a heroin program in place since 2006. The Associated Press reports that Britain has allowed individual doctors to prescribe heroin since the 1920s but is running a trial based on the Swiss program. Other countries running trials include Belgium, Germany and Spain, according to the AP.
THE GREAT HEROIN DEBATE
Addiction happens quickly for many when it comes to heroin and other opiates including OxyContin, Vicodin, Fentanyl and morphine. As addiction rates climb around the world, governments are scrambling to figure out how to cut down on associated crime, overpopulated prisons and disease. Social implications of addiction are costly for everyone.
The prospect of a free market for heroin is frightening for many who believe it will compound the problems associated with it. But many argue the problem with illegal drugs isn’t the drugs themselves, but rather the black market created to support them.
Many criticize the war on drugs, saying the criminalization of heroin and other substances takes the focus off what they consider a medical problem. Some say the billions of dollars spent on the legal, criminal and medical costs of drugs would be better spent on education, prevention and treatment.
The drug is manufactured in a government-approved laboratory. The 1,300 people selected for the program shoot up under the supervision of nurses who offer clean syringes and paraphernalia to cut down on the spread of diseases including HIV and hepatitis.
Counseling from social workers and psychiatrists is also offered to users in the program. Approximately 2.6 million Swiss voters cast their ballots, with 68% in favor of the program. A citizens’ initiative to decriminalize marijuana failed after 63% of voters said “no.”
WORLD VIEWS ON LEGALIZED HEROIN
The program has received sharp criticism from countries including the United States, where legalizing such a powerful narcotic drug is thought of as promoting drug use. Other countries see the benefit in such a program. Australian and Canadian governments are considering similar programs based on the Swiss model, and the Netherlands has had a heroin program in place since 2006. The Associated Press reports that Britain has allowed individual doctors to prescribe heroin since the 1920s but is running a trial based on the Swiss program. Other countries running trials include Belgium, Germany and Spain, according to the AP.
THE GREAT HEROIN DEBATE
Addiction happens quickly for many when it comes to heroin and other opiates including OxyContin, Vicodin, Fentanyl and morphine. As addiction rates climb around the world, governments are scrambling to figure out how to cut down on associated crime, overpopulated prisons and disease. Social implications of addiction are costly for everyone.
The prospect of a free market for heroin is frightening for many who believe it will compound the problems associated with it. But many argue the problem with illegal drugs isn’t the drugs themselves, but rather the black market created to support them.
Many criticize the war on drugs, saying the criminalization of heroin and other substances takes the focus off what they consider a medical problem. Some say the billions of dollars spent on the legal, criminal and medical costs of drugs would be better spent on education, prevention and treatment.
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