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Difficulties in Diagnosing and Treating Comorbidity

2006-10-19T15:36:34-04:00

Difficulties in Diagnosing and Treating Comorbidity By: Joseph L. Lagos In order to understand the difficulties involved in treating dually diagnosed individuals, it is fundamentally important to recognize what this disease is, and how it has been approached by society. The term “dual diagnosis”, (also known as “co-occurring disorders” or “comorbidity”), commonly refers to patients with both mental illness and substance abuse disorders. It has been estimated by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), that 4 million people in the United States have a co-occurring serious mental illness and substance abuse problem. Furthermore, substance abuse is the number one co-occurring disorder among individuals with severe mental illness such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disease (Kranzler and Rounsaville, 1998). It is widely accepted that people with mental disorders are at greater risk of developing substance abuse problems than those without mental disorders (Springer, McNeece, and Arnold, 2003). Comorbidity has had a significant impact on American society, with millions of tax dollars spent annually on incarceration and hospitalization. In many cases comorbidity results in homelessness, violence, and exposure to serious infections such as HIV and hepatitis. Dually diagnosed patients have poorer clinical outcomes than individuals with only one disorder, greater difficulty in gaining access to health services, and tend to leave treatment programs earlier than others (Hoff, Rosenheck, Sernyak, et al., 1999). A contributing factor to the difficulties in treating the dually diagnosed can perhaps be found in the traditional treatment methods utilized. In the past, drug and alcohol treatment was carried out with intense and confrontational methods; designed to break down the patient’s denial; while treatment methods for the mentally ill, on the other hand, have been carried out in a benign, supportive and non-threatening manner. Patients in drug treatment programs are expected to have some awareness of the problems caused by substance abuse, but the same cannot be said of individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness. Under the traditional approach, dually diagnosed individuals are likely to deny substance abuse, be unmotivated to engage in, or outright resist treatment and confrontation. Treatment interventions have evolved in recent years, with the goal of providing non-judgmental acceptance of all symptoms and experiences related to both mental illness and substance disorders (Sciacca, 1997); but the influence of the War on Drugs has also evolved, emphasizing treatment within criminal justice system (Springer, McNeece, and Arnold, 2003). The impact of this “utilitarian policy”

Decriminalization of Marijuana

2006-10-14T18:01:20-04:00

Marijuana is a drug obtained from dried and crumpled parts of the universal hemp plant Cannabis sativa (or Cannabis indicia). It is smoked by rolling in tobacco paper, or by placing it in a pipe. It is also otherwise consumed worldwide by an estimated 200,000,000 persons for pleasure, an escape from reality, or relaxation. Marijuana is known by a variety of names such as in the United States, marijuana is called pot, grass, weed, Mary Jane, etc. The main active principle of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The question of marijuana being legalized has been a very controversial issue for a long time. It’s been controversial because of the bad track record it has sustained over the years. Marijuana is considered to be a schedule one drug. That means that it has a high potential for abuse and lacks an acceptance for legal medical use, as it is clearly stated under the controlled substance act. However there’re many pros and cons to whether it should be legalized or not. One advantage of Marijuana is that it “can relieve pain where other drugs or techniques have failed, opening the door to all of the healing benefits and increased life options of pain relief. Cannabis also has direct beneficial physiological impacts on certain diseases such as glaucoma, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.”(Dr. Potter, Beverly (1998) The healing magic of cannabis. Berkeley, CA: Ronin Publishing INC.) Marijuana is also known to help victims of various other diseases in various different ways. Pro marijuana legalization groups such as the Physician’s Association for AIDS care & National Lymphoma Foundation believe that marijuana should be legalized in order to treat terminally ill patients. Among them are AIDS victims, who find that marijuana stimulates their appetites so that they can fight off dangerous emaciation. Marijuana has also been proven to be less harmful than other legal drugs. Legalizing it might decrease violence and crime, boost our economy, and allow its use as an effective form of medicine for the treatment of many fatal illnesses. “Every year, 400,000 Americans die of complications caused by tobacco products.”(S. Michels, letter, September 4th,1999) Smoking kills more Americans each year than alcohol, crack, heroin, murder, suicide, car accidents, fires, and AIDS all put together. Alcohol abuse contributes to almost 50% of all traffic accidents, suicides, and homicides. Drinking

History of Absinthe

2006-01-12T07:25:38-05:00

Absinthe, also known as the green fairy, has a romantic history like no other drink (Conrad, 1953). From humble beginnings as a “cure for all” to its height of popularity amidst the Parisian café scene of the late 1800’s, right through to its demise in the early 1900’s. In this essay I will outline the drinks history, from its origins to its spread, illustrate how absinthe was consumed and its taste, its constituents and controversial properties. Absinthe influenced many an almighty mind and had its own place in French Bohemian culture. I will outline its influence and demise, and finish with the small revival of the “Absintheur” in the last ten years. According to legend the inventor of the drink was Dr. Pierre Ordinaire (Conrad, 1953), whom in 1872 produced the first ever, commercial bottle of Absinthe as a remedy. Claiming the drink was good for dysentery, epilepsy, gout, kidney stones, colic, headaches and worms. A gentleman named Major Dubied saw its potential as an aperitif rather than a herbal tonic and purchased the recipe from two sisters named Henriod beginning production of the recipe as an aperitif (Conrad, 1953). His nephew, Henri-Louis Pernod set up the Pernod Fils Absinthe Company in 1805 and this is where Absinthe began to be produced on a large commercial scale. The company grew from strength to strength and by 1850 was producing 20,000 litres per day (Nelson, 2002). The popularity of Absinthe spread with French Troops returning from Algeria in 1844 (Baker, 2003) they had taken with them absinthe and mixed it with wine or water as a remedy and boredom killer, also known as Absinthe soup. Returning to France they brought with them a taste for Absinthe and it became a hit in the cafes of Paris. During the reign of Napoleon, Absinthe accounted for 90% of all the aperitifs consumed in France (Crowley, 1994). 5pm became know as l’Heure Verte – the Green Hour and Happy Hour today is a remnant of this. Absinthe is traditionally consumed by placing a sugar cube on a slotted spoon and trickling water on to the cube letting it dissolve into the Absinthe, typically it is five parts water to one part Absinthe. This causes the green liquor to “Louche” and become opalescent (Crowley, 1994). This became somewhat of a classic ritual for “Absintheurs” and

Alcohol among our teenagers

2005-01-22T17:34:07-05:00

This is a letter i wrote last christmas when i was bored addressed to the editor of a local newspaper in The Bahamas, where i live. Hope you enjoy. Dear Editor and my fellow Bahamian public, I am disturbed, disgruntled and shocked at the magnitude of carelessness that the public shows for the well-being and security of our youth. Recently, I was invited with a few friends to join them to celebrate at one of the local clubs in downtown Nassau. I was pleased to join them and proceeded to ride with them to the clubs. On the way to the club, we stopped to one of the many local bars for some beers; just a few (10), some gin and a bottle of Carlo Rassi. Subsequently, we rode to a popular club where we enjoyed ourselves, got wasted and partied. At the club, I purchased even more beer, much more; rum and even a cigarette. At 4 o’clock in the morning we drove home as intoxicated as ever. Yes, I know; what’s the big deal? What’s the raucous about? Why am I disgruntled and disturbed? It’s the norm in our society… everyone does it but; I am SIXTEEN! Much worse, the people I rode with were between the ages of 14 and 17; no one had a license, no one even had a permit and none of us were over the legal age to consume alcohol. However, occurrences similar and even worse than this happen every day under the very eyes of the same policeman who are suppose to be ‘protecting the public’. My question to the public, and most importantly the government is; why are the youth able to get away with so much devious activity? Where were the security guards at the club who were suppose to be looking at ID to ensure that teenagers do not enter? Where were the policemen who were were suppose to be monitoring the streets for drunk drivers and young drivers? Much more, where were the parents who were supposed to be ensuring the well-being of their children? I may sound contradictory when I say that Im disturbed that I was able to do these things but Im not. The reason I went to the clubs, got drunk and drove without a license is because I could. There may be restrictions written on paper, but are they practiced? Are they regulated? Maybe

Steroids research paper

2004-12-07T01:06:50-05:00

Athletics today is not the same as it was 20 years ago or even 10 years ago. As the years have past our athletic events have become more important to our society, some athletes are getting paid upwards of a millions dollars a year to do what regular athletes have been doing for years. Since the athletes are getting paid more, it normal means that the games are getting more interesting. The things that make the games more interesting are the fact that today’s athletes are going to great lengths to become faster and stronger. Why is it that our athletes are getting faster and stronger? Why didn’t the past athletes have the same capabilities as our present day athletes have? The answers to these questions are sport supplements. Sport Supplements today play a significant role in athletics ranging from high school athletics all the way to professional athletics. “Sports supplements are products used to enhance athletic performance. They come in different forms, including vitamins, synthetics drugs, and hormones, most of which are available over the counter without prescription.” (Shannon, pg. 299) Scientists over the past few years have been making vast improvements on sport supplements; our every day athletes are using these supplements to push their bodies to the next level. Our athletes are using supplements that range from protein shakes all the way to androstenedione (andro). All of these supplements are legal at this time, or have been recently under investigation to become on the FDA ban list. You can find legal sport supplements in most health store and are sold to people of the age of 18 or older. There is a dark side to the sport supplement industry and that is anabolic steroids. These are illegal to use unless you are prescribed by your physician to use them. In the past ten years there has been a huge uprising against certain sports supplements in a lot of sports organizations. “The NFL, NCAA, and the IOC have banned the use of steroids, creatine, ephedra, and androstenedione by their athletes.” (Shannon, pg. 300) All of these supplements have been banned for health reasons that have been studied. These organizations used their ban for the best interest of their athletes. Since most of these supplements can be found through a

the legalization of marijuana

2004-11-10T18:35:19-05:00

Essay three: Legalization of Marijuana The legalization of marijuana has been one of the most heated debates to ever occur in the United States. There are two sides that feel equally strongly about this topic. There is the side that is for the legalization and the side that is against it. I found very plausible reasoning on why this drug should or should not be legalized. Marijuana’s use as a medicine has been around for thousands of years, in countries worldwide. The use of marijuana can be dated as far back as 2700 B.C. through ancient Chinese writings. Marijuana has been associated with bringing relief to sick people suffering from AIDS, cancer, anorexia, epilepsy, arthritis, migraines, and glaucoma. Most doctors don’t recommend that you smoke marijuana to relieve yourself from the ailments associated with these sicknesses. The doctors are recommending the patients take a synthetic form of marijuana such as Marinol. Most patients feel like Marinol is an ineffective substitute because of the side effects. Patients complain that the feeling of being too sleepy and or the feeling of being too stoned is far too great. Now if the patients can smoke a joint they can be the judge for themselves on how much they need to get the desired effect. Forty million Americans use marijuana more frequently than all of the other illegal drugs combined. I found that static to be staggering. Marijuana has also been proven to not be a physically addictive drug. If marijuana was legal it would allow the regulation of the drug. For instance, cigarettes have warnings of the affects of smoking them right on the box, alcohol is clearly marked with the percentage of alcohol on the bottle, and legal drugs have a listing of all active and inactive ingredients in them. If marijuana was sold legally it could also be sold with ingredients, purity levels, and the warnings of smoking it to your health clearly marked. In the year 2000 there where 1,147,591 pounds of marijuana seized by the United Stated Coast Guard. The average price of marijuana goes for around 1,500 dollars per pound. Now if marijuana

Medical Marijuana

2004-10-20T15:36:20-04:00

Medical Marijuana The scientific name for marijuana is cannabis sativa, but it is more commonly known as weed, pot, or a handful of other names. “The chemical compounds responsible for the intoxicating and medicinal effects are found mainly in a sticky golden resin exuded from the flowers of the female plant.” (Bakalar p. 1) The issue of whether or not marijuana should be used as and considered a medicine is one that has been prevalent for years. Despite many claims and the negative images of marijuana we are exposed to marijuana has a great medicinal value. Marijuana can be used to repress many of the terrible symptoms and treatment’s side effects of diseases including cancer, aids, and glaucoma. There is evidence dating back over 5,000 years of marijuana being used as a medicine. Studies have also shown that many of the believed negative side effects of marijuana are false or greatly exaggerated Despite the inclusion of marijuana on the “just say no” list that we are taught from childhood marijuana’s power is great when used as a medicine. “One of the greatest advantages of cannabis as a medicine is its unusual safety. (Randall p. 8) The ratio of lethal dose to effective dose is estimated to be about 20,000: 1. There is no evidence of a case in which marijuana caused death in a human. It is also a fact that marijuana does not disturb any physiological functions or cause damage in any organs when used in therapeutic doses. Another of marijuana’s positive qualities is that it produces very little dependence or tolerance in its users. “There has never been proof that medical use of marijuana has led too habitual use as an intoxicant.” (Randall p. 8) There first evidence of marijuana being used as a medicine dates back over 5,000 years ago in which it was used to remedy such ailments as malaria, constipation, and rheumatic pains. “Cannabis was used extensively in medicine until the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937.” (Randall p.35) Marijuana could be used today to treat cancer, aids, and glaucoma patients. “When I smoke marijuana I’m living with aids. When I don’t smoke and take tranquilizers and narcotics, I’m dying with aids,” (Randall p. 2) as quoted by an aids patient. The patient also went on

2004-10-20T15:33:59-04:00

Marijuana in youth

2004-06-21T10:08:08-04:00

Drugs in Youth Drugs in young people are one of the major problems concerning the younger generations. Drugs effect the youth of Australia greatly and they are one of the major problems in society today. In this assignment I chose to focus on Marijuana because it is the most commonly used illegal drugs in teenagers. Marijuana is made from the dried flowers and leaves of the plant Cannabis Sativa. Marijuana can look like dried herbs or tea it can be green grey or brown. Marijuana is usually smoked in hand rolled cigarettes called “joints” or in water pipes called bongs. Sometimes it is mixed in with cakes and biscuits and eaten. The Cannabis plant grows wildly in places like India and Jamaica and these are the country’s that first discovered its effects on the body. Marijuana was still available to buy in Australia up until the 1900’s in pharmacies where you could readily buy it. There are still places that you can buy it legally one of these places is Jamaica where some people’s way of life is based around it, these people are called Rastafarians one of the most famous Rastafarians was the singer Bob Marley. Marijuana is the choice of many young people because of its availability and the fact it is not physically addictive such as many other drugs. Many teens find this drug easy to get or grow their own. Also another influencing factor is that if you get caught with under 30g or two plants it doesn’t go on your criminal record. Marijuana is one of the softer drugs and is not considered as bad as many others this is probably another reason why younger people are attracted to this drug. Marijuana Contains a chemical called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) this is the chemical that creates the “High” feeling. This means you change in mood and may see or feel things in a different way. Some parts of the plant contain a higher level of THC than others for example the buds and Flowers contain more than the leaves and stems. The level of THC also depends on how the plant is grown many plants are grown using Hydroponics and this makes them much stronger. When Marijuana is smoked the THC effects the brain by going into the lungs and then into the bloodstream where it travels into the brain and

Marijuana

2003-12-18T03:30:46-05:00

MARIJUANA Marijuana is a mood altering or psychoactive drug that has many nicknames, such as pot, weed, ganja, sensi, herb, and others. It is an ancient drug that dates back to hundreds of years to Asia. Many cultures have used it during meditation, religious worship, and for intoxication. Marijuana itself comes from the Indian Hemp plant. It is the third most widely used drug in the United States, according to a survey taken in 1988, and it is the number one illegally used drug in the United States. Marijuana is so popular that an estimated one out of every three people in the US have tried it and around 44% of US high school students have smoked it. Marijuana users are not easily detectable, nor is the drug just used in one area of society. The Indian Hemp plant is found all over the world, including the US. There are three different types of Indian Hemp. They are Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Rudderalis. These three plants vary in size and mood altering effect. The hemp plant has many uses and has been farmed for centuries. Marijuana can be taken in three ways, by eating, made into a tea, or smoking, which happens to be the most popular way. Smoking it can be done three ways, through a pipe, a joint, blunt. A joint is a rolled piece of paper that is twisted at the ends. A blunt is normally an emptied cigar wrapper filled with marijuana. In a blunt you can fit much more marijuana. Though a blunt isn't always purely marijuana, it can be mixed with other drugs such as angel dust. The results are varied when someone smokes marijuana. Different people will get different results, and certain types of cannabis can cause different effects. The amount of THC (marijuana's main active chemical) may also change the result. If alcohol, or other drug use is occurring while smoking marijuana, the effect could be different. A first time marijuana smoker will probably feel no effect. A chronic or heavy user will get a high (intoxication). When a person is high, normal sights, sounds, tastes, or events can seem very funny or interesting. When intoxicated, time seems to pass a lot slower. To the user, minutes will seem like hours. The intoxicated person may get very thirsty or hungry, a common effect called, " the munchies." A

Alcohol Advertisments

2002-11-16T13:00:00-05:00

One Too Many

It is not fair to say that all people drink to gain acceptance, or that all people use drinking to create a new self image. Quite often in life, however, even those who do not form an addiction, about three out of four individuals, have probably drank at one time to ease nerves and not worry so much what others think. Whether this is right or wrong per individual, it is very much a part of the American culture. Advertising agencies are definitely not the last ones to realize this. Their ads are manipulative in camouflaging dangerous realities linked to alcohol consumption. Many consumers are informed that alcohol is an addictive substance, which may cause physical and emotional damage. Alcoholic products have power to alter people’s way of thinking merely by consumption. That is why advertisers work so hard in luring people to consume their product, carefully avoiding the issue that alcohol consumption could have negative consequences. Because the alcohol advertisement from Kahlua use people’s negative, confused, or lack of, self-image to promote consumption of their addictive product, this advertisement agency is compromising their audience’s safety. Manipulative strategy is used in the following alcohol advertisement. Negative feelings or situations are subtly presented, then shown positively remedied by consumption of alcohol. Using special pleading, advertisers strategically portray drinking only as glamorous and exciting. They are manipulative and careless by presenting only these characteristics of alcohol consumption, purposely omitting a parallel reality. An ad showing an alcoholic throwing up from withdrawals, confused and suicidal might possibly hinder sales. This may seem like an over-exaggerated scenario; unfortunately, it is a realistic possibility when using alcohol as a means of coping. The ad for Kahlua features a blond model scantily dressed. The fact that she is scantily dressed, however, is not the real focus. She is wearing a bright yellow rain suit; cut min-skirt length, connected to thigh high simulated boots, attached garter-style. Her hair is blowing back wildly with her mouth open in an excited scream, showing us that “Anything goes”. At a quick glance, she appears to be having a great time. To notice the weird details, seemingly intended for the audience, would require a longer look than just the usual few seconds an ad is typically viewed would. This alcohol ad suggests mixing Kahlua to make a drink called a mudslide. The ridiculous yellow rain outfit the model is wearing matches the

Marijuana: Why Is It Illegal, And What About It Turns People On?

2002-09-23T14:00:00-04:00

The light smoke fills my lungs as I take a drag from a rolled-up joint. The smoke wafts into the air and I sniff it in. A minute later, I feel light-headed and giddy. Suddenly my friends and I start laughing and giggling for no reason at all. We were what they call, ‘High’. Later, we’re all hungry. They call it “the munchies.” Now I’ve never smoked marijuana before. Actually, I’ve never smoked anything before. And this situation never happened. But this is what I imagine it’s like, from reading and from watching other people. I know that marijuana is illegal, the hippies used it in the ‘60s and, on the occasion, it is prescribed by a doctor for those with cancer. What I don’t know is why it’s illegal, what else it can be used for to make it legal, and how it could possibly help anyone. In the beginning, I didn’t know too much. But I figured there would be books on this exact subject. I was right. When our class went to the school library, I immediately took to the computer card catalogue and typed in ‘hemp uses.’ Okaaayy…..that didn’t work. I typed in ‘hemp.’ That didn’t work either. Ah ha! Instead I replaced it with a word I knew would work. Marijuana. The computer catalogue showed me the book, Through A Glass Darkly: Psychological Effects Of Marijuana And Hashish. Now I don’t believe this goes for the uses but at least it goes through the reason why. Why people do it in the first place. I learned that marijuana’s scientific plant name is Cannabis Sativa. The cannaboid present in the plant is actually responsible for the psychological effects. SUSPENSE! And the percentage of marijuana has increased greatly since the late 1960s. Gee, one may wonder why. All those happenings and be-ins. All of the Freaks would get wasted beyond point of brainless. There are, also, many street names. Great! Now I’ll know what the drop-outs are talking about. Pot, doob, grass, reefer, weed, tea, MJ and maryjane are just some of the popular nicknames. But I want to know what the mixtures are. The plant, I read about, brings about many forms and terms. A joint is just a marijuana cigarette. Kiff is marijuana and tobacco, a roach is butt end of the joint. That’s why they need those roach clips. An A-bomb, (more SUSPENSE), is marijuana. Oh, gross.

An Unbalanced Equation

2002-07-08T14:00:00-04:00

An Unbalanced Equation I think the number one cause of youth association of drugs is the un-involvement of the parents. All major causes of youth drug abuse can be prevented if the parents had more impact and/or were more involved in their children’s lives. Here are my personal, significant reasons of youth drug abuse:

Peer Pressure- Parents should teach their children to be leaders.
Problems in the Household/ Neglect- Parents should pay more attention to their children’s lives and emotions.
Watching and Acting- In most cases, children believe that if their friends or family members are doing drugs and drinking, then it won’t hurt them if they do it too. This falls into Peer Pressure but without direct or verbal pressure.
Boredom- Parents should especially play a part in solving this problem. They should put their kids in as many clubs and/or sports and activities as possible, preferably “drug-free” clubs. That way, your children won’t desire to try drugs.
Curiosity- Pending…. The reason I say that this is pending is because parents can’t control their children’s curiosity. Since the beginning of time, a child’s main thriving force to do foolish things has been, their curiosity. It’s a youth’s main explanation for sticking our finger in the electric socket, even though our parents have scolded us repeatedly and have taught us the right thing. We would go to a dangerous party that our siblings would go to even though our parents told us not to, but our siblings say that it is harmless. We will obey our siblings out of curiosity or because we feel that they know better than our parents because they are our age and they know about more up to date, and modern parties than our “old-fashioned” parents. You may ask, “How can I prevent or discontinue this impression?”. A desperate endeavor may be to explain to your kids that you were once their age too, and even though the 70’s/ 80’s may seem like it has changed from the modern days, it has not, youth then had the same amount of peer pressure and curiosity that we have now and they have been-there-done-that. Consider making them believe this and showing them that you know more about the peer pressure that they are about to encounter. I realize that I am a child as well, and sometimes I don’t have faith in my parents’ warnings. Hence, I don’t know a method to gain trust of

The Legalization of Marijuana

2002-04-18T14:00:00-04:00

One question that has haunted Americans for a long time is: “Should the use of marijuana be legalized?” Some say, “Yes”, while other say, “No”. According to Funk and Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia, marijuana is defined as “a mixture of leaves, stems, and flowering tops of the Indian hemp plant Cannabis sativa, smoked or eaten for its hallucinogenic and pleasure-giving effects.” (Bram, Phillips, Dickey, 445) Owning marijuana was made a crime in 1937 when Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act. Despite this law the drug was still somewhat commonly used. Here we are years later, still without a satisfactory answer to the question. I think that legalizing the use of marijuana would have many medical benefits, economical benefits, and would decrease the incidence of crime. There are others who disagree. These people feel that legalization would lead to the formation of other habits and to health problems, such as, the use of a harsher drug and to psychological and personality problems that can come from using marijuana. These individuals feel that the negatives of marijuana use far outweigh the positives, and feel that the use of marijuana should remain illegal. To some people marijuana is considered a “gateway” drug. Legalizing marijuana would lead to the use of other, much more harsh drugs. From the book Drugs, Teens, and Recovery, Lauren, a teenager that got mixed up in drugs describes how she got involved with marijuana, then with cocaine. She says, “I was ten, in the fifth grade, the first time I smoked pot. I liked pot a lot better than drinking because it was easier. I loved it. Pot and alcohol, that’s all I needed. I didn’t want to get into anything else”. She continues, “About this time, I started getting obsessed with cocaine and thinking about what the high would be like”. Just like Lauren people can start off with just smoking marijuana but they would get the urge to try something a little bit stronger. (Chesney, 46) Marijuana usage has many medical benefits. It became popular as a medicine in the United States during the mid-nineteenth century. Then, marijuana was used to treat general headaches, migraine headaches, depression, muscular tension, insomnia, and menstrual cramps. Today, marijuana has proven to be beneficial in the treatment of many more medical conditions including glaucoma, cancer, and asthma. In 1976, Robert C. Randall became the very first American to ever gain legal access to

Decriminalization of Marijuana

2002-04-17T14:00:00-04:00

Marijuana is a drug obtained from dried and crumpled parts of the universal hemp plant Cannabis sativa (or Cannabis indicia). It is smoked by rolling in tobacco paper, or by placing it in a pipe. It is also otherwise consumed worldwide by an estimated 200,000,000 persons for pleasure, an escape from reality, or relaxation. Marijuana is known by a variety of names such as kif (Morocco), dagga (South Africa), and bhang (India). Common in the United States, marijuana is called pot, grass, weed, Mary Jane, bones, etc. The main active principle of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The question of marijuana being legalized has been a very controversial issue for a long time. It’s been controversial because of the bad track record it has sustained over the years. Marijuana is considered to be a schedule one drug. That means that it has a high potential for abuse and lacks an acceptance for legal medical use, as it is clearly stated under the controlled substance act. However there’re many pros and cons to whether it should be legalized or not. One advantage of Marijuana is that it “can relieve pain where other drugs or techniques have failed, opening the door to all of the healing benefits and increased life options of pain relief. Cannabis also has direct beneficial physiological impacts on certain diseases such as glaucoma, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy.”(Dr. Potter, Beverly (1998) The healing magic of cannabis. Berkeley, CA: Ronin Publishing INC.) Marijuana is also known to help victims of various other diseases in various different ways. Pro marijuana legalization groups such as the Physician’s Association for AIDS care & National Lymphoma Foundation believe that marijuana should be legalized in order to treat terminally ill patients. Among them are AIDS victims, who find that marijuana stimulates their appetites so that they can fight off dangerous emaciation. Marijuana has also been proven to be less harmful than other legal drugs. Legalizing it might decrease violence and crime, boost our economy, and allow its use as an effective form of medicine for the treatment of many fatal illnesses. “Every year, 400,000 Americans die of complications caused by tobacco products.”(S. Michels, letter, September 4th,1999) Smoking kills more Americans each year than alcohol, crack, heroin, murder, suicide, car accidents, fires, and AIDS all put together. Alcohol abuse contributes to almost 50% of all traffic accidents, suicides, and homicides. Drinking also is known to cause liver damage and liver

Underage Drinking

2002-04-02T14:00:00-04:00

Who is to judge whether or not someone underage is mature enough to handle the responsibility of consuming alcohol? The government has set twenty-one years of age as the legal drinking age. This is found to be a little odd by most teenagers. At the age of eighteen, young adults can sign their life away to the government and give their life for the country. Risking your life for this country is encouraged at eighteen, but you can’t drink at the same age in this country. How can this be? Who has the right to judge the maturity of young people? There are some eighteen-year olds who are much more mature than some twenty-one year olds. This level of maturity is developed throughout life from what they have seen and experienced. Due to this, some may act more childish than others no matter what age group that they are in. Therefore many teenagers, as well as a few twenty-one year olds, are immature and can’t be trusted when given responsibility. Lives become at risk the moment that someone takes the first drink. Due to the serious consequences of being drunk, how can teenagers who have so little experience in life expect to handle the responsibility of drinking? Many teenagers do not have the level of maturity that they need to make the decision about consuming alcohol. Many adults look down on the underage people who consume alcoholic beverages. Is it their place to do so? If the age limit were to be lowered would this mean that the adults would be okay with young people drinking? Is this judgment being made because the government says it is wrong or is it due to the beliefs of that person’s religion or traits that they gained as they grew older? Underage drinking is against the law. When adults see underage people drinking they do not judge but just view it as people breaking the law. Many religions believe differently about drinking. Some religions find it to be very unacceptable no matter what the age of the person is. Other religions find it to be acceptable for someone of any age to drink. There are many different cultures of people who all have different views of drinking. Underage drinking is illegal and can have serious consequences. Many people have different views and feelings on teenagers drinking and it will always remain this way. No matter what is

Candid View on Drinking

2002-02-27T13:00:00-05:00

Paul Kantner once said, "If you can remember anything about the sixties, you weren't really there." I feel this same way when talking to my peers about social gatherings, concerts and sometimes, even school. It is hard to have a conversation about last weekend without hearing, “I was so drunk,” or “I don’t know, I was really high.” People at my professional workplace seem to have no problem asking me if I could get them an ounce of weed- presumably, because I’m young. Drugs are not surrounding our culture, or society or our media as a whole; they are smothering our youth. With these thoughts in mind I participated in my ordinary activities for a weekend, but kept an open eye to substance use-mine and others. It was a typical weekend. On Friday, I went “downtown.” "Downtown" is a couple blocks of bars and clubs that are very popular with the college and 20-something crowds. On Friday I went downtown and then to an after-hours party that lasted until 7:00am. Saturday afternoon we got to the bar at about 3:00, to watch the game and then went to a friends’ house to hang out. On Sunday, we went to a trendy lounge and then all stayed overnight at a friends’ house. Over the course of this weekend I consumed 10 mixed drinks, 6 glasses of wine, and either consumed; was introduced to, or heard 1st hand experiences of drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, “shrooms,” Ecstasy, and Xanax. Given my circumstances it would be extremely pretentious of me to sit back and think of ways to advance the war on drugs. We as citizens, as a community, and most importantly as the most powerful country on earth we need to decide what we are trying to solve. We can no longer sit here and say, “drugs are bad,” we need action, a resolution to find a common, but realistic goal. There are many different political, social and health issues surrounding drugs. We need to decide what we want to accomplish, and we need to do this as an educated, involved, and democratic people. If we want to prevent crack heads our actions are going to be quite different then they would be if our goal were to solve the overcrowding of prisons. Our diversity is what makes the United States special, but could is also be harming our common goal? Our varied backgrounds

Argumentative: Let's Smoke Some Pot

2002-02-05T13:00:00-05:00

In most countries, marijuana is by law illegal because of its classification as an illicit drug, but the controversial issues have been established that this ?illicit drug? has improved the course of treatment for suffering patients. Marijuana has beneficial effects when used in medicinal scenarios like for example for the treatment of pain. Thus it should be an administered drug for patients who can benefit from the use of this drug. It has undergone analysis for its use as a medicine and the results have shown improvements in patients who were treated with this drug. Doctors have expressed opposite opinions, making this issue very controversial. As the debate about marijuana?s use as a medicine continues, experts have given us information pertaining to its positive effects when used properly. Much of the controversy falls in the hands of the government, which claims that marijuana is not a safe medicine versus the doctors who research the topic for medicinal purposes. Though not all doctors feel marijuana should be a ?legal? prescribed medicine, it should be in their hands to decide it so. The Government and the Doctor?s Ethics have been questioned about the topic on marijuana use. This has ignited the controversy when it is said smoking marijuana is risky, but also recommended that critically ill patients should be allowed to use it under closely monitored settings. Doctors who are specialists who have researched much about marijuana use have authorized their patients to use this drug, but not over do it. With all the speculation, one would think that doctors wouldn?t be so eager to offer the drug as a reliever. The government proclaims there is no therapeutic value in the medicinal use of marijuana, but they do not have evidences to prove it so. As I see it, the government has demonized all drug use without differentiation and has systematically and hysterically resisted science. Possibly if the two ?sides? would work together, an agreement could be established concerning procedures for further development and treatment. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal street drug used by many as a depressant. It is one of the cheapest illegal drugs present in almost all over the world. It is also one of the easiest drugs to get. Because of this it is one of the most dangerous drugs, which is available to all. In reality, almost anyone can get this drug even though it

Marijuana

2001-12-19T13:00:00-05:00

People have been using Marijuana as a medicine for thousands of years, beginning in China, India, and the Middle East. The plant's therapeutic potential became known in Western countries during the nineteenth century. From 1840 to 1900, more than a hundred articles on cannabis appeared in European and American medical journals, recommending it as an appetite stimulant, muscle relaxant, painkiller, sedative, and anti-convulsions. The use of Marijuana should be legalized for the benefits of individuals suffering from a variety of medical problems. Marijuana as a medicine, however, cannot be established with the Government’s permission to test the drug and legalize it. Patients should have the right to use any medical means necessary to control our diseases. Patients with cancer find marijuana controls there vomiting, allowing them to continue chemotherapy. Patients find marijuana helps the "wasting syndrome" that often characterizes AIDS. Patients with spinal injuries and multiple sclerosis find relief from severe muscle spasms (plasticity) that complicate nerve damage. Patients with glaucoma have derived benefit from marijuana when conventional treatments have failed. Government experts have indicated that marijuana does relieve pain, and other disorders, but it does not cure them, therefore cannot be legalized as a prescription drug. However, the Government has legalized a drug called Tylenol 3. The two main drugs used in Tylenol 3 are precocity and codeine, both are very addictive and they only relieve the pain. Medicinal marijuana has similar side effects as the often-prescribed stimulants, but it is not as addictive as Tylenol 3. The Government proclaims there is no therapeutic value in the medicinal use of marijuana, but they do not have hard evidence to prove it. Ira Glasser, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed: “the government has demonized all drug use without differentiation and has systematically and hysterically resisted science.” Doctors have expressed opposite opinions as well, making this issue very controversial. Because not all doctors who research the topic for medicinal purposes feel cannabis should be a “legal” prescribed medicine, smoking marijuana is risky, but also recommended that critically ill patients should be allowed to use it under closely monitored settings. Marijuana has undergone analysis for its use as a medicine and the results have shown improvements in the patients who were treated with this drug. Research showed that marijuana reduced the interlobular pressure that can lead to blindness in glaucoma patients. Migraine sufferers found relief from their headaches, and victims

Alcohol Research Assignment

2001-10-19T14:00:00-04:00

Alcohol Dependence: Comprehension and Application. Outline the physiological effects of alcohol consumption, both short-term and Long-term: Short Term: The immediate effect of alcohol consumption is the alteration of mood. It may be surprising to discover that though it makes people feel a sense of euphoria, happiness and relaxation, it is in-fact, a depressant. The direct result of alcohol in the bloodstream causes impairment of motor co-ordination and suppresses central nervous system activity, which gives the impression of clumsiness and can lead to alcohol related accidents. The more intoxicated the person becomes the further their speech becomes slurred, vision blurred and loss of balance. Further more it switches off that part of the brain that controls judgement, leading to loss of inhibitions. This impairs the person’s decision making which can result in greater risk taking. However drinking in large doses can result in the suppression of vital bodily functions which can lead to coma, or even death. Additionally a drunken person vomiting while passed out, can lead to death by asphyxiation. Alcohol also impairs the memory of an intoxicated person by inhibiting the transfer and consolidation of information in long and short-term memory. Therefore this reduces the drinker’s ability to remember information that he/she has learned before going out for drinks. Furthermore, the attention span of the drinker is dramatically decreased for periods of up to forty-eight hours after drinking. This can further affect the academic performance of a student and his/her ability to study outside of class. REM and deep sleep is also suppressed (extremely important for restful sleep, memory consolidation and emotional well being. Thus when REM is suppressed it will give a feeling of tiredness when waking up the morning after being intoxicated. Alcohol use also impairs the functioning of the immune system—weakening the body’s ability to fight off infectious disease. In the short term this will increase the number of colds that the drinker experiences. Long term: Drinking for prolonged periods of time can have detrimental effects on the human body. Since alcohol is in fact a poisonous substance, having it circulating in the body will contribute to severe intestinal dysfunction. However, although alcohol alone is not the sole cause of the problems outlined below, it simply increases the risk of developing certain diseases/dysfunctions. Brain

Memory Loss

Confusion, Disorganisation

Hallucinations, Fits

Permanent brain damage

Impaired ability to learn new things Liver

Impaired liver functions

Severe swelling and pain

Inflamed liver (hepatitis)

Largely irreversible cirrhosis

The Propaganda of Drink Driving

2001-10-19T14:00:00-04:00

Each year numerous lives are lost due to careless and irrational driving. The disregard for safe driving has been a predicament to Queensland for years. For many years’ police have relied heavily on speed cameras, breathe testing and heavy fines as a deterrent against unlawful drivers. Over the years fatality rates have increased, so Queensland Transport has composed a series of safe driving campaigns. On many occasions the transport department informs and advises the public about the importance of responsible driving. They propagate safe driving through the various channels of the media. Their safe driving campaign is now using effective propaganda aimed directly at speeding; drink driving and tired and reckless driving. Repetition is often used in the safe driving campaigns in order to successfully convey their message and also to ensure, that the viewer retains their main idea. Fear is also often used in an effort reach the viewer on an emotional level. Presently the Government and the transport department have worked in collaboration with one another to bring forth a message to the public about road safety. And since road fatalities have affected Australia so much that the advice has become propaganda in every sense of the term – There is one idea propagated repeatedly in an emotional manner with appropriate cartoons and even name-calling. But has the massive propaganda campaign set out by the Government and the transport department been effective in ensuring the safety of motorists? Philosophy is important when it comes to propaganda, mainly because a propaganda primarily focus’s on one main idea. The safe driving campaign is directed to be of the general good for the public. It convinces the common people of the importance of life and makes them aware of the consequences that come from small and simple choices they make everyday. Article #1 is a very effective piece of propaganda in that it captures the reader’s attention successfully by placing a picture of a dog in the focal point of the article. The dog plays a vital role in this piece of propaganda in that it represents a loved one, family and anything cherished. It shows what could be left behind, if a driver chose to ignore safe driving. The breed of dog is also very important. Choosing a sorrowful dogs face, further enhanced the emotions of the reader, as the article wouldn’t have the same effect if a dangerous dog was

The Unanswered Question - the Legalization of Marijuana

2001-10-16T14:00:00-04:00

One question that has haunted Americans for a long time is: “ Should the use of marijuana be legalized?” Some say, “Yes”, while others say, “No”. Owning marijuana was made a crime in 1937 when Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act. Despite this law the drug was still somewhat commonly used. Here we are years later, still without a satisfactory answer to the question. I think that legalizing the use of marijuana would have many medical benefits, economical benefits, and would decrease the incidence of crime. There are others who disagree. These people feel that legalization would lead to the formation of other habits and to health problems, such as, the use of a harsher drug and to psychological and personality problems that can come from using marijuana. These individuals feel that the negatives of marijuana use far outweigh the positives, and feel that the use of marijuana should remain illegal. To some people marijuana is considered a “gateway” drug. Legalizing marijuana would lead to the use of other, much more harsh drugs. From the book Drugs, Teens, and Recovery Lauren a teenager that got mixed up in drugs describes how she got involved with marijuana, then with cocaine. She says, “I was ten, in the fifth grade, the first time I smoked pot. I liked pot a lot better than drinking because it was easier. I loved it. Pot and alcohol, that’s all I needed. I didn’t want to get into anything else”. She continues, “About this time, I started getting obsessed with cocaine and thinking about what the high would be like”. Just like Lauren people can start off with just smoking marijuana but they would get the urge to try something a little bit stronger. Legalizing marijuana will cause Americans to suffer from psychological and personality problems. According to Elizabeth Scheichert, who is the author of Marijuana, The Drug Library, THC is the active chemical in marijuana that causes the user to feel “high”. This is also the chemical that is most destructive to the user’s body and mind. The THC from smoking one marijuana cigarette can accumulate in the user’s body fat and stay there for weeks at a time. Smoking marijuana causes a lack of motivation, ambition, and creativity. Many user’s lose interest in life and become very lazy. People who use marijuana often find it very difficult to concentrate on anything more challenging than television.

Colombia vs. Morality

2001-09-17T14:00:00-04:00

Colombia is a country wrought with poverty, corruption, and violence. It has gained leader for its drug trafficking and scandalous dealing by the military. Five percent of Colombia, which is 1.9million people, 1.1 million that are children, has been disabled due to the fighting in a four decade old civil war. Colombia has endured vicious conflicts throughout its country in the past 36 years. It is considered to be one of the most violent places in the world, with a murder rate 8 times as much as the United States of America. Colombia is considered an undeveloped country in other words it is a poverty stricken place. Because Colombia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions it is hard for the poverty stricken areas of Colombia to stay in one place. The corruption comes from the exporting to America. While most things exported to the united states from Colombia are oil, coffee, and fresh cut flowers. Illegally al the real money comes from drug trafficking off copious amounts of cocaine and heroin. In my opinion violence is the most shocking to me. Why should one feel the need to comply with treating a person with simple respect, with giving second thoughts to clubbing them in the head or shooting them point blank? And why do they feel the need to commit unnecessary violence? These human rights standards should be natural for people, not something they have to think twice about to obey it. It is a fact that Colombians are beaten, raped and shot to death by there own military everyday. In the past couple years; the human rights cases against violence amongst civilians have been dropped. Making this actually legal. It shocks me to hear of the violence that engulfs Colombia. With such crimes of miracle fishing (slang for kidnapping), 200 bombs in less then 15 years, everyday assaults, robberies, spiking with scorpions and a murder rate of 77.5 per 100,000 people. The fact that hundreds of police officers, judges, investigators, presidential candies and of course thousands of Colombian citizens murdered with the attitude of “So it goes” shows that their nation has been badly damaged, psychologically as well as physically. Though many parts all around Colombia are prone to this behavior not all of Colombia is filled with corruption. There would be no economy if all parts of Colombia were like this. Still, Colombia will need some serious rearranging politically, socially and overall

Steroids in Sports

2001-06-07T14:00:00-04:00

All about Steroids Understanding steroid Steroids nature Steroids that are used by athletes are the artificial form of testosterone, a human hormone released by the body to stimulate and maintain the male sexual organs. Testosterone is called a male hormone since it is produced in men in large quantities compared to the quantity produced in women (Mishra, 1-2). Hormones that are produced by the testes and the adrenal gland in men and ovaries and adrenal gland in women contains certain kind of fat called steroids, natural ones, which means “solid” in Greek. The body produces about 600 different kinds of steroids called androgens these kinds include testosterone. The amount of testosterone produced in males is about 10 to 15 times more than in women. For this reason we notice that women who uses steroids have masculine characteristics (Yesalis, 23-24). A male human body produce an average of 2.5 to 11 mg of testosterone daily, while the average user of steroids take about 100 mg daily (Mishra, 2). When we talk about steroids we are referring to the anabolic-androgenic steroids, but athletes are more concerned with the anabolic property. Anabolic in Greek means, “to build” while androgenic means “masculinizing.” Androgenic effect plays a role in the maturation of the male reproduction system and is responsible for hair growth and the deepening of the voice while anabolic effect helps in the growth of the muscles by providing them by retained protein (Anabolic steroids, 1). Anabolic steroids are the result from tests that are were made to produce a drug that has tissue-building ability that of the testosterone and at the same time separating it from testosterone’s masculinizing properties. Since the separation did not fully worked out, the proper name of this drug is anabolic-androgenic steroids although it is called anabolic steroids or just steroids (Yesalis, 24). Steroids Development From the early ages man was concerned in increasing his power and his sexual ability. Athletes in the old Greek used to take some wine mixed with strychnine, stimulus of the CNS, taken from plants. Others ate hallucinogenic drugs (Reuters, 1). In 140 BC Indians used to eat testicle tissue that gave them sexual ability and helped in overcoming impotence problems. During 2000 Babylonians noticed that castration did not only caused fertility problems but also they lose their aggressiveness and power (Yesalis, 31-32). Steroids were first developed in the 1930s By Dr. Charles Kockakian, who was called the

Drink Driving - Persuasive Essay

2001-06-02T14:00:00-04:00

Each year numerous lives are lost due to careless and irrational driving. The disregard for safe driving has been a predicament to Queensland for years. For many years? police have relied heavily on speed cameras, breathe testing and heavy fines as a deterrent against unlawful drivers. Over the years fatality rates have increased, so Queensland Transport has composed a series of safe driving campaigns. On many occasions the transport department informs and advises the public about the importance of responsible driving. They propagate safe driving through the various channels of the media. Their safe driving campaign is now using effective propaganda aimed directly at speeding; drink driving and tired and reckless driving Repetition is often used in the safe driving campaign in order to successfully convey their message and also to ensure, that the viewer retains their main idea. Fear is also often used in an effort reach the viewer on an emotional level. Presently the Government and the transport department have worked in collaboration with one another to bring forth a message to the public about road safety. And since road fatalities have affected Australia so much that the advice has become propaganda in every sense of the term ? There is one idea propagated repeatedly in an emotional manner with appropriate cartoons and even name-calling. But has the massive propaganda campaign set out by the Government and the transport department been effective in ensuring the safety of motorist Philosophy is important when it comes to propaganda, mainly because a propaganda primarily focus?s on one main idea. The safe driving campaign is directed to be of the general good for the public. It convinces the common people of the importance of life and makes them aware of the consequences that come from small and simple choices they make everyday. Article #1 is a very effective piece of propaganda in that it captures the reader?s attention successfully by placing a picture of a dog in the focal point of the article. The dog plays a vital role in this piece of propaganda in that it represents a loved one, family and anything cherished. It shows what could be left behind, if a driver chose to ignore safe driving. The breed of dog is also very important. Choosing a sorrowful dogs face, further enhanced the emotions of the reader, as the article wouldn?t have the same effect if a dangerous dog was shown instead This

Maijuana legalized for good

2001-03-25T14:00:00-04:00

People have been using Marijuana as a medicine for thousands of years, beginning in China, India, and the Middle East. The plant's therapeutic potential became known in Western countries during the nineteenth century. From 1840 to 1900, more than a hundred articles on cannabis appeared in European and American medical journals, recommending it as an appetite stimulant, muscle relaxant, painkiller, sedative, and anti-convulsions. The use of Marijuana should be legalized in Canada for the benefits of individuals suffering from a variety of medical problems. Marijuana as a medicine, however, cannot be established with the Government’s permission to test the drug and legalize it. Marijuana has undergone analysis for its use as a medicine and the results have shown improvements in the patients who were treated with this drug.. The Government proclaims there is no therapeutic value in the medicinal use of marijuana, but they do not have hard evidence to prove it. Ira Glasser, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed: “the government has demonized all drug use without differentiation and has systematically and hysterically resisted science.” Doctors have expressed opposite opinions as well, making this issue very controversial. The controversy falls in the hands of the government, that marijuana is not a safe medicine, versus the doctors who research the topic for medicinal purposes. Established, not all doctors feel cannabis should be a “legal” prescribed medicine, smoking marijuana is risky, but also recommended that critically ill patients should be allowed to use it under closely monitored settings. On the other hand, the more the government and doctors debate and try to solve this medicine issue, clearly then, more experiments and test will be done. Marijuana proven not to cause any harmful, long-term effects to individuals suffering from medical hopelessness, cannot be tolerated. Doctors believe that they should be able to have prescribed the drug, when the patient is in need Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, when smoked, it produces over 2,000 chemicals that enter the body through the lungs. These chemicals have a variety of immediate, short-term effects. In addition, the repeated use of marijuana has been linked to a number of long- term effects marijuana including both psychological and physical reactions. These reactions usually last for three to five hours after a person has smoked marijuana. The psychological reaction, known as a high, consists of changes in the user's feelings and thoughts. Such changes are caused mainly

Drug Abuse and Reprocussions Thereof

2001-03-14T13:00:00-04:00

Facing everyday problemsin these recent years many people turn to drugs as an escape from the existance they hold. Drug use has rapidly increased in the last twenty years and has become a national crises. More people are experementing with different drugs at a younger age. Due to the rapid increase in drug abuse our government has looked to rehab as an alternative to jail. When a person thinks of a drug abuser one usually pictures a person that looks like thay had just jumped out of a garbage bin. What most people do not realize is that most drug offenders are the people one spends a lot of time with. Everyday humans are abusing drugs without anyone recognizing their illness (Phillips 22). Many symptoms of drug abuse are easily recognisable. Weight loss or malnutrition are the most common, resulting when the drug abuser uses their money to pay for drugs rather than food. Exhaustion is associated with the end f a recent drug binge. Fever is caused when a stimulant or a hallucinogen increases the drug users metabolic rate. A skin flush usually accompanys the fever. Gooseflesh and sweating are associated with withdrawl and rashes, dilated pupils, and a runny nose are usually correlate with any drug use (Cohen 308-309). Along with these symptoms come the various different reprocussions affiliating themselves with each different drug taken. These results range from headaches to death. With all the possible side effects one may wonder why people think drugs are worth all the trouble they are. Most people start out doing drugs to feel good or to fit in. Early users had easy access to medicine that made them physically dependent on that drug and others used drugs as an only escape from a hopeless existance (Compton’s 275). Teenagers experiment with drugs to find out about the world thay live in for themselves, to prove their self worth, and to experience as much as possible. They want to try something daring to prove their oun fearlessness, to have fun, act older, or to be accepted (Phillips 22). In the 1950’smore people af all classes and occupations began to use mood changing drugs both legally and illegally (Compton’s 275). These drugs were used to induce sleep and relaxation. Other drugs gave the user a feeling on exileration. Whether the drug was used to help the user sleep or the get the person high, they

Cocaine Addiction

2001-03-13T13:00:00-04:00

Everybody knows cocaine is bad for you. So why do so many people take it? It gets you high. You feel

Make Tobacco Illegal and Legalize Marijuana

2001-02-26T13:00:00-05:00

There have been lots of views and opinions surrounding the arguments whether marijuana should be legalized and if tobacco should be made illegal. The reasons for marijuana not being legalized are similar to the reasons people want tobacco to become illegal. Only the danger that tobacco provides is more intense than the danger marijuana. Marijuana’s short-term effects include temporary problem with memory and problems with learning. It also causes temporary distorted perception (sounds, time, touch etc.), trouble thinking and solving problems. For some people smoking marijuana causes loss of motor coordination. But compare it to the short-term effect that tobacco produces. Tobacco’s short-terms effects are a lot more serious health wise. When a person smokes a cigarette, the body responds immediately to the chemical nicotine in the smoke. Nicotine causes a short-term increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and the flow of blood from the heart. It also causes the arteries to narrow. Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. This, combined with the effects produced by nicotine, creates an imbalance in the demand for oxygen by the cells and the amount of oxygen the blood is able to supply. The comparison of the short-term effects of both drugs obviously shows that tobacco is more dangerous since tobacco has sudden drastic internal health changes. The long-term effect of marijuana is that marijuana smoke contains some of the same cancer-causing compounds as tobacco. Tobacco has more cancer-causing compounds than marijuana does thus tobacco is more dangerous. The long-term effects of tobacco are well known, but not in details. It is now well documented that smoking can cause chronic lung disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke, as well as cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, mouth, and bladder. In addition, smoking is known to contribute to cancer of the cervix, pancreas, and kidneys. Researchers have identified more than 40 chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause cancer in humans and animals. Smokeless tobacco and cigars also have deadly consequences, including lung, larynx, esophageal, and oral cancer. The harmful effects of smoking do not end with the smoker. Women who use tobacco during pregnancy are more likely to have adverse birth outcomes, including babies with low birth weight, which is linked with an increased risk of infant death and with a variety of infant health disorders. The health of nonsmokers is adversely affected by environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Each year, exposure to

Alcoholism: A disease or an Addiction?

2001-02-15T13:00:00-05:00

Most people have a confused idea of alcoholism as a disease that invades or attacks your good health. Use of such a strong word such as "disease" shapes the values and attitudes of society towards alcoholics. A major implication of the disease concept is that what is labeled a "disease" is held to be justifiable because it is involuntary. This is not so. Problem drinking is a habit in which the so-called "alcoholic" simply has decided that the benefits of drinking outweigh the liabilities; it is all a matter of personal choice. An alcoholic participates in or causes many of their own problems by their behavior and the decisions they make, so why should they be viewed as helpless victims of a "disease"(Skipper 1)? Alcoholism should not be viewed as a disease, but as an addiction brought about by the alcoholic's personal choices. What is wrong with disease theories as science is that they are tautologies; they avoid the work of understanding why people drink. People seek specific, essential human experiences from their addictive involvement. They can come to depend on such an involvement for these experiences until -- in the extreme -- the involvement is totally consuming and potentially destructive (Peele 146). The idea that alcoholism is a "disease", which is only typified by the loss of control, was only sanctioned by the American Medical Association in 1956 (Wilbanks 39). The AMA gives the following definition for alcoholism: " Alcoholism is an illness characterized by preoccupation with alcohol and loss of control over its consumption, such as to lead usually to intoxication if drinking; by chronicity, by progression and by a tendency toward relapse. It is typically associated with physical disability and impaired emotional, occupational and/or social adjustments as a direct consequence of persistent excessive use (Langone 27)". This meant that an alcoholic could now get help in a hospital, just as a person with a real disease such as diabetes or leukemia would . Moreover, the use of the words "loss of control" make it seem as though the alcoholic's free will has just been ripped away from him. On the contrary, there is no evidence that the will of the drinker has been overpowered. Besides labeling alcoholism as a disease, the AMA has also done a huge error in stating that alcoholism causes people to lose control over the consumption of alcohol. This will only negate the

Is Alcohol Harmful to Our Life?

2001-01-29T13:00:00-05:00

So much information about adverse effects of alcohol is known. Yet, a large number of people condone what is known to them. Overlooking the negative effects of alcohol can turn the alcohol into a deadly weapon. Alcohol can cause deaths, diseases, and family problems. Alcohol can end your life in a matter of a second. According to, ¡° Alcoholism: New Insights on Old Problem,¡± more than 100,000 Americans die from alcohol related causes (1). In fact, alcohol related deaths are five times greater than the number killed by all illicit drugs combined. When a person imbibe an alcohol, he or she becomes disoriented. When people drive under this condition, they expose themselves to a great danger. In addition, women become more easily intoxicated from alcohol than men more (2). In result, women get themselves killed from an alcohol than males. Alcohol can also cause many diseases. When you drink too much of an alcohol, you get hallucinations and memory losses. Alcohol specifically affects the control centers of the brain (Valiant 337). If people do not get help for alcoholism, the condition could be debilitated. It could eventually lead to Korsakoff¡¯s syndrome of which symptoms would be mental confusion, hallucinations, and paralysis of hands and feet (Blum 337). This disease can get worse than they already have. Finally, alcohol can lead to poor family relationship. ¡°Alcohol and Family¡± states that American research found that 49% of child abusers were drinking of the time of the offense and 34% were heavy drinkers (1). Alcoholics tend to abuse children just to make themselves feel better. In 1997, Institute of Alcohol Studies estimated that there are likely to be one million children in Britain living with a parent whose drinking has reached harmful levels (2). These innocent children get beaten everyday without knowing what is going on. There are many other things that have not been mentioned. There are more diseases caused by the alcohol which we still do not know today. The death rate on an alcohol is climbing every day. If a person is a heavy drinker, he or she needs to get help immediately before they kill themselves and the others. There is a drug called Naltrexone that can block the craving for alcohol (Alcoholism: New Insights on Old Problem 2). It is not the best solution to stop the drinking, but it is considered as one of the most effective ways to stop

Alcoholism Should Not Be Viewed as a Disease

2000-12-19T13:00:00-05:00

The Hazards of Smoking

2000-11-07T13:00:00-05:00

Is there anyone who does not know someone who smokes? Everyone has a family member, friend, or co-worker who smokes. They have chosen to smoke, but by just being around them you are also smoking, only you have not made that choice. Before you choose to take this risk you should think about what may happen to your body. There are many factors that you should take very seriously; smoking is a hazardous habit because it leads to addiction, disease, and high-risk pregnancy. As advertisements have shown on commercial on television that smoking is a way to relax and to be cool by smoking cigarettes, they never show you the negative side of it. For example, addiction is one of the bad side effects and it is caused by nicotine. Once you inhale the cigarette you will then feel or want the need for another one, and you may have different personalities and change because of the addiction. You may get more grouchy and violent behavior and need a cigarette to relax, but instead it is doing more damage. Researchers have found ways to control addictions and some have succeeded while many have failed. People at a younger age start to get addicted by the nicotine in the cigarette and this is where the problem starts. The hazardous of smoking lead to many fatal diseases and should convince people to quit their habit. First, a major reason why people should quit smoking is that many people are dying of cancer. For instance, the statistics say that in the United States six out of ten people are dying everyday due to lung cancer. This disease is killing people if it is not detected promptly. Another reason for quitting smoking is heart disease and its consequences. For example, many people suffer from heart failure, but even though they know about smoking and its dangers, they do not stop their habit until they become ill. Unfortunately, in many cases, people are at risk to live with heart complications for the rest of their lives. Lastly, another important reason for people to stop smoking is the risk of getting emphysema. This is also a deadly disease that affects their lungs and their whole respiratory system. These several reasons should prove to the smokers that this habit puts their health in danger, and causes many diseases that lead to death. Unborn babies who have mothers who smoke

Why Smoking is Hazardous

2000-06-18T14:00:00-04:00

Hi I’m here today to tell you the dangers of smoking. Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of death in our society. About one in five deaths in the US are results from using tobacco. About half all of smokers between of 35 and 69 die ahead of time the new smokers replace them. Smokers could be losing an average of 20 to 25 years of their life. Sometime I’m around an adult that smokes and when he smokes, it makes the house smell awful. I have many reasons to why I think this. It gives you aliment, shortens your life, can affect others around you and yourself. Every time you smoke, it’s like cutting 5 minutes of your life and there are many ways to quit. About 430,000 people in the US die every year from smoking related problems. Smoking is an expensive habit. The average cost of a pack is $3.00 and the average smoker smokes a pack a day. In one year that’s wasting about $1095 or more a year! That’s a lot of money. The Tobacco industry makes billions of dollars each year and they don’t care about your existence all they want is your money. The company adds nicotine, which is addictive. You can’t stop buying the product and if you buy more cigarettes, the company earns more. The nicotine can raise your blood pressure, heart rate, and the oxygen demand for muscles, mainly in the heart. Second-hand smoke affects others as well as you. Secondhand smoke comes from two places: smoke breathed out by the person who smokes, and smoke from the end of a burning cigarette. Secondhand smoke causes health effects, including cancer, breathing problems, and asthma. Secondhand smoke contains thousands of chemicals and 200 are poisons. Secondhand smoke is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 respiratory infections in infants and children under 18 months. About 37,000 non-smokers die each year because of it. A person who doesn’t smoke married to a smoker has a 30% greater chance of getting lung cancer than the wife/husband of a nonsmoker. People with asthma are at greater risk than who doesn’t have it. It makes them have breathing complications and if they were asked to run, they’ll have a hard time trying. When you stop smoking you get you sense of smell and taste back, your cough goes a way you’ll digest your food more ordinarily,

Should Marijuana be Legalized? Arguments For and Against

2000-06-12T14:00:00-04:00

The purpose of this paper is to discuss marijuana and compare both sides of the issue of legalizing marijuana. We have two factions fighting each other ; one those who are pro marijuana and those who are anti marijuana. These two factions have been fighting on this issue on the halls of justice for years. Pro marijuana legalization groups such as the Physician's Association for AIDS Care, National Lymphoma Foundation argue that marijuana should be legalized in order to treat terminally ill patients. Among them are AIDS victims who find that marijuana stimulates their appetites so they can fight off dangerous emaciation; glaucoma sufferers who have used marijuana said it has prevented them from going blind, and cancer patients for whom it alleviates the severe nausea that is often accompanies chemotherapy and sometimes makes lifesaving treatment impossible. Due to all these lobbying groups which show substantial evidence that marijuana can be used as a prescribed drug. Also many advocates who are pro marijuana complain that morphine and cocaine are legal and are very dangerous drugs, that brings up the question why not legalize marijuana as medical drug which is proven to be less dangerous than cocaine and morphine. Lobbying groups in a San Diego, California , council committee unanimously voted to urge president Bill Clinton and congress to end federal restrictions against the use of marijuana for " legitiment medical use." City council women Christine kehoe said she wanted the city of San Diego "to go on the record we support the medical use marijuana.; marijuana can be a drug of necessity in the treatment of AIDS, glaucoma, cancer and multiple sclerosis. '' Many agencies which are anti marijuana such as Drug Enforcement Agency and police departments argue that marijuana shouldn't be legalized. These agencies believe that marijuana shouldn't be legalized because if marijuana is to become legal then thousands more patients using marijuana. Then people will raise the question why marijuana illegal at all if its a medicine. The main reason why the Drug Enforcement Agency doesn't want marijuana to be legal is because their is no hard core evidence that proves that marijuana is a effective drug as a medicine. In twenty years of research have produced no reliable scientific proof that marijuana has medical value. The American Cancer Society , American Glaucoma Society,the National Multiple Sclerosis, the American Academy of Ophthalmology , or the American Medical Association

GHB

2000-05-23T14:00:00-04:00

GHB, or gamma hydroxybutyrate, is a central nervous system depressant which can relax or sedate the body that is usually given in a clear liquid form that looks just like water and is usually found in small bottles, like empty Visine bottles, Gatorade bottles, or old water bottles. GHB can also come in the form of a light-colored power, which you mix into soda, alcohol, or water. GHB is relatively cheap, $5-$10 dollars a capful or teaspoonful, and the intoxicating effects usually takes place within 10 to 20 minutes, lasting up to 4 hours, depending on the amount of GHB taken. There’s very little information about GHB’s effects on any one body type. "A dose that might make a 150-pound girl high could kill a 300-pound man. And the dose that made you high yesterday might kill you today." Porrata, a rave drug specialist and former narcotics detective states. Some of the known side effects of GHB involve intoxication, talking, increased energy, happiness, desire to socialize, sensuality, possible nausea, enhanced sexual experience, feeling playful or affectionate, loss of gag reflex, loss of coordination due to loss of muscle tone, mild disinhibition, or the feeling of freedom; exposure, delusions, depression, dizziness, hallucinations, seizures, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, or difficulty concentrating. Some of the more serious effects include amnesia, vomiting, respiratory problems, loss of conscienceness, being conscience but unable to move, rambling incoherent speech, sedation, disinhibition, giddiness, silliness, desire to sleep, passing out, and death, especially when GHB is mixed with alcohol or other drugs! Some of the slang words used for GHB are Grievous Bodily Harm, G, Liquid Ecstasy (it’s NOT ecstasy), Salty Water, Scoop, GBH-OH, Fantasy Water, Everclear, Great Hormones at Bedtime, Soap, Goop, Georgia Home Boy, Liquid X, GBH, Gamma-OH, Easy Lay, G-Riffick, Cherry Meth, Jip, the "Date Rape Drug," and/or Organic Quaalude. GHB got the name "the date rape drug" because emergency room patients have been raped while intoxicated by the drug; had it slipped into their drink. It is very difficult for ER doctors to diagnose patients before it’s too late because GHB usually leaves the body within 12 hours. However, where as older GHB detection tests used to take several millimeters of urine and up to a days worth of lab testing, a new test had been developed which takes about 3 hours for results and only a few drops of urine. Unless you’re intentionally taking GHB, protect

Steroids in Sport

2000-05-16T14:00:00-04:00

In the world of sports it is not rare to see athletes give their heart and soul for the love of the game. From sunrise to sundown they practice everyday to perfect their game. Then there are those who take an alternative route. Now athletes are taking performance enhancers such as creatine, androstenedione and worst of all, anabolic steroids. Steroids are chemicals that act like hormones (substances in your body that regulate bodily functions). Anabolic steroids are the ones that are abused to build muscle mass or to make your workout longer. They are chemicals of artificial testosterone, which is a male hormone. With higher testosterone you can have more physique and body hair and a deeper voice. It mainly started in the 1950’s when some athletes were juicing up for training purposes but now you will find all sorts of athletes using this drug. From high school to professional sports a lot of athletes are using steroids. Even though it is illegal there are over one million steroid users. Five percent of male and two percent of female high school students are using steroids. So that would be equal to 375 thousand males and 175 thousand females. Why take steroids if you already know that it is not good for you? Most of the steroid users are injecting for better performance and strength for their sports, but, other users are simply juicing to build more muscle mass or to look better, physically. Inside their bodies they are actually ruining themselves. Taking steroids is a big threat to your health. You could have severe acne, genital changes, water retention, and yellowing eyes and skin. Its not only your appearance that could be at risk but you can also get other health problems. There are coronary artery diseases, ligament injuries, high blood pressure, changes in your cholesterol level, sterility, and liver disease. For males you can get breast development, kidney disease, headaches, muscle cramps, abdominal pains, and bone pains. For females you could get male patterned baldness, smaller breasts, deeper voices, hairy bodies and menstrual irregularities. What I don’t understand is why some take steroids to look better. Would you be attracted to a woman who is just like one of the guys, literally? And girls, would you want someone who has yellow skin with acne all over his face? I know I wouldn’t. Physical problems are just the first step, steroids also give you psychological

Which gender is more likely to drive after drinking?

2000-05-07T14:00:00-04:00

Introduction Last year a student from my high school was killed in a drunk driving accident. As shocking as the death was for many students, people still continued to drive while intoxicated. This year two of my close friends received DUI's and numerous people I have encountered have also been convicted of Driving Under the Influence. Working at a local bar, it is very seldom that I see a person choosing to remain sober because they "have to drive", and I began to wonder which gender was more likely to drive after consuming alcohol. I hypothesize that men are more likely to drive after consuming alcoholic beverages than women. I have decided this for several reasons, the primary one being that when on a date, usually the male drives. Research I began my research on the Internet, and found several very useful sights. MADD (mothers against drunk driving) had some fairly new statistics regarding alcohol consumption and driving. I also visited the National Clearinghouse for Drugs and Alcohol, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. While reviewing some statistics regarding fatal accidents related to alcohol, I noticed that California had a very high number of deaths-second only to Texas (this number did not reflect the percentage of the population-with this in mind, Nevada and Texas had the largest percents). With this in mind I investigated the current laws regarding alcohol consumption and driving. Currently, the law in California declares a person to be legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol content is .08% or greater (this law of course is different for minors). The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services define a standard drink as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits. Method I decided to Survey 50 people, 25 men and 25 women. Although laws prohibit people under 21 from consuming alcohol, I chose to survey people 16 years and older simply because I know that many minors do drink and drive. In order to get a more representative sample, I decided not to survey at CSUSM but at the mall where my sample population would consist of people other than students. Before handing people the survey I asked them two simple questions: Are you a licensed driver? and Do

The Use of Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes

2000-03-24T13:00:00-04:00

Marijuana is illegal in fifty states because of its classification as an illicit drug, but controversial issues have been established that this “illicit drug” has improved the course of treatment for suffering patients. Marijuana has beneficial effects when used in medicinal scenarios for the treatment of pain; thus it should be an administered drug for patients who can benefit from the use of this drug. Marijuana has undergone analysis for its use as a medicine and the results have shown improvements in the patients who were treated with this drug. Doctors have expressed opposite opinions, making this issue very controversial. As the debate about marijuana’s use as a medicine continues, experts have given us information pertaining to its positive effects when used properly. Much of the controversy falls in the hands of the government, which purports that marijuana is not a safe medicine, versus the doctors who research the topic for medicinal purposes. Granted, not all doctors feel cannabis should be a “legal” prescribed medicine, it is in their hands to decide so. The Institute of Medicine has ignited the controversy when it said smoking marijuana is risky, but also recommended that critically ill patients should be allowed to use it under closely monitored settings (Koch 707). A specialist at the National Cancer Institute authorized his patients to use the drug, but not over do it (Koch 708). With all the speculation, one would think that doctors wouldn’t be so eager to offer the drug as a reliever. The National Institute of Drug Abuse renders approximately 300 free joints each month for patients whom are enrolled in an experimental program (Iversen 12). The Government proclaims there is no therapeutic value in the medicinal use of marijuana, but they do not have hard evidence to prove it (Grinspoon 46). Ira Glasser, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, (at a congressional forum) expressed: “the government has demonized all drug use without differentiation and has systematically and hysterically resisted science.”(Koch 714) Possibly if the two “sides” would work together an agreement could be established concerning procedures for further development and treatment. Marijuana has eased the pain of chemotherapy, severe muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, weight-loss due to the AIDS virus, and other problems (www.abcnews.go.com/medmj990317.html). Experts from the National Institute of Health or NIH have confirmed that marijuana is an effective, safe and inexpensive alternative for treating nausea caused by AIDS

Gamma HydroxyButyrate (GHB)

2000-03-03T13:00:00-05:00

GHB, or Gamma-Hydroxy Butyric Acid is an intoxicating chemical with medical, recreational, and potentially entheogenic uses. It is a normal component of mammalian metabolism. It is naturally found in every cell in the human body and is most properly considered a nutrient. It is believed to be a neurotransmitter, although it is still unknown as to whether it exhibits all of the properties required to be considered one. GHB was first synthesized about thirty years ago by Dr. H. Laborit. He was a French researcher interested in exploring the effects of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain. Over the years many researchers have studied GHB’s effects. In Europe it is used as a general anesthetic, a treatment for insomnia and narcolepsy, an aid to childbirth, a treatment for alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome and many other things. During the 1980's it was available over the counter for its ability to stimulate growth hormone release which aids in fat reduction and muscle building. Now it is very popular as a recreational drug due to its pleasant alcohol-like hangover- free high and strong sexual effects. Some street terms include Liquid X, Liquid Ecstacy, Georgia Home Boy, Grievous Bodily Harm, and Scoop. GHB is not approved in the US and has been banned from over-the-counter sale by the FDA (1990). GHB has not yet been scheduled as a controlled substance by the DEA, and therefore simple possession is not illegal. GHB continues to be sold to legitimate laboratories and scientists for research purposes but selling it specifically for human consumption, especially while making claims about its health benefits, is a violation of current FDA regulations and policy. In some European countries, GHB is an approved drug available by prescription. The Federal control may have been an act to protect the pharmaceutical industry from competition from a safer, more effective and less expensive alternative to sleeping pills. There are many side effects and concerns associated with this drug. GHB affects the release of dopamine in the brain, usually causing effects ranging from relaxation to sleep at low doses. Overall the effect is similar to that of alcohol. The difference is that duration is slightly longer and the hangover effects are slightly less and the unpleasant and dangerous overdose effect of possibly causing temporarily unrousable sleep, or coma, at high doses. The effects of GHB are heavily affected by one’s body weight, interactions with other

Alcohol Misuse Among Minors in the UK

1999-12-18T13:00:00-05:00

The law in

Amphetamines and Methamphetamines

1999-12-04T13:00:00-05:00

The medical use of amphetamines was common in the 1950/60's when they were used to help cure depression and to help the user lose weight. An amphetamine is a drug that is a stimulant to the central nervous system. Amphetamines are colorless and may be inhaled, injected, or swallowed. Amphetamines are also used non-medically to avoid sleep, improve athletic performance, or to counter the effects of depressant drugs. Amphetamines are addictive. Because of this, when the user discontinues use or reduces the amount that they use, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Some withdrawal symptoms are as follows: severe exhaustion, deep sleep lasting from 24 to 48 hours, psychotic reaction, extreme hunger, deep depression, anxiety reactions, and long but disturbed sleep. Although someone using amphetamines may experience withdrawal symptoms for a short period of time, the benefits to a person who stops using the drug greatly outweigh an addiction to amphetamines. Because amphetamines suppress appetite and give the user feelings of energy, they are sometimes abused by people who are trying to lose weight. But, because appetite is suppressed and decreased, malnutrition occurs. The user will not be getting enough vitamins or minerals and will become ill more often. They may also lose a dangerous amount of weight. Abuse of amphetamines is not a safe nor effective way to lose weight. Methamphetamine's chemical structure is similar to that of its parent drug, amphetamine, but has more pronounced effects on the central nervous system. Methamphetamines are a powerfully addictive stimulant that, like amphetamines, affects the central nervous system. Methamphetamine was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. There are a few accepted medical reasons for its use, such as the treatment of narcolepsy and ADD, but these uses are limited. In its regular form, methamphetamines are also known as speed, meth, and chalk. In its smoked form, it is known as ice, crystal, crank, and glass. Methamphetamine comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injected. The smokeable form of methamphetamine, knows as "ice," came into use in the 1980's. Ice is a large, usually clear crystal of high purity that is smoked in a glass pipe like crack/cocaine. The smoke is odorless, leaves a residue that can be re-smoked, and produces effects that my continue for 12 hours or more. Since there are a few accepted medical reasons for its use, methamphetamine is a controlled substance in

Alcoholism

1999-11-21T13:00:00-05:00

My bookreport is about living with someone who drinks too much. I chose this topic because hit its very close to home. In the book that I read it tells about other children who are or have grown up with an alcoholic parent. I learned alot about acoholism which is what makes you an alcoholic. I also learned about what some kids go through while growing up. This book tells you how to deal with someone who is an alcoholic and how to deal with your self as well. This book was very interesting and I really enjoyed it. First I would like to point out that kids who live with a parent that drinks all of the time feel as thogh they are the reason why that person drinks all the time. Children often tell that person that they do not like them when they have been drinking. The first chapter in my book was about a girl named Amy who wanted to tell her story about her mother that drank too much. She writes in here about her quite spot which was her room. She went there when her mother was drinking because often her mother was not herself. She tells about how she first noticed that her mother was not like other mothers when she went to other peoples homes. The next chapters explain what acoholism is. It is a disease that when a person wants to quite drinking can not. First of all you will notice that an alcoholic will often gulp their drinks, they can probably drink alot before the get drunk, they may stay drunk for several days, they will also have a favirote drink, and mya change their favirote drink to another. They may also hide thier drinking. Acoholism is an illness and is very sick. It is very hard for an alcoholic to stop drinking because they are afraid to and they know how they feel when they do not drink. Alcoholics usually try to stop drinking because they maybe have hurt someone they love or may also be on the verge of losing their job. People who stop drinking sometimes may have to go to the hospital for a period of time this is called detoxification. This is the best way for treatment when it is hard for them to stop. The withdrawl symptoms are things such as shaking, sweating, fever, pains and nausea.

Teenage Alcoholism

1999-10-25T14:00:00-04:00

Teenagers today have no idea what alcoholism really is. They think that they can never become alcoholics. They think that it could never happen to them, but they are wrong. Stress, Family problems and the desire to be popular are wrong the cause of teenage alcoholism. Signs that a teenager has a drinking problem and steps that parents can take to help their child are what I will discuss in this paper. The critical ingredient common to all alcoholic beverages is ethyl alcohol or ethanol ( Lang 21). It is a clear, tasteless liquid formed through the fermentation of sugars by yeast spores ( Lang 21). The amount of alcohol produced depends on the type and amount of sugar in the original mixture, the type of yeast used, the temperature maintained during the fermentation process. American beers, which contain about 3% to 6% alcohol, are made from malted barley and hops (he ripened and dried cones of the hop plant). Most wines are made by fermenting grapes or berries, and normally reach a maximum of about 15% alcohol. Though they are sometimes fortifies with additional ethanol alcohol and thus may reach 20% alcohol in cherry or port wines. Teenage years are filled with unsure time. Intense pressure to perform and succeed are felt by many youths, according to Alliant Health Systems, Louisville, Ky. Perceived failure at home and or school can lead to the need for escape. Teenagers often see their parents react to stress by drinking. This providing and example for them. They also see their favorite movie actors or actresses getting drunk when they go to a movie so they think that it's OK for them to o it but what they don't know it really hurts them in the long run. With their parents, the might being having marital problems and that can usually drive a teenager to drink. The desire to be accepted and popular among their friends encourages many to begin drinking as well. The ability to consume a lot of alcohol is associated with being a "real man or woman" ( Lang 23). When teens see adults drink heavily and movie stars on screen getting drunk, the message that gets through is that "it's cool to drink" which is the wrong one to be sending. Almost one half (47.9 %) of seniors drink alcohol at least once a month 19.8 % drink at least once

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

1999-10-25T14:00:00-04:00

In the book Understanding Drug Use, An Adult's Guide to Drugs and the Young, by Peter Marin and Allan Cohen, you find that education in our youth today is vital. In a few short years, drug taking by younger people has become a fact of life in America, and for hundreds of thousands of families this fact poses a profound problem with wrenching social, legal, and psychological implications. Faced with an upsetting and unfamiliar experience when they discover that their children are experimenting with drugs or alcohol, parents search frantically for solutions-often coming up with the wrong ones, thereby intensifying an already sensitive situation. This book seems to have been written with the parent or mentor in mind. It focuses on realistic approaches to dealing with substance abuse, and attempts to help parents and others understand why some people put themselves in these types of situations. The damage that could result from a parents lack of understanding in the meaning of their child's drug and/or alcohol abuse can often be worse than the results of the child actually taking the drugs! Marin and Cohen lay the groundwork for this understanding with a discussion of adolescence in America today that makes many parents realize they play an important role in helping their children react to situations. With sensitivity and genuine feeling, discussion can open up new areas of understanding, revealing some of the fundamental impulses that motivate our young people in today's society, and perhaps parents will be better equipped psychologically to relate to what really troubles their children. Most parents must assume that their children will attempt drugs and/or alcohol at least once in their adolescence, and attempts to suppress their use entirely "are doomed to fail, because children react to actions of parents and peers". The authors instead suggest ways to minimize drug misuse and teach specific ways in which parents, teachers, community leaders, and others can assist children in education on the negative results of abuse. Some of the suggestions are helpful and can bring understanding to the child as well. What to do if your child is arrested is one topic area, and in it the authors suggest you attempt to motivate your child to see how he or she came into the situation they are in now. Also, if you find that your child has had an experience with alcohol or drugs, point out the negatives immediately (hangover,

Smoking

1999-09-13T14:00:00-04:00

I feel that there should be laws against smoking. Right now there are laws against buying them. You have to be 21 to buy cigarette. But my question is if you have to 21 why do people under 21 have possession of cigarette? We all already know that smoking is bad for you. On the news all the time they have something about smoking and why it is so bad for you. Even on the cigarette box there is a surgeon general message. This message is a note saying that Cigarette are hazardous to your health. But still millions of people still are smoking. I see it like this... If they put a

Is ritalin over prescribed? (Argumentative essay)

1999-09-13T14:00:00-04:00

Is Ritalin the Answer to AD (H) D?The tousled brown hair that weaves so mischievously around his head may hint at the way he feels inside. He is seven-years-old and has already had to repeat a grade. He has an imagination that puts others to shame, but nothing seems to hold his attention for more than five minutes. He was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or what we call AD (H) D.This scene is all too familiar for individuals who discover that they, too, have this learning disorder as they progress from elementary school to college. And in today's society we want a "quick fix" to remedy our problems. Therefore doctors are prescribing the drug, Ritalin, to control AD (H) D. Although Ritalin is a widely used drug to control AD (H) D, there are other safer alternatives to combat this worldwide disorder.Ritalin, like many other drugs, has several side effects-some of which are severe. Ritalin is in a class of drugs called Methylphetamines. These types of drugs (also called Central Nervous System or CNS stimulants) affect our central nervous system that controls everything from thought process to everyday breathing. Ritalin's major side effects influences the cardiovascular system (palpitation, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure), the central nervous system (psychosis, dizziness, headache, insomnia, tic syndromes, attacks of Gilles de la Tourette), gastrointestinal (anorexia, nausea), endocrine/metabolic system (weight loss, growth suppression). Also, Ritalin is a fairly new drug (introduced in the early eighties). It hasn't been around long enough to study the long-term effects.Since Ritalin is a Methylphetamine (closely related to the amphetamine family, such as cocaine), it has a high rate of abuse. In light of methylphenidate's abuse liability, it is important to note the tremendous increase in availability of this substance and the expanded population (adolescents and adults) receiving prescriptions for the treatment of AD (H) D. For example, the production quota for methylphenidate has increased from 1,361 kg in 1985 to 10,410 kg in 1995 with the primary increases occurring in the last five years. This drug is abused in two ways. One way is for recreational purposes. The abusers use the drug as a form of "speed" to pick themselves up. They feel that they need this in order to be "alive" and full of life. The other way this drug is abused is very different. Students are using Ritalin as a study aid. They take

Teen Drug Use

1999-01-22T13:00:00-05:00

Teen drug use is on the rise in the 90's. But one of the most popular drugs is marijuana beacause it is so easy to get and usually cheap. But there are many other kinds of drugs, you got PCP, LSD, Hash, and many others that come from the same plant but all of them are hazardous to your body and your health. Most people use the drugs just to forget about everything, but they forget about the dangers drugs can cause them. Marijuana is a big seller these days and it is a lot worse than it used to be people's bodies are building ip immunity's to the drugs the the dealers have to add more things to help you get the "high". Divorce is on the rise and kids feel it's their fault and they need a way to escape from the pain of there messed up life. Another reason is because their friends pressure them into using drugs most marijuana users are 12-18. The THC in the marijuana makes you experiance the "high" but what really make the THC grow is when this resin comes out on to the leaves and stems. Grass is something that comes from marijuana it is made up of dried choped leaves, stems, and leaves. In 100 ounces of grass, ther are 1 to 2 ounces of the THC. Sinsemilla is grass made of a plant that has larger amounts of THC than grass. In 100 ounces of sinsemilla there about 6 ounces of THC. Hashish is made of dried flowers, leaves and resin. In 100 ounces of hashish there are 8 to 14 ounces of THC. Hash oil is the plant's resin. 100 ounces of hash oil there are 15 to 40 ounces of THC. Thses different types of marijuana can be mixed together for a all different "high" all types of marijuana are smoked in a cigarette or pipe and sometimes added to food. Most teen marijuana users think that it help them do music, food, and have better sex. They enjoy the many things that appear do be different like art and sounds seem more intense. Some of the harmful effects of marijuana use can harm parts of the body. Like cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke also contains carbon monoxide, the stuff that inpears the oxygen carrying ability of the blood. It also contians high amounts of tar and other

Drinking Age

1999-01-22T13:00:00-05:00

The drinking age is fine, if anything is should get raised. It is hard to ignore the fact that this law is broken everyday. It's the 90's all teens just want to fit in. Kids are drinking at a much younger age. Now, even 10 year olds and 11 year olds are trying to fit in with us older kids. It's amazing and sometimes funny what kids will do just to fit in with the "good" crowd. Well to some of us, that's considered the druggies and drinkers. Our parents call them the "bad" crowd with good reason. I speak from experience. Now I agree with the parents out there who worry about their kids getting into the same kind of troubles as I was in at one point in my life. I'm going to cut the bull shit and talk about the facts. Here's what parties today look like for teens. The setting, a beach or a house with no adults around to say what's wrong. The people are a bunch of teens of both sexes. The environment is any kind of drugs and or alcohol. These consists of hard liquor like Vodka and Jack Daniel's. Then there is beer with the lighter stuff like wine, wine coolers, and fuzzy navel. Teens that drive are in big trouble and are at big risk. I'm not blaming the accidents that involve drunk in just teens. Drunk drivers are of all ages. And I'm not trying to say that all teens drink either. But the ones that do and are stupid enough to say they're sober and can drive home safe. Those are the ones that put innocent citizens at risk. The drunk teens that drive are looking at getting their license provoked. They go to jail, their car gets impounded, and of course they get a DUI. At parties where teens get drunk, they can easily forget stuff. A lot of times that's where teens get pregnant. The girls don't always know their pregnant so they continue drink. This is bad for their baby. When they have unprotected sex there's the risk of diseases. All together I think it's pretty stupid to even think about changing the drinking age to 18. We already have to worry about the illegal drinkers. There will be more drinking by teens if they change the age. What's next? Changing the age to 16? Yes it makes sense that

Alcoholism

1999-01-22T13:00:00-05:00

Alcoholism-An overwhelming desire to drink alcohol, even though it is causing harm. Alcohol is a drug. In the United States alcoholism is the most widespread form of drug abuse, effecting at least 5 million people. About one third of high school students in the US are though to be problem drinkers. Many already may be alcoholics. A person who is dependent on alcohol is called an alcoholic. Drunk drivers account for one half of all fatal automobile accidents each year in the US. Alcoholism also creates many severe physical problems. More then three drinks a day over a few weeks causes destructive danger in the liver. Changes in the brain and nervous result in hostile behavior. A family or individual with an alcoholism problem is