Rapper DMX Violating Probation

DMX was arrested in Arizona on Tuesday, after violating his probation by regularly using illegal drugs during the last nine months. The artist whose real name is Earl Simmons, reportedly admitted to his probation officer that he had regularly used cocaine for almost a year. DMX has been in and out of jail for drug related offenses over the years, he had been ordered to comply with the terms of his treatment plan and was not, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told Reuters. He is being charged with five counts of violating the terms of his probation. Simmons has run into a lot of trouble in Arizona especially, he was serving probation for throwing a food tray at a detention officer inside a Phoenix jail last year; he also had to serve 90 days in jail on drug, theft, and animal abuse charges.

"We would hope that he is finally sent to prison," Arpaio said. "We've arrested him five times already. How many times do you have to violate the law"? Simmons is no stranger to jails and institutions and it seems clear that locking him up for drug possession is not the right answer - he clearly needs treatment. DMX has sought out the help of Dr. Drew Pinsky to help the rapper clean up his life by helping get into treatment. Gary Jenkins, DMX's lawyer, thinks that the he would be better off in a drug rehab than behind bars, he believes the solution to his client's addiction problems is Celebrity Rehab host, Dr. Drew Pinsky.

Simmons was booked into a Phoenix jail late Tuesday afternoon and was isolated from other inmates, sheriff's officials said. Jenkins said to TMZ, "He's been battling addiction for some time and he's in need of treatment. We're hoping that maybe Dr. Drew might be able to help him." We have seen time and time again that drug addicts need treatment help, not punishment.

Zookeepers Have Sent a Chimpanzee to Rehab in Russia

The word "addiction", is a word that once could only be applied to human beings. The thought of an animal becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol is something hard to believe and is almost comedic. Unfortunately, those animals that are not far down the evolutionary ladder from humans are just as susceptible to developing habits and addictions. Chimpanzees have commonly been used for drug experiments over the years. In one experiment, a chimpanzee was taught to hit a lever in his cage, when hit, a dose of cocaine would be administered. The scientists would gradually change the amount of times the chimp would have to hit the lever to get a single dose. The study was finally canceled when the chimpanzee was witnessed hitting the lever 12,000 times to get one dose of cocaine. Other experiments have been done that allowed the animal a choice between a lever for water and a lever for a morphine solution, as you might guess, the lever for water saw little activity. It's pretty clear that brain chemistry in animals is not too dissimilar from human beings. The main difference between a chimpanzee becoming an addict and human beings, is a matter of perception; no one would ever say that an animal that has become addicted to a substance is : attempting to be different, a rebel, a criminal, from a bad family or the product of socioeconomic disasters. Therein lays the key point about addiction that it doesn't matter where you are from or what you have been through; addiction makes no exceptions for the person you are, it is a disease that countless people are born with.

The Moscow Times recently reported that zookeepers have sent a chimpanzee to rehab in Russia after the chimp named Zhora began begging visitors for booze and cigarettes. Zhora, picked up smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol while performing in the circus. Zhora has been at the whim of visitors to the zoo who find it funny to see her smoke cigarettes and stumble around drunk inside the cage. I fail to see the humor in all this, when an animal is an addict it's "funny", yet, when a human is an addict it is pathetic. Nevertheless, wild animals in captivity are subject to whatever we put them through, if you give a substance to an animal like alcohol repeatedly, dependency is bound to develop.

Now, Zhora is in treatment fighting off the demons that the audience gave her with a smile on their faces - hilarious, right? Animals have little business in captivity to begin with, they have enough environmental stress day to day inside of their cages; to think that humans would work to shorten a life already shortened by giving them drugs. Sad!

Rip Torn Heading To Rehab After Arrest

There is nothing humorous about the disease of addiction, as funny as circumstances may sound - at the bottom of every drunk-a-log is an alcoholic suffering. Long before Rip Torn decided to break into a Connecticut bank his life had begun spiraling out of control, an alcoholic history had been established. He has had DUI arrests in the state of New York and just last year he was given probation in Connecticut for another drunk driving case. The icing on the cake when it comes to Torn's rap sheet came when the "Men in Black" actor broke into a Litchfield Bancorp branch in Salisbury; court records stated he was carrying a loaded gun when he committed the crime, Torn was so intoxicated he thought he was home, which is why he took off his hat and boots placing them by the door upon entering the bank. Torn smelled like alcohol when he was asking the State Troopers arresting him why they were taking him out of his home. What seems almost comical is just another example of the loss of control that comes with alcoholism. Rip Torn may be heading to rehab after this arrest!

"Officers found a loaded .22-caliber revolver in Torn's pocket, according to court records, and a breath test showed his blood-alcohol content as 0.203 percent - more than twice the 0.08 legal limit for driving in Connecticut", the AP reported.

Rip Torn's list of charges:

• criminal trespass
• carrying a gun without a permit (His permit to carry a firearm in Connecticut had expired in October 2007)
• carrying a gun while intoxicated
• burglary
• criminal mischief

A. Thomas Waterfall, Torn's attorney said, "The history here is clear that there's an alcohol issue that needs to be addressed", to Bantam Superior Court Judge John W. Pickard on Monday. Waterfall couldn't be more on point, Rip Torn is in desperate need of treatment. It seems like that will be part of his sentence along with heavy fines, community service, and even some possible jail time. It seems pretty clear from the reports that Torn had no malicious intent when committing the crimes that he probably doesn't remember anything about. Torn is scheduled to return to Litchfield Superior Court on Feb. 17; the 78 year-old actor needs help and maybe this event will encourage him to surrender - finally.

The Policy in Mexico is to Stop the Flow of Illegal Drugs into the United States

The mass murders that happened at two rehab centers in Juarez may have been drug fronts. "Juarez is about to open its first city-operated drug treatment center in hopes of lowering the demand for drugs", according to Juarez Mayor Jose Reyes. Which, coupled with proper education in the schools could help to curb some of the drug problems in the city. Although, Reyes believes that it is time for the United States to step up and take charge with this growing epidemic. "Now it is the United States' turn to battle the drug cartels that have paralyzed Mexico for 20 months", Reyes said Monday at a War on Drugs conference. He claims that the archaic policies of the past 40 years in the U.S. had done nothing to lessen the demand for marijuana, cocaine and heroin. Good and innocent people all over Mexico are losing their lives trying to stem the drug flow into the U.S., it makes sense that America would put more effort into a war that is being fought to protect our soil. According to the El Paso Times, "the policy in Mexico is to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, and that has caused a lot of people to be killed, Reyes said of the 3,200 homicides in Juarez since January 2008. From politicians to innocent people to police officers, they have all died trying to stop the flow of drugs into the United States".

Reyes brought up a very interesting point about the American view point on drugs, the contradictions that exist throughout our system raise some red flags. "On the same day a policeman in Mexico died in the line of fire, U.S. law officers declined to prosecute champion swimmer Michael Phelps for marijuana use", stated Reyes. "What is the message being sent?" Reyes asked. "That drug flow is not OK, but drug use is OK?" I cannot help but share Reyes sentiments on this subject, this is not to say that Phelps deserved punishment; however, if we have a no tolerance drug policy and loopholes exist in our system, how can we expect it to work? It can't! Many people believe that if we were to legalize some drugs like marijuana that it would enable our resources to be used more effectively towards the real criminals. Although, I understand Reyes, what do we tell the families of the victims of the war on drugs about their loss, when, we don't punish the people buying and using the drugs. The cop in Mexico died fighting to keep drugs out of the U.S., and we let people who use drugs off on the same day. The mixed messages are overwhelming, to say the least; the time for real policy change has arrived and we all need to do our part.

"We've had 40 years of failure with our policies, said Terry Nelson, a retired federal agent, now of a group called Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Drug use does not cause crime. It is the prohibition of drugs that causes the crimes", reports the El Paso Times. U.S. law officers stop only 16 percent of the 2.1 million pounds of drugs that are shipped into the country each year, it is quite clear just who is winning the war on drugs. Nelson believes that when the killing stops in Juarez it means that there is a new cartel in charge, it is not a sign that law enforcement tactics are working - a stark realization. Both Reyes and Nelson have very good arguments and I cannot help but agree that America needs to reevaluate their role in this war and legalization of certain drugs needs to be considered if we are to have a fighting chance. If America is not going to make the investment towards education, then, it needs to lend its hand to all of Mexico; otherwise we will be fighting this battle forever.

The Power of Video and Intervention with Drug Treatment

The Power of Video and Intervention with drug treatment. Helping your loved ones make the choice to go to treatment is never an easy task. There are a number of considerations before one makes the decision that could save his or her life.

There are many drug and alcohol treatment websites that give a very vague idea of what to expect upon entering rehab. Most places might have a few pictures and some text letting you or your loved one know what to look forward to. But, when the client arrives at the particular treatment facility they are some times taken aback by what they find. What they may have expected is far from what they finally observe, which, can be very upsetting for some one who has just started on the road to recovery. When people lay down their guard and rest their weak bodies on the shoulders of professionals they need to feel like they can trust them through and through. If a client is going to be honest (something which the addict has trouble with) with the treatment, the same honesty is expected from that treatment center towards the client.

It is very important for drug and alcohol treatment facilities to give a clear and accurate picture of what a potential client can expect. The beginning of recovery is a very fragile time, it is of the utmost importance that the client feels comfortable and safe in their new place of residence.

Whiteside Manor believes in presenting a clear picture for anyone considering entering their program. On top of accurate text, we felt that it was important to share with you a video which will give you a good idea of exactly what to expect. In doing so, we believe, you will have the greatest chance for success on the road to recovery; which ultimately and sincerely is our primary goal.