Whiteside Manor Blog

White Clay Profiting from the Disease of Alcoholism

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:05:00 +0000

The "dry" Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota is battling to protect its people from alcohol, which has systematically kept the residents in bondage. Pine Ridge is just across the border from the small town of Whiteclay (aka White Clay), Nebraska; the interesting thing about Whiteclay is that its sole purpose is to sell alcohol - a lot of it. The town consists of just 22 people, seems pretty harmless. What isn't harmless is the four State liquor stores in White Clay, an unbelievable number for a population of 22. Sadly these liquor stores are not in place to serve Nebraska locals, but, rather the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation just a few yards across the border in South Dakota is their target. It is believed that 80 percent of Pine Ridge's population suffers from the disease of alcoholism, a disease which is tearing the reservation apart. White Clay profiting from the Disease of Alcoholism is nothing short of an American atrocity.

Last Friday, activists called for action in the way of a crackdown on liquor outlets in the town of White Clay. According to the NP Telegraph, "those testifying criticized the four White Clay businesses that sell 3.2 million cans of beer each year - mostly to residents of the dry Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol-related problems and poverty are rampant". America is a country of free enterprise, but, when proponents of free enterprise system agree that liquor sales that contribute to such suffering is irresponsible then something is terribly wrong with the system. That is the viewpoint of Anthony Hendrickson, dean of Creighton University's College of Business, who also said, "This is beyond the pale. This is predatory. There's no excuse". He is right; there is no excuse for profiting off of other peoples' disease when all of this could be avoided. Pine Ridge is a dry reservation for a reason, alcohol has and still is shattering the community dynamic; if its citizens can literally walk across the border to get drunk, then Pine Ridge being dry has no sway on its people. The alcoholic would walk as far as necessary to get that next drink, especially if they can practically see the liquor store from their home window. The government needs to impose restrictions upon White Clay, I mean let's be real, White Clay knows exactly where their money comes from and Pine Ridge is nothing short of an atrocious gold mine exploited daily.

Hendrickson along with a dozen others testified before a joint hearing of the General Affairs and Judiciary Committees. They are trying to determine how to reduce the high rates of alcoholism, violence and fetal-alcohol syndrome that are destroying Pine Ridge. "State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber, who visited the town earlier this year, said he wants to explore funneling some of the $122,000 a year in state liquor excise taxes generated in White Clay to alcohol rehabilitation programs", states the NP Telegraph. That idea seems like a great start at managing this epidemic; but, is it enough; will it really have that much weight on the people of Pine Ridge? A group of Omaha Creighton Prep students formed a "Solidarity Club"; they were able to gather 700 Internet signatures from people who support their efforts. The NP Telegraph reports that, "in the next few weeks, the students said, they plan to present a letter to President Barack Obama urging him to overturn a 1904 order and restore a 50-square-mile "buffer zone" of no alcohol sales along the Nebraska border". Karpisek agrees that the "buffer zone" could actually do a lot of good and would certainly make it harder for people in the reservation to acquire liquor; but, what if people will just drive further to get what they need, potentially creating more alcohol related accidents.

Clearly, action needs to be taken by both South Dakota and Nebraska together to curb this devastating social dilemma. People should not be allowed to profit from the suffering of others, despite this being a capitalist society. Education and prevention is really the only answer to this, the government needs to provide the option of drug treatment to the citizens of Pine Ridge. With out those crucial measures the people of Pine Ridge will be forever taken by the disease of alcoholism.

The War on Drugs Conference is Leaning Towards Legalization

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:14:00 +0000

If the United States were to legalize marijuana it would cripple the Mexican drug cartels severely. At least that is the hope and belief of the panelists at the War on Drugs conference last Tuesday. This idea is not a new one, and there are a lot of people who concur that the legalization of marijuana would financially devastate the cartels. The conference lasted two days and was held in El Paso, Texas. El Paso has now become the front line in this war due to its close proximity to Juarez. They evaluated America's War on Drugs over the last four decades; the major topic of discussion was regarding the pros and cons of legalization. William Martin, a sociology professor at Rice University who studies drug abuse and government policy believes that if marijuana were sold legally, as a controlled product, it might keep smokers away from other harder drugs. "If you are not going to a dealer to buy marijuana, you are less likely to go after harder drugs," states Martin. The War on Drugs conference is leaning towards legalization.

There was a reoccurring theme throughout the entire conference, panelist after panelist stated that America was as much to blame for the violence in Juarez as the Mexican government. The war being fought is over keeping Mexican drugs out of the United States, but, the majority of blood being spilled is Mexico's. According to the El Paso Times, "now that Mexico is trying to rid itself of the drug cartels that have killed thousands of people in the past 20 months, the United States should have an honest debate about drug policies that have done nothing to lessen demand, panelists said". We cannot continue to pretend that the U.S. is in anyway stemming the tide. Many politicians do not even want to broach the subject of legalization for the fear of their voters who are against it.

Nevertheless, drastic action needs to be taken if the killings are going to stop. Maybe, legalization would help? Maybe not? The United States and Mexico have a common enemy. It will take a joint effort to defeat this monster; cartels have become too powerful for the Mexican government to tackle this problem - they have tried and failed at the cost of many lives. In the past eight years the United States has devoted itself to foreign affairs, perhaps it is time to do some work at home. Marijuana is an addictive drug with negative side effects, but, we have to ask ourselves if prohibition is doing more harm than good. The Mexican border is becoming like Chicago in the 1930's and that is unacceptable on so many levels. When the War on Drugs conference is saying "Legalize", perhaps they have figured out something that might work - nothing else has.

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

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:02:00 +0000

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.

More Killed At Another Drug Treatment Facility

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:40:00 +0000

At least 10 people, patients and therapists, were killed at another drug treatment facility in Ciudad Juarez. Armed men attacked a rehabilitation clinic for drug addicts in the violent border city for the second time in two weeks, authorities said Wednesday. The streets of Juarez are chaotic to say the least, but, this is the sixth drug treatment center attacked in the last 13 months. As we reported earlier this month 18 people were slain in the same way September 2. "Scores of treatment centers for people suffering from drug and alcohol abuse have sprung up in Mexican cities, reflecting the country's fast-growing addiction problem. Once just a pathway for drugs headed to the United States, Mexico has become a consumer nation; the government says the number of addicts increased by 51 percent from 2002 to 2008", the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Unfortunately, homes of recovery and rehabilitation have become hideouts for the very same people trafficking the drugs and the centers are used as recruiting grounds. This stark reality has led to the horrific executions by rival gangs where, sadly, innocent bystanders get caught in the mix.

"Despite a heavy military presence, Juarez is Mexico's most violent city in a raging drug war that has claimed more than 13,000 lives since December 2006", according to the SFC. Nobody is safe from the violence, Tuesday's attack at the Life Annex treatment left dead Dr. Iram Ortiz, the director, along with one female patient, seven male patients, and one other doctor. The Life Annex, whose name has become rather counter intuitive, is a center located in a working-class neighborhood of Juarez. "A survivor, who watched the massacre from a hiding place inside the clinic, told reporters that as many as eight men opened fire at random, shooting patients and anyone else in the building".

The Coco Bongo nightclub in Juarez was attacked, Wednesday, as customers were celebrating Mexican Independence Day. This shooting left five people dead and there is no doubt that this attack was drug cartel related. Once again it seems very clear that there is no safe place for anyone along the border cities; hospitals, treatment centers, and even night clubs. What will it take for Mexico to take control of its country again? The "wild west" has clearly moved south into what has become the lawless lands of beautiful, yet dangerous, Mexico. My heart goes out to all the innocent people caught in the middle of this greed driven war to supply drugs into the United States. What will it take to cure the human epidemic?

'Basketball Diaries' Author and Punk Icon Carroll Died

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Jim Carroll, author of the famed Basketball Diaries, died on Friday of a heart attack. Carroll's life was forever shaped by his extensive Heroin use which is what most of his prose consisted of. Despite dying at, what many would consider, a young age, 60, he left behind a legacy that we all can cherish. He gave the world a close up, in depth, view of the trials and tribulations of an addict. In the 1970s, Jim Carroll played a major role in the New York art scene, where he mixed with artists such as Andy Warhol, Patti Smith, Larry Rivers and Robert Mapplethorpe. The 'Basketball Diaries' author and punk icon died from a heart attack at his home in Manhattan, his ex-wife Rosemary Carroll told The New York Times.

Carroll's poetry and other works were amazing, but, it was his gritty autobiographical tale of growing up in New York and ultimately becoming a drug addict, who went so far as to prostitute himself, that drew the most attention. "The book, which began life as a journal, was first published in 1978 and then became even more popular, particularly on college campuses, when it was issued as a mass-market paperback two years later", according to the NPR. It was adapted into a film in 1995 and it starred Leonardo DiCaprio. I always will remember the story as giving, arguably, the best portrayal of the progression of the disease of addiction; moreover, it showed people there was a way out if one so chose to do what was needed.

Jim Carroll starting writing poetry at a very young age. "Carroll was in his teens when he first received recognition for his poems, especially "Organic Trains" in 1967 and then "4 Ups and 1 Down" in 1970. Among his other works are collections such as The Book of Nods (1986), Fear of Dreaming (1993) and Void of Course: Poems 1994-1997 (1998)" reports the NPR. You can feel the pain in his words and you can hear his cries for help. So many pop icons have passed away this year it is almost unbelievable. However, it is uplifting to know that Carroll, unlike so many suffering from this disease, remained a productive member of society until the end of his days.

Prison System Falls Short In Treating Drug Addiction

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:05:00 +0000

The United States is literally sick with the disease of addiction. Every day countless numbers of people are sentenced to jail when they belong in drug treatment facilities. The U.S. prison system does not appropriately address the needs of people withdrawing from drugs and people are put through what could only be described as a form of torture. It is estimated that a quarter of a million people that are addicted to heroin are imprisoned each year in the United States. That number is only a fraction of all the people incarcerated that are addicted to various narcotics. Sadly, very few state run prisons offer, let alone provide, any form of detoxification or any type of treatment. A recent Science Daily article addressed this problem and had many interesting facts worth noting. Simply, the U.S. prison system falls short in treating drug addiction.

The Miriam Hospital at Brown University and their affiliated Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights did a study and their findings are almost hard to believe. "Just half of all federal and state prison systems offer ORT (opiate replacement therapy) with the medications methadone and buprenorphine, and only in very limited circumstances. Similarly, only twenty-three states provide referrals for some inmates to treatment upon release from prison. These policies are counter to guidelines issued by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which say prisoners should be offered ORT for treatment of opiate dependence". There is no doubt that providing inmates with the option of ORT and referring prisoners to drug treatment centers, upon release, would dramatically decrease recidivism and ultimately would give people a chance at starting a new life. In turn this would make the streets safer for everyone and this would reduce the taxpayers' burden by keeping addicts from returning to jail over and over.

"Opiate addiction, like all forms of addiction, causes long-term changes to the structure and functioning of the brain, which is why it is classified as a disease. Addiction requires treatment just as other chronic diseases, like diabetes and cancer, do. Unfortunately, there is a large gap between the number of prisoners who require addiction treatment and those who actually receive it," added senior author Josiah Rich, MD, MPH, co-director of the Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights at The Miriam Hospital and Alpert Medical School. If an inmate were diagnosed with cancer they would receive proper medical treatment for the disease and the same goes with any illness. Why, then, is the disease of addiction overlooked and thrown under the bus time and time again? The science is clear and the facts have been posted on the wall, but, nobody wants to read them - let alone believe them.

"In spite of overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrating that pharmacological treatment for addiction has greater health and social benefits than abstinence-only policies, many prison directors are philosophically opposed to treating substance use. Most prisons also do not provide referrals for substance use treatment for prisoners upon release. These trends contribute to high re-incarceration rates and have detrimental impacts on community health. Our interviews with prison medical directors suggest that changing these policies may require an enormous cultural shift within correctional systems", stated Amy Nunn, ScD, the studies lead author and an assistant professor of medicine (research) at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. It is hard not to see Amy Nunn's point, real change and the destruction of the social stigmas that come along with addiction are ever so important. If prisons continue to view the disease of addiction as a question of willpower of weak moral fiber, then there will always be hundreds of thousands of people returning to prison as repeat offenders. Over 10 million people go to jail in America every year, most of which have or have had a substance abuse problem. The tools are available for curbing those numbers; however, we are failing to utilize them.

Seventeen Patients Killed in Drug Rehabilitation Center Shooting

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:21:00 +0000

Nobody is safe on the front line in the war on drugs in Mexico, nor in the United States. Tensions still run high despite the recent legalization of drugs in Mexico, on September 3rd, 17 patients were killed and two others were wounded in a drug rehabilitation center shooting in northern Mexico. Ciudad Juarez, a city in northern Mexico, has been the epicenter of the drug war, whose death toll has been literally "through the roof". It's a tragedy when people who are trying to better their lives by checking themselves into drug treatment centers find themselves still caught in the middle of this conflict. What will it take for people to be rid of the tyranny in Mexico? How long can the killings continue before the people of Mexico become tired and can't take it anymore demanding real change?

According to CNN, "Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz said authorities believe a rival drug gang attacked the men at the El Aviane rehab facility. At the very least, it was one organized crime group thinking that another group was operating in that place," Reyes told CNN. Juarez this year has had a staggering number of murders with a death toll of more than 1,420 people. This number will only increase before the year's end and most likely surpass last year's count of 1600 people. According to a Mexican Civic Group, Ciudad Juarez has had more murders per capita than any other city in the world. With a population of roughly 1.5 million people, that's 130 killings per 100,000 people was seen in a report released last week by the Mexican Citizens Council for Public Security; compared to New Orleans, which had more killings than any other city in the United States, who had 64 killings to every 100,000 people in 2008.

The constant war to control drug trade routes into the United States between the two major cartels in Mexico has brought about such a high murder rate. However, control of the trafficking routes is not the only cause for the spike in murders. "An unprecedented wave of violence has washed over Mexico since Calderon declared war on drug cartels shortly after coming into office in December 2006. More than 11,000 people have since died, about 1,000 of them police", said CNN. Many of the recent murders have been in retaliation to the "so-called" offensive, which sadly has been quite ineffective. The La Familia Michoacana drug cartel and its rival Sinaloa cartel are believed to be responsible for most of the violence seen in the last few years in northern Mexico.

We are very fortunate that drug treatment facilities in the U.S. are safe places to begin the journey into recovery. Nevertheless, America is a large part of the equation regarding the extensive murders in Mexico. Mexico fuels our insatiable need for drugs, it can not be stressed enough how crucial the United States is to finding a solution to the drug war in Mexico. If we are not part of the solution then we are part of the problem and it is clear that we have been part of the latter for too long. As it is, right now, the cartels are clearly in control and that is unacceptable; the time has come for better days, we cannot sit by and watch this massacre continue.

California Industrial Prison Complex Needs Reform

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:28:00 +0000

California's need for prison reform is absolutely staggering and a need for a change in the way we view certain crimes is completely necessary. The country is in the grips of a fiscal crisis, the question of how states can cut costs is ever looming; it is no secret that billions of dollars are spent every year imprisoning non-violent offenders, most of which are drug related, in California. There is no question that California's Industrial Prison Complex needs reform and policy changes are vital to helping us relieve some of the states fiscal stress. Today, the total is 168,000 inmates in California which is an increase of 740 percent since the 70's and it costs annually 10 billion dollars to operate; California has a $26 billion budget shortfall, so prisons account for almost half of that number.

A three-judge federal court panel Aug. 4 ordered California to reduce its prisoner roll by 43,000 inmates over the next two years. This is a huge step but there are a lot of people who are against the idea of setting convicted offenders free because we are in a budget crisis. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has cut prison spending by 1.2 billion which will only work if they reduce the amount of inmates. According the Coastal Post, "The state, the judges wrote shortly before a major riot at the state prison at Chino, has created a "criminogenic" system that actually pushes prisoners and parolees to more crimes through "appalling," "horrific" prison conditions: "Thousands of prisoners are assigned to 'bad beds,' such as triple-bunked beds placed in gymnasiums or day rooms, and some institutions have populations approaching 300 percent of their intended capacity. In these overcrowded conditions, inmate-on-inmate violence is almost impossible to prevent, infectious diseases spread more easily, and lockdowns are sometimes the only means by which to maintain control. In short, California's prisons are bursting at the seams and are impossible to manage."" That being said it is hard to believe that cutting prison spending without inmate reduction can do much good at all, it will only fuel the fire.

The reformist Drug Policy Alliance and its allies, a year ago, put a "Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act" on the ballot. Drug treatment officials and a group of former corrections officials, believe that prison is not the answer to the drug problem in California; drug treatment has the greatest chance for curbing recidivism. Billions of tax dollars would be saved and could be put towards more constructive ideas throughout the state. On the other side of the United States, New York has repealed the "Rockefeller drug laws" which were the cause of prison over population as result giving drug offenders long sentences. In the last decade the New York State prisons have reduced their population by 10,000, a pretty amazing feat accomplished by offering treatment as opposed to prison. California obviously has some catching up to do, but, it is clear now what has to be done and New York is direct evidence that it is possible.

"Now California reformers are pushing a "People's Budget Fix" formula they say would save at least $12 billion over the next five years. It includes a claimed $5.5 billion through community-based addiction treatment for minor drug offenses (proposed by the Drug Policy Alliance)", reports the Coastal Post. It seems that we are heading in the right direction now that people realize that drug offenders, as well as the public, are better served by being provided treatment rather than locking people up and just expecting that that will change their behavior.

Afghanistan has become Riddled with Drug Addicts

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:43:00 +0000

War torn and covered by a blanket of despair, the country of Afghanistan has become riddled with drug addicts. A staggering number of addicts estimated to be 1.5 million, 120,000 of which are females (according to the Ministry of Narcotics) can be seen across the country. The Opium crop in Afghanistan is believed to be the main ingredient in 93 percent of the world's Heroin; despite that fact, there are many advocates attempting to legalize Opium crops throughout the country. The International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) has been promoting the legal cultivation of opium for many years. ICOS claims to have no affiliation with global drug companies trying to get a hold on the market for morphine. "Yet ICOS is no longer welcomed by the Afghan government. And, despite ICOS claims, the International Narcotics Control Board counters there is no worldwide shortage of heroin for medical purposes. Nineteen countries legally produce it; only India exports it." according to The Toronto Star.

In the last eight years both the United States and Great Britain have set out to eradicate the Opium fields in Afghanistan; however, despite their best efforts it has done little to curtail the enormous market. "Washington last month announced it was pulling out of the eradication scheme" despite the fact that 18 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are believed to be Opium-free. Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, has said eradication "didn't reduce the amount of money the Taliban got by one dollar. It is almost as if the United States is given up the fight against Opium cultivation and this can only do more harm than good on a global scale.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's domestic drug problem continues out of control while people continue to prosper off the drug. There are very few drug treatment facilities in Afghanistan and entire families are hooked on the drug in one form or another. "These men – and the addicted women shuttered inside their houses, routinely given opium during childbirth, even blowing heroin fumes into the mouths of colicky babies – can see no further than their next fix". Mothers and fathers try and get their children into treatment despite being addicted themselves. Heroin is a much more potent refined form of a Opium which has caused an epidemic in Afghanistan and many other countries as well.

Fortunately for those who suffer from addiction in America the option for treatment is readily available for those who want it. Please share your thoughts with us regarding this subject...

Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy Died

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:04:00 +0000

The world lost another great man this week, a man who had traits that we could all hope to have. In May of 2008 Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy (February 22, 1932 - August 25, 2009) was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor which limited his appearances in the Senate. He died on August 25, 2009, at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. According to Wikipedia, "Kennedy played a major role in passing many laws, including laws addressing immigration, cancer research, health insurance, apartheid, disability discrimination, AIDS care, civil rights, mental health benefits, children's health insurance, education and volunteering. In the 2000s, he led several unsuccessful immigration reform efforts. At the time of his death, he was continuing to work on universal health care legislation, which is often described as his 'life's work'".

Ted Kennedy was the champion of many great causes in the United States; the mistakes he made in his early life are now overshadowed by his great deeds. Over the years, it has been said, Teddy had his struggles with alcohol, as did his son Patrick Kennedy; both of them fought for the rights of addicts as well as the rights of all. We owe a lot to the Kennedys for the legislative changes they were responsible for during their lifetimes; our younger generations are truly not aware of most of their great deeds. The blood, sweat, and tears that the Kennedy family gave and is still giving is absolutely amazing and something to marvel over!

Representative Patrick Kennedy (RI) has been a champion for the cause of alcoholics and addicts; he himself suffers from Bi-Polar disorder and the disease of addiction. Patrick worked tirelessly for the bill HR1424 (known as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008) and it was finally passed in 2008 as part of Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. The bill ensures that people who suffer from the disease of addiction and mental disorders can get a fair shake from their insurance companies. According to then Republican Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico: "This bill targets insurance plans that cover more than 50 employees. About 113 million people, we figure, are in group insurance plans that have, as part of their health care, mental health coverage. All of those, now, will have imposed on their insurance policy by operation of law that the insurance company will pay for mental health treatment in exactly the same way they cover physical ailments — the same amount of days in the hospital, the same amount of co-pay, and all the other technical words will be equal. And that's not what it used to be, and not what it is today. Insurance companies were already moving in that direction, but now we've made it so they can't slide backwards"(Time.com).

I encourage everyone to watch this video of Rep. Patrick Kennedy testifying concerning mental health parity at a House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions hearing on July 10, 2007. This is a powerful video and it helps to clarify the "disease of addiction." I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Michael Jackson Death Has Been Ruled A Homicide

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:41:00 +0000

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office report on the death of Michael Jackson has finally been released. Michael Jackson's death has been ruled a homicide as a result of the findings. The fact of the matter is that Michael Jackson was indeed a drug addict for many years with ample opportunity to receive help; time and time again he refused help and continued to abuse prescription medication with the help of his doctors and particularly Dr. Conrad Murray who is now most likely facing homicide charges. "I'm a little bit surprised," Jane Brackley of London told MTV News in Times Square. "Then again, you knew he was taking quite a few prescription drugs, and somebody had to give them to him." However, we have to ask ourselves whether or not we charge drug dealers with homicide, let alone attempted homicide, when people overdose and die from the drugs they were sold. Michael Jackson, despite being highly intoxicated, was well aware of the choices he was making and was urged to check into treatment; but, the choice to go to treatment has to be the patients and his doctor (whose salary was $150,000 per month) was not just going stop prescribing Jackson drugs that he was addicted to.

"According to the affidavits lodged with the search warrants, Jackson had a roster of half a dozen doctors who prescribed him drugs, excluding two in Germany who had allegedly introduced him to propofol." reports the Australian On-Line Newspaper. Do we punish all of those doctors or just the one who gave him the medications that Jackson already had a dependency for? While being interviewed by detectives, again according to the Australian: allegedly Dr. Murray said Jackson "was very familiar with the drug (propofol) and referred to it as his 'milk'". Sedatives and pain killers can be extremely dangerous drugs if not properly managed by a doctor who specializes in that field, so it is not all that surprising that something like this happened. Dr. Murray claims that after realizing Jackson's dependence to Propofol he attempted to get him off it. The Australian reports: "He became concerned about the possibility of addiction to propofol and decided to wean Jackson off the drug. For two nights before the death, he administered a different drug cocktail and Jackson was able to sleep. But the night before his death, Dr. Murray gave Jackson Valium at 1am and stayed beside him all night, trying different drugs to induce sleep. Finally, at 10:40am, he relented and gave Jackson propofol." After Jackson stopped breathing it took 82 minutes before an ambulance was called, which clearly shows that Murray knew that he was in trouble and tried everything he could to fix the problem on his own.

One thing seems very clear, there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle of Jackson's death and there is not just one responsible party. It is easy to agree with the idea that Murray is liable for the pop star's death, but, to say that one doctor should be charged with homicide for the death of a person who had a lot of help along the way by multiple doctors and even "friends" seems absurd. There is no question in my mind regarding the negligence of Dr. Murray on that fatal night; however, he was given a patient to fix who had already been broken by several other doctors over the years. Michael Jackson's drug addiction was facilitated by many family, friends, and doctors for over twenty years and it was only a matter of time before his disease got the best of him. The question that remains now, is whether we punish the doctors or change the legislation regarding the ability for private doctors to prescribe certain drugs?

Baby Boomers Abuse of Drugs and Alcohol

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:22:00 +0000

The rate of illicit drug use is going up in the 50-59 age group; this group includes America's Baby Boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964. The Baby Boomers' abuse of drugs(both legal and illegal) and alcohol has been increasing in the United States. This becomes more apparent as people in this age bracket need to see doctors for other ailments and request pain medication. Woodstock may have ended 40 years ago but the party has stayed the same for many who were young adults at that time. "The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported Wednesday that rates of illegal drug use by the older generation have doubled in recent years." Statistics are showing that people age 50 to 59 who admit to using illicit drugs in the past year nearly doubled from 5.1% in 2002 to 9.4% in 2007 while rates among all other age groups are the same or decreasing. The use of drugs and alcohol by people at that age will no doubt add to increased hospitalization in the coming years. "These findings show that many in the Woodstock generation continue to use illicit drugs as they age," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick. "This continued use poses medical risks to these individuals and is likely to put further strains on the nation's health care system, highlighting the value of preventing drug use from ever starting."

The information used in the study came from various surveys including 16,656 men and women participating in the 2002 through 2007 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. On top of illegal drugs there are many who use pharmaceuticals as well; the CDC states that "of 2.4 billion drugs mentioned in patients' medical records in 2005, 118 million were antidepressants. High blood pressure drugs followed, with 113 million and arthritis or headache drugs were mentioned in 110 million." I find those numbers to be staggering and a good indication that there are just as many Baby Boomers addicted to legal drugs as illegal - if not more! There are some serious issues that need to be addressed regarding this with respect to the solution. How to go about stopping a generation of people who have been using drugs in one way or another for over 40 years is not an answer that we can come to easily.

I will say that many Baby Boomers do end up recognizing the problem and check themselves into drug an alcohol treatment facilities. But drug and alcohol treatment programs typically need to be fine tuned to deal with the additional health problems that can affect the Baby Boomers age group. These problems might include hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and chronic lung problems. I am curious how you feel about this study.

People tend to start having health problems in the age group and there is no telling what effects the use of illegal drugs will have. I encourage you to watch a video called Woodstock Generation Still Getting High.

Baby Boomers and the Elderly have been Binge Drinking

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Binge drinking has always been considered a problem with teenagers and young adults, but, studies now show that this phenomena may not always be limited to the younger age groups. Researchers are finding that more and more baby boomers and even the elderly have been binge drinking. This trend goes relatively unnoticed because many people in those age groups do not tell anyone how much alcohol they are consuming; even doctors are misled by patients about the amount they drink and the way in which it is consumed. Duke University scientists, who researched and analyzed data of nearly 11,000 middle-aged and elderly adults from the 2005 and 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, report in the American Journal of Psychiatry that:

* 14% of men and 3% of women 65 or older admit to binge drinking -- defined as quaffing five or more alcoholic beverages on a single occasion within the past 30 days.

* Among 50-64-year-olds, 23% of men and 9% of women admitted to binge drinking

* Bingeing and at-risk alcohol use was more common among people 50 to 64 than those in the older group.

* Among males, binge drinking was associated with higher income, being separated, divorced, or widowed while being unemployed.

* Among women, non-medical use of prescription drugs was associated with bingeing.

* Bingeing also was associated among all those studied with the use of tobacco and illicit drugs.

* Men in both groups are more likely than women to binge drink.

This trend indicates that as time goes on more baby boomers and elderly people will begin binge drinking, according to researchers studying problem drinking. Moreover, studies show that those who binge drink are 14 times more likely to get behind the wheel, as reported about Diane Schuler a mother who drove the wrong way on the Taconic Parkway killing herself and seven others. Her husband swears that Diane was not an alcoholic and that he never saw her drunk. But, when a mother of two gets in a car, drinks the equivalent of ten drinks and apparently smokes marijuana with her kids and her three nieces in the car, there must be a problem. Binge drinking is a clear sign that a person is in the grips of addiction and more times then not, help is necessary if this problem is to stop. There is no age restriction on being an alcoholic; the disease affects children as well as grandparents.

I encourage you to watch a short video that ABC did about this same problem, called Binge Drinking in Middle Age. It makes some interesting points and is worth watching. Please send me your thoughts on the subject.

Two Dozen Teenage Girls Have Gone Missing In Juarez

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:56:00 +0000

On top of the all the drug related violence throughout Mexico's border cities there is a new problem rising up. Two dozen teenage girls and young women have gone missing in the turbulent border city Ciudad Juarez in the last year and a half. Nobody seems to have an answer to this mystery, according to the Chicago Tribune "Monica Alanis, an 18-year-old college freshman, never came home from her exams. That was nearly six months ago. Across town, 17-year-old Brenda Ponce didn't return from a job-hunting trip downtown. That was a year ago." The families of the missing girls do not believe that they would just pack up and leave Mexico without telling anyone. This problem has families with young daughters left scared, "There is no theory. There is no hypothesis," said Ricardo Alanis, Monica's father.

There are many possibilities but no certainties when comes to this situation. The girls could be caught up in the ramped sex trade that has become an international problem; girls are kidnapped, forced into sexual slavery, and forced to use drugs in order to get hooked. That way once they are addicted they can't run away even if they wanted to, it's a vicious cycle. This problem seems to be something new; it does not resemble what happened in the 80's when more than 350 women were killed during a 15-year period. The 350 who were killed back then were from all over the country and their bodies were eventually found, usually with evidence of sexual abuse and even signs of torture.

In this case though, none of the young women have been found which leads people to believe that they are still alive and being used in the sex trade. Some of the families believe that the same cartels responsible for all the violence have stolen their children and brought them into the United States to be used in prostitution rings. That seems like a very plausible scenario for the fact that this kind of activity goes on all over the world with very little out there to stop it. The families continue to search for answers, but, unfortunately most of the time girls caught up in the sex trade are never found or heard from again.

If you follow our blog on a regular basis, you may wonder why we chose to discuss this story today. Our goal is to bring you topical information about addiction and recovery and while today's post may appear to be about kidnapping and prostitution, the bottom line is addiction and drugs more than likely plays a role in controlling these young women. We welcome your thoughts...

Whole Family has become Addicted to Opium

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:46:00 +0000

In war torn Afghanistan Opium is about the only drug that people can get their hands on. Opium is used for medicine in Afghanistan, after decades of struggle between the Russians in the 80's and the United States beginning in 2001 the country is left in the dark when it comes to medical aid. What was once used for medicine has now become an epidemic much like China in the 18th and 19th centuries, where whole villages have become hooked to Opium. National Geographic just interviewed the Beg family in the village of Sarab which has a population of fewer than 2,000, and half are already addicts. "I started taking a smoke until I got addicted to this (opium). I lost my property, I lost my strength, my bravery and now I am laying here with an empty stomach", says Islam Beg age 65. His whole family has become addicted to Opium and his one-year old grandson has already started taking the drug, the family's argument is that there is no other medicine - all they have is Opium.

Islam Beg once was the owner of much of the land in his village along with many animals, but now, he has nothing other than the pipe, as he and his family sold everything in order to keep it filled. Islam Beg is ashamed of the person that he has become and there is not much help out there for people in his position. The country of Afghanistan has few drug treatment facilities available, with less than 200 beds for drug rehab nationwide it is not surprising there is such a staggering number of addicts. Afghanistan's chief export happens to be Opium which is sold to pharmaceutical companies around the world for pain medication; and the opium that is not exported legally to pharmaceutical companies is exported illegally as the raw ingredient for heroin. Millions of dollars pour into Afghanistan, purchasing the drug for use in nations around the world. The United States in 2004 gave 4.4 billion dollars in aid for infrastructure, which I highly doubt much or any of that money went to heath care in a nation that has an estimated 150,000 opium addicts and a further 50,000 heroin addicts. Without support directed towards the addiction problem, many people will have little choice but to die an addict.

Islam Beg is "hopeful that his grandchildren will escape his fate, he believes they're not yet addicted", but, when you start using Opium at the age of one it is hard to see any other path. People will give up anything for the drug and without drug education and medical alternatives it is not surprising. Corporations make billions of dollars at the hands of a country in the grips of addiction. Villages in Afghanistan are in desperate need of relief in the way of drug treatment facilities; without foreign aid I do not see how children have any other fate away from the Opium pipe. "Decades of war and poverty have instilled a sense of hopelessness in many people here, making narcotics an easy destructive way to deal with an often grim reality."

Your thoughts?

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Pregnant Woman Arrested Trafficking Heroin in Laos

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:02:00 +0000

A pregnant woman from Great Britain, arrested for trafficking heroin in Laos, will be sent home to serve her sentence. Samantha Orobator, age 20, is believed to have artificially inseminated herself while incarcerated. Heroin trafficking is an offense punishable by death in Laos, but, Laos has a law against executing pregnant women; in June Orobator pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Great Britain and Laos made a pact last May that allows for Orobator to be extradited to finish out her sentence; according to the AP, "The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding last week bringing the agreement into force."

Samantha Orobator got a second chance that many people trafficking drugs never get; it will be interesting to see how much time she serves considering the difference in punishment from one country to the next.

Orabator's mother, Jane, has been fighting for a year to have Samantha extradited to England. "Police said they found 1.5 pounds (680 grams) of heroin in 68 capsules on Orobator's body when she was arrested last August at Vientiane airport on her way to Australia." Despite the fact that Laos expects Orobator to finish the rest of her life sentence in England, it is highly unlikely that she will. They need to get Orobator to England as soon as possible, she will be 36 weeks pregnant on Aug. 12 and will not be able to take an international flight.

All of this should be a wake up call to Samantha Orobator and her family, a baby is probably the only thing that saved her life. When she gets out of prison, which she undoubtedly will, I hope that she can find it in herself to be a mother to the child. Second chances some times come once in a life time and you can only gamble with your future so many times before something bad happens.

I will try to follow this story and keep my readers informed on whether or not Samantha takes advantage of her second chance. Let me know what you think.

Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince Depicts How Drinking Alcohol...

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:39:00 +0000

The new Harry Potter has some people frenzied about excessive drinking throughout the movie. It has some people wondering if there is too much alcohol and if it is sending the right message. Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince depicts how drinking alcohol will calm ones nerves and give one the courage needed to take on challenges. Social norms come in question about what is acceptable in children's movies, and how to appropriately talk to children about how they are interpreting the messages.

In England, the legal drinking age is 18, but, one can order drinks with food at the age of 16; Harry Potter and his classmates are 16 in The Half-Blood Prince. The complaints on this subject are coming from Americans who have taken their kids to see this movie and then watched 16 year old teenagers constantly drinking mead with their friends and professors. Then, after the movie having to explain to their children that alcohol is not a healthy coping mechanism.

This segment of the Harry Potter story is about coming of age, teenagers drinking alcohol is a part of the real world. It is easy to side with the author's point of view that if we shelter our kids from alcohol we may be doing them a disservice; parents need to talk to their kids about drinking and this movie gives them the ability to open up the conversation. On top of that, Harry Potter is not just for children for the fact that it is a story that people of all ages can relate to.

Many people would like to hold the media and Hollywood responsible for underage drinking and drug use. They believe that if a child sees something they will try to imitate that behavior, especially if it is a person that has become a role model in the child's life. When it comes down to it, children will make poor decisions if they are not properly educated about drugs and alcohol; furthermore, differentiating between fiction and reality is also very important. If children are properly equipped, then it shouldn't matter if they see teenagers drinking in movies or not. There are statistics that show that exposure to drinking in movies may cause people to start drinking at a younger age and there may be some truth to that. However, it is what happens outside of the movie theater that will determine whether or not the child will act on what they see or not.

This argument is not new, people have always found a way to tear apart great movies based on what their kids are exposed to. I am not sure how seeing teenagers drink to cope with anxiety or stress is any worse than a teenager seeing their parents drink after work to unwind? Teenagers and children are constantly barraged with messages both inside and out of the theaters that it is alright to drink; but it is the outside that is more important because that is where the action takes place. More education is the only way to keep our youth informed about alcohol and the damage that it can do if you don't understand it.

The Battle Continues over the "Marijuana Question" in California

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:26:00 +0000

The battle continues over the "Marijuana Question" in California, which will decide whether legalization will do more harm than good. Next year's election in California will be centered on whether a 14 billion dollar a year black market drug will be legalized. Ballot measures are already being put forward by different groups as well as a bill by Assembly Member Tom Ammiano, a San Francisco Democrat, that would legalize and tax the drug. In the coming months there will be a heated battle between the "right" and "left"; there is a good chance that the Mexican cartels will not stay out of the fight for the fact that they have a lot to lose if marijuana is legalized.

Federal drug czar Gil Kerlikowske, who is against legalization, said a few weeks ago, "We will wait for evidence on whether smoked marijuana has any medicinal benefits - those aren't in." Just last week in Fresno Kerlikowske made the statement that, "Marijuana is dangerous and has no medicinal benefit." It would seem that the drug czar has more of a complaint regarding the method in which marijuana is used, rather than whether it is used at all. This brings up an important point, how marijuana in used makes a big difference with regard to heath risks; anything foreign that human beings inhale will have negative side effects. I do not think it is possible for the state to regulate the manner it which weed is used!

Medical marijuana started about ten years ago in California for people with disorders and sicknesses, now, pot-activists want it to be legal for everyone in the state. All of this is starting to look like a recipe for disaster; if marijuana is legalized for adults over the age of twenty one what will be in place to stop children from getting the drug? It will be easy to get for children and teenagers, which without a doubt will ultimately lead to a rise in drug addiction state-wide. It does not seem like this problem can be helped, if 14 billion is being made under the government's nose already, it's pretty clear that once they legalize it they won't be able to control it. Sure some extra money might be made in taxes which obviously wouldn't hurt, but, it seems that everything is moving too quickly for this plan to be put into practice effectively. The country is in need of revenue and this has led to a number of poorly thought out plans to make that happen. I am looking forward to seeing which way this battle goes and I am curious about your thoughts regarding the subject.

Mexico's Drug War is Worsening

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:47:00 +0000

The Mexican government is sending out 45,000 troop to conflict areas throughout the country, more troops than the United States has in Afghanistan, as a result of the 11,000 dead in just under three years. Mexico's drug war is worsening and it does not seem like much can be done to curb the cartels and their bloody war over smuggling routes and government control according to the San Francisco Chronicle, "attacking offices, killing investigators, and threatening citizens who speak out".

The hot spots where most of, but not all, the action is taking place are in border cities where the drugs come one way and American guns and money go back the other way. In the U.S. guns are sold to private citizens that are often more high-powered than most government officials have throughout Mexico. Again, according to the San Francisco Chronicle: "This month, Mexican President Felipe Calderon ordered more soldiers into Ciudad Juarez, a major border town and drug entry point opposite El Paso, to quell the violence. Closer to Mexico City, he faces trouble from an upstart gang in his native state of Michoacan, where the bodies of 12 federal agents were dumped on a back road, all of them tortured and shot in the head. In response, he sent 5,500 troops to the region".

The cartels are certainly a major factor in this war, but, Americas never ending thirst for drugs is the driving force. This is a war over money, and not just any money - American money. The cartels in Mexico control all the drugs coming out of South and Central-America and it appears that Mexico has become the new Columbia. Back in March, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stated our nation's responsibility. The violence is caused by "our insatiable demand for illegal drugs."

Next month, President Obama is due at a North American summit in Guadalajara, Mexico. Obama needs to make this war one of his top priorities otherwise it will only get worse. Better attempts at drug education here in America need to take place because as long as we demand the drugs Mexico will continue to fight to supply them. Furthermore, better gun policies need to be enacted; Mexicans killing with our guns makes us partly liable. Mexican drugs are the gasoline that fuel America's engine of addiction.

Michael Jackson Doctor's Office was Raided as Part of a Manslaughter Investigation

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:10:00 +0000

Yesterday, LAPD and DEA agents arrived at the Houston, Texas, clinic of Dr. Conrad Murray; who was Michael Jackson's personal physician and was with him when he died last month. Michael Jackson's doctor's office was raided as part of a manslaughter investigation in search of his medical records. According to one source, "The search was conducted by members of the DEA, two Robbery-Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department and Houston police officers. The search warrant authorized law enforcement to search for and seize items, including documents; they believed constituted evidence of the offense of manslaughter."

Miranda Sevcik, a representative for Dr. Murray's lawyer Chernoff, said: "This raid was unexpected to us. All this drama is just not necessary, this is how we feel. Ed's not dismayed about it. He's just trying to figure out what's going on. But he's not worried about it." It is believed that the warrant was tied to the findings of Michael Jackson's preliminary autopsy report and the prescription drugs found in his system. Everything is still pretty vague regarding what the pop star was abusing and what happened prior to Jackson's death. At this point it is no secret that Jackson, with the help of others, was severely abusing prescription drugs and was addicted without a doubt.

The investigation is focused on one particular drug, Propofol according to reports; Propofol is used to put people to sleep before surgery, it is a very strong anesthetic not to be used outside a hospital setting. Sources say, "It is Conrad Murray they're looking at. They are looking for Propofol, along with anything else they find. But Propofol is the big one." Murray was in Nevada when officials raided his office, but, despite his lawyer saying that Jackson's doctor is not worried it is probably fair to say that that is not true.

The truth will come out whether or not Dr. Murray is liable for Jackson's death soon enough. It is fair to say that Dr. Murray is not the only doctor prescribing medications that are potentially fatal despite warnings by the FDA. The fact of the matter is that some doctors have become more concerned with their pocket books than the lives of their patients. Saying no to Michael Jackson was probably a very hard thing to do when you are blinded by money. Life is worth more than money and unfortunately not everyone sees it that way. I am interested in your thoughts as to whether the doctor (pusher) or the addict (patient) is responsible for the ultimate death?

If Marijuana Is Legal, Will Addiction Rise?

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:10:00 +0000

Marijuana legalization has been a hot button topic for many years and is one that has serious implications. America's prohibition on "Weed" has many people wondering if legalization would do more good than the current laws have done. If Marijuana is legal, will addiction rise? I have found many great arguments on both sides of the table, this topic is one that should be discussed in depth for the fact that the question at hand is an American problem; more Marijuana is consumed in the US per capita than any other country. I can see positives and negatives for the legalization of Marijuana, I am attempting to get the conversation started on this delicate subject.

I do believe the question at hand is one that most adults have asked themselves at one point or another, whether or not legalization would do more good than criminalization has? The argument that "Pot" is just like every other illegal drug does not hold as much water as it used to. That is the danger with putting all illegal drugs in the same category for the fact that it is simply illegal raises social stigmas with the uninformed; which, in turn, has impacted how the government treats people who have dealings with Marijuana. The writing is on the wall and whether or not we choose to read it greatly affects us as a nation. In many cases trying Marijuana in America has been a right of passage since the 60's, the amount of people who continue to smoke marijuana is very low. A very small percentage of all that have tried "weed" continue smoking it on a regular basis; most people become social smokers, meaning they can take it or leave it. The small group of people that smoke daily are more than likely people with addictive personalities and perhaps the disease of addiction. Norm Stamper, who was Seattle's police chief from 1994 to 2000 said in a New York Times Article, "Any law disobeyed by more than 100 million Americans, the number who've tried marijuana at least once, is bad public policy. As a 34-year police veteran, I've seen how marijuana prohibition breeds disrespect for the law, and contempt for those who enforce it... Let's make policy that helps, not handcuffs, those who suffer ill effects of marijuana or other drugs, a policy that crushes the illegal market - the cause of so much violence and harm to users and non-users alike."

With the economy spiraling out of control and doctors stating that Marijuana is no more harmful or addictive than alcohol, many people argue that legalization could be one of the answers to boosting the economy. People have been growing, selling, and smoking Marijuana despite strict laws right here in the United States; legalizing it and putting government control over the substance would allow it to be taxed, thus decreasing the black market activity exponentially. Is it a coincidence that the many of the banks in America with liquid money are in Northern California? A professor at the University of Washington, Roger Roffman, believes this could be done one of two ways. "Surveys indicate increasingly positive attitudes in the U.S. for liberalizing marijuana policies. Two ways of doing this are: (1) legalization, which would involve lawful cultivation and sale of marijuana, and (2) decriminalization, which would retain criminal penalties for cultivation and sale while removing them for possession of small amounts."

Many who have experimented with Marijuana have suffered greatly, but not necessarily regarding their health. Legal policies have, in some cases, done more damage to a person's life than the side-effects of the drug. "I support finding alternatives to criminal penalties for marijuana possession. Those penalties have costs (being jailed, having a criminal record, barriers to employment, loss of scholarships, to name a few) and may accomplish little in deterring use."(Roger Roffman) Justification for this level of punishment has yet to be seen, nor has any good argument been clearly stated for why Marijuana is illegal and not Alcohol or Cigarettes. Why?

In this post I have tried to present a non-biased view of a subject that is at the forefront of social politics. I am not sure what the right answer to this problem is, if any at all; what I do know is that change needs to be considered regarding Marijuana policy in America. If legalization does come to fruition, policy makers need to be careful in the way it is done; there would need to be stringent rules in the way it is marketed and the way it is distributed. I do believe Americans can find a way to meet in the middle on this subject but it will take people on both sides being honest and realistic in the way we proceed. The idea is to lower drug related crimes and keep our children educated and informed of the possibility of addiction with Marijuana and all drugs for that matter. What we don't want is people getting rich off "pushing" the disease of addiction, that is promoting a product that can be addictive, as the cigarette marketers did for so many years. "Telling marketers they can get rich by creating disease is dangerous." - Mark A.R. Kleiman, Professor of Public Policy at U.C.L.A.

Our Whiteside Manor Blog seeks to be topical in the areas of addiction and recovery. As California considers new law, let us know your thoughts on this important subject...

In the meantime, I invite you to watch Dr. Nancy Snyderman of NBC News, as she discusses with a panel "Should Marijuana be Legal?"

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

US FDA Determined a Suicide Warning on Anti-Smoking Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:12:00 +0000

On Wednesday smoking cessation manufacturers were required to warn against the mental health dangers, including suicidal thoughts, for two popular anti-smoking drugs. The US FDA determined a suicide warning on anti-smoking drugs is a very important thing for those considering quitting smoking. When attempting to quit any addictive substance there is a lot of stress that can occur. If a person is already stressed out, irritable, and discontent from withdrawals it cannot be good to take a medication that could possibly make them suicidal.

Many people who make the decision to go to drug and alcohol treatment think and can be encouraged to quit all addictive substances, including cigarettes and coffee. Which, naturally, is a very good thing to consider trying to do, as cigarettes and coffee are not good for you; however, if an individual is quitting drugs and alcohol they are mentally unstable in most cases and suicidal tendencies can occur. If prescribed a smoking cessation drug like Chantix or Zyban while already potentially suicidal it can be like throwing fuel on the fire. Furthermore, relapse potential could be exponentially increased by taking a drug that may cause suicidal thoughts while withdrawing from drugs or alcohol.

Quitting smoking is a great thing for every one to consider and smoking cessation drugs could be effective with the task. Anti-smoking drugs should be prescribed when there is no clear and present danger at hand; like quitting heroin or alcohol for example, when a person is under a lot of mental stress. "The risk of serious adverse events while taking these products must be weighed against the significant health benefits of quitting smoking," said Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Although, Woodcock stated that the products "are effective aids in helping people quit". Tell me your thoughts on anti-smoking drugs and whether newly recovering addicts should take these drugs...

Jackson's Family Attempted Drug Interventions

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Sources say that Jackson's family attempted drug interventions over the last four years. We are being told that on at least two separate occasions interventions were attempted by Michael Jackson's friends and family, but every time Jackson would go ballistic and refuse to get help. According to an ABC news report of July 10, 2009: "Police have confirmed a laundry list of drugs were found inside the Los Angeles rental home where Jackson died June 25, revealing to the public what his family has known for years -- Michael Jackson was a drug addict."

ABC News reports that "The Web site TMZ is reporting that the 2003 police raid on Jackson's home, Neverland Ranch, revealed painkillers, sedatives, vials and syringes." So it is pretty clear, despite having the coroner's report yet, what was going on with Jackson. Ultimately, Jackson's death was directly related to his serious addiction to pain medicine and sedatives. There was nothing that anybody could do about his problem, he had to be the one who wanted help with his substance abuse problem. It has been reported that virtually everybody who tried to get in between Jackson and his drugs was "pushed away" or simply fired.

In 1993 Jackson said that he would be entering treatment to deal with his addiction to pain killers that he had become dependent on after sustaining burns to his scalp which he had extensive surgery on. Jackson's doctors have cooperated by releasing the performer's medical records, according to the Los Angeles coroner's office; this should help them determine the cause of death and whether or not there was any contributory negligence.

It may be many more weeks before we know the whole story of Michael Jackson's death; however, you may want to watch this ABC news report and an interview with an interventionist to learn more about the disease of addiction.

My hope is that Jackson's untimely death will strike a chord with people all over the world about the dangers of prescription medications. Maybe this will cause people to want to seek out help for their own addictions. The help is always available when one is ready to accept that they have a problem and can't beat it on their own. If you have a problem or you know someone that does please contact us at Whiteside Manor.

Michael Jackson's Memorial Service on Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:49:00 +0000

Michael Jackson's Memorial Service on Tuesday was certainly a sight to behold. It was a spectacle with golden casket onstage and the eulogists including Brooke Shields, Magic Johnson and Queen Latifah, to name a few. All of Jackson's brothers were wearing sunglasses and a glove on one hand emulating Michael's iconic style. Jackson's life was so chaotic, yet his funeral seemed rather calm; seems rather ironic that it ended that way.

I feel that a lot of people are in denial about everything, denial about what has been going on with Michael all these years. Everybody said a lot of nice things about him, but nobody wants to talk about the truth. Jackson was in denial about his addiction, and his family was in denial about the seriousness of his disease. Jackson's former medium Uri Geller and ex-bodyguard Matt Fiddes were interviewed by the Associated Press and stated that they tried again and again to help Jackson help himself. They were powerless to stop him, no matter what they did to halt his problem some one else would be right there to give Jackson what he wanted.

Regardless of what could have been done or was done, the fact remains that Michael Jackson made his own choice and was responsible for his own actions. Other people could only do so much for Jackson. He was a tortured soul and his drug addiction fueled his underlying problems. The cause of death has been "deferred" until all the results are in, but the the truth is out there.

Today as we ponder Michael Jackson's life and death. We might ask why didn't he ask for help. I share with you a video of Jennifer Hudson singing "Will You Be There?" This song was written by Michael. As you listen to it, particularly the closing verse...we might ask ourselves "was anybody really listening to his words?"

The lesson for us all is this: when your loved one reaches out for help it may not be in spoken words, but song, actions, or just a look. Take the time to listen.

In Our Darkest Hour
In My Deepest Despair
Will You Still Care?
Will You Be There?
In My Trials
And My Tribulations
Through Our Doubts
And Frustrations
In My Violence
In My Turbulence
Through My Fear
And My Confessions
In My Anguish And My Pain
Through My Joy And My Sorrow
In The Promise Of Another Tomorrow
I'll Never Let You Part
For You're Always In My Heart

Michael Jackson's Family Betrayal, No Intervention!

noreply@blogger.com (Whiteside Manor (800) 300-7326) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Michael Jackson's family betrayal, no intervention! America seems to be at a loss for words regarding the late Michael Jackson and his supposed drug addiction and reclusive nature. The writing is clearly written on the wall, but no one who is part of his network wants to blow the whistle. Everyone is trying to protect Michael, as if the people who enabled him while he was alive are continuing the behavior after his death. I guess old habits are easier to come by than they are to break! Who and why, what and how?

Last week I wrote a little bit about intervention, and I thought, with all the talk about Michael Jackson (with respect to any one person trying to intervene) it was worth writing about. It seems to me that everyone who was close to Michael is trying to sweep his addiction under the rug. They would like America to believe that they are doing this to protect his good name, but I, like many others believe they are doing this to protect themselves. Perhaps they're afraid they will be cut out Michael's estate? Or, maybe they don't want to catch ridicule from America if the truth gets out?

Whatever their motives may be for lying or being negligent is irrelevant, the evidence never lies. A 50 year old man that is 5'10'' and ways 110 pounds clearly has some issues; furthermore, Michael Jackson had access to America's best doctors. There is no way that the coroner's report won't state that his premature death was caused by anything other than years of drug addiction and a serious eating disorder, which stressed his heart to the brink. I am a firm believer of the old saying, "The Truth Will Set You Free", a saying that I believe many of the people involved in what has now become a scandal (in my opinion) should adopt.

Everyone lost something special the day Michael Jackson died, let's be serious, Michael Jackson was as American as Apple Pie. We should let Michael Jackson's death be something we all can learn from, in order to help prevent more tragedies like this. Bonnie Hunt said some very interesting things that I feel are pertinent to quote,"... I'm not judging, but I am wondering... I don't hear any reports of attempts by any of these knowing friends of their having tried an intervention, not only because of Michael's need for it (he would only be sober if he made a choice to do so for himself), but I'm talking about the needs of his children. Why wouldn't anyone, any single person, friend or employee, or doctor -- someone -- at least consider the fact that the children were reclusively in the care of a drug-addicted person?" I feel the same way that Bonnie Hunt does, and like her, I feel that if no one asks these questions than Michael's death will be in vain.

Tonight as you watch the news coverage of Michael Jackson's memorial service, take time to spend with your family. Is there someone who needs an intervention, before it is too late? "The truth will set them free and might help others as well. Acknowledging his addiction does not erase his enormous creative contribution. He was one of the most talented creative artists of our generation. That is solid. Now the truth about how he suffered such an early death can add to his legacy in an educational way, not in a negative way." -Bonnie Hunt-