Forty-seven charges against 16 people were announced at a news conference in Clemson Friday afternoon that was held by several law enforcement agencies.
Of those charged, six are Clemson University students. The students are facing charges that include distribution of marijuana. Of the 10 others charged, including three who are still wanted, the charges range from distributing marijuana to distribution of ecstasy, Xanax and LSD. Undercover agents and surveillance techniques employed by Operation "Spring Tiger" targeted drug possession and distribution in the Clemson community, including, but not limited to Clemson University, according to a release. At the news conference, Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said the drug epidemic isn't limited to college towns, but it is particularly tragic when drugs ruin the lives of young people with great potential. Clark said the drug landscape has changed and the strength of the drugs is different because of their chemical makeup, including scientifically engineered marijuana. He said drugs are now more dangerous and more addictive. He said the operation began in January, and utilized many resources to hopefully "save a life or change a life." Clark said that all types of drugs were seized in the operation. Of the 47 charges, 42 were felonies, Clark said. He there was no specific tip that began the operation, just "one case that leads to another, that leads to another, that leads to three or four," and so on. Clark said he hopes the arrests will serve as a deterrent that might prevent students from getting involved in drugs when they are young and naive. He talked about a teen who is currently living on the streets because he says he can't go home because he is addicted to drugs. He said that the drug investigations are in place to try to prevent any more young people from ending up addicted. Clemson officials said there are extensive drug and alcohol prevention programs on campus. All incoming freshman are required to take an online course and a follow-up program on the risks and effects of alcohol and drugs. The agencies involved included the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Pickens County Sheriff's Office, Oconee County Sheriff's Office, Clemson University Police Department, Clemson City Police Department and The Greenville County Sheriff's Office. The following people were charged as part of the bust: Clemson students:
"We know that marijuana is the drug of choice after alcohol," George Clay said. "Sixteen percent of Clemson students use marijuana. That compares to 18 percent nationally, so we're slightly below that national average." As for the charged students, their status at Clemson will be determined by the Office of Community and Ethical Standards.  |
Mitch McGary helped lead the Wolverines to the NCAA title game in 2013 but missed most of this past season with a back injury. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
McGary, a 6-foot-10 forward who starred during the Wolverines' run to the 2013 national title game, was a preseason All-America last season. But he battled through a back injury and played only eight games before undergoing season-ending surgery in January. He evidently tested positive for marijuana use while Michigan played in the Midwest Regional semifinals and finals in Indianapolis in March. Yahoo! Sports initially reported McGary's positive test, possible suspension and declaration for the draft Friday. "My family and I want to thank everyone for giving us privacy and the time to make this decision," McGary said in a statement released by the school. "As you know, it was important for us to weigh all the factors that go into something like this. With that being said, I am ready to move on to the next stage in my life and enter the NBA Draft.
"Being a part of a program that values integrity, it is important to let everyone know of a poor decision I recently made. I tested positive for marijuana during the NCAA Tournament. We were notified of that result after the Final Four. I regret thoroughly disappointing my family, coaches and administration. Despite all of this they have been understanding and helpful over the last couple of weeks."
Michigan now has lost McGary, guard Nik Stauskas and forward Glenn Robinson III — all possible first-round picks — to the NBA draft.
"Mitch has had a tremendous impact on our program from the moment he committed to us," Wolverines coach John Beilein said in a statement. "He has injected an enthusiasm that cannot be matched. This is why he is loved by the coaching staff, his teammates and Wolverine fans. The progress he has made on and off the court has been outstanding. His willingness to face a personal issue head on and his positive work ethic during his recent injury have helped him to grow in many ways. We know that he will put all of his energy and effort toward achieving his goals. We will continue to assist and support Mitch as he pursues a career in the NBA."
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Saturday 3 May 2014
6 Clemson students among 16 charged in drug roundup
Sunday 13 April 2014
Nicotine
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Nicotine occurs throughout the tobacco plant and especially in the leaves. Nicotine alkaloids are also found in the leaves of the coca plant. Nicotine constitutes 0.3 to 5% of the tobacco plant by dry weight, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots and accumulating in the leaves.
Nicotine is one of the few liquid alkaloids. In its pure state it is a colorless, odourless liquid with an oily consistency, but when exposed to light or air, it acquires a brown colour and gives off a strong odour of tobacco. Nicotine’s chemical formula is C10H14N2.
Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in the tobacco used in cigarettes, cigars, and snuff. In its psychoactive effects, nicotine is a unique substance with a biphasic effect; when inhaled in short puffs it has a stimulant effect, but when smoked in deep drags it can have a tranquilizing effect. This is why smoking can feel invigorating at some times and can seem to block stressful stimuli at others.
Nicotine is also an addictive drug, though, and smokers characteristically display a strong tendency to relapse after having successfully stopped smoking for a time. When ingested in larger doses, nicotine is a highly toxic poison that causes vomiting and nausea, headaches, stomach pains, and, in severe cases, convulsions, paralysis, and death.
Nicotine is commercially obtained from tobacco scraps and is used as an insecticide and as a veterinary vermifuge. Nitric acid or other oxidizing agents convert it to nicotinic acid, or niacin, which is used as a food supplement.
It is potent neurotoxin with particular specificity to insects; therefore nicotine was widely used as an insecticide in the past and currently nicotine derivatives such as imidacloprid continue to be widely used.
Monday 7 April 2014
Morphine
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Morphine, the principal active agent in opium, is a powerful opioid analgesic drug. Morphine is a narcotic analgesic drug used in medicine in the form of its hydrochloride, sulfate, acetate, and tartrate salts. Morphine was isolated from opium by the German chemist F.W.A. Sertürner in about 1804.
Uses of morphine
In its power to reduce the level of physical distress, morphine is among the most important naturally occurring compounds, being of use in the treatment of pain caused by cancer and in cases where other analgesics have failed.
It also has a calming effect that protects the system against exhaustion in traumatic shock, internal hemorrhage, congestive heart failure, and debilitated conditions (as certain forms of typhoid fever).
It is most frequently administered by injection to ensure rapid action, but it is also effective when given orally.
Morphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Short-acting formulations are taken as needed for pain. The extended-release form of this medicine is for around-the-clock treatment of pain. This form of morphine is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain. Morphine is not for treating short-term pain just after surgery unless you were already taking morphine before the surgery.
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Side effects
Morphine produces a relaxed, drowsy state and many side effects that result from the depression of the respiratory, circulatory, and gastrointestinal systems. It also is an emetic and a general depressant. The most serious drawback to the drug is its addictiveness. It also decreases hunger, inhibits the cough reflex and produce constipation. Morphine is usually highly addictive and tolerance and physical and psychological dependence develop quickly. Patients on morphine often report insomnia and nightmares.
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Morphine, an opium alkaloid, can be converted into heroin, which shows a considerably stronger euphoric effect and is so powerfully addictive that its manufacture is legally prohibited in many countries. Other derivatives of morphine include the analgesics methylmorphine (codeine), ethylmorphine, dihydrocodeinone, and dihydromorphinone and the emetic apomorphine. Morphine is extracted from the dried milky exudate of the unripe seed capsule of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). It occurs as colourless crystals or a white crystalline powder.
Sunday 6 April 2014
Drug And Alcohol Abuse
 Drug abuse is not harmless. Even short-term use can have long-term effects, and these effects can harm the user and those closest to him or her. The Effects of Alcohol AbuseAbusing alcohol in your teen or young adult years can have a permanent effect on bone development. According to The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, "chronic heavy drinking, particularly during adolescence and the young adult years, can dramatically compromise bone quality and may increase osteoporosis risk…the effects of heavy alcohol use on bone cannot be reversed, even if alcohol consumption is terminated" ("Alcohol and Other Factors Affecting Osteoporosis Risk in Women"). Drinking is also closely related to liver damage and disease, two irreversible medical conditions.Even if you do not experience permanent effects of alcohol abuse first hand, alcohol consumption during pregnancy greatly increases the risk of birth defects. This creates permanent effects on an individual with no choice or power over the situation. Children born with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience a range of symptoms that may include the following:
The Effects of Prescription Drug AbuseMisusing prescription drugs always increases the chance of overdose or harmful drug interactions. These can be fatal or can leave users with permanent organ or cognitive damage. Prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin can permanently damage blood vessels, creating high blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.The Effects of Recreational Drug AbuseDrugs often mistaken as physically harmless can have serious and permanent side effects. Marijuana has an immediate effect on memory, an effect that is typically short-lived although not without the possibility for academic, personal or professional consequences. And long-term marijuana use can lead to serious and permanent cognitive damage. LSD abuse can lead to permanent issues with anxiety and paranoia, and hallucinogen use may lead to the development of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). HPPD may involve flashbacks, false perceptions or the reoccurrence of other hallucinogen-related perceptual changes long after drug use has ceased. This disorder interrupts daily life and can have a permanent effect on an individual's ability to function, develop relationships or maintain employment |
Thursday 20 March 2014
UNODC receives donation from the Japanese
20 March 2014 - UNODC signed a funding agreement with the Japanese Drug Abuse Prevention Centre (DAPC) that provides grants to NGOs who work in the area of drug prevention. Speaking at the signing ceremony, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov said, "I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the close to US$5.5 million the DAPC has raised in support of UNODC's work during this time." He added that the need to raise awareness of the drug problem is more urgent than ever and that the UNODC/DAPC partnership shows just how much good work can be done when young people play an active role in these efforts.During the signing ceremony, Ambassador Toshiro Ozawa, the Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, presented a cheque of around US$190,000 to Mr. Fedotov and signed a new funding agreement with UNODC. Ambassador Ozawa also received a report setting out how UNODC distributed funding to NGOs in 2013. Since the partnership started, more than 600 grass-root NGOs in some 90 developing countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean have been given funding for their vital work in preventing drug use.The DAPC is an NGO that organizes annual public campaigns throughout Japan and aims to increase awareness among young Japanese of the dangers of drug abuse. It also raises funds for UNODC to spend in support of NGOs working around the world.
Tuesday 18 March 2014
What is N-Bomb or 25i ?
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N-Bomb is a powerful hallucinogen, which means it
changes the way you see objects and reality. You might see or hear things which
aren’t there (known as hallucinations). The experience of taking hallucinogens
is often referred to as a ‘trip’. Trips can be good or bad, but until you take
it you don’t know how it will affect you – and once you’re on a ‘trip’ you
can't stop it.The main effects and risks of taking hallucinogens, like N-Bomb, are:
o
Time and movement can appear to speed up and slow down.
o Colour, sound and objects can get distorted and you can experience
doublevision.
o
These distortions of your senses can be quite unpredictable, sometimes
pleasant, but sometimes very frightening (these are called 'bad trips').
N-Bomb is a term for a member of the NBOMe ‘family’
of drugs. They are highly powerful hallucinogens, similar to LSD and are also
related to the 2C ‘family’
of compounds.
What are the effects of N-Bombs?
The effects of N-Bombs can last between six and ten
hours and include:
- Feeling of euphoria (intense happiness)
and love/empathy.
- Mental and physical stimulation.
- A pleasant or positive change in
consciousness.
- Unusual body sensations.
What
are the effects of N-Bombs?
The effects of N-Bombs can last between six and ten hours and include:
- Feeling of euphoria (intense happiness)
and love/empathy.
- Mental and physical stimulation.
- A pleasant or positive change in
consciousness.
- Unusual body sensations
Because N-Bombs are similar to LSD, they are likely to
have similar effects to LSD. The experience of taking hallucinogens, like LSD,
is often referred to as a ‘trip’.
A positive trip can make you feel happy, euphoric and relaxed. A
negative or bad trip can make users feel tense, nervy and confused. You might
even experience unpleasant and scary hallucinations (seeing or hearing things
that aren’t there).
Other effects:
- During a time and your movements can
appear speeded up or slower down. Colours, objects and sound can appear
very differently to normal.
- Feeling tired, anxious, panicky and
depressed.
- Trips can feed off your imagination – so
if you’re unhappy or nervous it can make these feelings a lot worse.
What
are the risks of using N-Bombs?
The effects can last between six and ten hours and include:
- Feelings of confusion and paranoia.
- Insomnia, this is where someone founds
it very hard to fall asleep or to stay asleep for a normal amount of time.
- Feeling sick and nauseous.
- Body tremors and shaking.
Doctors who have treated people who have taken N-Bombs have reported the
following common effects/risks:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure,
which can put pressure on your heart and circulation system and in extreme
cases can lead to heart failure.
- Agitation and aggression.
- You may see and hear things that aren’t
there (known as hallucinations).
- Some people might have seizures and a fever or high body temperature
N-Bombs are very powerful, with only a small amount needed to have an
effect. For example, the average dose of the N-Bomb 25I-NBOMe is between
0.000050 and 0.0001gram. Because of this it can be easy to overdose if you are
using the powder or liquid forms of NBOMe.N-Bombs are similar to LSD so there some of
the risks of LSD may apply to N-Bombs as well.
Sunday 16 March 2014
6 dead from drug overdose
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — Three women were
among six people, who died from drug intake after they suffocated while
attending the Future Music Festival Asia concert at the Bukit Jalil Stadium
early this morning.Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Datuk Mohmad Salleh said in the 2 am
incident, three other men were reported to be in critical condition due to the
drugs.“The six, who died were locals, aged between 19 to 28, and were
pronounced dead on the way to the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and
the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (PPUKM) early this morning,”
he told a media conference here today.The six, who died from the drug intake
were known as Kamal Zekry Kamal Basha, 22, Victor Wong E Hern, 26, Sabreena
Kamaruddin, 21, M.Suresh, 28, Syazana Sohaime, 23, and Nor Faizza Mohd Wazir,
27.he men who were in critical condition, including two foreigners were being
treated in UMMC and PPUKM.Two of them were Singaporeans and the third a local,
aged between 19 to 27, he said.Mohmad said, discussions with the organisers
found that the three-day concert, which was supposed to end tonight, had been
cancelled after the safety of the patrons was compromised.“The six victims who
died were believed to have taken the drug methamphetamine before going to the
concert.“The drug is known as ‘designer drug’ or synthetic drugs, which is
called meth,” he said.He added that autopsies conducted on the victims found
that they had died from drug overdose.Mohmad said the drugs were sold at
between RM60 to RM100 a pill, depending on its contents.During the two days of
the concert police also arrested 19 patrons, including seven locals and 12
foreigners from Singapore, Australia and Indonesia for possession of drugs, he
said -BernamaWednesday 5 March 2014
What is Steroids?
What Are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are a class of steroid hormones based on the androgen testosterone. Anabolic steroids are also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids or AAS or performance enhancing drugs.
What Do Anabolic Steroids Do?
Anabolic steroids increase the rate of protein synthesis within cells. The building of cellular tissue (anabolism) is especially noticeable in muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing effects. They influence masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords and body hair.
How Are Anabolic Steroids Used as Drugs?
Anabolic steroids have been attractive to athletes and bodybuilders because they increase the size and strength of muscles. They also increase aggressiveness and competitiveness, which can be desirable traits in sports. Anabolic steroids may be prescribed to promote appetite, stimulate bone growth, induce male puberty, to lessen the effects of muscle wasting from chronic diseases, such as cancer or AIDS, and may show promise as a male contraceptive. The drugs are available as oral pills, injectable steroids, and skin patches.
How Do Anabolic Steroids Work?
Anabolic steroids change muscle mass and strength by two processes. First, the steroids lead to an increased production of proteins, which are the building blocks of muscle. The steroids also block the effect of the hormone cortisol on muscle tissue, so that existing muscle is broken down at a slower rate. Additionally, anabolic steroids lead to cells differentiating into muscle more readily than fat.
What Are the Risks of Using Anabolic Steroids?
In addition to increasing muscle strength and mass, the effects of taking anabolic steroids include harmful changes in cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, acne, liver damage, and changes to the structure of the left ventricle of the heart. Anabolic steroids have an androgenic or virilizing effect, meaning they affect male characteristics. Anabolic steroids affect the onset of puberty, growth of the clitoris in females and the penis in male children
oes not affect the size of the penis in adults), increased size of the vocal chords and deepening of the voice, increased body hair, and premature baldness in people predisposed to it. Another side effect is decreased fertility and testicular atrophy.
Why Are Anabolic Steroids Dangerous for Teens?
Many of the side effects of taking performance enhancing drugs can be countered by combining them with other drugs and exercise and are somewhat reversible in adults. However, anabolic steroid use can have permanent negative consequences if used by adolescents. One side effect can be early onset of puberty. More significantly, the drugs can stunt growth by prematurely stopping the lengthening of the bones.
Tuesday 18 February 2014
The Effects of Heroin Use
As a derivative of morphine-a naturally occurring product of the poppy plant- heroin has plenty of negative consequences. For one thing, street drugs have no quality assurance; you have no idea what might be mixed in with them. At the same time, heroin is powerfully addictive. Frequent users understand what the heroin high is like and are always ready to recreate the sensation. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, heroin is the most abused drug in its class. Users who inject the drug are at an increased risk of several communicable diseases including HIV and hepatitis.
Short-Term Effects of Heroin
The immediate effect of being high on heroin is described as a rush, an intense feeling of pleasure. This occurs because the drug passes into the brain very quickly. The skin may feel warm, and the user may experience a heavy feeling in the arms and legs. After the rush subsides, users often feel drowsy and uncoordinated for several hours.
As a short-term effect, heroin also dulls pain, and similar drugs such as morphine are very effective medications for severe and chronic pain. The active components of heroin bind to certain nerve receptors in the brain, preventing the transmission of pain signals. Some users view their use of heroin as a form of self-medication, but the negative effects are too serious for this to be a wise choiceSide Effects
Not all side effects of heroin are pleasant. Sometimes the initial rush can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or itching. Even worse, taking too much of the drug at once can result in depressed breathing, a slow heart rate and unconsciousness. A heroin overdose is a potentially fatal event if not treated quickly. Fortunately, there are effective medical remedies for a heroin overdose. A quick injection of adrenaline will counteract the depressant effects of the drug, speeding up the heart and returning respiration rates to normal.
Long-Term Effects of Heroin
Addiction is the primary long-term effect of heroin abuse. The longer you use heroin, the stronger the addiction becomes. A true addict has one purpose in life-to acquire more of the drug. Other responsibilities, such as work and family, fall by the wayside.
Users who inject heroin often suffer from collapsed veins, bruising, bacterial infections, arthritis and serious infectious diseases like AIDS. These users are often injecting themselves with dirty shared needles. The rush experienced from intravenous drug use is significantly more powerful than other methods of ingestion, which explains its popularity.
With addiction comes tolerance and dependence. Tolerance to heroin means that over time, more of the drug is required to reach the same level of euphoria. Dependence often coexists with tolerance, but they are not the same thing. The Cleveland Clinic explains that dependence means a person’s body has adapted to the drug. Removing the drug will create a series of withdrawal symptoms.
Heroin Dependency
Like all opiate drugs, heroin leads to dependency in users who have maintained the habit for long enough. If someone dependent on heroin suddenly stops taking the drug, he will experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These include body aches, muscle aches, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, cold flashes and leg twitches. These symptoms usually peak within two days of the last dose of heroin disappear completely within a week. While not fun, heroin withdrawal is not a dangerous medical condition. The symptoms, however, often compel a user to keep using rather than experience withdrawal.
Heroin Withdrawal Treatment
Treatment for heroin addiction and heroin withdrawal begins with admitting that there’s a problem. Rehab and recovery requires a serious commitment to get healthy. Once that commitment is made, treatment is not that difficult-and the rewards are immense. A life without heroin is an attainable goal, no matter how strong your addiction is.
A heroin rehab center offers a safe and welcome environment in which to overcome the initial withdrawal symptoms. Certain medications can ease the body aches or nausea normally associated with heroin withdrawal.
Natural remedies, including a healthy diet and exercise, can also smooth out the bumps of detox and withdrawal. Long-term recovery, however, calls for a different approach, one centered on mental wellbeing more so than physical.
Sustained recovery from heroin addiction requires a strong social network. This includes both individual and group therapy sessions with fellow recovering addicts. A licensed therapist or psychiatrist can help identify the reasons for heroin abuse and suggest steps to take to prevent relapse. Being honest with friends and family about your struggles is another way to safeguard a healthy future.
Sunday 9 February 2014
Methamphetamine Facts
Methamphetamine Facts
The history of the use of methamphetamine is intertwined with
the history of its chemical cousin amphetamine. Their chemical structures are
similar, although the effect of methamphetamine on the central nervous system
is more pronounced.
Amphetamine
was first synthesized in 1887, and methamphetamine was discovered in 1919. By
1943, both drugs were widely available to treat a range of disorders, including
narcolepsy, depression, obesity, alcoholism and the behavioral syndrome called
minimal brain dysfunction, known today as attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD). Following World War II, during which amphetamine was widely
used to keep combat duty soldiers alert, both amphetamine (Adderall,
Benzedrine, Dexidrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine, Desoxyn) became more
available to the public.
Facts
§ Methamphetamine can
be swallowed, snorted, smoked and injected by users. The effects
usually last from four to eight hours or more, depending on dosage.
§ Like amphetamine,
methamphetamine increases activity, decreases appetite and causes a general
sense of well-being. Amphetamine has been used for weight control, for athletic
performance and endurance, for treating mild depression, and to help truckers
complete their long hauls without falling asleep. Methamphetamine has been
widely marketed to women for weight loss and to treat depression.
§ Increased or
prolonged use of methamphetamine can cause sleeplessness, loss of appetite,
increased blood pressure, paranoia, psychosis, aggression, disordered thinking,
extreme mood swings and sometimes hallucinations. Many users
become physically rundown, which leaves them susceptible to illness. The
discontinued use of methamphetamine by heavy users will create withdrawal
symptoms, including severe depression, lethargy, anxiety and fearfulness. Such
effects are less pronounced with oral use and in lower dosages.
§ Methamphetamine
production is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to many
other recreational drugs. It is frequently reported on in the media
when home meth-producing labs are busted.
§ Pharmaceutical
methamphetamine is still available legally under the brand name Desoxyn, but
only infrequently prescribed to treat severe obesity, narcolepsy and ADHD. Pharmaceutical
amphetamine is available by prescription under a number of brand names (most
notably Adderall), while other amphetamine-like stimulant medications are also
widely prescribed (such as Ritalin), and are commonly prescribed to treat
narcolepsy, ADHD, fatigue and depression. Although ostensibly not available to
enhance productivity or wakefulness, amphetamine is commonly used that way.
This has created a divide between those with health insurance who are able to
obtain stimulants through legal means, and those who seek out black-market
stimulants and face arrest.
§ Contrary to a
common misperception, methamphetamine is not “instantly addictive” for most
people who use it. Most people who use methamphetamine do not develop an addiction.
For those individuals who do develop an addiction, treatment for
methamphetamine addiction is similar to that for cocaine and other stimulants
and just as likely to succeed.
The Tragedy of Philip Seymour Hoffman: How We Can Prevent Overdose Deaths
What makes the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman all the more tragic is that it happened in New York, a state with a wide array of policies and services designed to reduce drug overdose deaths and save the lives of people who use drugs. New York has a 911 Good Samaritan law, which offers some protection from drug charges for people who call 911 to report a suspected overdose. Many people panic at the scene of an overdose, fearing they or the overdose victim will be arrested for possessing small amounts of drugs. Good Samaritan laws in over a dozen states, including New York, encourage people to act quickly to save a life without fear of drug charges for minor violations. New Yorkers also have limited access to the opiate overdose reversal medicine naloxone. If administered right away, naloxone can can reverse an overdose and restore normal breathing.
Naloxone is generic, inexpensive, non-narcotic, works quickly and is not only safe, but also easy to use. It's been around since the 1970s and has saved tens of thousands of lives. New York also just this week introduced legislation to expand access to it.
So many states are just now starting to take some great steps to get naloxone in the hands of more people. Hoffman's death perfectly illustrates how terribly urgent this is. Even the Office of National Drug Control Policy is supporting naloxone in the hands of cops. But we can't stop there. It's not enough for law enforcement and EMT's to have access to naloxone -- people who use drugs and others who might witness an opiate overdose must have that same access. Whoever is the first to respond to the overdose, the actual "first responder," must be permitted access to naloxone, period. We need to make sure that local and federal governments are on board and that we're getting naloxone into as many pharmacies as possible.
Over the coming days, we'll likely learn a great deal more about Hoffman, his drug use and his personal demons. Some will likely call his death a "teachable moment." But we need to ensure that what we're teaching includes basic drug user safety information -- information that can absolutely save lives. We need to start talking about harm reduction and how to help people stay alive if they use drugs. If you use heroin and no one has ever told you to avoid mixing alcohol or other sedatives with heroin because it increases your risk of overdose, we have failed you. We don't have to like a persons drug use, in fact, we can hate it. But at the very least, we need to do some very basic, lifesaving education about it.
There is much left to discover about the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. And much left to say about how we so very urgently need to significantly shift not only our conversations about drug use, but our drug policies, as well. We need doctors, not jail cells. We need compassion, and we need research-backed science and medicine to help people most in need of a therapeutic intervention. We need to acknowledge that we all have our secrets, our shame, our hidden darknesses and our realities that we keep safely out of public view. I hope as details emerge, we remember him as one of the greatest actors of the modern era and don't decide to write him off "just another celeb who died from drugs." I hope we do more to help others like him stay alive, even if they use drugs.
Self-improvement
Nootropics, also commonly referred to as "smart drugs", are drugs that are claimed to improve human cognitive abilities. Nootropics are used to improve memory, concentration, thought, mood, learning, and many other things. Some nootropics are now beginning to be used to treat certain diseases such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. They are also commonly used to regain brain function lost during aging. Similarly, drugs such as steroids improve human physical capabilities and are sometimes used (legally or not) for this purpose, often by professional athletes.
Medication
A medication or medicine is a drug taken to cure and/or
ameliorate any symptoms of an illness or medical condition, or may be used
as preventive medicine that has future benefits but does not
treat any existing or pre-existing diseases or symptoms.
Dispensing of
medication is often regulated by governments into three categories—over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which are available
in pharmacies and supermarkets without special
restrictions, behind-the-counter (BTC),
which are dispensed by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's
prescription, and prescription only medicines (POM), which must be prescribed by a
licensed medical professional, usually a physician
In the United
Kingdom, BTC medicines are called pharmacy medicines which can only be sold in registered
pharmacies, by or under the supervision of a pharmacist. These medications are
designated by the letter P on the label. The range of medicines available
without a prescription varies from country to country.
Medications are
typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often patented to give the developer exclusive rights
to produce them. Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are
called generic drugs since they can be produced by other
companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder.
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