Category Archives: Diagnostics

Bath Salts Abuse Tops Newest Designer Drug Trend

The use of bath salts among teens and young adults is fast becoming the drug of choice to obtain a “legal high” because of their relative low cost as well as their ease of acquisition.

“Designer drugs are simply legal substances that have been modified to produce a high,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “The concept of designer drugs isn’t new; in fact, it has been around for decades. Individuals discovered that they could obtain a high from ordinary chemicals such as paint thinners, glue and aerosol cans. The effects of the substances being manipulated are becoming increasingly dangerous compared to their predecessors. And, the abuse is growing at an alarming rate. Unless lawmakers enact laws banning bath salts, we’re going to have a new type of drug epidemic on our hands.”

Bath salts are commonly smoked, snorted and injected. Their effects have been compared to a hallucinogenic cocaine, with users experiencing much of the same devastating and dangerous side effects such as convulsions, high blood pressure, heart attacks and even death.

If you know or suspect that your teen or young adult is abusing bath salts or any other type of substance, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center offers professional intervention services to assist you in getting them the help that they need to recover. For the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get, and to remain, sober.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specialization and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 13 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.

The program, along with its professional addiction treatment team, have earned national recognition and resulted in Mountainside being invited to Washington by the White House to meet with the White House Drug Czar, John P. Waters, for an in-depth meeting on what makes its program so successful. These accolades did not go unnoticed within the addiction treatment field and resulted in the adoption by many throughout the country of a more holistic approach to drug addiction treatment.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Underage Drinking Continues To Plague America

It’s no secret that many of America’s youth are looking for the quickest fix or high. Often times, they turn to a readily available substance found in many Americans’ homes: alcohol.

Statistics show that by age 18, 70% of teens have had one drink. While it’s true that, when teens do drink, they drink less often than adults; however, when drinking they tend to drink more than adults: approximately 5 drinks on a single occasion.

In addition, research indicates that 40% of adults who started drinking before age 15 say that they have the signs of alcohol dependence, four times higher than for adults who delayed drinking until after 21 years old.

“Underage drinking is a continuing and growing problem in America and is one that is hard fought on many fronts,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “Programs such as DARE and other school-based education programs go a long way in getting the message out about the dangers of underage drinking. With continued effort, we believe that we can decrease the underage drinking statistics and give renewed hope for the future of America.”

Underage drinking is a major contributor to deaths among those under 21 years old. 5,000 people under 21 die as a result of underage drinking annually – approximately 2,000 from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 from homicides, 300 from suicides and hundreds more from other injuries.

If you know or suspect that your teen or minor has a problem with alcohol, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center offers professional intervention services to assist you in getting them the help that they need to recover. For the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get, and to remain, sober.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specialization and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 13 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

President Obama Administration Intervenes To Curb Prescription Drug Abuse

In response to America’s growing prescription drug abuse problem, the Obama administration has taken measures to help curtail prescription drug abuse by enacting new FDA legislation.

The new FDA legislation is a two-fold approach requiring participation from both drug makers as well as physicians who prescribe opiates. Drug makers will be required to provide physicians with materials for patients which explain the risks and benefits of opioid use. In turn, physicians will be required to understand how to correctly prescribe opiates as well as provide counseling to patients on the correct use of opiate pain medications.

“This is a positive step towards helping curtail America ‘s growing prescription drug epidemic,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “It’s important that physicians have proper training in prescribing opiates and, additionally, it’s crucial that a patient understands the risks of taking opiates. Thankfully, the government understands and acknowledges that this problem is plaguing America. With these concerted efforts, in the future we should be able to see a decline in prescription drug abuse.”

Statistics show that in 17 different states, unintentional drug overdose is the leading cause of injury among its citizens. In addition to the new FDA regulations, President Obama has asked for an additional $123 million for drug prevention programs as well as an addition $99 million for treatment programs for fiscal year 2012.

If you know or suspect that your loved one has a problem with prescription narcotic abuse, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center offers professional intervention services to assist you in getting them the help that they need to recover. For the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get, and to remain, sober.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Children With Alcoholic Parents Have Increased Alcoholism Risk

A recently published study out of Europe shows that children who have one or more parents who either abuse alcohol or who are alcoholics, have increased risk of alcoholism.

In addition, the study seems to indicate that this predisposition occurred more highly in female participants than in their male counterparts.

“Parental factors, regardless of what they are, always have a strong influence on children,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “It’s no wonder that alcoholism and alcohol abuse demonstrates the same. Early intervention in affected families is necessary to help determine other risk factors and to react in time to assist families in not perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Some times, children feel as if they will, inevitably, become what their parents are from a negative perspective. With alcohol and drug abuse education and early intervention, we are able to show these affected children that their future can and will be different. With a concerted social effort, we can help affected families heal and become alcohol-free.”

While there are many factors which influence alcoholism risk in families, repeated studies do show that genetics do play a large factor in the cycle of drug and alcohol abuse.

If your loved one is in denial about their alcohol use, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center offers professional intervention services to assist you in getting them the help that they need to recover. For the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get, and to remain, sober.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Majority Of Alcohol Abusers Believe They Don’t Need Treatment

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released a study that shows the majority of alcohol abusers don’t believe that they need treatment.

Data from the 2006-2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health show that there are more than 7.4 million American adults, ranging in age between 21 to 64, who have untreated alcohol abuse disorders. Among those, 98.8 percent don’t believe that they need treatment. That leaves just over 500,000 individuals who recognize the seriousness of their disorder.

“One of the first indications of alcohol abuse is denial,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “Clearly, this data supports that assertion. Alcohol abuse may initially begin as recreational, and then the frequency increases. While the increased use may seem gradual, the effects are profound. The abuse begins affecting personal relationships, their work, and they may begin having trouble with the law as they spiral out of control. For those on the outside, it seems glaringly obvious that there is a problem. For the user, they are just in denial. That’s why it is so important to have family members and friends who are willing to lovingly confront the individual so that the affected individual can receive help.”

Those with alcohol abuse disorders have drinking related behaviors that put them and others in high risk of immediate physical danger as well as long-term danger from the consequences of alcoholism, including death.

If your loved one is in denial about their alcohol use, Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center offers professional intervention services to assist you in getting them the help that they need to recover. For the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get, and to remain, sober.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

New England Drug Rehab Co-sponsors Conference On Addictions

On April 8, 2011, Mountainside Drug Rehab is joining with five other treatment centers in co-sponsoring the Spring Conference on Addictions in White Plains , NY . These one day conferences are being regularly organized by The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence/Westchester with treatment centers throughout the country.

Treatment specialists from various fields of addictions will present within their area of expertise. Among the highlights of the conference will be a presentation by Bruce Dechert, M.ED., LADC, ICADC. Bruce is the Family Wellness Program Director at Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . His experience within the addiction treatment field spans three decades and, during that time, he has developed a particular specialty in helping addicted individuals and their families to communicate better, allowing a greater understanding of one another’s perspectives. To that end, his presentation will be: “Moving from Family Illness to Family Wellness”. Bruce is strongly dedicated to fostering within the addiction treatment field the importance and impact of familial relationships within the addicted family dynamic.

“This year, we’re not only honored to co-sponsor the Spring Conference on Addictions,” begins Terence Dougherty, CEO of Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center, “we are honored to have one of the key members of our treatment team, Bruce Dechert, M.ED., LADC, ICADC, present to both colleagues and students in attendance. This conference will bring together some of the best minds within the addiction treatment field, drawing upon many years of combined experience. Other subject matters to be covered include co-occurring disorders, sex addiction, the MICA Model, treatment costs, pain management, and all of the issues surrounding these addictions. In addition to providing valuable information, CEU’s for therapists, social workers and counselors will be given. We believe that this will be one of the best conferences for those within the addiction treatment field this year and is not to be missed.”

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

New Study Shows ER Visits Soar Due To Ecstasy

A study recently released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) showed that emergency room visits due to the abuse of Ecstasy soared 75 percent between 2004 and 2008.

Ecstasy, a well-known party drug of the 90’s, is once again growing in popularity. Over sixty-six percent of the emergency room visits were made by young adults aged 18 to 29 years old.

“The growing abuse of this party drug is alarming,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “Data from studies such as this one helps us know where to re-focus our efforts. At times we tend to become complacent, thinking that we have rounded a corner on curbing the use of a particular drug. We must remember that even though a drug’s popularity comes and goes, we must still be ever vigilant in educating teens and young adults on its dangers.”

Ecstasy is known to produce psychedelic as well as stimulant side effects, such as high blood pressure and elevated body temperatures. It’s a drug that is often used at parties (raves) and is a popular drug of choice for spring break. Although ecstasy trails six other drugs in ER admissions, it is crucial that the dangers of this drug be conveyed to teens and young adults.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is highly skilled in assisting families put their lives back together when affected by alcohol or drug use. And, for the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get and to remain sober.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Foreign Study Shows Early Age Drinkers, Stressful Situations Result In Heavy Drinkers

A study out of Germany shows that young adults who consumed their first drink of alcohol at an early age, and also were subject to stressful situations, tended to become heavy drinkers.

The study, which will be released in the June edition of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research , sampled young adults who took their first drink at early ages. The earliest age reported was 8; most, however, had taken their first drink before the age of 14. The research highlighted that, those who took an alcoholic drink earlier in life, when experiencing stress, they used alcohol as a coping mechanism when dealing with that stress.

“In general, stress can be a large factor in alcohol consumption,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center. “Studies such as this one reinforce the working hypothesis that states: ‘the younger the exposure to alcohol, the greater the chance of dependence’. And, the dependence doesn’t necessarily come from routine use but, as this study suggests, as a response to emotional stress. Most alcohol abuse grows from the need to have a coping mechanism to deal with every day issues. Instead of traditional therapies, many turn to the bottle: a quiet, secluded way to cope. We need to help our youth by providing proper ways for them to talk about their frustrations and confusion and by showing them that there is a way to deal with stress that doesn’t involve drugs or alcohol.”

The cited research did not show that any particular event had any greater effect on alcohol use than any other. The researchers have stated that more research is needed to make those determinations.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Effective Alcohol Rehab Limits Widespread Impact Of Alcohol Abuse

The problem of alcohol abuse is widespread and is becoming a growing epidemic, particularly among the youth of America . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 52% of individuals 18 years of age and older are current regular drinkers of alcohol.

“Excessive alcohol consumption is troubling on many fronts,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “Not only does it tear families apart emotionally and mentally, but the socio-economic impact of is abuse affects everyone. We’ve got a legal substance that, when abused, will simply and completely destroy lives. If we want to wage and win this war, alcohol use and abuse education is crucial, starting at a very early age.”

The CDC statistics indicate that the number of alcoholic liver disease related deaths are nearly 15,000 annually. In addition, the annual number of alcohol-induced deaths, not including accidents or homicide, are nearly 25,000 annually.

Those who abuse alcohol face a particularly stressful challenge. However, professional, highly-skilled treatment facilities, such as Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center , are well-equipped to assist families affected by drug or alcohol abuse as they put their lives back together. And, for the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get and to remain sober.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specialization and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 13 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Teen Heart Throb Justin Bieber Has Made It A Point To Have All Alcohol Removed From His Presence

In a day where the words “celebrity” and “rehab” go together like peanut butter and jelly, teen heart throb Justin Bieber has made it a point to have all alcohol removed from his presence.

In a recent trip to Dublin, Ireland, Bieber insisted that all alcohol be removed from the mini-bar in his hotel room as he felt that having it remain there, even under lock, sent the wrong message to his fans, the majority of which are under the US legal drinking age.

“We applaud Justin Bieber’s decision to distance himself from alcohol,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehaband Alcohol Treatment Center . “Mr. Beiber has such a loyal following, most of which are teens and certainly under the legal drinking age. He went out of the way to make his point of, ‘I’m under the legal drinking age, I don’t drink, I won’t drink, I won’t even have it around me.’ To us, this is profound and sends a powerful message to the youth of America . There’s no better public service announcement for underage drinking than a teen celebrity living a life that exemplifies that message. The influence his actions will have, we’re certain, will be profound.”

Alcohol use runs rampant among teenagers today. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported statistics showing that 72% of students have consumed some amount of alcohol by high school graduation and 37% have consumed alcohol by eighth grade.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is highly skilled in assisting families put their lives back together when affected by alcohol or drug use. And, for the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get and to remain sober.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specialization and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 13 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Spotting Signs Of Teen Drug Use, Not Always Easy

Raising a teen is perhaps one of the most challenging phases of parenthood, particularly with the increased rates of drug experimentation and alcohol abuse.

What may be even more challenging, however, is knowing and understanding the signs that could indicate drug and/or alcohol use in teens and assimilating that information so as to come to the proper conclusion.

“There are so many different substances that can be used to get high,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehaband Alcohol Treatment Center . “Ordinary over-the-counter cough and cold medications, as well as simple motion sickness prevention medicines, are routinely being used to get high. With so many different substances being used it can be difficult to know the various symptoms that these chemicals cause and how to react accordingly. There are, however, tell-tale signs that should send up red flags of warning for parents. If parents begin noticing that their child is more moody than usual or begins to withdraw from family or other normal activities, they should begin to look for other signs such as poor work performance in school or a job, as well as decrease in personal hygiene. These are some of the more common signs exhibited by teens who are using drugs and alcohol. Many times parents will just have a gut-feeling, with no real solid evidence to base those feelings on. We highly encourage parents to go with those gut-feelings and use them to be pro-active in finding out if their child has a problem with drugs or alcohol. Obviously, sometimes the gut feeling will be wrong: the good news is that a child has never died from a parent addressing a gut-feeling; on the other hand, children are dying more and more from the abuse of alcohol and drugs.”

While one particular sign of drug use may be present, it doesn’t mean that abuse is occurring. It takes a combination of factors as well as good, solid instinct to be able to intervene and help a child to avoid drug and/or alcohol abuse.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is highly skilled in assisting families to put their lives back together when affected by alcohol or drug use. And, for the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get and to remain sober.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Increase In Number Of Teens Acquiring Alcohol At Home

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently compiled past and current years data from their annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health and discovered that over 700,000 adolescents, ranging in age from 12 to 14, drank alcohol in the past month. Of the youth who consumed alcohol, 93.4 per cent obtained the alcohol for free and, even more alarming, nearly half obtained their alcohol in an unexpected setting: at home.

“Data such as this is important in winning the war on underage drinking and drug abuse,” begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “It further emphasizes what we have known all along: drug and alcohol prevention for youth begins in the home. Sometimes, parents are reluctant to have conversations with their children about tough subjects like these. But, opening up the lines of communication between parents and children is paramount in preventing the abuse of alcohol and drugs.”

Experts who have commented on this study have indicated that this data isn’t really new for those within the field, and that the family and home setting is, generally, where youth begin their experimentation with drugs and alcohol. But, by bringing this information to the public, parents are will be made more aware of the dangers of substance abuse within the home.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is highly skilled in assisting families put their lives back together when affected by alcohol or drug use. And, for the past 13 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get and to remain sober.

The compassionate, caring treatment team at Mountainside is comprised of licensed and certified counselors and social workers as well as a Nurse Practitioner and a Registered Nurse, both of whom have specialization and extensive experience in drug addiction and alcohol treatment. For clients who may have psychiatric issues and/or a dual diagnosis, Mountainside provides the services of a Psychiatrist who also has specialization in addictions. As a result of their unique, innovative approaches to addiction treatment over the past 13 years, Mountainside has become the model for the addiction treatment field.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Family Support Needed For Drug Rehab Prevention

A recent study shows that children removed from their primary residence due to a volatile home situation, and who are placed with a relative for care, have a greater incidence of substance abuse than those placed in traditional foster care.

While children living with a relative, also called a kinship caregiver, have been shown to have fewer behavioral and social skills challenges than their counterparts living in foster homes, they appear to be twice as likely to be at risk for drug abuse.

“This is a disturbing finding, begins a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehaband Alcohol Treatment Center. “It certainly would seem to be more desirable to place a child with a relative, rather than a complete stranger, for a variety of reasons. But, when doing so, this research shows us that there needs to be proper education and support given to help the caregiver to work with the child for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse; this support should be in place for not only the initial transition period, but for the future as well. ”

The study also showed that kinship caregivers are about four times less likely to receive parental training, half as likely to receive additional financial support and seven times less likely to have any type of respite care.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is highly skilled in assisting families put their lives back together when affected by alcohol or drug use. And, for the past 12 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get and to remain sober.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Colleges And Universities: Connect Students With Alcohol Treatment

Finding alcohol treatment for a college student can often involve the staff at a campus health center, especially if the student in need of treatment is attending a school far from home. When this happens, Treatment-Centers.net provides the resources health center staff need to quickly connect the student and his family with an alcohol treatment center near the school. The online directory proves comprehensive in all areas of the country, ensuring that all students have access to the help they need to get sober and stay that way.

February 2011 – Created by Internet marketing expert Bernie Gohsman, Treatment-Centers.net features more than 11,000 addiction and alcohol rehabilitation center listings, plus a wealth of addiction-related resources. Gohsman launched the directory after his only brother died as the result of a drug and alcohol addiction. The goal of the directory is to help health professionals and families find the resources they need to help an alcoholic and thus avoid experiencing this painful loss.

Health professionals and families begin at the homepage of Treatment-Centers.net, where they will find links to state categories. There are even links to international categories, for those helping to find an alcohol treatment center for a student attending school abroad. Those helping the student also can call the directory (877) 335-4673 and speak to a treatment counselor immediately. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can help narrow the many options down to one. There is no charge to access the directory or to speak with a treatment counselor.

Campus health centers also can use Treatment-Centers.net as part of awareness campaigns for alcoholism and alcohol treatment. Health center staff can educate students about the directory and its free resources through pamphlets and e-mail newsletters. This can encourage students in need of an alcohol rehabilitation center, but who might not be ready to take the next step yet, to explore the directory on their own.

On the directory, students will find extensive resources, including online assessments and a robust community area. In the community area, the student can communicate with others who struggle with alcoholism through forums and in chat rooms. Treatment-Centers.net also has a frequently updated blog with news and words of wisdom and inspiration relating to alcoholism and alcohol treatment.

In addition to alcohol treatment center listings, the directory includes listings for other types of addiction treatment centers. Health center staff and families can turn to Treatment-Centers.net and its counselors for help finding centers and professionals– therapists and addiction-recovery organizations – that provide treatment for alcoholism, eating disorders and sex, Internet and gambling addiction.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Drug Trafficking Into Arizona Brings Kidnapping And Violence With It

Every time law enforcement gains an advantage over drug cartels bringing their loads over the border into the U.S., the cartels adapt to the pressure and change their tactics. In previous decades, drug cartels used Miami, Tijuana and El Paso as portals for their drug smuggling. The last few years, the Arizona border has been the target of cartels. Wide-open deserts and remote Native American reservations have been some of the primary channels used for the movement of tons of drugs.

But along with the drugs, Arizona and, in particular, Phoenix have inherited other crimes. Some law enforcement bodies report that Phoenix is experiencing an average of one kidnapping a day. In the whole world, only Mexico City has more kidnappings.

The kidnappings relate to drug debts that have not been paid and other drug-smuggling offenses. They also relate to the trafficking of humans that has followed the path of drug smuggling.

The people doing the drug smuggling and the human trafficking have one terrible characteristic in common: they are criminals willing to use any level of violence to achieve their aims.

The volume of drugs and illegal immigrants coming across the border is staggering. Border Patrol agents in Arizona alone arrest an average of 900 illegal immigrants a day. And last year, they seized 1.2 million pounds of marijuana – more than a ton and a half every day.

In Arizona, we have the situation of the drug war in Mexico spilling over into the United States. It is not something we can ignore. Demand reduction through effective rehabilitation and drug education is an essential component to ending this dangerous and violent situation.

This article is brought to you by Narconon International. Narconon is an international organization dedicated to the elimination of drug addiction through the Narconon drug rehab program and drug education.

The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program brings about a lower demand for drugs by enabling its graduates to live a drug-free life after graduation. Further, the Narconon drug education curriculum has been proven to lower drug use statistics among students who attend the classes. For more information, see our video http://www.youtube.com/user/narconon?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/6/AlkKeOO-nTo.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Kingdom Day Parade Is Served by Mentors Helping Youth Be Creative and Drug-Free

Ready to get the word out that “Drugs Ruin Creativity,” skateboarders, breakdancers and mentors gather before the Kingdom Day commemorative parade. (far left) Ms. Teddy Chambers, executive director for Narconon Professional Drug Prevention; Curtis O. Porter, Director of the Youth Development Division of the Family and Youth Services Bureau of Health and U.S. and Human Services Department; Dr. Tina Robinson, executive coordinator of the Southern California Foster Care Mentoring Network; (5th from left) Heidi Lemmon, President of the National Skateboard Association; (center) Man One, founder and owner of Crewest Gallery; (far right) Fresh, original member the LA Breakers break dance crew.

“Strong Support from Narconon Helps Youth Spread the Word that “Drugs Ruin Creativity”

The 25th Anniversary 2011 Kingdom Day Parade in Los Angeles celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with an emphasis on service. That service took the form of teens and their mentors getting out the word that Dr. King’s dream needs the creative drug-free energy of youth to be realized.

Narconon Professional Drug Prevention (NPDP) specializing in drug prevention training, Narconon® Western United States, both LA-based organizations of Narconon International, Southern California Foster Care Mentoring Network and the National Alliance of Faith and Justice headquartered in Washington, D.C., sponsored the anti-drug banners in the televised 2-mile parade that commemorates Dr. King’s date of birth.

Accompanying them skateboarders and break dancers entertained the crowd with their skilled moves. They wore original design tee-shirts that declared “Drugs ruin creativity.” The design was created by 23-year-old artist, Jose Quevedo, who took top prize in an anti-drug black Sharpie graffiti art battle sponsored by NPDP at the popular Crewest Gallery in downtown LA. “Drugs ruin creativity,” is the title of an article in the booklet, 10 Things Your Friends May Not Know About Drugs, published by Narconon.

Curtis O. Porter, from the Youth Services Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services announced the shirt will be displayed in his Washington, D.C., office to exemplify positive youth service. As Director of the Youth Development Division of Family and Youth Services, Mr. Porter administers two of the nation’s most important youth mentoring programs. He attended the parade to congratulate the sponsored mentors and meet some of their youth. He encouraged the work the mentors do to help kids stay off drugs, remain in school and strive to make the dream of Dr. King a reality.

Heidi Lemmon is a co-founder of Venice Boarding School, which appeals to students’ love of skate boarding to keep them on an academic path. She is President of the National Skateboard Association. Man One is founder and owner of Crewest Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles. He has trained dozens of young artists to help them seek a career using their talents. Fresh, has built a dance organization called the LA Breakers that has mentoring as a core element to keep kids drug-free and healthy.“It is a real honor to work with people who care enough to give of their time to guide our youth into drug-free productive lives,” said Chambers.

For more information about the Narconon program and rehabilitation call 1 800-775-8750 or visit http://www.youtube.com/user/narconon?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/2/5lpK2v_kitA.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Narconon Spokesperson Warns, “When Mothers Breastfeed, It’s A Critical Time To Get Off Addictive Drugs”

Just because an addicted woman has a baby does not mean her cravings go away. In fact, the stress of trying to care for an infant may cause her to seek the relief that drugs might seem to offer her. But while her body may be able to tolerate the drugs, if she is nursing, she could be causing harm to her newborn and even risking killing him or her.

Most illicit drugs wind up in breast milk in varying quantities. Cocaine in particular presents a risk to infants because it stays in their bodies much longer than it does in the mother’s body. If a mother uses cocaine repetitively, then the baby may die of an overdose as the dosage accumulates in the small body. In a Michigan case, a woman used cocaine two or three times one day and then breastfed her five-month-old baby. The medical examiner said that the baby died of cocaine intoxication.

“It could be said that the time that a woman is pregnant or nursing are the most important times in her life to live a clean and sober lifestyle,” commented Bobby Wiggins, spokesperson for Narconon drug rehab and education. Narconon is an international organization dedicated to the elimination of drug addiction through drug rehabilitation and drug education. “During this time, a woman harms someone other than herself with her drug use: her helpless newborn or the baby growing inside her. Family members around a pregnant or nursing woman who suffers from addiction must pull out all the stops to get her the help she needs to stop using drugs.”

Methamphetamine is another killer drug when administered via breast milk. In the last several years, one mother in Georgia and two mothers in California have been jailed for killing their babies with methamphetamine.

“A mother with a young child, addiction to illicit drugs – this is a dangerous combination,” added Wiggins. “We owe it to our youngest citizens to eliminate addiction by providing effective drug rehabilitation. At Narconon centers around the world, seven out of ten graduates stay sober after they go home, meaning there are more alert, capable mothers returned to their children after they have been to Narconon.”

Visit http://www.youtube.com/user/narconon?blend=1&ob=5 for more information about the program.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Substance Abuse Proves To Be A Growing Factor In Women’s Incarceration, Notes Narconon Spokesperson

America’s War on Drugs has resulted in a disproportionately large number of women being incarcerated for drug-related offenses.

The war on drugs looked like good idea at the time but no one foresaw its harsh effects on women in America.

In the early 1980s, laws intended to fight the increase of drug trafficking into the U.S. and the spread of cocaine addiction changed the way drug offenders were sentenced. But one of the unexpected results of this change was that the number of women being incarcerated for drug-related offenses shot up dramatically.

Over a thirteen-year period starting in 1986, the ratio of women serving time for a drug-related offense rose from 1 in 8 women to 1 in 3 women. Nationwide, the total number of women incarcerated for drug offenses increased an incredible 888 percent over this time. At the same time, the number of women incarcerated for other offenses rose only 129 percent.

As women are most often the primary caregivers for the next generation, it becomes particularly important that they find a solution to a substance abuse problem or addiction that could end up sending them to jail or prison. It’s well known that the only outcomes of addiction are sobriety, prison or death. The Narconon drug and alcohol rehabilitation program offers drug recovery programs to both women and men in more than one hundred locations around the world.

By 2008, about half of women confined in state prisons reported that they had been using alcohol, drugs or both at the time of the crime for which they were arrested. And about half of these women admitted that they were daily users of drugs or alcohol. About a third of these women committed the crime that sent them to prison so they could get money for drugs or alcohol.

When women find their way to one of the Narconon facilities, they find a program that enables them to learn new life skills to replace the ones that addiction may have destroyed. Improved communication skills, a restoration of personal integrity and values, and a retraining in morals feature in this long-term drug treatment program. As a result, women and men alike are able to stay clean and sober in seven out of ten cases, after graduation from the Narconon drug program.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

Deliver More Drug Treatments With Treatment-Centers

The business of providing drug treatments to addicts has never been more competitive. In any given area, addicts and their loved ones have hundreds of options when it comes time to choose a drug treatment center. Treatment-Centers.net allows centers to stand out and secure more intakes. Listings in the comprehensive online directory reach more than 125,000 unique visitors – targeted visitors looking specifically for treatment – a month. A listing also improves the search-engine ranking of a center’s own website.

February 2011 – Gone are the days when a solid reputation and steady referrals could supply a drug treatment center with a sufficient number of clients. Now, thanks to a highly competitive marketplace, these centers must also employ Internet marketing to reach and help addicts in need. Online directory Treatment-Centers.net makes Internet marketing easy for the centers, with its free informational listings and pay featured listings.

Free listings on Treatment-Centers.net reach more than 125,000 unique visitors a month. These visitors are addicts themselves or loved ones looking for addiction intervention and treatment options. Featured listings, available for a monthly fee, run at the top of the category for the state in which the center is located and on every other page – more than 11,000 – of the directory. Both types of listings include a link to the center’s own website, and because of the high search-engine ranking of Treatment-Centers.net, this link relationship also serves to raise the center’s website in search engine results.

Signing up for a listing on Treatment-Centers.net can be done entirely online. A representative from the drug treatment center must join as a community member, then provide information about the drug treatments it provides and upload a photo. For featured listings, the representative pays the monthly fee of $525 through PayPal. Listings go live within a few hours. Featured listings run on a month-to-month basis, with the ability to cancel at any time. Banner advertising also is available on the directory.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases

President Obama Calls For Help In Fight On Drugs

President Obama fielded questions regarding the fight on drugs in a recent town meeting in California.

While the purpose of the meeting had a focus other than the national war on drugs, the tone quickly turned and the focus shifted on how to enable states to be able to provide more addiction treatment services to those in need.

“President Obama highlighted a major problem within the addiction field: lack of adequate space in programs to service clients,” began a spokesperson for Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center . “The number of individuals who need drug rehab often times far outweighs the number of clients that one rehab center can service at any given time. Many times, drug addiction treatment programs will have waiting lists for space availability. Can you imagine how discouraging it would be to be an individual who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, decide that today is the day you are ready to change your life and be turned away and told to return at a later date? President Obama has suggested that the allocation of resources be re-examined to see if there are any changes that can be made to insure that each person who wants to go into drug rehab, can.”

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that there are 23.6 million individuals, aged 12 or older, who needed treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. The survey further shows that only 11% received treatment in a drug addiction treatment facility.

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is highly skilled in assisting families put their lives back together when affected by alcohol or drug use. And, for the past 12 years, Mountainside has established itself as an innovator within the addiction treatment field, and the treatment modalities Mountainside utilizes are regarded as among the most cutting-edge approaches in helping individuals to get and to remain sober.

Via EPR Network
More Healthcare press releases