Mother describes losing child to prescription drug abuse (videos) – pottstownmercury.com

By Keith Phucas, Journal Register News Service

NORRISTOWN — http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2010/04/16/news/doc4bc87346734de603530865.txt.

“Why Don’t You Just Shut the F*ck Up?”

These words of wisdom were proffered to me not so long ago by a good friend of mine, Vince. And by good friend I mean someone who will tell you like it is. These types of people are rarer than you might think. Ask yourself how many of your friends fit this description.

What Vince meant by this is, “you have a pretty good life… and a lot to be thankful for… a lot to be grateful for… so quit bitching”. Take a minute, take a breath, and take stock of your own life. I bet you’ll come to pretty much the same conclusion.

Now, pick your chin up and get on with the rest of your day. And don’t forget to shut the fuck up.

Send Your Drug Court Story to President Obama

The Obama Administration supports expanding the use of drug courts and is currently preparing to submit the fiscal year 2010 budget to Congress. The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) is vigorously advocating for a $250 Million annual investment in drug court programs. This investment is greatly needed!!

Every drug court professional, graduate, or friend of a drug court can help in this effort by sending a letter to President Obama. This only takes a minute and will have a tremendous impact.

Click Here to show your support for drug court and share your story with the President.

When you are finished be sure to send a link to this post to your colleagues, graduates, friends and family. Every story counts.

_

Painkiller Epidemic Update: Painkillers Top Choice Among New Illicit Drug Users

2007 SAMHSA Study: Initiates for Specific Illicit Drugs among Persons Aged 12 or Older

According to findings from the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), painkillers (OxyContin, MS Contin, Vicodin) are now the top drugs in “use initiation” (also known as incidence or first-time use).

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in its 2007 survey, provides a variety of figures related to substance use initiation. Among the 2.7 million persons aged 12 or older surveyed, a staggering 2.1 million reported that the first illicit drugs they used were painkillers.

That figure puts painkillers above marijuana, and far above cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, and all other illicit drugs as “drugs of first use”.

Anyone need further evidence of a Painkiller Epidemic?

_

• SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use & Health
• Trends in Initiation of Substance Use: Specific Drug Used When Initiating Illicit Drug Use among Past Year Initiates of Illicit Drugs Aged 12 or Older: 2007
• View other Painkiller Epidemic Updates

_

Graphic courtesy of SAMHSA.

“Suge” Knight Arrested With Painkillers

The logo for Death Row Records: Blindfolded man strapped into an electric chair!

Rapper and founder of Death Row Records Marion Hugh Knight, Jr., better known as “Suge” Knight, was arrested yesterday in Las Vegas on drug and assault charges. He was allegedly caught with the drug ecstasy and the narcotic painkiller hydrocodone (brand-name Vicodin) in his possession.

Police, responding to a report of a car hitting a curb, found Mr. Knight standing over his longtime girlfriend with a knife in his hand. “Suge” is being held on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription, and battery domestic violence. (Source: AP Wire)

_

Image courtesy of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.