2,500

That’s the number of American kids, between the ages of 12 and 17, who take their first prescription painkiller every single day that wasn’t prescribed to them.  And you might be surprised to discover there are two places they get these prescription strength painkillers: their own medicine cabinets or the medicine cabinets of their friends.  Shocking, yes?

Georgia is on a mission, though.  The Georgia Chapter of Narconon, along with area sheriffs departments, has instituted what’s been named “Operation Medicine Cabinet”.  The goal is to get as many unused and no longer needed prescription drugs out of these medicine cabinets for safe disposal.  Clearly, this is a program that can benefit every community in America.  Keep reading for even more shocking statistics:

• Prescription drugs are abused more often by teens than any street drug other than marijuana.
• Teens are under the impression that using prescription drugs is safer than street drugs
• 1 in 5 teens admit to abusing prescription medications
• 1 in 10 admit to abusing over the counter cough medicines to get high
• “Pharm parties”, defined as a group of teens who get together and toss prescription pills into a bowl, and then randomly select which pills to take with no thought to what they are and how they may interact with other pills they select, is on the rise.

Clearly, as parents, our concerns are generally directed to what our kids come in contact with outside our homes; however, these statistics reveal our battles may begin long before they ever leave the house. 

This practice of abusing prescription drugs has other dangers as well.  Specifically, concerns of these drugs becoming the “gateway drug” that leads to the abuse of other drugs, such as meth and cocaine, are on the rise.  We have all seen the repercussions of those addicted to drugs and the extent addicts will go to ensure their next high.  Theft, prostitution and other illegal behaviors are common and as you might expect, on the rise as well.

For more information on Operation Medicine Cabinet, visit Georgia’s Narconon Chapter.

A new study released this week revealed that one half of all males who are arrested test positive for some kind of illegal drug(s). Although this is alarming, it’s not really surprising since there have long been links established between crime and drug abuse. There were ten major U.S. cities involved in the study and 3,924 men tested. In some cities, such as Chicago, the numbers were near 90% and in some cases, multiple substances were found. Other statistics include:

Marijuana is the most common drug found, with the exception of Atlanta where cocaine was found most often.

Heroin was found most often in men from Chicago and reveals an increase of 9% over the past year for a total of 29% in this most recent study.

This only highlights arguments proponents of court enforced drug rehabilitation programs have said for years. Advocates say the opportunity exists for every judge in the country to order counseling and rehabilitation instead of incarceration. They say recidivism rates are dramatically lowered when one completes rehab programs and is often the only chance many have at entering any kind of treatment facilities.
Still, the costs for those who don’t complete rehab amount to wasted taxpayer dollars and further, taxpayers must then foot the bill for housing those who, as part of their sentences, must go to jail if they fail to complete treatment. Many say drug courts only delay jail time for those adamant about not stopping their drug use.
For now, it’s often left up to the judge who determines sentencing whether or not to send an offender to rehab. With such a close eye on how limited monies are spent, many judges feel obligated to choose jail over rehab. Today’s release of these new statistics might change that, though. Even when one who is ordered into rehab doesn’t complete treatment, there remain six who do complete treatment and avoid jail time altogether.
One suggestion includes nationwide admissions guidelines with clear guidance on who is and isn’t eligible (such as no arrests for major drug trafficking). For more information on the cities’ individual statistics, see this USA Today report.

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Briscoe Darling?

I have an image in my head of how Drew Peterson’s life played out over the weekend.  Anyone who’s ever seen that old Andy Griffith episode of how Ernest T. Bass wreaked havoc on the Darlings, who lived in the mountains, will relate to this.  Ernest T. comes to claim his would-be bride, Charlene Darling.  Her paw was none too happy and made it clear that he’d deal with Ernest T. in the only way he knew how: he’d shoot him.  Of course, the sheriff makes the trip to the mountains and keeps everyone alive and well.  This is exactly how I have Christina Raines’s father, Ernie Raines, pictured.  He made a trip to Drew Peterson’s home over the weekend to get his daughter and two grandsons away from the accused killer.  And he left with them in tow, too.

Apparently, he saw the Thursday’s episode of Nightline.  Drew Peterson said in the interview, “I’d be wary of me”, (speaking of Christina) and, “when the romance is gone, I tend to have affairs and then move on”.  Of

Drew Peterson

course, this didn’t go over well with Christina, either.  It’s being reported that a big argument followed between the two lovebirds.  Within 24 hours, her dad was knocking on the door, along with several police officers.  He gave his daughter an ultimatum and she wisely chose to return home with her father.  Her father said he hadn’t slept since his daughter moved in with Drew and said he feared having to live without her should she come up missing or worse, murdered.

As expected, Drew Peterson, through a statement released by his lawyer, is blaming the media for this latest turn in his life.

Youthful and Inappropriate?

By now, everyone has heard about the photograph that’s being circulated that shows the Olympics‘ golden child, Michael Phelps, smoking marijuana.  His statement apologizes to his fans and he admits having been youthful and inappropriate.  Considering he’s 23 and has lived a childhood in a way that most of us would consider unbearable, we tend to want to cut him some slack.   But then, what does that say to those who’ve managed to survive the hell known as the teenage years minus any pot-smoking episodes?  There are so many who advocate the legalization of marijuana for purposes other than medicinal.  Ah, but still, it is what it is and what it is happens to be illegal.

Michael Phelps

The argument can be made that his slip doesn’t come close to some of the antics we’ve witnessed, courtesy of others in the media spotlight.  True enough, he didn’t wreck a speeding vehicle, forever paralyzing his best friend; he didn’t shave his head and take a baseball bat to a stranger’s SUV and he hasn’t been caught shooting steroids.  It appears this will be one of those stories that will quietly fade into the background as far more disturbing stories take front and center.

Then again, what about those who look up to this young man?  Those ten year old boys who seem to have fins and spend all of the time in the family swimming pool, with images of gold medals around their  own necks, just as they’ve seen on their hero?  Will it shatter their images?  Will it change their goals?

The truth is, with so many scandals with politicians and celebrities and with far more serious actions being played out in the media, I can’t imagine this slight lapse in judgment would offset this kid’s hero status.   Ryan Smith, a sports attorney and BET talk show host said that Phelps stand to lose his existing endorsements.

His apology says it all: it was irresponsible, youthful and inappropriate.  And now, my guess is it’s also forgiven and forgotten; in the American media anyway.