The Netflix documentary “Take Your Pills,” directed by Alison Klayman, asks some very pointed questions regarding our society’s willingness to use performance-enhancing stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin. Although the film explores the historical development, production, and widespread use of these drugs over time, it also begs one very important question: What is the cost of […]
Category: Drug Use
Child Opioid Overdoses Have Nearly Doubled Since 2004
A study published this month in the journal Pediatrics highlighted a disturbing trend of increasing child opioid hospitalizations. According to the study, child hospitalizations due to opioid overdoses nearly doubled between 2004 and 2015, the majority of which were for children ages 12 to 17. One-third of the opioid hospitalizations were for children under the […]
How Social Media Contributes to Drug Abuse
Updated on June 25th, 2020 Social media today plays a huge role in the ongoing drug abuse crisis in America. Although social apps and websites are marketed as a safe, fun, online place to interact with friends and family (and they definitely can be), some people also abuse them to share drug-related propaganda or to […]
Netflix Documentary Review: Heroin(e)
The definition of a heroine is, “a woman noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.” The Netflix Original documentary “Heroin(e)” directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon, brings that definition to life as it follows the lives of three courageous women who are battling West Virginia’s opioid epidemic every single day: a judge, a fire chief, […]
Fentanyl-Laced Pills Flooding Texas, 40 Other States
According to media reports and the Partnership for Safe Medicines, Texas is one of 40 states being flooded with fentanyl-laced pills.1 These pills are rapidly being distributed across the nation and are sold on the streets as painkillers and medications, although they are counterfeit.
How Teen Drug Abuse Affects your Family
Drug abuse affects your family in ways that are harmful and damaging, but your teen isn’t abusing drugs out of malice. Addiction is a disease that compels them to seek out and take drugs, despite the negative consequences. Once a teenager is addicted to drugs, the brain and body have undergone changes that make it hard to stop. The disease then spreads to the rest of the family because it’s a system of closely related parts. Once one part is affected, all are affected.
Peer Pressure and Drug Abuse: How Strong is the Link?
Peer pressure from children’s friends in school can have a high impact on decisions they make. Friends play a significant role in how your child makes decisions. When your child hangs out with kids who do certain things, the tendency for your child to join in greatly increases. A study done by Columbia University found that a child is six times more likely to have an alcoholic drink if they have friends who drink.1
Quarterback Speaks About His Addiction to Opioid Painkillers
Opioid painkiller addiction among athletes, especially professional football players, is often an unfortunate reality for those who make their living by pushing their bodies to the extreme. Careers are extended by the powerful effects of the opioid painkillers. Players misuses the prescription drugs to extend their careers season by season. Unfortunately, prolonging one’s career often […]
Getting High: Unusual Methods of Substance Abuse
Many cases of drug abuse involve prescription medications or well-known street drugs like heroin or cocaine. While these might be the most common ways people attempt to get high, many other methods exist. You may have heard of a few of these unusual drug alternatives, but others might surprise you. In this article, we’ll look […]
Underage Drinking and Graduation Season
Graduation is a time to celebrate accomplishments and look forward to new and exciting adventures. When the celebrations venture into underage drinking, which commonly happens when young people are in celebratory moods, dangerous situations can develop.