In the 70s:

National leaders used phrases like “war on drugs.”

People addicted to drugs were shunned and stigmatized; called “junkies” and “low-lives”.

Law enforcement agencies used strict measures for drug crackdowns.

Instead of rehab centers, people battling addictions were put in jails. Continue reading →

The perils of the opioid crisis in the United States has taken a new turn. Driven by the increased abuse of prescription opioids, heroin and other deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the number of hepatitis C cases has tripled across the nation between 2010 and 2015, from 850 cases to 2,436 cases. Describing the true magnitude of the problem, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspects the number to be as high as around 34,000 in 2015. According to the CDC, the prevalence of injections among young adults aged 20 to 29 years to abuse drugs has led to a spike in new hepatitis C infections. Continue reading →

“How to get drugs? Oh, it’s pretty easy.” When the majority of college goers start saying this, one is sure that the drug crisis in the country is galloping toward the worse. A recent study of 1,082 college students from University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, etc. revealed distressing details about the use, sale and distribution of drugs. Only a measly 5 percent students found it difficult to buy drugs, while an unbelievable 75 percent confessed that its “easy” or “very easy” to buy drugs. Continue reading →

Mary was a new intern at a financial advisory company,  who was young, smart, confident and a workaholic to the core. However, she was hard-pressed for the time even during weekends, as she was always loaded with work. Every day, she had to do overtime to wind up her assignments and meet the pressing deadlines. This caused her a considerable amount of stress which she alleviated by drinking vodka mixed with coke in her cubicle in the evening when the office was mostly empty. Additionally, she would also take codeine tablets to assuage her backache arising from long sitting hours. Mary’s case is similar those of many others who abuse alcohol at workplace, a practice that often goes undetected.   Continue reading →

After all speculations and confusions, medical examinations have confirmed that the Hall of Fame musician Tom Petty (66) died due to an accidental drug overdose. Despite the above autopsy results, Annakim Petty (35), Tom’s daughter, continues to insist that her father was not addicted to drugs. Instead, she opted to go online for sharing this message through the social media platforms like Instagram. Continue reading →

With the legalization of marijuana in certain U.S. states, there has been a marked decline in the sale of alcohol in these parts. With the implementation of such a revolutionary and controversial decision, experts have noticed significant benefits. Apart from treating many of the health issues, the medical use of cannabis also helps in reducing alcohol consumption. Continue reading →

For the believers, there is nothing that marijuana cannot cure. From acne to depression, the drug is a surefire cure for a wide range of psychological and physical disorders. However, studies that have been trying to unearth the mystical properties of pot have come up with startling conclusions that could dampen the enthusiasm of the supporters. Continue reading →

Most people get hooked on a substance either as a way to self-medicate or to get a high, without realizing the fallouts. However, those who recognize the risks involved in continued use of the harmful substance and seek help, the treatment process starts with the diagnosis involving a thorough evaluation of the symptoms by a certified psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. Common drug testing methods include urine or blood test as well as hair sample, believed to be more effective as it can detect the use over the previous few months.
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Cocaine is one of the most abused and powerful stimulant drugs in the United States, with nearly 1.5 million Americans aged 12 or older being under the influence of this drug in 2014. Though there has been a dramatic depreciation in the use of cocaine, it remains a major public health concern in the U.S. In fact, cocaine still drives most of the emergency department (ED) visits in the country today. Known by a host of monikers, like the champagne of drugs, gold dust, Cadillac of drugs, status stimulant, yuppie drug, etc., cocaine is a powerful addictive stimulant drug with meager medical use. Continue reading →