HealingNYC Launches New Campaign with Hopes of Preventing Fentanyl Overdose Deaths

Amid a national health crisis, several health departments are fighting to curb deaths due to  drug overdose. New York City has just launched its HealingNYC campaign in an effort to prevent fatal opioid overdoses by offering a free reporting and care system for New Yorkers addicted to opioids

In 2017, fentanyl was declared the most common drug involved in overdose deaths nationwide and could be traced back to nearly 57% of all the opioid-related deaths. More recent data confirms its growing presence in neighborhoods across the country.

Tuesday, May 28th, 2019, was the first day of the month-long campaign announced by the New York Health Department, which offers public education on practical and life-saving advice to people who use drugs. The campaign highlights the dangers of ‘using’ alone and additionally to the increased dangers of mixing multiple drugs.

The half a million-dollar campaign also cautions people on the risk they take when consuming drugs/opioids due to the possible presence of fentanyl.

The synthetic opioid, fentanyl can be described as a short-acting opioid, almost 50 times more potent than heroin. Authorities claim they continue to find traces in heroin, powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, and ketamine, including pills sold as painkillers and benzodiazepines.

According to the state data, the overdose death rate continues to skyrocket with city numbers drastically increasing over the last seven years.

“Fentanyl is in the illegal drug supply, and it is driving the overdose epidemic in New York City,” announced Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “People who use drugs should know there are ways to reduce their risk of overdose. If you use drugs, don’t use them by yourself; if you overdose, someone else will need to call 911. This information can save lives.”

The campaign details their information with current data statistics and factual evidence. For example, the HealthNY defines and explains what Fentanyl is, noting that it cannot be detected by sight, taste, or smell when mixed with other drugs.

For anyone in New York using the following: heroin, cocaine, crack, or pills, experts caution the risk of fentanyl-induced overdose. They stress the importance of carrying naloxone, a reversal for opioid overdose and suggest users carry one at all times.

Another topic that is stressed in the campaign is the mixing of multiple drugs. Health experts warn people of the increased risks involved when they mix drugs like opioids with alcohol, Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin. Many users are afraid to let people know what they are high on or just took a hit of and health officials warn that honesty about usage is key to first responders being able to do their jobs effectively. Health officials warned users to avoid using alone if at all possible. If users find themselves using alone, they suggest having someone check on them to make sure they are alive and well.

The initial campaign will run citywide on subways, bus shelters, billboards,  LinkNYC kiosks, online in local businesses and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Each city with the highest reported opioid overdose-related deaths will be targeted the hardest.

The push to launch the campaign comes after the Health Department’s “Living Proof” and “I Saved a Life” campaigns which discusses the importance of treatment for addiction of opioids with methadone or buprenorphine and raised awareness of naloxone.

The announcement is connected with HealingNYC which is New York’s effort to provide a detailed strategy of attack and aid to the awareness of the opioid crisis with the goal to save at least 400 lives by 2022.

“Fentanyl is a synthetic killer far more lethal than any strain of heroin found on city streets. The spike in overdose deaths caused by the use of fentanyl and the abuse of other opioids once again highlights the importance of education, prevention, and harm reduction strategies to encourage drug users to try to stay safe, and ultimately to seek substance abuse treatment, all without fear of legal repercussions,” announced  Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee.

Another statement from City Council Health Committee Chair Mark Levine, states, “While we are doing everything, we can to get Fentanyl off our streets, we also need to give every person who uses this powerful drug, whether inadvertently or not, a chance to survive its deadly consequences.” “Every New Yorker should know that if you use drugs, there are things you can do to mitigate the chances of a deadly overdose. We need to be open and honest about drug use in New Your City and make the use of drugs, even if illegal, as safe as possible. This program will save lives.”

Alyssa Aguilera, Co-Executive Director, VOCAL-NY adds to the previous statement by saying,  “at our syringe exchange program in Brooklyn, we know that education and supportive services are what keep people who use drugs safe.”

“We’re glad to see the city taking proactive steps to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl, while also promoting strategies to reduce harm and mitigate risk. These are the important public health strategies we need to keep our communities safe and turn the tide on this deadly and unnecessary overdose crisis,” she concluded.

Monique Tula, Executive Director, Harm Reduction Coalition, believes that within a post-fentanyl environment, people who do use drugs are far more at risk for a deadly overdose than ever before.

“This campaign offers practical, life-saving information that gives people the tools they need to keep themselves out of harm’s way,” she said.

Over the past decade, the amount of deaths due to drug overdoses with opioids has skyrocketed and remains to be a popular trend in New York City, where data confirms someone dies of a drug overdose every six hours.

According to the City of New York, in 2017 alone there were 1,487 confirmed overdose deaths, and fentanyl was found in over 50% of those deaths. Just last year, from January to September 2018, there were 1,055 confirmed overdose deaths.

Many of the cities strategies to curb overdose deaths can be found in HealingNYC, and include naloxone distribution, educational activities, and social supports for youth.

Their goal is to educate health professionals about the risks of prescription opioid painkillers and the acceptable ways of judicious prescribing, as well as growing crisis intervention services for users who experience nonfatal overdoses.

Health experts stress the reality that opioid overdose deaths are preventable, and the reversal medication naloxone is available to anyone living in New York. Major chains in New York including Walgreens, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, and CVS are now offering naloxone and almost 500 independent pharmacies citywide have agreed to follow. They will be offering it to people without a patient-specific prescription, and in addition to the multiple locations of access, naxalone is free through registered Opioid Overdose Prevention programs.

New York State has also announced that it will cover naloxone co-payments of up to $40, along with providing education courses on how to properly administer the life-saving drug.

In those cases where people do not know how to administer the nasal spray, the naloxone training will be held at the Health Department office at the  Queens location and the Tremont Neighborhood Action Center in the Bronx.

These specialized training sessions are necessary for people to be able to recognize the signs of an overdose and respond by calling 911 before administering the nasal spray. Each session is free of charge and comes with a complimentary kit.

The New York City Health Department wants to remind people that treatment for opioid abuse disorder is highly available in NYC and has been proven to be successful if treatment is completed. If anyone is seeking a program, they can contact NYC Well through their hotline, by texting “WELL” to 65173 or going to nyc.gov/NYCwell.

Their staff is available to give free, confidential support at any time of the day in over 200 languages. Please report an overdose to 911 immediately.

 

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Mckenzie Santa Maria
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: mckenziesantamaria21@gmail.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/healingnyc-launches-new-campaign-with-hopes-of-preventing-fentanyl-overdose-deaths

Oakland May be Second City to Decriminalize Mushrooms

Denver, Colorado made history not too long ago when it became the first city to decriminalize the use of certain hallucinogenics, known as “magic mushrooms.” According to the San Fransico Chronicle, the current status of Oakland California could make it the second city in the U.S. to follow the path of Denver, by legalizing the use of magic mushrooms.

50.6 percent of the 176,000 Denver voters approved the referendum, and 49.4 percent voted no.

As stated, Initiative 301 will require police to make arresting people for personal possession or use of psilocybin mushrooms “the lowest law enforcement priority in the City and County of Denver. The measure does not make Pyslicobin legal.

The final meeting will be presented to a full council on June 4th, the resolution only applies to the psychedelics derived from plants or fungi, not synthetic or manufactured drugs like LSD or MDMA.

Noel Gallo, the councilman who first introduced the measure, noted that he hopes the decriminalization of natural substances like psychedelics will aid individuals who suffer from mental health issues.

“We need all the help we can get to deal with the mental health issues that we have,” Gallo announced. “If I can bring it publicly and talk about the benefit and talk about (how it can) deal with the mental illnesses that we have in the city, why not?”

According to multiple reports, similar measures are being discussed across the states of California and Oregan.

Experts note that Its potential indications include depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, quitting smoking, alcohol addiction, cocaine addiction, cluster headaches, and cancer-related or other end-of-life psychological discomfort.

Despite the move to decriminalize magic mushrooms, Psilocybin mushrooms remain a Schedule I drug according to the Drug Enforcement Agency, which means they’re classified as possessing “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

source http://www.ivdaily.com/oakland-may-be-second-city-to-decriminalize-mushrooms

Nad Therapy Center List Top Benefits

A new advanced therapy is making its way into rehab treatment centers and other medical facilities alike. The purpose behind the treatment is simple- to provide the body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs.

According to medical experts, Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a coenzyme found in almost every cell in the human body. The sole purpose of these enzymes is to fuel metabolic reactions forward, similar to the way gas powers a car. If the body did not have the NAD cells, the human body cells would not be able to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids. This is the main reason NAD plays a primary role in the way gene expression is linked to age-related conditions.

The term NAD IV therapy is a new treatment that utilizes the healing and medical benefits that the vitamins posses. The procedure has proven countless times to be outstanding therapy. Many see this therapy as a new beginning and the light in the dark they have been looking for. People suffering from addiction, age-related, and chronic fatigue all report amazing results following the treatment.

​The reason behind the IV steams from the facts that when people are administered a high dose of NAD straight into their bloodstream, compared to other trading routes, it allows for a faster and more effective outcome. The quick high dose will quickly level out the NAD level and recharge the engine within those cells. The mitochondrion will then produce more energy directly to the brain.

Typically the Iv therapy can last from 4 to 14 days, depending on the patient’s condition and the individual’s goal. Experts caution that the NAD IV be administered by a qualified doctor who is certified in providing the NAD treatment, due to the specific protocols involved.

NAD an NADH are generally used in redox reactions to create energy within your cells. Part of this process is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, or sugar. However, if the body is flooded with surgery, the cells start to, which leads to an overload of NADH. Studies have linked back excessive NADH to multiple metabolic conditions.

For example, diabetes is a condition linked to the overload of NADH. According to multiple studies, “mice with elevated sirtuins were less likely to become diabetic, and were at a decreased risk of fatty liver disease.” It is essential to remember; IV NAD therapy won’t be able to lower your blood glucose levels, although it does have the same effect as calorie restriction.

The benefits from IV NAD therapy go without saying and have been proven over and over again to be successful! The idea behind a better mind and healthier body is what drives people to NAD Therapy.

source http://www.ivdaily.com/nad-therapy-center-list-top-benefits

Deaths and Health Disorders from Misuse of Medicinal Drugs Continue to Rise Globally

The UN is alarmed by the global rise in deaths resulting from the misuse of medicinal drugs. They are aware of the dynamics of the medicinal drug misuse problem which they describe as crime upon crime and ask people to care about their lives and quit the drug misuse.

The UN is still banking on the World Drug Report 2017 and 2017 statistics to warn people to quit misuse of medicinal drugs which is causing untimely deaths and health disorders worldwide.

In 2017, the UNODC raised the alarm that 29 .5 million people in the world were victims of addiction to medicinal drugs especially those classified as opioids and had developed health disorders which were the consequences of the misuse of medicinal drugs.

The UNODC is still appealing in 2019 to the people worldwide to quit the misuse of these drugs and quit creation of the new form of drug addiction.

“Currently the world is facing a devastating #opioidscrisis: North America with fentanyl and Africa and the Middle East with tramadol. On- medical use of prescription drugs has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. According to the World Drug Report aberout, 450,000 people died in 2015 as a result of drug use;167,750 of them were a direct result of drug use disorders involving opioids,” UNODC.

The drugs are being misused by ignorant users who don’t know the content or the right amounts of dosage of the drugs and that they are using to endanger their lives for perceived psycho-excitement without factoring in the negative health risks they were subjecting themselves to.

UNODC World Report 2017 explained that the people deliberately chose to misuse the medicinal drugs through doing whatever it takes to obtain the medicines, including forging prescriptions to obtain the drugs. The medicinal drug misuse is also promoted by the existence of illicit manufacture and counterfeit drugs and knowledge about these opioids drugs.

The UN is aware that the new form of drug addiction is promoted by drug trafficking cartels, dynamic market of drug production who make concoctions with hard drugs such as heroin and an opioid drug, from the available raw materials. And countries like Afghanistan, the existence of terrorist groups who depend on drug sales proceeds contribute to the promotion of the new addiction.

UN explains that people are seeking new crime routes for crime opportunities and are misusing development in state systems and technology to supply drugs to the people needing drugs. The drug proceeds however always end up being used in evil trade in cases of money laundering and illicit financial flows.

The drug world is described to be complicated since every level of drugs trade involves corruption and thrives on corruption and violence. UNODC reports that eventually, the drug proceeds as used in evil deeds ruin countries.

 

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

 

 

Contact: Amber Mae Payson

Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/deaths-and-health-disorders-from-misuse-of-medicinal-drugs-continue-to-rise-globally

Fifty People Arrested In Connection with Heroin Ring

Over the last month, the State and Federal law enforcement arrested 50 people in connection with the massive undercover operation that resulted in the seizure of thousands of bags of heroin, guns and over $15,000 in cash. The arrest was made in Connecticut on Friday. However, authorities are still looking for a handful of others.

Authorities claim that the arrest was part of an investigation called, “Operation Raw Deal” that began in September” due to a spike in heroin overdoes related deaths in the city.”

The police then issued 92 warrants for the 52 suspects, with the following charges, the sale of narcotics, conspiracy at the disposal of drugs, firearm violations, and possession in a school zone. According to the police reports, 13 detectives fulfilled those warrants by conducting a series of raids across the small Connecticut town.

According to the detectives reports, “Operation: Raw Deal” consisted of 135 detectives, officers, agents and investigators, from the VICE and Intelligence Division, Criminal Investigation Bureau (CID), Gang Task Force (GTF), Street Crime Unit (SCU), Emergency Response Team (ERT), Patrol Division, forensic technicians and investigators from other local and federal law enforcement agencies.

They claim that forty-one suspects from the official posted a list of 52 were initially arrested for multiple drug-related offenses, while nine people were detained and booked for other crimes including the drug-related offenses.

During their raids, the detectives seized 8 ounces of raw heroin, thousands of packaged bags ready to sell, and $15,000 in cash, two runner cars, and two handguns, with bullets and a loaded rifle.

They also noted that the majority of the people arrested in the monthlong sting were considered mid-level heroin dealers.

Lt. David Silverio announced, “this action was about saving lives, not just making arrests.”

“You have the people that have a medical need and may need treatment, and then we have traffickers and suppliers. This kind of operation is targeting the trafficker side of the narcotics problem,” Lt. Silverio of the Waterbury Police Department stated during a Fox 61 interview.

“As of May 4, there’s been 24 deaths in Waterbury this year alone and 99 overdoses. This year, the numbers hopefully will get better, but we have a problem right here in this city,” added Lt. Silverio.

According to a nationwide study by the CDC, overdose deaths during the year, 2017 were four times higher than they were 1999. They also noted that heroin overdoses had remained stagnant, yet other forms of opioid use have spiked-causing an epidemic.

Other reports claim, 11 people may be on the run from the police, Waterbury Police cautioned the public if they recognize one of the suspects, do not approach them, and contact local authorities immediately.

 

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Kennedy Adams
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/fifty-people-arrested-in-connection-with-heroin-ring

Sober Mom Tribe: A Judgement Free-Zone for Women Around the World

During a time of social media and technology, people are taking to platforms to educate and inform others on specific topics, and one mom is creating a movement with Instagram.

An organization called Sober Mom Tribe was first created after being a featured guest on a podcast. They believed that social media didn’t feature enough sober mom’s, so they wanted to create a judgment-free zone for mothers to gather and share their struggles along with their success stories while gaining knowledge from mothers just like them from around the world.

Soon they learned that there were more sober moms with similar interest everywhere and agreed that they needed a support system to help other women who want to become sober. The stigma behind treatment has caused mothers and people around the country to hide their problems or negatively look at rehab.

This is why Alyson Premo, a 35-year-old single mom, and founder of Sober Moms Tribe decided to create a platform for moms around the world to become sober and have a community of similar women around them in their time of need.

Instagram is flooded with the “mommy wine” culture, showcasing the luxury of having wine and relaxing after taking care of the kids and husband; however, their account helps mothers navigate and share their experience, all while creating a light mood to help empower women everywhere. Currently, their account has 13.5 thousand followers and continues to grow.

Sober Mom Coach, Alyson, and mother of an eight-year-old son understands the road to recovery better than anyone. Her life changed on November 14, 2016, when she took her last gulp of red wine in a detox parking lot.

“Towards the end of my darkest moment, I was drinking beer, wine, vodka morning to night. It didn’t matter what type of alcohol it was I just physically and mentally needed it to stay alive. I’d wake up at 3 am with so much anxiety that I’d grab the red wine bottle that was on my nightstand so that I could calm my thoughts and fall back to sleep. It ended up being a vicious cycle that I couldn’t get out of until I finally called my mother on November 14, 2016, and asked for help,” shared Alyson.

Since then she has returned to being a fully present and accountable mother and also fantastic entrepreneur to help mothers like her become clean. On her journey, Alyson became a Certified Professional Recovery Coach to inspire others around her. She believes that even though she found comfort in her therapist, she also felt she needed someone who knew how to give relatable guidance.

“Having a specialized focus in addiction and not just telling people to go to AA because that’s always what’s been done is crucial,” she said.

Everyone is different when it comes to recovery and aftercare which is why Alyson chose to become a coach saying, “That’s where I come in. To guide you on the path that’s right for you.”

Encouragement and accountability seem to go a long way notably in the first year of sobriety, and that is what Sober Moms Tribe aims to provide.

“We want to welcome you to our tribe.  We hope you can find helpful tips, find a few new mom friends, and find inspiration from all these amazing sober mother’s rocking it day in and day out,” a message from the Sober Moms Tribe main website.

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Mckenzie Santa Maria
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/sober-mom-tribe-a-judgement-free-zone-for-women-around-the-world

Not Just Candy: The Hidden Risks of Edible Marijuana

Palpitations, nausea, severe vomiting, and epileptic fits are just some of the many ailments patients at UC Health University of Colorado Hospital are experiencing when they enter the ER. However, these patients are all different ages, they all come from different ethnic backgrounds, and their blood tests results are perfectly normal, so what can be the cause of their sudden illness? Edible marijuana. According to a recent analysis, ER visits for cannabis consumption have tripled over the past 5 years. Ever since Colorado has legalized cannabis consumption, hospital visits for psychiatric evaluations and supposed “heart attacks” have been on the rise as well. So, how has cannabis changed from a friendly, social, meditative plant into a psychosis inducer?

   Blame it on the lollipops. Dr. Al Bronstein, physician, and director of Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center attested to this claim stating, “What we’re seeing with edibles is that the effect is delayed for approximately 30 minutes, depending on the person. People get impatient for the effect and will take more, and then the symptoms are more pronounced than what they were expecting.” In other words, once that THC filled cookie or lollipop doesn’t offer the desired effect, some people get impatient and end up consuming more before they are even high.  As a result, once the high does take effect, it can ultimately lead to symptoms of an overdose. Yes, an overdose. Though no research has shown that one can die from consuming too much THC, Dr. Al Bronstein characterized a marijuana overdose as a “loss of touch with reality causing an increase in anxiety, loss of coordination, delusional ailments, panic attacks, psychosis, and dysphoria”. Despite the controversy concerning chemically treated plant-based marijuana, Bronstein also noted that reactions to edibles are often more severe and critical.

 And in Colorado, the popularity of edibles is all too apparent. According to dispensary sales tracker BDS Analytics, the prices of wholesale plant-based marijuana have decreased by nearly 40% in 2018 — while the sales of edibles have only increased. As a result of the decline in wholesale marijuana, quality has also gotten cheaper, causing more pot-heads to gravitate towards different methods of getting high. But the effects of this new high may not be as pleasurable as one might think. The Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center reports show that 8% of edible users had cardiovascular symptoms, including a rapid or irregular heartbeat after being treated for marijuana overdoses; by contrast, only 3% of pot smokers experienced heart- related symptoms.

 With this in mind, several states including California, Nevada, and Oregon authorized edible packages to be labeled with a warning sign, and accurately specify the THC content. However, because of additional ingredients such as sugar, fat, and food coloring, calculating precise levels of THC in edibles has presented itself as a complicated task. Unlike these states which have estimated a safe consumption ranges between 2mg-10mg of THC, Colorado has yet to make any such authorizations as their marijuana market has not been federally recognized. The Center for Disease Control has also given edible regulation specific attention after the death of 19-year-old foreign exchange student, Levy Thamba Pongi, who was visiting Colorado.  Levy Thamba Pongi died after eating a marijuana cookie which contained 60mg of THC. The student, unaware of his own reaction, had lost full coordination of body movement; reportedly, 3.5 hours after consuming the edible, Pongi fell from the 5th floor of his dormitory, subsequently leading to his death.

      This was the first reported death in Colorado linked to edible consumption; Pongi’s autopsy reports indicated that his blood level was at 7.2 ng/ml after consuming the cannabis-infused cookie, although the state of Colorado constitutes any blood level above 5 ng/ml as impairment. Through this tragic incident, which occurred in March of 2014, the dangers of edibles have been publicized – but not recognized as a public policy.

  Those opposed to edible consumption, such as Dr. Al Bronstein of Rocky Mountain of Poison and Drug Center proposed to make edible marijuana consumption into educational policy. “It’s akin to the education about alcohol— to drink responsibly,” he said. “People need to eat these edibles responsibly, and they have limited experience with these products. That’s the real problem. This s a drug. People need to be respectful of that”.  But how can someone be respectful of moderation when they’re not even aware of the danger? The Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado has also reported a spike in children being hospitalized for accidentally eating THC laced candy. Can moderation be taught if we continue to perceive marijuana as a harmless plant?

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Amber Mae Payson

Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/not-just-candy-the-hidden-risks-of-edible-marijuana

The New Era of Smoking May Come to America Faster Than Expected

The wave of e-cigarettes has captured the attention of medical experts around the world due to the dangers they bring. One of the worlds largest cigarette companies are announcing their idea to enter a new realm of electronic devices for smoking entering the U.S. This product is a new combustible “heat-not-burn” tobacco device.

The well-known company, Philip Morris International, has invented an electronic gadget known as the QOS Tobacco Heating System, which heats tobacco to a specific temperature, producing an aerosol that contains nicotine.

This device is different from the regular cigarettes, as well as an e-cigarette or vaping devices that use chemical liquids-that are not harmful when inhaled by a human.

This particular device is available already in 47 countries worldwide and is on the path to enter the U.S. market after clearing regulatory obstacles.

According to Philip Morris, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given him the green light to market the device in the United States, with strict regulations aimed at limiting the use of cigarettes among teens.

The company sees this as a breakthrough. However, the FDA ruling isn’t granting this as safe for your health product. Due to the recent marketing of the adverse side effects that come with using cigarettes, the number of smokers has been declining dramatically. Traditional cigarettes producers have grasped the statistics to start a new era of safe smoking.

“Of course, they have an interest in keeping people using tobacco, whatever sort,” noted Dr. Thomas Ylioja, tobacco cessation expert and clinical director of health initiatives at National Jewish Health in Colorado, told Healthline. “What we are seeing is the disruption of the tobacco control movement.”

Philip Morris promises that he will work with the FDA in maintaining the strict regulations of not marketing to minors.

“Available data, while limited, also indicate that few non-tobacco users would be likely to choose to start using the IQOS, including youth,” replied an FDA spokesperson.

The research being done on heat-not-burn tobacco devices is very minimal but more clinical trials are set to be conducted before the release or decision is made.

Though, one particular study published at the beginning this year suggested that devices such as the IQOS cause as much damage to your lungs as conventional cigarettes.

Although for many young users, the appeal of vaping comes with the judgment that it’s healthier than smoking.

Dr. Len Horovitz, an internist and pulmonary specialist in private practice in New York and at Weill Cornell Hospital, as well as a clinical instructor at Weill Cornell Medical College explained by saying, “For someone who’s quitting smoking, he or she may think it’s not a bad idea and that it’s at least better than smoking. However, the fact is that when those people go to vape, they’re getting more nicotine.”

“When you smoke a cigarette, you’re not smoking the entire cigarette. You rest between puffs and some of it, maybe a third of it burns down,” Horovitz added. “But every time you pull on a vaping device, you get the nicotine. The nicotine dose is usually higher in smokers who are trying to quit, so that keeps them addicted to nicotine.”

“We don’t stigmatize people. We congratulate everybody on wanting to make a quit attempt. We think quitting tobacco of all forms is the best thing that somebody can do for their health,” he concluded.

source http://www.ivdaily.com/the-new-era-of-smoking-may-come-to-america-faster-than-expected

The Spike in Marijuana Airport Smuggling May Have a Lot to Do with High Tax Rates

During a search of an elderly man and his suitcase, authorities discovered around 70 pounds of vacuum-sealed marijuana packages hidden and labeled “T-shirts,” “cold weather” and “sexy pants.”

This is just another normal day for Calfornia airports, according to recent studies, since the legalization of marijuana in California, trafficking arrest has skyrocketed 166% at LAX The light punishment and fading negative stigma of cannabis have enticed smugglers to take to the sky’s,  a way to escape the competitive California cannabis market, confirmed by authorities, cannabis industry experts and lawyers across the state who have represented those accused of smuggling.

Due to the increase, LAX known as the world’s fourth-busiest airport is now putting efforts into expanding security through the hubs to confiscate illegal marijuana.

“This is normal procedure for these guys, and I would say 29 out of 30 times they make it through without a problem,” said Bill Kroger Jr., a 20-year criminal defense lawyer who specialized in cannabis-related cases.

Reports from LAX, have claimed that their staff has encountered more airline passengers who are carrying small amounts of marijuana for personal consumption, but the number of checked luggage with bags stuffed to the brim full of marijuana has skyrocketed. Authorities in Oakland and Sacramento have also reported the same growing problem.

“We intercept large quantities of marijuana regularly,” stated Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. “We find it in about 50-pound quantities … the carry-on rate for luggage. I would imagine we’re only intercepting some of it, not all of it,” he added.

Not only is the sudden rise in airport marijuana smuggling the result of legalization and a full market, but California also grows a copious amount of marijuana, far more than the average resident consumes. Some experts say up to five times more than other states, and other marijuana users in different states will pay a hefty price for Cali Bud.

“Since pot’s been legalized in California, there’s no money to be made because everyone got involved in it,” Kroger explained. “They’ve got this big 50,000-square-foot [grow] houses, and they’re flooding the market. The money is outside of California.”

According to the L.A. Times and the Los Angeles police reports, “During 2018 — the state’s first year of legalized recreational pot use — L.A.X. Police conducted 101 trafficking arrests, compared with 38 trafficking arrests in 2017 and 20 in 2016″

“I think we anticipated it,” announced Los Angeles World Airports police spokesman Rob Pedregon. “If you look at the sheer numbers for us — 87 million passengers a year … I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a couple of months, we do what the other airports do in a year.”

Despite the recent legalization of medical and recreational use, under federal law, it remains illegal and considered to be a Schedule 1 drug in the same classifications as heroin, L.S.D., and ecstasy.

In their efforts to avoid any complications with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration the California Bureau of Cannabis Control has banned the export of marijuana into other states.

However, many experts suggest that the prohibition will do almost nothing to stop Californians from illegally exporting bulk amounts of cannabis crops and products.

A paper published by the University of California Agricultural Issues Center, on the economic effects of marijuana’s legalization, claims that almost 80% of the hemp cultivated in California is shipped out of state will never be taxed or regulated here.

“Projections from all sources indicate that illegal cannabis will remain significant,” the study suggests, “given that it is a market with long-established producers and consumers.”

Furthermore, due to the ongoing black market and other factors, the state has been nothing but disappointed by the amount of tax revenue the legal pot facilities are generating. Many users of marijuana have also confessed to purposely purchasing non-taxed marijuana because of the ridiculous tax that has been added. In some areas of L.A., a buyer could pay up to 35% in tax.

As a result of this ongoing black market — and other factors — the state has been disappointed by the amount of tax revenue that legal pot generates.

“I don’t think we’re surprised by the numbers. These are things we foresaw, and we’ve warned folks about,” explained Kyle Mori of the D.E.A.’s Los Angeles office. “When states legalize it, you give folks a false sense of security that they can come through T.S.A. checkpoints…. They believe what they’re doing is legal.”

Just last year L.A.X. released reports claiming 503 bags filled with cannabis and only one-fifth of those bags involved trafficking suspects, as compared to 400 reports of marijuana in 2017 and 282 reports in 2016.

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Kennedy Adams
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

 

source http://www.ivdaily.com/the-spike-in-marijuana-airport-smuggling-may-have-a-lot-to-do-with-high-tax-rates

Denver Makes History With The Decriminalization of Psilocybin

The controversial and groundbreaking news surrounds Denver at the moment as they become the first city in the country to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms. After a long day of counting votes which continued into the night and early Wednesday the votes were posted which showed a gleam of hope-with Initiative 301 set to pass narrowly with 50.6 percent of the vote. According to the Denver times, the total stands currently at “89,320 votes in favor and 87,341 against, a margin of 1,979.”

Even though the Denver Elections Division will continue to accept military and overseas ballots, that only account for a meager percentage of the final results, which will be certified on May 16.

“It’s been one hell of a 21 and a half hours,” the Initiative 301 campaign director Kevin Matthews stated. “If these results hold, this is an example of the absurd comedy of the great metaphor. Against all the odds, we prevailed. This is what happens when a small team of dedicated and passionate people unites under a single idea to create change.”

Denver’s push to legalize mushrooms has attracted national attention, and two states have planned to follow. Oregon and California are in the midst of creating their psilocybin-related bills to make it on the 2020 ballot.

The Organizers of the campaign note that the city of Denver was the first one to host the first ever U.S. popular vote on the matter, despite a previous effort in California last year that failed to qualify for the ballot.

The Initiative 301 didn’t initially attract an organized opposition group, although the critics of Colorado’s legalization of marijuana rued the decisions claiming that it would yet again create a trail of harmful and possibly dangerous cases.

The new measure would allow adults to use psilocybin without any legal repercussions. Jeff Hunt, director of the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University, noted that “We’ll see what the final numbers are, but we’re a little stunned to see a 7,000-vote flip overnight on that.” Hunt took to Twitter to question whether vote-tampering was involved saying “We’ll continue to fight the growing drug culture. Denver’s becoming the illicit drug capital of the world. The larger issue here is not good for our city.”

He also noted that “Marijuana has brought more problems than it’s solved to our city and our state, and if we continue to go down this track, we’re going to continue to see Colorado get in worse and worse shape.”

Countless studies were cited in the ballot measure which showed emerging potential medical benefits from the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Many are speculating that the bill was pushed over the top by young voters, who typically tend to submit their votes closer to election day.

Just last fall, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that they had granted psilocybin “breakthrough therapy” status for its potential to help with treatment-resistant depression. This status means that the process of development and clinical trials will speed up and pushed further for review for a medicine containing the mushroom substance.

According to the I-301, police in the ordinance would be ordered to treat enforcement of laws against the possession of psilocybin mushrooms as their lowest priority. The measure is similar to the decriminalization of rules approved by Denver voters a few years ago for marijuana before Colorado’s Amendment 64 won statewide approval.

However, under the new bill, Psychedelic mushrooms are still illegal to buy, sell or possess with the latter crime a felony that could come with a year-long jail sentence and a hefty fine. But they hope that with the new 301 they will lower the risk and potential of users getting caught with fungi.

Although the 301 is in place, Denver voters once signed off on decriminalization measures back in 2005 and 2007, that didn’t stop police from enforcing the old law. Still, advocates of the previous action believe that the public outcry and discussion helped lead to full legalization in 2012.

“I’ll say this: We’re looking forward to creating a positive relationship with city officials,” Matthews stated. “We have the resources ready to make sure the Justice Department, the (district attorney’s) office and the Denver Police Department have the education they need to implement this in a way that’s fair.”

Another point in Initiative 301 is that the city will be required to organize a panel that will monitor the effects and implementation of the ordinance.

Due to the early results, national media outlets including the Recover wrongly announced the fail of I-301 a bust late Tuesday, but the gap continued to tighten as the votes began to add up by 1 am Wednesday- with Denver coming out victorious.

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Mckenzie Santa Maria
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/denver-makes-history-with-the-decriminalization-of-psilocybin

Colorado Couples Struggling with Addiction Feel at Ease Thanks to Couplesrehabs.org

Typically, couples who are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol are unable to find rehab programs that will allow them to stay together and fight their addiction as a unit. However, with the information provided in the newly published Inpatient Drug Rehab For Couples in Colorado and Addiction Treatment, individuals and couples will feel at ease and gain the knowledge they need to achieve sobriety.

Couplesrehabs.org provides a friendly team of staff that help couples give up on their addiction and find the root of the problem. Their website aims to help people get rid of addiction by focusing on the root cause of their addiction and assisting couples to fight together while understanding themselves. They also support couples to help their partners to overcome drug addiction mutually.

They realize that addiction isn’t always visible nor the same and that’s why they hope that through the right information and detailed descriptions, anyone attempting to find help will be able to locate the correct treatment.

According to the resource page, there a multiple Colorado rehab that will allow both partners to receive addiction therapy at the same time, joining themselves with a shared purpose—a dedication to sobriety and recovery.

It is said that Couples who get sober together in couples rehab will work as a unit toward solving the underlying issues that may be driving the addictive habits.

Couplesrehabs.org has partnered with various treatment facilities across the country to help couples locate local programs tailored to their personal and relationship requirements.

Their highly trained staff is available 24/7 through a helpline and will explain any questions or concerns couples and loved ones may have.

Colorado couples now have a source of information that will hopefully, in the end, change their lives for the better. Couplesrehab.org hopes they will now have peace of mind when it comes to finding the right treatment center.

The staff guarantees the quickest placement but with actual needs in mine.

Couples or loved ones who need more insight can take a look at what the site has to offer, gather information and be prepared before attending a Colorado couples drug rehab.

Organization: CouplesRehabs

Phone: (888) 325-2454

source http://www.ivdaily.com/colorado-couples-feel-at-ease-with-the-new-resource-page

The Truth Behind Traveling with CBD

Within the last year, CBD has made its way into every aspect of Americans daily life including air travel. The status quo of airlines just became a new level of “high” although the rules and regulations on bringing CBD onto planes and into airports are very vague.

Despite, the fact that CBD is legal in some states, the TSA is still a federally ran agency and airports are subject to federal laws, and unfortunately marijuana is still considered federally illegal.

This is why TSA has the right to ban or stop any traveler with edibles, dried flower or any forms of marijuana that contain a certain amount of THC.

However, CBD dangles in the realm of question primarily if it is derived from hemp. According to the DEA and FDA, CBD made from hemp is not considered to be the same as psychoactive marijuana. The agency suggests that if the THC content in the CBD oil is below 0.3 percent, no legal action will be taken place.

The main problem most American have is the fact that CBD oil is widely sold in medical dispensaries and is often derived from cannabis, not hemp. THC concentrations can be detected easier and test at a higher level making the source of the CBD illegal under federal law.

But the legalities of CBD oil is so gray, the companies that produce these products have been manipulated the system for years before the government took effect.

The point is it would take a furious and determined TSA agent to spot out and flag a traveler’s cannabis-derived CBD product, but the scary truth is it is happening around the states that don’t allow CBD.

The single four states that have not budged when it comes to the cannabis compound are Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Idaho has not moved to legalize any form of CBD or THC but may see an option on the Ballot this November, South Dakota will be putting their initiative on the Ballot this coming voting season. So will Nebraska which has two cannabis measures hoping to find its way on the Ballot, but Kansas still passes on having any medical marijuana initiative on the Ballot.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it comes to traveling with CBD oil, it must contain  THC content below 0.3% to be cleared. Many are advised to purchase their merchandise from a reputable company with a Certificate of Analysis from a reliable laboratory that explicitly outlines the content of the product.

The Transport Security Administration (TSA) regulations are required to report any speculated violations of law if they encounter one.

“Meaning an extract containing one or more cannabinoids that have been derived from any plant of the genus Cannabis, other than the separated resin (whether crude or purified) obtained from the plants(58) Marihuana Extract–7350”-DEA. 

A bottom line traveling with CBD is still not the safest thing a traveler can do.

 

source http://www.ivdaily.com/the-truth-behind-traveling-with-cbd

Mental Health Disorders and Living Alone

The reality of living alone seems so glamorous until you peel back the layers of mental health issues. Statistically, most adults that live alone are likely to have common mental disorders, which include depression and anxiety- the main reason being loneliness.

This is according to a newly published journal PLOS ONE, which gathered data from three different surveys conducted in the United Kingdon over twenty years.

“In our study, the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) was higher in individuals living alone than in those not living alone in all survey years. Multivariable regression analyses corroborated these findings, as there was a positive and significant association between living alone and CMDs,” wrote Louis Jacob, chief author of the research and member of the department of medicine at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.

The experts analyzed a survey date from the United Kingdom during the years 1993, 2000, and 2007, which tested for over 20,000 adults.

They claim that between 1993 and 2007, the percentage of adults living alone consistently increased from 8.8 to 10.7 percent and no surprise so did the rate of mental health conditions from 14.1 to 16.4 percent.

According to the study, the gender did not play a role in those numbers, but the CMDs were “invariably more prevalent in individuals who lived alone.”

In particular cases, those individuals who lived alone were more than twice as likely to couples to have a mental condition.

In addition to the recent study, multiple others have found that living alone with CMD is not healthy.

For example, a research trial of nearly 5,000 adults residing in Finland discovered a twofold increase of anxiety and depression in individuals living alone compared with people who were married or in a relationship.

Also, a 2011 study from Singapore of approximately 3,000 adults age 55 and older discovered that living alone was a contributor to lower mental well-being, with loneliness at the root of the cause.

Experts would describe loneliness as a complex issue, and its association with living alone including mental disorders has developed into a topic of increasing concern for public health officials.

Interestingly enough some experts have accused cities as a whole for promoters of isolation and loneliness. While many would agree with the increase in the use of social media and technology has forced us into a black hole of new isolation. The digital world delivers feelings of FOMO and depression mixed with anxiety. The fakeness behind the lens and marketing of ones “brand” is creating self-esteem and confidence confuser to the max.

Because of the rate of suicide many are trying to highlight the effects of loneliness as a genuine public health concern. Past mental health and well-being, the consequences can also take a physical toll.

According to a 2015 study in the British Medical Journal observed that loneliness and isolation were high-risk factors for both coronary heart disease and stroke.

Jessy Warner-Cohen, Ph.D., MPH, a health psychologist at Long Island Jewish Medical Center noted that “The most robust finding of this study is the effect of social support on those living alone.”

“The takeaway message for me from this study is that those not in cohabiting relationships, whether living with a partner or marriage, need to seek means of developing social support more actively,” said Warner-Cohen, who wasn’t associated with the research in any way.

The idea of social support is different among everyone, and the idea is to find what works.

“Look for meet-up groups related to something you enjoy. This will help with meeting other people with similar interests and provide a natural means of developing social support. Fill your life with fun and exciting things,” said Warner-Cohen.

source http://www.ivdaily.com/mental-health-disorders-and-living-alone

Artificial Intelligence Promising Breakthrough Treatment for Chagas Disease, NTDS

Clinical trials using artificial intelligence technology to search for better treatments for Chagas disease resulted in the development of a drug-like compound. The drug-like mixture will be subjected to additional tests to determine whether a drug could be made out of it and provide relief to the 6-7 million patients of Chagas disease.

The artificial intelligence-aided test showed promising results that the technology could be used in the discovery of new and better treatment of Chagas disease and neglected tropical diseases in general.

Atomwise, Inc, a biotech company which uses artificial intelligence for drug discovery in collaboration with Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative led the clinical trials that led to the development of a drug-like compound.

The drug-like compound will be subjected to further tests before the development of a new drug out to be used in treating Chagas disease, a proof that there is a possibility for AI technology to be used to deliver drugs for the neglected tropical diseases.

“Early success in Chagas disease is exemplary of the goal we seek to accomplish. Our scientists are working creatively with DNDi research to apply our technology to targets that some might consider undruggable or too early for rational drug design due to insufficient data. While these targets present the greatest challenge, they also present an opportunity for transformative treatments for Chagas disease,” said DNDi.

Just like other tropical neglected diseases, the popular treatment methods of Chagas disease are not sufficient, require long periods of treatment, and there is not always treatment for patients diagnosed with chronic stages of Chagas disease.

The disease is easily spread by an insect, kissing bugs, and is easily transmitted from the infected mother to child or consumption of food infected by the Chagas-disease-causing insect.

The clinical trials were conducted using the technology of artificial intelligence to screen the components of three different protein targets which are usually targeted during conventional treatments of Chagas disease.

They described it as promising results for the drug discovery regarding a new and better Chagas disease treatment, which was initially intended to identify the functioning of the three proteins to see which ones will bind and those which will prevent protein function in the eradication of the disease-causing pathogens.

The new drug development will be a breakthrough in the treatment of Chagas disease which affects 6-7 million people out of which 30% of the people conditions deteriorate into untreatable disorders of the cardiac functioning, digestive and neurological.

DNDi described the success of the clinical trial is also a perfect demonstration of the efficiency of using technology in drug discovery as it helped them achieve a milestone termed as exemplary.

The DNDi has promised the people that they will continue with the success achieved so far in the next phase of the clinical trials through the same technology of using artificial intelligence in the screening of the drug targets. The sophisticated next step of the research will test more drug targets even those who have been considered undruggable for Chagas disease, and they are prepared for the challenge however difficult it is.

 

The Recover is an unbiased substance abuse and mental health news provider. Helping individuals looking for the right treatment programs in their area. Also providing information on drug rehab centers for addiction recovery.

Contact: Everlyne Otieno
Company: The Recover
Address: Huntington Beach, CA 
Contact Number: (888) 510-3898
Email: info@therecover.com
Website: www.therecover.com

source http://www.ivdaily.com/artificial-intelligence-promising-breakthrough-treatment-for-chagas-disease-ntds

Mental Health Awareness Month is Upon Us and Burger King is in Full Spirit

The month of May has been solely dedicated to raising awareness in America about mental illness and the available mental health resources. Mental Health America set out 70 years ago with one mission in mind, according to the organization’s mission statement. Year after year the agency has been building a following of thousands of groups and individuals with that same goal in mind.

“Mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable,” said a Mental Health America statement.

According to data collected covering mental health in the U.S. by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “One in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition. One in 25 (10 million) adults in the U.S. lives with a serious mental illness.”

In addition to those facts, “43.8 million adults in the U.S. face the day-to-day reality of living with a mental illness, and half of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, but early intervention programs can help.”

To support the month of May the fast-food chain, Burger King is launching the range of “Real Meals” meant to represent “real” moods.

The boxes are a dig at the Happy Meals sold by the large and rival Mcdonalds chain. Burger Kings meals include Blue Meal, the Salty Meal, the Yaaas Meal, the DGAF [Don’t Give A F—] Meal, and the Pissed Meal, reported the NBC News.

“Burger King restaurants understand that no one is happy all the time,” the fast-food chain announced in an online Press release. “That’s why they’re asking guests to order a Whopper meal based on however they might be feeling.”

The meals are stuffed with the chains famous Whopper, fries, and a drink, and will be sold across five cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Austin, Seattle, and Miami.

In addition to the Real Meals, the chain released a tweet themed-Mental Health Awareness Month saying, “It’s ok to #feelyourway.” This is a spin-off from the companies years-old “Have It Your Way” slogan and its most recent “Be Your Way,” introduced in 2014.

According to the media reports, the “Real Meals” are part of the brand’s partnership with the non-profit organization Mental Health America.

Paul Gionfriddo, the group’s president and chief executive, informed the outlet that the unconventional pairing of fast food and mental health is designed to raise awareness of mental health problems “in all communities.”

Gionfriddo concluded his statement with, “By using its internationally known reputation to discuss the importance of mental health, Burger King is bringing much-needed awareness to this important and critical discussion — and letting its customers know that is OK not to be OK.”

source http://www.ivdaily.com/mental-health-awareness-month-is-upon-us-and-burger-king-is-in-full-spirit