Addiction Doctors Ask for Treatment, Not More Jail, for Son of Michael Douglas

Addiction Doctors Ask for Treatment, Not More Jail, for Son of Michael Douglas By Join Together Staff | May 21, 2012 A group of well-known addiction doctors is urging that the son of Michael Douglas receive treatment, instead of additional jail time, for his latest drug offense. Cameron Douglas, who is already serving a five-year federal sentence for drug distribution and possession of heroin, received a sentence of an additional four-and-a-half years for being caught with heroin and the opioid addiction medication Suboxone, The New York Times reports. His latest sentence is believed to be one of the harshest ever handed down by a federal judge for drug possession for a prisoner who was already incarcerated, the article notes. The sentence led about two dozen addiction specialists to file a brief on his behalf. The case is under review by a panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, according to the newspaper. The experts say Douglas, who began using heroin daily while he was in his mid-20s, is a classic example of someone who suffers from untreated opioid dependence. They argue more prison time will not solve his underlying problems. “My outrage is as a physician for someone who has a medical condition which has been ignored,” said Dr. Robert Newman, Director of the Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, one of the experts who signed the brief. “What the judge has imposed has zero benefits for the community and has staggering consequences for society.” Heroin and Suboxone were found in Douglas’ cell while he was testifying against a former drug dealer. He pleaded guilty to one count of drug possession by a federal prisoner. Most prisoners who are caught with drugs while they are incarcerated are punished with loss of prison privileges, according to Daniel N. Abrahamson, Director of Legal Affairs with the Drug Policy Alliance, the drug reform group that drafted the brief.

Why are Teens Vulnerable to Illicit Drug Abuse?

This is a great article I found on drugalcoholtest.com...visit that site for more article like this one. Why are Teens Vulnerable to Illicit Drug Abuse? Illicit drug use among teenagers is America’s no. 1 public health concern. People who initiate drug use at younger age are more likely to get addicted than those who use drugs later in their life. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), 90 percent of American addicts start smoking, drinking or using drugs before the age of 18 years. It also states that 25 percent of those people become addicts to some or the other drug. These alarming statistics clearly state that drug use during teen years is very dangerous. We need to recognize this health problem and respond to it. But first, we need to know the reasons for teens getting into drug abuse. Understanding the reasons for their susceptibility may help us. Statistics of tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse among teens The number of teens exposed to tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs in the United States is very disturbing. As per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, More than 10 percent of youth aged between 12 and 17 were illicit drug users in 2010 More than 8 percent of them used cigarettes More than 10 percent of them used tobacco products About 10 million persons aged 12 to 20 years (more than 26 percent of this age group) reported drinking alcohol Reasons for their vulnerability to these unhealthy habits Teens try drugs for various reasons. Some of the major ones include Curiosity Socializing with friends Peer pressure Perceived relaxation and fun To escape from psychological pain Some other reasons include: Partial development of brain: Several studies have already found that the brain is still developing during the teen years. According to scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the greatest changes to the parts of the brain that are responsible for functions such as judgment, emotions, self-control, and organization occur during teen years. So, their behavior is often mystifying – poor decision-making, emotional outbursts, irresponsibility, etc. Adding to this, some teens also engage in impulsive and risk-taking behavior. These things make them vulnerable to unhealthy habits like smoking, alcohol or illicit drug abuse. Peer pressure Some teens, out of curiosity, may want to adopt the habits of their peer group. Being unaware of its aftermaths, they probably may get used to these habits. The internal pressure to do the things that their peers are doing is common among teens. Since teens feel more independent, their peers naturally play a greater role in their life. They develop close friendships with some peers and treat them as extended family members. They turn to such peers for support and guidance. Peer pressure to some extent is acceptable. But many times it is very dangerous. Teens generally face peer pressure when it comes to smoking (cigarettes) and drinking. Since marijuana is inexpensive and easily available, many teens are abusing this harmful drug perceiving it to be harmless. They often don’t realize that it is the gateway to other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, etc. Problems at school and other family issues Poor academic performance and other problems at school cause stress and depression in teens. Even, family issues at home with respect to parents may disturb them. In order to cope up with these problems, they may resort to these unhealthy habits. Passive parenting Passive parenting is one of the major risk factors for teenage illicit drug and alcohol abuse. When teens are raised themselves with little supervision or when parents are not involved in their lives, they are more likely to get into these unhealthy habits. Responsible parents show love and affection, monitor their teens’ activities and set rules against unhealthy habits. Passive parenting, on the other hand, is less organized and allows teens to take decisions. Due lack of proper parental supervision and guidance, they take decisions on their own (most of the times they are destructive). Now that you got an idea on why teens are vulnerable to illicit drug or abuse, communicate properly and help them in planning and decision-making. Suggest tips to avoid peer pressure. Also, help them with their problems at school. Showing concern and helping them take right decisions can make them stay away from these unhealthy habits.