Opium in Iran
6/27/2008 12:00:55 PM
alessandra
297 Posts
More than a million Iranians are addicted to some form of opium, heroin or opium derivative, according to the government, and some estimates run as high as 10 million. Iran's government is trying to curb addiction's huge social costs, it has been more supportive of drug treatment than any other government in the Islamic world. They have realized that an addict is a social reality.
Opium has deep cultural roots in Iran. It has been considered an effective painkiller, and its use is socially acceptable. Many addicts start smoking opium occasionally, and move on to heroin and other opium-based narcotics after becoming dependant.
In many cities, a bride brings the equipment for smoking opium as part of her dowry. Before the 1979 revolution, the government gave opium to enable them to avoid drug deals. Opium in Iranian's culture is like champaigne in France. Four years ago, 54 percent of addicts in Iran used opium, only 30 percent of addicts now use opim, with many having switched to crack. Dealers introduced a further refinement or heroin known here as crack. Unrelated to crack cocaine, the drug is mostly smoked, is castly more powerful than raw oopium and has caught on rapidly. Some addicts began using this new crack, unknowingly that it was addictive.
The government also must supply its addicts wthat are serving time in prison. One addict talked about how he became infected with HIV while serving a 25-year prison sentence for robbery and selling drugs. He said they had to share a pump for injecting heroin. Basically it was a thick needle hooked to a pump.
The number of addicts taking methadone has increased to 100,000 from 5,000 in two years. Iran could benefit a lot from inputing new treatment centers. They really have no option, because the problem will only get worse, especially witht he high demand for opium in Afganistan.
A Solution to the Porn Problem
7/25/2008 9:27:27 AM
alessandra
297 Posts
With the availability of porn these days, its become a bigger epidemic than most of us realize. One out of 10 adults admits to Internet sexual addiction. And 47 percent of families say porn's a problem in their homes. This epidemic of porn is even flodding the church. Even pastors aren't immune. Some 37 percent admit to struggling with porn. Basically this problem of porn could happen to anyone... Even women, about 17 percent are addicted.
But for those tens of millions addicted to porn, there is a way out. Start by telling yourself "You don't have to have it... you want to have it." The point is not to make excuses, but clearly repent, then throw yourself to the Lord. Once you repent, you're already making a huge choice. You're saying, I want to be healthier. Going to the Lord for strength and for the healing is the only key you have.
It's important to quit cold turkey and clean house--getting rid of all porn materials and making sure you can't access it online. You need to tell yourself, "I want this freedom. I don't want this thing to control my life." Also, you need to let someone else know about your addiction, so you can be held accountable, so they can watch your back. You can't just do it alone. You might stay sober for one year, but then a few peeks and suddenly you find yourseld back into a full-blown addiction.
Women Get Drunk, High and Addicted Faster Then Men
7/29/2008 3:01:11 PM
alessandra
297 Posts
More than 20 million girls and women in the US abuse drugs and alcohol and 30 million more are addicted to cigarettes. Women, pound for pound, not only get more drunk or higher faster than men, but also become addicted more easily. Teenage girls now smoke, drink and abuse drugs as often as teenage boys. For certain drugs, such as prescription painkillers, the abuse rate is higher in girls than boys. Yet even as the rate of abuse becomes more equal, psychological and physiological factors combine to ensure that females are more greatly affected by drugs and alcohol.
Each single drink hits a woman like a double. A woman's body contains less water and more fatty tissue which increases alcohol absorption- compared to a male body. And women have a lower activity level of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, whcih breaks down alcohol.
The risk of addiction to alcohol and drugs, including nicotine, is approximatly doubled as well. The reason may be hormonal of psychological. Males and females abuse drugs for different reasons. Teenage girls are more likely than boys to abuse illegal substances in order to loose weight, relieve stress or boredom, improve their mood, reduce sexual inhibitions, self-medicate depression, and increase confidence.
Boy, 18, dies after party degenerates into Brawl
7/31/2008 10:01:52 AM
alessandra
297 Posts
A teenager was killed and at least two others are being investigated in connection with his death after a house party for high school students spilled out of control and erupted into a brawl. But what emerged from interviews with deputies, family members and friends is a picture of a violent clash during a party. A homeowner threw a birthday party for his son. Dozens of friends were there including high school junior, Gregory Kennedy.
Apparently there was a scuffle between some of the teenagers and then the group of rivals left. Sometime later, a group of SUV's showed up to the party. In the SUV's were some of the students from the original fight. At least one person had a baseball bat or pipe. Someone smashed a window at the home and everyone went outside, including Kennedy.
Neighbors and deputies say that at least two dozen teenagers fought in the front yeard and the street. Someone called 911 and the group scattered, leaving Kennedy on the ground, bleeding and unconscious. When authorities got there, they did CPR on Kennedy and briefly revived him. He was then flown to a nearby hospital and put on life support.
On Wednesday morning, his mother had doctors remove Kennedy from life support. She said her son was in the wrong place at the wrong time. - Why do parents think it's okay to throw parties for their underaged kids? There's no telling what will happen, especially when there's alcohol involved. Now hundreds of lives are affected and many lives ruined for a parents bad judgement.