Kiddie Cocaine it’s called. More formally, Ritalin; and commonly prescribed to children and youth as a chemical “solution” to study difficulties in school. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Ritalin (the drug methylphenidate), is a Schedule II narcotic. It is in the same drug classification as amphetamines, cocaine and morphine. It begs the question, why are we starting our children and youth on the path to drug addiction by giving them a Schedule II narcotic? Continue reading
Study Reports that Alcohol Screenings at Doctors’ Offices are Ineffective
A University of Wisconsin-Madison news online news article reports that as screening for alcohol problems while visiting the doctor is becoming more mainstream, a study recently published in the journal, Addiction, found that using method fails to increase successful referrals to counseling and treatment for alcohol abuse. Continue reading
Global Survey Shows that 5% of the World’s Adult Population Suffers from Alcoholism
Led by Australia’s University of Adelaide researchers, The Global Statistics on Addictive Behaviours: 2014 Status Report reveals that 8 percent of Americans have a drinking problem. In comparison, the world’s population having a drinking problem weighs-in at 4.9 percent. Continue reading
Study Reports an Increase in Binge Drinking Among Young People
Binge drinking is the practice of consuming large amounts of alcohol in a single sitting. A man drinking five or more drinks at a sitting, or a woman drinking four or more drinks at a sitting is regarded as binge drinking. According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, around 90% of the alcohol consumed by U.S. youth under 21-years of age is consumed in the form of binge drinks. Continue reading
Study Finds Flakka to be More Addictive than Meth
Flakka is a designer drug ordinarily made from the chemical alpha-PVP—a synthetic version of the stimulant chemical cathinone. The cathinone chemicals are derived from the Middle Eastern and Somalian khat plant, where the leaves of the plant are often chewed to get a euphoric buzz. Continue reading