Narconon News

CDC Survey Measures Youth Alcohol and Drug Use among Other Risky Behaviors

2006-06-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

Results show trends in several commonly-abused substances among youth.

The good news is that there are fewer teenagers engaging in risky behaviors compared to 1991, according to the Results of the latest National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YBRS) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Substance abuse was one of the many categories of behaviors measured, which also included diet, exercise, violence and sex.

In a release from the CDC last week, the Center’s director of the adolescent and school health division Howell Wechsler, Ed.D, MPH commented, “The overall survey results are encouraging because they show us that persistent efforts to get young people to adopt healthier behaviors can achieve positive results.”

The survey results showed that more than 43 percent of students across the country are considered current drinkers, and over 25 percent had five or more alcoholic drinks in a row within the last 30 days. Also noted was that about one quarter of the students first drank alcohol, other than a few sips, before the age of 13.

Another behavior associated with alcohol consumption is drinking and driving. Roughly ten percent of teenagers had driven a car within the last month under the influence of alcohol, which translates to millions of impaired underage drivers in just a 30-day period.

Nationwide, 38.4% of students had used marijuana one or more times during their life. While current marijuana use has declined over the last six years, it is still significantly higher at over 20% in 2005 than the under 15% total in 1991. Almost nine percent of students had tried marijuana for the first time before age 13.

Director of Drug Education for Narconon Arrowhead J.T. Daily points out that, “Unfortunately, there are pro-drug groups out there that promote the use of illegal drugs, which sends a message to young people that it might be safe or okay, which is not the case.”

Mr. Daily has worked with well over 100,000 students across the country in recent years and says he has to combat a lot of misinformation about these drugs. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug education and drug rehab programs, which uses the effective drug-free approach developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

Another drug that is promoted by organizations involved in drug legalization and harm reduction is the club drug known as ecstasy (MDMA). Although ecstasy use has dramatically declined since its peak around the year 2000, according to the YRBS there are still as many students who have tried ecstasy as methamphetamine, the latter of which has become a serious problem in the U.S. over the last several years.

Daily says that there are two videos available that also help to provide insight to young people. “Marijuana: The Myth” and “Ecstasy: The Real Story” are produced and distributed by a supporting group called Friends of Narconon. “The more information you can provide to students through effective drug education that communicates on their level, the more they will make the decision to stay away from these harmful substances,” he claims.

Nearly 14,000 U.S. high school students participated in the 2005 National YRBS, which is one of three Department of Health and Human Services-sponsored surveys that provide data on drug use among youth. The full 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data are available at www.cdc.gov/yrbs.

For more information on the videos, to inquire about effective drug education or to find help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Increased Deaths Linked to Fentanyl Creates Growing Concern in Several States

2006-06-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

The powerful prescription painkiller continues to cause alarm among addicts and law enforcement in a number of communities around the country.

An alert was issued on fentanyl by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment from their Director H. Wesley Clark. This advisory was to treatment providers, community organizations and recovery groups and highlighted the growing concerns about the prescription drug and the fatal effects of its known and unknown presence in street drugs.

From Illinois, Michigan and Pennsylvania to all the way down in Florida, the number of fentanyl-related deaths continue to add up. Most of them recently are attributed to addicts using heroin or cocaine that was laced with fentanyl. Detroit has been one of the hardest hit areas.

“Individuals involved in the public health need to be aware of this new dangerous drug combination,” Dr. Clark said. “They need to be prepared to alert patients, clients and others to help save lives.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration held a special conference in Chicago last week to address the sudden increase in fentanyl-related deaths. Topics of the DEA meeting included the pharmacology of fentanyl, heroin, and other related drugs while discussing strategies to cut down the illicit manufacturing of the painkiller and importation and transportation methods. They also covered the local protocols for addressing outbreaks of overdoses and deaths as well as obtaining and analyzing data from medical examiners and hospitals.

A University of Florida report issued last year stated that the number of fatalities linked to fentanyl is still one-quarter the number associated with other drugs abused, including opiates such as methadone or hydrocodone, but the number of sudden deaths from overdosing on fentanyl has been on the rise during the past few years across the nation.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the number of emergency room visits for people abusing fentanyl increased by more than ten times from 2000 to 2004.

Fentanyl, a synthetic narcotic, was introduced in the 1960s, but it was not until the early 1990s that it became available in patch form. Last year, the first generic versions of the patch hit the market. The American Academy of Pain Medicine released a statement saying the potentially lethal combination of heroin and fentanyl is of great concern to the medical community and that the prescription drug is nearly 100 times more powerful than morphine.

For free information on opiates and other drugs or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country and works continuously to help individuals overcome substance abuse. Their incredible results and number of lives saved are attributed to the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free approach.

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Proposed Budget Slashes Drug Abuse Prevention Treatment Services

2006-02-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

The 2007 White House budget proposal seeks to cut approximately $360 million from alcohol and drug abuse-related programs

When the President released his proposal for the 2007 federal budget it was revealed that several programs involving drug prevention and treatment are targeted for reduction or elimination.

Among those hit include a combined $36.2 million cut for the Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention and a staggering $322 million blow to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities programs. In addition, the entire $9.1 million for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Demand Reduction Program was removed.

“Effective drug treatment and prevention programs are the cornerstones to helping individuals and communities overcome the devastation of substance abuse,” comments Gary W. Smith, CEO of Narconon Arrowhead, which is a leading drug rehabilitation and education center that helps people from all over the country every year. As one of the largest and most successful programs in the nation, it uses the effective drug-free approach to rehabilitation developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

Smith continues, “Reducing funding for these activities could result in many lives lost.”

However, budget cuts were not suggested for all areas, as an additional $21 million was asked for the National Anti-Drug Media Campaign and another $59.3 million for Drug Court funding.

Earlier this year a government release promoted a study that showed anti-drug media messages are working for youth who are exposed to them, which is good news. The growth of the drug court system effectiveness has also been praised in many states and the extra funding could open up many more drug courts to deal with non-violent substance abuse offenders and monitor their progress.

Budget and political analysts have been scurrying to report their take on the proposal in different sectors of public funding, but the proposals undoubtedly will be changed considerably by Congress before being fully adopted later this year. This leaves hope for those in the treatment and prevention field supported solely by government money, as well as other non-profits who will undoubtedly shoulder the increased demand for services.

For more information about the substance abuse treatment and prevention portions of the 2007 budget proposal, visit the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America at www.cadca.org. To get help for a loved one in need of effective alcohol or drug rehabilitation, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Report Shows More People in Treatment Started Using Drugs at an Earlier Age

2006-01-31T15:22:00.000-08:00

Over 160,000 people admitted for drug addiction treatment in 2003 started using drugs before the age of 13

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released a report from ongoing monitoring of the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) showing an increase in the number of people in treatment for drug addiction who started at an earlier age.

The report tracked treatment admissions from 1993 to 2003 and the percentage of people in treatment who started using drugs before the age of 13 had increased from 12 percent to 14 percent during that time span. The total number of people jumped from about 114,000 to more than 162,000.

In a SAMHSA release, Administrator Charles Curie exclaimed, “Age at first use is an important predictor of the potential for serious substance abuse problems later in life. The increase in the proportion of the admissions for drug use before age 13 should be a wake-up call to parents to speak with their children early and often about the dangers of drug use.”

Education and prevention efforts must start at earlier ages, and must start at home. Our children need to know everything about drugs and the damage they cause and this can be done without building their curiosity or using scare tactics. Simple communication with the truth is what works.

Narconon Arrowhead’s drug education and prevention program works with kids, parents, ministers, counselors, teachers and anyone else in an effort to create and maintain drug-free youth. While the program includes a very successful rehabilitation program based on the research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, the professionals working in the treatment center would much rather not have to see those kids in the future going through treatment.

Take the time to speak to your kids about drug and alcohol abuse, and let’s make a better society for all.

For more information or help, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com. Free downloadable drug information is also available at www.drug-education.org. Act now before it’s too late.

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Opiates, Antidepressants Top List of Substances in Drug-Related Suicides

2006-01-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

The Drug Abuse Warning Network tracks emergency department and drug mortality statistics in the United States

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) found that the most common single-drug suicide deaths involved opiates, followed by antidepressants and then cocaine, sedatives and anti-anxiety medications.

DAWN information showed that 7 out of 10 of the suicide deaths involved multiple drugs. The highest rates included combinations of alcohol and antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and opiates, alcohol and opiates, and then antidepressants with opiates. One quarter of the overall deaths in the metropolitan areas and states involved multiple antidepressants.

“What this data shows is what we teach in our education presentations,” comments a supervisor at Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, “that all drugs are basically poisons and that enough of any drug can cause extreme adverse reactions and even death.”

The organization uses the drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and does not use any drugs in the treatment process. Part of the reasoning is because all drugs do produce side effects and it has been demonstrated that drug residues can become stored in the body and continue to produce negative effects.

The DAWN study of 32 metropolitan areas and six states also looked for mortality rates for drug abuse. Of the cities that were examined, Baltimore and Albuquerque had the highest rates with more than 200 deaths per million people. Another 14 metropolitan areas had drug misuse death rates that exceeded 100 per 1,000,000.

In the six states, the number of deaths related to drug misuse or abuse ranged from 74 to 697. After adjusting for population differences, the rates of drug misuse/abuse deaths ranged from 88 deaths per 1,000,000 in Maine and New Hampshire to 162 deaths per million in New Mexico.

The Drug Abuse Warning Network is a public health surveillance system that monitors drug-related hospital emergency department visits and drug-related deaths to track the impact of drug use, misuse, and abuse in the U.S.

This survey did not include any deaths from adverse reactions to drugs. Such cases would include the consequences of using a prescription or over-the-counter pharmaceutical for therapeutic purposes and include deaths related to adverse drug reactions, side effects, drug-drug interactions, and drug-alcohol interactions.

For more information on specific drugs and addiction or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com. To find results from previous DAWN publications go to www.dawninfo.samhsa.gov.

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Prescription Drug Use Pervades America

2006-01-16T17:18:00.000-08:00

National Center for Health Statistics shows nearly half of the adult population has used prescription drugs in the last month

Recent information from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that nearly half of U.S. adults have taken prescription drugs within the past 30 days. The segment of the population showing the most prescription drug use was white non-Hispanic women (54 percent) and the lowest was Mexican-American men (26 percent).

The goal of the pharmaceutical industry is to make money. Drug companies are publicly-traded corporations and are not non-profit organizations. Evidence of this can be found by simply turning on the television and viewing the increasing number of commercials for prescription drugs as part of the direct-to-consumer marketing plans. U.S. revenues for the pharmaceutical industry have been estimated at $200 billion annually.

Along with the increase in overall use of prescription drugs comes the rise in abuse and addiction. A quick scan of headlines reveals the death of a high school athlete from a painkiller, the State of Massachusetts launching a prescription drug awareness media campaign and law enforcement officers from Ohio giving a seminar on spotting emerging trends in prescription drug trafficking and abuse.

Another article from the Associated Press (AP) reported that there are more estimated deaths in Maine from drug overdoses in 2005 than traffic accidents. The number of drug overdose deaths has more than doubled in the last five years, which has been primarily attributed to the use of prescription drugs.

“What many people forget,” comments Gary W. Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, “Is that prescription drugs have the potential to be just as harmful as street drugs, and that most of today’s illegal drugs were once marketed and sold as pharmaceuticals.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation programs and uses the effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is working with state legislatures to cut down the rising numbers of prescription drug abusers. One of the main avenues is state-level prescription drug monitoring programs, which have taken a leading role in detecting and deterring the diversion of controlled substances that are often abused. Prescription drug monitoring programs are currently in place or plan to be operational in about half of the United States this year.

For more information about prescription drugs or to get help for a loved on in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Adolescent Inhalant Use Continues to Rise

2006-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

National survey indicates a slight increase in inhalant use among 12th-grade students

The results of the 2005 Monitoring the Future survey showed that inhalant use remains high among adolescents, with another slight increase for 12th grade students. The high range and rise in use comes just a year after a significant jump of inhalant use by 8th graders from 2002 to 2004.

Use of inhalants has consistently been highest among 8th graders, which is a reversal of the usual pattern of use across grades since the drug use is usually higher among 12 graders. The reported perceived dangers of inhalant use have declined among both 8th and 10th graders over the last four years now. Disapproval of inhalant use has also slipped a bit in 8th grade in recent years.

Inhalants are generally classified into three categories, solvents, gases and nitrates. Examples of these chemicals include paint thinners, glue, gasoline, butane, nitrous oxide, ether, cleaning products and aerosol sprays for paint, hair and deodorant.

Most of the chemicals that are sniffed or “huffed” are commonly found in the household, where young children and adolescents can easily obtain them.

Use of inhalants brings many negative effects on a person aside from the initial high they may feel. Adverse effects of sniffing toxins include damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys and brain, which opens up to a variety of symptoms and illnesses. Sniffing high concentrations of some chemicals can cause heart failure and even death.

“We’ve seen what inhalants can do to a person,” comments Gary W. Smith, who is a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and is the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead. The center is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs by using the effective drug-free methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. “After years of inhalant abuse there are very definite signs of damage, even when the person is now drug-free.”

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week is in March each year. According to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration last year, 12 and 13 year-olds who used inhalants were more likely to experiment with other drugs in the future and engage in delinquent behavior than kids who never tried sniffing.

Effective drug education and prevention programs can help reverse this trend and the behavior associated with it. Programs like Narconon Arrowhead can help. For more information about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved one in need, call 1-800-468-6933 today or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

You may also view more statistics on inhalant and other drug use among teens at www.monitoringthefuture.org. The survey is conducted annually by the University of Michigan and is funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) to assess drug use among 8th, 10th and 12th grade students.

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Prescription Drug Use Remains High Among Teens

2005-12-26T08:21:00.000-08:00

National survey shows little change in overall adolescent drug use and slight increase in prescription sedatives and painkillers

The results from the 2005 Monitoring the Future survey were released last week by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the University of Michigan. Overall statistics show a very slight decline in illicit drug use among teens, but the use of prescription drugs such as sedatives and the narcotic painkiller Oxycontin have continued to increase.

In the survey category of narcotics other than heroin, the use of such substances as prescription painkillers steadily increased from 1992 to 2002 and there has been little change since then. In a release from the University of Michigan, one of the authors and lead researchers of the study, Lloyd Johnston said, “That makes this one of the few classes of drugs in which we have not seen improvement, after a substantial rise in use.”

Oxycontin is a name brand painkiller in the oxycodone category. Due to it’s powerfully addictive qualities, the drug has been a major threat in the United States over the last several years and, despite being a controlled substance, has etched its way into the black market drug scene ever since. The past-year use of Oxycontin has risen from 4 percent of 12th-graders in 2002 to 5.5 percent in 2005, which is an increase of 40 percent.

As one of the largest and most effective drug education and rehabilitation programs in the nation, Narconon Arrowhead has worked with young and old alike from around the country to combat the use of drugs. As a drug-free rehabilitation program, they recognize that prescription drugs have become a major source of the drug problem in the United States and caution people to remember that all drugs are essentially poisons.

Another category of drug that showed and increase in use were sedatives, which are psychotherapeutic drugs that are central nervous system depressants and are similar to tranquilizers. Some names of sedatives include Valium, Xanax and Librium. In 2005, nearly 8 percent of 12-grade students reported using sedatives non-medically in the last year.

The Monitoring the Future survey first started back in 1975 and this year there results were collected from nearly 50,000 8th, 10th and 12th-grade students from over 400 secondary schools across the country.

For more information on drugs and addiction, or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

Narconon Arrowhead continually achieves a success rate of approximately 70 percent for helping individuals overcome addiction and its effectiveness is directly attributed to the dedication of its staff and the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology.

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New Report Shows Number of Teens Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

2005-12-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

Narconon Arrowhead’s drug education aimed at cutting youth drug use and associated behavior

A report from the recent PRIDE Surveys showed that more than 750,000 teens aged 16 and 17 drove under the influence of illicit drugs in the past year. Information from the Monitoring the Future survey also shows that approximately 15% of teens reported driving under the influence of marijuana, which was nearly as high as those driving after consuming alcohol.

In a release from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Director John Walters said that people need to realize that “Marijuana impairs many of the skills required for safe driving, such as concentration, coordination, perception and reaction time…”

Due to these statistics the ONDCP is partnering with driving schools and other organizations to increase awareness and have launched new public service announcements through the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign targeting drugged driving.

The campaign reminds parents that they can take action and help their teen "steer clear of pot" with simple steps such as checking the car for signs of drug paraphernalia and being aware of who their teen is traveling with.

Since its inception in 1998, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has conducted outreach to millions of parents, teens and communities to reduce and prevent teen drug use. With a combination of public and private partnerships, non-profit community service organizations, volunteerism, and youth-to-youth communications, the Campaign is designed to reach Americans of diverse backgrounds with effective anti-drug messages.

Joining in the efforts to educate young and old alike is Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country. Its effectiveness is directly attributed to the application of the late American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s research and drug-free methodology.

Surveys conducted by the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program of several hundred thousand students across the country show that it is the type of information and the manner in which it’s presented that determines the best results. It has to be made “real” to them.

Narconon Arrowhead’s prevention program, led by Director of Drug Education J.T. Daily, uses effective two-way communication with a lot of energy and interest between the presenter and the students. Through the delivery of the information from the multi-session curriculum and the experience of the presenters, students are able to get the toughest questions answered in a way that satisfies their curiosity without having to try drugs for themselves.

For more information about drugs and addiction, to get help for a loved one in need or to book an education presentation in your area call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Narconon Arrowhead Announces Effective Treatment for Meth Addiction

2005-11-29T11:14:00.000-08:00

Successful drug-free rehabilitation services for methamphetamine addiction

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health announced earlier this year that the number of people admitted for treatment for methamphetamine addiction increased from 105,754 in 2002 to 116,604 in 2003.

The scourge of meth addiction around the country in recent years prompted lawmakers to make it more difficult to obtain precursors to making methamphetamine. The symptom severity and damage caused by meth abuse has led researchers to explore different types of treatment.

A recent study funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) tested the effects of giving methamphetamine addicts the antidepressant buproprion in an attempt to reduce the high that meth users felt as well as the cravings for the drug. Another NIDA-funded study earlier this year suggested that meth addicts be given anti-psychotic drugs during withdrawal to treat the symptoms.

The primary missing information from each of these studies is that the drugs being used are also mind-altering substances and have their own toxic side effects. Evidence of this includes an anti-psychotic drug causing diabetes and the advent of black-box warning labels on antidepressants cautioning consumers of increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Giving more drugs to addicts is trying to use a chemical to solve a chemical dependency problem, which defies the definition of rehabilitation.

In addition, many scientists and psychiatrists try and pin the addiction problem onto a brain malady or chemical imbalance, but a recent article in the New York Times reveals that despite the many years of research and millions of dollars spent, brain scans have not been able to provide proof of these theories.

“There are much healthier and more effective ways of dealing with meth addicts than giving them more drugs,” says a supervisor for Narconon Arrowhead, “Our results speak for themselves, because the vast majority of our program graduates are still drug-free.”

Narconon Arrowhead, one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education facilities, feels they do have an answer to substance abuse, including helping people overcome methamphetamine addiction. The organization uses the effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The Narconon program’s success has spread via word of mouth and supporters and has been consistently helping people overcome substance abuse from all 50 states.

For more information on effective meth addiction treatment, visit www.methamphetamineaddiction.com. To find out more about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved on in need, call 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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White House Says Less Heroin Being Produced in Middle East

2005-11-25T07:21:00.000-08:00

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that Afghan opium poppy cultivation has declined for first time in four years

In a release from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) this week it was announced that the estimated amount of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan dropped by 48 percent. The total number of hectares (about 2.5 acres) was reduced from 206,000 to 107,000. However, this is still up from 30,000 hectares in 2002 and equates to approximately 526 metric tons of potential heroin production, if all were processed.

Unfortunately, in the Afghan economy the financial gain outweighs the devastation caused by the pain-killing drugs the opium poppy is used for, such as heroin.

According to the United States Economic & Social Commission for Western Asia, opium poppy is a profitable crop that is produced with cheap labor (women, children and refugees). In 2002 gross income from the opium poppy crops in Afghanistan rose to $1.2 billion. Afghan farmers were offered $1,250 per hectare by the government to destroy their crops, but they are expected to receive $16,000 per hectare in profits from drug processors and traffickers for growing the poppies.

"Even with these significant reductions in poppy cultivation, the overall scope of the drug threat in Afghanistan remains unacceptably high," said John Walters, Director of the ONDCP.

Officials say that roughly 80 percent of the heroin found in Europe comes from Afghanistan as well as nearly all of the supply in Russia. However, an increasing amount continues to find its way to the U.S.

Heroin use is still at a very high level in the United States, topping the 1970’s when it was a popular drug. There were 166,000 current heroin users in 2004. This is similar to 2002 and 2003. Overall, there are 3.1 million people in the U.S. that have used heroin in their lifetime, surging the heroin addiction treatment admissions for the toxic substance steadily through the 90’s.

“I became a statistic at the age of 20 when I started using heroin. There is no way to describe the daily misery and agony I went through while addicted to heroin,” explains Erica, a beautiful young lady who eventually ended her addiction.

In fact, withdrawal from heroin is one of the most severe of any drug, leading many to overdose and others to death in fear of the pain, sleeplessness, vomiting and diarrhea caused by the drug’s sudden absence in the body. By looking at Erica today, one would never guess that she was a former drug addict that thankfully overcame the hell of an opiate addiction. She got her life back together by completing the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation and education program, which uses the life-saving technology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The ONDCP stated that the United States is working closely with the United Kingdom, which is the lead nation coordinating international counter-narcotics assistance to the Afghan Government. They are working to provide Afghan farmers real economic alternatives and are supporting the Afghan central government and governors to discourage cultivation and eradicate poppy fields.

To find out more information about the history and dangers of heroin and other opiates, log on to www.heroinaddiction.com. To get help for a loved one battling a drug or alcohol addiction, call 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Narconon Offers Free Drug Education Booklets

2005-11-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

Three drug education and prevention booklets available to view online for free

For nearly 40 years Narconon, meaning “narcotics – none” or “no drugs”, has been helping people to recover from alcohol and other drug addiction throughout the world. In order to overcome the society’s number one health problem, there must be effective drug education and prevention programs and materials available.

Narconon shares the ambitious goals of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and other organizations to reduce adolescent drug use and knows that even greater results can be achieved by helping to educate more people. That is where a series of booklets comes in. Three online books are free for anyone to view at www.drug-education.org.

The booklets are called “10 Things Your Friends May Not Know about Drugs,” “Drug Facts” and “Talking to Kids about Drugs.” The booklets provide essential information about specific drugs as well as substance abuse and addiction in general. They are a valuable drug education and prevention resource for students, teachers, parents and community leaders.

Misinformation about drugs and alcohol runs rampant in the adolescent and adult population, and a lot of people don’t really know what happens to a person’s mind and body when they ingest these toxins. This is an opportunity to find out the truth about drugs and to add sanity to our environment.

According to a supervisor at Narconon Arrowhead, “Narconon’s goal is the total eradication of substance abuse, and our ever-increasing staff is dedicated to making this happen. We must shift the social viewpoint to make drug use unacceptable instead of normal.”

Narconon was founded by William Benitez in Arizona State Prison in 1966 to help get fellow inmates off heroin. Since then, the effective program that uses technology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard has grown to approximately 120 groups in nearly 40 countries and continues to expand due to the results that are achieved through its life-saving education and rehabilitation.

Narconon Arrowhead is the center of this international network and is also one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country. If you or someone you love needs help for drug or alcohol addiction, call 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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National Campaign Launched to Prevent Underage Drinking

2005-11-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

More than 10 million young people between 12 and 20 reported current alcohol use

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the Ad Council, recently launched a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to prevent underage drinking.

According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 10.8 million underage persons ages 12 to 20 (28.7 percent) reported current alcohol use. About 7.4 million (19.6 percent) were binge drinkers who consumed five or more drinks on the same occasion, and 2.4 million (6.3 percent) were heavy drinkers who binge five or more times in a month.

“These new ads will help us create and sustain a strong national commitment to prevent and reduce underage drinking,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said in a release last week.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a report earlier this year demonstrating that the vast majority of youth ages 12 to 17 (more than 20 million, or 83 percent) are receiving drug and alcohol prevention messages through the media. The report also showed that those who have been exposed to such messages are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.

The new campaign aims to encourage parents to speak to their children about alcohol in an effort to prevent and reduce underage drinking. The PSAs end with the tagline: “Start Talking before They Start Drinking.”

SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said, “Parents of children and teens must change their attitudes toward teen drinking from acceptance to abstinence, and recognize the importance of talking to their children early and often about alcohol, especially before they’ve started drinking.”

The survey shows that 2 million of the alcohol-dependent adults now ages 21 or older first used alcohol before age 14. Adults who had first used alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to become dependent than adults who first used after the legal drinking age.

Narconon Arrowhead has a team of dedicated staff working to educate young and old alike and reaches millions of people each week with anti-drug messages through the media each week.

“Many young people are told that drugs are dangerous, but not how or why,” said a supervisor for Narconon Arrowhead in charge of drug education and media relations, “To deter them from experimentation with these substances, it helps to project into the future what alcohol and drug use leads to and to explain that none of the 23 million people in need of substance abuse treatment ever thought they would become an addict.”

As one of the nation’s largest and most effective drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead uses the proven drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

For more information on drug education and rehabilitation or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.
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Groups Seek Reform of Higher Education Act

2005-10-31T06:21:00.000-08:00

Drug provision of 1988 denies financial aid for college students with multiple drug convictions, past or present

Currently, if a student is convicted of possession of a controlled substance then their financial aid is suspended for one year; if convicted a second time then the suspension is two additional years; three or more times and the financial aid is withheld indefinitely.

The punishment is more severe for those caught selling drugs, with a two-year suspension on the first conviction and then a complete revocation of privileges on the second offense.

There is currently no hope for people with three or more convictions in the past who may now be doing well in life. To some, this discrimination is unacceptable. The present drug provision does allow for financial aid to be restored before the full suspension term of a first or second offense upon submission of two unscheduled drug test results or the completion of a drug treatment program.

One of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs is Narconon Arrowhead, which uses the effective drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

“Rewards and penalties are good when giving out taxpayers’ money,” comments Narconon Arrowhead supervisor Lucas Catton, CCDC, “but to permanently write someone off is not in anyone’s best interest. People can change, and effective rehab centers can help former addicts regain a drug-free life. These people should be eligible for college tuition assistance as long as they have no further convictions.”

The Higher Education Act is up for renewal every five years, and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed the renewal recently in HR 609, called the College Access & Opportunity Act, where full repeal of the drug provision was not included but an amendment now states that past convictions do not disqualify someone, only ones during the time in which they are receiving financial aid. The bill now awaits approval from the full House of Representatives.

Organizations such as the Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform and Faces and Voices of Recovery are still calling for full repeal of the drug provisions from 1988, stating that since the enactment of the amendment more than 160,000 individuals have been negatively affected by the law.

The Coalition points out that despite evidence of Americans saving $7 for every $1 spent on treatment, less than 15% of the national drug control budget is spent on rehabilitation services. Also mentioned is that alcohol abuse is the number one drug problem on college campuses, yet alcohol-related crimes are not included in the language of the bill.

To find out more about the Higher Education Act, track the progress of HR 609 or any legislation filed or enacted, visit the Library of Congress website at http://thomas.loc.gov.

To find out more information about helping someone overcome addiction through successful rehabilitation, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit http://www.stopaddiction.com.

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Survey Shows Need for More Residential Drug Rehab Centers

2005-10-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

Less than ten percent of all people receiving addiction treatment last year were in residential programs

In 2004, only 27 percent of drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment centers offered non-hospital residential programs, despite evidence from research such as the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies (DATOS) that treatment success rates tend to be higher for inpatient settings.

Data gathered from the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS) took a snapshot of addiction treatment programs and clients with statistics from March 31, 2004. Approximately 100,000 people in non-hospital residential drug rehab centers on that date accounted for only nine percent of all clients in treatment.

In contrast, 22 percent of all clients receiving treatment were in methadone programs (240,000), which is an increase of 95,000 people in the last six years. Along with the increase in substitute drug replacement therapy has come more methadone-related deaths throughout the United States.

Effective alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs are essential for helping addicts recover. This is why the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has proposed $150 million for the Access to Recovery Program, which gives vouchers to people seeking effective treatment instead only having to go to a small list of funded programs.

One of the most successful and largest drug rehabilitation and education programs in the United States is Narconon Arrowhead. People enter the drug-free rehabilitation center from all over the country seeking the effective treatment based on the research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The application of the workable technology helps achieve a success rate of approximately 70% for program graduates.

The center is part of a growing international network of Narconon® programs that continue to gain recognition because of their success and are operating in nearly 40 countries.

“Whether dealing with addicted individuals or preventing kids from using drugs, the results are what matter most,” comments Luke Catton, who is a supervisor at Narconon Arrowhead. “Research and theories are fine, but in the end the measure of a good rehabilitation program is if those who complete treatment stay drug-free.”

For more information about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved one in need, call 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

To read the full results of the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, log on to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Office of Applied Studies website at www.oas.samhsa.gov.

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Agencies Join Together to Prevent Teen Marijuana Use

2005-10-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Marijuana use linked to poor academic performance and treatment admissions are rising

A release from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) earlier this month announced their partnership with education and health leaders to launch an ad campaign targeting parents. An open letter to parents titled "Marijuana Could Threaten Your Teen's Success," appeared in national and local newspapers, including The New York Times and USA Today, as well as in Time, Newsweek and People magazines.

More than a dozen agencies and organizations have signed on in support of the campaign. While illicit drug use among teens is on the decline, marijuana is the most commonly used drug among 16- and 17-year-olds. Research shows that 1.3 million teens between the ages of 12 and 17 used marijuana for the first time last year.

Studies show that marijuana use during these peak academic years can have a significant negative impact on academic performance. Marijuana can hinder a teen's ability to learn and heavy use impairs young people's ability to concentrate and retain information. Use of the drug is also linked to poorer grades. A teen with a "D" average is four times more likely to have used marijuana than a teen with an "A" average. A teenage marijuana user's odds of dropping out are more than twice that of a non-user.

Marijuana use is just one of the topics of concern this week as the nation focuses on drug prevention. Red Ribbon Week is celebrated throughout the country in support of drug-free living.

Along with casual use is the risk of becoming dependent on the drug. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) showed that in 1992 there were 45 treatment admissions for marijuana use per 100,000 people aged 12 or older. This number more than doubled to 93 admissions by 1997 and in 2002 was 118. This resulted in an increase from six percent to 15 percent of all treatment admissions.

In a release issued by SAMHSA, Administrator Charles Curie exclaimed, “Marijuana is not a harmless substance, and these treatment trends emphasize that point.”

Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead Gary W. Smith reports, “Although the number of people coming to us who are abusing pot is a smaller percentage of our total clientele, in the 30 years I have been in the drug rehabilitation field I have not seen these numbers of individuals literally hooked on marijuana and unable to stop on their own.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country and it uses the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

People seeking rehabilitation at Narconon Arrowhead often have tried more traditional treatment methods and have failed, thus leaving them with little hope that they could beat their addiction. However, the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation Program repeatedly achieves a success rate of approximately 70% for helping people permanently recover from their addiction.

For more information about marijuana, log on to www.marijuanaaddiction.com. To find learn about the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation program call 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

You can view the open letter from the Office of National Drug Control Policy by going to
www.mediacampaign.org/mg/print/ad_open_letter_generalmarket_clr.html.

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More Money Proposed for Student Drug Testing

2005-10-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

The Office of National Drug Control Policy urges more schools to begin student drug testing programs as a supplement existing drug prevention measures.

The President’s fiscal year 2006 budget proposes $25.4 million for student drug testing programs, which is an increase of more than $15 million over the previous year. Nearly three years have passed since the U.S. Supreme Court allowed schools to drug test students and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is seeking to implement more drug testing programs throughout the nation.

In his 2004 State of the Union Address President Bush said, “One of the worst decisions children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs.” He continued to explain that, “The aim here is not to punish children, but to send them this message: We love you, and we don't want to lose you.”

Student drug testing has been a controversial topic over the last few years as it is viewed by some individuals and groups to be an invasion of privacy, however the negative impact that substance abuse has on society cannot be ignored. School administrators and teachers continue to work with community leaders, parents and prevention programs to curb adolescent drug abuse. The latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health claims that some of these efforts seem to be working by citing that illicit drug use among youth declined by nine percent over the last two years.

The student drug testing initiative provides competitive grants to support schools in the design and implementation of programs to randomly screen selected students and to intervene with assessment, referral, and intervention for students whose test results indicate they have used illicit drugs.

Four Regional Drug Testing Summits were held earlier this year to help educate interested officials on the process. The ONDCP reports that in addition to creating a culture of disapproval toward drugs in the communities where it is employed, student drug testing also achieves three public health goals: 1) it deters children from initiating drug use; 2) it identifies children who have just started using drugs so that parents and counselors can intervene early; and 3) it helps identify children who have a dependency on drugs so that they can be referred to effective drug treatment.

Drug prevention programs are aimed at protecting kids from behavior that destroys bodies and minds, impedes academic performance, and creates barriers to success and happiness. The topic is a timely one, as the last week of October is a time when many of the nation’s schools focus on drug education and prevention. It’s called Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31 and began 20 years ago to honor a slain DEA Agent by promoting drug-free living. One of the many organizations helping to keep kids off drugs during Red Ribbon Week is Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country.

Narconon Arrowhead has successfully helped kids throughout the country for many years through anti-drug media campaigns and live presentations with schools, churches, camps and other community programs. The organization attributes its long-standing success to the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s effective drug-free methodology.

To find out more about Narconon Arrowhead or to get information about drugs and addiction, call 1-800-468-6933 today or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

If you would like more information about Red Ribbon Week, visit the National Family Partnership’s website at www.nfp.org.

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Increasing Methadone-Related Deaths Alarming

2005-10-13T10:57:00.000-07:00

Methadone use has increased in pain management and drug replacement therapy for addicts despite hundreds of people dying each year from black market use.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Drug Abuse Warning Network reported that more than 10,000 people turned up in emergency rooms after having abused methadone in 2001, which is double the number from just two years earlier.
Reported deaths from methadone abuse are rising in North Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Maryland, Montana and Nevada while it has become the deadliest drug in Oregon according to state medical examiners. Meanwhile, profits for the drug’s manufacturer and dispensers have increased dramatically as well.

Methadone was developed by German chemists as a painkiller during World War II and has been widely used as drug replacement therapy to get addicts off heroin and other opiates. There are currently more than 1,200 facilities that dispense methadone to addicts, totaling approximately 200,000 patients. While methadone may not produce the same high as heroin or Oxycontin, it is more physically addictive and more difficult to withdraw from.

The Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies (DATOS) issued a report on a multi-city study of status of patients before and after various types of treatment, including outpatient methadone treatment. The results of this study that was done in the 90’s showed that there was actually a slight increase in heavy alcohol use among methadone patients, but perhaps the most obviously overlooked flaw in this type of treatment is that the addicts are still on drugs, and this cannot be considered rehabilitation.

A new documentary called “Methadonia” is to be aired on HBO that follows the lives of several methadone patients, including one who has been on the drug for 30 years.
According to J.J., a 30 year-old former heroin addict from Michigan, “I was on methadone for 5 years and it was much harder to get off than the heroin. You can’t skip a day going to the [methadone] clinic or you immediately get really sick. It’s a trap either way.”

He has since become drug-free through the Narconon Arrowhead program, which consists of a uniquely effective withdrawal phase, confront and communication exercises, a dry heat sauna detoxification program that rids the body of physical drug cravings and a series of life skills courses to not only fully rehabilitate individuals but also to prepare them for life after drugs.

This comprehensive treatment approach was researched and developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and this drug-free methodology is the reason for Narconon Arrowhead’s high rate for successful recovery.

To get help for a loved one caught in the downward spiral of addiction or for more information, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.heroinaddiction.com.

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Survey Indicates Overall Drug Use in America Increased Over Last Year

2005-10-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

The estimated number of people abusing or dependent on alcohol and other drugs rose by nearly two million from 2003 to 2004.

The total number of people needing treatment for substance abuse or dependence in the United States for 2004 was estimated at 23.5 million, which is 9.8 percent of the population and is up over the 22.2 million from 2003.

The estimate of the number receiving specialty treatment in 2004 (2.3 million) was significantly higher than the estimate in 2003 (1.9 million), but this still left 21.2 million people who needed but did not receive treatment last year.

Various forms of stimulants remain among the most addictive drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription amphetamines. In the last decade there has been a substantial increase in methamphetamine use as well as meth addiction treatment admissions. The number of people abusing prescription stimulants in the past year has risen to 1.2 million.

Despite admission rates for primary cocaine addiction treatment having decreased nationally by 24% between 1992 and 2002, there are still an estimated 2 million current users of cocaine, or more than three times the number of methamphetamine users.

Cocaine has been in the international media spotlight lately with supermodel Kate Moss reportedly entering a drug rehab center for her cocaine use and singer Boy George being arrested for cocaine possession.

The short-term physiological effects of cocaine include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Larger amounts may also lead to bizarre, erratic, and violent behavior.

Cocaine users may experience tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches or paranoia. Some users of cocaine report feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. In rare instances, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter. Cocaine-related deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.

Studies have demonstrated that cocaine residues accumulate in the body and can remain there for extended periods of time. These residues continue to cause adverse effects on the individual, including physical cravings for more of the drug.

The Narconon New Life Detoxification Program speeds up the body’s elimination of these residues, therefore restoring natural health quickly and eliminating the physical cravings for cocaine. This procedure is part of the overall program delivered by Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of the leading drug rehabilitation and education programs in the nation and its effectiveness is attributed to the drug-free research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

For more information about cocaine or effective drug addiction treatment, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.cocaineaddiction.com and www.stopaddiction.com.

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National Drug Prevention Week Approaching

2005-10-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

Schools throughout the country focus on drug education and prevention during Red Ribbon Week October 23-31.

Red Ribbon Week is considered national drug education and prevention week and has been celebrated since 1986 when a Drug Enforcement Agent was kidnapped and killed for coming close to breaking up a drug cartel in Mexico. To honor this heroic agent, and to demonstrate their commitment to drug and alcohol prevention, family members and friends began wearing red ribbons.

Since that time, the National Family Partnership has adopted this week to raise awareness about keeping children drug-free. Each year, more and more communities and schools across America use this week to educate and promote drug-free living, often inviting guest speakers to give presentations.

One piece of information that a typical presentation by a Narconon® Drug Prevention Specialist contains is the fact that drugs store in the fatty tissue of a person’s body and can remain there for years after use ceases, causing intense cravings for the drug and continued adverse effects. This fact was discovered by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and unfortunately is not addressed in most rehabilitation or prevention programs despite plenty of scientific data to back this up.

In fact, the majority of the U.S. population doesn’t know what happens internally when toxic substances such as drugs are ingested and how they continue to affect an individual’s physical and mental health. Vital information such as that combined with two-way communication in a fun environment make Narconon presenters a hit in every school they visit.

The Director of Drug Education for Narconon Arrowhead is J.T. Daily, whose passion for his chosen profession comes from personal triumph over tragedy. He was a former drug addict who nearly lost his life to substance abuse and has been able to beat his addiction through the Narconon Program.

“I like to talk to kids because it gives me an opportunity to share knowledge about drugs that I didn’t have growing up,” explains the 27-year old former college basketball player from Maryland. “Sure people told me drugs were bad, but I never knew exactly what happened to a person’s mind and body when they were taken.”

Daily’s primary purpose at this point in his life is to educate young and old alike about the true dangers of drug use.

This is part of a message that Daily and other Narconon presenters are scheduled to give to thousands of students across the country during Red Ribbon Week. Surveys show that kids appreciate the honesty from someone who can relate to the situation, as is the case with most Narconon presenters. The fact is, drug addiction cannot only be overcome, but it can be effectively prevented as well.

The efforts of Narconon Arrowhead and other drug prevention professionals around the country have lead to the continue decline of illicit drug use among youth. Last month Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt announced a 9 percent drop in illicit drug use between the ages of 12 and 17 from 2002 to 2004. The findings were from results of the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which were released to celebrate National Recovery Month.

You don’t have to wait for Red Ribbon Week. Please take the time to talk to your kids about the dangers of drugs. There are a lot of people who devote their lives to ending the nation’s number one societal problem, but every bit of reinforcement helps.

If you would like to find out more information about the Narconon Program, call 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com today.

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College Binge Drinking Still Out of Hand

2005-10-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

More than 7 million people under the age of 21 are current binge drinkers in the U.S.

While overall drug use among adolescents has continued to decline in recent years, there has been little change in the alcohol consumption of young people under the legal drinking age of 21.

The latest statistics from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health report that over 7 million young people under the age of 21 are current binge drinkers, which is defined as having five or more drinks on the same occasion in the past month.

In addition, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) concluded that 30 percent of Americans aged 18-20 were binge drinkers in the past month. Frequent binge drinkers were eight times more likely than non-binge drinkers to miss a class, fall behind in schoolwork, get hurt or injured, and damage property.

College campuses have been notorious for heavy alcohol consumption, and last year several schools made national headlines because of deaths on campus due to alcohol poisoning.

According to the National Institute for Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), anecdotal evidence suggests that the first 6 weeks of the first semester are critical to a first-year student’s academic success. Because many students initiate heavy drinking during these early days of college, the potential exists for excessive alcohol consumption to interfere with successful adaptation to campus life. The transition to college is often difficult and about one-third of first-year students fail to enroll for their second year.

Lucas Catton, now a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor at Narconon Arrowhead’s successful drug rehabilitation and education program, was one of those students nearly ten years ago who didn’t make it through their first year of college.

“I was a complete mess back then, a total failure,” admits Catton, “I was lost in my alcohol abuse and threw away everything positive that I had going for me at the time.”

After several years of abuse he wound up getting help through the Narconon program and he credits Narconon for helping him turn his life around. Like many other staff members at Narconon Arrowhead, Catton later decided to devote his life to helping others who have stay out of the trap of substance abuse.

Much of Mr. Catton’s time is now spent helping to educate people about the true dangers of alcohol and other drugs through the media and live presentations. Narconon Arrowhead’s education program works with young people from elementary school through college, working to combat the alcohol industry’s advertisements as well as the misinformation they get from alcohol- and drug-using peers.

A survey conducted by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth claimed alcohol companies placed more than 760,000 commercials on television from 2001 to 2003 and spent over $2.5 billion. During those three years young people between the ages of 12 and 20 were nearly 100 times more likely to see an advertisement for an alcoholic beverage than a “responsibility” ad by the industry about underage drinking.

For more information about alcohol and other drugs, to schedule a presentation for your school or college, or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

As one of the nation’s largest and most successful alcohol and drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead attributes its effectiveness to the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free methodology.

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Federal Government Seeks to Curb Prescription Drug Abuse

2005-09-30T07:50:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Department of Justice awards more than $6 million for prescription drug monitoring programs.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week the release of $6.2 million to help states fight prescription drug abuse. The money was awarded to 22 states to support prescription drug monitoring programs.

States with prescription monitoring programs can collect and analyze prescription data much more efficiently and studies show that states with programs experience lower incidences of inappropriate prescriptions. Monitoring programs help prevent drug-seeking patients from “doctor shopping,” which is going from doctor to doctor in order to obtain several prescriptions.

A result of the Justice Department’s technology standard for information sharing is a commonly accepted model that enables states to exchange information between contrasting information systems, so the monitoring programs are not limited to just in-state data.

Prescription drug abuse remains one of America’s fastest rising categories of substance abuse and has rapidly grown into a national epidemic. The latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that 7.5 million people in the U.S. were current users of prescription drugs non-medically. In addition, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reported that more than 15 million Americans had abused prescription drugs in the past year.

“What many people forget,” comments Gary W. Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, “Is that prescription drugs have the potential to be just as harmful as street drugs, and that most of today’s illegal drugs were once marketed and sold as pharmaceuticals.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation programs and uses the effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, “Programs and efforts that do not reduce drug use must be restructured or eliminated, an effort to use taxpayer money wisely that this Administration takes seriously.”

For more information about effective drug rehabilitation, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

To learn more about prescription drug monitoring programs or the latest national drug control strategy, log on to www.ojp.usdoj.gov or www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.

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Online Activity Contributes to Nation’s Surging Prescription Drug Abuse

2005-09-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

The Drug Enforcement Administration cracks down on illegal internet drug trafficking

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health released the latest in a series of reports on the rising prescription drug abuse epidemic in the United States. The survey indicated that about 6 percent of young adults used prescription drugs non-medically in the past month, and 29 percent had used in their lifetime. There were an estimated 7.5 million current users of narcotic pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives.

In an effort to curb some of this abuse, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the arrest of 18 individuals this week after the successful conclusion of Operation CYBERx, which targeted more than 22 rogue internet pharmacies. These individuals were arrested for allegedly being the ringleaders of this multi-million dollar fraudulent drug distribution network.

In a DEA release, Administrator Karen Tandy said, “Rogue internet pharmacies are run by drug traffickers who operate their criminal rings while hiding behind their computer screens.”

In addition to filling internet drug orders, the ring leader allegedly sold codeine cough syrup to local drug traffickers directly from the backdoor of his warehouses. There are many high school and college-aged youths who currently use the codeine cough syrup to get high.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is working with state legislatures to cut down the rising numbers of prescription drug abusers. One of the main avenues is state-level prescription drug monitoring programs, which have taken a leading role in detecting and deterring the diversion of popular prescription controlled substances. Prescription drug monitoring programs are currently in place or plan to be operational in 24 states this year.

Preliminary data from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s Attitude Tracking Study suggests that many adolescents do not consider pharmaceutical drug abuse to be risky.

“What many people forget,” comments Gary W. Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, “Is that prescription drugs have the potential to be just as harmful as street drugs, and that most of today’s illegal drugs were once marketed and sold as pharmaceuticals.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most effective drug rehabilitation and education centers. The program’s proven successful approach is directly attributed to the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s secular drug-free rehabilitation methodology.

To find out more information about drugs and addiction contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

To help cut down on illegal online drug trafficking, the DEA launched a toll-free hotline to report the sale of controlled substances. You can help by calling 1-877-RX-ABUSE or log on to www.dea.gov.

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Narconon Arrowhead Offers Solutions for Non-Violent Drug Offenders

2005-09-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

Studies show that drug addiction treatment is more cost-effective than incarceration

The United States has roughly one quarter of the incarcerated people in the world, despite having just five percent of the total population. There are now more than two million Americans behind bars and the majority of them are there because of alcohol and drug abuse.

It cost Americans $25.96 billion to imprison 1.3 million non-violent offenders in the year 2000, meaning our nation spent 50% more than the entire $16.6 billion the federal government spent on welfare programs that year to serve 8.5 million people.

In an effort to lower incarceration rates, which have skyrocket over the last two decades, some state legislatures are working out sentencing laws and have even considered decriminalizing smaller possession charges.

The answer to the bulging prison systems and corrections budgets is effective drug rehabilitation and prevention. With an average cost of incarcerating totaling nearly $30,000 per inmate per year multiple-year sentences can add up, but with rehabilitation in the fullest sense of the word that money can be spent on improving our nation’s healthcare and education.

Community based treatment and prevention programs are more cost-effective means to deal with drug users and non-violent offenders than prison.

The RAND Corporation found that every dollar spent on treatment for cocaine abuse saves $7.48 on reduced crime and increased productivity. The fact that drug treatment saves lives and money has also been documented and advocated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The Justice Policy Institute recommends that mandatory sentences for drug offenders be abolished and that non-violent and first-time drug offenders be diverted from prison into drug treatment and rehabilitation programs.

One program that is continually producing effective results throughout the world is the Narconon® Program. Narconon literally means "narcotics-none" and was founded by a former heroin addict named William Benitez inside Arizona State Prison in 1966. Nearly four decades years later, Narconon is still considered a new, proven approach to ending addiction through the drug-free rehabilitation methodology of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

In a recent six-month follow-up survey of Narconon Arrowhead graduates, 78 percent of students had no new legal situations since graduating and many of them had cleared up those that existed prior to graduation.

This program, which boasts a success rate of 70%, consists of communication and confronting exercises, sauna detoxification to rid the body of the old drug residues and a series of courses that empower former addicts through learning life skills. The practical workability of the Narconon Program’s social education model helps individuals to overcome their addiction and become happy, ethical and productive members of society.

To learn more about the Narconon drug rehabilitation and education program, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Alcohol Remains the Most Commonly Abused Substance in America

2005-09-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

National survey reveals 55 million people are binge drinkers in the United States

The annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health released its findings last week and revealed that over 22 percent of the American population (55 million people) ages 12 and older were binge drinkers in the past month. Binge drinking is defined as having five or more alcoholic beverages on the same occasion. More than 7 million binge drinkers were under the age of 21.

The report also said that over 16 million people were heavy drinkers, which is defined as binge drinking at least five days in the past month. These statistics were similar to the national estimates for the two previous surveys as well, showing little change in our nation’s alcohol consumption.

The survey showed that the age range that participated in the most illicit drug use (18-25) also had the highest rates of alcohol abuse. In this group just over 41 percent were binge drinkers and 12 percent were heavy drinkers.

Due to these statistics, the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse created a website with information about college binge drinking. A fact sheet on this site reports that there are 1,700 deaths each year from alcohol-related accidents, nearly 600,000 injuries, almost 700,000 assaults, close to 100,000 sexual assaults and another 100,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 who reported being too drunk to even know if they consented to having sex.

“Alcoholism can often be more difficult to overcome than what some people consider to be harder drugs, like cocaine, meth or heroin,” comments Luke Catton, supervisor at the drug rehabilitation center Narconon Arrowhead. Catton speaks from first-hand experience, having beaten his own addiction to alcohol more than six years ago. “Being a legal drug that is socially acceptable, it takes a lot of work to change behavioral patterns in our culture, and making people more aware of the dangers is a first step.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs and it uses the proven drug-free approach developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health is an annual estimate of the substance abuse problem in the United States conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The results of the survey are released each year at the beginning of September, which is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

For more information on drugs and addiction or to find help for a loved one in need of effective rehabilitation, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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National Survey Reports Nine Percent Decline in Illicit Drug Use among Youth

2005-09-11T06:37:00.000-07:00

National Survey on Drug Use and Health results announced during Recovery Month.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services just announced that illicit drug use among teenagers ages 12-17 declined by 9 percent in the last two years. The information is a result of the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which was released as part of National Alcohol Addiction and Recovery Month activities.

In a release from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Administrator Charles Curie said, “The news today is an indication that our partnerships and the work of prevention professionals, schools, parents, teachers, law enforcement, religious leaders, and local community anti-drug coalitions are paying off.”

Despite the good news, a growing area of concern is the continued increase of non-medical use of prescription drugs. Approximately 6 percent of young adults have abused these drugs within the last month and 29 percent in the last year. Narcotic pain relievers such as hydrocodone and oxycodone remain the most abused drugs in this area.

The drug category with the largest number of new users last year was non medical use of pain relievers (2.4 million new users), followed by marijuana (2.1 million new users), non medical use of tranquilizers (1.2 million new users) and cocaine (1.0 million new users).

The SAMHSA release also stated that the number of Americans aged 12 and older who need alcohol or drug addiction treatment is 23.5 million, yet less than ten percent actually received any type of rehabilitation services at a specialty facility.

Helping to meet the demand of those seeking addiction treatment, specifically non-traditional drug rehabilitation, the international network of Narconon® centers continues to grow. Narconon Arrowhead is the premier facility in the network and is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the nation. It’s 70% success rate is due to the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology.

To find out more information about drugs and addiction or to get help for a loved one in need contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health is completed annually by collecting information from nearly 70,000 individuals around the country. The full SAMHSA release and the complete survey findings can be found at www.samhsa.gov.

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Survey Shows Narconon Arrowhead’s Success Rate

2005-09-08T06:35:00.000-07:00

Over 70% of Narconon Arrowhead drug rehab graduates remain drug free

As part of ongoing monitoring of the results of the drug rehabilitation program at Narconon Arrowhead, the organization continues to follow up with graduates and family members to assist individuals in continuing to lead healthy, happy and productive drug-free lives. In a recent follow-up survey of former Narconon Arrowhead clients six months after program completion, more than 70 percent of them had remained drug-free.

The Narconon Arrowhead rehabilitation program uses routine outcomes monitoring as a quality management tool. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) has advocated for routine outcome monitoring as an important component of treatment quality management for nearly two decades. However, such monitoring is rarely implemented in treatment settings.

In addition to existing continuing care procedures that assist residential clients in re-entering their communities, Narconon Arrowhead implemented a 6-month follow-up interview process. Developed in collaboration with the Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education (FASE), this questionnaire contains 12 common outcome measures related to drug use, employment, living situation, legal issues and ongoing use of life skills obtained on the program.

Narconon Arrowhead has been a nationally accredited drug rehabilitation and education center for well over a decade. Results from its latest inspection by the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) concluded that, “The organization does an excellent job in tracking the progress of the persons served following discharge and uses these data in refining its treatment programming.”

Additional outcome survey data showed that 93 percent of students stated they were satisfied with the program, more than two thirds were now employed and 78 percent of students had no new legal situations since graduating with many clearing up those that existed prior to graduation.

There are over 11,000 drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment programs in the United States alone. The more traditionally accepted approaches often tell people that drug addiction is a brain disease that must be fought one day at a time and its symptoms may be treatable with pharmaceuticals. However, the disease theory has never been conclusively proven and traditional treatment practices have a limited success rate for full recovery.

By comparison, the largest study measuring the effectiveness of treatment programs, called the Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS) and funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), only measured whether or not those who completed various types of programs were using drugs on a weekly basis. It did not measure if they had been clean in the last 30 days, let alone six months. Even on this limited basis the outcomes still fell short of Narconon Arrowhead’s results.

Narconon Arrowhead credits its success to the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology and the dedication of its staff members.

For more information about effective drug rehabilitation or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com now.

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Effective Drug Education Missing from Schools’ Curriculum

2005-09-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Drug prevention must be taught every year to make a lasting impact on substance abuse

The Monitoring the Future annual survey reports that overall drug use among teenagers has continued to slowly decline over the last several years, yet more than half of high school seniors tried an illicit drug in 2004. The number of users increases from 22 percent in 8th grade to 40 percent in 10th and on to 51 percent in 12th grade.

The availability and types of drugs seem to be getting more widespread. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University announced last month that the number of students who attend schools where drugs are kept, sold or used has increased 47 percent for middle schools and 41 percent for high schools since 2002. Earlier this year CASA also released the results of a survey showing that prescription drug use among teens has skyrocketed recently and has become one of the fastest-rising categories of substance abuse.

Federal budget recommendations show that the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Demand Reduction program are both at risk of losing funding. A handful of national programs will still receive several hundred million dollars for activities such as school-based drug testing, anti-drug media campaigns, community coalitions and other prevention programs, and all of these can help to some degree but are not nearly enough on their own. Meanwhile, over $1 billion is being spent on studying and observing the drug problem rather than actively reducing it.

In a CASA release on the 18th of August, the center’s president Joseph A. Califano, Jr. said, “It’s time for parents to shout ‘We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take this any more’ and for education officials in Washington and the states, cities and counties to mount the same campaign to get drugs out of our schools as they are mounting to increase test scores.”

The harm reduction movements have made their way into some school systems with a “safety first” approach, saying that drugs will always be a part of our culture so let’s teach our kids how to use them in moderation. That’s also the message being sent to kids when they see numerous advertisements for the newest prescription drug. It’s no wonder why more than 15 million Americans are abusing these substances. If we don’t take a stand against these activities, who will?

How can someone say that consuming alcohol, one of the deadliest drugs, is okay for a developing body and mind? Who would allow their teenage daughter to take ecstasy, which has been proven to cause physical and mental damage?

Abstaining from drug use is still the best policy, and communicating to our nation’s youth about the true dangers of drug use is the first place to start. We must provide drug prevention curriculums for every year of school for our children and we must initiate environmental change in our homes and our communities.

We cannot throw the future of our civilization down the drain by allowing kids to get hooked on drugs. To Mr. Califano my reply is, “I may not be a parent yet, but I am mad as hell and I’m definitely not sitting back and taking it.”

Respectfully,

Lucas A Catton, CCDC
Narconon Arrowhead

[Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most effective drug rehabilitation and education programs. The program credits its success to the dedication of its staff and the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free methodology. It works tirelessly to educate millions of people around the world each year through in-class presentations, informational hotlines and websites and anti-drug messages in the media. For more information about Narconon Arrowhead call 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.]

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Begins

2005-08-31T14:14:00.000-07:00

White House issues proclamation as September marks the 16th annual National Recovery Month celebration

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month is an annual observance highlighting the successes of drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation throughout the country. The initiative is now in its 16th year and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).

According to the Recovery Month website, the observance also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective substance abuse treatment for those in need. This year’s theme is Join the Voices of Recovery: Healing Lives, Families & Communities.

There are currently over three hundred community events and celebrations planned across the country in support of Recovery Month as well as more than two dozen proclamations from community leaders and elected officials. One proclamation was issued by the White House from President Bush.

Part of the President’s statement includes, “The devastating effects of alcohol and drug addiction have destroyed the lives and families of countless Americans. During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we recognize the dangers of substance abuse and renew the hope of overcoming addiction for individuals across our Nation.”

President Bush continued by writing, “To aid citizens seeking treatment and recovery for substance abuse, my Administration also has provided $200 million over the past 2 years for the Access to Recovery program. My 2006 budget requests an additional $150 million for this program to further expand treatment choices.”

One of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation programs is Narconon Arrowhead. A spokesperson for the facility said that they continue to participate in Recovery Month activities to promote awareness locally as well as nationwide.

Narconon Arrowhead attributes its proven results and growth to the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology. The organization has helped to promote Recovery Month by holding events, distributing public service announcements and getting proclamations from elected officials.

To learn more about National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month log on to www.recoverymonth.gov/2005. For additional information about drugs and addiction, or to get help for a loved one in need, call Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Book Released by Narconon Arrowhead Helps People Understand Addiction

2005-08-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Helping Someone Overcome Addiction provides answers about alcohol and drug abuse

A book published by Narconon Arrowhead is a much needed answer to the problem of drug and alcohol addiction. Helping Someone Overcome Addiction is filled with useful information on the devastating cycle of addiction and the reasons why it affects so many people and causes so much loss.

“For drug addicts and their families there is a lot of misery and pain associated with addiction and this lasts, in some cases, a lifetime. With more than 20 million drug addicts in the United States and their associated loved ones, there is an overwhelming need to understand the cause of this pain and suffering which is the cycle of addiction,” says Derry Hallmark, CCDC (Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor) and co-author of the book.

The book informs the public on the complete cycle of addiction covering subjects such as what drugs do the mind and body, physical cravings and relapse and how a person gets involved with using drugs in the first place. It is the first volume in an eventual series that helps people to understand the basics and underlying factors of why and how individuals become addicted to drugs.

“Most of the information is based on 30-plus years of research done by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, who recognized early on that drug and alcohol addiction is a huge problem,” says Gary Smith, CCDC and co-author of the book. Smith, himself a recovered heroin addict through the Narconon® program, has been helping others do the same through effective education and rehabilitation since 1975.

Gary Smith is the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, which is the largest facility in the international network of Narconon drug rehabilitation and education programs. The network spans over 120 programs in more than three dozen countries and continues to grow due to its effectiveness at helping people end the cycle of addiction.

Helping Someone Overcome Addiction can be ordered through Amazon.com or visit www.stopaddiction.com for more information. To get help for a loved one in need contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933.

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Narconon Arrowhead Helps Individuals Overcome Alcohol and other Drug Addiction

2005-08-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

The life cycle and mechanics of addiction show the difference between temporary drug treatment and effective drug rehabilitation

Whether a person is genetically or bio-chemically predisposed to addiction or alcoholism is a controversy that has been debated for years within the scientific, medical and chemical dependency communities. One school of thought advocates the "disease concept," which embraces the notion that addiction is an inherited disease, and that the individual is permanently ill at a genetic level, even for those experiencing long periods of sobriety.

Another philosophy argues that addiction is a dual problem consisting of a physical and mental dependency on chemicals, compounded by a pre-existing mental disorder (i.e. clinical depression, bipolar disorder, or some other mental illness), and that the mental disorder needs to be treated as well as the addiction.

A third philosophy subscribes to the idea that chemical dependency leads to "chemical imbalances" in the neurological system. Often, these first three philosophies are treated with some type of substitute drug or medication.

The fact remains that there is scientific research to support all of these concepts, but that none of these theories are absolute. Based on national averages, we have about a 20% recovery rate. The message is clear that we have a lot more to learn if we are to bring the national recovery rate to a more desirable level.

There is a fourth school of thought, which has proven to be more accurate. It has to do with the life cycle of addiction. For whatever reason, be it physical or emotional pain or discomfort, boredom, peer pressure or any other problem of life, an eventual addict takes a drug to ease that pain or discomfort. As soon as the addict experiences relief from the discomfort, he inadvertently attaches value to the drug or drink, because it helped him feel better.

Even though the relief is only temporary, it is adopted as a solution to the problem and this assigned value is the only reason the person ever uses drugs or drinks a second, third or more times. At this point, it is just a matter of time before the person becomes fully addicted and loses the ability to control their drug use.

When a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, treatment is what is given, but rehabilitation is what is needed to fully recover. The definition for treatment is to care for or deal with medically or surgically. This is where the substitute drugs, harm reduction and “quick patch” programs fall in place, but they rarely provide an effective long-term solution to the problem.

The definition for rehabilitation is to restore to a former capacity. This simply means for a person to be in the condition he was in before he had the ailments and the subsequent addiction. The three main barriers to overcoming addiction are the cravings (mental and physical), guilt and depression associated with the drug use.

In today’s society, there are few programs that effectively address and handle these areas of addiction on the way to full rehabilitation. One such organization is Narconon Arrowhead, utilizing the drug-free social education methodology of L. Ron Hubbard and achieving a success rate greater than 70%. Through replenishing vital nutrients stripped by drug use, a unique sauna detoxification program and a series of life skills courses, addicts regain the respect and responsibility for themselves to become happy, ethical and productive members of society again.

To get help for a loved one in need of effective rehabilitation or to find out more about the Narconon program, call 1-800-468-6933 today or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Reports Show Surge in Prescription Tranquilizer Abuse

2005-08-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Dependence on central nervous system depressants, including prescription sedatives and tranquilizers, have risen substantially in the last decade

Last month the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) reported that more than 15 million Americans abuse prescription drugs. The survey indicated that from 1992 to 2000 the number of new tranquilizer and sedative abusers increased by more than 125 percent.

U.S. Senator Joseph Biden (D-Delaware) issued a statement last week regarding the report saying, “This CASA survey should be a wake up call to those who believe that recent reports of reduced rates of teen drug use are an excuse to reduce funding for drug prevention and enforcement programs.” Senator Biden is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs.

Also in the last few days, news stories have surfaced that rapper Eminem was admitted to a hospital for treatment of Ambien abuse. The drug is a prescription sleep aid that is classified as a hypnotic tranquilizer.

Tranquilizers and other sedatives are categorized as central nervous system (CNS) depressants and have a high potential for abuse. These are drugs that simply slow down the nervous system and are often prescribed for anxiety or insomnia. Other types of CNS depressants include Valium, Xanax and Librium.

“We need to have drug education curriculums in our school systems every year to start making a huge impact,” said Luke Catton, who is a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and supervisor at Narconon Arrowhead. “Having worked in the prevention field for several years, many of the teachers I come in contact with are desperate for workable solutions to keep their students off of drugs. As a nation we must implement drug education programs for every year of school, not just a few semesters or special programs.”

Between 1992 and 2002 the number of substance abuse treatment admissions reporting tranquilizers as the primary drug being abused increased by 79% according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Treatment Episode Data Set. There were 32,800 additional treatment admissions where tranquilizers were the second or third drug of abuse.

In addition, the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) reported that controlled substances were implicated in nearly 30 percent of drug related emergency room deaths in 2002.

As if the abuse of the prescription drugs alone aren’t enough, the CASA survey also reported that teens who abuse controlled prescription drugs are much likelier to use alcohol, marijuana, heroin, ecstasy and cocaine, compared to teenagers who did not abuse prescription drugs.

Organizations like Narconon Arrowhead are dedicated to eliminating substance abuse throughout the country through effective programs.

Narconon Arrowhead is the largest rehabilitation and education program in the international network of Narconon® centers that covers over 120 programs in nearly 40 countries and growing. The organization uses a drug-free approach and does not advocate the use of prescription drugs in the addiction treatment process. It is also one of the largest and most successful facilities in the U.S. and it attributes its effectiveness to the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

For more information about drugs and rehabilitation or to get help for someone you know who is suffering from addiction, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Drug Rehab Center Proves Permanent Recovery is Possible

2005-08-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

A new, proven approach to drug rehabilitation helps addicts overcome addiction for good

Alcohol and other drug addictions are fought on many fronts. From scientists conducting genetic research and pharmaceutical companies pushing new drugs as treatments to faith based organizations offering counseling and law enforcement working on the reduction of the supply.

For the last few decades the majority opinion has been that addiction is a brain disease that cannot be cured, that recovery is a life-long battle, and that relapse is a part of the recovery process.

Regardless of what philosophy or treatment model a person may subscribe to, the most important factor is the results that are produced, meaning is the former addict now drug-free or is he or she is still on some type of drug.

Billions of dollars have been spent on researching unproven theories and treatments by some groups and the government, while others have found something that works and are busy actively stopping addiction on a daily basis.

One of the groups effectively doing something about the problem is Narconon Arrowhead. As one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education centers, Narconon Arrowhead utilizes the proven drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation Program is comprised of an extensive sauna detoxification protocol and a series of life skills courses that provide addicts with the tools to apply to overcome the barriers to living a clean and happy life.

Not only does the organization achieve results from its rehabilitation program, in fact 70% of their graduates are drug-free two years after completion, but they have a massive awareness, education and prevention campaign as well. Over the last three years they have worked to personally educate over 100,000 kids on the truth about drugs and have reached millions of people with anti-drug messages through the Internet, radio, television and print media.

Without results we are simply throwing more money and lives down the drain on ineffective treatment concepts. With our country’s treatment and rehabilitation system focused on results and accountability, and with effective solutions that Narconon Arrowhead provides in schools, the workplace, correctional facilities and of course at its drug rehabilitation center, we can make a serious and positive impact on the state of our nation.

For more information on Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved one in need call 1-800-468-6933 today or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Cocaine Addiction Treatment Admissions Down in U.S.

2005-08-15T06:02:00.000-07:00

National reports show primary treatment admissions for cocaine abuse dropped by 24% from 1992 to 2002

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that admission rates for primary cocaine treatment decreased by 24% nationally between 1992 and 2002.

SAMHSA’s Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) found that while the nation as a whole saw a moderate decline in cocaine treatment admissions over a ten-year period, several states saw a dramatic decrease of 60% or more (Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Idaho) while others actually rose by approximately 100% (Arkansas, Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin).

Based on SAMHSA's 2002 and 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 6 million Americans aged 12 or older (2.5%) used cocaine in the past year and more than 1.5 million people in the same age group met the criteria for abuse of or dependence on cocaine in the past year.

Cocaine use has been linked to many types of heart disease and can cause disturbances in heart rhythm and heart attacks as well as chest pain and respiratory failure. There are also neurological effects including strokes, seizures, blurred vision and headaches, and gastrointestinal complications, including abdominal pain and nausea.

There are currently no medications approved to treat cocaine addiction, but some drug-substitute advocates are promoting the use of drugs used to treat epilepsy and depression, despite recent warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the increased risk of suicidal behavior in patients taking antidepressants.

“The main problem with trying to treat drug addiction with a prescription,” comments a spokesperson for Narconon Arrowhead, “is that these people are still on some type of drug – one that brings its own set of side effects and adverse reactions. The goal of rehabilitation is to be free from drugs.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country and uses a very effective drug-free approach. The program is based on the research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and has helped thousands of people.

For more information about cocaine addiction log on to www.cocaineaddiction.com. To learn more about the Narconon® Program or to get help for someone in need contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Push of Amphetamine Medications Spark Abuse

2005-08-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Over two million young people have abused prescription stimulants

A new report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University shows that prescription drug abuse among teens tripled from 1992 to 2003. The survey indicated that one in 10 teenagers (10 percent), or 2.3 million young people, has tried prescription stimulants Ritalin and/or Adderall without a doctor’s order.

Additionally, each year the Monitoring the Future study measures the extent of drug use among adolescents and young adults nationwide. The 2004 results on annual use indicate that 2.5 percent of 8th-graders abused methylphenidate (Ritalin), as did 3.4 percent of 10th-graders and 5.1 percent of 12th-graders.

In 1987, members of the American Psychiatric Association voted ADHD to be a mental disorder for inclusion in its Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Because stimulant medicines such as methylphenidate do have potential for abuse, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has placed stringent, Schedule II controls on their manufacture, distribution, and prescription.

In 1995, in response to a petition by Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD) and the American Academy of Neurology to lower the regulatory controls on methylphenidate, the DEA conducted an extensive review of the use, abuse liability, actual abuse, diversion, and trafficking of methylphenidate. The CHADD petition attempted to characterize methylphenidate as a mild stimulant with little abuse potential, however this is not what the review found and the petitioners subsequently withdrew their request.

A number of questionable practices have contributed to the diversion and abuse of stimulant medication including improper diagnosis, lack of adequate information to youth, parents, and schools regarding the abuse potential of these drugs and lax handling of medication (Consensus statement, 1996 DEA Conference).

The DEA findings concluded that long-term studies looking at the effects of using these drugs are very limited; the medical use of stimulants in the treatment of active children continues to escalate; the expansive use of these drugs for childhood behavioral characteristics in the United States differs significantly from medical practices in the rest of the world (United Nations data) and that poison control data, emergency room data and high school surveys all indicate that the abuse of methylphenidate has increased significantly since 1990.

The consequences of stimulant abuse can be extremely dangerous. Taking high doses of a stimulant can result in an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body temperatures, and/or the potential for cardiovascular failure or seizures. Taking high doses of some stimulants repeatedly over a short period of time can lead to hostility or feelings of paranoia in some individuals.

One of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead, reports an observable increase in those seeking treatment for substance abuse after having been prescribed amphetamines or abusing others’ prescriptions and then winding up on other drugs. Luke Catton, a supervisor for Narconon Arrowhead said, “Those of us working in the rehabilitation and prevention field have enough people to help already. We don’t need new addicts being created because of a subjective diagnosis that calls for giving kids addictive drugs.”

Catton also points out that many of the symptoms of a child who’s prescribed these harmful drugs align closely with signs of kids who are considered gifted and that the line between the two is too ambiguous.

Narconon Arrowhead is a non-traditional rehabilitation and education program that is highly effective in helping people become drug-free. Based on the research and developments by L. Ron Hubbard, the Narconon program continues to grow because of its effectiveness and education and rehabilitation centers now operate in nearly 40 countries.

For more information on drugs and addiction call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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National Survey Indicates Anti-Drug Messages in the Media are Working

2005-08-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Youth who reported hearing prevention messages are less likely to turn to drugs

For many years now the anti-drug movement in America has been using Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to deliver messages on television, radio, in print media and now online about the dangers and consequences of using drugs. From Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No”, to an egg in a frying pan to funding terrorism, some of the more famous campaigns that were used did little more than create “product recognition” while others have had a huge impact on deterrence.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a report demonstrating that the vast majority of youth ages 12 to 17 (more than 20 million) are receiving drug and alcohol prevention messages through the media. The report also showed that those who have been exposed to such messages are significantly less likely to abuse drugs.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), not only are a 83 percent of teens hearing these anti-drug messages, they are making an impact. Youth who reported having seen or heard prevention messages in the media during the past year are much less likely than their peers to report illicit drug use (10.8 vs. 13.7 percent).

The survey also indicated the crucial role parents play in keeping their children drug-free. The report stated that youth who had talked with a parent about the dangers of drug use were less likely to report past month illicit drug use than those who had not.

According to a supervisor at Narconon Arrowhead, “Communicating the truth about drugs to our nation’s youth requires more than just a message. The information is best delivered by someone with real-life experience on the subject and provides something more than what they read in a health class text book.”

Narconon Arrowhead has a team of dedicated staff working to educate young and old alike through the media and reaches millions of people each week through their PSAs, which air all over the country on a regular basis.

The Narconon® program has been effectively educating youth through all forms of media and live presentations for decades with hundreds of thousands of surveys showing exactly what works with kids and what they want to know. As one of the nation’s largest and most effective drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead uses the proven drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

“Many young people are told that drugs are dangerous, but not how or why,” says the Narconon spokesperson, “To deter them from experimentation with these substances it helps to project into the future what drug use leads to and to explain that none of the 23 million people in need of substance abuse treatment ever thought they would become an addict.”

Though it is not likely that a single 60-second PSA will completely change someone’s mind about drugs, repetition of message with insightful information can go a long way in the fight to prevent drug use. This is an important reminder as much of the nation’s schools begin their fall semester this month.

For more information about drugs and addiction, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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The Changing Face of Methamphetamine Abuse

2005-08-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Legislative and law enforcement efforts have cut the production of local meth labs but overall use has yet to decline due to availability of different varieties of the drug

As methamphetamine abuse continues its scourge of the country, state and federal elected officials have worked over the last year to pass laws restricting sales of over the counter products containing pseudoephedrine.

An Associated Press (AP) story reported that the federal anti-meth law was recently amended so that states could still impose their own laws as long as they meet the minimum requirements of the federal version. This allows states such as Oklahoma, whose law went into effect more than a year ago, to keep their tighter restrictions on the amount of pills sold.

State legislators in Oregon have gone a step further and have required the cold medicines containing the meth-making ingredient to be available only by prescription.

With the passage of these new laws, several state narcotics bureaus have reported the number of meth lab busts to be down by as much as 90 percent over the previous year, however the absence of home-cooked meth has not produced a decline in overall use of the drug. In fact, a different form of the drug, known commonly as ice, has become more prevalent in its place.

Ice is a very pure, smokable form of methamphetamine that is more addictive than other forms of the substance. Ice is similar in appearance to rock candy, crushed ice, or broken glass. It contains the same active chemical compound as powder methamphetamine, but undergoes a recrystallization process in which some impurities in the methamphetamine are removed. The finished product is allowed to dry into crystal chunks that are broken into rocks for sale.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s website says that historically, criminal groups from South Korea, Taiwan, or China supplied ice to Hawaii and parts of California, but the availability of Mexican-produced ice has increased abuse in areas of the country that were previously untouched.

Because it metabolizes much slower than cocaine, methamphetamine has longer lasting effects. Agitation, tremors, hypertension, memory loss, hallucinations, psychotic episodes, paranoid delusions, and violent behavior can result from chronic abuse. The nation’s prisons and addiction treatment centers have also seen a dramatic increase in what is known as meth mouth, which is the extreme deterioration of dental health because of the damage caused by the chemicals used to make the drug and lack of proper nutrition. Withdrawal from high doses of methamphetamine often produces severe depression.

Treatment professionals have worked to find effective solutions for methamphetamine addiction and one program that has continually produced successful results is Narconon Arrowhead. As one of the largest and most effective drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country, Narconon Arrowhead uses the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and approximately 70% of Narconon Arrowhead program graduates go on to lead productive, happy and healthy lives free from drugs.

For more information on drugs and addiction or to get help for a loved one in need contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Treating Drug Addicts with More Drugs

2005-07-31T14:25:00.000-07:00

Government-funded clinical trials for drug substitution addiction treatment practices have increased substantially in the last decade

Alcohol and other drug addictions are fought on many fronts. Billions of dollars have been spent on researching unproven theories and treatments by some groups and the government, while others have found something that works and are busy actively stopping addiction on a daily basis.

A recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that federally funded clinical trials have increased more than nine times in twelve years and today there are studies being conducted on 51 drugs for substance abuse treatment. The funding is part of the $1.4 billion that was given to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) last year through federal appropriations. The National Institutes of Health reports that it spends $27 billion annually on research overall.

Some of the drugs being studied have already been approved for other ailments including epilepsy, muscle cramping and nausea and fall under the names topiramate, baclofen and ondansetron. These drugs, and others currently being used as medication-assisted therapy like nalmefene and naltrexone, have their own set of side effects according to the National Library of Medicine. They can produce symptoms such as hypoglycemia, blurred vision, body aches and pains, trembling hads, increased risk of seizures, vomiting, irregular breathing, hallucinations, muscle weakness and depression.

The problem with this, as evident by the recalls, law suits, black box warning labels and the seemingly endless list of side-effects, is that putting people on more drugs doesn’t help them in the long run when dealing with substance abuse and certainly doesn’t fit the definition of rehabilitation. A person cannot be considered clean and sober if they are on mind-altering or addictive prescription drugs, whether they are legally prescribed or not.

In the substance abuse field, there are simple and extremely effective rehabilitation strategies that don't use drugs to treat individuals or subjectively evaluate and diagnose people as having disorders. Thousands of former addicts around the world are now living healthy, productive and drug-free lives because of the tools provided to them by the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program, most of whom had previously tried traditional medical approaches and medication only to find no results.

The Narconon Program is based on the drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. Narconon Arrowhead is the largest center in the international network of Narconon centers, which offers an extensive sauna detoxification protocol and a series of life skills courses that provide addicts with tools they can apply to overcome the barriers to living a clean and happy life.

Without results we are simply throwing more money and lives down the drain on ineffective treatment concepts. America’s treatment and rehabilitation system should be focused on outcomes and accountability and utilize effective programs with a prove track record.

The more science and medicine focus on the chemical composition of human beings' brains and develop more drugs to treat symptoms such as anxiety, depression and other observable behavioral indicators that are normal for a drug addict to experience, the more we as a nation are denying these individuals their inherent ability to overcome their addiction.

Regardless of what philosophy or treatment model a person may subscribe to, the most important factor is to get people off of drugs and away from the lifestyle of an addict and all of the social and health consequences that brings.

For more information about drugs, addiction or rehabilitation contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Report Shows Rise in Addiction Treatment Admissions for Meth, Painkillers

2005-07-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

Primary treatment admissions increased more than ten percent for prescription narcotics and methamphetamine from 2002 to 2003

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released new data showing a significant jump in treatment admissions for both methamphetamine and prescription painkillers, rising 10 and 12 percent, respectively.

The number of people admitted for treatment for methamphetamine addiction increased from 105,754 in 2002 to 116,604 in 2003. There were 43,377 people seeking treatment for prescription narcotic addiction in 2002 and this rose to 48,457 in 2003. This revelation comes on the heals of recent national surveys from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse indicating the dramatic increase in non-medical use of prescription drugs.

The release also mentioned several states reported that methamphetamine accounted for more than 20 percent of their overall treatment admissions. These states were Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, California and Hawaii.

In recent months many states throughout the country have passed legislation to make it more difficult to obtain certain precursors to manufacturing methamphetamine, namely cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, by placing them behind the counter at pharmacies and requiring a log of the purchaser’s identification. These actions have significantly reduced the number of methamphetamine lab busts over the past year in states such as Oklahoma, who led the nation by being the first state to pass such a law.

One of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education facilities is also located in Oklahoma. It’s called Narconon Arrowhead and it uses the effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The program’s success has spread via word of mouth and supporters and has been consistently helping people overcome substance abuse from all 50 states.

“It’s a shame that it takes an epidemic for people to focus attention on certain drugs being abused,” comments Luke Catton, a supervisor at Narconon Arrowhead, referring to prescription drugs. “We’ve been teaching people about the dangers of all drugs for decades, and many of the drugs that have been used in an attempt to treat other symptoms are now becoming the drug of choice for abuse. All drugs are essentially poisons and they all have side effects. These studies provide that evidence.”

States where at least ten percent of treatment admissions come from prescription painkiller abuse include West Virginia, Tennessee and Maine. On a national scale, approximately 15 million people have abused prescription drugs in the past month.

For more information on drugs and addiction, or to get help for a loved one, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

For more information about the SAMHSA report on treatment admissions visit www.samhsa.gov.

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Survey Shows Need for Increased Drug Education in Colleges, Workplace

2005-07-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

Twenty percent of Americans 16-25 years old reported past-month illicit drug use

The latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) revealed a peak in illicit drug use during the time when young people are finishing up high school and either going through college and/or entering the workforce. The most drug use (23%) was recorded among people aged 18-20.

Most of our nation’s drug education and prevention programs are designed for younger students and then taper off beyond middle school or junior high, leaving few programs targeting the segment of the population that is at the greatest risk.

According to a new report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) the number of 12 to 17 year olds who abused controlled prescription drugs rose 212 percent and the number of adults 18 and older abusing such drugs increased by 81 percent. The most commonly abused prescription drugs included painkillers and stimulants.

In addition, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) concluded that 30 percent of Americans aged 18-20 were binge drinkers in the past month. Frequent binge drinkers were eight times more likely than non-binge drinkers to miss a class, fall behind in schoolwork, get hurt or injured, and damage property. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in a row.

“Assuming that younger adults will retain and apply the information they receive about alcohol and drug abuse is a common mistake,” said J.T. Daily, Director of Drug Education for Narconon Arrowhead. “Repetition of the true message is the key to combating the false information and the alcohol and drug company consumer marketing they encounter in later adolescence and young adulthood.”

As one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education organizations in the country, Narconon Arrowhead offers effective programs to raise awareness among people of all ages in schools, business and other groups as well as to rehabilitate addicted individuals. Narconon Arrowhead is the premier facility in the international network of Narconon® centers and applies the drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

Some businesses have drug-free workplace programs to curb on-the-job drug use and colleges may have drug education as part of enrollment. One of several colleges that have participated in Narconon Arrowhead programs stated, “During our fall new student orientation, Narconon delivered a presentation over drug and alcohol abuse to our incoming freshmen students. The presenters did a wonderful job in educating our students…organizations like Narconon are solid investments in the future of our children.”

Alcohol and drug abuse is the underlying cause to many other social problems we face as a nation today, including the divorce rate and domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and the spread of disease, as well as theft, violence and terrorism.

Narconon Arrowhead’s mission is to eradicate substance abuse, which will lessen the associated costs and save millions of lives. To learn more about available solutions for individuals and groups, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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The Narconon® First Step Program is Available to Help through Community Leaders

2005-07-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Rev. James McLaughlin has taught the effective withdrawal program to many individuals and groups

We are in a time where leaders in America are recognizing that people can overcome addiction and that effective services must be made available by investing time and resources into programs that do work. Coordinated efforts between community leaders along with workable technology have started movements where citizens begin to look after and take responsibility for each other.

The very first step to drug rehabilitation is to get the addict off the drugs and through the withdrawal stage. One method that is receiving a lot of attention is used by the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program. The Narconon Program is drug-free, (meaning substitute drugs are not used in the rehabilitation process) and achieves an extremely high success rate for helping individuals overcome addiction.

Drug use results in dramatic vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body. It is only when a person stops taking the drug that the physical pain and emotional distress caused by these deficiencies become evident, so much so that seemingly the only solution for the addict is to take more of the drug.

The Narconon® First Step program teaches individuals how to help someone through withdrawal by applying nutritional supplements and exercises that promote extroversion. These steps, in the right combination and sequence, aid the addict through what could normally be an extremely difficult process. Results are usually achieved in less time and more comfortably than going through the process ‘cold turkey’ and do not carry the added weight of side effects from prescription drugs.

Rev. James McLaughlin is a Pastor at the Wayman Chapel AME Church in Houston, TX has experienced how this powerful technology can help others. After finding members of his community that approached him for help with substance abuse, Rev. McLaughlin, who is also an adjunct professor at a nearby college, learned how to deliver the Narconon® First Step program and has since become a Certified Pastoral Addictions Counselor and has taught many people how to help others withdraw from drugs.

Rev. McLaughlin has recently presented Narconon® First Step workshops to community leaders, ministers, elected officials, faith-based representatives and rehabilitation professionals in Sacramento, Oklahoma City, Baltimore, Brownsville and Houston. Two conferences were co-sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Narconon program uses the drug-free social education methodology of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The premier facility of the international network is Narconon Arrowhead, which is also the international training center where Rev. McLaughlin learned the basics of delivering the drug-free withdrawal program.

According to Rev. McLaughlin, “Drug addiction continues to be a festering sore in our civilization that is the root cause of many societal problems. The multibillion dollar commercial production and underground trafficking of drugs passes on staggering costs to citizens of this country to clean up the devastation. It is a no-win situation dealing only in the death and destruction of individuals as well as the very fabric that makes up the human race.”

The message is that a community that pulls together can make a better society for all. It is not enough for a limited number of people to try and clean up the more than 20 million individuals currently addicted to drugs in the United States and to prevent our children from using as well. We must work together, demand effective solutions and decide to take a stand as a group to regain control of our society. It can be done.

For more information or to get help for individuals from your area contact Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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National Recovery Month Quickly Approaching

2005-07-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

The 2005 National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month – A Work in Progress

Across the nation, plans are well under way for September’s 16th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA). According to SAMHSA, this year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Healing Lives, Families, and Communities,” which celebrates the positive impact of treating alcohol and drug use in communities.

Recovery Month observance highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, lauds the contributions of treatment providers, and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. Each September, thousands of treatment programs around the country celebrate their successes and share them with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues in an effort to educate the public about treatment, how it works, for whom, and why.

Even though SAMHSA reports that there are over 22 million Americans that need treatment for drug or alcohol problems, Recovery Month is used to build awareness among individuals, organizations, schools, and communities that alcohol and drug addiction can be overcome. SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie says, “The journey to recovery can sometimes start from just one phone call.”

There is an organization that is always available lending a helping hand to a nation that is being destroyed by drug and alcohol addiction. Narconon Arrowhead, one of the nation’s largest residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education centers, proves addiction can be overcome by using effective rehabilitation techniques developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

“Sometimes people need alternative methods of handing a problem,” explains Luke Catton, who is a supervisor for Narconon Arrowhead. “And in case of drug and alcohol addiction, we’ve proven for over three decades that our non-traditional approaches achieve a much higher standard for most addicts. Drug and alcohol addiction doesn’t have to be a lifelong battle where you’re constantly fighting the cravings and urges to use again.” Catton, a former addict himself, speaks from experience.

According to Derek, a Narconon Arrowhead graduate, “I was a heroin and pain killer addict for over 10 years. My family had given up on me and thought I was going to die and I felt that same way. I finally realized that I was finished if I did not get some help, and that is when my family found Narconon. The program gave me a newfound outlook on life and it also helped me achieve my full potential in life. All of my relationships are much better and I have better communication with the ones I love.”

Gary W. Smith, (C.C.D.C.) Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead says, “Results drive the expansion of the Narconon network. Communities and individuals recognize our successes in rehabilitating addicts, where they can experience the joys of being drug-free. It is in this spirit that Narconon Arrowhead proudly supports National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.”

To find out more about the Narconon program or to get help for a loved one contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or www.stopaddiction.com.

For more information about this year’s Recovery Month, log onto www.recoverymonth.gov/2005.

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Study Shows Leap in Prescription Drug Abuse

2005-07-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports that abuse of prescription drugs has nearly doubled

Many of us were raised to think that there are such things as good drugs, like different types of over the counter and prescription drugs, and bad drugs like cocaine, meth, heroin or LSD. The simple fact is that they are all still drugs and all drugs have immediate and long-term side effects.

A new study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University found that the 15.1 million Americans abusing prescription drugs exceed the combined number abusing cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants and heroin.

The CASA report reveals the findings of a three-year study of prescription painkillers, depressants and stimulants. The study found that while the U.S. population increased 14 percent from 1992 to 2003, the number of 12-17 year olds abusing prescription drugs leapt 212 percent and the number of adults doing so rose 81 percent. The total number of Americans abusing prescription drugs went from 7.8 million to 15.1 million.

Most drugs simply mask the pain and discomfort for which they are taken and don't actually "cure" anything. Aspirin, for example, doesn't cure a headache. It simply "short circuits" the person's ability to get the pain messages coming from the cause of the headache. The nutritional deficiency or physical problem that originally caused the headache is still there, but it is temporarily no longer perceived by the drug user. Usually, when the drug wears off, the ache returns and will often be more severe because the original problem was masked or hidden and not directly addressed or handled.

Additional disturbing information from the CASA study shows that teens who abuse prescription drugs are twice as likely to use alcohol, five times likelier to use marijuana, 12 times likelier to use heroin, 15 times likelier to use Ecstasy and 21 times likelier to use cocaine, compared to teens who do not abuse such drugs.

Some major factors contributing to the increase in prescription drugs of young and old alike is the availability and promotion of them. The airwaves, newsprint and internet are filled with advertisements for prescription drugs and the prescriptions themselves are fairly easy to obtain. Most people don’t view these drugs as being as harmful as street drugs, despite the similar chemical make-up, side effects and abuse potential.

The fact that all drugs are essentially poisons and can be harmful is a message that Narconon Arrowhead has been sending out to people for many years. As one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, the center has seen an increase of clients needing treatment for prescription drug abuse.

Narconon® literally means NARCOtics-NONe, and the effective program uses the drug-free rehabilitation methodology of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard to help thousands of people across the country each year through treatment and prevention campaigns.

For more information about drugs and addiction contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

For more details on the recent study from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse log on to www.casacolumbia.org.

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Drug Rehab Helps Former Addicts Change Conditions

2005-07-08T05:58:00.000-07:00

Narconon Arrowhead restores life skills through effective drug rehabilitation and education

Part of the drug rehabilitation process includes helping former addicts take responsibility for past misdeeds, which provides tremendous relief from the guilt of those actions. Once this is accomplished the individual has an opportunity to repair the damage one has caused, and thus improve the condition of his or her life. Part of the Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program is specifically geared toward helping the individual through these steps.

The Narconon® Changing Conditions in Life Course teaches people to examine the separate compartments that together make up the whole of an individual’s life, (one’s self, relationship with family, job and coworkers, material possessions, what one’s personal belief spiritually, etc.) and assess what condition each compartment is in.

This course also teaches individuals simple formulas that can be applied to any situation in life, and if these formulas are correctly followed they will help the person repair those areas that are damaged or preserve those things that are going well for him. It is through this course that program participants also develop their individual discharge plans with the help of trained counselors to decide on what actions need to be taken to ensure they can live a sober ethical life style and completing the program.

At this stage of treatment individuals going through the program have made significant progress and they are now at a point where they have to evaluate and develop some stable rules of conduct for responsible living.

The last course of the program is The Way To Happiness® Course, which teaches individuals 21 precepts that cover a common sense moral code of conduct. When followed, this code will help them become productive contributing members of society by living an ethical life style.

The Narconon Arrowhead program achieves a success rate of approximately 70%, and its effectiveness is directly attributable to the dedicated staff and the standard application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology.

For more information on effective rehabilitation and education, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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America’s Drug Problem at Glance

2005-07-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

The staggering numbers of alcohol and drug abuse in the United States must be confronted with effective rehabilitation and education

National estimates of people in need of substance abuse treatment in the United States are somewhere around 23 million people. However, the number of people who abuse alcohol or other drugs occasionally or who are dependent upon prescribed drugs include tens of millions more.

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, more than six and a half million teenagers reported abusing prescription painkillers like Vicodin® or Oxycontin® and another two million used stimulants such as Ritalin® and Adderall® without a prescription.

In addition, more than half of our adult population consumes alcohol on a regular basis. The 2000 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicated that an estimated 46 million persons aged 12 or older were binge drinkers (Binge drinking is defined as having five or more alcoholic beverages in a row). Of these, almost 7 million were younger than 21.

People who use alcohol and other drugs make irrational and irresponsible decisions. One look at the nation’s jail and prison population, which has risen to over two million people, serves as just one example. In addition to the crimes committed, substance abuse is also a major contributor to the spread of disease, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, lost productivity at work and increased healthcare costs, to name a few categories.

A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also says that 16.6 percent of adult drivers ages 21 or older (30.7 million persons) reported driving while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs during the past year. Factor in the additional 4 million people under 21 who drove under the influence in the past year and it’s easy to see how 17,000 people die each year due to alcohol-related traffic accidents.

When examining drug abuse statistics, it’s important to understand that a drug is any substance taken into the body that chemically alters one or more of its functions. All drugs are essentially poisons and the amount taken determines the effect. All drugs also have side effects.

People use drugs for a seemingly endless variety of reasons, making the situation seem much more complex than it needs to be. The one thing they all have in common is that there is some unwanted physical or mental condition that doesn’t appear to have an immediate solution.

Somewhere along the line a drug is presented to them as the solution to their problem and it temporarily seems to work, so they turn to drugs again when that problem or a similar one arises in the future. Although drugs may appear to provide relief from the condition, they don’t actually solve the problem, and because of the impaired perceptions and side effects they eventually leave one in a condition even worse. Add to that the increased tolerance for the substance and the physical and mental dependence, and it’s no wonder how so many people get caught in the trap.

The good news is that overall drug use among teenagers declined by 17 percent from 2001 to 2004, which means that all is not lost and it is a great acknowledgement to individuals and groups who are working to end substance abuse throughout the country.

One organization that continually gets results through effective drug rehabilitation and education services is Narconon Arrowhead. As the largest program in the international network of more than 120 Narconon® programs in 40 countries, Narconon Arrowhead credits its success to the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology.

Nestled inside a state park on the shores of Lake Eufaula in Southeastern Oklahoma, more than 3,000 people have sought treatment at the facility from all over the country in the last decade, and well over 100,000 have received educational services.

For more information or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933.

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Drunk Driving Deaths Surge on Fourth of July

2005-06-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

An Independency Day reminder from Narconon Arrowhead to help make this holiday a safe one

The Fourth of July is one of America’s greatest holidays. There are barbecues and swimming pools and fireworks and more. It’s a time of celebration for sure, but too often these celebrations involve heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Binge drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in a row) is a dangerous activity, and every month nearly one quarter of the population 12 and older participates in that behavior. Heavy alcohol consumption can lead people to make uneducated and irresponsible decisions, such as getting behind the wheel of an automobile. The result can be getting arrested, wrecking their car, or even causing the death of someone you love. Earlier this year we learned that approximately 4 million young people drove under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which is a statistic that is shocking enough by itself.

The latest information available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays on the roads. In fact, nearly 55% of all traffic fatalities on this holiday were alcohol-related, totaling 282 deaths. The percentage is higher than New Year’s Eve and the overall number is nearly three times more than the last two New Year’s Eves combined.

Approximately 15 million Americans are addicted to alcohol, and thankfully there are organizations such as Narconon Arrowhead that are dedicated to helping people overcome addiction as well as preventing others from getting caught in the trap. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and its success comes from the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free methodology.

Narconon Arrowhead would like to remind you that the Fourth of July is a day that is supposed to be a celebration of our freedom, not to mourn the loss of a loved one.

For more information about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for those in need call 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.alcohol-addiction.org today.

To find out how you can help make this Fourth of July safer for your community and see other statistics on drinking and driving log on to www.maddonline.org.

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An International Day against Drug Abuse

2005-06-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

June 26 marks the day of international drug addiction treatment and prevention awareness, headed by the United Nations

Drug addiction affects more than just the addict. It ruins lives through the spread of disease, rips apart families and prohibits positive cultural growth in communities.

“I have met too many teenagers and young adults whose futures have been irrevocably damaged by the use of illegal drugs,” comments the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, whose office sponsors the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, “This day is also an occasion to highlight the fact that nearly 200 million people are still consuming illegal drugs.” In his message on the UNODC website Mr. Annan continued, “On this day, let us strengthen our collective resolve to live in a society free of drugs, and let us encourage all our fellow human beings to make personal choices to lead healthy lives.”

The theme for 2005 is “Value yourself…make healthy choices,” encouraging young people to choose activities that are creative, productive and uplifting rather than taking drugs and leading them down the road to self-destruction, misery and even death.

While advocating the message from an international peace-keeping organization is vital, it also takes individuals and groups on the ground rehabilitating addicts and actively preventing young people from ever using drugs. This is where Narconon Arrowhead fits into the picture.

As one of the nation’s largest and most effective drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead consistently gets results for helping people overcome drug addiction through the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free methodology. Thousands of individuals trapped in the downward spiral of addiction have found a new life free from drugs thanks to Narconon Arrowhead and other centers in the international network of Narconon® programs.

Mr. Costa adds, “Society’s response to drug abuse has to come from all directions. It must be focused on supply and demand, on prevention as well as treatment.”
For more information on drugs and addiction or effective rehabilitation and prevention, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

To learn more about the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking log on to www.unodc.org.

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Narconon Arrowhead Receives another 3-Year Accreditation

2005-06-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

One of the nation’s premier drug rehabilitation and education facilities continues to set a precedent in the field of addiction treatment and prevention

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most effective residential drug rehabilitation programs. It is the premier facility of the international network of Narconon® centers and has a phenomenal success rate for helping individuals overcome addiction.

The non-traditional program has been accredited by the prestigious Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for over a decade and has recently been granted another 3-year accreditation, which is the highest awarded.

Every three years CARF surveyors review the program’s compliance to professional standards. This latest survey summary included positive statements such as, “The organization has a caring and dedicated staff that is committed to the rehabilitation of persons served. Staff members are organized, with their focus oriented on enhancing the quality of services provided.”

The survey outcome summary also concluded that, “The organization does an excellent job in tracking the progress of the persons served following discharge and uses these data in refining its treatment programming.”

The effectiveness of Narconon Arrowhead is attributed to the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology as well as its staff members. This accreditation is now in addition to the certification the program received from the state’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for non-medical detoxification back in April.

“We are committed to providing the best possible services to our clients,” comments Gary Smith, CCDC, who is Executive Director of the organization, “This is part of our overall effort to eradicate substance abuse.”

For more information about the program call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933.

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First-Time Marijuana Use Soars During Summer Months

2005-06-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Boredom leads teens to increased alcohol and drug use while school is out

Last week the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy warned parents that the initiation of marijuana use increases substantially in the summer time for teens.

With data gathered from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), researchers found that first-time marijuana use among teens increases by as much as 38 percent during June, July and August as compared to the rest of the year.

In a release on the Office of National Drug Control Policy website Director John Walters exclaimed, “Parents need to be especially vigilant over the next few months and help keep their kids drug-free.” It’s a message that one of the nation’s premier drug rehabilitation and education centers has been saying on the airwaves since May.

Dedicated staff members working at Narconon Arrowhead continue to help educate parents and kids across the nation through every outlet possible; proclaiming that while school is out a lack of activity for young people can lead to alcohol and drug use. They also focus on specific drugs of abuse, such as marijuana, to provide truth about these harmful substances and the cycle of addiction.

This message was confirmed by SAMHSA information that showed teens who reported that they were “often bored” were 50 percent more likely to smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs than teens who weren’t bored.

“That’s how I started getting drunk when I was in high school,” recalls a graduate of the Narconon® program, “During the summer I would go out drinking with friends because we didn’t feel like there was anything else to do. Little did I know that I’d end up dropping out of college, nearly taking my own life and going to rehab.”

According to Narconon Arrowhead’s Director of Public Promotion Jason Willoughby, “Every day we try to help parents keep their kids away from alcohol and drugs and offer solutions for their problems.” Willoughby, a former radio DJ, decided to join the team at Narconon Arrowhead to help make a positive difference in society. He and other staff members spend several hours per week conducting radio interviews on stations throughout the U.S.

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs in the country and it uses the proven drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The unique program is highly successful in its approach to creating a world without drug abuse.

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is also offering solutions for parents this summer. On their website www.TheAntiDrug.com adults can learn how to prevent their children from using marijuana or other drugs and can help them plan activities for their children throughout the summer.

For more information about Narconon Arrowhead and its life-saving programs and campaigns call 1-800-468-6933.

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The Agony of Heroin Addiction

2005-06-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

A look at a young woman’s triumph over one of the world’s deadliest drugs through successful addiction treatment

“I became a statistic at the age of 20 when I started using heroin,” explains Erica, a beautiful young woman who completed the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation program. “There is no way to describe the daily misery and agony I went through while addicted to heroin.” By looking at her one would never guess that she was a former drug addict. Unfortunately her case is not unusual.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the proportion of new heroin users admitted to substance abuse treatment who were younger than 25 years old increased from 30 to 41 percent between 1992 and 2000. More than 80 percent of the total new heroin users are under the age of 20.
Heroin was the leading illicit drug among substance abuse treatment admissions in 2000, reported by 15 percent of the 1.6 million addiction treatment admissions in SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS).

Heroin can be injected, sniffed/snorted, or smoked. Admissions trend data suggest that many users begin using heroin in the inhaled form and switch to injecting heroin later in their lifetime. Intravenous heroin users are at an extremely high risk of catching diseases that go along with using the syringe such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

A drug that was once found in cough syrup, heroin’s immediate effects include dry mouth and a heavy feeling, which may be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting and itching of the face and body and drowsiness lasting several hours. Mental function, cardiac function and breathing is clouded and/or slowed by heroin's effect on the central nervous system.

Aside from the devastating effects of taking the drug and the lifestyle that goes with its use, many addicts of opiates such as heroin fear the pain and discomfort of withdrawal from the drug, which drives them to use more. Symptoms of withdrawal include severe bone and muscle pain, insomnia and restlessness, diarrhea, vomiting, goose bumps, sweats and involuntary leg movements. “It felt like I was going to die,” explains Erica of her own withdrawal from the drug.

It is common for heroin addicts to be turned on to synthetic opiates such as methadone for “maintenance,” but replacing one drug for another is not a viable solution for ending the addiction. Most methadone users wind up increasing their dosage instead of stepping down because a tolerance is built for that drug as well. In addition, methadone patients are physically dependent and methadone and withdrawal periods are much more violent.

Regardless of what drug is being used, the effects and cravings last beyond the initial withdrawal stage. Physical cravings for the drug may last several months after usage ceases. In the 1970’s it was discovered that drug particles get stored in the fatty tissue of the body and remain there for years, getting released back into the blood stream when those cells are turned to for energy and a person’s heart rate increases.

A unique detoxification program used by the Narconon Arrowhead that was researched and developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard flushes out the old drug residues and eliminates those physical cravings. A low-heat dry sauna is used in conjunction with essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and polyunsaturated oils to purge the body of the toxins and replace it with healthy, clean tissue. According to Erica, “It was amazing! I couldn’t believe that I no longer craved heroin or felt the effects from it. I truly felt like a new person.”

Unfortunately, the fact is that hundreds of thousands of people are presently undergoing the misery of heroin addiction every day in the U.S. alone. There is a solution though and drug addiction can be overcome. Call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933.

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Narconon Arrowhead Helps Former Addicts Regain Control over their Environment

2005-06-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Individuals learn through effective rehabilitation and education to maintain long-term sobriety

The road to recovery can be bumpy along the way, to say the least. After individuals complete treatment and make the decision to stay clean and sober, they must then look at long-term effectiveness, which means changing their environment to suit their new outlook on life.

Part of the lifestyle that develops during the addiction process is the tendency on the part of the addict to develop some anti-social behavior. These individuals are in most cases basically good to start with. Because of the misconduct associated with drug and alcohol addiction, however, they begin to develop negative attitudes towards people they know and love and to some degree become aggressive towards the authority figures in their lives.

As these negative attitudes develop, addicts will pull away from the good and honest people in their lives. They begin to associate with people instead who are usually those in favor of, or in agreement with, the lifestyle of drug or alcohol addiction. Once addicts sober up and begin to get back in touch with reality, it is important that they be able to identify social and anti-social characteristics in people and be able to differentiate from people who will support their sobriety and people who want to drag them back into the life of addiction.

As one component of the Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program, the Narconon® Ups and Downs in Life Course is a life skills training course that is delivered in a class room situation by a person trained in the Narconon technology. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest and most successful alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs in the country and it uses the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

Accompanied by a manual, the course teaches an individual how to identify social and anti-social human characteristics in themselves and other people. Once former addicts learn these characteristics, they will have a workable system to identify and develop positive relationships with people who will be supportive to their continued recovery and know what type of people and relationships will jeopardize their sobriety and quality of life.

As one graduate of the program states, “It means the difference of being able to adjust my environment to me and my ideals instead of having to adjust to my surroundings. It’s about being in control instead of powerless.”

For more information about the Narconon Arrowhead Program, call 1-800-468-6933 today.

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Restoring Life Skills is Key to Success in Drug Rehab

2005-06-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

Narconon Arrowhead helps addicts improve communication and perceptions as part of its successful drug rehabilitation program

Drug and alcohol abuse affects an individual’s ability to focus on goals and objectives long enough to accomplish them. Addiction also greatly impairs the ability to communicate effectively and to use communication as a tool to identify and solve problems in their environment.

Without focus and the ability to relate to their environment addicts lose their self control. This then is followed by a lowering of self esteem and a lethargic state of mind. As a result, they tend to live in the past and to some degree disconnect mentally from the present.

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs. It is based on the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and uses a series of courses to address these issues and help restore life skills to former addicts. The Narconon® Communication and Perception Course is a major component of the effective rehabilitation program.

The Communication and Perception Course consists of two segments. The first is a series of communication exercises and drills that further improves a person’s ability to confront tough situations. The exercises help to increase their understanding and ability to communicate.

The individual then learns to use communication to help and counsel another in this segment. Once the individual has accomplished this ability, he then co-counsels with another addict and guides him or her through a series of exercises. These exercises increase a person’s awareness of his or her present-time surroundings while at the same time increases self control and focus. The end result of these exercises is an increased ability to set goals and a renewed purpose to be causative in life.

Both sections of the Communication and Perception Course are done in a course room setting under the direct supervision of a Narconon staff member trained in these procedures. The supervisor oversees the delivery of the exercises and is there to correct as needed each counseling session so the processes are properly completed. In addition to helping the individual regain and build their focus, self control and ability to set and achieve goals, their responsibility level is also improved through the co-counseling that occurs in this phase of the program.

By co-counseling the exercises in this section of the program addicts in recovery are helping each other improve their lives as they are working on improving their own. Addicts are generally self-centered and focused primarily on themselves while ignoring others in their life. Helping another addict to begin to regain control of his or her life begins to break this pattern of behavior and install a higher level of responsibility in the individual.

With a heightened awareness of the person’s present time environment and life, a renewed ability to remain focused long enough to start and complete projects and an increased level of personal responsibility, the addict in treatment is now able to clearly and rationally look into their life and begin to identify the positive and negative influences and relationships that exist there.

The successful completion and application of this phase of the Narconon Arrowhead program is a fundamental basis for a drug-free future.

For more information or to speak to a counselor for help, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933.

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Relief as a Part of Drug Rehab

2005-05-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

The Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation Program helps addicts take responsibility for their past and look toward the future

We live in a society today where too often people are taught to “look out for number one” as opposed to looking out for friends and neighbors. Morals and values have gone out the window and have been replaced with the promotion of instant gratification. This mentality has created escalated immoral behavior and increased drug use, from street drugs to pharmaceuticals.

Unethical behavior and repeated misconduct go part and parcel with an addicted lifestyle. Addicts become trapped in committing transgressions against people in their lives and against society at large. They get into the vicious circle of committing transgressions in an attempt to hide or continue their drug or alcohol use. This then puts them in situations where further transgressions are committed in an attempt to solve the problems that the earlier transgressions have created.

As this cycle continues, these individuals begin to individuate from the people in their lives who love and care about them and may become antagonistic toward them. They hurt the people they love most and as a consequence they become ridden with guilt. This in turn makes them so uncomfortable they will use more drugs or drink in an attempt to cover up or medicate away these negative feelings.

Most alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs have some type of component where the addict has to take an inventory of the misdeeds they have done to others and the damage they have caused. The Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation Program takes this a step further with the Narconon® Personal Values and Integrity Course. Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education centers and is founded on the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The Personal Values and Integrity Course is delivered in a classroom setting under the supervision of a person trained in this procedure. This course teaches addicts a system that will help them alleviate the guilt that is associated with their drug or alcohol related misconduct. In this course past misdeeds are inventoried one at time in a very specific manner. This procedure helps the addicts identify transgressions when they occurred, where they happened, who was involved with them at the time and the harm which resulted because of the misdeed.

Through this confessional procedure, addicts experience relief. They also become aware of the damage they are responsible for in their environment that they need to repair. This opens the door for the individual to be able to start the process of repairing these negative conditions. Once this process is completed, the individual’s integrity is restored, along with the understanding that true happiness can only be achieved through living an ethical lifestyle.

“It was a very difficult process at first,” recalls a graduate of Narconon Arrowhead, “but when I completed this course I felt a tremendous amount of relief and I no longer had to hide or run from those things. They have been put behind me for good.”

Ultimately, a former addict must take responsibility for him or her self, regardless of what treatment philosophy is being followed, if long-term stable recovery is to be achieved.

For more information or to get help for a loved one battling addiction, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit http://www.stopaddiction.com.

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Alcohol and Drug Addiction Costs Nearly Equal to the Federal Budget Deficit

2005-05-29T14:15:00.000-07:00

The multi-billion dollar industry of legal and illegal drugs leaves much more in its wake

Dr. Nora Volkow is the director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She recently stated that the total cost of alcohol and drug addiction to society was estimated at $500 billion, which is more than the gross domestic product of over 200 countries in the world.

The overall costs to society include categories such as emergency medial care, crime, corrections, law enforcement, lost productivity, research, treatment and prevention.

A publication from the Office of National Drug Control Policy examining costs of drug abuse from 1992 to 2002 stated that one of the largest percentages of increase in spending was for treatment research. The amount of money allocated more than doubled in a ten year period. Much of the research in the last decade has been focused on the areas of co-occurring disorders and other brain chemical theories, yet the problem seems to have gotten worse in many areas.

Treatment practices have included more replacement drugs and other pharmaceuticals including methadone, anti-anxiety medication, antidepressants and anti-psychotic drugs, all of which have their own set of side-effects and don’t fit the definition of rehabilitation.

In recent years there has been more of a movement to focus efforts on programs that get results. This includes effective prevention and rehabilitation programs in communities to eliminate drug abuse as well as treatment in the correctional system for drug abusing offenders to reduce recidivism.

As one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead continues to grow and create positive effects. Whether it’s educating young and old alike throughout the country with massive awareness and prevention campaigns, working with officials in the U.S. and other countries or helping individuals and families overcome addiction, Narconon Arrowhead continues to impact millions of lives every year.

Narconon Arrowhead uses the drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The residential treatment center serves people from all over the country and is certified by the state department of mental health and substance abuse services and is also accredited by the prestigious Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF). The program is in high demand simply because it gets results.

With effective programs like Narconon Arrowhead, the cost of alcohol and drug addiction can significantly be reduced in America. For more information or to get help, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com for your free assessment and consultation.

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Talk to Your Kids about Drug and Alcohol Abuse

2005-05-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

Narconon Arrowhead reminds parents that they’re never too young to prevent the downward spiral of addiction

Working in the drug addiction treatment and prevention field for the last few decades, professionals with the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program have heard or seen just about everything imaginable when it comes to drug abuse and the related lifestyle. From hideous crimes that strip people of their dignity and families of loved ones, to stories of personal loss beyond the level of comprehension for most people.

After a while you learn to not be shocked anymore while maintaining your ability to be empathetic. The intent certainly is not to become calloused, but to be a stable positive influence on those you’re trying to help regain their personal integrity and responsibility to lead a healthy and productive life that contributes to society once again.

If there is a particular scenario that’s the most difficult to deal with, it is when young kids are exposed to drugs. There are countless stories of children being hurt because of their parents’ or siblings’ drug use, from leading a life of poverty or a broken home to exposure to the hazardous chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.

It wasn’t too long ago that two sixth grade students in Louisiana were arrested for possession of marijuana and six other students were involved in some way or another. There was also two sisters in elementary school in Oklahoma that were caught bringing drugs to classmates, acting as runners for their older brothers, and admitted to smoking marijuana at home on a regular basis.

In the same town a third grade girl brought a Narconon Arrowhead drug prevention specialist a picture that she drew of a pipe and other drug paraphernalia. When asked where she saw these items she replied with great fear in her eyes, “at home.” For a moment there was loss for words. Third grade. It is absolutely heartbreaking.

Education and prevention efforts must start at earlier ages, and must start at home. Our children need to know everything about drugs and the damage they cause and this can be done without building their curiosity or using scare tactics. Simple communication with the truth is what works.

Our civilization is plagued with drugs, from mind-altering, painkilling or amphetamine prescription drugs, to illicit street drugs that were once considered safe as well. The legal drug industry markets to our children well before most of us are aware of it with cute commercials and symbols of health, regardless of what the side-effects might be. We must counter these efforts and those of the illegal drug pushers with the truth.

Narconon Arrowhead works with kids, parents, ministers, counselors, teachers and anyone else in an effort to keep our kids off of drugs. While the program includes a very successful rehabilitation center based on the research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, the professionals there would much rather not have to see those kids in the future going through treatment.

Narconon Arrowhead reminds you that summertime can be adventurous for kids while they’re out of school and is also a time when many kids become exposed to drugs for the first time. Take the time to speak to your kids about drug and alcohol abuse, and let’s make a better society for all.

For more information or help, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com. Free downloadable drug information is also available at www.narconon-drug-education.com. Act now before it’s too late.

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Narconon Arrowhead Provides Drug-Free Withdrawal Services

2005-05-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

In a medicated society, one group stands out to deliver effective rehabilitation without prescribing more drugs to treat symptoms of addiction

Substance abuse statistics from around the world are staggering. Drug use is also the underlying factor in many of today’s societal problems including, crime, child abuse, spread of HIV and other diseases, auto accidents, lost productivity and much more. Entire nations are driven to apathy concerning the subject of drug addiction due to a lack of workable solutions, and in many areas very few rehabilitation centers exist at all to even begin to address the issue.

The very first step to drug rehabilitation is to get the addict off the drugs and through the withdrawal stage. One method that is receiving a lot of attention is used by the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program. The Narconon Program is drug-free, (meaning substitute drugs are not used in the rehabilitation process) and achieves an extremely high success rate for helping individuals overcome addiction.

Narconon programs exist in 40 countries around the world. Narconon International President Clark Carr has visited a number of countries in recent years at the request of government officials and rehabilitation professionals and found that they are desperate for a workable method that will help their people. Here in the U.S., where we do have thousands of treatment centers and other substance abuse programs, we still find 23 million drug addicts searching for solutions.

Drug use results in dramatic vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body. It is only when a person stops taking the drug that the physical pain and emotional distress caused by these deficiencies become evident, so much so that seemingly the only solution for the addict is to take more of the drug.

The Narconon program, which uses the drug-free social education methodology of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, provides drug-free withdrawal services as the first step in its full rehabilitation program. The premier facility of the international network, Narconon Arrowhead, is fully accredited by the prestigious Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) and is certified by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) to deliver non-medical detoxification.

A book is also available as a self-help guide to drug-free withdrawal for general public seeking solutions. The Narconon® First Step book, published by Narconon International, teaches individuals how to help someone through withdrawal by applying nutritional supplements and exercises that promote extroversion. These steps, in the right combination and sequence, aid the addict through what could normally be an extremely difficult process. Results are usually achieved in less time and more comfortably than going through the process ‘cold turkey’ and do not carry the added weight of side effects from prescription drugs.

The Narconon® First Step book is available for purchase through Narconon Arrowhead. To find out more about the program and order a book or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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The Narconon® Program Works with Community Leaders to End Drug Addiction

2005-05-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

Effectively reducing alcohol and drug abuse in our communities takes a combined effort

Drug addiction continues to be a festering sore in our civilization that is the root cause of many societal problems. The multibillion dollar commercial production and underground trafficking of drugs passes on staggering costs to citizens of this country to clean up the devastation. It is a no-win situation dealing only in the death and destruction of individuals as well as the very fabric that makes up the human race.

We are in a time where leaders in America are recognizing that people can overcome addiction and that effective services must be made available by investing time and resources into programs that do work. While there are effective programs to rehabilitate individuals, there has been little established to rehabilitate entire communities.

One of the world's most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, called NARCONON® (meaning NARCotics-NONe), is based on the drug-free methodology of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and is continuing to implement more community involvement. Graduates, family members and supporters of the network's premier facility Narconon Arrowhead take courses to become community involvement specialists and contribute to a drug-free society.

Utilizing existing national movements such as the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Narconon Arrowhead staff members and graduates take their new education and passion to help others achieve a drug-free life and work to disseminate this anti-drug message in areas of their hometowns. Community involvement specialists now work with various civic groups, clubs, schools, doctors, and churches to create safer communities throughout the United States and abroad.

As this system grows and as more former addicts, family members and concerned citizens take responsibility for the area in which they live, the tolerance for ineffective treatment and incarceration systems as well as overall drug use will lessen.

Coordinated efforts between community leaders along with workable technology have started movements where citizens begin to look after and take responsibility for each other. One example of this in effect is outlined in a recent study appearing in Alcohol and Health: Current Evidence, where primary care physicians performed brief interventions (5-10 minutes) on patients who were exhibiting risky alcohol consumption behavior. A follow-up found that those few minutes were able to reduce drinking among those patients, including significantly less binge drinking and fewer alcoholic beverages per week.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation also issued grants to several communities in a Fighting Back campaign. Of the grantees that focused on expanding treatment and limiting alcohol availability, they were able to reduce alcohol-related traffic fatalities by 31 percent.

The message is that a community that pulls together can make a better society for all. It is not enough for a limited number of people to try and clean up the more than 20 million individuals currently addicted to drugs in the United States and to prevent our children from using as well. We must work together, demand effective solutions and decide to take a stand as a group to regain control of our society. It can be done.

For more information contact Narconon Arrowhead at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com. To learn more about the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America log on to www.cadca.org.

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Prescription Drug Abuse Affecting Young and Old Alike

2005-05-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

Prescription pain medications and stimulants are quickly becoming the drug of choice for more people in the United States

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America recently announced that more than six million teenagers have abused prescription opiates like Oxycontin or Vicodin and over two million have used prescription stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall. The percentages are higher for these substances than for illicit drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine.

A report form the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) claims that substance abuse treatment admissions among adults 55 and older rose 32 percent from 1995 to 2002, and the second most abused drug was prescription opiates.

Lawmakers in many states have been forced to try and find solutions to the abuse of prescription drugs, including the development and implementation of prescription drug monitoring programs. Opiates have become enough of a problem in Massachusetts that the State House of Representatives is reviewing a proposal to ban Oxycontin, according to a story from the Boston Herald.

To counter the upward trend in the abuse of opiates, SAMHSA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are sponsoring new advertisements to encourage older adults to "Do the Right Dose" when using prescription pain relievers. The campaign will strive to educate older adults that prescription pain medications could lead to addiction or other problems.

“While there are some prescription drugs that have their place in treating certain illnesses, the massive advertising campaigns being run on radio, TV and in magazines that are selling prescription drugs to the public at large are contributing to the prescription drug problem in America and contributing to the rise in illegal use of prescription drugs by young people. These wholesale ads that promote various prescription drugs as the catch-all-cure-all for any unwanted mental or physical condition is creating a social acceptability level that is leading more of our youth towards the illegal use of these drugs in epidemic proportions,” commented Gary W. Smith, CCDC, who is the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead.

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education centers. It uses the proven effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The center is the largest of an international network of Narconon® organizations in 40 countries and services individuals from across the United States.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America study indicated that nearly half of the teens surveyed believed that using prescription medications to get high was much safer than using illegal drugs and many even thought that painkillers were not addictive, which is why Narconon Arrowhead also has an extensive drug education and prevention campaign that reaches out to young people to combat the misinformation they hear about drugs on a daily basis.

‘Rehab’ Gets a Facelift

2005-05-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

The Narconon Arrowhead program seeks to set new standards in the drug rehabilitation and education field

Confronting the drug problem in the Unites States and overseas in this day and age is a task that few are able to stand up to. While there are thousands of public and private organizations that provide drug addiction treatment and prevention services, some are more successful than others.

Traditional treatment practices have been in existence for decades, but the results have yet to help a majority of people overcome their substance abuse issues. A new documentary on HBO called “Rehab” claims that 80% of individuals who seek treatment for their addiction to alcohol or other drugs relapse and cannot stay clean.

There is a non-traditional program called Narconon Arrowhead that continues to break this mold and is setting a new standard for drug rehabilitation and education.

As the largest center an international network of non-profit rehabilitation and prevention groups, Narconon Arrowhead uses the effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The program was actually founded by a former heroin addict named William Benitez in 1966 in Arizona State Prison.

Unlike most other treatment programs, approximately 70% of Narconon Arrowhead graduates become drug free. It is a success rate that has yet to be surpassed on any large scale, but restoring life to addicts is only part of the battle.

Whereas there are some programs that use a defeatism approach to drug education by trying to minimize harm done by using drugs “safely”, Narconon Arrowhead teaches abstinence from drugs in the form of awareness and prevention. This is done through a team of drug education specialists that personally speak to tens of thousands of people per year across the country on the true dangers of what alcohol and other drugs do to a person’s mind and body.

Narconon Arrowhead also engages in a massive anti-drug media campaign to continue to promote a drug-free society through websites, newspapers and radio and television stations. From live on-air interviews to written articles and public service announcements, the organization helps millions of people each year get the message that drug addiction can be overcome and that it is the responsibility of everyone in the community in order to make a better society for all.

Through all of the community services Narconon Arrowhead receives e-mails and phone calls from approximately 1,000 people every week who are seeking more information about drugs and addiction. From students doing school papers on drugs to reporters doing stories about drugs in their areas and from individuals looking for local treatment centers to families wanting the longer-term rehabilitation program, experienced and professional Narconon Arrowhead staff members do everything in their power to help.

Getting back to its roots, Narconon Arrowhead is also working with prison officials in the United States and other countries to help with the reform of drug addicted offenders. In April the center was visited by Indonesian dignitaries, who have seen the positive effect components of the program have had and can have in their area.

American Inmate Population Continues to Grow

2005-05-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

Effective drug rehabilitation programs offer help for non-violent drug offenders

There are now more than 2.1 million people behind bars in the United States according to the Department of Justice, which is an increase of more than 400 percent over the last 25 years. According to The Sentencing Project the number of arrests for drug offenses rose from 580,000 in 1980 to over 1.5 million in the year 2000.

Sixty percent of the growth in the federal prison population over the last twenty years has been due to drug offender commitments, and approximately 80 percent of inmates have substance abuse issues, according to sources such as the Sentencing Project and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Many states are continuing to review and revise their sentencing laws for nonviolent drug offenders to curb the costs of the nation’s fastest growing population segment. While limiting the number of new inmates with drug addiction treatment alternatives is a positive step, there are still hundreds of thousands that need rehabilitation within the walls of the prisons.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics cites that only 10-15 percent of inmates with drug problems actually receive some form of treatment while incarcerated.

A recent study released by the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examined addiction treatment practices and outcomes in Connecticut prisons. The study found that recidivism rates are greatly reduced when inmates receive some form of rehabilitation services during their prison sentences.

The cost to re-incarcerate offenders (at well over $20,000 per year) is much higher than it is to provide drug treatment services in the prisons or to divert offenders to inpatient drug rehabilitation programs. It cost Americans $25.96 billion to imprison 1.3 million non-violent offenders in the year 2000, meaning our nation spent 50% more than the entire $16.6 billion the federal government spent on welfare programs to serve 8.5 million people.

One organization that is continually producing long-term results throughout the world for rehabilitating nonviolent alcohol and other drug offenders is the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program.

Narconon Arrowhead is the largest center in the international network, producing a phenomenal success rate for rehabilitating addicts using the effective drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

Narconon literally means "narcotics-none" and was founded by a former heroin addict named William Benitez in Arizona State Prison in 1966. Thirty-nine years later, Narconon is still considered a new, proven approach to successfully ending drug addiction.

The program consists of communication and confrontation exercises, sauna detoxification to rid the body of the old drug residues and a series of courses that empower former addicts through learning life skills to raise their responsibility for themselves and others to become productive members of society.

The overwhelming issue of substance abuse affects nearly every individual in one way or another. If you would like to seek help for a loved or are interested in learning more about the program, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Study Shows Additional Health Problems Caused by Drug Addiction

2005-04-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Narconon Arrowhead Program can help reduce prolonged symptoms of drug use

A study funded in part by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine looked at nearly 750 people that entered an HMO addiction treatment program. The data gathered regarding other social and medical conditions was compared to over 3,600 other patients who were also members of the HMO but who were not identified as having an addiction.

The study found that those receiving treatment for substance abuse were more likely to have the byproducts of lower back pain, headaches, arthritis and of course depression and anxiety, which are common with most drug users.

Though this study has only recently been done, it has been known for decades that somatic illnesses can result from the ingestion of toxins such as drugs, both legal and illicit.

Many people throughout society have some type of nutritional deficiencies. Since drug use depletes the body of essential vitamins and minerals their overall health condition naturally worsens, in addition to the more prevalent physical, mental and social problems caused by drug addiction. What wasn’t reported in this study is that in most cases when drug use ceases and overall health is restored the other symptoms often diminish substantially.

American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard did extensive research in the field of drugs and other toxins and their effects on a person's mind and body. In 1978 Hubbard outlined an effective detoxification program to eliminate the accumulation of residues of drugs and other toxins while replenishing the overall nutrition of the body.

With regards to handling drug addiction, the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program utilizes Hubbard's detoxification and rehabilitation methodology to effectively rid individuals of physical cravings for drugs and to start them on the road to good overall health both mentally and physically. Combined with a series of life skills courses, the secular program achieves a success rate of approximately 70% of its graduates remaining drug-free and returning to becoming ethical and productive members of society.

According to Gary Smith, CCDC, who is the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, "Our results speak for themselves and the demand for the program is ever-increasing, not just by those seeking to overcome addiction but also from other treatment professionals and governments from around the world."

Narconon Arrowhead is the largest facility in then international network now consisting of 120 rehabilitation and education centers in 40 countries. To find out more information about this life-saving technology or to get help for a loved one, call 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com today.

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Most Drug Rehabs Missing Vital Ingredient

2005-04-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Narconon Arrowhead provides effective detoxification program for long-term recovery

Cravings, guilt and depression make up the harness that keeps an addict in the downward spiral of drug addiction. In almost all cases these symptoms are generated after a long term of substance abuse. In the history of drug and alcohol rehabilitation it has always been known that the addict must first undergo a detoxification procedure, as the drug cravings are the first barrier to a successful recovery.

According to the Merriam-Webster® online dictionary, to detoxify means: to free (as a drug user or an alcoholic) from an intoxicating or an addictive substance in the body or from dependence on or addiction to such a substance.

Often this procedure means to ensure that the individual is no longer under the immediate effects of the substance or substances. This is rational thought, but it has been discovered through extensive research that simply "drying out" is not a thorough detoxification and that the drug residues that store primarily in body fat continue to impede the full rehabilitation process. These residues are called drug metabolites and get released back into the blood stream and can cause intense drug cravings. This is one of the primary causes of relapse. So how, if a person is no longer taking the drug, do you get rid of the metabolites?

One of the most effective means of ridding the body of drug metabolites has proven to be the use of aerobic exercise combined with a nutritional program that utilizes Vitamin B3 (niacin) and extended periods of sweating in a dry-heat sauna. This detoxification method was researched and developed by L. Ron Hubbard in 1978 and has helped increase the rate of recovery by eliminating the physical triggers that create drug cravings. It is this process called the New Life Detoxification Program that is utilized at the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation and education program. This program is thoroughly explained in a book called Clear Body Clear Mind.

Eric was a heroin addict from Michigan that underwent this rehabilitation program and in his words, "The program changed my life forever. The mental and physical cravings that are associated with recovery from heroin addiction are GONE. I am no longer trapped in the dwindling spiral of addiction."

Addressing the biophysical aspects of addiction in an effective manner is one thing that puts Narconon Arrowhead at the top, achieving a success rate of approximately 70% for stable, long-term recovery.

"There are many other good programs out there," comments Luke Catton, a supervisor for Narconon Arrowhead, "but if you don't reduce or eliminate the physical cravings for drugs it is often too difficult to overcome."

To learn more information or to get help for a loved one, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Program Seeks to Improve Conditions in Drug Rehabilitation

2005-04-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Narconon Arrowhead helps save lives from drug addiction every day

Easily observed in rural populations, many people in America are suspicious of new ideas or methods, no matter how good or how effective they might be. Take for example the microwave oven, which needed nearly 30 years to finally become commonplace in homes across the country, or e-mail, now used by the majority of the population 12 and older, was first developed in 1972 yet took more than twenty years to catch on. It often takes many years for new things to gain recognition and acceptance in areas where tradition is valued and even considered a virtue.

When it comes to drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education, there is a unique program that fits in this same category of being new. Though the NARCONON program has been getting people stably off drugs for nearly four decades, it is still looked at as a new approach and therefore sometimes causes hesitancy to accept. This is despite the fact that the program achieves proven results for helping individuals overcome addiction far above typical programs in the same field.

Founded by William Benitez in 1966 in Arizona State Prison and based on research and development by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, the NARCONON program has since expanded to operations in 40 countries and continues to rapidly grow, simply because it works. At the center of this international network is Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs.

Support for the program has gone beyond mere acceptance, with community leaders and government officials across the globe recognizing that in order to reverse the downward spiral our society continues to drown in we must utilize the most effective methods available. This has to be in conjunction with efforts from all sectors of society, including elected officials, law enforcement, schools, parents, the many faith organizations, healthcare providers, the correctional system and of course the various forms of media to help carry the message that change for the better must occur.

Per the vision of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the parties truly interested in making a change need to work together to organize and develop plans and programs to coordinate anti-drug efforts. The result is a comprehensive, community-wide approach to overcoming substance abuse and its related problems. At the center of this approach must be effective prevention and rehabilitation methods.

As a society we can remain in the frame of mind that the problem is 'over there,' or we can step up to the plate and take responsibility for today and for our future, our children. The majority of methods that have been used to date have yet to reverse the statistics of our society to a marked degree. The difficult task of confronting the problem fully and demanding results rests on the shoulders of us all; nobody else is going to do it for us.

To find out more information or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Statistics Show Early Drinkers Have More Problems with Alcohol

2005-04-19T05:59:00.000-07:00

Data indicates that one third of people who received treatment for alcohol abuse reported their first intoxication being between the ages of 15 and 17

In 2002 there were more than 680,000 people who received treatment due to alcohol being the primary substance abused, and more than a third of them reported having gotten drunk for the first time between the ages of 15 and 17. This data comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment Episode Data Set.

This report also showed that 37 percent of the group became intoxicated before the age of 14. In all, nearly 90 percent of people in treatment for alcohol abuse that year reported getting drunk before the legal drinking age of 21.

Of the more than 22 million people in need of treatment in the United States, nearly 15 million list alcohol as the primary substance, and only a fraction of them actually receive it.

“I was 16 the first time I got drunk,” reports Lucas, who at 27 has now been clean and sober for over five years, “My drinking escalated through the latter part of high school and I eventually dropped out of college twice because of my alcohol abuse. Everything else took a back seat to drinking.”

As a graduate of the Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program, Lucas is now a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and Narconon Prevention Specialist helping prevent kids from going down the same road he and too many others traveled.

“I am very grateful for my family and for Narconon,” he says. The Narconon program is based on the research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free rehabilitation methodology.

Drug and alcohol education and prevention efforts are the primary factor in keeping our nation’s youth from becoming statistics, and the responsibilities lies with parents, teachers, ministers and other family and friends, not just anti-drug organizations who work at it full-time.

There are only a few times a year when drug and alcohol use is thrust into the national spotlight, and April is one of them since it is Alcohol Awareness Month. Other times include National Recovery Month in September and Red Ribbon Week at the end of October, where the focus is on education and prevention.

For more information or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933. You may also visit www.stopaddiction.com and www.alcohol-addiction.org.

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Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities Rise during Prom and Graduation Season

2005-04-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Prevention of underage drinking means saving the lives of students

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released data from its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) showing that alcohol-related fatalities increase between the middle of April and the middle of June. What's significant about these time periods? It happens to be when teenagers tend to do a lot of partying, namely prom and graduation.

“Alcohol is one of the most difficult drugs to combat, especially with youth,” comments Gary Smith, who is Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, “Being a legal drug that is easily obtained, clear and effective prevention and education measures must be taken.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs and it uses the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. Located near the center of the country, Narconon Arrowhead provides drug education presentations to tens of thousands of young people in several states each year.

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System data showed that in the year 2000, 58% of traffic fatalities were alcohol-related during the prom and graduation period. This compares with 41% for the rest of the year. In addition, 36% of all alcohol-related traffic fatalities are young people between the ages of 15 and 20, below the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages.

This data shows that more work needs to be done on the education and prevention front. This being said, April is national Alcohol Awareness month and the message must be delivered, alcohol is a drug and it costs Americans too much time, money, lives and grief for us not to make a stand.

Advertisements from alcoholic beverage companies specifically market to our nation's youth, depicting a fun atmosphere, good-looking people and sometimes a picture of total irresponsibility, making it appealing for rebellious or thrill-seeking teenagers.

"Nobody starts using drugs or alcohol with the intent of becoming addicted or loosing their lives," exclaims Smith, "Many do continue down that road though and some are fortunate enough to get the help they need."

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2005-04-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

Narconon Arrowhead Campus

Narconon Arrowhead Receives Certification from Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

2005-04-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

State officials recognize and welcome successful drug-free rehabilitation approach

CANADIAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (ODMHSAS) awarded full certification to Narconon of Oklahoma, Inc. (dba) Narconon Arrowhead’s drug free withdrawal program after department inspectors verified the center was in 100% compliance with the criteria required by the state for non-medical detoxification.

The Department’s recommendation for full certification was sanctioned by a unanimous vote by the Oklahoma Board of Mental Health at their monthly meeting held at Department headquarters in Oklahoma City on the 11th of March. Full certification is valid for three years, which is the most allowed under the Department’s regulations.

Narconon Arrowhead CEO, Gary W. Smith said, “My center’s goal has always been to meet or exceed state and federal treatment standards because the individuals that we help are the ones that benefit from a higher quality care in the end. I think it’s a new era for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and treatment providers in the state. We have known for some time that substance abuse is one of the key factors that are driving up prison and health care costs and more treatment services are needed, not less. State regulations seem to be moving more towards inclusion of alternative types of effective rehabilitation methods and programs rather then being exclusive to what has been considered traditional treatment methods.”

In addition to ODMHSAS certification Narconon’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is accredited by the nationally recognized and prestigious Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF) since the center was first licensed in Oklahoma in 1991. The organization has helped thousands of people recover from drug addiction since that time and has helped prevent drug use through education to hundreds of thousands across the country through the application of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard’s effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology.

Adds Smith, “I am impressed with the cooperative spirit that exists today with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse and treatment providers in the state of Oklahoma. I know this is due, in now small part, to the Department leadership and support in making more treatment services available by the Governor’s office.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest private residential treatment centers in the United States. The center services between 200 and 230 people in need at a time and program participants range from 18 to over 60 years of age and come from all walks of life all over the country as well as overseas. It is also the main training center for Narconon’s international network of drug rehabilitation and education programs that now reaches 40 countries.

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Reaching Out During National Alcohol Awareness Month

2005-03-30T11:41:00.000-08:00

Several organizations team up to promote alcohol awareness

April 1st marks the date of the 19th Annual Alcohol Awareness Month, which is the time for parents, schools, communities, organizations, and all of America to take a stand against the problem that is costing the United States $185 billion dollars per year, alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

“Alcohol is frequently a factor in the three leading causes of death (motor vehicle crashes, homicides, and suicides) for 15 to 24 year olds,” according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics. This is why there are several organizations working together to make a better future for tomorrow’s youth.

This year’s theme is “Together, We Can Stop Underage Drinking.” The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency President Stacia Murphy says, “Working together from all different perspectives on this problem is the only way to head off and to heal the devastating consequences of underage drinking.”

The activities will range from the Alcohol-Free Weekend, which is the first weekend of April. It is designed to raise public awareness about the use of alcohol and how it affects individuals, families, and communities.

Thursday, April 7th marks the date for the National Alcohol Screening Day. According to the Chemical Dependency Center, “…this is a day for individuals who may not know how much is too much to drink or the amount they drink puts them at risk for an addiction and screening is a motivator for individuals to seek the help they need.”

There is an organization that is stepping up to the plate to show the nation that drug and alcohol addiction can be overcome, which is the goal of Executive Director, Gary Smith of Narconon Arrowhead. “We have the technology to release everyone from the burdens that come along with an addiction and we want to build a solid foundation for educating our youth on the dangers of drug and alcohol use, which is why we are participating in National Alcohol Awareness Month.”

Delivering truth about what drugs and alcohol do to a person’s mind and body, whether legal or not, Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful education and rehabilitation programs and is based on methods developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. It is a drug-free program with a success rate many times greater than the national average, allowing those that are fully rehabilitated to become responsible once again.

To find our more information, book a drug prevention presentation, or get the help your loved one needs, contact Narconon Arrowhead by calling 1-800-468-6933 or log on to our website www.alcohol-addiction.org or www.stopaddiction.com.

For more information on Alcohol Awareness Month visit www.ncadd.org or www.chemdepctr.com.

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Adolescent Inhalant Use Jumps

2005-03-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

National survey shows that nearly ten percent of 8th graders used inhalants last year

The good news is that overall drug abuse by teenagers is still down, but the use of prescription drugs and inhalants has increased. The results of the 2004 Monitoring the Future Study showed that annual use of inhalants by 8th grade students has increased to 9.6 percent, up from 7.7 percent just two years ago. The survey is conducted annually by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) to assess drug use among 8th, 10th and 12th grade students.

The latest information from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), which tracks drug-related emergency department admissions, showed an increase of 187 percent of inhalant mentions from 2001 to 2002. The total number of new inhalant users in 2002 was about one million Americans, with 78 percent of them under the age of 18.

Inhalants are generally classified into three categories, solvents, gases and nitrates. Examples of these chemicals include paint thinners, glue, gasoline, butane, nitrous oxide, ether, cleaning products and aerosol sprays for paint, hair and deodorant.

Most of the chemicals that are sniffed or “huffed” are commonly found in the household, where young children and adolescents can easily obtain them.

Use of inhalants brings many negative effects on a person aside from the initial high they may feel. Adverse effects of sniffing toxins include damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys and brain, which opens up to a variety of symptoms and illnesses. Sniffing high concentrations of some chemicals can cause heart failure and even death.

“We’ve seen what inhalants can do to a person,” comments Gary W. Smith, who is a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor and is the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead. The center is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs by using the effective drug-free methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. “After years of inhalant abuse there are very definite signs of permanent damage, even when the person is now drug-free.”

A report was released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week, which is March 20-26. In the report found that 12 and 13 year-olds who used inhalants were more likely to experiment with other drugs in the future and engage in delinquent behavior than kids who never tried sniffing.

Based on information from the 2002 and 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, young person’s who used inhalants were twice as likely to be in a serious fight and six times more likely to have stolen or attempted to steal something worth more than $50.

Effective drug education and prevention programs can help reverse this trend and the behavior associated with it. Programs like Narconon Arrowhead can help. For more information about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved one in need, call 1-800-468-6933 today or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

You may also view more statistics on inhalant use at www.inhalants.org and www.oas.samhsa.gov.

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Marijuana Treatment Admissions on the Rise

2005-03-22T13:32:00.000-08:00

Study shows treatment admissions for marijuana use nearly tripled over a ten-year period from 1992 to 2002

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced this month a trend of individuals being admitted for treatment for marijuana use. The report comes from the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), which is an annual compilation of data on substance abuse treatment admissions.

That data showed that in 1992 there were 45 treatment admissions for marijuana use per 100,000 people aged 12 or older. This number more than doubled to 93 admissions by 1997 and in 2002 was 118. This resulted in an increase from six percent to 15 percent of all treatment admissions.

In a release issued by SAMHSA, Administrator Charles Curie exclaimed, “Marijuana is not a harmless substance, and these treatment trends emphasize that point.”

Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead Gary W. Smith reports, “Although the number of people coming to us who are abusing pot is a smaller percentage of our total clientele, in the 30 years I have been in the drug rehabilitation field I have not seen these numbers of individuals literally hooked on marijuana and unable to stop on their own. We’ve known for a long time that marijuana use can lead to other drugs but it is shocking to see people whose lives are being destroyed by smoking pot just like others we are treating who are addicted to crack or alcohol. I believe this is happening because the strength of the pot that is being smoked today is probably ten times stronger then the pot of 20 years ago.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest and most successful programs in the country and it uses the proven effective drug rehabilitation and education methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

Marijuana has often been viewed as one of the milder illicit drugs, but data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) shows that the increased potency of the drug has contributed to this trend. The 2002 DAWN survey showed a dramatic increase in marijuana-related hospital emergency room visits. Though in past most of these incidents included a mixture of drugs being reported, the number of emergency visits for only marijuana rose 45 percent over a two-year period.

There are over 400 chemicals found in marijuana smoke and 60 of them have been proven to cause cancer. Marijuana contains the neurotoxin THC, which is a poison that affects the brain and nerves. When someone smokes pot, two things happen to them: 1) There is an almost immediate burn-up of vitamins and minerals in the body. 2) Nerves in the body go numb.

These two things happen every time someone takes the drug and it causes that person's health to steadily decrease. A person's tolerance to the drug also builds and eventually the individual has to smoke pot almost continuously just to feel somewhat normal because they have caused so much damage to themselves.

Marijuana's negative effects also last well beyond the initial use. THC is lipophilic, meaning the chemical is fat-bonding and gets stored inside a person's body for weeks, months and even years after use ceases. This means the drug residues continue to cause adverse reactions, which has been proven by numerous studies.

To help someone overcome marijuana use or to get more information on Narconon Arrowhead call 1-800-468-6933 or visit http://www.marijuanaaddiction.com.

For more data on treatment admissions reports and other drug use statistics log on to http://www.oas.samhsa.gov.

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Legislators Seek to Curb Underage Drinking

2005-03-17T08:28:00.000-08:00

With Spring Break and the NCAA Basketball Tournament among us, combating alcohol advertisements and consumption among young persons is a challenge

Tourist spots that have warm sunny beaches and a steady flow of alcohol have been popular destinations for young adults for quite a while during this time of year, it’s called Spring Break. Along with the alcohol comes lowered inhibitions and bad decision-making, which often leads to driving under the influence, violence, promiscuity, and sometimes death.

Underage drinking has come under increased scrutiny lately and rightfully so, due to binge drinking deaths on college campuses, and even a story printed in the New York Times and featured on the Today show regarding what some call the “power hour,” where young people just turning 21 try and consume 21 shots in an hour.

Reckless behavior such as this and the tragic number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities involving young people has led to the introduction of the Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act, which seeks to form a coordinated effort in communities and on campuses to prevent and reduce the consumption of alcohol.

In Hawaii, a bill seeks to suspend the driver’s license of any resident caught drinking before the age of 21, whether they are driving a car or not. The suspension would be until the age of 18 or for 90 days, whichever is longer, and a provision to include drug use is being sought as an addition.

“Effective measures are needed in all areas, including reduced media glamorization, more prevention and education, smart law enforcement and legislation as well as effective rehabilitation,” comments Gary Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead. The facility is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs and uses the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

U.S. Congressman Tom Osborne (R-Neb.) has also introduced a resolution in Congress asking the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to ban alcohol ads on TV and radio broadcasts of college sporting events. The resolution states that nearly half of the $52 million spent on alcohol advertising during college athletics broadcasts in 2003 was poured into the men’s basketball tournament alone.

Alcoholic beverage companies capitalize on this time of year and promote the dangerous behavior by also sponsoring events at the spring break hot spots, where excessive drinking and lewd behavior is highly promoted. The industry is well aware of the fact that our nation’s young people are a big market for alcohol consumption, which was verified by a study from Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. This study cited that underage drinking in America amounted to nearly 20% of the total amount consumed (1999), equaling more than $22 billion in sales.

Another result of the advertising and consumption of alcoholic beverages that affects millions each year is addiction. Whether a person starts using other drugs while under the influence or becomes addicted to the alcohol itself, most young people headed down that path are wholly unaware as their perceptions are certainly impaired a great deal. Many individuals go on to use more physically addictive drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, heroin or dangerous prescription drugs.

If you or someone you love has a drug or alcohol problem, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit our drug rehab website. Help is available.

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Legislators Take Aim at Reducing Methamphetamine Use and Manufacturing

2005-03-15T07:38:00.000-08:00

Oklahoma leads the way in anti-meth legislation with several states following suit and the Combat Meth Act is making its way through the U.S. House and Senate

Methamphetamine is one of the nation’s fastest growing drugs of abuse and now more than a million Americans are addicted to the highly debilitating substance. Due to the increased prevalence throughout the U.S., meth use and manufacturing has drawn the attention of state and national legislators.

Oklahoma recently passed a law that requires pseudoephedrine to be sold behind the counter at pharmacies where each consumer must sign for the sale of medications containing the chemical. Pseudoephedrine is one of the main ingredients in making methamphetamine. According to state officials, meth lab busts have been reportedly down by nearly 80% over the last year.

This success in curbing the sale of products containing the ingredient and the reduction in meth labs found has other states seeking similar action. On a national level, there is the introduction of the Combat Meth Act, which has co-sponsors from Senators and Representatives from around the country.

According to the Mothers Against Methamphetamine website “Retailers and drug companies oppose this measure and are lobbying against it. They claim that the costs associated with restricting the availability of the vast numbers of products containing [pseudoephedrine] is excessive and constitutes a burden on their industry.” However, with the federal grants more money can be saved by preventing the production and use of methamphetamine and its associated costs to society.

An alarming number of the individuals that have been arrested and convicted for meth manufacturing and distribution are repeat offenders. Equally disturbing is the high recidivism rate of meth addicts seeking recovery.

Drug rehabilitation programs in general are having a difficult time in effectively dealing with methamphetamine addiction. An HBO documentary a couple years ago reported that only 3% of meth addicts regain control of their lives again through traditional treatment practices.

There are alternative solutions available though, such as an organization called Narconon Arrowhead, which is one if the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs and is continually gaining more attention and support for its effectiveness in helping individuals addicted to methamphetamine and other substances. Narconon attributes its success to the organization’s use of the drug-free rehabilitation technology researched and developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

There are hundreds of former meth addicts that are now living healthy lives again due to completing the program at Narconon Arrowhead. To find out more about meth or the effective drug rehabilitation and education program, call 1-800-468-6933 today or log on to the methamphetamine addiction website.

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States to Focus on Prescription Drug Regulation

2005-03-10T11:21:00.000-08:00

More than 31 million Americans have used prescription drugs non-medically

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is working with state legislatures to cut down the rising numbers of prescription drug abusers. National surveys show that the non-medical use of prescription drugs continues to rise in America.

The number of people who had used pain relievers non-medically at least once during their lifetime increased 5 percent from 2002 to 2003, totaling more than 31 million people. Current non-medical use of pain relievers increased by 15 percent among young adults.

With the President’s 2005 National Drug Control Strategy, there will be a greater focus to regulate prescription drugs in an effort to curb the rising abuse. One of the main avenues is state-level prescription drug monitoring programs, which have taken a leading role in detecting and deterring the diversion of popular prescription controlled substances. Prescription drug monitoring programs are currently in place or plan to be operational in 24 states this year.

“What many people forget,” comments Gary W. Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, “Is that prescription drugs have the potential to be just as harmful as street drugs, and that most of today’s illegal drugs were once marketed and sold as pharmaceuticals.”

Narconon Arrowhead is one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation programs and uses the effective drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

According to the ONDCP, “Programs and efforts that do not reduce drug use must be restructured or eliminated, an effort to use taxpayer money wisely that this Administration takes seriously.”

The President also seeks $80 million during fiscal year 2006 for Drug-Free Communities Support Programs. There are about 5,000 community anti-drug coalitions in America right now, many of whom have done an excellent job at reducing drug use through help from all sectors of society, including health care, law enforcement, business, drug treatment, and education.

Whether coalitions seek to provide drug prevention programs and early intervention services to youth, rehabilitation programs to addicts and non-violent drug offenders or stop the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, working together has proven to be successful. And from the mouth of the Office of National Drug Control Policy the message is clear, only use programs that demonstrate results, otherwise find something else that does work.

For more information on the 2005 National Drug Control Strategy, visit www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov. You can also read more about Anti-Drug Coalitions at www.cadca.org.

If you or someone you love needs help overcoming addiction, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Ecstasy Use Drops in U.S.

2005-03-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

Past-year use of the club drug among people over 12 declined by more than one million

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) issued its latest Research Report this year focusing on ecstasy abuse, citing that past-year use decreased from 3.2 million people over the age of 12 to 2.1 million from 2002 to 2003. The same report said past-month users dropped by more than 200,000.

This is good news, but ecstasy (MDMA) abuse has spread to a wide range of other settings and demographic subgroups than just raves in the past few years. Despite growing evidence of its harmful effects, ecstasy still has a deceptive reputation as a "safe" drug among its abusers. The idea of just taking a pill with a design stamped on it makes it more attractive and appear less harmful. Additionally, popping a pill is more socially acceptable than snorting, smoking or injecting a drug.

While overall ecstasy use among teenagers has declined over the last couple of years, a survey of adolescents and young adults who reported ecstasy abuse found that more than a third of them were addicted and in need of treatment.

Due to the stimulant properties and the increased physical activity often associated with taking the drug, the result can be a dangerous increase in body temperature that produces dehydration and increased heart rate, while potentially leading to stress on the heart and cardiovascular failure. Additional potential adverse effects include nausea, chills, sweating, involuntary teeth clenching, muscle cramping and blurred vision.

There are other short term effects of the drug such as impaired memory, difficulty processing information and trouble performing skilled activities such as motor vehicle operation. According to NIDA, ecstasy users report feeling anxiety, restlessness, irritability, sadness and depression in the week following moderate exposure to the drug.

Regular MDMA abusers demonstrate elevated levels of anxiety, impulsiveness, aggression, sleep disturbances, lack of appetite, and reduced interest in and pleasure from sex. The cycle of addiction continues by taking more of the same drug to escape the condition brought on by that drug, all the while causing more damage mentally and physically.

One former ecstasy user summed up the drug's effects oh him saying, "I felt so much emotional pain and was so depressed that I wanted to end my life and take all of the world's pain with me." The young man has since become drug-free, but not without help.

American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard conducted extensive research in the field of drug detoxification and rehabilitation, which is the basis for one of the nation's largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead.

Thousands of individuals suffering from addiction to alcohol and drugs, including ecstasy, have been able to overcome the barriers to full recovery and now lead healthy, productive and drug-free lives all over the world thanks to Narconon Arrowhead.

For more information on ecstasy or how to help a loved one that is addicted to drugs or alcohol, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.ecstasyaddiction.com or www.stopaddiction.com.

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Recovery Assistance from Peers Proves Valuable

2005-02-28T07:56:00.000-08:00

Drug rehabilitation includes taking responsibility and someone who has already overcome addiction can help lead the way.

Substance abuse is a festering sore in our society, and nobody knows that better than someone who’s beaten drug or alcohol addiction. Theft, assault, domestic violence, auto accidents, disease, divorce; these are common factors in the life of someone using drugs.

There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different types of treatment programs available for addicts today. Along with the numerous methodologies comes varying combinations of degrees, licenses, certifications and experience among the professional treatment staff.

Some programs rely heavily on medical training and substitute drugs while others depend on subjective diagnoses mixed with individual and group therapy sessions with licensed therapists. However, most addicts report they would rather work with professionals who have experienced addiction and beat it, and are not that concerned about what degrees or educational background counselors may have.

This connection often comes in the form of a fellow patient or a staff member who has also recovered from addiction. The popularity of having a sponsor in a 12-step group is accepted as a best practice throughout the country in mainstream treatment and aftercare industry. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has established Recovery Community Services Program to offer support in this area. Of course, the program itself has to be successful in design and practicality in order for this method to have lasting effects.

The Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program positively capitalizes on the experience and passion of rehabilitated addicts to help others overcome addiction. Through the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s secular drug-free rehabilitation methodology, Narconon achieves approximately a 70% success rate for its graduates.

Once becoming aware of the truth about drugs and addiction and regaining the ability to live productive and ethical lives again, many former addicts develop a purpose to help others do the same. This was also true of William Benitez, the founder of the Narconon program in Arizona State Prison in 1966, who turned around and helped fellow inmates get off drugs once he was able to do so himself.

As a component of the program, students (instead of patients because it is a learning atmosphere) also learn to start taking responsibility for not only themselves but also another by helping them through the life skills courses. This action proves to be a positive influence for reintegration into society again and having to interact with others with newly developed tools for handling life.

Today, in dozens of countries around the world, thousands of Narconon program graduates are now doing the same thing, helping others as they have been helped. With standardized program materials as well as training procedures and certifications, almost anyone wishing to use the technology can easily learn it and apply it, bettering themselves and their environments.

To find out more information or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Report Says 23 Million Needed Treatment

2005-02-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

Millions of Americans have drug or alcohol problems and need but do not receive treatment each year.

A report issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that 6.3 million people needed but did not receive treatment for an illicit drug problem and 17 million people failed to receive needed treatment for an alcohol problem.

“State Estimates of Persons Needing But Not Receiving Substance Abuse Treatment” found that the 10 states with the highest rates of needing but not receiving treatment for a drug problem were New Mexico, Arizona, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Vermont, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.

The need for treatment was based on SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and in light of the findings the Administration is working with states to build substance abuse treatment capacity through increased funding from federal block and discretionary grants as well as other programs.

Approximately 90% of individuals who go through treatment on a given year attend outpatient programs, while research has shown that the most effective programs for addicts are longer term residential rehabilitation centers.

Prior information from the same survey indicated the major barrier for addicts not receiving treatment was that they claimed to simply not be ready for it. Other barriers include a lack of available programs and individuals who have been through several unsuccessful previous treatment attempts.

For individuals addicted to opiates such as heroin or prescription painkillers, then fear of withdrawal can sometimes steer them away from treatment as well. There are numerous methods of attempting to help opiate addicts and one way is by putting them on a substitute drug such as methadone, but deaths associated with that drug are on the rise and withdrawal from methadone is also worse than heroin. There have also been programs that claim a virtually painless rapid opiate detox, but there is very little rehabilitation provided and most of the addicts return to their drug without it.

Detoxification alone is not enough, and is even a misleading statement, as it is merely withdrawal from the immediate effects of the drug. It has been scientifically proven that drug residues and other toxins store in the fatty tissue of a persons body potentially for many years, continuing to cause adverse reactions such as physical cravings and dulled perceptions.

Due to the lack of results of more traditional programs, many people struggling with addiction all over the country are seeking alternative solutions. One example is Narconon Arrowhead, which uses the drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. One example of the program includes a very unique and highly effective sauna detoxification protocol, which actually eliminates drug residues from the addict’s body so they can concentrate on learning without the physical cravings or drug cloudiness. Boasting a success rate of approximately 70% of its graduates remaining drug-free, thousands of former addicts have gone on to become stable, drug free and productive members of society once again because of the Narconon Program.

Narconon Arrowhead is the largest center in the Narconon network and is also the international training center, where people from around the country and the world go to learn and apply the services. Narconon was founded by William Benitez in Arizona State Prison 39 years ago and there are now over 120 centers in 40 countries and they continue to grow simply because it works.For more information or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

For more national statistics on substance abuse log on to http://drugabusestatistics.samhsa.gov.

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Successful Drug Rehab Celebrates 39 Years of Saving Lives

2005-02-21T06:23:00.000-08:00

The Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program started nearly four decades ago and has blossomed to save thousands of lives and educate millions across the globe.

February 19th marks the official anniversary of the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program. Thirty-nine years ago an inmate in Arizona State Prison named William Benitez received permission from prison officials to start a program to help fellow inmates as well as himself to get off drugs. It worked.

Mr. Benitez persisted with officials for six months and assured them that the program was needed and would not pose a threat to the operation of the prison. His efforts became the NARCONON program (NARCOtics-NONe) and in February of 1966 the continuing trend of saving lives began.

The idea and inspiration for the program came when Benitez, who had tried several times before to beat his heroin addiction unsuccessfully, came across a book by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. Benitez found some of the principles in the book to work when he applied them to himself, and he found it worked with others too.

Mr. Benitez passed away in 1999, but a fellow graduate of his program in the 60’s and long-time friend of Willie still contributes to this day. His name is Gordy Weinand and he was recently honored at an anniversary celebration for Narconon Arrowhead, which is the largest program of the network and also the international training center. He now helps with the program in Georgia.

"It was the knowledge I learned in the beginning that showed me that I had a lot of ability,” says Weinand. “I could confront any problem instead of running away from myself and getting high. I could deal with anything. Things began to change for the better.”

When Benitez, Weinand and others were released from prison they moved to Los Angeles, where they decided to set up a residential program and continue to help addicts recover. Mr. Hubbard’s research and developments in the field of drug rehabilitation is now the basis for the overall program, which has expanded and evolved from that prison cell so long ago. Today there are more than 120 Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education centers around the world in 40 countries, and it continues to grow because of its effectiveness.

"From those humble beginnings,” Gordy continues, “I learned what a great feeling it was to be able to help someone else. I have dedicated my life to being able to help others. I look into the eyes of children and tell them what great people they are.”

"If you're asking 'Does Narconon work?', I say, 'Ask Gordy Weinand. I'm living proof!'

Weinand has been joined by many thousands of people whose lives have been changed for the better because of this program and who are now living drug free or who never started using drugs in the first place. To learn more about the program or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.
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Study Shows Ads Affect Teen Alcohol Consumption

2005-02-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

A new study of more than 3,000 teens reports that underage persons who saw frequent ads for alcoholic beverages in stores and magazines were more likely to start drinking than those who did not.

The study was conducted by Rand Health in South Dakota and was sponsored by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The report also indicated that teens who had already tried alcohol were more likely to increase their consumption when viewing ads in magazines or concessions at music and sporting events.

“The more we can combat the pro-alcohol and drug information in our society the less likely we’re going to have to treat individuals down the road for substance abuse,” comments Gary Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, “Prevention is the key.”

As one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, Narconon Arrowhead reaches millions of people across the nation each year with aggressive anti-drug and alcohol campaigns through radio, television, websites, newsprint and live prevention presentations to students in schools. Their application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug rehabilitation and education methodology has proven to be effective for decades.

The media attention of college binge drinking deaths on campuses last year also sparked the University of Florida to take action. Officials at the University instructed a country band that was scheduled to perform on campus to drop all promotions for their alcoholic beverage sponsor out of concern for student binge drinking, despite costing them more than $12,000 per night in revenue according to the Independent Florida Alligator newspaper.

The American Medical Association also released an article this month admonishing NASCAR for allowing hard liquor sponsorships, which place ads prominently on cars viewed by millions of teens. They also conducted a survey and found that 63% of Americans feel that marketing liquor on race cars sends the wrong message to young people regarding drinking and driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were over 2,300 alcohol-related fatalities in the year 2000 involving young people between the ages of 15 and 20. This accounted for more than one third of the total number for that year.

While the Rand study of teenagers in South Dakota didn’t find conclusive evidence of the effect of alcohol advertising on television, a report issued last year by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth stated there was an increase of 90,000 alcohol ads on television compared to just two years prior. The study also indicated that 23 percent of the ads were more likely to be seen by youth than adults.

While more than 10 million youth between the ages of 12 and 20 have reported drinking alcohol in the past month, there are some youth joining the fight against substance abuse. The Kansas City InfoZine online reported last month that area young people part of Youth with Vision filmed three public service announcements for the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The prevention ads are part of the “Alcohol…Is It Worth It?” campaign that is airing this month.

For more information on alcohol and its effect on society visit www.alcohol-addiction.org. To get help for a loved on in need or to inquire about scheduling a drug and alcohol prevention presentation in your area contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Effective Drug Rehabilitation Opposes Prescribed Heroin Trial in Canada

2005-02-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

The Canadian government approves and pays for a clinical trial to give heroin and methadone to over 400 addicts.

The North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) began this week enrolling heroin addicts into a clinical trial that will give them more heroin, and it is funded by the Canadian Government. NAOMI received $8.1 million for the trial from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The study will last approximately 24 months including recruitment and administration and it will enlist participants in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Half of the participants will be given methadone, which is a synthetic opiate that has caused an increasing number of deaths in the U.S., and the other half will be given pharmaceutical-grade heroin. It is a tactic which the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is also adamantly against.

Vancouver has recently been under scrutiny for its first government-protected ‘safe’ injection house, where heroin addicts were given a supervised place to shoot up.

While NAOMI claims that all of the participants will be transitioned at the end of the study to either methadone maintenance or some other form of treatment, the basis for the trial is a harm reduction approach, which adopts a defeatism viewpoint when it comes to rehabilitating addicts. According to the Harm Reduction Coalition those who adhere to this frame of mind seek to only minimize the effects of drug use on society instead of seeking to eradicate drug abuse all together.

According to Gary W. Smith, C.C.D.C. and CEO of Narconon Arrowhead, which is one of America’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, “All you have to do is look at history to know that legalizing heroin for addicts will not stop drug addiction. Other countries have tried this and all that happened is they wound up with an increasing number heroin addicts that were unemployable and who faced numerous drug related health care issues that required more federal and state monies to support.”

The Narconon® Program has helped thousands of addicts over the last 38 years beat their addiction through the use of its rehabilitation methods researched and developed by American author and humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard. In addition to an effective method of drug-free withdrawal from addictive drugs, the program also uses a unique and effective sauna detoxification procedure to eliminate physical cravings and a series of life skills courses to help addicts regain control over their lives.

To find out more about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved one in need call 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Drug-Free Rehabilitation Proves Successful

2005-02-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

Brain disease theory lacks merit for addiction treatment while drug-free approach of Narconon Arrowhead shows long-term success in rehabilitating former addicts.

For several decades drug and alcohol addiction has been viewed as an incurable brain disease by the scientific, medical and psychiatric communities. However, in a statement released by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the director contradicted herself by claiming that “drug addiction is a brain disease,” in one sentence and then saying that abnormalities have been discovered in “the brains of some, but not all, addicted individuals.”

A new Treatment Improvement Protocol released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) claims that 50-75 percent of patients in substance abuse treatment programs have co-occurring mental illness. SAMHSA's 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggested that about 4.2 million adults aged 18 and older met their criteria for both substance abuse and mental illness, yet these claims are based on subjective diagnoses instead of factual data.

Concurrent with the theory of addiction being a brain disease the NIDA director also asked for more “contributions of the pharmaceutical industry in developing new medications.” The problem with this, as evident by the recalls, law suits, black box warning labels and the seemingly endless list of side-effects, is that putting people on more drugs doesn’t help them in the long run and certainly doesn’t fit the definition of rehabilitation. A person cannot be considered clean and sober if they are on mind-altering drugs, whether they are legally prescribed or not.

According to Gary Smith, Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead, “Our goal is the total eradication of substance abuse. It is possible, but we as individuals, agencies, communities and as a nation must agree that it can be done and support programs that show results. We can’t keep pouring money into ineffective measures while the social fabric continues to decay because of drugs.” Narconon Arrowhead is the nation’s leading drug-free rehabilitation and education program. With a success rate of approximately 70% of program graduates remaining drug-free, its application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug rehabilitation methodology has proven to be successful for many years and has been validated by research studies as well as ongoing empirical evidence.

The more science and medicine focus on the chemical composition of human beings' brains and develop more drugs to treat symptoms such as anxiety, depression and other observable behavioral indicators that are normal for a drug addict to experience, the more we as a nation are denying these individuals the ability to overcome their addiction.

In the substance abuse field, there are simple and extremely effective rehabilitation strategies that don't use drugs to treat individuals or subjectively evaluate people. Thousands of former addicts around the world are now living healthy, productive and drug-free lives because of the tools provided to them by the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program, most of whom had tried traditional medical approaches first only to find no results.To get free information about substance abuse or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Cutting Drug Abuse in the Workplace

2005-02-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, alcohol and drug abuse has been estimated to cost American businesses roughly $81 billion in lost productivity in just one year—$37 billion due to premature death and $44 billion due to illness.

Although the rate of current illicit drug use is higher among unemployed individuals, approximately 77 percent of current illicit drug users in the US are employed. This averages out to be roughly 7 percent of the workforce.

Gary Smith, the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead says, “Substance abuse needs to be addressed literally in all sectors of society. That is why we work not just with individuals, but coalitions, churches, schools, unions and corporations large and small.”

Narconon Arrowhead is the nation’s largest and most successful private residential drug rehabilitation and education program, which uses the drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The Department of Labor’s Working Partners reports the highest rates of current illicit drug use and heavy drinking by occupation are by food preparation workers, waiters, waitresses and bartenders. These are followed by construction workers, service occupations, and transportation and material moving workers.

In addition, individuals who are current illicit drug users are also more likely than those who are not to have skipped one or more work days in the past month, and up to 40 percent of industrial fatalities and 47 percent of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism.

In an effort to curb some of this behavior in the federal government, additional drug-testing procedures are being examined to possibly incorporate this year. The alternative procedures such as testing samples of sweat, hair and saliva vary from standard urine sampling, which can be obscured or altered to throw off current tests. Sticking to national figures, this means the latest estimates of drug-using federal employees comes to about 105,000 and having new procedures could help reduce that number.

The new push to get a more accurate account of drug users employed by the federal government is believed to spark similar changes in private businesses.

Many businesses today have a drug-free workplace policy, which is a set of rules and regulations dealing with the prevention and detection of drug-using employees. Companies often have or work with Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s). EAP’s provide direct or referred services to deal with issues such as substance abuse or other problems in the workplace.

Employers and EAP’s alike are continuously searching for effective measures to reduce current drug use and prevent it in the future, and programs like Narconon Arrowhead are striving to meet the demand by offering effective drug education and awareness seminars for employees as well as their comprehensive drug rehabilitation program.

To find out more about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved one in need, call 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

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Methadone Deaths Rising in the U.S.

2005-02-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

Methadone use has increased in pain management and drug replacement therapy for addicts despite hundreds of people dying each year from black market use.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Drug Abuse Warning Network reported that more than 10,000 people turned up in emergency rooms after having abused methadone in 2001, which is double the number from just two years earlier.

Reported deaths from methadone abuse are rising in North Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Maryland, Montana and Nevada while it has become the deadliest drug in Oregon according to state medical examiners. Meanwhile, profits for the drug’s manufacturer and dispensers have increased dramatically as well.

Methadone was developed by German chemists as a painkiller during World War II and has been widely used as drug replacement therapy to get addicts off heroin and other opiates. There are currently more than 1,200 facilities that dispense methadone to addicts, totaling approximately 200,000 patients. While methadone may not produce the same high as heroin or Oxycontin, it is more physically addictive and more difficult to withdraw from.

The Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Studies (DATOS) issued a report on a multi-city study of status of patients before and after various types of treatment, including outpatient methadone treatment. Results of this study that was done in the 90’s show that there was actually a slight increase in heavy alcohol use and only a minimal decrease in the percentage of patients not being employed full-time and suicidal ideation.

Perhaps the most obviously overlooked flaw in this type of addiction treatment is that the patients are still on drugs, and this cannot be considered rehabilitation.
According to J.J., a 30 year-old former heroin addict from Michigan, “I was on methadone for 5 years and it was much harder to get off than the heroin. You can’t skip a day going to the [methadone] clinic or you immediately get really sick. It’s a trap either way.”

He has since become drug-free through the Narconon Arrowhead program, which consists of a uniquely effective withdrawal phase, confront and communication exercises, a dry heat sauna detoxification program that rids the body of physical drug cravings and a series of life skills courses to not only fully rehabilitate individuals but also to prepare them for life after drugs.
This comprehensive treatment approach was researched and developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard and this drug-free methodology is the reason for Narconon Arrowhead’s high rate for successful recovery.

To get help for a loved one caught in the downward spiral of addiction or for more information, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.heroinaddiction.com.

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Meth Crawls the Landscape of America

2005-01-31T08:47:00.000-08:00

Survey shows overall methamphetamine treatment admissions have increased five times over the last decade and law makers are seeking to pass prohibitive legislation on common meth ingredient.

The methamphetamine epidemic in the United States is not just a problem in rural America. It’s so prevalent that a Google News search on methamphetamine turns up over 5,000 articles in just the last thirty days.

The drug has crawled its way onto the doorstep of nearly every city in the country and it is so insidious that it would be hard to exaggerate its negative effects on addicted individuals, families and communities. In fact, a recent article released by the Rueters news agency calls it the ‘devil’s drug’.

Meth lab busts have soared to well over 1,000 per year in multiple states and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that treatment admission rates for this class of drug have increased more than five times across the country in the last decade.

“We have definitely seen an increase in people seeking help for meth addiction,” reports Gary Smith, the Executive Director of Narconon Arrowhead. As one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education programs, approximately 25 percent of their current clients are in treatment for methamphetamine.

“Since people come to our program from across the country, the increase isn’t isolated to one area or region,” Smith adds. Narconon Arrowhead’s proven track record of successfully rehabilitating meth addicts makes them a diamond in the rough, as most programs have a very difficult time effectively treating them. Smith credits their success to the drug-free rehabilitation methodology they use that was developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The easily obtained ingredients to manufacture meth (also known as crank, crystal, ice) and the mobility of the labs make it difficult for law enforcement officials to track down a high percentage of potential busts. Even when these labs are tracked down and the manufacturers arrested, the toxic chemicals used in the process are hazardous and cost thousands to be properly disposed of.

Information provided by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) indicates that methamphetamine users and manufacturers take irresponsibility and neglect to the level of endangerment. In 2003 more than ten percent of meth lab-related incidents in the United States involved children, most of whom had been directly or indirectly exposed to the highly toxic chemicals used to manufacture the drug. Drug Endangered Children (DEC) programs have been developed to coordinate the efforts of law enforcement, medical services, and child welfare workers to ensure that children found in these environments receive appropriate attention and care.

In an effort to curb manufacturing of the debilitating substance several states are seeking to pass legislation that makes the main ingredient found in methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, harder to obtain. Oklahoma, for example, already has a law in effect that restricts sales of over-the-counter cold medicines that contain the drug and requires consumers to sign for the purchase.

The plan has even gone to the U.S. Legislature in the form of the Combat Meth Act, where the idea is to put pharmacy items containing pseudoephedrine behind the counter and to provide more resources to law enforcement officials.

While the problem still grows, there are hundreds of former meth addicts that are now living healthy lives again because of Narconon Arrowhead. To find out more about meth or the Narconon program, visit www.methamphetamineaddiction.com today or call 1-800-468-6933.

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The Need for Drug Rehabilitation for Inmates

2005-01-27T07:06:00.000-08:00

Finding and providing effective drug addiction treatment programs in prisons has become a necessity as corrections costs have skyrocketed and recidivism rates haven’t reduced

There are now more than two million people behind bars in the United States, which is an increase of more than 400 percent since 1980. Sixty percent of the growth in the federal prison population over the last twenty years has been due to drug offender commitments, and approximately 80 percent of inmates have substance abuse issues, according to sources such as the Sentencing Project and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Many states are now reviewing and changing their sentencing laws for nonviolent drug offenders to curb the costs of the nation’s fastest growing population segment, and while limiting the number of new inmates with drug addiction treatment alternatives is a positive step, there are still hundreds of thousands that need rehabilitation within the walls of the prisons. The Bureau of Justice Statistics cites that only 10-15 percent of inmates with drug problems actually receive some form of treatment while incarcerated, but the Second Chance Act of 2004 (H.R. 4676) seeks to change that. According to Human Rights Watch, the purpose of the Second Chance Act is to reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and help states and communities to better address the growing population of ex-offenders returning to communities.

A recent study released by the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examined addiction treatment practices and outcomes in Connecticut prisons. The study found that recidivism rates are greatly reduced when inmates receive some form of rehabilitation services during their prison sentences.

The cost to re-incarcerate offenders is much higher than it is to provide drug treatment services in the prisons. Researchers from the study said the outcomes clearly demonstrate the need for prison-based rehabilitation programs.

One organization that is continually producing long-term results throughout the world for rehabilitating nonviolent alcohol and other drug offenders is the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program.

Narconon Arrowhead is the largest center in the international network, producing a phenomenal success rate for rehabilitating addicts using the effective drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

NARCONON literally means "narcotics-none" and was founded by a former heroin addict named William Benitez in Arizona State Prison in 1966. Thrity-nine years later, Narconon is still considered a new, proven approach to successfully ending drug addiction. The program is totally drug-free and it consists of communication and confront exercises, sauna detoxification to rid the body of the old drug residues and a series of courses that empower former addicts through learning life skills.

The overwhelming issue of substance abuse affects nearly every individual in one way or another. If you would like to seek help for a loved or are interested in learning more about the program, contact Narconon Arrowhead today by calling 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com for a free assessment or referral.
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Drug-Ridden World

2005-01-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

This is a wonderful blog about drug and alcohol addiction. It's very interesting.
www.ricktholkes.blogspot.com

Student Drug Testing Remains Hot Topic

2005-01-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

Drug testing in America's schools viewed as infringement of rights by some and an effective deterrent and screening tool by others

In last year's State of the Union Address, President Bush proposed offering $23 million for school-based drug testing.

In his speech he said, "One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem, with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement."

The President later added, "The aim here is not to punish children, but to send them this message: We love you, and we don't want to lose you."

Fast-forward one year and it is the week of his inauguration for his second term in office and overall teen drug use has reportedly dropped by some 17 percent over the last three years, according to the Monitoring the Future Study conducted by the University of Michigan.

Drug testing in America's schools has been used or seriously considered in districts throughout the country, mostly for student athletes wishing to participate in extra-curricular activities. F

ought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Drug Policy Alliance, the Supreme Court first ruled in favor of testing student athletes in 1995. Studies have shown positive and negative results, but the jury is still out regarding overall effectiveness of such practices.

An article in the Boston Globe last week highlighted a Salem, MA Superintendent's urge to implement random drug testing for the entire school, coming after he found out his own son was addicted to the prescription painkiller Oxycontin. Currently there is not a single school in America that requires random testing for all students and the local ACLU threatened to sue if that district becomes the first.

Whether or not drug testing is effective by itself, it is clear that a comprehensive approach to drug education and prevention is necessary to continuing the trend of declining teen drug use.

Surveys conducted by the Narconon Drug Prevention Program of several hundred thousand students across the country show that it is the type of information and the manner in which it's presented that determines the best results.

Many prevention programs in schools talk about consequences of drug use, use scare tactics or show samples of drugs that only peak students' interest in 'learning more' about them. While these approaches may work for some, the majority of students don't feel that they are very real to them.

J.T. Daily is a Prevention Specialist for Narconon Arrowhead, the nation's largest and most successful private rehabilitation and education facility, which uses the drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. Daily has recently worked in several states with students and adults, including Demand Reduction Coordinators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Narconon Arrowhead's prevention program uses effective two-way communication with a lot of energy and interest between the presenter and the students. Combined with information that isn't normally taught and the fact that many of the presenters are former drug addicts that have been able to successfully get their lives back, students are able to get the toughest questions answered in a way that satisfies their curiosity without having to try drugs for themselves.

Call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com to book a drug education presentation in your area or to get help for a loved one in need of effective rehabilitation.

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More College Students Abusing Prescription Drug Stimulants

2005-01-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

A study released by the University of Michigan found that 7 percent of college students used prescription drugs as stimulants for non-medical purposes during their lifetimes, and 4 percent have done it in the past month.

The national study included data from students at 119 four-year colleges and was published in the January issue of the Addiction Journal.

Three of the prescription drugs that were being abused by these college students that were included in the study were the addictive stimulants Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine. These drugs are categorized as Schedule II narcotics by the Federal Drug Administration. This is the same classification given to drugs like heroin and cocaine. These prescription drugs are used to treat the subjective diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study also found that students who abuse these drugs non-medically are much more likely to abuse other substances such as alcohol, ecstasy, marijuana and cocaine. It was also reported that this group of students were more likely to engage in risky behavior such as driving after heavy drinking.

J.T. Daily was a student at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Having been put on the addictive stimulant Dexedrine as a teenager, Daily said, “The effects of taking Dexedrine for me were worse than drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana. In college, I knew many other students, including athletes that abused it regularly.”

In fact, it became so popular that he would go through 400 pills in a month because so many other people were abusing his prescription as well. J.T. wound up on ecstasy and later became addicted to cocaine. He ended up dropping out of college because of his addiction and thankfully received treatment through the Narconon Arrowhead Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program.

According to Narconon Arrowhead’s Executive Director, Gary W. Smith, C.C.D.C., "we have seen a significant number of individuals addicted to methamphetamine, cocaine who have enrolled in our program whose drug use started when they were diagnosed with ADHD and then put on prescription stimulants used to treat this disorder. Unfortunately more times then not these kids were misdiagnosed put on these drugs only to become drug addicts by the time they reached adulthood”.Narconon Arrowhead is a non-traditional rehabilitation and education program that is very effective in helping people become drug-free. Based on the research and developments by L. Ron Hubbard, Narconon Arrowhead is the largest and most successful private residential drug rehabilitation center in the nation.

Having successfully overcome his addiction several years ago, today J.T. Daily is the Director of Drug Education for Narconon Arrowhead and he has personally lectured to tens of thousands of students across the country. His prevention presentations have helped enlighten kids and adults about the truth about drugs and addiction.

Giving More Drugs to Addicts in the Name of Help?

2005-01-16T14:12:00.000-08:00

Psychiatric and pharmaceutical interests have tried to lead the drug rehab field and treatment professionals into thinking that treating drug and alcohol addicts with prescription drugs is a workable rehabilitation method. The truth is that if addicts are switched from their illicit drug of choice to another drug that they become and remain dependant upon to function in life they are medicated not rehabilitated.

The psychiatric/medical theory and diagnosis that alcohol and other drug addiction is an incurable brain disease has led to millions of dollars of research and trials for the pharmaceutical industry to discover a drug to effectively halt addiction to one or more substances. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has focused a lot of attention and effort into finding some wonder drug that will successfully treat addiction, only to come up high on hope and short on outcomes.

One drug that has been legally on the market and approved for treating heroin addiction for years is methadone, which is a synthetic opiate. Although some in the treatment field tout methadone as a "cure" for heroin addiction the heroin problem still grows unchecked in this country and we have a reported 200,000 plus methadone users across the country who are now physically addicted to this drug. They have to show up at a clinic everyday for their daily dose and they are still trapped by drug addiction as they are physically dependent and fear the withdrawal symptoms associated with methadone. The symptoms of withdrawal for methadone are far more severe than heroin.

Six months ago the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug Campral to treat alcohol addiction. In their release on July 29, 2004 the FDA wrote, "While its mechanism of action is not fully understood, Campral is thought to act on the brain pathways related to alcohol abuse." However, the side effects for this drug include, an irregular heartbeat or pulse; high or low blood pressure; unusual bleeding or bruising; headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety; amnesia and abnormal thinking.

Last month a study from the Brookhaven Institute of New York claimed that a drug used to treat epilepsy, vigabatrin, can also be used to treat cocaine addiction although it has been associated with vision problems. Common side-effects for this drug include abdominal pain; abnormal coordination ; agitation; anxiety; clumsiness; confusion; mental depression; dizziness; drowsiness; double vision or seeing double; fatigue; trembling; tremor and unsteadiness.

There is also the common prescription for treating symptoms of addiction with antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. It is now widely known that antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium and Xanex are themselves highly addictive.

It's time to take a new look at America's drug problem and realize that no matter how well intentioned, substitute drug treatment for chemical dependency has been a miserable failure. A combined national success rate of 16% to 20% tells us that. Drug-free rehabilitation methods have proven to be more workable and historically have produced a higher success rate than the American rehab field status quo. One such drug-free rehabilitation organization that operates the nation's largest and most successful private residential drug rehabilitation center is called Narconon Arrowhead.

Narconon Arrowhead's program is based on research and developments of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The non-traditional, drug-free approach achieves a very high success rate of approximately 70%.

For more information or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.###

Covering the Cost of Drug Addiction Treatment

2005-01-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

The cost of drug addiction is spread throughout society. If it’s not out-of pocket expenses by family members for drug rehabilitation, then it is the taxpayers’ burden when drug-using criminal offenders are placed in the correctional system or government-funded treatment programs.

Untreated drug addiction bears innumerable costs to each community, including the loss of life. Effective residential treatment has proven to save money and lives in the long run, and costs can range from a few thousand to many tens of thousands of dollars.

For the families of the 22 million Americans in need of treatment insurance could help absorb much of that cost, however, there has been a controversy over insurance coverage for substance abuse treatment and as of now the dollar amounts and limitations vary with each carrier and policy.

Equal insurance coverage for substance abuse, or parity as it is commonly known, can be a double-edged sword. On one hand for those who have insurance it can be a blessing if the devastating situation ever arises. On the other hand, it opens the door for ineffective treatment programs to repeatedly get paid for no results.

The issue has gone to the Legislature, but has yet to significantly change and both sides have continued their lobbying efforts. The latest form of parity legislation is called the “Help Expand Access to Recovery and Treatment (HEART) Act.”

Perhaps the main problem with the issue is that advocates are trying to classify addiction as a disease, saying that relapse is inherent in such a condition. For several decades now alcohol and drug addiction has been viewed and treated as a brain disease by the medical and psychiatric communities where they have resorted to substitute drugs that only treat symptoms and don’t actually solve the problem.

Addiction does have both behavioral and biophysical components that need to be addressed, though substituting natural brain chemicals with more drugs such as harmful antidepressants is not a solution. In fact, it can be and often is much more damaging to a person when trying to achieve stable, long-term results. Claiming that a person is sober while being on mind-altering drugs is a direct contradiction by definition.

Last year a panel of experts in the substance abuse field, including the nation’s first appointed ‘drug czar’ Dr. Jerome Jaffe, issued a report called “Rewarding Results.” The panel stated that governments, agencies and policymakers should demand results and only pay for services that obtained results. Such a recommendation, if implemented, would force programs and agencies to be more responsible for the overall rehabilitation of the persons served.

One program that has steadily maintained a very high success rate for helping individuals overcome addiction is Narconon Arrowhead. Based on research and developments by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, the program uses a drug-free social rehabilitation methodology comprised of an extensive sauna detoxification protocol and a series of life skills courses that addicts learn to apply to their lives and overcome the barriers to living a clean and happy life.

Though there are many factors leading and contributing to an individual’s addiction, it does not have to be made so complex that nobody can understand it. There are simple solutions available. When it comes down to it, insurance companies should provide more coverage for substance abuse treatment, but only if it actually works.

For more information about Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved on in need call 1-800-468-6933 today or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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The Unnatural Disaster in Asia

2005-01-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

While the earthquake and tsunami death tolls in southern Asia now top 150,000, there is an ongoing crisis in the region and the world that takes many more lives each year. The problem is alcohol and other drug use and its associated health problems, which according to an international study released in Australia kills an estimated seven million people per year.

Swiss professor Jurgen Rehm of the country’s Addiction Research Institute credits the massive numbers with increased use and availability of addictive substances in highly populated areas of Southeast Asia.

A major factor in the overall death toll is the spread of disease through substance abuse. The United Nations reports the estimated number of injecting drug users in India alone has reached half a million. Needle sharing among IV drug users is one of the fastest ways to spread diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

The global alliance indicated that injecting drug use is driving the HIV epidemic in Indonesia. HIV prevalence among injecting drug users increased from 16% to 48% between 1999 and 2003 and the overall death toll from HIV/AIDS in southern Asia was estimated to be over 400,000 in 2001.

Heroin is prevalent in that part of the world due to its closeness to the opium poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle and Afghanistan, but the increase of methamphetamine use is also alarming.
Most countries of the region focus their efforts on reducing the supply of drugs, which has yet to make enough of an impact and the shift toward reducing the demand must take place. This includes providing more effective drug rehabilitation and prevention services to the area.

The Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program is dedicated to eradicating substance abuse worldwide, and through its international office in Los Angeles has targeted recent efforts in Asia as well as the United States. Representatives from Narconon International have introduced its proven effective programs to several countries in the region and resources are being connected to establish rehabilitation and education centers in multiple countries.

Narconon Arrowhead is the largest center in the network and is also the international training center, where individuals from around the country and the world learn how to deliver the successful drug-free methodology based on the research and discoveries of American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

Through this non-traditional approach Narconon Arrowhead has achieved a success rate of approximately 70% for helping people overcome addiction. Programs such as this are desperately needed in southern Asia as well as worldwide and more government funding in this area would help to improve the overall statistics.

For more information on this highly successful approach or to get help for a loved one in need, contact Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit www.stopaddiction.com.

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Millions of Youth Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol

2005-01-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

When the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued its 2004 Monitoring the Future Study, it showed that overall drug use was down among teenagers. This week SAMHSA announced that more than 4 million young people between the ages of 16-20 drove under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past year.

The data was extracted from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the number accounts for 21 percent of U.S. youth in that age group. When broken down, the statistics indicate that 14 percent of youth drove under the influence of illicit drugs, and only four percent of the overall number reported being arrested for the potentially deadly activity. Regionally, the highest percentage of this behavior occurred in the Midwest.

In a release issued by SAMHSA, Administrator Charles Curie exclaimed, “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among young persons 16-20.” He also indicated that the Administration is working to create and support more prevention programs in local communities to dramatically reduce this behavior and create a positive impact on these kids’ lives as well as the lives of others around them.

Surveys conducted by the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program of several hundred thousand students across the country show that it is the type of information and the manner in which it’s presented that determines the best results.

Many prevention programs in schools dryly talk about consequences of drug use, use scare tactics such as mock alcohol related fatality skits, or show samples of drugs that only peak students’ interest in ‘learning more’ about them. While these approaches may work for some, the majority of students don’t feel that they are very real to them.

Narconon Arrowhead’s prevention program, led by Director of Drug Education J.T. Daily, uses effective two-way communication with a lot of energy and interest between the presenter and the students. Combined with information that isn’t normally taught and the fact that many of the presenters are former drug addicts that have been able to successfully get their lives back, students are able to get the toughest questions answered in a way that satisfies their curiosity without having to try drugs for themselves.

J.T. and other Narconon® Prevention Specialists around the world follow simple presentation styles and have fun. Again, it’s the type of information talked about and the manner in which it is delivered that really counts. According to Daily, “I wish I had this information when I was in school so I wouldn’t have done some of the things I did growing up, like start taking drugs in the first place.”

Narconon Arrowhead is the one of the largest and most successful private drug rehabilitation and education facilities in the United States and uses the proven effective drug-free technology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

For more information about drugs and addiction, to get help for a loved one in need or to book an education presentation in your area call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log on to www.stopaddiction.com.

To view the whole report on youth driving while intoxicated visit SAMHSA’s Office of Applied Studies website at www.oas.samhsa.gov.

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Stopping Alcohol and Drug Abuse: An American Resolution

2004-12-29T13:14:00.000-08:00

Americans are about to face one of the deadliest days on the road this week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data has shown that alcohol-related traffic fatalities increase on New Year’s Day and an estimated 185 people will be killed as a result.
The NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reports that 45 percent of all fatalities during the Christmas and New Year holiday periods, on an average, have occurred in crashes where at least one of the involved drivers was impaired as compared to about 30 percent of all fatalities during the rest of the year.

According to the Director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) substance abuse costs our nation nearly $500 billion per year. It is also responsible for our country’s higher rate of incarceration, increased healthcare costs, the spread of disease, child neglect and domestic violence, and of course the loss of life itself, for which there is no dollar amount.
It is true we are a medicated society, and the cost skyrockets when the affects of prescription drugs are factored into the equation. There are school children being given addictive stimulants, millions of people on antidepressants and the countless number of people who take pain relievers more liberally than prescribed.

In the face of all of this, progress is being made. There is the good news of the continued decline in teen drug use, which is down by 17 percent over the last three years. Also making headlines are the dangerous side effects caused by prescription and over-the-counter drugs, warning consumers of real risks associated with these medications.

Thankfully there are organizations like Narconon Arrowhead working to prevent drug abuse and rehabilitate individuals that fall into the trap of addiction. As one of the nation’s largest and most successful alcohol and drug rehabilitation and education centers, Narconon Arrowhead uses the proven drug-free methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

With massive anti-drug awareness and education campaigns and its effective rehabilitation program, Narconon Arrowhead has played no small part in the reversing statistics and continues to spread the truth about alcohol and other drug use across the nation and overseas.
While the total eradication of substance abuse is the goal of Narconon Arrowhead, the responsibility of the task cannot rest on the shoulders of government agencies and non-profit organizations alone. There is something each and every American citizen can do, and it can start with the New Year’s resolution of becoming more educated on the subject of drugs, helping friends or family members in need and volunteering in the community.

To find out more information about drugs and addiction or to get help for a loved one, call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or visit http://www.stopaddiction.com/

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The Pharmaceutical Elephant in America’s Living Room

2004-12-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

One need not look far to find a major source of trouble in America; drugs. There are approximately 22 million people in this country addicted to substances such as cocaine, heroin, alcohol and methamphetamine, which is the cause of innumerable other social problems. However, there is another group of drugs and their manufacturers that is causing an entirely new set of problems.

The 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports 6.3 million persons currently use prescription medications non-medically. The Drug Abuse Warning Network reported drug abuse-related emergency room visits involving prescription pain relievers increased 153 percent since 1995.

The legal drug industry is one of the most lucrative in the world, which is why it continues to grow. In fact, pharmaceutical companies make so much money off of the government and citizens of this country that they have easily been able to pay the more than $1.5 billion in fines for Medicaid and other fraud since 2001, according to an article in the New York Times, which included a recent law suit by New York City.

Since the profits of such drugs are huge, more companies are finding ways to sell them, such as online pharmacies. Many people now receive a daily barrage of spam e-mails selling a variety of drugs, which is why the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has set up a system to report online drug-pushers. Anonymous reports can be taken at 1-877-RxAbuse or can be made online at www.dea.gov by clicking on a link and filling out an electronic form. Preliminary data from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s Attitude Tracking Study suggests that many adolescents do not consider pharmaceutical drug abuse to be risky. In addition, the DEA says that one out of every ten high school seniors now reports abusing powerful prescription pain killers.

Even more disturbing is that there are approximately 6 percent of kids in this country that are prescribed amphetamines, antidepressants or anti-psychotics, all of which are very powerful, addictive and mind-altering. Over the last 15 years or so the number of kids on psychiatric drugs has tripled, and the number of teens using Ritalin® or Adderall® illegally is more than three times higher than the percentage of persons 12 or older that reported using cocaine in the past month.

The trend of pushing drugs for almost any symptom has spread its way into treating drug addicts, and millions of dollars are now being spent to develop anti-addiction drugs or studying existing drugs’ effects on addicts. Of the addicted individuals that enter traditional treatment, many become frustrated with the lack of results, continued relapse or because they are being given replacement drugs.

One drug often used as a substitute for heroin addiction is methadone, which is a synthetic opiate, despite the fact that in Oregon methadone has become the state’s most deadly drug with 103 deaths in 2002.

This trend will continue until people take a stand against the pharmaceutical elephant in the living room.

Working to create safer and more successful ways of treating drug and alcohol addiction is Narconon Arrowhead, one of the nation’s largest and most effective drug rehabilitation and education facilities. Narconon Arrowhead does not use any drugs in treating addiction, through the application of L. Ron Hubbard’s drug-free methodology, and has a success rate of 70% for helping individuals overcome addiction.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, contact Narconon Arrowhead by calling 1-800-468-6933 today.

Recovery from Drug Addiction Doesn't have to be a Life-Long Battle

2004-12-27T08:28:00.000-08:00

Alcohol and other drug addictions are fought on many fronts. From scientists conducting genetic research and pharmaceutical companies pushing new drugs as treatments to faith based organizations offering counseling and law enforcement working on the reduction of the supply.

For the last few decades the majority opinion has been that addiction is a brain disease that cannot be cured, that recovery is a life-long battle, and that relapse is a part of the recovery process.

Regardless of what philosophy or treatment model a person may subscribe to, the most important factor is the results that are produced, meaning is the former addict now drug-free or is he or she is still on some type of drug.

Billions of dollars have been spent on researching unproven theories and treatments by some groups and the government, while others have found something that works and are busy actively stopping addiction on a daily basis.

One of the groups effectively doing something about the problem is Narconon Arrowhead. As one of the nation’s largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and education centers, Narconon Arrowhead utilizes the proven drug-free rehabilitation methodology developed by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.

The Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation Program is comprised of an extensive sauna detoxification protocol and a series of life skills courses that provide addicts with the tools to apply to overcome the barriers to living a clean and happy life.

Not only does the organization achieve results from its rehabilitation program, in fact 70% of their graduates are drug-free two years after completion, but they have a massive awareness, education and prevention campaign as well. Over the last three years they have worked to personally educate over 100,000 kids on the truth about drugs and have reached millions of people with anti-drug messages through the Internet, radio, television and print media.

Without results we are simply throwing more money and lives down the drain on ineffective treatment concepts. With our country’s treatment and rehabilitation system focused on results and accountability, and with effective solutions that Narconon Arrowhead provides in schools, the workplace, correctional facilities and of course at its drug rehabilitation center, we can make a serious and positive impact on the state of our nation.
For more information on Narconon Arrowhead or to get help for a loved one in need call 1-800-468-6933 today.