Posts Tagged ‘marijuana’
Random Drug Testing
Last Updated on Friday, 30 April 2010 08:57 Written by Monica Friday, 30 April 2010 08:57
People have different opinions about random drug testing at work. I have heard several people complain about it, stating it isn’t fair, that it’s a violation of privacy. I have seen situations where a drug test came back positive on someone who did not do drugs but either had a prescription or something that would make it show up.
What is your opinion? Mine is that I believe random drug testing at work is okay. I think it can steer some people clear of making one bad decision at a party because he or she does not want to have the bad luck of going to work Monday morning and having that random test done. That example alone has saved potentially thousands from falling victim to drug addiction.
Ask yourself this: are you worried about a random drug test at work? If so, then you need to see that as a red flag. Something that makes us nervous is something that needs to be investigated within ourselves. Are you taking a few too many prescription pills after that accident you had? Prescription drug addiction is on the rise and one of the most common substance abuse problems around. Are you sneaking a joint at that Friday night party at the dorm? College campuses and high schools are rampant with students smoking marijuana. However, if you are nervous about the possibility of a drug test, what does that say?
Stop. Get help now. Texas rehab centers work to ensure a person gets clean and has the tools to stay clean. They are not out to “get” you, they are out to help you. Success is what is at the root of rehabilitation.
So if taking a drug test is making you a little anxious, consider the real possibility that you have a problem. Do not look at a random drug test at work as a violation of your privacy, look at it as a tool that helps you and your co-workers come to terms with the fact that one of you may very well have a real substance abuse problem.
Remember, random drug testing is not about getting someone in trouble. It is about getting a person help and ensuring that a potential drug problem does not wreak havoc for co-workers. If you are worried about failing a random drug test at work, then consider getting help now and thank your employer for caring enough to have drug testing done.
Tags: marijuana, prescription drug addiction, random drug testing | Posted under Texas Rehab | No Comments
Spare Tires: A New Place to Find Drugs
Last Updated on Friday, 26 March 2010 12:42 Written by Monica Friday, 26 March 2010 09:31
Spare tires aren’t just a slang phrase for overweight people and they aren’t just a way of being responsible and prepared for a flat. No, nowadays, spare tires seem to be good hiding places (well, maybe not) for marijuana. DPS officers in Texas are finding this out more and more
In September, 73 pounds of marijuana worth over $23,000 was found in Hungerford. In June, 1400 pounds were found in two spare tires in Pierce. Yesterday, 70 pounds was found in a spare tire in Wichita Falls when a car was stopped for speeding.
More and more traffic stops are turning into criminal arrests, not for speeding or seat belt violations but for transporting drugs. Texas shares a border with Mexico and the drug trade is getting bigger and getting worse. Now, let me ask a few questions here to those who have experience in the illicit drug business. Bear in mind that no one knows you are answering these questions except you and the Man upstairs if you believe in Him.
My first question is, seriously, is it worth it? Is smuggling or transporting drugs, dealing them to minors and others who are addicted, is it worth it? Is having a lot of money for a little bit of time until you are busted or one of your workers is busted and makes a deal and turns on you really worth it? Can you truly live with the fact that a pre-teen or teen is hooked on what you sell and you could be intervening with the person who had been destined to find a cure for cancer or solve the great Hoffa mystery or write the next bestseller or break a sporting record?
Maybe you don’t have a spare tire because you do drugs and it keeps the weight off but being a dealer is no less attractive. Do you know what you are missing? You are missing out on walking the beaches and holding the hand of the love of your life. You are missing out on a child looking up at you with adoring eyes and saying “Daddy, teach me to tie my shoe.” You are missing out on the proud look of your mother because you are now walking the stage at the university of your choice, having accomplished the dream of getting your degree.
Drugs being found in spare tires. It certainly beats finding them in the bodies of precious young people who have accidentally overdosed. Texas has a bad drug problem. It doesn’t take such offenses lightly. If you are reading this, it is not too late to turn your life around. Do it for your future children, that degree you dreamed of, that book you want to write or whatever your secret goal is. Because I know a secret that you don’t. You are worth a second chance.
Tags: dealing, marijuana, spare tires, traffic stop, transporting | Posted under Texas Rehab | No Comments
Drug Use, War and Veterans
Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 March 2010 07:17 Written by Monica Tuesday, 23 March 2010 07:17
USA Today has an article in it stating that the increase in drug use among soldiers is due to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Soldiers come back with injuries and PTSD and get hooked on prescription pain medication and mood swing pills. As the 7th anniversary of the war in Iraq is this month, it seems like a fitting and interesting piece to read.
Perhaps part of the reason for the rise in drug use is the fact that medications are sent constantly through the U.S. mail? It takes forever for a soldier to get seen, some are still waiting for their VA cards, but the medications come left and right, with the soldier even being confused as to what each one is for. Not surprising if one of those injuries affected the brain and if there is a diagnosis of PTSD.
Prescription pain medications are meant to help people but yes, they can be addictive. The intended patient and others can get hooked on them. That is why it is best to be under a doctor’s care so the patient can be monitored. But with a system where a soldier is constantly having to start over, where he or she consistently hears the dismissal attitude that questions the integrity and experience of the soldier or veteran, is it any wonder that it appears prescription pain medication use is on the rise? Not to mention alcohol and marijuana use?
When a soldier comes home, he lives with survivors’ guilt because the same blast that killed his comrade “only” gave him a headache or “only” took an arm or a leg. But realistically, that soldier with an amputated limb or head injury
comes home to a new battle, one with the VA where his service is questioned and when someone does believe the DD214 is legitimate, doesn’t want to hear about his experiences because it will give that person PTSD. If a person can claim such a diagnosis second hand, how much more real is it then for the youth who actually lived it?
“Not in the system” is a term many veterans are hearing over and over and over again. Is it any wonder they turn to marijuana and alcohol use? In drug rehab, we are taught about enabling. How enabling is it for a system to turn its back on the very soldiers it was set up for? It’s hard for them to fight for their rights when they are remembering the buddy who lost a life. It’s hard for them to question the fairness of a system that doles out millions in bonus checks to employees while wounded veterans are kicked to the curb.
So they quietly go to their corner, drink a few more shots and smoke a little more weed. They take the pills delivered by mail when what they also need is counseling, medical monitoring and a call center set up that does not belittle their contribution to their country. If a call center representative spoke to a customer the way some of the ones for the VA system speak to veterans, that representative would be out on the street looking for another job. Instead, he or she is just lining the pockets of the higher ups with fatter bonus checks. Whether the veteran is in Texas, Michigan, Florida or another state, he or she needs something besides mailed prescription bottles. Maybe that’s why drug use is on the rise among those who have been to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Tags: Alcohol, drug use, marijuana, prescription pain medication, VA | Posted under Texas Rehab | 1 Comment
Should Marijuana Be Legalized?
Last Updated on Thursday, 11 March 2010 07:31 Written by Monica Wednesday, 10 March 2010 10:25
USA Today’s cover story for March 9. 2010 was citing how views regarding marijuana are changing. Going through and reading the article, I saw where, once again, a thought out argument for legalizing marijuana was used. This time, it was about how legalizing marijuana will have the IDs of minors checked just like it is for alcohol and cigarettes. The article quoted a former prosecutor and judge in California stating that drug dealers do not ask about age and it’s true.
Does that mean we should legalize marijuana? Some people think so. Some states are leaning towards that venue. Texas is one of the states not looking at legalizing marijuana, at least not at this time. Texas has always been tougher on different issues, drugs being one of them. Still, sometimes Texas can be a little too tough on some things, as several cases come to the mind of this writer regarding other crimes and penalties entirely. Two high school sweethearts, one in jail because his birthday falls just after the school year plus he failed a grade. So he turns 19 in jail and his girlfriend is now 17 although they are one year apart in high school, a junior and a senior. This story is heard more and more in families and it is a sad case of Catch 22.
Rules are rules, though, right? Shouldn’t that hold true for drugs as well? If we are going to hold young people accountable for other crimes, then we need to hold drug dealers accountable for selling drugs. Should we legalize marijuana just to make it easier to prosecute minors? No. We should follow through with mandated sentences for dealing drugs, not make deals.
People who are addicted to drugs need rehab. Surprisingly to some, drug dealers are not always on drugs themselves. Drug addicts are not always minors. If marijuana is legalized, it will not solve this issue. Kids get older gets in college to buy their alcohol. They get friends who are eighteen to buy their cigarettes. They will get someone to buy the marijuana, too.
The drug dealers will still be selling drugs. Cocaine, heroin, anything illegal. It will still get sold. They will still sell marijuana to kids who are not old enough to buy it.
Yes, the case for legalizing marijuana makes sense. It is well thought out and organized. However, the case for not legalizing it makes sense, too. Who gets to decide if it becomes legal? The government? The people? Are our young people really the ones being thought about or is it another way to make money? Oh and a final question: if marijuana becomes legal, who is going to pay for rehab when our young people get hooked on a legal drug and spend their time high instead of in college or working? Because making it legal does not make it free of being an addiction.
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