Female Substance Abuse and the View of the Justice System

Drug related arrests by men still heavily outnumber women, yet when it comes to substance use and the justice system women are at the disadvantage. Before the 1970’s female drug use was not recognized and treatment was not an option. As the years progress, substance abuse amongst women gained recognition, yet females still face many obstacles. According to drugpolicy.org, Women receive harsher penalties for drug related offense when compared to men. The population of women who are being incarcerated for drug crimes are increasing and for women of color, the rate is increasing at 800%. These harsher sentences for women include longer incarceration periods and less opportunity for plea bargains then men. Females once tied to substance abuse face a difficult time dealing with the negative stigmas that attach to women who struggle with substance abuse.

Why do women acquire such challenging circumstances? Many of the states laws are based on roots of old fashion views and customs. The unchanged laws were established by men, during a time when women were oppressed and stereotyped as nurturing mothers. Females were and in some cases still expected to up hold the illusion of their only purpose is to bare children and care after the household while remaining pure, elegant, and demure.  For some time recognizing that women like men can equally suffer from drug temptation, would have undermined the coveted outlook of women.   Although now, eighteen states have amended some of their laws to alter the view of women and substance abuse, the hardships for women who use drugs still linger. Due to the negative social image that has accompanied women, programs specifically designed for females have been on the rise.

Women who seek treatment in residential drug treatment centers, should look for a drug treatment center that offers gender specific therapy (women’s  therapy), trauma therapy, and therapy specific to women’s needs.  The Cove Center for Recovery is a residential addiction treatment center, offering programs specifically for each gender and for women, therapy unique to women struggling with alcohol addiction and drug addiction.  Contact the Cove Center for Recovery for help.  www.covecenterforrecovery.com or 888-757-6237.

~ Julie Nicole

Sources: National Family Preservation service, drugpolicy.org

Port St. Lucie, Florida – August 10, 2010.  Prescription drug abuse is continuing to appear in the Florida communities.  In Port St. Lucie, Florida two men from Jupiter, Florida, were arrested Monday, August 9, 2010 as a result of oxycodone and marijuana possession.

According to news reports, two men both ages 24 years old, face trafficking oxycodone and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana charges.  One of the young men was also arrested on an illegal use of a two-way communication device charge.  An undercover, Port St. Lucie officer arranged to buy 100 oxycodone pills for $1,400 from the men selling the prescription medication.  Although the oxycodone pills were presented in a medication bottle with one of the men arrested, it was illegal to sell the prescription oxycodone and subsequently resulted in the trafficking charge.

Prescription drug abuse and drug addiction continue to remain a growing problem for the United States.  A new government study finds a 400 percent increase in the number of people admitted to treatment for abusing prescription pain medication. The increase in substance abuse among people ages 12 and older was recorded during the 10-year-period from 1998 to 2008. Prescription drug addiction is a non-discriminatory addiction, crossing all socioeconomic levels, all nationalities, all ages, and all religions.  Oxycodone and Oxycontin are the most addictive prescription drugs sold and traded in Florida and throughout the United States.  The most effective approach for treating prescription drug addiction is found in a residential addiction treatment center.

Residential Addiction Treatment programs are very effective, regardless of the severity of prescription drug addiction.  The Cove Center for Recovery is an adult residential addiction program.  The Cove is a structured program in which clients participate in addiction treatment and reside with the treatment center for a minimum of 30 days.  All medical, psychiatric, and therapeutic needs are met during the residential program.  A core component of a good residential addiction treatment program is one that provides an opportunity for the treatment staff and the client to work together to co-create an individual treatment plan and a solution minded approach to a successful recovery life.  A quality addiction treatment program embraces the 12 step model for recovery, promotes the principles of Narcotics Anonymous, incorporates alternative therapeutic models, educates clients on the cycle of addiction and identifying each person’s triggers to their drug of choice, and focuses on dual diagnosed client needs.

According to the National Institute on Drug Addiction (NIDA), “scientific research since the mid–1970s shows that treatment can help patients addicted to drugs stop using, avoid relapse, and successfully recover their lives. Based on this research, key principles have emerged that should form the basis of any effective treatment programs:

• Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior.
• No single treatment is appropriate for everyone.
• Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug abuse.
• Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical.
• Counseling—individual and/or group—and other behavioral therapies are the most commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment.
• Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies.
• An individual’s treatment and services plan must be assessed continually and modified as necessary to ensure that it meets his or her changing needs.
• Many drug–addicted individuals also have other mental disorders.
• Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long–term drug abuse.
• Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.”  nida.

If you or a loved one is struggling with prescription drug addiction, seek help immediately.

Written by:  K. Corcoran

August 12, 2001

Source: Cove Center For Recovery; www.covecenterforrecovery.com ; 888-387-6237.

NIDA; National Institute on Drug Abuse

August 10, 2010 – Celebrity drug use and drug abuse is still a growing concern for our society.  One day after news headlines accused the American Idol star of having an affair with a married man and creating a sex tape with the same man, additional news headlines reveal that Fantasia Barrino was hospitalized as a result of a drug overdose.

The breaking news is reported by a Charlotte, North Carolina news station.  Charlotte News Channel 36, is reporting that Fantasia was taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville around 8:55 p.m. and that her condition was “not life-threatening.”  News reports have not revealed  whether the 26-year-old star’s overdose was intentional or accidental.  Fantasia’s drug overdose is being called a medical overdose.

Fantasia’s representative, Brian Dickens issued a statement regarding her hospitalization:  “Last night, Fantasia was hospitalized. She took an overdose of aspirin and a sleep aid. Her injuries are not life threatening. She was dehydrated and exhausted at the time. Fantasia is stable now. She will be released from the hospital soon.”

“Any adult and any celebrity struggling with drug abuse would be wise to seek residential addiction treatment, prior to newsworthy headlines and embarrassing pictures,” states Dr. James Hughes, CEO of the Cove Center for Recovery, an adult residential addiction treatment center located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  “Negative publicity is not as helpful as positive publicity”, states Dr. Hughes.  He further states:  “The Cove Center for Recovery is the perfect recovering atmosphere, with a superior clinical team and a real-life application of recovery techniques and tools.”

Written by:  K. Corcoran

August 10, 2010

Source:  Charlotte, NC  News Channel 36

Dr. James Hughes can be contacted at:

www.covecenterforrecovery.com

888-387-6237

On August 15, 2010 a new zero tolerance policy begins for driving drunk in New York State. This recent change is called Leandra’s Law.  Leandra’s Law states that anyone convicted of misdemeanor or felony as a result of drunken driving will be required to install (for a minimum of six months) an ignition interlock breathalyzer device.  The device will not allow the car to start if it detects a threshold level of alcohol in the driver’s breath.  The interlock drunk driving device is the same device used for Florida drunk drivers.

According to the New York Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives and their spokesperson, Robert Maccarone, New York is the 10th state to require drivers to install the devices after a first offense. In step with Florida and other states, the interlock device is installed at the driver’s expense.  The alcohol interlocks are leased at a monthly charge of $70 to $110, and an installation cost of zero (some are installed free) to $100. According to Mr. Maccarone, New York has an average of 25,000 drunken-driving convictions annually, of which 4,000 are in New York City.

The interlock devices, which have to be leased from one of seven state-contracted manufacturers, operate from a premise of a low tolerance for alcohol. In New York, as in Florida, the interlock  will prevent the car from starting if the driver has 0.025 blood-alcohol content or more. The criminal DWI limit is 0.08. In Florida the criminal DUI is also 0.08.  Some interlock units have cameras that take photos of the driver, to prevent drivers from using other people to breathe into the interlock.  In New York as well as Florida, if the driver fails the breathalyzer, the horn will start beeping and it will increase to an extremely loud noise, easily heard above car radios.

The New York state Leandra’s Law, also makes it a felony to drive while intoxicated with a child under 16 in the car, was created and named as a result of the 2009 death of Leandra Rosado, killed at the hands of a drunk driver.

New York, as in Florida, drunk driving and repeat drunk driving offenders are convicted with felony charges and face serious consequences as a result of their offense.  The Cove Center For Recovery, an adult addiction treatment center in Fort Lauderdale Florida, provides DUI counseling for DUI offenders and residential addiction treatment for DUI or DWI criminal charges.  The Cove Center for Recovery works with New York and Florida drunk driving offenders and the court systems by offering a  downward departure or diversion program in which DWI and DUI offenders can enter the residential addiction treatment program and receive the addiction therapy and help they need, in lieu of jail time served.  The Cove Center for Recovery and their diversion program is nationally recognized for its effectiveness and ability to remediate alcoholics and drunk driving offenders.  The Cove Center for Recovery representative is available by telephone at 888-387-6237 and www.covecenterforrecovery.com.

Written by:  K. Corcoran

08/04/2010

Source:  The New York Times