Another young soul, same old story

While Whitney Houston's cause of death is unknown at this time, it is well known that she struggled with addiction for many, many years. Her erratic behavior had been well documented during the last week of her life, and it appears she may have drowned due to drug inducement. She was a powerhouse of talent with enormous potential, will stories like these help convince young people that drugs simply aren't worth it? Rest in Peace.


The following is the story of her death from the Huffington Post.

Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. She was 48.

The superstar singer and actress's publicist, Kristin Foster, broke the news of Houston's passing to the AP, but thus far, no cause of death has been revealed.

She was found at the Beverly Hills Hilton. The showbiz website TMZ reports that the singer was found in the bath, and that while no illegal drugs had been seized by police, prescription drugs have been found in Houston's room.

Hotel sources have told the website that she was found by her bodyguard, and that despite attempts to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead at 3:55pm local time on Saturday afternoon. She was due to perform at a pre-Grammy award party in Los Angeles last night.

Police in Los Angeles said that Houston and her entourage, which included friends, family and co-workers, had taken up a "fair portion" of the hotel's fourth floor.

"She was pronounced dead at the hotel and a number of people were able to identify her," Lieutenant Mark Rosen from Beverly Hills Police told the BBC.

"We still have detectives and crime scene investigators at the hotel, we are looking into the matter as a death investigation its not a crime scene at this time," he added.

At her peak in the 1980s and 1990s, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry and one of the world's best-selling artists.

Among her hits were How Will I Know, Saving All My Love for You and I Will Always Love You.

She won multiple Grammys including album and record of the year and her success carried her beyond music to movies like The Bodyguard.

But by the end of her career, drug use took its toll as her record sales plummeted and her voice became raspy and hoarse.

Children of Alcoholics Week February 12-18, 2012

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) will be observing its Children of Alcoholics (COA) Week from February 12-18, 2012. COA Week “celebrates the recovery of the many thousands of children (of all ages) who have received the help they needed to recover from the pain and losses suffered in their childhood, and it offers hope to those still suffering from the adverse impact of parental alcohol and drug addiction”. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).

According to the NACoA,

• it is estimated that one in four children in the United States under age 18 is hurt by family alcohol abuse or alcoholism, and that countless others are affected by parental drug use.
• there is strong scientific evidence that alcoholism runs in families with children of alcoholics being 2 to 4 times more likely to develop alcoholism than children of non-alcoholics.
• young children of alcoholics exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety to a greater extent than children of non-alcoholics; and incur increasing health care costs and experience more life problems over the lifespan.
• young children of alcohol or drug dependent parents often have difficulty in school and are more likely to be truant, drop out of school, repeat grades, or be referred to a school counselor or psychologist.
• children of addicted parents, with interest and support from family, friends, health professionals, teachers, clergy, and others, can avoid the negative effects of familial alcoholism and drug dependence.

“Home is what most children consider a safe environment, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. It is essential that children currently living in the difficult situation of parental alcohol addiction know that there are resources out there to help them and that there are individuals out there who are in recovery from the situation and are living healthy and full lives. They have to know that they aren’t alone” stated Joseph DeMarzo, Director of Putnam County Mental Health/Youth Bureau. “The Youth Bureau offers Pegasus, which is a free and confidential program for children ages 6 to 14 who have a parent or family member suffering from alcoholism or other drug dependency.  Pegasus is an eight week program held twice a year that offers information, support and hope to both children and families. For more information, please call us at (845)808-1600 ext. 46126.” DeMarzo said.

“We support this national observance because we don’t want those who need the encouragement the most to fall through the cracks. Something as simple as celebrating those who are in recovery from parents who have suffered from addiction can help young people currently in a difficult situation”, stated Kristin McConnell, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies of Putnam (NCADD).

The Putnam County Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition is an anti-drug coalition that works to build a safe and healthy family-oriented community, which includes reducing the use of harmful substances by our adolescents. It is composed of individuals from all sectors of the community who work together to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors through education, enforcement and policy initiatives.

Members of Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children. Please call the Putnam County Youth Bureau at 845-808-1600 Ext. 46117 or NCADD Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 for further information. Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.

                                                                       

Injection of 'Bath Salts' Linked to Necrotizing Fasciitis

Courtesy of Medscape Today:

Deborah Brauser
Posted: 01/19/2012


January 19, 2012 — Intramuscular injection of the street drug known as "bath salts" may cause necrotizing fasciitis, a rare, flesh-eating bacteria syndrome that affects muscle and subcutaneous tissue, new research suggests.
In a case report published in the January issue of Orthopedics, investigators write that 2 days after injecting "bath salts," a young adult patient came to an emergency department with extensive cellulitis/infection of her upper arm.
"The cellulitis initially responded to broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics but rapidly deteriorated 48 hours later, leading to a forequarter amputation with radical mastectomy and chest wall debridement to obtain healthy tissue margins and control the disease," write Russell Russo, MD, from the Department of Orthopedics at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, and colleagues.
The patient made a full recovery after "further minor debridements, negative pressure dressings, directed antibiotic therapy, and skin grafting."

The investigators note that the current popularity of "bath salts" may lead to an increase in cases of these flesh-eating infections. Necrotizing fasciitis can spread quickly through the body, threatening loss of limbs and even loss of life.

"Orthopedic surgeons should be vigilant in diagnosing this process early and should perform an extensive debridement," they write. In addition, "medical centers of all disciplines must be prepared to identify the signs of intoxication while treating the potential side effects" of this illicit drug.

Rapid Timeline
According to the researchers, necrotizing fasciitis was known as "hospital gangrene" during the American Civil War and as "streptococcal gangrene" in the 1940s. "The pathogenesis of the disease has remained constant over time," they write.
As reported by Medscape Medical News, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) temporarily banned synthetic stimulants marketed as "bath salts" in the fall of 2011.

Nevertheless, the substance remains popular in the United States among teenagers and young adults. The crystals can be swallowed, sniffed, injected, or smoked. In 2011, calls to poison control centers and reports of emergency department visits rose dramatically as a result of ingestion of these so-called "bath salts."
"Unlike common illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide, phencyclidine, and ecstasy, the dangers of baths salts are unknown and only beginning to emerge," write the investigators.
The female patient in this report was aged 34 years and reported having pain and redness in her forearm after injecting intramuscular "bath salts" at a party. She did not have a fever at the time she presented. She also reported recent use of cocaine, opiates, and benzodiazepines.

This last factor is troubling to at least one commentator who posted on the journal's Web site. She asked whether there was any toxicological evidence to definitively explain the cause of the patient's condition.
"How can we be sure that the infection was a result of her bath salt injection and not from administering any of the [other substances] she took? There have been previous outbreaks of opiates leading to similar problems, e.g. anthrax epidemic in 2010 in Glasgow."
Nevertheless, the researchers note that the best way to treat necrotizing fasciitis includes early recognition, immediate surgical debridement, and treatment with penicillin G and clindamycin antibiotics.
"Necrotizing fasciitis has a rapid timeline to tissue destruction and loss of life."
A past study found that the average time to surgical debridement for surviving this rapidly spreading infection was just 25 hours. Another study found that overall survival from a diagnosis of the infection was as low as 50%.

"These infections are usually associated with crush traumas and farm injuries, but now one must also be prepared and vigilant when presented with a cellulitic patient who has a history of needle use," write the researchers.

"However, the best treatment is prevention with public, street-based education," they write.
The study authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Orthopedics. 2012;35:124-127. Full article

17 percent of U.S. adults binge drink

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17 percent of U.S. adults binge drink

Study: Many teen moms surprised they got pregnant

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Study: Many teen moms surprised they got pregnant

Attention Parents and Educators: Health Concern Over "Lazy Larry's"

Public health officials are concerned about the sale of ―relaxation brownies laced with the sleep aid melatonin called "Lazy Larry's" (also known as "Lazy Cakes").  

The brownies, intended for adults, are causing concern because they are marketed towards children and teens with its colorful and flashy packaging. The cartoon of 'Lazy Larry' also appears to be drug induced and relaxed on the cover of the product which attracts the attention of teens who think they will get a quick high after eating the brownies. The brownie manufacturers direct consumers to ―take half a brownie, twice a day -to relieve stress and combat sleeplessness.  The product is sold at head shops, convenience stores, and major retailers across the country. They are also sold online. The cakes retail for $2.50 to $4 — a high price, considering that a 60-count bottle of 8-mg melatonin tablets costs $11. 

Due to the 8 grams of melatonin in the product, the brownies were first marketed as a dietary supplement in mid 2011 to avoid mandatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The safety of a dietary supplement is, by law, the manufacturer‘s responsibility. In August of 2011 the FDA cited the Memphis-based company HBB LLC, the makers of the ―'Lazy Larry' product, stating that they do not consider melatonin to be a harmless food additive and the brownies are  "adulterated" because they contain them. The FDA also cited ―medical research that has shown concerns about potential reproductive, cardiovascular, ocular and neurological issues as side effects of using the drug (melatonin). (FDA).  A teen could be having a physical reaction to a Lazy Larry, so it is important adults are aware of this new product and the potential harm it can cause on children and teens. 

Kush Cakes or Lulla Pies are also popular "lazy cakes", however they have not been cited by the FDA.  

Members of the Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children.  Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching "Putnam County Communities That Care – NY" or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646. 

The Truth About Energy Drinks

 

Energy drinks are beverages that are specifically marketed to young people, with names like Red Bull, Venom, Monster, Adrenaline Rush, 180, ISO, and Sprint.  These drinks contain large doses of caffeine (as much as 80 mg), sugar and other legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng. When compared to the 37mg of caffeine in a Mountain Dew or the 23mg in a Coca-Cola Classic, it is clear that energy drinks pack a big punch.

There are also alcoholic energy drinks that are in the market that children are getting their hands on that look similar to the non alcoholic energy drinks. Examples of these dangerous drinks are Four Loko, Joose and Sparks. The marketing on the television and on the internet use fun or dramatic names, messages and colorful graphics that attract young people.

In the short-term, consumption of energy drinks can boost the heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes causing palpitations), dehydrate the body and, like other stimulants, prevent sleep. Energy drinks should not be used while exercising or to enhance athletic performance, as the combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine can leave the user severely dehydrated. Additional health risks include increased anxiety, panic attacks, headaches, sleep deprivation, and stomach aches. (Martine Institute, 2007)

According to the NCAA Banned-Drug Classes, use of caffeine (guarana) is prohibited, as it is considered to be a stimulant.  Any individual with a urine concentration that exceeds 15 micrograms/ml is considered to be ‘positive’.  It is worthy to note that “the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore purity and safety of nutritional dietary supplements cannot be guaranteed.  Impure supplements may lead to a positive NCAA drug test”. 

Members of CTC are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children.  Please call the Putnam County Youth Bureau at 845-808-1600 Ext. 46117 or the National Council on Alcoholism/Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 if you have any questions. Please visit and join the Putnam CTC Coalition on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.