Take Back Our Communities

In continuing with the campaign to "Take Back Our Families and Communities From Drugs", Narconon of Georgia released more tips today for those who think they have a drug abuser in their midst, but are not sure.

Mary Rieser stated "Before you approach a family member about possible drug abuse, get the facts - verify that there is abuse. Drug addicts will lie about their drug usage and can be very convincing, leaving friends and family doubting their own certainty. Home testing kits are very easy to fool, so know the signs of abuse and be certain."

Here is a quick, but accurate rundown of signs and symptoms of major drugs of abuse:

Sign of opiate abuse (includes, heroin and oxycotin) can be constricted pupils, scratching, needle marks and lethargy. It might also include someone acting hyper, as some people are affected this way by opiates.

Signs of cocaine or speed abuse usually include glassy eyes and very large pupils, which the person may try to hide behind sunglasses. Other signs are erratic behavior, irritability, nervousness, or aggression, lack of sleep and thirst.

Benzodiazepine abuse is characterized by sedation, drowsiness/depression, unusual excitement, fever, irritability, poor judgment, slurred speech and dizziness. Xanax abuse amongst high school kids is at an all time high, so this is an important one to be alert to. Withdrawal from the drug can be life threatening and requires medical attention.

A person on marijuana will usually have red eyes and can appear to be in a daze or may go into fits of laughter for no reason. Marijuana has a strong pungent odor which is difficult to mask. Rolling papers or blunts around the house are tell tale signs of marijuana abuse.

Sudden changes in behavior can be a clue that there is drug abuse, especially with adolescents. New friends, new flashy clothes and keeping late hours can be signs. Other indications include sudden decline in academic performance, lack of interest in known hobbies and the borrowing of money.

If someone you love has signs of abuse, then get some help. Call an interventionist if needed, but don't wait. Overdose is a real threat to any drug abuser. Get them the help they need.

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Alcohol and Violence

Alcohol and Violence

Taken from http://www.marininstitute.org/alcohol_policy/violence.htm

•  Alcohol availability is closely related to violent assaults. Communities and neighborhoods that have more bars and liquor stores per capita experience more assaults. ¹

•  Alcohol use is frequently associated with violence between intimate partners. Two-thirds of victims of intimate partner violence reported that alcohol was involved in the incident. ²

•  In one study of interpersonal violence, men had been drinking in an estimated 45 percent of cases and women had been drinking in 20 percent of cases. ³

•  Women whose partners abused alcohol were 3.6 times more likely than other women to be assaulted by their partners. ⁴

•  In 1997, 40 percent of convicted rape and sexual assault offenders said that they were drinking at the time of their crime. ⁵

•  In 2002, more than 70,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 were victims of alcohol-related sexual assault in the U.S. ⁶

•  In those violent incidents recorded by the police in which alcohol was a factor, about nine percent of the offenders and nearly 14 percent of the victims were under age 21. ⁷

•  Twenty-eight percent of suicides by children ages nine to 15 were attributable to alcohol. ⁸

•  An estimated 480,000 children are mistreated each year by a caretaker with alcohol problems. ⁹

If you notice that a relative seems to have developed a drinking or drug problem call Narconon for help. 877-413-3073

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How an Addict Becomes One

There are many theories on why people get addicted. One theory proposes that certain brain types are likely to get addicted. This does not leave much hope for the addict as it is difficult to get a new brain. 

After working in the field of drug treatment and rehabilitation I prefer the following way of theory on HOW AN ADDICT BECOMES ONE

1. The person tries to escape some physical or emotional pain by taking drugs.
2. Finding the drugs offer temporary relief the person continues to use them.
3. Cells in the body become accustomed to large amounts of drug metabolites (a broken down form of the drug).
4. When one tries to quit, cells in the body that have become accustomed to such large amounts of metabolites are now forced to deal with much decreased amounts.
5. The body perceives that it needs the drug to function and demands the drug through physical cravings.
6. With continued use of the drug, the body's inability to completely eliminate all traces of the drug metabolites diminishes. The metabolites that remain are stored in the fatty tissue and these, released, cause cravings.
7. With continued use of the drug, the body's inability to completely eliminate all traces of the drug metabolites diminishes. The metabolites that remain are stored in the fatty tissues and these, released, cause cravings.
8. Cravings become so sever that the addict will do anything (in most cases abandoning all previous moral teachings) to get more of the drug.
9. The addict commits misdeed against family, friends and self to satisfy these unrelenting cravings.
10. Because of these misdeeds, the addicts cannot face themselves and dive deeper into drugs.
11. They are now entrapped in full blown addiction, with two aspects of the condition. The biophysical condition and the biochemical personality.

The good thing about this theory is that there is hope for an addict. By addressing each point above, an addict can get clean, happy and productive.

Narconon is the only program I know of that addresses each point above. If you know someone who is having difficulty with drugs, get them some help and call us.

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Info on Xanax

A survey at a local high school revealed that Xanax abuse is on the rise with our students. One student interviewed reported, "Xanax is the most commonly abused drug in my school. Kids take it all the time. They get it out of their parents' medicine cabinets." He continued with, "It's a bigger problem in my high school than pot."

According to survey, kids take it for the relaxing high and because it is socially acceptable and easily accessible. The drug can be found in many family medicine cabinets or three tablets can be bought on the streets for five dollars. Some kids take eight at a time. They mix xanax with orange juice, alcohol or an energy drink to intensify the effects. Those who mix it with alcohol, are putting themselves at extreme risk. The mixture of xanax and alcohol can result in respiratory suppression and even death.

According to surveys, some kids feel they are addicted to xanax and were from the first moment they took it. This is not surprising as xanax is very addictive - a person can become dependent on xanax in just a few days. Others surveyed feel it would be difficult to stop because of the accessibility of the drug.

Mary Rieser Executive Director of Narconon stated: ‘We need to get on top of this extreme situation now. Kids need to be educated on the risks involved, not only in taking xanax, but in suddenly discontinuing it without the help of a physician. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include agitation, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting and convulsions. It is one of the most difficult drugs to withdraw from, once addicted.

Parents have to be willing to ask their kids if they are taking xanax and if they are, get them the help that they need to safely discontinue it. Most high school kids probably at least know about xanax. A recent CASA study revealed that 80 percent of our high school kids attend drug-infested schools. Assume that your kids at least know about xanax and talk to them about it. The family car can become a lethal weapon if driven by a teen mentally impaired from xanax. 

Xanax is a prescription drug, a benzodiazepine or tranquilizer, used to treat anxiety. It is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means that it has a high potential for abuse. There are at least 28 adverse reactions that can be caused by xanax, including headache, tremors, confusion, blurred vision, memory loss and convulsions - not the ingredients for those who want to make the list of "those most likely to succeed." 

Find out the truth about those you love and call us if the truth is hard to face.

Call Narconon 877-413-3073

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Narconon Needs Your Help

For the last two years Narconon of Georgia has been working with an orphanage in Honduras to help the orphans get off glue. These kids live on the streets and often have no hope in their lives and so chose to stay high from the glue and become hopeless addicted.

We are working with a local synagogue to help these children have some kind of future before they destroy their bodies to much to make anything of their lives.

The particular program that we are utilizing, the Narconon New Life Detoxification program, utilizes a sauna (to sweat out the glue) and vitamins (to repair the damage.) We are working with a Honduran Medical Doctor who is on site and monitoring the kids.

To date we have gotten about 60 kids through the Sauna Detox with rave reviews from the various missionaries that work there from different parts of the world.

The next group of kids is scheduled to start the Sauna Detox on June 9th. We need more donations to make this trip a success and would appreciate any help that anyone can give. These donations are tax deductible. Call 877-413-3073.

Together, we can change the lives of many.

Best,

Mary

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Take Control

Let’s Take Control

Amidst the clamor of drug abusers and dealers in our communities, there
needs to be a voice of reason. Our churches can bring a better vision
to teach our children, empower our residents and provide the light of
reasoning.

Narconon of Georgia has recently been working with local churches on
a simple plan to take back our communities, which includes cleaning
up the local convenience stores and providing drug education. Our first
step has been to gain a better understanding of the problem.

Listen to
our Radio Interview

Convenience stores that sell drug paraphernalia are magnets for drug
addicts and drug dealers. The store where citizens pick up their cat
food or grab a cup of coffee in a hurry, may have crack pipes, papers,
bongs and other paraphernalia for sale. The average customer won’t
see these items. They are for special customers and remain behind the
counter until they are requested. If there are individuals lurking outside
the convenience store for periods of time, chances these may be drug
dealers, making this convenience store a “one stop shop”
for drug abusers.

Religious educator can warn their parishioners on the possibility of
drug trafficking at the local store. They should know to ask what paraphernalia
is for sale next time they are in. And if it is for sale they should
tell other concerned citizens and get them involved. Collectively, theses
citizens can complain in person and write letters. This is the stronger
customer base and the stores will listen.

It should be possible to set up a meeting with your local law enforcement
agency to work out a plan where local citizens can work with the police
to get drug dealers off the street. Pass on what you learn to others
so they can help too. We have worked with our local police and have
discreetly reported license plate and phone numbers of suspected drug
dealers. There is a noticeable decrease in the obvious number of dealers.

A new report, “Preventing Education in America’s Schools:
Findings and Recommendations from a Survey of Educators” noted
that although 37 states require drug education, most “Teachers
don’t have the time, training or other resources needed to do
the job effectively, regardless of what the state mandated standards
say.” This leaves drug education up to the families and churches.
Narconon can help religious leaders train local citizens on how to deliver
interactive and effective drug education If you want to train some of
your parishioners on how to deliver interactive and effective drug education,
then give us a call and learn about our free drug prevention training
seminars. Studies conclusively show that drug education works in keeping
kids from ever getting addicted in the first place.

Churches can set up activities like neighborhood sports, visits to
museums and local events.

Spend some time with your kids and have some fun. There are things
more fun than getting high at “pharm parties.”

Try these activities and see how community improves. It might take
a little cooperation to clean things up, but what is a happy and safe
community worth?

For information on seminar times for our Clean up our Community Project,
call 877-413-3073