Now This Is Just Absurd

As if you needed another reason not to use Cocaine, it, "used to get you high, now it rots your skin [warning, slightly disturbing images]." That's right, in a disturbing trend in New York City and Los Angeles, Cocaine is being "cut" with a drug that veterinarians use to de-worm animals known as levamisole. In human beings this drug has the side-effect of causing such severe damage to blood vessels under the skin that dead patches form and literally rot off.

 While the damage done by this Cocaine mixed with levamisole may be most evident in big cities, don't think Cocaine anywhere else is better off. According to the article, "In 2010 the Drug Enforcement Agency said 70% of the Coke coming into the US was cut with levamisole." If Cocaine were a commercial product the ad would go something like this, "Cocaine, now with added skin rot."

Amy Winehouse--A Living Warning Of The Danger Of Drug Use



Amy Winehouse in her happier days of 2003.

Amy Winehouse was (allegedly, no way to be sure) horribly intoxicated and drugged when she attempted to perform in Serbia on the first stop of her newest music tour. She spent almost an hour and a half struggling to remember her own lyrics, slurring her speech, and otherwise serving as a walking, talking example of the dangers of drug use. She's had to cancel some of her performances and may have to cancel all of them and has gone from a promising young musical talent to the punchline of jokes. As the lyrics say, "They tried to make me go to rehab, I said, 'No, no, no.'" Well, Ms. Winehouse actually did say yes to rehab--numerous times--but she keeps appearing to be having substance abuse issues. If anyone serves as a good example of why it is wise to not even start using drugs, she is it.

Why All The Bitcoin Controversy?

There is a new form of Internet currency that is not a part of any nation or bank. It is called a Bitcoin. Invented in 2009, you can buy this currency with money from another nation and use it to purchase goods and services on the Internet or (donate Bitcoins to other individuals). Sounds great, right?

The Bitcoin Logo

Some people say it is the future of currency, a form of money that has no one country to call its home. However, others like Senator Charles Schumer have expressed concern over the fact that Bitcoins have potentially been used to purchase illegal drugs on various internet websites. After all, when you have a de-centralized, untraceable currency, you can use it for good or less savory actions such as buying drugs, and other illegal substances without a trace. Some argue this is the government trying to get rid of Internet privacy and shut down a clever idea. Another group say it is just about protecting people from substance abuse. In the end the question may be if the positives of the Bitcoin outweigh the negatives, or if this was an interesting idea that just wasn't meant to be.

Mental Disorders and Alcohol Dependence

A new report published by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health has found that among adults with mental illness, the risk of alcohol abuse is four times more likely that adults without mental illness. This data is alarming and shows that when helping someone with a substance abuse problem it may be worthwhile to also rule out any other possible issues they could need help with.

Legal Or Not, It Still Isn't Good For Anyone

The Global Commission Report On Drug Legalization has suggested that by legalizing drugs we can reduce economic strains such as paying for drug-law enforcement and prisons for violators. The Office of National Drug Control has released its own counter statement about how legalization is a, "non-starter," and that it is aware just arresting people for drug abuse is not an answer. The thing is, whether you make all drugs legal or not, there still is one irrefutable fact--they cause damage to the user and he people around them.
Even if powder-cocaine is legal it will still severely damage your nose, and meth will still rot your teeth. Regardless of whatever action the Global Commission Report on Drug Legislation recommends and what action the Office of Nation Drug Control takes, the truth still is that these drugs lack medical value, especially because people have a high propensity to abuse them. It isn't about the politics of drugs, and what is legally allowed or not, it is about what is going to permanently damage your body beyond repair if you develop a nasty habit of drug abuse.

Nicotine Affecting The Brain As Harshly As Cocaine? Believe It!

The main chemical which addicts you to cigarettes and other tobacco products is Nicotine, and it is known that cigarettes are extremely bad for your health. Cocaine does not contain Nicotine, but also has chemicals which stimulate chemical production in the brain of Dopamine--a chemical that makes you feel good. A recent scientific study found that the first exposure to Nicotine affects the brain the same way as exposure to Cocaine, meaning that despite having different chemicals they impact similar parts of the brain that may help scientists explain addiction behavior. It also shows that something legal like Nicotine can be just as much of a hazard to your brain as Cocaine. In other words, in some aspects they impact the brain in the same way.

Not Your Mother's Bath Salts

 The media has been covering with increasing frequency a relatively new drug known colloquially as, "bath salts." Despite the name, people who purchase these pouches of powder have no intention of putting them in the tub, but instead use them for the purpose of getting high.

The problem is that unlike other drugs which may just cause a high and damage your health, bath salts can also make people extremely paranoid, violent, and even suicidal. The risks of bath salts have caused the Drug Enforcement Agency to consider it a drug of concern and other states to outright ban it.

The Federal Government may ban bath salts soon also, but until then the best option is to stay far, far, away from this drug that could never even be argued to have any medical benefit or positive uses. Literally, nothing good can come from bath salts.

One positive thing to note is that while the news media has been reporting about the use of bath salts their use is actually not that common compared to a substance such as alcohol.

Therefore, even though bath salts are very dangerous, it is still a relatively small sub-culture despite what the news would make you think. Drugged driving, drinking and driving, and texting while driving are also dangerous and much more prevalent in society, so just as much attention should be paid to those issues as bath salts.