Moderate
alcohol intake can benefit health
The holiday season is nearly upon us, and with it comes extra opportunities for holiday cheer in the form of alcoholic drinks. Wines, holiday craft beers and festive sparkling beverages, as well as a wide variety of spiked concoctions, await us as we make our way through the season's gatherings. Everyone knows the health risks of eating the buttery turkey and stuffing, potatoes, rolls and pies at Thanksgiving, followed by a steady, calorie-rich slide all the way through to the New Year, when we all revisit the annual fee payment for our gym memberships. But what about the alcohol? Should we try to restrict our alcohol consumption along with watching our calories, especially during the holidays?
Most definitely, says Dr. James T. Willerson, president and medical director of the Texas Heart Institute and a practicing cardiologist and research scientist. Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can have a negative impact on health.
"It can actually cause heart-related problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeats and cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)," he said. "Also, remember that the average drink has 100 to 200 calories that often add body fat, which can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease."
A body of research exists, however, that suggests moderate alcohol consumption actually can lower the risk of stroke, especially in older people. Moreover, a number of studies conducted over the past 30 years suggest that those who consume moderate alcohol amounts have a lowered rate of cardiovascular disease, including lower instances of myocardial infarction (heart attacks). The key seems to be in the HDL cholesterol. Coronary heart disease involves cholesterol plaque buildup in the arteries, inflammation and the formation of clots. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) can transport the cholesterol from the artery walls back to the liver so it can be recycled or eliminated out of the body. Some trial studies indicate that moderate alcohol intake increases HDL, which aids in lowering cholesterol buildup in the arteries, thus lowering the risk of coronary heart disease. Also, alcohol is a natural blood thinner, says Dr. Alan Rubin, a neurologist with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. "In this sense, alcohol functions in the same way that aspirin, heparin, Coumadin and other such drugs function," Rubin says. "Blood thinners like this help prevent heart attack and stroke." The key word is "moderate." Rubin points out that research indicates that one to two drinks for women and two to three drinks in men can be preventive for strokes and heart attacks. Any more than that becomes likely detrimental to health, including possible damage to the liver and other organs.
"Plus, it seems that the diets of people who drink a lot are not so good," Dr. Rubin says. "They tend to consume more salt, more cholesterol, less vitamins. These predispose a person to have a stroke. So, this becomes a lifestyle issue."
The holiday season is nearly upon us, and with it comes extra opportunities for holiday cheer in the form of alcoholic drinks. Wines, holiday craft beers and festive sparkling beverages, as well as a wide variety of spiked concoctions, await us as we make our way through the season's gatherings. Everyone knows the health risks of eating the buttery turkey and stuffing, potatoes, rolls and pies at Thanksgiving, followed by a steady, calorie-rich slide all the way through to the New Year, when we all revisit the annual fee payment for our gym memberships. But what about the alcohol? Should we try to restrict our alcohol consumption along with watching our calories, especially during the holidays?
Most definitely, says Dr. James T. Willerson, president and medical director of the Texas Heart Institute and a practicing cardiologist and research scientist. Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can have a negative impact on health.
"It can actually cause heart-related problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeats and cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)," he said. "Also, remember that the average drink has 100 to 200 calories that often add body fat, which can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease."
A body of research exists, however, that suggests moderate alcohol consumption actually can lower the risk of stroke, especially in older people. Moreover, a number of studies conducted over the past 30 years suggest that those who consume moderate alcohol amounts have a lowered rate of cardiovascular disease, including lower instances of myocardial infarction (heart attacks). The key seems to be in the HDL cholesterol. Coronary heart disease involves cholesterol plaque buildup in the arteries, inflammation and the formation of clots. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) can transport the cholesterol from the artery walls back to the liver so it can be recycled or eliminated out of the body. Some trial studies indicate that moderate alcohol intake increases HDL, which aids in lowering cholesterol buildup in the arteries, thus lowering the risk of coronary heart disease. Also, alcohol is a natural blood thinner, says Dr. Alan Rubin, a neurologist with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center. "In this sense, alcohol functions in the same way that aspirin, heparin, Coumadin and other such drugs function," Rubin says. "Blood thinners like this help prevent heart attack and stroke." The key word is "moderate." Rubin points out that research indicates that one to two drinks for women and two to three drinks in men can be preventive for strokes and heart attacks. Any more than that becomes likely detrimental to health, including possible damage to the liver and other organs.
"Plus, it seems that the diets of people who drink a lot are not so good," Dr. Rubin says. "They tend to consume more salt, more cholesterol, less vitamins. These predispose a person to have a stroke. So, this becomes a lifestyle issue."
Viewpoint: Are Doctors to
Blame for Prescription-Drug Abuse?
Prescription painkillers are creating a massive public-health crisis. Since 1990, deaths from unintentional drug overdoses in the U.S. have increased by over 500%. Most of this rise can be attributed to prescription painkillers, which now kill more people more than heroin or cocaine combined. Where are all these pills coming from? Not Mexico. Not all from those “Florida pill mills.” Much of those pills are coming from prescriptions generated by doctors like us who are seeking to help our patients with real pain. It’s true: conscientious and well-trained doctors are partially to blame for the rapidly rising death rate among thousands of Americans every year from prescription pills. Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2012/11/26/viewpoint-prescription-drug-abuse-is-fueled-by-doctors/#ixzz2DMKkoNBR.
Prescription painkillers are creating a massive public-health crisis. Since 1990, deaths from unintentional drug overdoses in the U.S. have increased by over 500%. Most of this rise can be attributed to prescription painkillers, which now kill more people more than heroin or cocaine combined. Where are all these pills coming from? Not Mexico. Not all from those “Florida pill mills.” Much of those pills are coming from prescriptions generated by doctors like us who are seeking to help our patients with real pain. It’s true: conscientious and well-trained doctors are partially to blame for the rapidly rising death rate among thousands of Americans every year from prescription pills. Read more: http://ideas.time.com/2012/11/26/viewpoint-prescription-drug-abuse-is-fueled-by-doctors/#ixzz2DMKkoNBR.
A Vaccine to
Curb Addicts' Highs
I met
Shirelle as she entered treatment for cocaine addiction at the height of the
crack epidemic in the 1980s. An ancient-looking African-American woman who was
in fact in her late 30s, she met my gaze with a look that I had seen all over
the blighted neighborhoods of Detroit: a disturbing combination of twitchy
facial movements and inert, vacant eyes. Feeling ashamed and suicidal about how
her addiction was destroying her family, she had entered treatment—out of
desperation, not with any confidence that it would help her. Shirelle had
already been through rehab, counseling and 12-step meetings, to no avail. She
spoke slowly because her lips were badly burned from her crack pipe, but her direct
question was easily understood: "Isn't there anything else?"
"Not really," I responded. As an expert in addiction treatment,
what depresses me is that a quarter-century later, I would still have to give
her the same answer. But another possibility is now on the horizon: a vaccine
for addiction to cocaine and other stimulant drugs. Read
more here.NJ Bans Health Care Facilities From Flushing Unused Prescription Drugs
A law signed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie bans health care facilities from improperly disposing of prescription medications, by discharging them into public sewer or septic systems. Before the law goes into effect, state officials must devise guidelines for the proper disposal of unused medications, and health care institutions must present compliance plans for approval. Penalties for facilities that violate the law will start at $1,000, CBS Philly reports. Each subsequent violation will bring a fine of $2,500. “The improper disposal of unused medications is a direct threat to human health and the environment,” bill sponsor State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman said in a news release. “It poses long-term health consequences and the potential for rampant abuse of drugs, especially among teenagers. This law establishes, and makes health care workers accountable to, the safest disposal of unused drugs.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research has shown that pharmaceuticals—including prescription drugs—are present in water and may cause environmental harm. “Although there is no current evidence that these pharmaceuticals in the environment are responsible for any negative health effects in humans, keeping our water clean is an important public health goal,” the CDC notes.
One-Half of
Buprenorphine-Related Emergency Department Visits for Nonmedical Use
Slightly more than one-half (52%) of the estimated 30,135
buprenorphine-related emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2010 were for
nonmedical use of the drug, according to data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network
(DAWN). Approximately one-fourth of these visits, in which buprenorphine was
involved as either a direct cause or a contributing factor, were related to
seeking detoxification and 13% were for adverse reactions. The estimated number
of emergency department visits related to the nonmedical use of buprenorphine
has more than tripled since 2006. SOURCE: Adapted by CESAR from data
from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA),
Drug Abuse Warning Network, 2010: Selected Tables of National Estimates of
Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits.
Study Finds High Rate of Underage Drinking
One-quarter of 12-to-20-year-olds say they drank alcohol in the past month, according to a new government report. Almost 9 percent said they purchased their own alcohol the last time they drank. Buying and consuming alcohol is prohibited for anyone under age 21 in the United States. The new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found 26.6 percent of persons ages 12 to 20 drank alcohol in the past month. Rates of underage drinking were highest in Vermont (37 percent). Utah had the lowest rate, at 14.3 percent, HealthDay reports. “Underage drinking should not be a normal part of growing up. It’s a serious and persistent public health problem that puts our young people and our communities in danger,” SAMHSA Administrator Pamela Hyde said in a news release. “Even though drinking is often glamorized, the truth is that underage drinking can lead to poor academic performance, sexual assault, injury and even death.” The report found New York had one of the highest rates of underage youth who illegally purchased alcohol (15 percent). That rate was 2.5 percent in New Mexico, and 2.6 percent in Oregon and Idaho.New Jersey Makes Synthetic Marijuana Ban Permanent
New Jersey has made its temporary ban on synthetic marijuana permanent, state Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced Monday. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs banned the drug in February, for 270 days pending public input, The Star-Ledger reports. Synthetic marijuana was sold under brand names including K2, Spice and Kush, at convenience stores, gas stations and shops that sell smoking paraphernalia. The state has already permanently banned bath salts, another popular synthetic drug. Short term effects of synthetic marijuana include loss of control, lack of pain response, increased agitation, pale skin, seizures, vomiting, profuse sweating, uncontrolled or spastic body movements, elevated blood pressure, heart rate and palpitations. The drug can also cause severe paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and increased agitation. “These synthetic poisons, once offered as a so-called ‘legal high’ by shady retailers, are now permanently off the market in New Jersey – and the numbers indicate our ongoing ban has led to a decline in their reported use,” Attorney General Chiesa said in a news release. “These drugs have grown in popularity nationwide, despite their alarming and catastrophic side effects. Today they are permanently on record as being just as illegal as cocaine or heroin.” In July, President Obama signed legislation that bans synthetic drugs. The law bans harmful chemicals in synthetic drugs such as those used to make synthetic marijuana and bath salts.
As energy drinks
grow in popularity, some are calling for more study
Caffeinated
energy drinks, heavily marketed to young people, have exploded in popularity in
recent years, with the market growing by triple digits and projected to reach
$20 billion in sales next year. But new questions are being raised about
their safety, and the lack of government oversight of these popular
beverages. Reports released last week by the US Food and Drug
Administration bring to 13 the number of deaths possibly connected to two
popular brands of the drink, Monster Energy and 5-Hour Energy, since 2009.
Federal officials had previously linked 7,000 emergency room visits to
caffeinated energy drinks between 2004 and 2009. The reports do not mean that
the drinks caused any deaths — just that people drank the beverages before
falling ill — and it’s unclear at this point what might cause the drinks to be
dangerous. But the reports have led critics, including two US senators, to call
for federal regulators to take a closer look at the drinks. Click
here to read the rest of the story.
20 percent of US
adults experienced mental illness in the past year, report says
One
in 5 American adults aged 18 or older, or 45.6 million people, had mental
illness in the past year, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 2011 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health (NSDUH): Mental Health Findings report presents results
pertaining to mental health from the 2011 NSDUH, the primary source of
statistical information on the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco by
the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States aged 12
years or older. Conducted by the federal government since 1971, the survey
collects data through face-to-face interviews with approximately 65,750 people
aged 12 years or older nationwide, at the respondent's place of residence.
The
rate of mental illness was more than twice as high among those aged 18 to 25
(29.8 percent) than among those aged 50 and older (14.3 percent), the report
said. Adult women also were more likely than men to have had mental
illness in the past year (23.0 percent versus 15.9 percent), it said.
Mental illness among adults aged 18 or older is defined as having had a
diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder (excluding developmental
and substance use disorders) in the past year, based on criteria specified in
the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.
The
2011 NSDUH also shows that 11.5 million adults (5 percent of the adult
population) had serious mental illness in the past year. Serious mental illness
is defined as mental illness that resulted in serious functional impairment,
which substantially interfered with or limited one or more major life
activities. The rates of mental illness remained stable between 2010 and
2011.
“Although
mental illness remains a serious public health issue, increasingly we know that
people who experience it can be successfully treated and can live full,
productive lives,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “Like other
medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the key to
recovery is identifying the problem and taking active measures to treat it as
soon as possible.”
The
report says that among adults with mental illness in the past year, about 4 in
10 adults (38.2 percent of adults with mental illness) received mental health
services during that period. Among those who had serious mental illness in the
past year the rate of treatment was notably higher (59.6 percent). The
report also notes that an estimated 8.5 million American adults (3.7 percent)
had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year – among them 2.4 million (1.0
percent) made suicide plans and 1.1 million (0.5 percent) attempted
suicide. Those in crisis or knowing someone they believe may be at immediate
risk of attempting suicide are urged to call the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or go to
http:/www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline
network, funded by SAMHSA, provides immediate free and confidential crisis
round-the-clock counseling to anyone in need throughout the country, everyday
of the year. According to the report, rates for substance dependence or
abuse were far higher for those who had mental illness than for the adult
population which did not have mental illness in the past year. Adults who had
mental illness in the past year were more than three times as likely to have
met the criteria for substance dependence or abuse in that period than those
who had not experienced mental illness in the past year (17.5 percent versus
5.8 percent). Those who had serious mental illness in the past year were
even more likely to have had substance dependence or abuse (22.6
percent). The report also has important findings regarding mental health
issues among those aged 12 to 17. According to the report 2.0 million
youth aged 12 to 17 (8.2 percent of this population) had experienced a major
depressive episode in the past year. A major depressive episode is defined
as a period of at least two weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or
loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had at least four of seven
additional symptoms reflecting the criteria as described in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In addition, the report finds that
young people aged 12 to 17 who experienced a major depressive episode in the
past year have more than twice the rate of past year illicit drug use (36.0
percent) as their counterparts who had not experienced a major depressive
episode during that period (17.4 percent). The complete survey findings
from this report are available on the SAMHSA Web site at http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11MH_FindingsandDetTables/index.aspx.
Obamacare
Provides Significant Reform On Substance Abuse Treatment
Drug
addiction and substance abuse have become increasingly significant issues in
North America. In certain situations, this is even considered to be
an epidemic. The American Psychological Association maintains that
for a person to have an addiction, they must have dependence coupled with
tolerance. This dependence can be either psychological or physical, but
the real danger lies with increased tolerance of a drug typically associated
with addiction, because it forces the person to consume larger amounts of the
drug to achieve the same effect. The Office of
National Drug Control Policy also holds that prescription drug
abuse is rapidly growing in the United States. Because prescription
drugs can be obtained legally, many people who take these drugs recreationally
believe they are safer than illegal drugs. However, this has caused a
drastic spike in the amount of young people that begin to use drugs. The Center
for Disease Control has categorized this type of abuse as an epidemic.
The Obama administration has included a specific prescription drug abuse
prevention plan to the National Drug Control Strategy to help educate, monitor,
and enforce policies to help deal with the growing popularity of prescription
drug abuse. Click here to read the rest of this article.
Alcohol
Intake Depletes Dermal Antioxidants
Alcohol consumption significantly reduces the level of protective antioxidants in the skin, leading to faster sun burning. Simultaneously consuming antioxidant-rich food and drinks may help to mitigate this effect, according to a study. Researchers at the Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, University of
Berlin, examined the effect of alcohol intake on carotenoid concentration in
the skin and whether parallel consumption of a carotenoid-rich drink would counteract the effects of alcohol.
The researchers conducted a three-part experiment with six Caucasian male volunteers with a mean age of 34.5 years. The investigators recorded carotenoid concentration and basal minimal erythema dose (MED) for each volunteer at baseline and then before and after alcohol consumption and before and after consumption of alcohol plus orange juice. Carotenoid concentration decreased after consumption of alcohol and alcohol plus orange juice; however, the decrease after alcohol alone was significantly greater. The concentration occurred about eight minutes after alcohol consumption alone and lasted about 70 minutes. The decrease following alcohol plus orange juice occurred about 45 minutes later and lasted about 90 minutes.
MED was significantly lower after alcohol consumption. It was lower after alcohol plust orange juice, but the difference was not significant. The researchers noted that the time span until redness occurred on the skin was significantly shorter (p<0 .05=".05" 101.7="101.7" 66.7="66.7" 96.7="96.7" after="after" alcohol="alcohol" average="average" br="br" combination="combination" consumption="consumption" drank="drank" in="in" juice="juice" men="men" minutes="minutes" no="no" on="on" or="or" orange="orange" than="than" the="the" when="when" with="with">
"A decrease in the antioxidant concentration in the skin after alcohol consumption can have far-reaching consequences concerning the self-protection mechanism of the skin," the authors wrote.
The findings were published Nov. 7 in the Journal of Pharmacological and Biophysical Research.
Alcohol consumption significantly reduces the level of protective antioxidants in the skin, leading to faster sun burning. Simultaneously consuming antioxidant-rich food and drinks may help to mitigate this effect, according to a study. Researchers at the Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, University of
Berlin, examined the effect of alcohol intake on carotenoid concentration in
the skin and whether parallel consumption of a carotenoid-rich drink would counteract the effects of alcohol. The researchers conducted a three-part experiment with six Caucasian male volunteers with a mean age of 34.5 years. The investigators recorded carotenoid concentration and basal minimal erythema dose (MED) for each volunteer at baseline and then before and after alcohol consumption and before and after consumption of alcohol plus orange juice. Carotenoid concentration decreased after consumption of alcohol and alcohol plus orange juice; however, the decrease after alcohol alone was significantly greater. The concentration occurred about eight minutes after alcohol consumption alone and lasted about 70 minutes. The decrease following alcohol plus orange juice occurred about 45 minutes later and lasted about 90 minutes.
MED was significantly lower after alcohol consumption. It was lower after alcohol plust orange juice, but the difference was not significant. The researchers noted that the time span until redness occurred on the skin was significantly shorter (p<0 .05=".05" 101.7="101.7" 66.7="66.7" 96.7="96.7" after="after" alcohol="alcohol" average="average" br="br" combination="combination" consumption="consumption" drank="drank" in="in" juice="juice" men="men" minutes="minutes" no="no" on="on" or="or" orange="orange" than="than" the="the" when="when" with="with">
"A decrease in the antioxidant concentration in the skin after alcohol consumption can have far-reaching consequences concerning the self-protection mechanism of the skin," the authors wrote.
The findings were published Nov. 7 in the Journal of Pharmacological and Biophysical Research.
Number of NFL Players Testing Positive for Amphetamines Has Increased
The number of NFL players who are testing positive for amphetamines such as Adderall has increased, according to the Associated Press. More than 10 players suspended for failing drug tests since the start of last season have blamed Adderall. NFL Senior Vice President Adolpho Birch told the AP the number of positive tests for amphetamines has increased. The league does not identify what substance a player tested positive for when he is penalized, the article notes. This means players can blame Adderall even if they tested positive for steroids or another stimulant. Birch said that because many college students use Adderall as a study aid, players are used to relying on the pills as a stimulant. “It’s not a secret that it’s a societal trend,” he noted. “I think we’re starting to see some of the effects of that trend.” Football players who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can apply for an exemption that allows them to use Adderall. Several players who tested positive for the drug said they had a prescription, but did not receive an exemption. Adderall “would absolutely give you a competitive advantage. Fatigue, focus, concentration, maybe aggression,” said Dr. Michael Joyner, a sports physiologist and anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “And if they were using it during training, the ability to train harder, longer, the ability to have fewer bad days.”
Why Can’t I Hold
My Alcohol Anymore?
If
sometime Thursday afternoon you suddenly find your legs feeling like jelly
(cranberry, of course) and your head feeling as if it is crammed with stuffing,
you may be inclined to chalk it up to that 3rd helping of turkey or the 10th
narrowly averted family argument. But it could also be that 2nd glass of wine.
“Two glasses of wine make me drowsy?” some of you may be scoffing. “I can down
half a bottle of Napa’s finest on a minor holiday and barely feel a thing. I
once drank a six-pack on Groundhog Day and was still awake enough to see my
shadow.” Not so fast, baby boomer. As people age, many believe that they feel
the effects of alcohol more easily, and science bears this out. Read
the rest of the story here.Colorado and Washington Communities Vary in Approach to Marijuana Laws
Across Colorado and Washington state, communities are taking varying approaches to newly approved laws that legalize small amounts of recreational use of marijuana for adults. Police departments in many communities in Colorado have stopped charging adults 21 and older for possessing small amounts of marijuana, which will be soon be legal under the new law. In more conservative areas of the state, prosecutors say they will continue with existing marijuana cases, and are still citing people for possession, according to The New York Times. Several towns are voting to ban new, state-licensed marijuana stores from opening. “This thing is evolving so quickly that I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said Daniel J. Oates, the police chief in Aurora, near Denver.In Washington state, which passed a similar law, regulators are also looking for guidance, the newspaper notes. Under the new law, they must set up a system of licenses for the production, manufacturing, distribution and sale of the drug by December 1, 2013.
“Colorado has a more regulated market, so they will be a good guide,” Brian E. Smith, a spokesman for the Washington State Liquor Control Board, told the newspaper.
Washington state officials will face many questions in 2013, when marijuana possession will be legal, but the system for regulating it will not be set up. For instance, the law mandates “adequate access” to licensed marijuana, but prohibits marijuana businesses within 1,000 feet of a school, childcare center, park or playground. Officials in both states are also waiting for direction from the federal government, which treats the sale and growing of marijuana as a federal crime.
Will the Feds
Crack Down on Pot or Look the Other Way?
A
week after voters in Washington State and Colorado approved Election Day ballot
measures legalizing recreational marijuana, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire
got on a plane to D.C. A Democrat, Gregoire wanted to know if the new law would
put her state at odds with President Obama, whose administration has raided
hundreds of marijuana dispensaries in California, where medical pot has been
legal under state law since 1996. Gregoire met with U.S. Deputy Attorney
General James Cole, who oversees enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act,
the 42-year-old federal law that designates cannabis as a Schedule I
controlled substance, the same category as heroin and LSD. If her state’s
liquor control board began issuing permits to aspiring pot entrepreneurs,
Gregoire wanted to know, would federal agents soon head her way? Cole didn’t
have the answers she wanted. “They are ‘looking at the issue.’ That was about
the only reaction we got,” says Gregoire’s spokesman, Cory Curtis. Cole, who
declined to be interviewed, wasn’t merely stonewalling. He likely couldn’t
answer the question because the Department of Justice has yet to spell out a
consistent policy for dealing with the growing number of states legalizing pot to
some degree, in violation of federal law.
Graduate of veterans drug
court finds new hope
In 2010, after decades in and out of the legal system because of
alcohol and substance abuse problems, Leon Castillas was back in jail and
facing a return to prison. In that regard, he wasn't any different from
the hundreds of others caught up in the criminal justice system because of
their drug or alcohol abuse. However, Castillas had a few things going for
him: a burning desire not to go back to prison; the advice of a no-nonsense
staff member at his substance abuse treatment center; and his years of service
in the Army. Castillas said he was in the Army when he began to drink more
heavily and also when he lost the foster brother, who had been his best friend
and mentor — a loss that dug deeper a hole he sought to fill
with intoxicants. Thirty years later, however, his time in the Army
qualified him to be one of the first participants in Vanderburgh County's
Veterans Treatment Court. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Graduate-of-veterans-drug-court-finds-new-hope-4076965.php#ixzz2Dj8G08uJ
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