Dane County Deaths and Overdoses due to Heroin Much Higher in 2010

Dane County and the city of Madison are struggling with a heroin problem.  Twice as many people died in the past year from heroin as the year before, and over five times as many people who died from heroin use just 5 years ago.  Overdoses have jumped up to 86 in 2010 from 20 in 2005.  This is alarming, but so are the increasing numbers of cases of drugged driving.  These cases are reported anecdotally by police, but are counted altogether with other impaired driving offenses.  

If you or someone you know is addicted to heroin or opioids including pharmaceuticals, please know that help and support for getting better is available.  Dane County has a webpage with lots of resources here:  http://www.danecountyhumanservices.org/atoda.shtm

"Heroin overdoses, deaths, and drugged driving all on rise in Dane County." Wisconsin State Journal Article (Dec. 29, 2010) Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_0752d3dc-12d9-11e0-8113-001cc4c03286.html

Dr. Gábor Maté Interviewed on Democracy Now [Video]

Dr. Gábor Maté, a controversial and bestselling MD and author from Canada, interviewed by Amy Goodman on Democracy Now about some of his views on addiction, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, and autism. I find his comments on the influence of environment as being more important than genetics as very compelling.  (Source:  http://www.democracynow.org/2010/12/24/dr_gabor_mat_on_the_stress)

9-11 First Responders Opposition from Republicans is Dropped in the Senate

Jon Stewart will be happy, as Senate Republicans have stopped opposing health care coverage for 9-11 first responders.  The bill needs to clear the House of Representatives still, but who would oppose this?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-21/senator-coburn-blocking-sept-11-health-care-bill-seeks-changes-to-costs.html

Nuclear Arms Treaty Ratified!

Any step moving the world towards the goal of nuclear disarmament is a good step in my book.  Despite a lot of bluster from Republicans (and many voting against ratification), 11 of them joined all the Senate Dems to vote in favor of ratification, thus passing the treaty which was signed between Presidents Obama and Medvedev of Russia last April.  A supermajority of 67 votes out of 100 is needed to ratify a treaty in the U.S. Senate.

Source:  http://www.voanews.com/english/news/US-Senate-Nears-Vote-on-START-112327969.html

Conflicting Messages about Marijuana Leading to Rise in Use Among Youth?

A recent study shows up to a 10% rise in the amount of use of marijuana in the past year among youths between grades 8 and 12. (source: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20101214/marijuana-use-spikes-among-us-teens) While acute toxicity from marijuana use is known to be low, and overdose is not likely, several other problems related to marijuana use among young people have a good scientific basis including affecting learning, memory, and involvement in risky behavior.  Chronic use of marijuana can also lead to psychological dependence and increased tolerance, which in turn, lead to increased use and abuse.

While marijuana use is gaining more acceptability among the public, and medical marijuana is legal in sixteen states, is it worthy to suggest that young people may be getting mixed messages from government and advocates of medical marijuana?

It is my opinion that youth need as much reliable information about marijuana use as possible.  They need to know that it is not as dangerous as the U.S. government previously said it was, but that it is still something that should be avoided, especially among youth, whose brains and decision-making skills are still developing.  Myths that persist about marijuana use should be confronted, such as thinking that smoking marijuana and driving is safe or that marijuana is not addictive.

Also, I think that some consensus needs to be reached about the method of administration of marijuana.  Clearly, many people are benefiting from its use in treating a wide variety of illnesses and symptoms.  But why is smoking marijuana still the most popular form of medical use?  I realize that it is the quickest way to feel the effects, but one can gain the same effects from eating it too and thus limit the harm from the smoke, right?

Finally, I think that government officials need to do a much better job communicating to youth about why the FDA has not yet approved marijuana for medical uses, and to help providers and researchers find ways to standardize and control the quality and potency of marijuana, and ultimately allow manufacturers to provide it safely to members of the public who need it.  If they can't, they risk continuing to create confusion around a drug that has tremendous benefit, some harms and potential for abuse and dependence, and widespread and increasing use among youth as well as adults.

December 8, 2010, is the 60th Anniversary of the Day of Observation of the Passing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

In honor of today's anniversary of the first observation of the passing of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I will reprint the entire content of the declaration.

Preamble:

• Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
• Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
• Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
• Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
• Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
• Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
• Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
• Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1 

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason andconscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2 

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3 

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4 

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5 

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6 

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7 

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8 

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating thefundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9 

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10 

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11

1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12 

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13 

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including their own, and to return to their country.

Article 14 

1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
2. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15 

1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16 

1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17 

1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18 

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19 

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20 

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21 

1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in their country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22 

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organisation and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23 

1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24 

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25 

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in orout of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26 

1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27 

1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28 

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realised.

Article 29 

1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30 

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

You can read more about the declaration here:  http://www.un.org/events/humanrights/udhr60/declaration.shtml The UN on the 60th anniversary
http://www.unac.org/rights/question.html Frequently asked questions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Declaration_of_Human_Rights The source of the above text of the declaration

New Report: Smoking, Even in Small Amounts, is Extremely Dangerous

Any amount of smoking, even second hand smoke, can damage lungs and DNA, and can lead to cancer, a new government report states.

Source:  http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0923441520101209

If you or someone you know would like to quit smoking, please visit http://www.smokingstopshere.com/ or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, to find out what tools, tips, and strategies are available.

Driving while drinking or high

Some pretty striking survey results and statistics were released today from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration about substance abuse and driving.  Here are some highlights:

• Wisconsin leads the list of states with the highest percentage of drivers age 16 and older who drove under the influence of alcohol during the past year at 23.7%, compared to the national average of 13.2%.
• Last year 10,839 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in the U.S..
• 1 in 3 car accident deaths were due to driving while high on an illegal drug.
• Wisconsin is the only state where driving with a .08 BAC (blood alcohol content) is not a crime.

Source:  http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/12/09/40-million-in-us-driving-drunk-or-drugged.html

Thinking about Awareness

This past year I've been struck by several types of awareness raising which I think the effectiveness meets one or more of the following outcomes:

1.  It has no actual long term effect because nothing is learned and no opinions or behaviors are changed.

2.  It produces a backlash, or the opposite effect of what is desired.

3.  It creates confusion or cognitive dissonance about an issue.

4.  It spreads an incorrect view (one not based in fact).

5.  It promotes the idea that someone is doing something about an issue when indeed they are not.

So here are some examples.  I'm willing to admit that there are effects of an awareness campaign that I'm not aware of, but that is the only disclaimer I feel that I can make.

1.  Facebook campaigns, such as the recent one asking users to change their profile pictures to cartoon characters from December 3-6, 2010, to fight "against child abuse and violence." This is a modern version of the internet petition, but of the worst kind.  It contains no information about the issue, confuses the issue by suggesting that the problem is 'human faces,' and does not name either its creator or any potential benefactor.  Isn't Child Abuse Awareness Month supposed to be in April?  Snopes.com has a good article about internet petitions like this campaign here:  http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp 

2.  The Tea Party movement.  As the 2010 elections showed, this movement has not been ineffectual.  But it has spread the incredibly false belief that government is the source of problems for Americans.  Largely funded by individuals and groups that seek to dismantle environmental and social protections that have improved the lives of poor and vulnerable, Tea Party candidates emphasize personal responsibility and self-determination.  The problem with this is that people who are disenfranchised, marginalized, and are in economic or political or social minorities are in no position to organize their communities without assistance.  The only guaranteed assistance offered by the Tea Party is tax relief, which mainly benefits those who own property and have access to capital, not those without.

3.  Vegan bashing.  A personal pet peeve of mine, some supporters of locovorism have begun to target their ire against vegetarians and vegans claiming that eating a meat and dairy based diet which is locally based is by definition more sustainable to the planet than a meat and/or dairy free diet which is not locally based.  Lacking details, and contradicting the United Nations as well as authors such as John Robbins of Diet for a Small America, those who are taking this approach are providing a major disservice to many vegans and vegetarians who are in fact supporting the most unselfishly sustainable dietary practice that is possible.

4.  Nationhood.  This extremely dangerous idea has been around for a couple hundred years, with extremely negative consequences.  Not to mention the loss of lives and destruction of the environment from wars, the concept of sovereign, individual nations which have supremacy over their own domestic affairs prevents collaboration and problem-solving on a global level.  Every parade, bumper sticker, presidential address, and t-shirt that boldly proclaims that one country is the best over all others simply emboldens the idea of sovereignty and independence, rather than interconnection and interdependence.

5.  Religion.  It serves as a protector and sole possessor (sovereign) of moral law.  Humanity cannot have their own values because supreme and higher beings (Gods and Deities) have already claimed them all.

6.  Advertising.  This is a really dangerous issue because it is so omnipresent.  You cannot get away from it, unless you live in a foreign country where you don't understand the language.  Or you live in the country and have immunized yourself against its powerful reach.  It is very effective - many of our actions are controlled by what admen hired by corporations want us to do.  Everything from driving to buying milk.  It's the aggressive and tempting voice of materialism, which is something that those of us in rich countries are so beholden to.

Before you think that I think these things are necessarily bad, I'd like to leave you with one last idea (some might call it a meme, even if it's not an obvious one), and that is...

7.  We often think or say things are good or bad, when actually values and opinions more likely lie along a continuum of viewpoints.  There are venn diagrams, tables, linear representations, and all kinds of ways to visually represent the ways we think, believe, act, and behave.

This essay is simply my attempt to say that I think raising awareness involves, and requires, ways to think about the effectiveness of the action or campaign.  Costs and benefits, including effectiveness and how the action might be counter-effective or confusing, should (must!!) be considered.

I know that taking positions against nationalism and religion and simplistic Facebook campaigns will not win me many friends.  I respect those who are involved in supporting these causes.  I just think that they're not what they purport to be.

Educated Women Having Fewer Children?

Just an interesting blog post from the Times on women, motherhood, and educational attainment that I thought I'd share.  http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/educated-women-having-fewer-children/

Today is World AIDS Day - Join me in spreading hope and awareness

December 1st is World AIDS Day
"AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007, and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_AIDS_Day

What can you do to stop AIDS?   Promote awareness  (share this post or create your own), wear a red ribbon (the symbol of AIDS awareness), contribute to organizations that provide relief and prevention services, etc.