Meth Mouth and other pretty pictures (not for the easily grossed out)

By now you’ve probably heard about all of the toxins used to make methamphetamine and what kind of damage the drug causes to a person’s health — but have you seen what the drug does to a person’s appearance?

These photos are courtesy of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and are pretty typical pictures of what happens when people become addicted to meth.

One common occurrence has been dubbed “meth mouth”.




Meth, like other drugs, burns up the vital nutrients in the body that are needed for it to function properly and be healthy. Factor in some extremely poor personal hygiene, reduced protective saliva and a large amount of sodas and cigarettes, and this is what you get. Teeth will not just rot away, but they also break off from excessive teeth grinding and jaw clenching – it is a ghastly sight.

Oddly enough, some women start using meth as a weight loss drug because it is an appetite suppressant.

However, when someone is on meth they often feel like bugs are crawling all over their bodies under their skin and start picking at themselves. These hallucinations are sometimes called crank bugs, and the continued itching and scratching creates open sores that can become infected and also leave hideous scars.

This is hardly the picture of beauty. Maybe if more people can SEE what they are doing to themselves they wont be so apt to go down this road.

Article by Eric

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Workplace Drug Testing

More and more companies are starting to set up drug-free workplace programs. Encouraged by the U.S. Department of Labor, businesses that have such a program in place can get incentives such as discounts on their workers’ compensation insurance. In a few states, like Georgia, law mandates the reward percentage. In others, it is up to the individual insurance companies and policies.

When businesses are deciding to implement a drug testing policy at work, a few questions must be answered, such as who will be tested, when and how it will be done. There is also an important component that must be looked at when someone tests positive for drugs or alcohol on the job. Does the employee get a chance to enter into a rehabilitation program, or are they fired immediately? Many companies hire Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s) to help deal with issues like this, and they should have a policy on how to handle these situation.

Having a drug-free workplace program that includes employee drug testing in many company environments is almost essential now, especially when more than three quarters of illicit drug users are employed, meaning somewhere between 6 and 9 percent of employees use illicit drugs. In addition to that, another 6 percent of full-time workers are heavy drinkers.

Alcohol and drug use in the workplace costs hundreds of millions of man-hours in lost workdays and even more in terms decreased productivity and accidents on the job.

Does your company have a drug-free workplace policy, or do they at least require drug testing before employment? We’d like to hear if you think it is fair to require a negative drug test prior to being hired or if you have any examples of how drug and alcohol use has impacted your work environment.

Article by Eric

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"Do not operate heavy machinery", like a car?

Driving under the influence of alcohol or another drug is actually more of an issue than most people recognize. Sure, there are groups against drunk driving, such as MADD, which help bring to light some of the issues.

While alcohol is the main culprit, being easily available and readily served, it is not the only substance we should be concerned about. Alcohol is still the most dangerous in terms of numbers of crashes, loss of life and damage caused to society. In 2005, there were more than 31 million people over the age of 12 who reported driving under the influence of alcohol.

During the same year over 10 million people aged 12 or older also reported driving under the influence of an illicit drug. Whether someone is nodding out from opiates such as heroin, oblivious to others on marijuana or driving aggressively because of stimulants like meth or cocaine, they’re still a menace on the streets.

There have been additional threats in recent years though, and that is people driving under the influence of drugs legally prescribed to them. Even at the recommended dose some of these drugs can be very dangerous when combined with driving.

Last year the New York Times and MSNBC reported that there was a major increase in the number of DUI arrests involving the prescription sleep aid Ambien across the country. The category is not just limited to sleeping pills. Other types of medications can be equally as hazardous. An article from a teacher was posted on About.com where she talked about getting arrested for driving under the influence of her prescription because she was weaving in her lane and failed a field sobriety test.

Despite most people knowing that it’s there and ignoring it, the label on these drugs says, “Do not operate heavy machinery” and is there for a reason. So, it might be good to do yourselves and others a favor and not let people on these medications drive, regardless of how long they’ve already been doing it. It might just keep them from going to jail or injuring themselves or someone else.

Article by Eric

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Can you get high off your dairy products?

Do you think your beef and dairy products have chemicals in them? Well recent news has surfaced about the banning of cows being fed cannabis in Switzerland and neighboring Liechtenstein.

Some farmers claim the plant makes it cheap to feed the cows and that the THC (a crystalline compound that is the main active ingredient of cannabis) in it relaxes the cows and makes them produce more milk. However, the Agricultural Ministry for Switzerland banned such practices back in March of 2005 after traces of THC were found in dairy products that came from cows that were fed hemp.

The ministry has now warned farmers that if the practice is continued, they will be prosecuted.

It is unconfirmed whether or not any beef products have been found to have traces of THC, but if cows that are fed other chemicals are found contaminating the meat, then why wouldn’t the cannabis contaminate it too?

Article by Eric

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