cannabisnews.com: Ex-'Drug Czar' Aim At Substance Abuse
Ex-'Drug Czar' Aim At Substance Abuse
Posted by FoM on January 03, 2002 at 08:01:33 PT
By W. Reed Moran, Spotlight Health
Source: USA Today
Retired general Barry McCaffrey was a commanding presence as head of the U.S. Army's Southern Command in Panama. But it was in his civilian role as former White House Drug Czar that McCaffrey made his greatest impact, in the war against substance abuse at home."After five years working for President Clinton to combat this problem, certain challenges became clear," says McCaffrey. "Two of the most daunting are providing effective drug prevention education to youth and the lack of treatment options available to most Americans who need help with their addictions."
With the New Year come new opportunities to find help for the estimated 16 million people in the USA who currently need drug and alcohol treatment. Yet only 3 million people receive the services they desperately need. Of the millions who contact traditional treatment centers, only 20% ever begin a treatment program.McCaffrey emphasizes that the problem of addiction won't go away through wishful thinking. And in a difficult economy, many at-risk people will struggle even more with their addictive behavior or with trying to stay clean and sober.This past fall, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson released the findings of the 2000 National Survey on Drug Abuse. Interviews with over 71,000 Americans indicated that overall, current use of illicit drugs is unchanged. In particular:An estimated 14 million Americans are illicit drug users. Three percent of youth aged 12-13 used drugs, but the rate rises to 19.6% of those aged 18-20. Almost half of the population drinks alcohol, increasing from 2.4% at age 12 to a peak of 65.2% of 21-year-olds. Heavy drinking was reported by 5.6% of respondents, translating to 12.6 million people. The good news, according to officials at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, is that illicit drug use among those aged 12-13 decreased over the past year from 3.9 to 3.0%. This age group is a key target audience of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, because delayed initiation into drug use has shown to have long-term positive effects."Of youths 14 and under who start using marijuana, almost 11% will develop a drug or alcohol dependency as an adult," says McCaffrey. "Of those starting to use marijuana after the age of 18, only 2% end up with this problem." Reinforcements "The Household Survey reinforces what other bodies of research have shown us for years: parents are the most effective tools for preventing drug abuse," says Edward Jurith, acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.This year's survey found that youth who believed their parents "strongly disapproved" of marijuana only used illicit drugs at a rate of 7.1%. Those who believed their parents "did not strongly disapprove" had a 31.2% rate of drug use. Data also demonstrated that 33% of the children of current drug users use drugs themselves."As parents, we have to make our message clear and serve as examples ourselves," says McCaffrey. "But kids don't respond to threats or exaggeration."McCaffrey says that instead, parents should get the facts about the real-life consequences of substance abuse from a reputable medical authority and help adolescents feel they've reached their own decision to not abuse drugs or alcohol."You tell your kids, 'We don't approve of this behavior, and here's why,'" says McCaffrey. "But you have to give this information in a positive way: 'Okay now you know the facts, and we have confidence you'll make the right decision.'"Experts stress that if an adolescent doesn't believe he or she has made their own decision to remain drug-free, the battle can be ultimately futile. "Teens are developmentally at a point where they're in the process of incorporating their own beliefs," says McCaffrey. "Even when the message is conveyed optimally, there will be a certain percentage of kids who will make the wrong decisions." Cyber-mission For youths and adults in the grip of chemical dependency, finding help isn't always easy. Barry Karlin, CEO of eGetgoing, an Internet delivery treatment program, says that historical barriers to those seeking assistance frustrate many individuals who are truly motivated to finding a way out of their addictions."Problems with affordability, convenience, social stigma, and lack of capacity in many facilities result in many people being denied the crucial treatment that can change their lives," says Karlin.McCaffrey, who is a paid consultant for eGetgoing, says that online treatment has found its therapeutic niche in the spectrum of effective treatment options. "While online treatment for substance abuse is no substitute for those who need residential care, it can introduce people to the principles of recovery and provide an essential lifeline to those in continuing care," says McCaffrey.The goal of online treatment is to allow early intervention for those at risk for developing a problem, and to identify those individuals who absolutely need residential care, says McCaffrey. "A crucial service this system also offers is providing a means of continuing care for those who've already received initial treatment."Indeed, experience has shown that continued participation in 12-step programs and related support groups is essential to maintaining a clean and sober lifestyle."Those with serious addiction problems need a minimum of 60-90 days of residential care, a full year of very close supervision and support through Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, and five years of regular participation in a related continuing care environment," says McCaffrey."The biggest problem is getting patients in the door," says McCaffrey. "Then the challenge becomes providing a way for people to easily connect with one another during their path to recovery."While lifetime success in sobriety is measured one patient and one day at a time, McCaffrey is optimistic about the future of alcohol and drug treatment. "I've seen that in the middle of despair, there's always hope. And every day I believe we're learning better ways to deal with the pervasive nemesis of addiction."With medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.Source: USA Today (US)Author: W. Reed Moran, Spotlight HealthPublished: January 2, 2002 Copyright: 2002 USA Today, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.Contact: editor usatoday.comWebsite: http://www.usatoday.com/Related Article & Web Site:eGetgoinghttp://www.egetgoing.com/What Has Barry McCaffrey Been Smoking? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9702.shtml
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on January 04, 2002 at 12:14:00 PT
You're Welcome BGreen
I wish we could talk about how good Cannabis is without being afraid too. Why do we need to be kept in a state of fear for our government to be happy? It's like if they keep us in fear we don't think and rock the boat. That's very generalized but I do believe it.
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Comment #15 posted by BGreen on January 04, 2002 at 10:40:15 PT:
Thanks, FoM
I wish none of us had to be here!
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on January 04, 2002 at 10:07:36 PT
Lurking is fine with me too
Just want to add my 2 cents. I know people don't always know how to put their true feelings in a comment. Also there are people that don't know how to type very well yet. I know my husband hasn't mastered it. He reads the news and agrees with the comments but hasn't tackled learning how to type so far. When I took one year of typing in high school I thought back then what good was this going to do me because I sure wanted no parts of being a secretary. LOL!
The good cross section of comments that are made on C News are helping people sort out how they feel about the war on drugs but more then that the war on our fine herb. A plant that all it is guilty of is making someone smile.
Welcome BGreen!
I forget to say hello and welcome someone new sometimes.
dddd is really good at doing that and thank you dddd.
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Comment #13 posted by dddd on January 04, 2002 at 08:50:40 PT
that's not necessarily a long lurk BGreen..
...I tend to believe that there are many lurkers out there,,who are either too bashful,busy,or frightened to post their comments...........some people who have posted here had lurked for years,,,,,and ,,,after all,, lurking is nothing to be ashamed of...........all those who wander,,are not lost,,,,,all those who lurk are not ________?.......lurking can be quite a healthy activity,if it is done in a healthy way?... dddd
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Comment #12 posted by BGreen on January 04, 2002 at 08:29:03 PT:
"Well, dddd," said the lurker sheepishly,
My bookmark to this site says it was created 08/02/2001. I used to read Dick Cowans' website, marijuananews.com, then he went offline, and now I see he's back. I've just never joined in on the discussions anywhere.I was a freelance photojournalist until 1994 as well as a musician, so I finally felt the only way I can fight back is with my words. Besides, my wife and cat (both female) are getting sick of hearing me bitch all the time.Thanks for the kind words.
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Comment #11 posted by dddd on January 04, 2002 at 07:28:31 PT
...ahh..The McCaffster.....our old friend.....
...there's nothing like the ol' czar to get the juices flowin' and the comments flyin'........
CongressmanSuet...I'm not sure I remember the particular audio endeavor you mentioned.......I did promise to eat a piece of catshit one or two times as a challenge concerning trivial assertions..I dont make the CatShit challenge lightly either,because I would actually keep my word if I lost........catshit....I imagine it would taste most unpleasant,,,and not a pleasing experience to eat....
......not much else I can say after that...........except ....a question..for BGreen;..I like your vigorous and excellent comments,,I am curious,,,how long did you read comments on here at Cnews before you joined us in commenting?...............dddd
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Comment #10 posted by SWAMPIE on January 04, 2002 at 01:35:33 PT
BARRY BARRY BARRY BARRY!!!!!!!!
Where do these people get off?I have been a pot smoker off and on for 30 years,and am in no way an addict,nor a criminal,except in the anti-drug peoples'eyes.I don't smoke every day,and I could if I wanted to.Why,because we choose to smoke should we be considered ADDICTS?Why do we need TREATMENT if it is causing us no harm,other than a predisposition to easier respiratory problems?When my back is hurting,it helps to relax the arthritic pain/muscle spasms that accompany it.Just who am I hurting by using cannabis?When my wife has bad menstrual cramps and uses cannabis to quell the nausea associated with it,does this make her an addict?We all should go sign up for TREATMENT,as we are all ADDICTS!"Just cain't stop a smokin'the stuff,gimme a brew and a 'Boro!3-packs a day won't kill me will it? Doc,how come the insurance company won't let you give me more Vicodin?"Now who needs TREATMENT?Barry,get your head out of your ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If all parents were really"PARENTS",we wouldn't have any"DRUG-PROBLEM" to begin with!!!!!!The "Electronic-Babysitter"isn't going to give you any help,and at $3500.00 to join Barrys'Happy group,how many welfare-mommies -and -daddies could afford to get their kids enrolled in his organization anyway?How many more senseless rapes,murders,robberies,turf-wars,and gang-related crimes will it take to get these idiots to see that PROHIBITION is the real problem,and the solution is to legalize and regulate cannabis,and put the"CRACKERJACKS" out of business? Oh!that's right,then the dealers,and police and prosecutors and judges and lawyers and rehab centers and neighborhood watches ,etc. would be out of business,and they might have to find a productive job doing real work other than sitting on their ASSES!!!!!!!!!And we're the TERRORISTS???????????? ONWARD THROUGH THE FOG!SWAMPIE
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Comment #9 posted by BGreen on January 04, 2002 at 00:53:34 PT:
Whore mongering BASTARDS
My blood is boiling!! I'm so pissed!! THIS is what those bastards are all about. It's from the eGetgoing website. eGetgoing Online Chemical Dependency Programs*
24-Session Primary Group Treatment
Internet-based Outpatient Treatment
12 months
$120012-Session Primary Group Treatment
Internet-based Outpatient Treatment
12 months
$80012-Session Intensive Continuing Care
Internet-based Continuing Care Program
12 months
$80024-Session Intensive Continuing Care
Internet-based Continuing Care Program
12 months
$1200
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Comment #8 posted by BGreen on January 04, 2002 at 00:44:16 PT:
This 'no profanity' thing is getting tougher
I was so pissed after reading the first part of the article that I missed what this slimy piece of tabloid trash was all about.It's an ad for some cheesy online drug treatment program. That's the biggest crock of crap (you know what I want to say) that I've heard of. People are having their lives ruined so McCaffrey can rake in the dough on some half-baked dot com venture. Online drug treatment? Can you spell WORTHLESS????? My God in heaven, these people are EVIL.BTW, McCaffrey comes up as misspelled in spell check, and suggests McCarthy. Even spell check is more perceptive than these clowns.
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Comment #7 posted by BGreen on January 04, 2002 at 00:20:47 PT:
If reason and common sense worked with these dorks
we wouldn't be in this mess. They are truly the mentally disturbed.I smoke cannabis for chronic lower back pain I've had since an accident. I smoked cannabis before that because I like it. I shouldn't be condemned for either, nor told I need treatment.I met a hero of mine about a year ago. He is in NO way a loser as portrayed by the real losers like McCaffrey, has been honored by the State of Texas as a true Texas hero, does more for the people than anybody that's ever held public office, and yet he's considered a criminal by our government because he proudly smokes cannabis and tells everyone that he does.His name is Willie Nelson, and he's one of the greatest men on this planet and beyond.
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Comment #6 posted by Dan B on January 03, 2002 at 22:49:53 PT:
How to keep more kids off drugs . . .
"Of youths 14 and under who start using marijuana, almost 11% will develop a drug or alcohol dependency as an adult," says McCaffrey. "Of those starting to use marijuana after the age of 18, only 2% end up with this problem."Well, therein lies the solution, then, doesn't it, McCaffrey? Make cannabis legal for everyone over 18 and impose strict laws prohibiting sale or distribution of cannabis to anyone under 18--same as for alcohol or cigarettes (yes, I know that the age for alcohol is 21--I mean that it's the same principle). Of course, the real enlightening thing about these statistics (missed entirely by McCaffrey) is the fact that those who try an illegal drug earlier are likely genetically predisposed toward the use of mind-altering substances more than those who try something later. It has little (if anything) to do with use of marijuana and a great deal to do with the fact that adolescence is a time when one's genetics kick into high gear (no pun intended). Of course, there are literally thousands of other variables that also need to be considered when using these statistics to make a claim that marijuana leads to future substance abuse: quality of family life, past or present abuse(s), other stress factors, etc.Of course, McCaffrey prefers brainwashing to promoting freedom. As has already been demonstrated by others, his credibility is nil for those who know the truth. Dan B
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Comment #5 posted by observer on January 03, 2002 at 11:12:29 PT
Margin of Error? . . . Uh Oh, It's Pinocchio!
The good news, according to officials at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, is that illicit drug use among those aged 12-13 decreased over the past year from 3.9 to 3.0%.Is this a joke? The margin of error for these things is greater than that supposed less-than-one-percent "decrease."It could have gone up for all they know.Oh that's right: I forgot. It doesn't matter what US drug warriors say: the most outrageous lies and obvious glaring errors of concrete fact are regularly ignored by the US "mainstream" (read: government propaganda) press.I am remiss. Who could forget this buffoon McCaffrey and his amusing little remarks?see:
Pinocchio McCaffrey
http://www.csdp.org/ads/pinocchio.htm
Pinocchio McCaffrey (site mirror)
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Comment #4 posted by Jose Melendez on January 03, 2002 at 10:31:21 PT:
still ignoring thetruth.com, Barry?
Barry McCaffery continues to remain silent on this fact: most substance users and abusers start with tobacco and alcohol. Pubdate: Fri, 11 May 2001
Source: New York Times (NY)
Section: News From AP
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Address: 229 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036
Email: letters nytimes.com
Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company
Forum: http://forums.nytimes.com/comment/
Fax: (212) 556-3622
Author: The Associated PressMADD WANTS ANTI-ALCOHOL ADS WASHINGTON ( AP ) -- Advocates hoping to curb underage drinking want Congress to fund a media campaign comparable to one that tries to discourage teen-age drug use. Millie Webb, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said alcohol kills 6.5 times more young people than all other illicit drugs combined. She added that beer and wine companies spend more than $1 billion a year advertising and marketing their alcoholic beverages. "No matter how well our parents have discussed the rules, that's a lot of competition and they face an uphill battle," Webb said. "We've got to counteract those ads and educate young people that it's alcohol that's killing them." A bill being introduced Friday by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., would authorize $1 million to develop a campaign strategy for the anti-alcohol ads. The campaign would be administered through the Department of Health and Human Services, working with the surgeon general. The amount to be spent on the ads has not been determined. Like the anti-drug spots, broadcast, print and Internet media outlets would be required to match every anti-alcohol ad with a free one. A similar measure already is pending in the House, sponsored by Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., and Zach Wamp, R-Tenn. Reid said Sen. John Warner, R-Va., had signed onto the measure. "This is bipartisan. I think we're going to be able to do this," Reid said. The anti-drug ads are part of a five-year, $185 million campaign approved by Congress that claims to reach 90 percent of young people four to seven times a week. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy uses television, radio, the Internet, newspapers, magazines and bus and movie ads to target young people, parents, teachers, mentors, coaches and others. As part of that legislation, the media are required to match every spot bought by the government with a free one. Government officials, including Barry McCaffrey, the former drug policy director, long have said the anti-drug campaign needed to include alcohol, but money was never allocated. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n834/a04.html?117
Conveniently for McCaffrey's indifference to thetruth, money from the tobacco settlement intended to reduce youth smoking has been cut in many areas.
See:
Tobacco board cuts ad funding by 62%
Budgets for hotline, anti-smoking coalitions also scaled back
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/nov01/tobac13111201a.asp
And also from:
Anti-tobacco plan cut in new budget
http://www.polkonline.com/stories/120501/sta_antitobacco.shtml
By DAVID ROYSE
Associated Press TALLAHASSEE -- Florida's youth anti-smoking program, credited for a dramatic drop in teen tobacco use, is facing a 20 percent cut in spending in budget cuts forced by an economic downturn.In 1998, nearly one out of every five Florida middle school students said they were smokers. By earlier this year, the number was down to less than one in 10.Much of the credit has gone to Florida's Tobacco Control Program, a hip, aimed-at-teens approach to curbing cigarette use that has been praised as a national model.The program, known for its edgy ads featuring teens, is facing a $7.5 million hit in a budget-cutting bill lawmakers will vote on this week.The Legislature is slashing about $1 billion from the entire state budget for the current year to bring the spending plan in line with incoming tax dollars. Tax receipts are expected to drop drastically because of the slumping economy and a drop-off in tourism since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.The details of the plan were worked out over the weekend and lawmakers will vote on it Thursday.The tobacco control program gets one of the biggest percentage hits.
...
BTW, I believe evidence and history will reveal that recommendations for those cuts were in place before September 11.
Drug War is TREASON
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Comment #3 posted by releafer on January 03, 2002 at 09:39:53 PT
Remember Barry..WHY!!!!
Remember Barry was the General raging on the escaping convoy that had hostages from Kuwait. Barry kept radio silence from general command as to where the hell he was exactly. He was murdering criminals that had looted and had hostages from Kuwait and were escaping ti Irag.Barry disregarded a direct order and completed the massacre on his own. He basically violated our constitution by no due process. Round them up and try them ...firing squads are available.Whats not available is the ability to act like the people your after.Barry is simply an Idiot. He put his name to this nonsense to try to circumvent due process. Hes actually a queer.
He sticks his finger in his ass to find out what he ate the night before.His mouth is the other side of his anus and no guts inbetween.Hes simply the biggest degenerate in the Americas
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Comment #2 posted by CongressmanSuet on January 03, 2002 at 08:56:57 PT
B.G.....
Your cat might be more of an expert on drugs than most of us here if he got a big blast of ketamine with his neutering surgery! LOL..."The Emergent Cat"..isnt that the title of one of your audio masterpieces, dddd?
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Comment #1 posted by BGreen on January 03, 2002 at 08:23:02 PT:
My cat is more of an expert on drugs ...
... than this idiot, excuse me, general idiot.There's a special place in hell reserved for his kind of filth.
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