| NY Seeks Smoking Ban at All Addiction Treatment Programs
Smoking would be banned at all addiction-treatment programs in New York State under proposed regulations from the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), the New York Times reported July 24. The agency is proposing that by next July all treatment programs will be smoke free -- the ban would apply to staff as well as patients -- and have initiated programs to help clients quit. Programs would have to offer nicotine-addiction treatment to all patients, and provide free services to those who don't have insurance. Those programs that fail to comply could lose their state certification. If the plan is implemented, New York would be the first state to require addiction patients to get stop-smoking services, and only the second (after New Jersey) to ban smoking at residential treatment programs.
Bernalillo County works on new program to help meth addicts
Starting with methamphetamine addicts, Bernalillo County has made its first move toward creating a social services safety net program for people coming out of jail. The Meth Team started taking clients June 18 and provided them with services they need to stay sober, employed and mentally and physically healthy. County officials say the team also aims to start education programs in schools, community centers and other venues. The team is the beginning of the county's hope to reduce the number of people returning to jail for addiction-driven crimes and to help stabilize affected families. In the first month, the Meth Team's two case workers have enrolled about 25 clients. Face-to-face visits — on a daily basis and sometimes more often — ensure the clients have access to the services they need, officials say.
Lohan, Spears 'make mockery of rehab'
CELEBRITIES like actress Lindsay Lohan and pop star Britney Spears are making a mockery of rehabilitation programs by appearing not to take treatment seriously, US addiction experts warned. Lohan was arrested yesterday on a second drunken-driving charge just days after leaving her second stint in rehab flaunting an alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelet at nightclubs. Spears twice spent less than a day in rehab before entering a third time for a month after behaving erratically. "It is making a mockery of rehabs," said Harris Stratyner, a psychologist with Caron, a nonprofit addiction treatment organisation. "In some ways it's starting to make rehabs look like a joke and that's very sad because hundreds of thousands of people a year are saved." Lohan, 21, spent a month in rehab in January.
Iqaluit deputy mayor lashes Mounties over city drug problem
It might just be Iqaluit's dirty little secret, whispered in the corners of city bars and behind the closed curtains of homes. Crack cocaine is said to be the new drug of choice in Iqaluit and Deputy Mayor Al Hayward wants to hear what the RCMP plan do about the problem. Trouble is, he can't get them to come to a city council meeting. "On any given day you can look in front of Northmart and see drug deals going down," he said. "We're supposed to have trained professionals in town that are supposed to be able to look after these problems and they're not responding at all." Mounties have historically presented monthly crime reports to city council, but Hayward said that's only happened twice since the new council was elected last October. The last time the RCMP presented crime figures at city council, in April, Cpl.
Youth Sports
Playing sports is about having an active lifestyle and, of course, lots of fun. Joe and Lynn Scocozza of Stroudsburg have two children who play sports. Emily, 13, takes dance lessons and plays field hockey with her school. Andrew, 9, plays baseball, basketball, soccer, flag football and karate. .
Chechen Officials Inaugurate HIV/AIDS Center
Senior Chechen officials on Wednesday at a public ceremony in the capital of Grozny inaugurated a center for people living with HIV/AIDS in the republic, Reuters reports. "Of course, the mentality of the Chechen people does not allow us to speak about problems such as AIDS and drug addiction because Chechens never faced such problems," Kheda Aidamarova, chief doctor of the clinic, said, adding, "The traditions of the Chechens did not allow people to lead a dissipated lifestyle. But today, as a result of the war, there is chaos in society, which has led to problems like AIDS and drugs and people exhibiting low moral standards." Aidamarova also said that Chechens should not "turn away from people who have problems like AIDS. Our aim is that people should not keep their problems to themselves but that they should feel support." According to Reuters, billboards promoting the AIDS center have been placed around the city.
St. Christopher's alumni celebrate recovery from addiction
GARRISON - About 400 graduates of the St. Christopher's Inn substance-abuse treatment center gathered at Graymoor yesterday to celebrate sobriety. The 10th annual Alumni Picnic drew people from throughout the metropolitan region and beyond in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. Some came to express their gratitude to the staff there and to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, who run the center. "Words wouldn't express it," said Robert Maynard, 47, of Poughkeepsie, who completed his rehabilitation program in January. "It was life changing." Several attendees had effusive praise for the staff and friars who operate the center, which in 2009 will celebrate a century of service. "The friars and staff are so committed.
Mexico's electoral reform struggle persists / Baja California gubernatorial race illustrates problems facing voters
The candidate with cowboy boots, a red crocodile skin vest and a pronounced paunch strides onto a Tijuana basketball court. Just ahead of him, an entourage of leather-clad bodyguards and campaign workers effortlessly part a large crowd, waiting to see the man they hope will win today's gubernatorial election in Baja California. "I will make you safe. You will live better," said Jorge Hank, speaking in soft, easily digested phrases. For many outsiders, Mexico is moving steadily toward modern government, one internationally monitored election at a time. But some observers fear that the rapid political rise of Hank, a former Tijuana mayor who is known for his wealth, flamboyance and alleged ties with organized crime, is a sign that most voters have lost confidence in democracy. "That Hank could be elected gives you an idea of the political decomposition in Tijuana," said Jose Luis Perez Canchola, the state's first independent human rights ombudsman.
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