I plan on adding a few drugs to the database within the next few days.  I have been on vacation for the past few days and am in the hotel room right now on my laptop.  I just wanted to update all of the viewers because there are a bunch of you.  I thank you all for continuing to visit DrugContent.com!  There still is some information here where you can learn something, so I don’t feel TOO bad, but I do feel bad that there isn’t updated information.

If you would like to see a specific drug on this website, feel free to email me by clicking the “Contact Me” tab on the website.  I will return your email ASAP.

If anyone would like to tune into my radio station - visit the radio station’s website at  Jersey’s Classic Rock - NJCLR - NJ’s Classic Rock Station, we play the following artists, plus more: Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Journey, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Queen, Styx, Chicago, Boston, Kansas, The Eagles, Elvis Presley REO Speedwagon, Survivor, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, Duran Duran, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, Metallica, Genesis, Guns N’ Roses, Foreigner, Tears for Fears, Peter Frampton, Santana, Billy Joel, Rick Springfield, Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Motorhead, The Who, Eddie Money, John Cougar Mellencamp, Pearl Jam, Starship, Sting, Poison, Michael Jackson, and many many more…

Just click the “Listen!” link on the nav bar at the website and you will be connected to Jersey’s Classic Rock!

Just letting you all know that I am still the owner of Drug Content and that I will be updating the site!

Have a great weekend, and I will talk to you all later. 

I have also been broadcasting music, and at certain hours talkshows, on my new radio station.  The link is - http://www.live365.com/stations/jfreeden.  It’s really fun broadcasting music because I am a huge music buff, and I want people to listen to music that I listen to, and so far it’s working out quite well.  I hope this continues to grow just like this website is.

It’s the 4th of July today so that means fireworks and BBQ!!  I love this holiday; well I love fireworks, so I will be attending our town’s fireworks display this evening.  I must say though that the chance of thunderstorms is making me a bit worried, but it is only a chance, so maybe they will pass over us.

I will be adding more drug information within 24 hours, so expect more information soon.  Until then, I will keep you all updated- and have a happy and relaxing 4th of July!

Ranked from the least to most dangerous, the five most dangerous substances are:

5. Alcohol (Depressant that slows the function of the central nervous system)
Slang Terms: Booze, Brews, Hard Stuff, Red-Eye, Hooch, Juice

Now, a lot of people will probably laugh at where alcohol is placed in this list, or the fact that it’s even on this list to begin with, but it’s true that alcohol is a dangerous substance and it’s important to know about it.  The legal drinking age in the United States is 21.  In other countries it is lower, even significantly lower.  Every day there are millions of people in the USA who enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly, but there are plenty of abusers out there and a percentage of them are people under the age of 21.

Alcohol is naturally known as “the most abused social drug,” but that’s simply because it’s legal to purchase and easy to obtain.  Alcohol depresses the CNS (Central Nervous System).  This affects how a person acts and alters a person’s state of mind.  Alcohol simply changes a person which in term will turn a person into someone they’re not.  Innocent people can get hurt, as well as the person who is intoxicated.

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, almost 80% of high school students have tried alcohol, which is a very high number.  It has also been officially stated that alcohol is used more frequently than all other illicit drugs combined.  Last, 30% of high school seniors and 25% of tenth graders reported that they have binge drank (drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time) before.

Chronic users of alcohol that suddenly stop will have to go through withdrawal.  Alcohol withdrawal is accompanied by a group of symptoms that are uncomfortable and possibly life-threatening.  Not all people will suffer though alcohol withdrawal, but most people who drink large portions of alcohol for a long time will.  There are mild, moderate, and severe symptoms of withdrawal that range from anxiety and depression to agitation and convulsions.  It’s important to seek medical help if coming off alcohol is hard.

4. Street Methadone (Synthetic opioid, used medically as an analgesic, antitussive and a maintenance anti-addictive for patients interested in coming off of other opioids)
Slang Terms: Amidone, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fizzies, Wafer

Street methadone is medical methadone that is sold or given to someone it was not prescribed for.  It’s also cut or diluted so that drug dealers can make more money, but it also makes the methadone more dangerous- which leads the person using the drug to a possible overdose.  Methadone is a synthetic (man-made) narcotic that is usually used to treat narcotic addiction, as well as to act as a pain killer for severe pain.

Street methadone is a very slow-acting drug, which is why it’s very dangerous.  It can take hours before a person receives the full effects of methadone, and it lasts more than 24 hours.  The thing with methadone is even though it produces a calming euphoria (feeling high), it does not provide a “rush” like heroin does, so people looking for that intense rush will only hurt themselves by overdosing.

Once users are dependent on methadone, the consequences aren’t pleasant.  Chronic users will experience withdrawal symptoms that include, but are not limited to: muscle tremors, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, etc.  Since methadone has a fairly long half-life of 24-36 hours, it will take a while before the withdrawal sets it, which is also another dangerous fact of why this drug is bad news.

3. Barbiturates (Drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and produce effects such as mild sedation and anesthesia)
Slang Terms: Barbs, Yellow Jackets, Goof Balls, Reds, Blues, Christmas Trees, Amy’s, Rainbows

Barbiturates were first used medically in the early 1900s.  They are prescription sedatives- depressants that slow the central nervous system down, and there are more than 2,500 known synthetic barbiturates.  When barbiturates were popular, there were only about 50 of them that were used for medical purposes, however other purposes were what lead to why they are not prescribed as much anymore.  There are also other drugs that provide similar effects, and aren’t as addicting.

It’s true that barbiturates can be closely compared to alcohol, and many people do refer to them as “alcohol in pill form,” and they can also be injected.  People who do not want to drink alcohol usually take barbiturates to receive the euphoria (feeling high) and relaxation that it provides.  Many people hunt for barbiturates on the streets because many doctors just won’t prescribe them, and it’s very illegal to take them if they are not prescribed to you.  On the street, barbiturates are often used in combination with cocaine, amphetamines, and crystal meth to enhance the high.

Barbiturate tolerance develops very quickly, which means that a higher dose is needed to receive the same feeling as before, which increases the danger of an overdose.  If a user overdoses or takes the medication with alcohol, death is possible due to excessive depression of the respiratory center in the brain.  Long-term users will also suffer through withdrawal that is similar to other opioids, and is also uncomfortable.  Some of the symptoms of barbiturate withdrawal include tremors, sweating, anxiety, irritability, nausea, vomiting, seizures, etc.

2. Cocaine (Potent stimulant that directly affects the brain)
Street Terms: Powder: Blunt, Blow, Candy, Coca, Coke; Smokeable: Crack, Rock, Chalk, Freebase, Love

Cocaine is the most potent stimulant that is also considered to be one of the greatest drug threats to the world due to its violence associated with trafficking and the physical and psychological effects associated with its use.  Cocaine is one of the oldest known drugs and coca leaves (Erythroxylon coca), the source of cocaine, have been ingested for thousands of years.  Most cocaine in the USA is snorted, which produces effects including euphoria (feeling high), relaxation, and an increased sense of well-being, although the effects disappear quickly which leaves the user craving more.

Since users crave more of the drug, that leads to more money being spent- so not only is the user getting hooked, they are also throwing a lot of money towards the dealer.  Cocaine can either be snorted, injected, or smoked.  Snorting cocaine is the slowest route of administration, but lasts the longest.  Smoking cocaine allows extremely high doses of the drug to reach the brain very quickly, which produces an intense and immediate high.  The most intense high comes from injection, which allows the drug to enter the bloodstream immediately.  Upon injection, the cocaine reaches the brain within a couple of seconds, and the intense rush can induce some users to vomit uncontrollably.  While the method of injection provides such an intense rush, this increases the risk of acquiring the AIDs virus, especially if needles are shared.

What makes this drug so dangerous is the fact that it’s so addicting.  People will tell themselves that they will only try it once, but after they have tried it the first time, the next will happen very soon.  Whichever way the drug is administered will result in an intense euphoria, so getting away from cocaine is not easy.  Long-term users will most likely suffer from withdrawal symptoms, but they aren’t as uncomfortable as other drugs.  Primary symptoms may include depression, fatigue, unpleasant dreams, agitation, restless behavior, intense cravings for the drug, etc.

1. Heroin (Highly addictive semi-synthetic opioid derived from morphine)
Slang Terms: Junk, Dope, Big H, Horse, Smack, Brown Sugar, Dust

At the number 1 spot, heroin.  Heroin was first synthesized from morphine back in 1874.  It’s amazing that heroin used to be legal back in the early 1900s, but due to the “major social problem” that was caused, as well as its potential for abuse- heroin is now illegal and is the most dangerous drug to use.  As with other opiates, heroin is used for its ability to relieve severe pain, but it is also used recreationally.  Heroin provides an intense high that many people consider to be godlike.  Once the user gets hooked, it can be very hard to come off of heroin.

Heroin can be used in a variety of different ways, depending on the purity of the drug and the user’s preference.  Heroin can either be injected, smoked, or snorted, but there are many different alternatives to the three main ways heroin is administered.  Users tend to mix heroin with marijuana, smoke it in a water pipe or standard pipe, inhale it as smoke through a straw (known as “chasing the dragon”), or snort it as powder.

Heroin’s “godlike” effects include intense euphoria (feeling high), relaxation, warm flushing of the skin, and an increased sense of well-being.  Following the intense euphoria, users tend to nod off (known as “going on the nod,” which is an alternately wakeful and drowsy state), which many people state as being very relaxing.  Long-term users of heroin will suffer through very uncomfortable withdrawal that many users cannot go through without medical assistance.  Withdrawal symptoms may occur as early as a few hours after the last dose, since heroin’s half-life is short.  Some of the symptoms include but are not limited to: extreme drug craving, muscle/bone pain, restlessness, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes w/ goosebumps (”cold-turkey”), kicking movements (”kicking the habit”), etc.

As stated before, the symptoms of heroin withdrawal can be very uncomfortable, and users who quit abruptly (cold turkey) most likely will not be able to go through it without seeking medical help.  Major withdrawal symptoms tend to peak between 48-72 hours and subside after about a week.  Users of prescription opiates taper down to lower doses of the pain-killer before coming off of the drug, and with heroin this is done through a drug rehab program, although another drug is given to the person.  Please seek medical attention if you or someone you know has a heroin addiction.

These 5 substances are listed as the most dangerous to use.  Use this list as an educational guide or a personal guide- print it out if you’d like.

Drugs such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (Amphetamine Salts) are known as “smart drugs,” and over the years the use of these drugs have increased amongst high schoolers who want to pass certain tests, etc.  These drugs are normally prescribed to children, teens and young adults to treat ADD (attention-deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), but I’d have to say that the ratio of students that are prescribed these medications aren’t only taking them for their conditions.

When one takes a stimulant medication, they’ll have extra energy (provided from the drug) to do other activities that they normally wouldn’t do.  For instance, an individual on a stimulant medication will clean their room, but go over it numerous times so that it’s perfect.  This extra boost is due to the increase of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.  While this results in a boost in one’s energy, it also produces euphoria (feeling “high”) and a greater sense of well-being.

There was a survery that focused on three drugs: Ritalin, Provigil, and beta blockers (used to treat cardiac conditions, as well as reduce anxiety).  Ritalin is used by more than 60 percent of people that stated using them for cognitive reasons, while 44 percent used Provigil (modafinil), and some 15 percent said they had used beta blockers.

With these numbers rising every day- I think we can say that caffeine is no longer the main concern in this category.  Just think of all of those A+ students back in middle school and high school…  Makes you think huh?

Celexa (Citalopram) is a prescription antidepressant drug used to treat depression associated with mood disorders.  In certain cases citalopram is used in the treatment of anxiety if other medications do not work.  Citalopram belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).  This drug may need to be taken for up to 4 weeks or longer before it starts to work as it differs person to person.

Citalopram is generally well-tolerated in patients taking therapeutic doses ranging from 20 to 60 mg a day.  Regardless of how strong a SSRI is, patients should always be monitored when taking them.  While Citalopram is taken by people of all ages, it is one of the main SSRIs that is given to elderly patients who need them.  Citalopram works by increasing the amount of serotonin (a natural substance in the brain) that helps maintain mental balance.

Investigational studies have found that citalopram significantly reduces the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and premature ejaculation.  There is also evidence that it may even treat post-stroke pathological crying.  There are other medications that treat these conditions- however, if those medications do not work, a doctor may simply prescribe a low dosage to see if citalopram has any effect.

As stated earlier, citalopram is generally well-tolerated by patients taking it, so side effects shouldn’t be too much of a nuisance.  Medications work differently on every person, so there are no guarantees that citalopram will agree with you or not, so contact your doctor if there are any concerns when taking the medication.

Citalopram is listed as a Schedule IV drug of the United States’ Controlled Substances Act which means that even though it has a low potential for abuse, it can be still abused.  Do not stop taking citalopram without consulting your doctor first as the potential for withdrawal symptoms may occur if too much of the drug is taken or if the drug is taken for too long.

Side effects of citalopram cannot be anticipated, but if any develop or change in intensity, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible.  Only your doctor can determine whether or not it is safe to continue taking citalopram.  Side effects are as followed:

Nausea; dry mouth, gas; loss of appetite; diarrhea; insomnia; drowsiness; dizziness; trouble concentrating; feeling nervous, restless, or unable to sit still; weight changes; frequent urination; decreased sex drive; impotence; difficulty having an orgasm; dry or watery mouth; yawning; ringing in your ears

If any of these more serious side effects are experienced, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible:

Seizures; tremors; muscle stiffness; twitching; shivering; problems with balance and/or coordination; feeling agitated; confusion; excessive sweating; increased heartbeat

Citalopram, just like any other drug can cause withdrawal symptoms.  Citalopram withdrawal symptoms tend to begin within eight hours of the last dose taken and can last anywhere from one to eight weeks.  This highly depends on how much was taken and differs from person to person.  If you or someone you know has stopped using citalopram, the best advice would be to taper slowly rather than stop suddenly.  Antidepressant withdrawal happens to be one of the more uncomfortable types of withdrawal- not that any type of withdrawal is comfortable, but with citalopram, there are many different symptoms that include but are not limited to:

Anxiety; dizziness; headache; fatigue; insomnia; tremors; hallucinations; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; restlessness; blurred vision; muscle/joint pain; tingling sensations; fever; abdominal discomfort; anorexia; agitation; vertigo; excessive sweating; irritability; aggression; insomnia; confusion; nightmares; chills; hot flashes; trouble concentrating; crying spells; thoughts of suicide; lethargy; weakness; flu symptoms

Now a doctor prescribes these types of medications to patients who need them, but there are times where a patient might not quite listen to a doctor when he/she tells them to take it as prescribed.  If one goes overboard, they are going to feel the effects of withdrawal, but even a person that has been taking an antidepressant like citalopram for a period over a couple of years, they will even need to taper off of the drug because they have built up a natural tolerance to the drug.

Since the signs of drug abuse can be blatent, well hidden, and come in many different forms- they need to be recognized.  There is one word to describe a drug addict’s personality, and that is ”denial”.  99 % of drug addicts will believe and tell anyone that they do not have a problem- and this is the root of the person’s addiction.

Below is a list of the signs to look for in a drug addict.  Please either write these signs down or print this post out.  It can certainly be handy as a checklist for your personal aid.  ~Please answer this in the eyes of the drug addict, as they are all questions for the drug addict.

1. Do you use any illegal drugs (heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, meth, etc)?
2. Do you use any non-prescribed drugs?
3. Do you over exceed over-the-counter medications (cough medications, pain relievers, etc)?
4. Do you purchase drugs from non-licensed people (off the street, etc)?
5. Do you ever borrow money and have trouble explaining where it is going, or make up a story?
6. Do you have extreme hyperactivity (increased motivation such as: having a stronger urge to complete work, putting better effort into your work, being over productive, etc)?
7. Do you ramble on more often than usual (excessive talking)?
8. Are you happy one moment and angry or depressed another (extreme personality changes)?
9. Have you lost interest in things that were important before (changes in activities)?
10. Has your personal image dropped drastically?
11. Are you hostile towards your family members?
12. Do you keep your door locked or closed, or won’t let people in (excessive need for privacy)?
13. Do you slur your speech when you talk?
14. Are your eyes bloodshot all the time?
15. Do you feel like you need to have your drug(s) regularly, every day or more than every day?
16. Do you schedule your day around your drug(s)?
17. Do you make sure that you have a stable supply of your drug(s) on hand?
18. Do you need your drug(s) to function normally?
19. Do you go to one or more doctors to obtain your drug(s) if you cannot get them elsewhere (doctor shopping)?
20. Are you going through drug withdrawal?

This list is only an aid for you or someone you know who might be a drug addict.  Even if many of these questions were answered yes, it doesn’t naturally mean a person is addicted.  Just to be safe, if there were more than “7″ questions answered yes, please seek help just to make sure that addiction isn’t an issue.  If it is than there are plenty of things that can be done to hop back on the right path again.

Below is a recovery website that can help in beating drug addiction- it might be all that you need, as you can search state-by-state:

• Drug-Rehabs

There are also many other drug recovery programs on the net that are local as well, so pull up “Google” or your favorite search engine and type in “Drug Recovery Programs”.  If you want to find a drug recovery program in your area, just add your city in the search.

Methlyphenidate (Concerta) is a central nervous system stimulant that is commonly used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  In certain cases, methylphenidate (Concerta) is used to treat the daytime drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy and chronic fatigue syndrome.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) has been found to be well tolerated by patients, as well as have a lower incidence of side effects than dextroamphetamine, a less commonly prescribed medication.

Methylphenidate is also the active ingredient in another popularly prescribed ADD/ADHD medication known as Ritalin.  What makes Concerta different than Ritalin is that it’s sustained-released, which simply means that the tablets or capsules are formulated to dissolve slowly and release the drug over a longer period of time.  A doctor may want to presribe a sustained-release form of medication so that the patient can take their ADD/ADHD medication less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep a much steadier level of the drug in the bloodstream.

Methylphenidate (Concerta), just like all stimulants work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) however binds to the norepinephrine transporter as well.  Dopamine is both a hormone and neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure, attention, and movement.  At first, a doctor will start a patient on a low dose of a stimulant so they can find out how much of the medication is needed for its therapeutic effect.  If a therapeutic effect isn’t being experienced, the doctor will gradually increase it.  If a stimulant such as methylphenidate (Concerta) is taken in doses other than those prescribed, they can rapidly increase dopamine levels which would amplify what the stimulant is naturally supposed to do.  This would produce euphoria (being “high”), increase one’s sociability, and increase the creative drive of idea generation.  While stimulants produce these effects on a general basis, the severity of the effects would be far greater.

The main role of methylphenidate (Concerta) should also be in conjunction with psychotherapy, which would help improve the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, as well as the patient’s self-esteem, cognition, and social/family interactions.  The calming and focusing effects of methylphenidate (Concerta) allow the patient to relax and concentrate more, and researchers have speculated that since methylphenidate (Concerta) amplifies the release of dopamine in a patient’s brain, it can improve the attention span and focus in patients whose dopamine signals are weak.

Side effects of methylphenidate (Concerta) cannot be anticipated, but if any develop or change in intensity, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible.  Only your doctor can determine whether or not it is safe to continue taking methylphenidate (Concerta).  Side effects are as followed:

Nervousness; difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia); dizziness; euphoria; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; stomach pain; diarrhea; headache; weight loss; mild skin rash; vision problems

If any of these more serious side effects are experienced, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible:

fast, pounding, or uneven/irregular heartbeat; feeling like you might pass out; chest pain; shortness of breath; excessive tiredness; slow or difficult speech; dizziness or faintness; weakness/numbness of an arm or leg; seizures; vision change; abnormal thoughts; agitation; hallucinations; aggression; anxiety; restlessness; unusual behavior; motor tics (muscle twitches); depression; sudden mood changes; fever; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; muscle/joint pain; rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; dangerously high blood pressure

Similar to other medications, methylphenidate (Concerta) have been abused for both “performance enhancement” and recreational purposes (to get high, enhance one’s sense of well-being, etc).  But its habit-forming effects only lead to a darker road.  Now just because stimulants are abusable doesn’t mean everyone is going to do it- just make sure that you are taking the medication(s) as prescribed.  As explained before, stimulant abuse is mainly used to suppress one’s appetite, aid in a person’s weight loss, increase wakefulness, and amplify one’s focus and attention.  When abused, even though stimulants produce a calming euphoric effect anyway, many abusers crush, snort and/or inject the medication to experience a much greater effect.  If an abuser dissolves the tablet in water and injects the mixture, complications can occur because the insoluable fillers in the tablets can block small blood vessels.

Methylphenidate (Concerta) is listed as a Schedule II drug of the United States’ Controlled Substances Act, which means the drug has a high potential for abuse and the abuse of the drug or substance may lead to severe psychological and/or physical dependence.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) withdrawal is generally not life-threatening, although it can be uncomfortable.  When withdrawal of a stimulant medication is occuring, one may feel so uncomfortable to the point where they will have the urge to take their medication to relieve the symptoms.  Stimulants are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in people who suddenly stop taking the medication, which is not recommended.  If you or someone you know is ready to come off of a stimulant medication, make sure you and/or they contact a doctor so that he/she can taper you/they off of the medication.  Withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:

Severe emotional depression; feelings of paranoia; thoughts of suicide; agitation; anxiety; changes in heart rhythm; sleep disturbances

The severity of withdrawal from methylphenidate (Concerta) depends on how much of the drug was taken and for how long it was taken for.  Methylphenidate (Concerta) withdrawal can last anywhere from one to four days, but can last up to a week or two, depending on how much is in your system.  People have stated that the average time of withdrawal is one to two days.

 
In Southern Afghanistan, there were 260 pounds of hashish destroyed, which were all hidden in 6-foot-deep trenches.

The hashish found in southern Afghanistan was worth more than $400 million– which would have resulted in the Taliban receiving about $14 million in profits, stated NATO’s International Security Assistance Force.  The hashish was immediately burned when it was found.  Hashish is a concentrated form of marijuana.

U.S. Gen. David McKiernan, commander of ISAF stated: “The Afghan National Police Special Task Force has made a huge step forward in proving its capability in curbing the tide of illegal drug trade in this county.”  “With this single find, they have seriously crippled the Taliban’s ability to purchase weapons that threaten the safety and security of the Afghan people and the region.”

The takedown for this drug bust is “pretty huge”– U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Garrison Courtney said, and it also appears as the world’s largest in terms of weight.

“I can’t think of any other time I’ve ever heard of that large of an amount in one hit,” Courtney also stated.

While hashish is a popular drug, it most certainly isn’t Afghanistan’s biggest drug problem.  Opium is the country’s drug of choice, and they produced 9,000 tons of it last year, which is enough to make over 880 tons of heroin– 93 percent of the world’s supply.

Officials have increased warnings that farmers who are no longer growing opium poppies in their fields because of successful eradication programs are turning to cannbis, which is the plant used to produce hashish and marijuana.  This is giving the country a second drug problem to contend with.

Deputy Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Abdul Hadi Khalid said that three men were arrested in the raid.  He also credited the international community for helping to train the Afghan special narcotics forces.  Khalid also stated that 21 of the country’s 36 provinces are now opium-free, but that efforts to eradicate in Kandahar, Helmand, Farah and Uruzgan provinces did not go well this year because of continuing violence there.

The Interior Ministry said police grabbed about 5.6 tons of opium in a separate counternarcotics operation, which has an estimated value of $30 million, and also arrested 13 suspected drug dealers in the Helmund province.

Vicodin (hydrocodone) is a tablet that contains acetaminophen and a semi-synthetic opioid that is derived from two naturally occurring opiates, codeine and thebaine.  Hydrocodone is an orally active narcotic analgesic (painkiller), as well as an antitussive (cough suppressant).  Hydrocodone relieves pain by binding to opioid receptors in both the brain and spinal cord.  These “binded” receptors also produce euphoria, which is a state of extreme happiness and feelings of well-being.  Hydrocodone, combined with the acetaminophen is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain.

The brand name Vicodin (hydrocodone) is a popular drug in the United States.  Many people who visit the Emergency Room with conditions such as a twisted ankle, bruised nose, sprained wrist, etc most likely receive hydrocodone, and while there are many other narcotic pain killers out there that people receive, this drug seems to work well on a majority of the people who are administered it.  Hydrocodone was first synthesized in Germany in 1920, and it was approved by the FDA on March 23rd, 1943 for sale in the USA under the brand name Hycodan (which is currently a popular cough syrup as well as tablet).

It’s been officially tested that 5 mg of hydrocodone is equivalent to 30 mg of codeine when it’s administered orally.  Due to the demand for medications containing hydrocodone in them, there are over 200 products with hydrocodone in them.  Hydrocodone is placed in both Schedule II and Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act due to its potency.  When hydrocodone is combined with a non-narcotic medicinal ingredient as well as containing less than 15 mg per dosage unit, it is placed as a Schedule III substance– but when products containing only hydrocodone as well as formulations containing more than 15 mg per dosage unit, it is placed as a Schedule II substance.

Side effects of hydrocodone cannot be anticipated, but if any develop or change in intensity, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible.  Only your doctor can determine whether or not it is safe to continue taking hydrocodone.  Side effects are as followed:

Dizziness; drowsiness; mild nausea; vomiting; upset stomach; constipation; blurred vision; euphoria; dysphoria; heightened sense of well-being; headache; mood changes; dry mouth; sedation; itching; anxiety relief

If any of these more serious side effects are experienced, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible:

Shallow breathing; irregular heartbeat; fainting; extreme confusion; fear; unusual thoughts or behavior; seizures (convulsions); urinary retention; dark urine; clay-colored stools; jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes); allergic reaction; irregular or depressed respiration; severe rash(s)

Hydrocodone is a very effective pain reliever, and for people that take it as prescribed– it works wonders for them, but unfortunately there are the ones who go overboard and either take too much of it at one time for a period of a couple of weeks or so and then stop, or one takes the medication for more than a few months and then stop– either way will more than likely cause withdrawal symptoms.  The intensity of withdrawal symptoms from hydrocodone depend heavily on the degree of the addiction, and greatly vary from person to person.  The average person withdrawing from hydrocodone will start feeling the effects within six to twelve hours, while reaching its peak at twenty-four to seventy-two hours.  Although the symptoms of hydrocodone withdrawal aren’t life-threatening– one might feel like they are dying.  The duration of hydrocodone withdrawal normally last between seven to fourteen days, but again vary from person to person.

Hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:

Irritability; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; diarrhea; intense cravings; muscle/bone pain; restlessness; involuntary leg/arm movements; sweating; insomnia; depression; runny nose/eyes; dilated pupils; excessive yawning; chills; cold sweats; fevers

Studies have shown that Vicodin is quoted as being a big part of popular culture.  The FOX television hit “House M.D.” follows the life of an anti-social, witty and arrogant doctor by the name of House.  Dr. House walks with a limp due to an infarction in his leg.  This is explained more in the first season of House M.D.  House goes through extreme periods of pain, which he takes Vicodin for, and eventually becomes addicted to them.  There are times where he will take four or five Vicodin at a time, maybe more.  So the drug definitely is popular, as is the show House M.D.

 
Marines guard packs of cocaine at a naval base in Manzanillo back on November 5th, 2007.

U.S. lawmakers also want to include human rights oversight in a three-year package, which Mexico immediately declined.  Mexico is also upset by plans to reduce the dollar amount of aid from the original proposal.  But at a meeting between U.S. and Mexican lawmakers in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey on Sunday, both sides agreed to try and save the drug plan and soften the conditions.  One way could be by turning the conditions into recommendations rather than requirements.

U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations stated, “I am confident … (the U.S.) Congress will provide support for the Merida Initiative in a matter that addresses our shared interests and concerns,” in a letter to his Mexican counterparts.

The U.S. Senate wants the plan, which does not involve cash, to ensure that any Mexican soldiers accused of crimes be tried in civilian courts.  The plan also wants Mexican federal officials to take on state and local anti-drug roles, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy says.

The government of Mexican President Felipe Calderon says it rejects any conditions because Mexico is undergoing its own police and judicial reform, and that its army is waging a deadly war with heavily armed drug gangs fighting over smuggling routes to the United States of America.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in drug violence this year across Mexico in cartel turf wars, a faster rate than in 2007, when around 2,500 people died over the entire year.

Senator Rosario Green, a former Mexican foreign minister stated, “there is a good disposition (on the part of U.S. lawmakers) to modify the language in such a way that it is accepted on this side.”  The Merida Initiative would have offered Mexico $500 million during the economic year that ends September 30th, and $50 million to Central America.  But now U.S. lawmakers want to cut Mexico’s share to as low as $350 million and offer up to $100 million to Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.