Wednesday, 11 March 2009

UNODC-WHO Joint Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care Announced

This morning at 11:30am UNODC and WHO signed an agreement to support a joint programme on drug dependence treatment and care and the programme was launched at a lunchtime satellite session to the High Level Meeting of the CND today.

The aim of the programme is to promote policies that strike a balance between the reduction of drug supply and demand and incorporate science based drug prevention and dependence treatment. Specifically the programme aims to promote humane and accessible treatment and care for more people with drug dependence and drug related diseases (particularly HIV AIDS) that will result in opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Mr Saraceno, Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse for WHO said that 'prevention treatment and harm reduction are key strategies'.

A number of delegates pledged the support, financial or otherwise, of their countries and organisations, not least the USA, Cuba, the European Commission and Opec.
Posted by at 17:50

3 comments:

  1. Scientists have recently discovered an advantage in one of the most prevalent drug on the planet: the marijuana. According findrxonline article notes that a natural element contained in this banned substance provides protection to brain cells. The discovery has been published in the latest issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. According to the researchers, this substance, cannabidiol, has antioxidant properties that may act to protect brain cells during stroke. Cannabidiol, said the study's lead author, Aidan Hampson, the American National Institute of Mental Health, "is not active in the brain receptors that allow marijuana to have euphoric effects. However, the expert insisted, "is still too early to say that this substance can get to protect people simply by smoking marijuana." The results of this assertion comes from a study in rats which showed that the substance was very potent antioxidant effects in protecting the brain cells of these animals from the effects caused the stroke. Cannabidiol addition, experts are studying other compounds of marijuana for medical application. In fact, it is investigating the role of a substance called THC in the treatment of various diseases, including stroke. Currently, there is a drug called Marinol that contains THC to treat nausea experienced by many cancer patients.
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  2. These points to an interesting article in findrxonline where they talk about this subject it is necessary to inform the community.
    It is ultimately the patient's responsibility to use narcotics responsibly.
    A few years ago, narcotics were only prescribed after surgery, severe trauma, or for terminal cancer because of a concern over the possibility of addiction. Recently, they have been cautiously prescribed to treat moderate to severe non-malignant chronic pain in conjunction with other modalities such as physical therapy, cortisone and trigger point injections, muscle stretching, meditation, or aqua therapy. Unfortunately, the upsurge of narcotics as medical treatment also increased associated cases of abuse and addiction.
    Derived from either opium (made from poppy plants) or similar synthetic compounds, narcotics not only block pain signals and reduce pain, but they affect other neurotransmitters, which can cause addiction. When taken for short periods, only minor side effects such as nausea, constipation, sedation and unclear thinking are noted.

    However, when narcotics are taken for several weeks to months, these side effects can become more challenging: loss of effectiveness due to built-up tolerance, possible addiction, or overuse for a temporary "high," not for pain. Because of the potential for addiction, whether physical (anxiety, irritability, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and insomnia) or psychological (compulsive use, craving the drug and needing it to "feel good," narcotics are considered controlled substances, findrxonline indicated in their medical articles, which means that the FDA and DEA govern their distribution, prescription, and use and classify them into different schedules as per the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.

    While weak narcotics such as Tramadol (Ultram) and Schedule IV opioids analgesics such as Darvon or Darvocet N 100 have a low risk for physical dependency and addiction with mild side effects such as dizziness, sedation, headache, nausea and constipation, Schedule III opioids analgesics such as Lortab, Tylenol #3, Vicodin and Vicoprofen have a low to moderate potential of physical or psychological dependence. Demerol, Dilaudid, Duragesic, Oxycontin and Percocet, which cannot be automatically refilled, fall under Schedule II because of their high abuse potential, and possible severe physical or psychological dependency.
    In view of the fact that narcotics can be addictive, they should only be prescribed when no other alternative is available and should only be taken as directed by your doctor. Most often, patients are required to consent to adhere to certain rules regarding the use of their prescription listed in a "Narcotic Agreement" between the patient and physician. Often, violation of this contract, especially selling, sharing, or trading the medication, attempting to obtain duplicate pain medication prescriptions from different physicians, and attempting to have the medication refilled early, at night, or on the weekend, to mention a few, would result in the patient's discharge from the practice.
    So, take responsibility for your actions and know all your treatment options. Narcotics are rarely your sole savior.
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  3. Drug addiction is hard to beat. There are people out there to help, VistaBay
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