Daily Archives: July 10, 2017

Most street opiates (including heroin) are now laced or replaced with fentanyl the drug that killed the singer Prince and its analogues. Photograph: Joe Amon/Denver Post via Getty Images

The number one killer of Americans under the age of 50 isnt cancer, or suicide, or road traffic accidents. Its drug overdoses. They have quadrupled since 1999. More than 52,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year. Even in the UK, where illegal drug use is on the decline, overdose deaths are peaking, having grown by 10% from 2015 to 2016 alone. The war on drugs continues but its a war were losing.

Most drug-related deaths result from the use of opioids, the molecules that are marketed as painkillers by pharmaceutical companies and heroin by drug lords. Opioids, whatever their source, bond with receptors all over our bodies. Opioid receptors evolved to protect us from panic, anxiety and pain a considerate move by the oft-callous forces of evolution. But the gentle impact of natural opioids, produced by our own bodies, resembles a summer breeze compared to the hurricane of physiological disruption caused by drugs designed to mimic their function.

Most street opiates (including heroin) are now laced or replaced with fentanyl the drug that killed the singer Prince and its analogues, far more powerful than heroin and so cheap that drug-dealing profits are skyrocketing at about the same rate as overdose deaths. The UKs National Crime Agency said that traces of fentanyl have been found in 46 people who died this year. Users dont know what theyre getting and they take too much. Fentanyl is recognised as a primary driver of the overdose epidemic.

Societys response has been understandably desperate but generally wrongheaded. We start by blaming addicts. Then we blame the pharmaceutical companies for developing and marketing painkillers. We blame doctors, for overprescribing opiates, which pressures them to underprescribe, which drives patients to street drugs cheaper, home delivery via the internet, and zero quality control. We say were going to reignite the war on drugs, recognised by experts as a colossal failure from the 1930s onward. We also continue to view addiction as a chronic brain disease, so the benefits of education, social support, psychological intervention, and personal empowerment receive far too little attention. Yes, addiction involves brain change, but ongoing medicalisation does little to combat it.

There has been some progress: There are pockets of activity here and there where prescribed opiates like methadone and Suboxone are made more easily available to addicts. Thats a good thing, because increasingly desperate addicts are often driven to the street, where theyre most likely die. The availability of naloxone, which works as an antidote, is slowly wending its way through the drug policy jungle, providing a simple resource to deal with an overdose on the spot. But in most segments of most communities in the US and elsewhere, it is still too difficult to obtain.

There are smarter answers at hand but also smarter questions to be asked. The overdose epidemic compels us to face one of the darkest corners of modern human experience head on, to stop wasting time blaming the players and start looking directly at the source of the problem. What does it feel like to be a youngish human growing up in the early 21st century? Why are we so stressed out that our internal supply of opioids isnt enough?

The opioid system evolved to allow us to function, not panic or shut down, when we are under threat or in pain. Support from other humans also helps us cope with stress, but that support is underpinned by opioids too. Our attachment to others, whether in friendship, family or romance, requires opioid metabolism so that we can feel the love. Opioids grant us a sense of warmth and safety when we connect with each other.

You get opioids from your own brain stem when you get a hug. Mothers milk is rich with opioids, which says a lot about the chemical foundation of mother-child attachment. When rats get an extra dose of opioids, they increase their play with each other, even tickle each other. And when rodents are allowed to socialise freely (rather than remain in isolated steel cages) they voluntarily avoid the opiate-laden bottle hanging from the bars of their cage. Theyve already got enough.

In short, mammals need opioids to feel safe and to trust each other. So what does it say about our lifestyle if our natural supply isnt sufficient and so we risk our lives to get more? It says we are stressed, isolated and untrusting. Thats a problem we need to resolve.

Many have proposed targeted education, community support and interpersonal bonding through group activities. Johann Haris powerful book, Chasing the Scream, reviews how such initiatives have worked in diverse societies. An intriguing example is the compassionate, blame-free dialogue that has evolved among high-school students in Portugal, highlighting the dangers of hard drugs and urging the most vulnerable to abstain not because theyre going to get in trouble, but because addiction is miserable and dangerous. This dialogue has paralleled the decriminalisation of drug use.

Portugal had an astoundingly high heroin addiction rate 16 years ago. It now boasts the second lowest overdose rate on the continent. Social inclusion actually works against addiction while punishment only fuels it.

But the peculiar appeal of opioids tells us more about ourselves as a society, as a culture, than the tumultuous ups and downs of addiction statistics. Todays young people come of age and carve out their adult lives in an environment of astronomical uncertainty. Corporations that used to pride themselves on fairness to their employees now strive only for profit. The upper echelons of management are as risk-infected as the lowest clerks. Massive layoffs rationalised by the eddies of globalisation make long-term contracts prehistoric relics. I ask the guys who come to the house to deliver packages how they like their jobs. They cant say. They get up to three six-month contracts in a row and then get laid off so the company wont have to pay them benefits.

People pour out of universities with all manner of degrees, yet with skills that are rapidly becoming irrelevant. But people without degrees are even worse off. They find themselves virtually unemployable, because there are so many others in the same pool, and employers will hire whoever comes cheapest. The absurdly low minimum wage figures in the US clearly exacerbate the situation. As hope for steady employment fizzles, so does the opportunity to connect with family, friends and society more broadly, and there is way too much time to kill. Opioids can help reduce the despair.

The opportunity to settle into a viable niche in ones family and ones society is being blown away by the winds of unregulated capitalism in a globalised world. As for the intimacy and trust we humans have always sought in each other, in friends, colleagues, and lovers, the bonds are shaky these days. Even if we have the opportunity to connect were still too stressed and depressed to get to know each other well, to develop trust, to give and receive compassion. Urban life requires juggling high-stress relationships past the point of mental and emotional exhaustion.

The early 21st century offers less structure and stability through religion or extended family than we humans have experienced in millennia. And maybe thats just the way it is. But we dont have to throw away the basic currency of security and interconnectedness entirely. We can build social structures governments, corporations, community organisations, and systems of education and care that encourage stability, hope, and trust in our day-to-day lives. Like the school kids in Portugal, we can offer compassion and inclusion as an alternative over heroin. If we fail to do that, we may as well hook ourselves up to an opioid pump. Just to endure.

View original post here:

Why are so many people dying from opiate overdoses? It's our broken society - The Guardian

CONYERS Upon entering Camp Kesem, one can hear nothing but quirky names like Princess Peach, Cyclone, Maleficent or Cookie Dough. In fact, everyone there campers and counselors goes by a peculiar name.

This is simply one of many tactics used by camp organizers to get participants to feel at ease and be themselves while they learn to tackle a rather tragic situation having a parent with cancer.

Camp Kesem is a national program that aims to provide comfort and support to children whose parents suffer from cancer and to empower them by developing a sense of camaraderie and community through free recreational camps.

The University of Georgia in Athens began its own chapter of Kesem in 2011 and has since hosted hundreds of campers from ages 6 through 16. It also runs a counselor in training program for 17- and 18-year-olds.

UGA brought Camp Kesem to Camp Westminster in Conyers for the second year in a row this summer. Nearly 165 campers and 80 volunteers from all across Georgia and parts of South Carolina attended the program over the course of two week-long camp sessions.

The first session, we had a lot of new campers, said Meagan Chong, a graduate student at UGA and public relations co-coordinator for Camp Kesem. And those are sort of my favorite campers to watch because I think its really special to see them grow from shy kids to really integrate themselves and become a part of the magic of Camp Kesem.

Campers are sorted into age-based groups and participate in a variety of activities such as arts and crafts projects, zip-lining, canoeing, wakeboarding, archery, etc. as well as empowerment programs to share their personal experiences with others who experience similar struggles.

Fifteen-year-old Luis Valez of Newnan, who returned to the camp for the second year, described it as one of the best weeks of his life.

No one is really judging you. You can do whatever, be yourself, he said. It was just a really good atmosphere. Everybody cares about you, and its been great coming back. Ive been counting down the days. Its like coming home to a huge family.

For 14-year-old Jalen Young of College Park, this years camp was his first and an opportunity to try new sports.

There are a lot of things here that Ive never done before, Young said, listing canoeing and wakeboarding as new adventures he has come to love.

The people here, they are so happy and make you feel so welcomed, he added.

Sam Hepburn, a UGA graduate and third-year counselor, said the camp helps the volunteers as much as it does the children.

Its cool to be a part of something where not only you get to help these kids who really need it, but it actually helps everyone here, he said. Its a very therapeutic place, full of very uplifting moments.

For these kids, especially, its so important because not only are they dealing with this horrible thing called cancer in their lives, they are also normal kids with typical problems at schools.

In an effort to maintain continuous rapport with the children, counselors organize reunions and grief-support programs around the year. Students at UGA also meet regularly for event planning, fundraisers and volunteer recruitment.

Cassidy Chakroun, a rising junior at UGA and Camp Kesem public relations co-coordinator, said she joined the organization on seeing a video about the camp that inspired her.

So just watching them have fun and talk about their experiences made me want to be a part of it, she said. It felt like Im almost missing out.

Those wishing to not miss out on next years Camp Kesem can visit campkesem.org/uga for information on the program, registration, and ways to get involved.

Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Get Breaking News alerts from the Rockdale Citizen and Newton Citizen delivered to your email.

Daily local news headlines from the Newton Citizen.

Daily sports headlines from Newton Citizen.

Daily local news headlines from the Rockdale Citizen.

Daily sports headlines from Rockdale Citizen.

The rest is here:

Camp guides children through and beyond parent's cancer - Rockdale Newton Citizen (press release) (registration)

True empowerment is to live from a state of joy, optimism, success, and creativity. Our empowered self is aware of our innate potential and the infinite possibilities for us to explore.

To be empowered we live free of fear, doubt, worry, or depression. We are confident in who we are and we joyously pursue the inspiration that manifests in our lives.

Empowerment does not mean arrogant, domineering, forceful, or flawless. Empowerment has little to do with wealth, fame, or beauty. It is a blossoming and becoming of our authentic self, the remembering and embodying of our true nature. From this state, we can come to alignment with our unique and divine purpose and the passions that arise to guide us on this path.

Many people are seeking a way to arrive at their own empowerment. The journey of awakening our own empowered self-begins with a commitment and practice of self-love. Our personal health is profoundly connected to our ability to live an empowered life. Love is by far the ultimate master healer, and so the practice of self-love becomes a powerful force of healing in our own lives. As we remember that our bodies are temples for our divine soul to dwell within as we make this tour of Earth, we then naturally incorporate practices that honor our bodies as sacred. This inpouring of love helps to not only raise our level of health but also raises our vibration and experience of positivity. The more we commit to a healthy way of living and how we treat our bodies, it becomes natural for our emotional and mental health to improve as well. With the absence of infirmity, depression, anger, or suffering, we have less distraction and more energy and focus for projects, relationships, pleasurable activities, and creative endeavors.

Following self-care and self-love, what I have found to be a sure path to living in empowerment, is to follow inspiration and intuition. These inner guidance systems are our way of incorporating divine navigation. Inspiration and intuition are built into our blueprint of being to assist us in actualizing the optimum reality for our lives. Although most of us come from a culture that teaches us to make decisions from the mind logically and rationally, I encourage you to try a different approach to life.

Our innate wisdom and ability to follow truth is built into us. It will take practice, trust, and dedication if you are not accustomed to living your life led by your inspiration and intuition. Begin by tuning into what brings you joy. What do you feel drawn to? Inspired by? Excited about? This is what you need to pay attention to. This is an inspiration and it is trying to lead you to your purpose, success, and joy.

Intuition is a gut feeling and a heart feeling. It is what feels like truth and pulls you to listen and follow. When you tune into intuitive guidance, there is no doubt or second guessing. Intuition is a sure knowledge, a magnetic attraction to where we need to give our attention.

Purpose and empowerment are undeniably inter-related. With love being the most powerful force we know it is through our own willingness and ability to share and receive the love that we deliver ourselves out of suffering and lack, into the abundant state of empowered living. Instead of choosing to live according to the expectations of others or to prolong suffering by repressing our inspiration or denying love to ourselves, we can choose the path of great love and begin to heal and transform our lives. Through this nurturing and caring for the life we have been given, we call back to life the true essence of our soul which is a glorious, magical creation with a divine purpose for being born.

As we continue this journey by honoring and listening to inspiration and intuition we will be guided to the opportunities, relationships, and resources needed to enhance our experience and support our purpose. Each of us is unique beings with infinite possibilities and potential. Learning to dwell in that knowing and begin to access that infinite source is the beginning of empowered living.

I encourage each of you to begin making simple changes in your lives and see the results. Think only positive

and loving thoughts towards yourself stop the self-hate and negativity make healthy choices for your body and in your relationships. Do the things you love to do and express your creative urges. Make time for nurturing and caring for yourself. Tune into integrity, honesty, and what feels right. Allow your intuition to teach you and guide you, and allow yourself to follow inspiration as it manifests. By continually incorporating these simple practices, you will grow in your empowerment and your ability to create the life of your dreams. This takes dedication and courage. You will need to stand up to every limiting belief and habit you have allowed influencing your life. You will need to overcome apathetic tendencies and take the risk of rejection for your authentic expression. Yet the work and the risks are worth it. As we strengthen our superpowers and remember our true nature, we find ourselves manifesting the joy and success we once only dreamed was possible.

For those of you seeking a catalyst for your empowerment, you are invited to join us in Costa Rica December 17 -23 for an all womens Awakening Shakti Retreat at the gorgeous and magical Posada Natura. Follow the link below for more info or to register http://www.zahrahsita.com/awakening-shakti-retreat

To learn more about me, and for health guidance, life and wellness coaching, mentoring programs, retreats, and other services, please visit my website

http://www.zahrahsita.com

See original here:

Awakening To Empowerment - The Costa Rica News