Activity 2

Xanax epidemic....
Most people probably wouldn't ordinarily assume Xanax could be used and abused enough to be considered an epidemic but the internet says differently! By typing "Xanax epidemic" into Google countless hits pop up, too many to count! Pages full of links and articles that read of the dangers and abuse of Xanax arise, not surprising to me.
According to one hit, CBS news claims Xanax is such a powerful addictive drug that doctors have started treating the drug as an epidemic. In the article, CBS news stated that this drug is not only highly addictive but has become "one of the addictive highs of choice in Middle America" along with other drugs such as OxyContin. The article also states how the drug can cause serious health problems and has been documented to have caused many overdoses and death.
Another hit referenced as Alcohol Rehab, claims that treatment centers have reported a huge climbing number of patients seeking help due to Xanax addictions. This does not surprise me. Many of these centers reported a lot of these patients being teenagers who abuse this prescription drug thinking it is "safer than street drugs like heroin and cocaine". The drug poses severe health risks which this article points out as well. By using too much of the drug, the brain gets used to it and adjusts meaning it does not produce some of its natural neurotransmitter. Users of this drug can experience withdrawal symptoms as well.
While sorting through hits on "Xanax epidemic" I came across one link to a Criminal Defense News Blog. This was interesting to me and brings about a different theme to the "Xanax epidemic". In addition to the increasing trend of addiction to this drug, there's also a high amount of use among college students.Why is this? Because students have begun slipping these pills into others drinks. Xanax not only adds to the severity of being "drunk", it is also used to come off of highs from other drugs. This misuse and abuse of this drug is increasingly dramatically among collegians. 
Another link I came across was an article written by Jeffrey Junig MD and PHD, as he described Xanax as a more dangerous drug rather than helpful and beneficial. What he said really aroused my attention as he claimed that even the people who are not misusing this drug but rather taking it because they were prescribed it for anti-anxiety are still being harmed by it because all it does is make the users form a dependence on it quickly and if one single dose is missed these patients experience withdrawal symptoms. The way he describes the epidemic of XANAX is not only over-use by patients but also over-prescribed by physicians.
Last link I cited was an ABC news article written about how deaths and criminal behavior resulting from Xanax abuse has caused an "epidemic" for stronger regulation over the drug.
From all the material I gathered and the media opinion on this drug, I definitely conquer with all my sources that the misuse and abuse of Xanax has reached epidemic portions. Its not only causing addictions and an increased number of teens entering into treatment facilities, it has extreme health risks, and has been involved in too much criminal behavior such as drugging drinks in bars which can lead to rape and other heinous crimes. I personally even know someone who has suffered from the addiction to Xanax. According to the material we have discussed in class about safety and abuse liability of drugs, I honestly believe Xanax does not have enough health benefits to be a schedule 4 drug and should be moved to schedule 2.

That's all I got for now!

Tootles~~

References
1. Edwards, J. (2011, September 15). How the FDA Is Sleeping Through the Xanax Epidemic. Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-the-fda-is-sleeping-through-the-xanax-epidemic/
2.  Xanax Abuse Epidemic - Alcohol Rehab. (2011, October 10). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/xanax-abuse-epidemic/
3.  Xanax Use Among College Students Reaches "Epidemic" Proportions. (2014, February 4). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.columbuscriminaldefensefirm.com/Columbus-Criminal-Defense-Blog/2014/February/Xanax-Use-Among-College-Students-Reaches-Epidemi.aspx
4. Junig, J. (2014). Is Xanax or Klonopin Killing You?. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 23, 2015, from http://blogs.psychcentral.com/epidemic-addiction/2014/03/is-xanax-or-klonopin-killing-you/
5. Santow, S., & McClymont, A. (2013, May 21). Xanax faces new regulation rules. Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-22/tougher-rules-for-xanax-on-the-way/4705656

Activity 1: "Through a Blue Lens

I chose to expand on question 7 from the documentary "Through a Blue Lens" worksheet. The question asked the student to describe some of the most powerful parts of the film in our own opinion.
As I watched the documentary I listed several things that really impacted me as I watched the film. I think most of the memorable parts of the film for me centralized around the participants Randy and Nicola and the personal relationships the officers in the documentary had formed with the drug addicts.
This was evident as I watched the officers present Nicola with her Christmas present and they hugged her and wished her a Merry Christmas and got her everything that she loved as if they "actually knew her". Their compassion towards Nicola was also shown when they offered to take her to the doctor so she could get a referral to enter into a treatment. The officers truly cared and wanted to help her and I just felt so disappointed when she refused the offer, showing she was not serious about getting clean.
Another occurrence in the film that really hit home with me was when the officers brought Randy's brother to come and see him, who he had not seen in years. This was an extremely emotional and impactful scene watching his brother cry seeing Randy out on the streets. By the officers establishing connections between the users and their past and family, it allowed them to form personal relationships with these people and view them in a more compassionate way than simply drug addicts who need a fix. All these people were someone's children, they all ad families and pasts just like everyone else. It was sad to see how off track their lives had become because of the addiction to drugs.
Other scenes such as where Carlee shows the officers her scars from picking at herself while using drugs and after her boyfriend shot himself in front of her, as well as the man who overdosed in the ally and hours later was using again were extremely powerful as well and helped emphasize the meaning behind this documentary.
I truly hope that everyone who watched this took what I took from it; the dangers that drug using can lead to. I hope that efforts like this continue to make drugs UNPOPULAR and eventually end the tragedy that is drug addiction.

That's all I got for now!

Tootles~~

Introduction

Hey everyone!

My name is Shaina and I'm currently a senior at the University of Florida graduating this May. I'm an Anthropology major with a minor in religion and also pre-med. I hope to one day become a doctor specializing in emergency room medicine. I decided to take this course as an elective and also because I'm really interested in learning more about the topic.

I have known people from high school who have gotten caught up in drugs and eventually wound up in Drug court. I personally don't have any first hand experience with the subject matter but on my last trip to Colorado I did check out one of the marijuana dispensaries just to see what it was like. Definitely a different expereience being able to go up and ask questions about marajuana as if the salesmen were pharmacists! I think the most intersting part of that trip was seeing soda infused with THC being sold in the store. With that being said though, I do not really have any strong opinions on the legalization and politics behind it.

I do believe alcohol is a dug just like any other substance and can be abused so I look forward to learning more about that in this course. I've also noticed an increasing hype with e-cigs, which contain high levels of nicotine yet regulations on this new fad are very minimal currently. I'm curious to learn about that and how the regulation of this new obsession my change as it becomes more popular and widespread.

That's all I got for now!

Tootles~~