OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER (ODD) & Conduct Disorder - Diagnostic Features

Teen Behavior Problems are obvious when a teen demonstrates a pattern of negative, defiant and disobedient behavior, also known as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Teens will also demonstrate repeated and persistent refusal to adhere to rules and respect the rights of others, without concern or empathy, also known as Conduct Disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

The DSMIV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) identifies Oppositional Defiant Disorder as “a recurrent pattern of negative, defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority figures that persists for at least 6 months and is characterized by frequent occurrence of at least four of the following behaviors: losing temper, arguing with adults, defying or refusing to comply with the requests or rules of adults, deliberately doing things that will annoy other people, blaming others for his or her own mistakes or misbehavior, being sensitive or easily annoyed by others, being angry and resentful, or being spiteful or vindictive.

Negativistic and defiant behaviors are expressed by persistent stubbornness, resistance to directions, and unwillingness to compromise, give in, or negotiate with adults or peers. Defiance may also include deliberate or persistent testing of limits usually by ignoring orders, arguing, and failing to accept blame for misdeeds. Hostility can be directed at adults or peers and is shown by deliberately annoying others or by verbal aggression. ”

Conduct Disorder

The DSMIV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) identifies Conduct Disorder as “a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated. There are four main groupings of these behaviors: aggressive conduct that causes or threatens physical harm to other people or animals, non aggressive conduct that causes property loss or damage, deceitfulness or theft; and serious violations of rules.”

Children who are diagnosed with Conduct Disorder are typically aggressive, initiating aggressive behaviors or reacting aggressively. Physical fighting, bullying, threatening, or intimidating is demonstrated. “Physical violence may also take the form of rape, assault, or homicide.”

For more information on teen behavior problems and teen behavior treatment visit Inspirations for Youth and Families.

Addiction and Behavior Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Teen Behavior Problems Diagnosed

For most parents and professionals, it is comforting to have a point at which teen problematic behavior can be identified or diagnosed. For most people, this denotes the beginning of the search to find a solution and an understanding of the behavior. For insurance companies and subsequently, mental health professionals and medical doctors, a diagnosis is necessary to establish a basis for which insurance payment for treatment or therapeutic services can be granted. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder, are commonly diagnosed disorders for teenage behavioral problems. There are other disorders associated with behavioral issues such as Adjustment Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

*A diagnosis is not the only source or beginning point for which teens, parents, and professionals begin to work toward a solution. Therapeutic approaches such as Solution Focused Therapy, Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychotherapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (to name a few), are also the first steps towards solutions and healing for everyone involved.

For more information on teen behavior problems and teen behavior treatment visit Inspirations for Youth and Families.

Addiction and Behavior Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

The End of the First Amendment

You may as well toss the Bill of Rights in the trash because it isn't worth the paper it is printed on these days. The opposition (i.e the state and federal government) will attempt to feed you a line of crap that police or judicial designated free speech zones are constitutional, but it is exactly that: a line of crap, especially in the context used in the case of Mark Schmidter of Orlando. Schmidter dared to pass out pamphlets on public property.

The only connection of Schmidter's case to the Casey Anthony fiasco is that an administrative order from Judge Belvin Perry in the Anthony case regarding a free speech zone was applied to anyone in or around the courthouse. The pamphlets that Mark Schmidter handed out outside of the Orange County courthouse had nothing whatsoever to do with Anthony's case and he had previously passed out the same pamphlets at the same location long before her trial. Don't believe it when they tell you this is related to the Anthony fiasco in any way, shape, or form.

So what are these pamphlets about? Jury nullification.

The pamphlets advised possible or potential jurors of their rights as jurors. The corrupt system representatives do not want jurors to know that they have any rights at all, but indeed they do. Mark Schmidter is actively involved in an organization called Florida Fully Informed Jury Association and frequently spends his own time passing out these pamphlets at courthouses across the State of Florida. Read the actual pamphlet (PDF) HERE.

The truth is that judges like Perry do not want jurors to know that they have any rights at all and in this respect, Schmidter was a disruption to the corrupt system in place. Jury nullification is term that describes a juror's right to refuse to enforce bad laws and bad prosecutions. The pamphlets explain the juror's right to judge the facts of the case and the law itself. Many have stated that I was a beneficiary of jury nullification, though only the jurors in my trial could know for sure.

Today Judge Belvin Perry held a trial without jurors, commonly referred to as trial by judge. The defendant was Mark Schmidter and Judge Perry convicted him on both counts of “indirect criminal contempt” for violating two administrative orders that he issued pertaining to the Casey Anthony case. Injustice was swift in this case – Schmidter was only arrested on June 29, 2011, and he sure didn't get his right to trial by jury. He lost (go figure) and was sentenced to 151 days on one count and 141 days on the other, to be served concurrently (simultaneously or at the same time).

So this man will spend around 151 days in the lousy Orange County jail for handing out pamphlets on the Orange County courthouse steps – something he and many have done for years at courthouses across the State of Florida. Schmidter's attorney, Adam Sudbury, will be filing the appeal on his behalf and working to get him an appeal bond so that he can get out of the Orange County hellhole.

One significant difference between this case and any that have passed judicial scrutiny in regards to free speech zones is that this was not a captive audience, though there is caselaw to back-up cases in which the recipients of the “speech” were indeed a captive audience. I believe that Schmidter will find justice outside of Orange County, either in the appeals court or if not then in US Supreme Court, as he did have the right to be heard by his desired audience: Schmidter was within his First Amendment right to persuade possible or potential jurors to know their rights as jurors.

While Belvin Perry somehow managed to give Casey Anthony a fair trial, he also managed to stomp on the Bill of Rights for anyone that was anywhere near the fiasco. Read the Orlando Sentinelarticle: Judge Perry sends man with pamphlets to jail

Initial Look at High Class NY Escort Case

Although the actual indictment by the New York Grand Jury is not yet available online, I took a closer look at the entire situation. Sometimes it is complicated to extract what is real and what is not from articles in mainstream media and often bloggers just copy parts of articles. We all know that frequently situations are twisted and misrepresented in media and I am guilty of having little trust in the system of injustice in the US, whether it is a state or federal case.

So far I find one major issue that stands out in the High Class NY case. Jonathan Yampolskaya, the step-son of Mikhail Yampolsky, was charged with “criminal possession of a controlled substance,” charged as a misdemeanor on June 3, 2011, by NYPD. In this case his attorney is listed as Legal Aid, but as of today no motions have been filed in the case. In the current indictment his “top charge” is a B Felony, stated as “Cscs-3rd: narcotic drug – cocaine”.

One of the investors, Yaklov Maystrovich, has the low bond of $5000, yet he is also charged with the B Felony “enterprise corruption” 10 counts of “money laundering,” a E Felony, and 1 count of “promoting prostitution,” a D Felony. I am somewhat puzzled as defendants with the same charges (like Bronislava Yampolsky) have a $75,000 bond.

Others charged in the case are Valerii Loboda, Oleg Lechko, Alexey Senenov, Pinia Ashkinadze, Yury Gorelik, Boris Ratovsky, Meredith Harford, Angelo Pascacello, Irina Pobukovsky, and Ilya Olshansky. Loboda also has that $5K bond, Lechko was released on his own recognizance even though he has a list of charges that include the B Felony “enterprise corruption,” Senenov doesn't show as having a filed case, Ashkinadze has the $5K bond as does Gorelik. Ratovsky also has the $5K bond, but is charged with more counts than most including drug charges. Harford has a $10K bond and a longer list of charges too. Pascacello has a lengthy list of counts and the $5K bond, Pobukovsky has a really lengthy list of charges and was released on her own recognizance, and Olshansky has a $5K bond.

According to the system, no one with a bond has posted it yet. This could be due to a delay in updates or they may all still be in jail and unable to post bond because of frozen funds. Really with the exception of the main four family members charged, all the bonds are low by any standard.

As to the clients involved in this case, I would bet that many will later be contacted by investigators. None should have been so ignorant as to use a credit card to pay for an escort, and especially after knowing that “discrete billing” was in place. There's no such thing as “discrete billing,” by the way, and this is a euphemism for credit card factoring in Florida, which is often charged as “money laundering,” as in this case.

The reason that I believe at least some of the clients may later be contacted is that I do not foresee quick guilty pleas for the main four family members in this case, or at least not three of them. That is not saying that I feel all or any will take it to trial, but I do feel that it will be some time and discovery later if there are plea deals. This case is not as plain as most articles paint it to be.

I also feel, from reading what is available, that there was an initial arrest or two that escalated this case. Yep – you read my mind – there is an informant or two involved.

I have also had time to reflect on the long ago argument / debate with some member of this group. I have no way of knowing who specifically chose to email and post anonymous comments on this blog back then, but they were not kind comments at all. In fact they were so rude, in a personal way, that I chose to delete them later. My final comment remains as posted under a March 2010 article. Maybe someone took heed and opted not to cross state lines, but clearly the credit card issues didn't stick. Regardless, I do not hold it against the person.

Even all other escort business information out there for sale advocates the acceptance of credit cards. I only know what I know from listening to my father (now deceased) back in 1995, and from watching what happened to others. Many disagree with me, but then I am the only escort service owner in the US to ever be acquitted on organized crime charges by a jury so I figure that I must know something about it all and leave it at that.

We shall see how this case unravels, but don't be surprised if it is more complicated than media has made it at this time.

NY Escort Service Operators Indicted

It is thanks to a criminal law blog that I am aware of the big escort service bust in NYC yesterday. Appelman Law Firm posted the article: $7 Million NYC Prostitution &Drug Ring Busted. I then searched and found articles in the Wall Street Journal, CNN etc... but I admit to rarely reading mainstream news if not for specific reasoning.

The escort service has additional websites, but the main one mentioned is High Class NY, and as you can see it is still up at this point. It is a NY State prosecution and not a federal case and there are 144 counts in the indictment. Apparently there were drugs involved somewhere, though no article anywhere discusses who specifically did what with drugs except the notation that a couple of escorts were charged with “criminal sale of a controlled substance” and “attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance”.

Criminal defense attorney Avery Appelman mentions the fact that the businesses had independent contractor agreements with the escorts and models:

“It’s interesting that this company has independent contracts with its ‘models’ that prohibit sexual contact,” says criminal defense attorney, Avery Appelman. “This may insulate them from liability. It’s also interesting that this case is being prosecuted by the state, not the feds. Perhaps the feds didn’t think the evidence was strong enough to obtain a conviction.”

The existence of a contract alone will not insulate anyone from liability in such a case. If no one with the businesses made any compromising statements during the supposed 3 years that they operated, then the contracts do help to insulate from liability. It all comes down to what the state prosecutors have on audio or video to prove their case. Just saying they knewor they had to knowdoesn't cut it if there's a trial, especially with the contracts available for jurors to view. In other words, as long as no defendant contradicted their own contract they should be safe on that part.

I do not have access to the indictment at this point, but according to Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes, this is the story – the article is HERE, but you must scroll to see it:

Seventeen individuals and five corporations were named in the indictment, including High Class NY’sowners Mikhail Yampolsky; his wife, Bronislava; his son, Alexander; and his step-son, Jonathan Yampolskaya. Also indicted are eleven of their managers and supervisors, as well as two of their largest investors, Efim Gorelik and Yakov Maystrovich. Charges against the defendants include Enterprise Corruption, Promoting Prostitution, Money Laundering, and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. If convicted, they face up to 25 years in prison. In separate indictments, two escorts are charged with Prostitution, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance.

I hate to say it, but over a year ago and closer to 2 years ago, I had an argument / debate with someone connected to this operation. It wasn't really an argument as I really do not care what anyone else does with their business, but was one in relation to what the intelligent way to go is in reference to credit cards. The party read my statements against accepting credit cards and contacted me. Only an idiot uses a credit card to book an escort, and I knew that before Operation Out Call (IRS) began, and who wants to book idiots?

Beyond that, the party I interacted with in email seemed like a normal businessman and had been in business for over a year when we had the discussion. Yes, I know that there is much more money to be made if you accept credit cards, but... and I am sorry to say that I imagine they now get my point. The state will squeeze any or all of the clients involved, and they've got the friggin' client list (credit card transactions). Squeezed clients will say absolutely anything to get out of a problem - I have seen it happen in any case where credit cards are involved. Read more about Operation Out Call (IRS) by scrolling to the foot of this blog and reading the article in New York Magazine or viewing it directly from Google.

As for the drugs, it is hard to tell if this was a couple of random escorts trying to make more money or what. The DA really doesn't elaborate on that part and I will not be making a guess on the topic. My viewpoint on escorts involved with drugs is that I get the hell away from them quickly.

I will say that it might be a good idea for any of the defendants' attorneys to contact me.If you want to see who is charged with what specific counts, you can go to New York State Unified Court System's WebCrims and search by "Defendant Name". Click on the case that shows, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the links for charges, appearances, motions etc...

 

Teen Behavior Problems - What happened to my Child?

What happened to my child? This is the question most often asked, when parents call Inspirations Teen Rehab seeking help for their teenage child. When parents call our center for help, their conversations quickly recount a time when their teenager was once a small child, and their world was happy, their child was obedient, warm, welcoming, and loving. Then, the conversation turns to the current situation of the struggle between the parent and the child, in which the parent is traumatized, baffled, and in a state of complete despair and desperation, needing the assistance of anyone, preferably a professional, to help understand and mend the alarming and chaotic behaviors of the teenager and the repair of the destruction of the family unit. Most parents are either heartbroken or angry or both. Their dream for their child, which began when their child was placed in their arms upon birth, now appears shattered.

Many parents are fearful of their teenager’s future, as teen behaviors often jeopardize their college opportunities and many times, put them at risk for incarceration. Incarceration or involvement in the juvenile justice program can quickly become a reality, as teens use or abuse drugs, become violent and cause dangerous domestic situations, or demonstrate aggressive or volatile behavior in public or while driving a vehicle.

Parents, family members, teachers, coaches, and other people involved in a teenagers life, often ask this question: When did the teen behavior problem begin? This is a question that is not easily answered. For teenagers who experienced a traumatic event, the trauma is often the catalyst for behavioral problems. For those teenagers who have a history of stable behavior and age appropriate behavior, it is difficult to identify the exact moment or incident (if one exists) at which the teen changed course.

Below are some of the behaviors, situations, or actions, commonly found in teens and families who are struggling with teen behavior problems which have been consistently identified by mental health professionals:

• Given a sense of immediate gratification or quickly satisfied
• Over-indulged, spoiled, or given money and objects without earning them
• Lack of consistent home rules and curfews
• Lack of consistent home responsibilities (chores)
• Lack of definitive expectations and goals
• Lack of Consequences
• Lack of physical or emotional safety (home or school)
• Lack of quality time shared between parents and children
• Severe dysfunction in the home, including violence, addiction, or mental health issues

For more information on teen behavior problems and teen drug abuse visit Inspirations for Youth and Families.

Addiction and Behavior Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Open an Escort Service in Baghdad

My Blueprint book could indeed be used to open and operate an escort business anywhere in the world, including Baghdad, Erbil, Islamabad, Kabul, Kuwait City, Mosul, Basrah, Kandahar, Peshawar, Lahore etc... Why let the war profiteers beat you to it? Oh I'm sure that the listed cities already have some form of an escort service already going, but why not professionalize it?

You may need to license it as an entertainment company and in some areas you may not need to license it at all. I'd bet that a party stripper company would go over rather well in Baghdad. Make sure to offer Strip-o-gram style costumed shows and escorts that offer social companionship for the Baghdad Embassy and Green Zone crowd. Where Marriott, Intercontinental Hotels, and Starwood go is where your escort business should be. Hell, even Best Western is in on the party.

I posted on the topic of escort businesses anywhere on the Blueprint Blog back in May, so I won't be too repetitious here. The post is: Open an Escort Business Anywhere

A quote from that post: “Really it all comes down to the level of acceptance for adult business on an outcall basis. It is the level of acceptance in any geographical area that will ultimately determine how you operate and the type of license that you will want.”

If you Google the phrase, “Baghdad escorts” you will see listings for convoy and security escorts, but no escort services of this type yet. However, if you Google the phrase “Islamabad escorts” a company called VIP Dubai Escorts is listed, but they list cities all over the Middle East and beyond as cities of operation. And check those rates: 1 Hour = 3500 A.E.D. = $953 today!

By the way, VIP Dubai has a great website, but how viewable is it on an arrangement of smartphones? I'd have to test it to tell you (smile). Reaching users searching on a variety of wireless devices is really important these days, and probably more important in Baghdad than here.

It is time to jump-in if this interests you. You must view it as Marriott did, with the exception of the 2008 Islamabad bombing, and understand that it is all about business. You certainly would have a built-in market with the many contractors and high-ranking US military in the region. Trust me – this crowd calls, and they've got the $$$s these days. Isn't that what any business is about? Making money and doing business where the money is?

To get started with your plan you should first check out Iraq Business News. You will see a “Leisure and Tourism” category among many others. I couldn't find anything about adult business of any sort, but I consider it time to be a pioneer on this venture. Before you know it they will have such a category, or maybe not. I did note that Karbala will soon have a monorail system, which is more than we have here in Orlando.

I am amazed that only the one escort business shows in a variety of searches. I advise you to specialize in one location, like Baghdad for example, and beyond that to separate the party stripper business from the escort service. I am available for consultations for $45 an hour, with better packages available for 20+ hours – don't ask how I arrived at that specific figure (smile). For a bit more, I'd come over and run it for you, or at least get it going, but you can't pay me via PayPal.

If you don't do it, you could bet that someone else will be soon.

Is this satire? Not really.

Image credit: Iraq on the Map2010 © Marcio Silva / 2011 © iStockphoto.com 

 

Seven Ways Parents Can Reduce Troubled Teen Behaviors and at Risk Potential

It is prudent for all parents to recognized risk factors for teens, focusing on “troubled teens”, as the most at risk group of high school teenagers. Teens are a population of people, most at risk for drug use, abuse, and addiction. For troubled teens, the risk that teens will smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs increases sharply if they are highly stressed, frequently bored or have substantial amounts of spending money.

Below are seven ways parents/guardians can reduce troubled teen behaviors and at risk potential

• Identify mental health issues including attention deficit disorder, depression, oppositional defiance disorder, bipolar, PTSD, and other conditions commonly found in the teenage population.

• Understand when and why your children are bored, upset or triggered to engage in negative behaviors. Engage them in activities, suited for their personality and ability.

• Limit the amount of money your children have to spend and monitor how that money is spent.

• Know who your children's friends are and keep their friend’s and parent’s telephone numbers available for your use.

• Create a rewards-based chore and responsibility schedule. Reward good behavior and goal-oriented chores, tasks, and academics.

• Participate in your children's lives: attend their sports events, musical or theatrical accomplishments, oversee their homework and remain knowledgeable about their grades and academic performance, participate in activities together, and talk with them about drugs.
• Identify the stress in your child's life and help them, offering individual therapy or boarding school, adolescent residential rehab, and alternative solutions.

For more information on teen drug abuse, teen addiction treatment, and teen drug rehab programs visit Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka Inspirations Teen Rehab.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Top 5 Reasons Teens Resource to Drugs

Teens are a population of people, most at risk for drug use, abuse, and addiction. For troubled teens, the risk that teens will smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs increase sharply if they are highly stressed, frequently bored or have substantial amounts of spending money. According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), below are the top five reasons teens resource to drugs:

1. To combat loneliness, low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression

2. To mentally ‘check-out’ of family issues or school troubles

3. To ease discomfort in an unfamiliar situation

4. To look cool or change their image/reputation

5. To fit in with a desired group of friend

To learn more about teen drug use, abuse and addiction visit: Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka, Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab.

If you suspect your child is abusing drugs or alcohol, seek professional help and remember these three C's: that 'you didn't Cause, can't Control and can't Cure' your child's problems.

But you can and must take charge and seek help for your child. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better off your child will be. Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab empowers parents/guardians to make decisions that will protect and guide teens through the journey of teenage years.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

The Squeeze is on Backpage Now

With Craigslist adult services long gone, the anti-adult agenda has turned towards Village Voice Media, the owner of backpage.com. In Seattle, the mayor has pulled the city's ads in the Seattle Weekly, also owned by Village Voice Media. American Airlines also pulled all ads from Village Voice Media publications.

Trevor Neilsen with Huffpost Mediastated: “The goal is also not to stop adults from selling ads. The goal is simply to stop children from being sold for sex.”

Don't be naïve Trevor. They won't stop until all adult categories have been eliminated from all Village Voice publications. I'm sure that you watched it with Craigslist and the personalized attacks on Craig Newmark and Jim Buckmaster, right? What makes you believe that this witch hunt is any different? I will await your answer.

Beyond that, I have watched it and dealt with it since I entered the escort business in Orlando in 1992, with special emphasis on 1996, when Sprint Publishing was threatened with RICO charges over its yellow pages in the Orlando-Disney area and then again with the arrests at the Orlando Weekly back in 2007: The Yellow Pages Fiasco

Using the cause of child sex trafficking is a somewhat new tool in the anti-adult business toolbox. Really in any case that I have heard of that involved Backpage, we are talking about some random sleezebag that advertises a teenager. Let's not pretend this never happened before the world went online.

If Village Voice Media is somehow able to verify ID prior to posting an advertisement in the adult categories, do you believe that it would stop there and the current attackers would welcome the media company with open arms? If you do, I still have that home in the Everglades for sale and the wildlife comes right to the door.

This entire attack is all about the anti-adult agenda and has little or nothing to do with child sex trafficking. Trust me; they'd like to kill all adult businesses in the US and make advertising anywhere impossible. The question is, who will be the next in line after Village Voice Media caves?

The fact that PayPal chose to censor me and killed my ebook sales for books that would be rated PG or R tells me that I will encounter issues elsewhere in the near future. It is indeed an anti-adult agenda. 

Psychiatrists as Pill Pushers

Make no mistake here: This phenomena has nothing to do with the failed US War on Drugs. This is all about the dumbing down of Americans using widely prescribed psychotropic drugs. I still cannot locate any valid up-to-date statistics, but I have found journal articles and investigative articles that back my viewpoint on the topic.

There's not much that I consider as annoying as the drug commercials on television these days. The most absurd part of every commercial is the quickie disclaimer; you know – the “side effects may include nausea, brain hemorrhage, vomiting, dizziness, and death” inclusion. What type of idiot would take the crap?

I may be weird, but I read warning labels on just about any product and certainly on prescription pamphlets. Back when I was 20ish years, I considered birth control pills and easily received a prescription for the things. I went home and read the included instruction booklet and the long list of potentially fatal and definitely scary side effects and threw the damn crap in the garbage. Who in their right mind would take something that could cause all of that? I mean, it obviously has caused such problems or the statements wouldn't be there.

I have no clue what warnings come with a Xanax or a Zoloft prescription, but must imagine it wouldn't sound inviting to me. I read an article dated July, 12, 2011, written by James Ridgeway for Al Jazeera: Mass Psychosis in the US. This written work discusses much of what I have had on my mind in relation to the proliferation of pill pushing psychiatrists in the last decade or so.

I have met many people on this crap for depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks etc... They are referred to as the anti-psychotic drugs in the article. Child overactive or argumentative? You can get a quick diagnosis of ADD or ADHD or bipolar and the mind-numbing prescriptions to go with it. Joey will be a complacent and contented little boy in less than a week, unless someone tries to come between him and his drugs.

My personal experience with this was a doctor's attempt to give my own child the crap when he was eleven years. I told the dipshit to drop dead and found a better doctor. No, we would not be drugging my child just because a couple of teachers are too damned lazy to get off their collective asses and participate in their own classes.

My first experience with the drug Ritalin was back in 1988. I was working at a youth center on a USAF base as a recreation aid. I worked the before and after school program and the skate nights and other events. There was a boy named Eric enrolled and his mother was a major in the USAF. Eric was a bit rambunctious as any 10 year old should be. My co-workers viewed Eric as a problem, but I viewed my co-workers as lazy asses that wanted a bunch of quiet children so they could gossip or drink soda or whatever.

One day Eric's mother the USAF major came in for a private discussion with our director. We were all later informed that Eric was going to be placed on a newer drug that should help with his behavior. Yep – they drugged little Eric to make their lives easier. I always played basketball with Eric and kept him active and occupied, but this new drugged Eric had no such interest. He went from knocking me in the head with a basketball and tripping me as I skated to sitting quietly and reading at a table with an occasional, “Hi Miss Vicky”. Now everyone else loved little Eric, but I freaked out on it – they drugged him. It wasn't much longer and I left that lousy job. Recreation my ass.

A main reason that many people in the US get on these anti-psychotic drugs these days is to collect Social Security Disability and the other financial benefits that come with it. You're actually considered mentally disabled and unable to work so you sit back and collect food stamps, mucho cash monthly, and have all of your time free to do what you want. What a deal, right? Well, as entrepreneurial as I try to be when there isn't interference from one direction or another, I consider the pill-popping sponges to be criminals.

I have a friend that had major heart surgery. They had to break her breastbone to do the surgery – maybe this is the case with all women; I'm not sure as I admit to avoiding doctors all my life. Anyway, Crystal really could not work and was really disabled after the surgery. She refused all painkillers once she came out of surgery because she knew she could handle pain for a short time, but couldn't handle a long drug addiction later. She was intelligent enough to know better, yet I see people all around me taking flippin' pain killers for something like arthritis. How absurd!

Now Crystal owned an escort service at the time she had the heart troubles and serious surgery. When she got out of the hospital she had plenty of bills due and feared answering the phone as she knew that I was about to be arrested. Agents had threatened her and tried to force her to be a witness in my case, but she managed to skip town just before my trial.

Anyway, Crystal tried to collect Social Security Disability and even pushed it to court when she was refused. An Orange County, FL Administrative Court judge actually instructed her to go back into the escort business – there was no reason she couldn't answer the phone and deal with booking calls for substantial income. Eventually she won her Social Security claim in a NC court and the judge didn't try to shove her back into the escort business. Yet anyone and their brother can claim depression, obtain various prescription drugs for it, and get Social Security Disability and various other benefits.

What is wrong with this picture? What is wrong in this country?

Psychotropic Drugs and the Dumbing Down of America

Usually the expression “dumbing down of America” is used in relation to our education system, which is an entirely different problem. My reference to the term is the over-prescribing of psychotropic drugs in society today. Is this occurring in other countries also or is it a US problem?

I have been working on a thesis of sorts that somewhere around 75% of the population in the US is on psychotropic drugs. The figure could be closer to 65% - it is hard to tell as current statistics are not available. I only know what I see and what I encounter, and it sure isn't good news. I'm not one to regularly visit doctors and I'm not on the mind-altering drugs and never have been, but these days almost everyone that I encounter is prescribed one psych drug or another.

The most commonly prescribed psych drugs are Xanax, Prozac, and Zoloft, but others are widely used as well. Those that take this stuff will quickly defend it with statements like, “I have a chemical imbalance,” but this is a translation of “I'm mentally unstable and being treated for psychiatric problems”. These people consider themselves stable and able to function right next to the rest of us, but they are not.

To know how I feel about psychotropic drugs, you need only read, The State of Florida Drugs its Witnesses. Most of the state's witnesses in my case were on mind-altering drugs, rendering their testimony totally worthless to anyone that can still think around here. My two co-defendants were the most medicated of all.

I had a friend that I no longer speak to that has been on psychotropic drugs for over a decade. She will quickly defend the practice and refuse any mention of rehab as a solution. Okay, I will be blunt here: She is downright hostile and aggressive towards any mention of her entering a rehab facility and getting off the crap and it ended our friendship a while back. She had good reason to go on the stuff long ago, but that line of reasoning should have been over at least 8 years ago. What kind of lousy doctor would prescribe this crap to anyone for years?

I recently made the mistake of voicing my thoughts on the mind-altering prescription drugs in relation to prolonged use on a forum and after the first statement escaped my keyboard, I was attacked and trashed by almost all that entered the discussion. As a matter of fact, the attacks were the worst that I have ever experienced, which says a lot. Good God – never dare try to come between the mentally afflicted and their medications! (more on that story in the next couple of days)

I truly hope that state authorities are keeping-up with lists of those receiving treatment for mental problems, but I seriously doubt it. Think about situations in your life wherein you are asked the question, “Have you ever been treated for a mental condition or problem?” This question is asked when you're applying for insurance or try to purchase a gun and in many cases on employment applications. Now consider how many in our population should be answering that question with a “yes” but probably do not.

The main issue to me at this moment in time is that the great majority of people on psychotropic drugs cannot recognize that they are addicted to a drug (or 2 or 10) and consider themselves mentally stable when they sure as hell are not. Never attempt to debate or argue with a gang of people with mental problems – trust me; it doesn't work out well at all. These people are aggressive, irritable, and downright angry.

My advice? Get a new psychiatrist, go to a rehab and get off addicting drugs, and stop thinking of yourself as mentally stable because you are not, at least not while you are on psychotropic drugs.

One good thing about it: This is my blog and they sure as hell cannot attack me here. LOL

Censored by PayPal

I awoke today to read the following email from PayPal:

We are hereby notifying you that, after a recent review of your account activity, it has been determined that you are in violation of PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy regarding your sales / offers of an ebook about escort services on blueprintforanescortservice.blogspot.com.

Therefore, your account has been permanently limited.

Under the Acceptable Use Policy, PayPal may not be used to send or receive payments for certain sexually oriented materials or services or for items that could be considered obscene.

It is a trick statement as allof my books are “about escort services” including Memoirs. All are also sold on my website, The Accused Madam. I only had funds from the last three sales in the account so the balance is $30 after PayPal took its fees on the three sales and adding the previous balance of $2.

The censors at PayPal must not want anything sold that isn't for children. Does Disney own PayPal or a piece of the company?

Nothing in any book I have written could possibly be considered “obscene” or “sexually oriented material”. My books are all intended for an adult audience, but if they were rated they would all be PG or at worst R. There is nothing sexual in any book I have written.

Screw the censors at PayPal.

When I login to my PayPal account I see the following notification:

Why is my account access limited?

Your account access has been limited for the following reason(s):

• Jul 10, 2011: When you signed up for your PayPal account, you agreed to our User Agreement and Acceptable Use Policy. Because some of your recent transactions violated this policy, we've had to permanently limit your account.
  
  Please remove any references to PayPal from your website.
  
  You'll be able to withdraw any money in your account 180 days after your last transaction. We'll email you when it's ready to be withdrawn.
  

My email response to aup@paypal.com:

Nothing in any book that I have written could possibly be considered "obscene" or "sexually oriented material". While the intended audience for my books is adult, if anyone were to read and rate any of my books they would each be a PG or at most an R. There is nothing sexual in any book.

What you are doing here is incorrect, but this is the US and I respect your right as a company to not do business with anyone you choose. Welcome to Amerika, the new Disney, where everything is for children and adults do not exist except in relation to children.

Screw PayPal's censorship of me and my books. So you manage to stop me from selling ebooks that are available from Google ebooks and in Amazon's US, UK, and Canada Kindle stores and as paperbacks through any bookstore. Thanks a bunch and screw you.

Vicky Gallas

Never go to Trial on Theory

Let this be one more lesson for prosecutors in the State of Florida: Never go to trial on theory.

Casey Anthony was found not guilty on all counts except lying to law enforcement. We all knew she lied – the rest of it was pure theory from beginning to end.

The fiasco started by former Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary is finally over.

Teens are a population of people, most at risk for drug use, abuse, and addiction. For troubled teens, the risk that teens will smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs increase sharply if they are highly stressed, frequently bored or have substantial amounts of spending money.

According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), below are the top five reasons teens resource to drugs:

1. To combat loneliness, low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression

2. To mentally ‘check-out’ of family issues or school troubles

3. To ease discomfort in an unfamiliar situation

4. To look cool or change their image/reputation

5. To fit in with a desired group of friend

To learn more about teen drug use, abuse and addiction visit: Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka, Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab.

If you suspect your child is abusing drugs or alcohol, seek professional help and remember these three C's: that 'you didn't Cause, can't Control and can't Cure' your child's problems. But you can and must take charge and seek help for your child. The earlier you act upon your child’s addiction problems the better off your child will be.

Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab empowers parents/guardians to make decisions that will protect and guide teens through the journey of teenage years.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237
http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237
http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Prescription Drugs - Juveniles in Trouble with the Law

If your son or daughter were to give another child prescription drugs that they might find at home and the child overdose and die, it is highly likely that a civil suit against you for negligence will result in your having to pay damages.

There is also a chance that you could face criminal prosecution for your leaving dangerous drugs around that could lead to the death of another.

Possession of controlled substances with intent to sell is a crime. The painkillers are mostly Schedule II drugs. Ritalin and Adderall are Schedule II drugs. Most benzodiazepines are Schedule IV drugs.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s report “Crime in the United States”, there were 143,639 juveniles arrested by state and local law enforcement agencies for drug abuse violations during 2006, representing 10.4% of the drug arrests in which the offender’s age was reported.

If your child is caught in possession of any amount of painkillers or stimulants here are the federal guidelines:

First Offense: Not more than 20 years. If death or serious injury, not less than 20 years, or more than life. Fine $1 million.

Second Offense: Not more than 30 years. If death or serious injury, not less than life. Fine $2 million.

If your child is caught with benzodiazepines, here are the federal guidelines:

First Offense: Not more than 3 years. Fine not more than $250,000.
Second Offense: Not more than6 years. Fine not more than $500,000.

Obviously, if your child is treated as a minor the guidelines can be different, but it is still drug trafficking. By leaving prescription drugs around and by not educating our kids about the dangers of prescription drugs, they risk not only serious injury or death but also prison.

For more information on teen drug abuse, teen addiction treatment, and teen drug rehab programs visit Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka Inspirations Teen Rehab.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Most Abused Prescription Drugs Abuse by Teens

Painkillers (OxyContin and its generic form oxycodone, Lortab, Vicodin, Percodan, Percocet and the Fentanyl Patch) are the most common pharmaceuticals abused by teens, especially by younger teens. Stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall) abuse is more common among older teens and college students than younger teens. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin) are abused by teens of all ages.

Oxies, OC, hillbilly heroin, oxycotton, 80s, percs, vikes, and vikings are commonly used terms to refer to painkillers. Ritz, rippers, dexies, and bennies are commonly used terms to refer to stimulants. Benzos, xanies, xani-bars, xani-bombs, and roofies are commonly used terms to refer to benzodiazepines.

Everyone understands that heroin is a dangerous drug and many people die from heroin overdoses. What parent would not be horrified if their children took heroin? However, if your children are taking these narcotic painkillers, they are taking drugs that mimic the effects of heroin in the body.

Everyone also understands that cocaine is a dangerous drug. What parent wants their children to use cocaine? However, many parents watch their children take Ritalin and Adderall, two heavy stimulants that are Schedule II drugs-just like cocaine. In 2006, it is estimated that three out of 10 high school seniors abuse prescription stimulants.

Stimulant side effects include dilated pupils, increased heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, feelings of restlessness, anxiety, and delusions, hostility and aggression, and panic, suicidal, or homicidal tendencies. Overdose or death is preceded by high fever, convulsions, and heart failure which may be hastened by physical activity.

Benzodiazepines can cause dilated pupils and slurred speech, feelings of intoxication, loss of motor coordination, respiratory depression, sensory alteration, depression and lowered blood pressure. In younger children these side effects are multiplied and can lead to seizures and, if not immediately addressed, death.

Since antidepressants (Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Lexapro) are prescribed now for everything from weight loss to muscle pain, they are in many medicine cabinets and are left lying on bedside tables. As we discussed last week, there is now evidence that these drugs are no more effective than a placebo (sugar pill) and that they are linked to 52% of the suicides by women in Sweden in2006. The FDA has ordered suicide and violence warnings placed on the antidepressant boxes if these dangerous drugs are taken by teenagers because these violent side effects are even more prevalent in younger people.

The danger to teens from all of these prescription drugs is greatly increased when they are combined with each other or with alcohol.

No caring parent would leave heroin, cocaine or other dangerous street drugs on their nightstand or in the medicine cabinet or just dump it in the garbage. However, many parents do exactly this with legal heroin, legal cocaine: antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

What are Pharm Parties?

Many parents do not realize that their own medicine cabinet can be a source of a variety of drugs for abuse.

You may not know what pharming is, but your teenagers do. Your first step in helping protect your teens is to speak the same language. Knowing the vocabulary surrounding prescription drug abuse can help you take a proactive approach in communicating with your teen and safeguarding their health and safety.

Teenagers turn to prescription drugs because they perceive them as less dangerous than illegal drugs. Because of this, teenage prescription drug abuse is on the rise.

In conversations with your teen about drugs, be sure to include prescription drug abuse and why it's harmful. Tell them that taking prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs without a doctor's approval and supervision can be a dangerous—even deadly—decision. Dispel the myth that these drugs are less harmful than street drugs because they are available through a doctor or at the local drug store.

The Language of Prescription Drug Abuse

Big boys, cotton, kicker
Various slang for prescription pain relievers.

Chill pills, french fries, tranqs
Various slang for prescription sedatives and tranquilizers.

"Pharming" (pronounced "farming")
From the word pharmaceutical. It means kids getting high by raiding their parents' medicine cabinets for prescription drugs to get high.

"Pharm parties"
Parties where teens bring prescription drugs from home, mix them together into a big bowl (see 'trail mix'), and grab a handful. Not surprisingly, pharm parties are usually arranged while parents are out.

"Bowling parties"
Like "pharming" - mixing medications and taking them randomly.

"Happy Little Pill Time"
Sharing and taking these substances on the way to school.

OTC
Over the counter medications (cough and cold medicines, pills or liquids, for example)

DXM
Dextromethorphan is the active ingredient in over 100 drug products, including cough medicine.

"Robo-tripping ", "Robo-fizzing" , Skittling, Dex-ing
Abuse of cough medicine

Smurfing-buying
Medications from more than one retail store

SLANG:
Pain Relievers
Oxycodone (Hillbilly Heroin)
Percocet (Percs)
Vicodin (Happy Pills, Vikes)

Depressants
Benzodiasepines (Candy, Downers, Sleeping Pills, Tranks)
Xanax (Totem Poles)
Barbiturates (Barbs, Reds, Blue Birds, Phennies, Yellow Jackets, Tooties)

Stimulants
Ritalin (Kiddy Cocaine, Vitamin R, West Coast)
Amphetamines (Bennies, Crosses, Black Beauties, Hearts, Speed, LA Turnaround, Truck Drivers, Uppers)

Cough Medicine
Triple_C, CCC, Dex, Skittles, DXM, Syrup, Tussin

For more information on teen drug abuse, teen addiction treatment, and teen drug rehab programs visit Inspirations Youth and Families, aka Inspirations Teen Rehab.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Alarming Facts on Teen Drug Abuse

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America:

–1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription pain medication
–1 in 5 teens report abusing prescription stimulants and tranquilizers
–1 in 10 teens have abused cough medication

According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy:

Though overall teen drug use is down nationwide, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any other illicit drug except marijuana – more than cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine combined.

Every day, 2,500 kids aged 12-17 abuse a prescription painkiller for the first time and more people are getting addicted to prescription drugs.

Drug treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 300 percent from 1995 to 2005.

Teens are abusing prescription drugs because many believe the myth that these drugs provide a ”safe” high.

Especially troubling is that the majority of teens who abuse prescription drugs say they are easy to get and are often free.

For more information on teen substance abuse and teen addiction treatment and teen drug rehab programs visit Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka Inspirations Teen Rehab.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com
http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com

Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com

Teen Drug Abuse - The Talk You Can't Postpone

It's a topic not many parents want to discuss, but one that must be talked about: teen drug abuse.

With recent researches showing the average age of a first time user to be between 13 to 14 years of age, and with one in five eighth-graders reporting to be using or having tried illegal drugs, parents are been advised to make that much needed talk about drugs at earlier ages. Also, parents are been encouraged to educate themselves on the new trends of drug use.

Although K2, also known as Spice, and Bath Salts, also known as Synthetic Cocaine have alarmed the country in recent months, it is prescription drug who leads the cause of death among teen overdoses.

In the past, the more dangerous the perception of the drug the less likely a child was to try it, and that is why they would began experimenting with marijuana ; however, these days kids are experimenting with prescription pills because they perceive them as being safer and they are easy to get a hold of.

According to research seven out of ten abused drugs by teens are prescription. Some of the most abused prescription drugs are: OxyContin, Hydrocodone (Vicodin) and methadone, with Vicodin been the most commonly abused. Teens are abusing prescription drugs by crushing the pills and snorting them. By doing so they are experiencing the same rush as snorting heroin.

In recent years it has become clear that most teens addicted to drugs have started with the misuse of pills and soon transition to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to get.

Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab knows that all too well. Last year alone the majority of teens treated for heroin addiction at their residential facility, reported starting they drug abuse with prescription drugs, and about fifty percent of all admissions at Inspirations Teen Drug Rehab were related to prescription drug dependency.

To learn more about the recent trends on teen drug abuse visit: Inspirations for Youth and Families, aka, Inspirations Teen Rehab, where every teen is a child with a dream.

Addiction Treatment for Teens: 1-888-757-6237 http://www.inspirationsyouth.com http://www.inspirationsteenrehab.com Addiction Treatment for adults and young adults: 1-888-387-6237 http://www.covecenterforrecovery.com