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"Dying to Get High: Marijuana as Medicine" - Book Review
In "Dying to Get High," sociologists Wendy Chapkis and Richard Webb have written a sympathetic yet academically rigorous account of the contemporary controversies surrounding medical marijuana. They trace the use of marijuana as medicine in the US, its decline as a medicine in the early 20th Century, its removal from the pharmacopeia in 1941 (just four years after it was banned by federal law), the continuing blockage of research into its medical benefits by ideologically-driven federal authorities, and the renaissance of medical marijuana knowledge today, much of it derived from -- gasp! -- patients, not doctors or researchers.
As sociologists, Chapkis and Webb have a keen eye for the broader social, cultural, and political forces surrounding the issue of medical marijuana, from the rise of the pharmaceutical and medical establishments to the "culture war" contempt for marijuana and users among many Americans. But as much as middle America may disdain pot-smoking hippies, it seems that it is marijuana's location on the wrong side of the modern scientific and pharmaceutical discourse that most hinders its acceptance as a medicine.
Pot is a plant, not a pill. It is an herbal medication, not a chemical compound. It is a "crude plant material," not a "pure drug." All of this, Chapkis and Webb suggest, make it difficult indeed for the medical and scientific establishment to wrap its head around medical marijuana. And when scientific bias is coupled with cultural disdain and fear of widespread "abuse," that the federal government remains resistant to medical marijuana is hardly a surprise.
Chapkis and Webb deliver a resounding, well-reasoned indictment of the political and (pseudo) scientific opposition to medical marijuana, and their succinct discussion of the issues surrounding the controversy is worth the price of admission.
But "Dying to Get High" is also an in-depth portrait of one of the country's most well-known medical marijuana collectives, the Wo/Men's Access to Medical Marijuana (WAMM) collective in Santa Cruz, California, and it is here that the authors are really breaking new ground. They go from the big-picture sociology of medical marijuana in the past century to narrowly focus on ethnography of a patient collective, describing in loving detail the inner workings, dynamics, and tensions of a group with charismatic leadership -- Mike and Valerie Corral -- more than 200 seriously ill patients, and the specter of the DEA always looming.
Their account of the emergence and permanence of WAMM is both moving and enlightening. Rooted in the fertile soil of Santa Cruz, already well-tilled by previous social movements such as feminism, gay rights, and AIDS activism, WAMM may only have been possible in a place that friendly to radical movements and that familiar with activism around issues of medical care and social justice. Chapkis and Webb chart its formation, its growth, its conflicts and problems, and the humanity of its suffering members.
They also tell the story of the 2002 DEA raid on the WAMM garden and its devastating impact on members. But that raid and its aftermath were not just a blow to the sick and dying, they were a call to arms, impelling WAMM into ever more overtly political action to protect itself and the broader movement.
More broadly, Chapkis and Webb do a great service by dissecting WAMM, looking at how it works, how it handles dysfunction, and how it provides a service far beyond mere medical marijuana to its members. WAMM is perhaps the model medical marijuana collective, and it has many lessons to offer the interested reader. In "Dying to Get High," sociologists Wendy Chapkis and Richard Webb have written a sympathetic yet academically rigorous account of th... more -
Abuse of prescription drugs a concern
BENNINGTON — The problem of prescription drug abuse has been on the increase throughout the country, causing law enforcement officials and doctors to re-examine the tactics used to combat it.
Issue is broad
Bennington Police Detective Peter Urbanowicz, who handles drug cases with the department, said the scope of the issue is broad. "The prescription drug problem is a nationwide one," Urbanowicz said. "The Pacific Northwest is seeing an increase in pharmacy robberies, where drugs are taken instead of money. New Hampshire has had a problem with Methadone overdoses."
"It's getting a lot more attention recently," Urbanowicz said. "People are realizing it's a big problem."
Urbanowicz said the prescription drugs typically abused include methadone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, Percocet and Vicodin.
Bennington County State's Attorney Erica Marthage said she had seen a jump in the number of abuse cases she'd seen locally. "It's definitely on the increase. I don't think there's any question about that," Marthage said. "When I started working here in 2000, I didn't see nearly as much prescription drug cases as I do now."
"It's not any one particular group of people behind it — I can't say that it's generally younger or older people," Marthage said.
Marthage did say some of the supply of the drugs come from older people. "Some of the older folks have a lot of prescriptions, and they may engage in behavior they otherwise wouldn't," Marthage said. "If they sell these drugs, it provides income for them."
According to Marthage, one of the major problems in fighting prescription drug abuse is low awareness of the problem. "It's not something that most parents think about," Marthage said. "Usually, they're concerned about illicit drugs and underage drinking."
That problem is made worse, Marthage said, by the relative invisibility of the drugs themselves. "It's not like marijuana, where you have to smoke it somewhere," Marthage said. "Kids could go to school with these pills on their person, and no one would know."
According to Marthage, the government's attention to the problem has been lacking as well. "I think the mistake being made is that people are treating it like marijuana or underage drinking," Marthage said. "It's very different, both in terms of the effects on one's body and how addictive they are."
However, efforts are being made to combat the problem. Marthage said the recent problems had led to better coordination between members of the medical, pharmaceutical and law enforcement communities.
"As far as tracking, I think pharmacies and doctors' offices are much more aware of inconsistencies in prescriptions," Marthage said. "There's more of an open line of communication between doctors and pharmacies."
"I've received a number of cases where pharmacies have filled a prescription that they think is odd," Marthage said. BENNINGTON — The problem of prescription drug abuse has been on the increase throughout the country, causing law enforcement officials... more -
Teen gives LSD cookies to cops (VIDEO)
Police are investigating an 18-year-old who delivered cookies laced with drugs.
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Skunk smokers 18 times more likely to develop psychosis
That 'sticky-icky' you might have been smoking could make you eighteen times more likely to develop psychosis, compared to those who only smoke hashish.
Dr. Marta Di Forti of Kings College London conducted the research into skunk use and found rather alarming results. 80% of people who had experienced psychosis - delusions and paranoia - had smoked some hi-grade, compared to 76% of people who had no mental health problem who had smoked hash.
That 'sticky-icky' you might have been smoking could make you eighteen times more likely to develop psychosis, compared to those who o... more -
Depression strikes more Americans than cancer, AIDS, or coronary heart disease
Depression strikes about 17 million American adults each year--more than cancer, AIDS, or coronary heart disease--according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). An estimated 15 percent of chronic depression cases end in suicide. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected.
Many people simply don't know what depression is. "A lot of people still believe that depression is a character flaw or caused by bad parenting," says Mary Rappaport, a spokeswoman for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. She explains that depression cannot be overcome by willpower, but requires medical attention.
Fortunately, depression is treatable, says Thomas Laughren, M.D., team leader for psychiatric drug products in FDA's division of neuropharmacological drug products.
In the past 13 years, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several new antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (paroxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), Serzone (nefazodone), and Remeron (mirtazapine).
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 80 to 90 percent of all cases can be treated effectively. However, two-thirds of the people suffering from depression don't get the help they need, according to NIMH. Many fail to identify their symptoms or attribute them to lack of sleep or a poor diet, the APA says, while others are just too fatigued or ashamed to seek help.
Left untreated, depression can result in years of needless pain for both the depressed person and his or her family. And depression costs the United States an estimated $43 billion a year, due in large part to absenteeism from work, lost productivity, and medical costs, according to the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association.
Diagnosing the Disease
Medical professionals generally base a diagnosis of depressive disorder on the presence of certain symptoms listed in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. The DSM (presently in the fourth edition) lists the following symptoms for depression:
* depressed mood
* loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities
* changes in appetite or weight
* disturbed sleep
* slowed or restless movements
* fatigue, loss of energy
* feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
* trouble in thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
* recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
The diagnosis depends on the number, severity and duration of these symptoms.
Depression strikes about 17 million American adults each year--more than cancer, AIDS, or coronary heart disease--according to the Nat... more -
Tripping The Habit
Ibogaine is a hallucinogenic drug originating in Africa, and widely used there amongst the Bwiti tribe (Gabon/Cameroon) in initiation ceremonies.
It is now also used informally by practitioners across the world, including quite a few in the UK, as an anti-addiction treatment. People addicted to cocaine or heroin take Ibogaine, go into a hallucinatory trance-state for up to 24 hours and find that their cravings have subsided - it's not officially recognized as a treatment, but is known to be unusually successful. This film would follow someone's journey through the Ibogaine treatment - including the trance state in which the patient is often pretty physically active - exploring issues of addiction in today's society, alternative medicine and rehabilitation. Ibogaine is a hallucinogenic drug originating in Africa, and widely used there amongst the Bwiti tribe (Gabon/Cameroon) in initiation ... more -
Figures show extent of Scotland's hospital drink cases
Glasgow has Scotland's highest rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions, new figures have shown.
Alcohol misuse is estimated to cost Scotland £2.25bn every year, with related deaths more than doubling in the past decade.
The statistics showed wide variation across Scotland in the number of people admitted to hospital as a result of alcohol-related illness.
East and south east Glasgow and south east Highland were among the worst areas nationally, parts of which had 3% of the population admitted to hospital at least once because of alcohol. Glasgow has Scotland's highest rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions, new figures have shown. ... more -
Athletes turn to Viagra for performance.
Athletes are turning to a new performance enhancing drug: Viagra. Traces of the drug, which is intended to alleviate sexual dysfunction, are increasingly appearing in the testing of samples from sports competitors.
It has become so widespread that the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is considering whether to include Viagra in its list of substances banned in international sports. Experts believe that Viagra, which dilates blood vessels, could help in events requiring explosive power, such as sprinting. Others suggest it could help endurance – not so much marathon sex sessions as marathon running – particularly at high altitude or in polluted conditions, such as those expected at the Beijing Olympics. The drug is believed to aid the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles. Athletes are turning to a new performance enhancing drug: Viagra. Traces of the drug, which is intended to alleviate sexual dysfunctio... more -
Hoax turns ugly...Teachers tell students their classmates are dead
On a Monday morning last month, highway patrol officers visited 20 classrooms at El Camino High School to announce some horrible news: Several students had been killed in car wrecks over the weekend. Classmates wept. Some became hysterical. A few hours and many tears later, though, the pain turned to fury when the teenagers learned that it was all a hoax -- a scared-straight exercise designed by school officials to dramatize the consequences of drinking and driving. what do you guys think....good idea or bad idea? how would you feel if you were told that one of you best friends or classmates were killed in a car accident?
On a Monday morning last month, highway patrol officers visited 20 classrooms at El Camino High School to announce some horrible news:... more -
Augusta civil rights leader explains Kellogg project to reduce violence, improve l...
Several black-colleges in Georgia - including Paine College in Augusta - are partners in a new project to lower violence, reduce the influence of gangs and drugs, increase quality of life, proviide HIV/AIDS information and provide access to healthcare facilities for low-income and underserved residents
The three-year project is funded by a $255,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
"We have identified violence as a public health issue," said Rev. Terence A. Dicks, chairman of New Tools New Vision Augusta in an interview with the United Methodist News Service.
New Tools, New Vision is teaming the resources of the Southeast Community Research Center, the Research Center on Health Disparities at Morehouse College in Atlanta and four communities surrounding historically black colleges and universities in Georgia.
In addition to Paine (a United Methodist school), other colleges participating include Morehouse College in Atlanta, Savannah State University, Albany State University and Fort Valley State University.
The Kellogg grant will build problem-solving partnerships in several cities including Augusta where Paine College faculty will work with inner city communities residents are victims of violence, plagued by youth gangs and are witnesses to a dramatic rise in gun crimes (30901, 30906 zip codes).
Augusta is home to the prestigious and exclusive Masters Golf Tournament at the famous Augusta National Golf Club - that's a rich enclave located near some of Augusta's poorest communities.
The excellent story is written by UMNS Reporter Linda Green
Rev. Dicks is well known for his civil rights work in Georgia and recently served as chair of the Augusta Human Relations Commission and is chair of the Georgia Clients Council.
He co-organized the original 1986 James Brown Appreciation day in Augusta, the first time the town had honored the late Godfather of Soul. Several black-colleges in Georgia - including Paine College in Augusta - are partners in a new project to lower violence, reduce the i... more -
Indian Country Today: Police target gangs on American Indian reservations across W...
Gangs who are dealing drugs and luring Native youth into crime are being tracked by Wisconsin law enforcement who are planning to arrest the dealers of death.
Wisconsin's eight tribal police departments are cooperating with state and federal lawn enforcement agencies to build cases against the gangs.
''We have cases going through the task force and we are taking a stand here and will be working on executing a lot of warrants and doing undercover work," said Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Police Chief Mark Waukau in an article in the Indian Country today newspaper.
Gang expert Niso Frank Caywood says tribes need to reach out to their at-risk youth and teach tribal culture to students.
Gangs who are dealing drugs and luring Native youth into crime are being tracked by Wisconsin law enforcement who are planning to arre... more -
Indian Country Today: Wisconsin tribes, law enforcement rescue children from drugs...
Wisconsin Native American tribes are working with state and federal law enforcement agencies to removing children from homes where drugs are sold, used and manufactured, according to Indian Country Today newspaper.
The program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (WIDEC) and the Native American Drug and Gang Initiative (NADGI), the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office (Department of Justice) and all of Wisconsin's tribes and their tribal police departments in cooperation with many law enforcement agencies including local police and sheriff's departments.
Police are cracking down on Native American and other gangs that bring drugs onto Wisconsin reservations.
Wisconsin Native American tribes are working with state and federal law enforcement agencies to removing children from homes where dru... more -
Three Lost
Three people with out shelter because of addition. Right now there are thousands of men woman and children living on the streets because of this problem Three people with out shelter because of addition. Right now there are thousands of men woman and children living on the streets becau... more
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Blazed Version3
Phil's parents and friends are mad at him. But all Phil wants to do is relax, have a good time and get high...everyday. His best friend dies, his other friends turn their backs on him and then he risks going to jail just to pay for his weed. Phil is far from a productive pot head but this short pod sheds some light on his situation. Phil's parents and friends are mad at him. But all Phil wants to do is relax, have a good time and get high...everyday. His best frien... more
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Back to bald: Emaciated Amy leaves the beehive behind to reveal her thinning locks
This is sad. Whoever thought that celebrity drug abuse glamourises narcotics obviously has not seen this sort of photo spread. Aspirational my eye. This is sad. Whoever thought that celebrity drug abuse glamourises narcotics obviously has not seen this sort of photo spread. Aspirat... more
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Six arrested as police seize £15m cocaine haul at port
Detectives seized cocaine with an estimated street value of £15m this weekend in one of the biggest hauls in British history. Six men were arrested after the cocaine was discovered when two cars were searched at a UK port. The vehicles were targeted after a long-running inquiry by Cumbrian and Lancashire police working alongside HM Customs.
Officials said the seizure was a breakthrough in the fight against drug smuggling. "This is one of the biggest mainland seizures ever seen in the UK," a police statement said. "This is a major breakthrough in the fight against trafficking of cocaine." Detectives seized cocaine with an estimated street value of £15m this weekend in one of the biggest hauls in British history. Six men ... more -
Death strikes New Orleans heroin users circle
Seven heroin-addicted youths have died of overdoses within the past few months in New Orleans. The oldest was 27, the youngest 16. "So much for the indestructibility of youth."
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/death_struck...
Seven heroin-addicted youths have died of overdoses within the past few months in New Orleans. The oldest was 27, the youngest 16. ... more -
Sober In So Cal
5 individuals from Southern California offer a glimpse inside the tragic life altering effects of addiction. All trapped by addiction and all set free by recovery.
http://www.myspace.com/soberinorangecounty 5 individuals from Southern California offer a glimpse inside the tragic life altering effects of addiction. All trapped by addiction ... more -
The £110 billion price tag of illegal drug use
Over the past 10 years, the combined health and crime costs of illegal drug use totals £110 billion, according to a report published by the treatment charity Addaction. Drug crime-related spending accounts for £100 billion of this sum while just £3 billion of this total spending goes to actually tackling drug addiction in the UK. Money well spent? What are your thoughts? Over the past 10 years, the combined health and crime costs of illegal drug use totals £110 billion, according to a report published b... more
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