Russia has had a dramatic increase in 2 things: heroin addiction and HIV. The two are obviously linked because 66% of the new HIV cases in 2006 were acquired because of intravenous, or IV, drug use. There has been a lot of public support to get these addicted Russians into drug rehab but the controversy only starts here.

A common practice in the treatment of those with heroin addiction is to administer methadone, which is a synthetic form of opium. Methadone treatment is taboo in Russia because many feel that it is simply replacing one addiction with another. In fact, even bringing up the topic can provoke serious legal sanctions.

Posting studies that show the effects, both positive and negative, of methadone treatment are illegal also. In fact, charges are often brought up against doctors that post these findings on their websites. Because methadone treatment is difficult to get in Russia, many find that the detox is ineffective and once they leave the drug rehab program, they use again.

Celebrities are always in the news for their drug and alcohol abuse. In fact, many times these people seem to parade their addictions in front of the camera for the sake of publicity. Even when stars take the first step and check into a drug rehab, they many times seem to be doing it because they know they will get their names in the tabloids.

What kind of message is this sending to our youth? Drug and alcohol abuse is serious and most people do not have the monetary resources that celebrities have to check into an exclusive drug rehab. But for many, there are long term drug rehab program that are affordable. And the longer the treatment, the greater the success rate for sobriety after treatment.

The thing for parents to realize is that talking to their children, especially teenagers and young adults, about how the abuse many celebrities display is not something to copy is very important. Another benefit of talking to children, teens and young adults is that it shows them that they are still being watched and their safety is still important—even as they mature.

Heather Locklear’s ex-husband Richie Sambora (who struggled with alcoholism) called her daily during her recent four-week stint in rehab for depression and anxiety, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. (The paper claims she also may have been treated for prescription drug issues.) It is among the revelations a source at the clinic tells the paper. The source says that Locklear, 46, told the other …

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NASHVILLE, July 24 (UPI) — Mindy McCready’s publicist said the U.S. country music singer has checked herself into rehab.

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Hats off to our public schools! Your drug testing will protect the innocent and help straighten out the guilty for the good of both now and in later life when they will appreciate it most — particularly outside of prison or rehab.

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Mindy McCready remains in a substance abuse rehab center after being taken to the emergency room of a Nashville hospital last week.

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The United Nations recently released its report of world-wide drug abuse with both positive and negative findings. Overall, it appears that the global epidemic of drug abuse is starting to stabilize. This could be a fluke but it is something to be hopeful of when there are 25 million people in the world using drugs and in need of a drug rehab program.

And though cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamine use seems to be stabilizing, opium production is up because of the new growth in Afghanistan, cocaine use in Europe is up and trafficking in Africa is up. The bright side of this report, at least from an American prospective, is that cocaine use by teenagers is at 2.3% versus Spain where it is at 7.2%.

It is apparent that all of the drug and alcohol prevention is starting to pay off and getting users into drug rehab is the key to helping those that are addicted. Though the world-wide drug abuse rates are stabilizing, preventative efforts must be continued and addicts must get into drug rehab treatment programs.

GAUTIER (WLOX) — Joe Bayless is no stranger to battling against addiction, but he recently found a ministry that is making that fight a little easier.

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Actress Heather Locklear has ended her rehab stint early, completing just 14 days of a month-long treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, it has been reported.

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Claim: “Use your Flex Abdominal Toning Belt for just 30 minutes a day, five days a week and in just weeks, your abs could be firmer, stronger and more toned.” Cost: About $200, www.slendertone.tv or Amazon.com Facts: The Food and Drug Administration regulates electrical muscle stimulators; however, most stimulators are intended for use in physical therapy and rehab.And yes, it is …

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