City Of Wilkes-Barre To Decriminalize Some Drug Offenses

The Citizens Voice of Wilkes Barre printed an article yesterday about their plans to reduce minor drug possession charges in the future.  The newspaper opened their story with this line:

"It's not a soft spot in their heart that has city officials pushing to decriminalize a minor drug offense, but rather a soft spot in their wallet."

The new mayor of WB, Tony George, and his staff want to lower the severity of the charge of some possession offenses from misdemeanors to summary offenses.  The penalties in most cases would be a fine with a maximum of $300 for an offense.

When you are convicted of a possession charge in the city of Wilkes Barre, the fines that you pay go into the State of Pennsylvania's general fund.  It is not paid directly to the city.  With this change, the fines that someone pays would go to the city and not the state anymore.  A second vote will be taking place on March 10th 2016.

With this law many people will not have to deal with a crime on the record.  This helps in a wide variety of areas.  Getting a job and things as little as getting insured won't be hampered from a criminal conviction on the person's record.

This law has the potential to help the city and the addict themselves.  We just hope that the judges and the law continue to steer people to treatment and to get help for addiction when they are caught.

You can read the article in the Citizens Voice by clicking HERE.

His Sobriety Date Is February 29th. Director Of Admissions, Mark P.

Driving to work this morning I was thinking about it being "leap day" and wished that I knew someone who had the sobriety date of February 29th.

Then I checked into work and was talking to our director of admissions, Mark P.  He told me that today is his sobriety date.  He got sober 16 years ago on leap day.  Of course all the jokes come out and people tell him, "Wow, so you're sober for four years today?"

All joking aside, we would like to congratulate and thank Mark for his dedication and hard work.  Inside and outside of work, Mark spreads the message of hope on a daily basis.

Black Balloon For Overdose Awareness Day, March 6th, 2016

People have gotten together and formed what they are calling "Black Balloon Day" on March 6th 2016.  They are asking anyone that has been effected by the heroin epidemic, people that have OD'd and died, to fly a black balloon in their remembrance.

It is nice to see that people are joining together in this country to fight this epidemic.  We can put all of our differences aside and join the fight in awareness and solutions to this horrible plague that is ripping people and families apart.

On Sunday March 6th fly a black balloon in front of your house.  If everyone that knows someone, or knows a family that's been through the horrible loss of a loved one from heroin addiction we should see more houses with these symbols up and down residential streets of America.


You can visit the Facebook page by clicking HERE

Nurse Suspected Of Being Under The Influence At Wilkes-Barre Hospital

With all the talk of heroin, opiates, and other illegal narcotics that are being used sometimes we don't hear the horrible effects of alcoholism.  Alcohol has the ability to do the same damage as any other drug.

On February 4th, a nurse at a local hospital in Wilkes-Barre is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol during a surgical procedure.  He admitted that he was drinking while he was on call to local authorities.  His duties during surgery include prepping the patient, monitoring vital signs, and documenting the procedure in their computer system.  The nurse was seen on video surveillance stumbling out of his car and bumping into things.

Whether this particular man suffers from alcoholism is unknown to us.  What we are simply stating is that alcohol, the most abused drug in the country, also has the capability of wreaking havoc on people's lives.

The disease of addiction doesn't discriminate either.  Whether you are a nurse, doctor, lawyer, or unemployed for that matter; alcoholism does not care.  In the medical profession, addiction presents its issues in people that are suffering from talking about it.  We wrote an article (click HERE) about the medical profession and the damaging effects it has.  Many people won't say anything about their addiction because of employment issues.  With licensing an issue, many people will not report that they have a problem until it's too late.  This recent case may be an example of that.

We don't harbor any judgement against this nurse.  If addiction to alcohol is a problem we understand why someone would do this.  It is because the alcoholic while drinking has no choice in whether they drink or don't drink.  It is not someone's intentions to put their life and other's lives in jeopardy.  The problem is that the person isn't the one calling the shots.  Alcoholism is and cannot be fought alone.

Again, it does not matter who you are.  If you are struggling or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism you need help.  Clearbrook has served as a Pennsylvania alcohol rehab for decades.  We operate a Pennsylvania alcohol detox and treatment program that can enable the person drinking a new life. Please call our admissions department 24/7 at 1.800.582.6241.

Police Officer ODs On Heroin

Heroin and drug addiction knows no bounds.  Addiction doesn't care if you are a lawyer, doctor, plumber, or homeless.  The eventual goal of the disease of addiction is to get us alone and kill us.

On Wednesday, February 17th 2016 at 3 am a person flagged down a police officer that was on patrol in Buffalo, New York.  They said that their friend had overdosed on heroin and needed help.  Thankfully that officer was trained in administering Narcan in order to reverse the effects of an opiate overdose.  It took more than one dose to save this mans life.

The person that was revived was an off duty Buffalo city police officer.  His life was saved by one of his colleagues.  The chief of the department said it is a first in his tenure.  Other officers have been fired in the past for drug use but he said there has never been an overdose of heroin.

Like so many overdoses, this particular one was no different from the other reports that we are getting around the country.  It was a fentanyl laced batch that did it.  Fentanyl laced heroin has killed tens of thousands across our country.  In the small city of Buffalo, 23 people have died since January 28th 2016.

As always we post these stories to promote awareness and treatment for heroin addiction.  The states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York have a major problem and it is not getting better.  If you or a loved one needs a Pennsylvania drug rehab or live in one of the surrounding states please call Clearbrook for help.

Largest Meth Bust Ever

This is almost like a scene from the television show "Breaking Bad".  The largest meth bust ever was conducted by authorities in Sydney, Australia.   The main chemical that is used to make meth was found hidden in shipping containers.  Inside the containers the drug smugglers hid $900 million worth of the potent chemical methylamphetamine.  In the amounts this drug was found it could have produced over 1100 pounds of "crystal meth".

The meth problem is growing around the world.  There have also been a few labs busted in our backyards in northeast Pennsylvania.  Recently two operations were taken down in Carbon County and also in Luzerne County.

Crystal meth is a deadly addiction.  When someone starts to use meth the addicts life will deteriorate very quickly.  Families get torn apart.  The addict can't do anything but use.  The health problems that the abuser experiences could kill them instantly.  It is like playing Russian roulette every time the person uses.

Crystal meth addiction should be treated by professionals.  Clearbrook has treated the addiction to meth for decades.  If you or a loved one is using this deadly drug please call us for help.  It does not matter how many times or for how long someone has tried to get clean.  This could be the last time someone needs to feel this way and go through these horrible consequences from meth addiction.

Adderall- Is It The Legal Crystal Meth?

Adderall abuse has been around for years and years.  Like any other addiction to chemicals the numbers continue to rise in regards to people abusing this prescription drug.  With the drugs like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana being talked about so much, the prescription drugs like Adderall are not getting the attention they deserve.

Dr. Carl Hart a professor of psychiatry at Colombia University did a study on people that have used the street version of amphetamines (crystal meth) and Adderall.  In short, the study found that these people had no preference between the two drugs.  They both acted the same and produced the same effect.

With the stigma out there about today's drug addict (skin and bones, missing teeth, "death look") when someone is abusing Adderall many professionals overlook the problem.  Adderall can be just as dangerous as crystal meth.  It can be as addictive and the same signs and symptoms can be portrayed as crystal meth.

Adderall was developed to treat ADHD.  ADHD is usually present in younger people, a lot of times in the college years.  Many of your children, college students, are using Aderall to stay awake to study.  When the drug begins to be abused they use this drug for the euphoric high it can produce and addiction takes over.  We have read horror stories about the drug.

If you are someone who is addicted to Aderall, most times you are going to need medical and professional help to stop.  Clearbrook Treatment Centers has treated the addiction to prescription drugs for decades.  With a state of the art medical detox coupled with an inpatient, residential treatment program, the addiction to Adderall can be interrupted and put the addict back on track to a happy, sober life.  Please call us anytime if you need an Adderall drug rehab.