Myrtle Beach Zoning Plans

WMBF News discusses the issue of zoning of nightclubs in local neighborhoods. In the article two nightclubs, Club Congo and Groove Ultra Lounge, to be "crime magnets" due to the loud music and drug deals. Both the loud music and drug deals have been known to be going on for years. Some, local neighbors, refer to Club Congo as the danger zone.

The reason that they refer to these two night clubs as the crime magnet is many incidents reports in the past few years. Within the past six years Club Congo has had 600 reported incidents, which include  15 drug and alcohol-related crimes. However, at Groove Ultra Lounge has had 200 incidents, 6 of which were drug and alcohol-related crimes.

One reason that it is important to rezone Club Congo is because it is located next to daycare. Also, these clubs are located near peoples homes, a place where a person should feel safe. However it is hard to feel safe when there are shootings happening often.

Both clubs are current vacant, however there is rumors that a new nightclub plans may come take their places. Everyone around the area means that the violence will come back as well. Currently there is a ordinance that is pending making it  illegal for a nightclub to be located in this local neighborhood.

The one good thing that the local authorities have done correctly is make a record of all calls and reports that have received. By doing this it adds backing to getting a ordinance for the neighborhood.

It is important to understand the correlation between drug and alcohol in relation to crime. That is not to say drugs and alcohol cause violence, however there is a positive relationship.

This article also make one wondering if zoning is the right thing to do or if it is even fair. However, as any social movement, the strength of getting the zoning ordinance passed is based on political power, its appeal to cultural values, and the strength of the opposition.

Protect Privacy or Save the Child?

The article/news story I chose to talk about for my seventh blog was written by Geraldine Sealey of ABC News. This particular piece is titled, “Drug Testing Pregnant Women Nixed”. A particular example they use to describe the social problem in more detail is, when women were being arrested in hospital beds at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC in Charleston, SC). The argument is that the process of drug testing pregnant women and then arresting her for it coming back positive is an unreasonable search.

As stated in the article,

“In a 6-3 ruling, the court said drug testing by a public hospital in Charleston, S.C., violated the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution — which bars unreasonable search and seizure — even though the hospital was trying to prevent women from harming their fetuses by using crack cocaine.”

According to the article/news story, is stated in the constitution that, “Under the Constitution, if women don't agree to the tests, a warrant is necessary, the court ruled. The justices asked a lower court to determine whether the patients actually consented to the tests.” To me, this is honestly what I believe should take place, with some different situations available. Obviously, this is my own personal opinion, but I do hope that many people would agree.

As stated by congressman Justice John Paul Steven, while writing for the court, “While the ultimate goal of the program may well have been to get the women in question into substance abuse treatment and off of drugs, the immediate objective of the searches was to generate evidence for law enforcement purposes in order to reach that goal." Along with this it was addressed within the article/news story that the hospitals have the obligation while collecting this evidence to make sure that women were made aware of their constitutional rights. The opinions of Justice Stevens’ were “backed up” by author officials such as; Justices Sandra Day O’Connor, David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Stephen G. Breyer. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy on the othe hand says that these drug tests were unconstitutional.

The issue of the women in South Carolina, like I said before, took place at MUSC (The Medical University of South Carolina located in Charleston, SC). The issue was about the policy they had where woman had been arrested (while in their hospital bed) for testing positive to drugs. They were given the choice to receive treatment or be arrested. This all is said to have been under the “states’ child –endangerment law”. The testing at MUSC in particular began taking place in the fall of 1989. In the year of 1993, 10 of the women who tested positive for cocaine filed suit within the U.S. District Court in attempt to claim that their rights to the Fourth Amendment had been violated. In the fall of 1989, MUSC began testing the urine of pregnant women suspected of cocaine use and, in some cases, reporting the results to law enforcement officials. Later, the policy was amended so those patients who tested positive were given a choice between being arrested and receiving drug treatment.

According to the article/news story, The Supreme Court in the past had allowed drug tests without a warrant or “individual suspicion” as long as the government could state and demonstrate a valid “special need”. This meaning that it had to be proven by the state that the policy was not established to help with law enforcement and that the people being searched have “a lower expectation of privacy”. According to today’s ruling though, even if drug testing of the woman is protect the unborn, if it is without the woman’s consent it can no longer be considered a “special need.” With this particular statement, it helps me realize even more how big of a social problem this is shaping out to be.

During the same day this article/news story was published, it was stated that there was a conference call that took place with one of the women who filed a claim against MUSC. She made the argument that she wasn’t aware of any other U.S. jurisdiction in where there are doctors who are, as stated by the article/news story; “working with police to obtain drug-abuse evidence on pregnant women.” The argument from city officials is that it was by no means meant to discriminate and/or violate in constitutional rights.

As I have stated before, I agree with the fact that drug-tests for pregnant women should be allowed, and that if the results come back positive they should have the options of: adoption, drug treatment, or jail. Even though the positive drug test results may help police case, like Scalia stated, I do believe it should always be primarily done for the well being of the mother and child. This is a social problem that has affected our world as a whole, even though this particular example took place in a hospital in South Carolina, it is clearly world-wide.

Red Ribbon Week (in Lexington, South Carolina)

This week is national Red Ribbon Week, a week dedicated to teach students not to use drugs. Pleasant Hill Elementary made learning to say no to drugs fun. Each day of the week students got to dress up in fun way that related to preventing the use of drugs.  

"Monday was polka dots - to remind them to spot good choices. Tuesday, Glasses Day, to keep a look out for leaders. Wednesday, Crazy Sock Day, a reminder to sock it to drugs... On Thursday, the kids will wear red  to represent that they're strong in will power. On Friday, they all get to wear their favorite team jersey to "team up" against drugs."

The article from a local Lexington new station states how this week helps students to reach the career goals in the long run. By informing the students at a young age they hope help the kids make better decisions, by saying no drugs. 

However, the article claims that the first time that individuals try it, referring to drugs, is around the age of 11 or 12 or even younger. Is this a flawed statistic? Where has this data come from? Who was the sample?  It is important when reading articles about substances to understand who and why the statistics are stated. It is possible that this claim was made to make the prevention of drug use among youth seem like a bigger problem than it really is. By making it seem like a bigger problem it helps to justify the reason our tax money goes to support this week long celebration. It also gives parents and the community a sense of hope for the future of our kids. 

Red Ribbon Week as a whole is a great week to education the younger generation on the harms and consequences of drugs. The earlier we inform the more hope we have for the future. Take the time out of you day to have a discussion with your kids, little cousins, brother or sisters, because substance abuse effects everyone around the person who is abusing. Remember that you don't have to wait until Red Ribbon Week 2012 to talk about this issue

For more information on the Lexington county school Red Ribbon celebrations visit this link.

"Crank" It Up

The book/ book review I chose to talk about for my fifth blog is called, “Crank” and was written by Ellen Hopkins. I found this particular book review on commonsensemedia.org. “Crank” was the first book Ellen Hopkins wrote in this particular, what I like to call “Drug Awareness” series. This particular book, along with others in her series, comes partly come from the fact that her own daughter with through a drug abuse problem. Ellen Hopkins has also written other books such as, “ “Burned”, “Impulse”, “Identical”, “Glass”, “Tricks”, and “Fallout”. The books written by Ellen Hopkins are written in a poetry style, which I feel much easier to read. While I personally have only read “Crank” and “Glass”, I have been told that all books Ellen Hopkins are supposed to be, while sad at the same time, “good reads” and informational at the same time.

The book “Crank” is based on a teenage girl named Kristina. Kristina is the narrator in the story, Kristina has suffered from drug problems and her main addiction that is talked about is to the drug Methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is referred to “the monster” in the reading. Along with just the problem of Methamphetamine, she also is going through things such as; “she smokes cigarettes, does ecstasy, and smokes marijuana”, throughout the book, it also discussed how she went through being raped and an unplanned pregnancy. Along with these problems, there is also the everyday bad influence like her so-called “friend”, “Bree”. Through me reading the other book written by Ellen Hopkins, “Glass” I also read that Kristina had another child along with this that had to be taken away from her because of being “unfit” due primarily to her addictions.

Throughout the book review, it discusses the importance of parents being positive influences to prevent things such as drug addiction. It discusses “what parents should know”. This book very well could make no sense, along with being too much of a “mature read” for children, but if parents are able to sit down and read it, they can gain the importance of it and be able to pass valuable messages along to their children. There were a number of comments below the book review, and it was agreed that while it is a good book all in all, it is definitely something that should be monitored as far as who reads it. There are the situations such as sexual interactions, profanity, drug abuse, etc. that can be harmful for someone to read if they are not mentally “ready” for it. It was said that children should be taught about certain drug situations such as this before being told about or reading the book themselves at some point. The book review also specifically talks about the different characteristics of the book such as; educational value, positive messages, positive role models, violence, sex, language, consumerism, and drinking, drugs, & smoking. Along with these it also gives other links to where you can find out more information on the book.

In reference to the book: according to common sense media, “Crank” is “first in controversial verse poetry series about addiction.”

Even though this book didn’t necessarily take place in the South East region of the United States, is a very well known social problem all throughout the United States, along with other areas. I feel this particular book has benefited my blog because not only is it a book (series, etc.) that I am familiar with, but also gives even more knowledge and information pertaining to the social problem my group is focused on, drug abuse with children (meaning teenagers such as Kristina as well). This book is definitely one I suggest to anyone to read who is interested in this type of problem, again even in my own views should be restricted to people that are mature enough and able to take in the information properly.

Unused Prescription Drugs Discarding

An article by WISTV, posted October 19, explains how the Drug Enforcement Agency would like to help South Carolina citizen to get rid of cabinets filled with unused prescription drugs. 

"The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most prevalent category of drug abuse in the United States," said William Douglas, DEA assistant special agent in charge.

The DEA is willing to take the drugs that you are no longer using and ones that are expired at one of the 70 collection locations in the state on National Drug Take Back Day. However, the 70 sites will only be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 29. DEA authorities are expecting a bigger turn out this time compared to the previous event held last spring. "In South Carolina alone, our citizens turned in over 1,250 pounds of unwanted or expired prescription drugs at over 43 collection sites," said Douglas.

It is important to get rid of prescription drugs in the household to help prevent substance abuse.  There are many people who may come in and out your house, therefore by participating in National Drug Take Back Day you are not only looking out for your safety but others as well. Remember taking drugs that are not prescribed to you is illegal.  So why not prevent harm by cleaning out your medicine cabinet.  It is one day and a small piece of your time that can make the world of change for you or loved ones. You will not be penalized for dropping off your prescriptions. 

How Secure Are Your Medications?

The article I chose to talk about for my fourth blog was written by Alison Johnson from the “Daily Press” Newport News, Virginia. The piece is titled “How to keep medicine out of the reach of children”. The article was also published and linked to the Post and Courier website from Charleston, SC. Even though this was written by an author in Virginia, it is clear that this issue does pertain to a much bigger area, including us in South Carolina and much more. Children and drug abuse, I have realized through just how I felt before I started this assignment, and have definitely grown through my research and my “blogging”, it is very significant social problem in our world today.

This particular piece discussed the issue of children having the ability to get prescription drugs through family and friends. From the family and friends I myself am surrounded by, this is definitely something that shocks me. It is bad enough that the children are receiving these prescription drugs in the first place, but by people that are close to them is just beyond belief. Through the different stories I have read so far, in the first couple of articles it was children being affected by a parent/guardian’s drug abuse, and now is going to children being enabled to have substance abuse problems by receiving them through people like friends and family. Honestly can’t tell you which one is worse and I feel it is both poor parenting in many ways.

Even though the article did discuss children getting the prescription drugs from family and friends, it also discussed the risk and different steps people like parents could take to try to prevent drug abuse being an issue with their own children. The group the author got information about this issue through “National Family Partnership”. From what I have gathered, this is one of the many different organizations are centered on things such as the issue of drug abuse (along with other issues) within families. In my eyes, there definitely can’t be enough of them! According to “National Family Partnership”, “seventy percent of children who abuse prescription drugs get them from friends and family.” Looking at these numbers makes the realization even bigger on how big of an issue this really is.

According to the President of “National Family Partnership” Peggy Sapp,
“The No. 1 mistake parents make is thinking it can't happen to their child.”

During the part of the article that discusses ways of preventing substance abuse with children, there are eight different tips discussed. They are recognize the risk, explain the risk, store drugs safely, dispose of drugs safely, set a good example, have family dinners, get to know your child’s friends, and collection information from places such as LockYourMeds.org for more ways to prevent risks and substantial information on the issue. As I said earlier on, reading this articles and looking at the number of children affected by the issue of drug abuse. This social problem is definitely a scenario that needs all of the awareness and risk prevention possible, as a society it is definitely something that needs to be brought up and prevented as much as possible.

Student Athletes Held to a Higher Standard

It is no new news that University of South Carolina Quarter Back Steven Garcia was dismissed from the football team this past Tuesday. In this article by ESPN, they state the reason for Garcia's dismissal was do to testing positive for alcohol and marijuana. Which was a direct violation of his contract to stay on the team.

"Being a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina is a privilege, not a right and we remind all of our student-athletes that there are consequences for their actions," Eric Hyman said in a statement.

However, this is not Garcia's first run in with alcohol problems in his college football career. This past April he arrived to skills seminar under the influence. Also, during the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta he ran into a few issues, that began this long downward spiral. When asked if by the media if he had an alcohol problem Garcia stated "negative, no."

Many make arguments that Garcia had too many opportunities. However, no matter how many chances he was given, this is a good example of how ones actions with drugs and alcohol can have long term consequences. Now Garcia, can no longer play college football and also unlikely to be drafted to an NFL football team. This also, goes to show that when one is a public figure and many are looking at that one the societal standards are raised higher.

This semester USC has provided several cases of the importance of understand drinking and drugs -especially with underage drinking. Which leads to the point that many argued in favor of Garcia that he does not drink more than the average college student. However, that is not the principal of this situation, the principal is when you have other obligation and they require you to have a zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs, you must weigh out the consequences. As show through Garcia's dismissal you can lose opportunities of a life time, that many only dream of having.

There are many other consequences that could have happened. It is important to know that it only that it only one time use of illegal/legal substance for these consequences to happen. The worst case scenario is the lost of ones life. So please before partaking in any substance make sure you think about the consequences.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

The article I chose to talk about for my third blog was written by Yasmin Rammohan from the “Chicago Tonight: WTTW), the piece titled “Pregnancy and Alcohol”. The main discussion was brought up from the book, “The Mystery of Risk: Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy and the Vulnerable Child” written by author (and the head local physicians) Dr. Ira Chasnoff. The main focus of the book and the discussion with in the article is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and how it affects the children through the toxins from the drugs and alcohol consumed by the mother’s in these particular cases, along with neglect and trauma the children are exposed to because of it. The many different risks of fetal alcohol syndrome were discussed throughout the article. Within the article posted online, there are also two videos shown of Dr. Chasnoff himself.

The first video is of Dr. Chasnoff discussing different signs and symptoms you can look for in children. According to this video, the three main criteria he says to look for are, “poor growth, deficits in nervous system, and changes in the in the structure of the facial features” (Chasnoff). It is stated that children are very well susceptible to suffer from issues such as damage to their “developing nervous system” (Rammohan), according to the first video with Dr. Chasnoff, these are also the children that seem to be normal when looking for these three major symptoms, but at the same time they are also more at risk as far as developing behavioral problems and other things of that nature.

"This damage may lead to learning and memory deficiencies, and behavioral problems, from temper tantrums in early childhood to acts of physical and sexual violence in later adolescence” (Rammohan).

After talking about the different risks of fetal alcohol syndrome, Dr. Chassnoff also mentioned, within his book, how ““risk is not destiny” (Chassnoff) for those children. He discusses how they can come out of these situations through “alternatives” that help the children such as giving them a successful school experiences, getting them away from negative situations like gang activity and drug abuse. All of this can happen with help and investment from others in their society in some cases. Even though examples weren’t given in the article, I feel that solutions such as getting them in better families and better environmental situations would tremendously improve these children’s lives.

In the second video within the article, Dr. Chassnoff discusses more in detail about the book, “The Mystery of Risk: Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy and the Vulnerable Child”. In one of the statistics he states that “20-30 percent of woman use substances during their pregnancy”. This statistic is rather shocking to me and shows how horrible of a problem it is! He also discusses the “nature vs. nurture” effects to children that have been exposed to substances such as alcohol, and how the environment can help change the long term outcome of a child suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome. Throughout the rest of the second video there were comments from different readers/critics expressing how they felt, all which seemed to be fond of Dr. Chassnoff’s work.

It brings to your attention the number of families that are affected by fetal alcohol syndrome and other situations similar to it. Not only is this the problem of several families, but also discussing how we all, as ‘society’, (knowing it is a social problem) can possibly help this situation would be a great improvement in any way. Even though this wasn’t written by a local author, these cases are still happening all throughout the country, world, etc. and can definitely affect us all in one way or another.

DSS in Trouble?

The article I chose to talk about for my second blog was written by Cliff Leblanc in the “State” newspaper titled “On drugs Children at mercy of parents”. The main arguments were the fact of when DSS workers should be punished for not having children out of these homes. One of the statements made in the article was, “At least five children have died and others are in danger unless the Department of Social Services removes children more quickly from homes where parents have drug abuse problems, according to the state’s Child Fatalities Review Committee.” It was also said that the caseworkers have to make sure it is a safe facility before letting the children go back into the home. Even though it is a requirement, I definitely feel this should go without saying.

Throughout the article there are people like the DSS director Kathleen Hayes and one of the children protection supervisors at DSS headquarters, Pamela Rice. Kathleen was discussing that she was upset about the cases and was saying how she hoped none of it was caused by DSS employees. Rice had made a few comments earlier throughout different conversations about the issue like, “She has known people who smoke (marijuana) and other drugs that can still take care of their children.” Even though she did apologize for these statements and does agree about children needing to be taken out of that kind of environment, she was not able for an interview.

As far as the DSS workers not caring about the children’s safety, the statement Richland County forensic pathologist made was that "It’s not that they don’t care, the problem is there are still lapses in judgment or common sense." Others like former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford also agree that no matter how serious this case is, children should be removed no questions asked. According to the article, in the year 2009 (when this article was written), there were 4,000 DSS employees that are also dealing with other issues like well-fare and child support, not including the caseworkers and other employees working on cases like these with their limited budget of 1.2 billion that was cut $229 million in that year. This is definitely a huge social issue affecting many families not just locally but all around, and definitely needs all the support and help it can get.

Drug Testing the Jobless

In an article by the Huffington Post, the issue Nikki Haley, current South Carolina Governor,  raises about drug testing the jobless seems to be over exaggeration.  She wants the jobless to be tested before they can receive any unemployment benefits from the states.  However, her logic seems a bit discolored, as seen in her statement "I so want drug testing. I so want it." This is not a valuable reason that the state should relocate money, as a hope that it will save the state money in the long run. The people of the state want hard evidence that jobless have an issue using drugs. 


The article continues to pick out more of  Haley's exaggerations, including her comments on the Savannah River Site (SRS) having over half of their job applicants fail a drug test. She used this comment in order to gain support by South Carolina citizens, however upon talking to the site, SRS stated the do not drug test employees until after they are hired. Of the employees that were drug tested, less that one percent tested positive.


If this idea passes, South Carolina will be the first state to ever have an instituted mandatory drug test for the jobless to receive benefits. According the the National Employment Law Project (NELP), "sending hundreds of thousands of South Carolina citizens who have just lost their jobs off to a laboratory so that their state government will be satisfied they are not drug abusers is not a cost that the federal government would or should pay, and it would violate federal unemployment law to make unemployed workers pay for the test." Therefore, it is believed that the state would end up paying more than it would if the state just gave out the money anyways. A prime example of exaggerating the issue is seen with Florida drug testing citizen in order to receive welfare. Only 2 precent of those who applied for welfare tested positively. 


There is no doubt that the American people, including those in South Carolina do not want their tax money being wasted. However, is it really necessary to test the jobless? There is no hard concrete evidence that citizen's tax money need to be use drug testing the jobless, especially since there is no evidence that the jobless have a drug problem. The truth of the matter is we do not need to be focusing so heavy on preventing the jobless from engaging in drugs. There are other sectors, such as teens and college students, within the state that need more focus for prevent drug and alcohol abuse.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

http://www.ncpc.org/topics/drug-abuse/alcohol-tobacco-and-other-drugs

Many people believe that a child's actions are directly influenced by what they see in the home. These influences are created by their parental figures. Just as a father can influence his son to play football, so too can he influence his child to experiment with drugs.

If a child grows up watching his father or mother smoke cigarettes their whole lives, they will assume its right. This is the same as if that cigarette was replaced with a blunt or crackpipe. Most parents don't realize the inpact this makes on the child because they are blinded by their own addictions. Growing up in an environment surrounded by drugs or alcohol lead to children that not only hurt themselves but also their society.

One drug that I have seen the effects of first hand is cocaine. I have a very close friend who grew up with a father who has an addiction to cocaine. His father's addiction took a very large toll on him. Seeing his father use cocaine daily, as a way to escape from stresses, led to his own addiction to cocaine. Now, this friend is in recovery from his addiction and is able to speak of what it was like. Though he doesn't blame his father for his own actions, he does admit that his father's drug use was a large contributor to his own.

According to the source I linked at the top of the page, one of the main reasons children do not begin to use drugs is because of their parents' positive influence and because they know it would disappoint them. The source goes on to give tips and advice on how parents help prevent their child's drug use. These tips include establishing and maintaining good communication with your children, getting involved in your children’s lives, and above all else, be a positive role model (http://www.ncpc.org/).

Drugs: Are They Worth It??

Drugs; Are they worth it?

http://www.thestate.com/2009/10/05/968672/francis-recovery-is-an-everyday.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Goldstein

This article, from TheState.com is about how celebrity disk jockey, Adam Goldstein, aka DJ AM, lost his life-long battle of drug addiction. Goldstein grew up with an addicted father who was in and out of prison and who eventually died from complications from AIDS which he developed because of his drug use. Goldstein started using drugs, mainly crack cocaine, in his late teens/ early twenties. After fighting his addiction, Goldstein remained drug-free for years until he got caught back up into the vicious cycle of drug use and abuse. The article from Wikipedia mentioned how his broken home while he was growing up is what influenced his personal drug use and eventual death through overdose (www.wikipedia.org-linked at top). The article goes on to describe how “addiction is a chronic disease” and how “those in recovery are constantly confronted by challenges” (www.thestate.com- linked at top).

Many drug users believe that drugs only affect the mind for short periods of time and don’t do any harm to either the mind or the body. Sadly, this is very untrue.

I work in a hospital in the midlands area in the medical intensive care unit. Drug overdoses and alcohol poisoning are very common in my department. I have had patients who drank their whole lives and come to us with yellow eyes, yellow skin, hair falling out, and dying because their liver is shutting down.

I have had other patients that have come to the ICU because they have tried to kill themselves while high. These patients end up on suicide precautions and depending how violent they are while detoxing, they must be restrained and detained. Long-time drug users that come to us usually must be sent to a facility that handles mentally handicapped people. Some get help at these facilities and leave them to live productive lives in our society. Yet others must live at these handicapped and mental facilities for the rest of their lives because they are too much of a danger to themselves and to others to release them.

Drugs may not seem too bad when you light up that joint or open another beer, but that then leads to addiction which could either lead to a life in a psych ward or a slow and very painful death. So ask yourself the next time you’re in that situation; is it worth it?

Please take the time to look at the links below. They are very short videos but they show a shocking view of some drugs and their effects on the body.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJIjWlLa8MU&noredirect=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af3RjDntlhs&feature=fvwp&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WZig2DYx58&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhyUogSrtvU&feature=related

Prescription drugs are also illegal

In an article, by Vilma Sceusa, from the garden city.patch.com about the rising issue of illegal drugs being easily accessible among teenagers is present. She points out that just because the prescription drug is legal for family member and/or a friend does not mean that the same drug is legal for others to take. 

"Many people don't realize that using prescription drugs is just as illegal as street drugs."

 Some of the drugs that are being frequently used among teenagers include OxyContin, Xanax and Ritalin. However, teenagers are not just using prescription drugs, they are also using over the counter drugs including cough medicine. 


Sceusa mentions a couple ways to help prevent the second leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. One of the way includes talking to your children about the drugs, before the age of 12. Communication is key, because many kids stated they would stray away from the drugs if their parents showed a strong disapproval. Another way that was noted is to lock the medicine away, that way it is not as easily accessible. Lastly, to deal with this issue the next step is legislation created among elected officials and carrying it out by law enforcement. 


It is also very interesting to see that the article made this a social problem that needs to be fixed at all levels of society, not just among teenagers with the problem. The parents and the elected officials need to be actively involve to solve this issue. Lastly the social institution of physicians should also have pressures put on them, therefore prescriptions are not new tossed around by teenagers. 


While this article may be written for the state of New York, it is of equal value to the state of South Carolina. This phenomenon is also evident among the youth of this state and information needs to be spread to keep others informed. The problem is amplified when teenagers are mixing these drugs with alcohol, which is a huge issue in the state. The issue of alcohol is for another discussion but it agains shows that drugs and alcohol are a huge problem among the youth of this state. Therefore blogs like this help to keep the state informed and help friends and family to help prevent issues.