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The Opioid Crisis in America

April 10, 2018

325.7 million people in the USA in 2016. – 42,249 (Henry Kaiser Statistics )died in 2016 from overdoses of opioid = Leaving 325,657,751million people. (REMEMBER: statistics vary from website to website. I am using, as a base, those numbers most websites reported.

A pittance.. Meaning no disrespect! Of course not, individually…those lives are precious to those whose friends and family have been lost.

Because of media coverage results of current actions to reduce deaths should be noted:

“Someone” is recommending opioid training on “how to prescribe”; a course doctors must take. I do not know cost, time involved, or if it will be mandatory.

The Surgeon General is recommending that more pens of Naloxone be produced and sold so that some of those who overdose might be saved. The average cost at a discount, almost $100.00. Often two or three pens are needed. Someone will see a big profit! Pharmacies? Sale of pens to medical facilities. Cost to citizens.

FYI: highest death rates are age group 45-64. Most illicit users range from 18 to mid-twenties.

Over a period of weeks I have found that the age group most affected are the elderly. Affected in the way that their ability to be prescribed the medication for the drugs REALLY needed, has been curtailed…A choice of pain medication / or sleeping aid such as Ambien.

Doctors are encouraged to promote exercise and behavioral treatments to help patients cope with pain. REALLY? One would have to have experienced a vast majority of “pain” throughout the body to really know if a behavior treatment would help. Of course, mind over matter does help, but are most people really mentally ready to manage chronic pain using that methodology?

Is there really a healthful choice for those will permanent pain from injuries? Sleep or pain relief?

Common Opioids bind to receptors in brain and spinal cord. They disrupt pain signals and activate reward areas of brain by releasing dopamine – which creates a feeling of euphoria (a high). Opioids such as morphine and codeine are derived from poppy plants. Heroine is an illegal drug synthesized from morphine. Most opioids are grown in Asia, Central and South America.

Hydrocodone and oxycodone are manufactured in labs with natural and synthetic ingredients.
Between 2007 and 2016 the most widely prescribed drug (hydrocodone ), was prescribed and 6.2 BILLION pills were distributed. In 2016, 5 BiLLION oxycodone tablets were prescribed. These were all in the USA….. 99.7 of the worlds hydrocodone was prescribed in the USA.

NY Times

“Most of the time, it’s sold on the street as heroin, or drug traffickers use it to make cheap counterfeit prescription opioids. Fentanyls are showing up in cocaine as well, contributing to an increase in cocaine-related overdoses. Fentanyl was originally developed as an anesthetic for surgery. Carfentanil – a unit is 100 times stronger than fentanyl, and 10,000 as a unit of morphine. The most deadly of the fentanyl analogues Carfentanil, an elephant tranquilizer, 5,000 times stronger than heroin. An amount smaller than a few grains of salt can be a lethal dose.” It already has commercial availability…

For anyone who would like to read a few names of what citizens have been given for various ailments and injuries, I copied a fairly comprehensive list and will post it soon.

The point of this post, I am not sure. I just found it extremely interesting that as citizens we were given the okay for many of these to curb pain. The government is concerned about “citizens” when I believe the citizens who are using these drugs “to death” are illegal in their usage-either bought on the street, shared with relatives, or stolen!

Granted, I have seen and met some fakers here in California, and there are many throughout the states, but the majority of people I’ve seen who use these drugs are in dire need of some help to manage his or her life.

It s just sickening to have those really in need managed so poorly – Many doctors are now pulling back on writing these prescriptions so they won’t “get in trouble.”

We can also blame “money people” on the fact cigarettes and alcohol are still legal.
Haven’t even mentioned the huge problem with Adderall addiction, or the ridiculous use of Ritalin in children. – For God’s sake, let them be children….

What is the answer? I don’t know. It’s certainly NOT taking pain meds or sleeping aids away from those who ACTUALLY manage lives with the help- the elderly, critical pain patients, and those will lifelong major pain afflictions; many of which are our combat soldiers – men and women!

Tags:age groups on medications, Ambien, behavioral treatments, brothers, Carfentanil, choices, cost, crisis in America, death by drugs, doctors, drugs, families, fenetanyl, how opioids works, hydrocodone, illicit users, Kaiser statistics, men and women in military, military, Morphine, Naloxone, Numbers of drugs prescribed, opioid, overdoses, oxycodone, oxycotin, parents, physicians, prescriptions, sisters, surgeon general, USA
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Exposed – Brad and Angelina

January 29, 2018

For anyone who may have thought this post might have been about someone being naked, or caught in “a situation” – SORRY! Also, I just used Brad and Angelina’s names to get your attention! They aren’t mentioned in the post, so if it is only them you are looking for, best stop reading and move on…and have a great day!

This is a wholesome post with some old wives tales exposed, and other things too! By the way, if you question if I am an old wife, I’ve been married 30 years – does that count?

Enjoy.

A hearty breakfast of sausage (or bacon), eggs, and buttered toast will help your husband prepare for the day – whether is work is physical or mental or both!

A lie. That is probably what is clogging your husbands arteries and may, indeed, cause him a fatal heart attack in the future.
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All millennials are not spoiled, self-fish, thoughtless and shallow brats.

A lie. There are many “quieter” millennials who have all the qualities of an adult child you would work and hope for in their futures. Once again the media has shed bias and light on those millennials who are not full of hope – but seem rather hopeless. Remember: there is always hope.
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If you let a dog lick your wound, it will help to heal it because their saliva and tongue have healing properties.

Sorry, not true. There are no healing properties in letting the dog lick you – unless you like it and you feel deep down, it may help. What helps is the sedative like feeling you get when something loves you unconditionally, and would do anything for you…like lick a wound.
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If you dump grease down the sink you should run hot water.

A lie. Run cold water so the grease will not clog the pipes. If you run hot water and fail to get all the grease down, when it cools – it clogs.
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If you are a Christian you automatically forgive someone if they have done something terrible to a member of your family and/or friend.

A fallacy. Christians have the same protective nature all humans do….they are “supposed” to forgive – but often it takes a lengthy period of time to do so. Sometimes forgiving is impossible. That does not mean they aren’t Christians. It means they are human. God knows hearts.
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If you are using a recipe that calls for buttermilk, and you don’t have any, you can use vinegar in the milk instead. Not a lot, 1/2 – 1 tablespoon.

True
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If you are out of toothpaste you can brush your teeth with baking soda.

True. It works. Kind of tastes nasty but its better than hemorrhoid cream. DON’T ASK.
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If you don’t have shampoo or are short on time, use corn starch to clean your hair.

True. Just drop pour on top, then bend down and pour more. In that position rub it through you hair as if it was water. Then shake it out and brush. (Of course be over something that catches the corn starch that falls…like a sink, outside, or standing on newspapers.
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You can use make-up and vitamins longer than the label says you can.

True. When you think you are done with a product, open it and pour it into a container wherein you can still use it. When corporations tell you not to use it – that is a ploy so you will trash it and buy more. As far as vitamins – if they are hard pills they are fine. If they are fluid or in a capsule that melts in your mouth, test one. SMELL what is inside. Your nose will tell you what to do.
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If you think you will have a wonderful day, barring a catastrophe, you will!

TRUE. The day is in your mind. No matter what happens to you, your response is 100% your choice. In hard times there are lessons to be learned. That does not mean you need to be miserable. As ye thinketh, so shall ye be….CREATE A WONDERFUL DAY! Love one another!
I THINK YOU CAN!

Tags:advice, elderly, entertainment, Exposed, families, fun, humanity, ideas, learning, LIFE, Old wives tales, personal, random, the truth, truth, women, writing
Posted in A pleasant read, Exposed, Old wives tales, Searching for answers, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

I REMEMBER….

January 9, 2018

The difference between positive thoughts and negative ones…is simply a word or two.

Rather than mentioning how much I MISS specific things, as an optimist I will say instead, I have WONDERFUL MEMORIES of things. It is so easy, but we get in the habit of using negative words and phrases, and our minds, being brilliant learning machines, places the words used into thoughts and feelings.

Today I would like to share memories of things I treasure. I will hope and pray that the children of today, though perhaps unable to enjoy the exact memories, will have exceptional memories of their own as they grow into adults.

I remember sitting in a tree when I was eight or so, and I enjoyed the sound of the birds and the big clouds mixing together before a storm. I ate so many tart green apples it did make me ill for a bit – but worth every moment I had sitting in that tree.

I remember how the sound of a train made me feel warm and think of places in the country and the thrill when the engine operator saw me and tooted his long horn. The sound still makes me stop and think….

I remember laying in the grass and listening to silence, while clouds configured into animals and faces, and wonderful things.

I remember riding my bike with my sister to the high school in the evening. There was no fear, no helmet, and no restriction to be home before dark. We dropped our bikes and changed into swimsuits and jumped into the pool. I loved to do a headstand in the water – legs straight as a board.

I remember walking on a downed tree with my cousin on the end of it, pushing it up and down to see if he could shake me off. We laughed and smiled and then went fishing on the river in Kings Canyon.

I remember seeing so many butterflies when the flowers came into bloom. A butterfly would flutter by…The bees came round too when the flowers were in bloom, another memory of joy.

I remember going to a camp where my brother and sister and I floated candles on little lily pads made of cardboard as a show of our faith in Jesus. The lake was brilliant with the light of so many that night.

I remember being scolded at that camp because I let a boy kiss me lightly on the lips. It is not the scolding that brings a fond memory, but because I liked the boy – it was the kiss!

I remember always, with my family, sharing laughter and song. Often we broke into song for no particular reason. We still do.

I am joyful and grateful I was born with something inside my heart than always finds a way to smile and be positive. I believe I was born to love, and in turn, I have been given love by so many people along the way.

I remember as a young adult someone told me “I have the cracklings of a healer” – which to me is wonderful. I want others to feel their hearts almost explode with joy, and their bodies and minds to heal..I want them to KNOW and use the power of the Spirit within.

I am living, thirty years now, with a man who kept his promises…and still does.

Fireflies, bonfires, a church bell ringing, children giggling, the feel of a baby laying on your chest-your heartbeat and the infants heartbeat, the dog laying upside down, sleeping and snoring, the unity of loved ones when Spirit leaves a body, the faith that keeps you going even when it seems impossible, the movement of the foot when a piece of music begins and that rhythm awakens the body and prods it to get up and dance just for fun, a sunset on the beach with sand sifting between your toes, the sunrise in the pines when the smell of coffee and the sound of crackling bacon awakens you, the colors as leaves turn from green to red and drop off of the trees, the dogs jumping in a pile of leaves you just raked up, a child’s eyes as he sits up in a bathtub, after showing you he can put his head under water, the parents gathered together to watch the soccer game with the young children beginning to hone skills in physical challenges, the bravery of a young soldier when he comes home with only one leg and works to begin again, holding hands, a good movie that leaves you smiling and feeling elated, the smile of someone you don’t know sitting next to you in stopped traffic, the look someone you love gives you when they shine eyes upon you, and you know they love you, and oh so very much more……all the miracles of the moments, the days, the months, the years.

THIS IS my year of GRATITUDE for all the memories, and all the wonderful moments of life to come – NO MATTER WHAT!

I pray this will be the beginning of a new and beautiful year for you too! REMEMBER there are a few ways to make it happen.
No matter what happens keep in mind you ALWAYS have a choice in how you respond; make it a positive response.
Prayer works so use it. (Even if you question this, try one prayer a day and see what happens!)
Wake up and say, “This is going to be a very good day.” Turn around potentially bad incidents into a learning scenario, and move forward.
Think before you speak. As ye think, so shall ye become.
Be a better listener.
Love one another – and FORGIVE. We all make mistakes.

Tags:birds, blogging, children, creative, dance, event, families, familyfaith, fun, human beings, humanity, ideas, inspiration, journal, laughs, learning, LIFE, Love, memories, motivation, music, past, people, personal, random, reading, relationships, smiles, social, the new year, the truth, thoughts, words, writing
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WELCOME and GOOD MORNING

July 28, 2017

Time is of the essence. Perhaps the written record of one lost life saved, is not going to rescue the masses or feed the hungry. I guess you could say the essence of my life has been God and survival. My story spans the lives of many people in the one earthly body. Time took me from one place to another, sometimes by chance, others by choice, and still others by the hand of God and path provided by Jesus Christ. I am still meandering across my destiny….but now the end of the rocky trail is in my sight.

I know having to take pain medication, to maintain a sense of wholeness, is not good for me.
I keep a tight watch so that I take it and it does not take me. I know taking something to sleep through the night takes a toll on my poor brain, but I need to sleep. My dreams may be affected – or perhaps it is the length and breadth of the story of my life invades me while I sleep.

I want to fly again in my dreams. I remember clearly. I know how from simply standing I elevate and then us my arms and body to maneuver…between the buildings, over the pasture, high above the fabric of incidents that weave the human state on this earth today. It will not be forever that I can’t remember how.

As I close my eyes I want to pray the earnest prayer of grateful appreciation to my Master.
I want, as I drift off to sleep to see the road moving as if I were walking, but I am just above walking….the trees change and are thick and exquisite on the sides and I look ahead unable to tell if it is the sun rising or setting. It is just at the point of color and size that it almost tricks the eyes. But I know today the sun sets with a glow that leaves light along the path.

I know it is setting because before the sun rises the birds awaken and sing first a light and breezy good morning, and then a choir to the morning with a multitude of individual, wonderful birds.

Its as if the sinking of the sun is making way for the fullest of moons to peek, almost melding as the sun sinks, the moon rises to light the sky – in the same place and at the same moment.

I am certain there are a plethora of untapped and unseen resources that can be available for us all, but now for only those who are given the eyes to see and the ears to hear.

Be thee careful of thy words. Words can give life and can harm life. Each word has a meaning and before the words are spoken they a formed with thought. Careless words can rip and tear like a madman with the sharpest of knives.

Of course we can heal. We have been given the best of instruments with specific talents given to no other creatures on this planet. But if given a choice I would rather have a physical injury that one offered up by cruel words. After all the years the physical has healed. The wounds inflicted by unworthy words heal the slowest of all, and will leave a tender scar within the heart…for words alert the heart and senses of what is, perhaps, to come. Be thee careful with thy words.

My intent as I began to write this was actually not to post this…ah but why not! There is no reason to stop now. I still have time and am able! Maybe someone will read and enjoy my words as much as I enjoy writing them! I have high hopes.

Have an amazing day. Stop for one moment and hug yourself. Look into a mirror past what you see, and say -“ I love me, I am supposed to love me. I am God’s one of a kind!. I appreciate all I try to do for others. It always feels good, though it seems there is never enough time.” And if no one said “Thank you” remember the good you do enhances YOU and is for
your growth and well-being. They may not have been taught to say thank you, they may not have thought to say thank you, or they may just be little selfish people – I say little intently.
Your heart and kindness is growing as I write – I just know it!

Love and blessings- Remember I mean things when I say or write or pray the words! So again, LOVE and BLESSINGS to you all! Thanks for taking time to be a part of me.

Don’t forget to praise any attempt from someone to do or say “good.”

Tags:advice, boys and girls, families, inspiration, learning, LIFE, men, personal, positive input, random, relationships, the elderly, truth, women, words, writing
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IMPORTANT

November 15, 2016

I THINK WE SHOULD BE discussing this! This is important enough for all Californian and nearby states to pay attention to for your families and children. This prop just passed. It is entitled:

“ Proposition 57 Public Safety & Rehabilitation Act of 2016.”……………………………………………………………………………..

(Sounds good, however, we all need to read “the fine print” on this one!)

“Things like use of a date rape drug, physical child abuse, spousal abuse, those are not consider a serious and violent crime,”

Susan Fisher, former chair of the parole board (and sister of a murder victim)

10’s of thousands WILL BE RELEASED.

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“In California, the following crimes are not technically considered “violent,” so therefore, qualify as “non-serious, non-violent offense” eligible for early release in Governor Brown’s Proposition 57….

(I am listing only a few in each category. For full list see reference below.)

Terrorism-related crimes – Exploding or attempting to explode a destruction device in a specified place (e.g. health facility, place of worship, bookstore, library, courthouse,……

Possession of a restricted, biological agent.

Mingling Poison or harmful substance with any food, drink, or medicine, or placing a poison or harmful substance in a spring, well, or water supply.

Domestic Violence crimes – Domestic violence resulting in traumatic condition.

Violating restraining order that involves credible threat of violence.

Stalking when defendant has prior felony conviction for domestic violence.

Elder/Dependent Adult abuse – False imprisonment of an elder or dependent adult by violence, menace, fraud or deceit.

Inflicting physical pain or mental suffering on an elder or dependent adult..

Caretaker committing theft, embezzlement, forgery, fraud or identity theft against an elder.

Gang Related Crimes – Active participation in a criminal street gang.

Carrying a loaded firearm or in a vehicle where the defendant has a prior felony conviction….etc.

Violating restrained order that involved credible threat of violence.

Making a credible threat to cause serious bodily injury and within 30 days entering the victim’s residence or workplace with intent to carry out the threat.

The state will save hundreds of millions on this passing. However many others not listed will be eligible under this prop. Included is rape to an unconscious victim, corporal punishment to a child, human traffic/ sex acts with minor, drive by shooting hate crimes, rape by intoxication – ETC. ETC.

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Lock and load…or do whatever it is you do to keep your family safe. The last group of early releases look like a group of babies in comparison to what is going to happen…..

(Reference: www.klaaskids.org/blog/?p=2509)

I THINK WE SHOULD BE discussing this! This is important enough for all Californian and nearby states to pay attention to for your families and children. This prop just passed. It is entitled:

“ Proposition 57 Public Safety & Rehabilitation Act of 2016.”

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