With major music industry types such as Russell Simmons and Carly Simon in his corner, the case of John Forte has received major headlines over the past few years.  One of the late 1990’s most prodigious R&B and Hip-hop songwriters/performers, Forte was arrested in 2000 for taking part in a cocaine smuggling operation that was bringing millions of dollars worth of the drug in the U.S.

After what many believed was an unfair trial, and an unjustly harsh sentencing, Forte was send to prison for 14 years, where his case became a cause celebre.

Now, John Forte has finally seen his prayers answered, as President George Bush pardoned the musician this week.  Forte is scheduled for release in December.

The Forte case brought many important issues into the spotlight.  Among them was the question of how to best fight the war on drugs.  The fact that Forte committed a non-violent crime, and was a first time offender made such a tough sentence difficult for many to swallow.  Currently, in the U.S. prison system there are hundreds of thousands of individuals who committed similar crimes in like circumstance living out long sentences.

When issuing the pardon, President Bush took into account the nature of the young man as well as his potential to give more to society outside of a jail cell.

Individuals who are struggling with drug addiction need help!  Contact a drug rehab facility in your area if you are someone you know is struggling with a dependence on illicit substances.

Despite all the research that speaks to the contrary there are still a large number of people who are unaware of the many potential dangers of cocaine addiction.

And while most users and non-users probably know the “basic” symptoms and side effects of this addictive stimulant, such as talkativeness and nosebleeds, there are plenty of other reasons why those who are using this drug need cocaine rehab as soon as possible.

1. Irritability.  Once the stimulant effects of cocaine begin to wear off, the user can become quite irritable and agitated.
2. No sense of smell.  Cocaine damages the nasal membranes and surrounding areas which can cause the individual to lose their sense of smell entirely
3. Prenatal and post-natal problems.  Cocaine has been found to cause premature birth, low birth weight and other related disorders.
4. HIV and Hepatitis. Shooting cocaine using dirty needles can advance the spread of these deadly viruses.
5. Lung disease.  Smoking crack has been found to cause significant damage to the lungs.
6. Bowel gangrene.  Ingesting cocaine can also cause this painful internal condition.
7. Decreased appetite.  Individuals on long cocaine “benders” have been known to go days without eating.
8. Sleeplessness.  Even when not using the drug, many cocaine addicts report a restlessness that keeps them from sleeping through the night.

A drug rehab facility can help individuals break the cycle of cocaine addiction.   To get help for yourself, or a loved one, contact a program in your area.

Every day, millions of people turn to products with names like Red Bull, Monster or Redline for a burst of energy that will (if the advertisement prove correct) help give them an energy boost and enhance their focus.  While the claims of these products is still up for debate in terms of validity, many drug addiction professionals are becoming concerned that they made lead to something much worse.

A recent study by the American College of Health found that individuals who consumed multiple energy drinks each week were much more likely to engage in other damaging behaviors such as cigarette smoking and the abuse of prescription drugs.

While it is hard to prove a causational link between the two behaviors, another study from the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence raised more serious concerns by associated heavy energy drink usage with caffiene toxicity and eventually, addiction to stimulants and other hard drugs.

Both these studies are still making their way through the scientific community, but whether or not they lead more findings, there is no denying that energy drink consumption, when not in moderation, can lead to a variety of health problems, including:

• Dehydration
• Kidney failure
• Heart failure
• Seizures
• Coma

Energy drinks have drawn the attention of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in recent years, so watch for more studies about the potential health hazards of these “wonder drinks.”

Obviously, these problems (and the link to drug addiction) are not applicable to the majority of individuals who consume energy drinks.  However, if you or someone you know has seen their health suffer as a result of their addiction to energy drinks, stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine, or any other drug, it is important to contact a drug rehab facility immediately.

There are so many things from our youth that once seemed pure and are now besmirched by revelations, temptations and too much information.   Until now, MARSHA BRADY seemed a pretty safe bet to stay off of that list, but alas, it just wasn’t meant to be.

In her new autobiography entitled Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice, actress Maureen McCormick who played the eldest sister of the Brady clan on the hit TV show The Brady Bunch has admitted to years if cocaine addiction, trading cocaine for sex at the Playboy Mansion and even a string of abortions required because of unwanted pregnancies.

This is some pretty stunning stuff considering just a few years ago we were all trying to wrap our heads around Marsha kissing Greg in a brief off-screen moment.  Wow, that sure seems innocent now.

As it happens, McCormick is yet another cautionary tale of young Hollywood and its distaste for telling anyone “no” about anything.   This lack of a checks and balances system has left many 14-years olds like McCormick in grave danger.  It is to “Marcia’s” credit that she has lived to tell the tale and turn her life around in a way that allows her to help others.

To help someone in YOUR life with a drug addiction, contact a drug rehab facility and find out how you can help get that individual into an intervention and straight on through to treatment.

A recent report in the British newspaper The Daily Mail has found that drug deaths related to cocaine and ecstasy are up a whopping 1200% since 1993.

The study detailed several interesting pieces of information that shed light into the demographic trends of drug abuse in England - many of which can be extrapolated to drug addiction in the United States.

• Cocaine and ecstasy use is up among individuals in the 40’s or older.   The health of these individuals puts them in a higher-risk group for overdose.
• Mixing cocaine with alcohol use has become more popular in the United Kingdom.  This can create a deadly mixture called cocaine-ethynyl which has claimed the life of hundreds of individuals over the past several years.
• 293 people died in England from cocaine use last year, a shocking figure when you consider that only 23 people died from those drugs just a few short years ago.
• Heroin and morphine-related deaths are also up in England, rising to 829 in 2007 from 713 in 2006.
• Drug addiction and drug-related deaths among young people, while not decreasing has leveled off over the past few years.   The real rise in drug use is among older men and women.

As in America, celebrities in England have had their struggles with drugs and alcohol.  The tabloid industry in the United Kingdom is in many ways, even more intrusive than it is in the United States, allowing the public to see these lifestyles first-hand.  

Whether or not this is impacting drug use among older Brits remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain, you can expect demand at quality drug rehab facilities to rise in the coming years across the pond.

British film actress Helen Mirren is highly-regarded for her ability to portray almost any character with wisdom and grace.  Too bad neither of those characteristics was present when Mirren recently shared her views and personal experiences regarding cocaine.

During a lengthy interview with the British edition of GQ Magazine, Mirren said that “she used to love taking cocaine” and would do so regularly at parties during the 1970’s and1980’s.  A scare with a date rape incident while intoxicated seemingly scared Mirren straight, but she still offers up little rebuttal against the dangers of drug use.

Celebrities, and certainly those in their seventies such as Helen Mirren, do not necessarily need to be role models for young people everywhere, but they should certainly know better than to be so blasé about the things they say during public interview sessions.

Granted, Mirren lost a good deal of her credibility when the interview detoured into talk of Nazi criminals on the lam and how to best prosecute date rape offenders, but by then the damage had already been done.

Cocaine addiction was a serious problem THEN, and it is an even more serious one NOW.  In order to get help, individuals must find an effective drug rehab program to help them get clean and sober.

A band with a relatively clean image for the music world has taken a serious hit this week as Barenaked Ladies lead singer Steven Page was arrested for possession of cocaine in Syracuse, New York.

The singer was released on $10,000 bail and is currently awaiting his day in court, however this matter brings up several concerns for the band, as well as the parents of their youngest fans.

While there are many instances where a musician’s fall from grace due to drug addiction does little to affect his or her popularity (and it many cases will seemingly enhance it) this situation is complicated by the way the band has marketed themselves.

Appearing on the soundtracks of many animated films, and touring with Disney recording artists have created a youth-appeal to the band with will be threatened by talk of cocaine and other drugs.

Even more of a concern of course, is the health of Stephen Page.  The rigors of performing and touring lead many into the cycle of drug addiction, and one can only hope that this moment serves as a wake-up call for Mr. Page, and that is able to check into a drug treatment center that will offer him the cocaine rehab needed to get well.

Amy Winehouse health problems likely related to drug use

Anyone who understands the devastating health problems associated with drug use will quickly recognize that the recent reports of singer Amy Winehouse’s irregular heartbeat likely stem from a continual use of cocaine and other drugs.

Winehouse has recently exhibited other key symptoms of drug addiction as well:

She is continuing to use, even in the face of life-threatening health problems and advice from doctors and friends that she seek treatment immediately.  This is one of the chief symptoms of addiction, and is the first sign that an individual has gone from substance abuse to full-on drug dependence.

She is also engaging in the kind of dangerous, destructive behavior exhibited by those lost in a sea of addiction, as she was seen punching a fan at a recent concert.

Amy Winehouse is a genuine talent, and while it is often difficult to feel much sympathy for the woman, it is hard to watch such a wonderful gift get flushed right down the toilet.

Her massive hit “Rehab” might go down in history as one of the most ironic songs in music history.

For anyone who has a drug problem, or knows someone who needs help breaking the cycle of addiction, there is Michael’s House.  Located in Palm Springs, California, Michael’s House offers individuals caring, effective residential drug treatment programs.