For those of you who read my blog regularly you know I have focused a lot of time and energy on drug problems around the world as well as here in the United States of America. One place I have paid particular attention to is India. Like many places on the planet, the Indian state of Punjab is in the grip of a drug abuse crisis. Just how bad is the problem? Surveys indicate that more than half of all rural households are home to at least one drug addict, a problem most severe along the Pakistan ... [More]

As a counselor for both in-class and online drug classes I am very interested in the approaches other countries use to help with drug education and drug education. I was recently reviewing information on how Kenya attempts to keep kids off of drugs. In Kenya, teachers play an important role both as instructors and role models to help keep youth from using drugs. As reported in allafrica.com. The reason teachers have been drawn into the fight is, of course, because there has been a dramatic inc... [More]

Just how bad is Turkey’s drug problem? Of course you realize I am not merely “talking turkey” I am referring to the Eurasian country known as The People’s Republic of Turkey, right? How many people do you think perish each year in Turkey due to drug addiction? Before you answer, know that there are approximately 69 million Turkish people and more than 25% are age 14 and under. As reported in news.xinhuanet.com. Last year 365 people died last year in Turkey due to drug a... [More]

The answer to that headline is that of course people in India need 16 hour drug classes. Drug addiction is a global problem. What kind of efforts are administrators in India doing to combat a growing drug problem over there? Lack of purpose and opportunity has long affected the younger generation in India. One place they seek solace is in drugs contributing to a severe social crisis. As reported in khabarsouthasia.com. Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary of India's ruling Congress party, stirred c... [More]

A question by one of my students in a drug class provoked some research in to just how the Chinese treat drug users and substance abuse. This is the second in a series of blogs regarding China and the way it handles substance abuse issues. Does China offer drug classes and rehabilitation? This certainly is not an issue you read about often. The fact is that there is little attempt at rehabilitation in China for drug users – unless you consider hard labor rehabilitation! As reported in www... [More]

How do the Chinese treat substance abuse issues? As a counselor for both in-class and online drug classes I was asked this question by a student in an 8-hour MIP class. This will be the first in a series of blogs that looks at the way China deals with substance abuse issues and drug users. Drug use in any context carries risks, but users in China face a unique set of challenges. First offenders are immediately taken to a detention center. As reported in www.theatlantic.com. Police often pick p... [More]

Living alongside the G-stringed babes, the soccer stars and samba music are drugs and alcohol in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Alongside the lush Amazon Jungle is a bustling city teeming with drugs In the previous blogs we examined the prevalence of drugs in society and specifically began to look at the crack problem. Whereas, crack used to be the top choice among addicts, its use is dropping and the reason was quite surprising. It turns out the drug bosses have a social conscience. They see and unde... [More]

One stereotype of Brazil is a lush land with an Amazon Rain Forest that is second-to-none. Another common image is of girls in G-string bikinis dancing and partying to samba music. Although I have never been to Brazil, I have heard that the party is on in Rio de Janeiro. As reported in www.sacbee.com. How bad is the drug problem? It is not good that is for sure. How available are drugs in Rio? It is laughable how easy it is to purchase. In some areas you can by cocaine easier than a quart of m... [More]

Often associated with golf, sheep and a heavy brogue, Scotland is now becoming known as the drug capital of Europe. Scotland has been revealed as being top of the European league table for illegal drug abuse. Almost one in ten Scots have admitted using Ecstasy, more than double the rate in most other countries. Its survey found 9.3 per cent of people aged 16-59 had taken Ecstasy, which is regaining its popularity in Scotland after years in decline. Scotland also had the greatest proportion of... [More]

Would the threat of prison or death deter you from drinking alcohol? It sure would make me think twice. In Iran, if you get caught selling booze you not only face jail time, but thousands of dollars in fines and possibly lashings for flouting the Islamic Republic's blanket ban on drinking, which is prohibited under Islam. Yet every day more and more people flaunt the laws by selling booze. Why, because their customer base is growing rapidly. After years of being in public denial over the amou... [More]