... and won!
In Fayetteville, Arkansas the CasperStarTribune.net reports, "A woman who sued a judge after he sentenced her to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings won't be required to participate in the 12-step program that she said forced her to practice a religion, her lawyer says."
"Mindy Gayle Offutt, who was sentenced on a misdemeanor drug possession charge last year, had filed the suit in federal court against Judge Doug Schrantz, who had given her a 30-day suspended jail sentence, contingent upon her attending 12 NA meetings."
"But Doug Norwood, Offutt's attorney, said that, as part of a settlement, Schrantz will issue an amended judgment saying Offutt doesn't have to attend the 12-step program. A federal judge dismissed Offutt's lawsuit Monday."
"Offutt said the NA programs have a religious undertone and require everyone to pray at the end of each meeting. Attorneys for the judge she sued had asked the federal court to grant Schrantz immunity from the lawsuit."
What do you think?
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Nissan's New Anti-Drunk Driving Concept Car
Engadget.com reports, "Just as expected, Nissan has indeed rolled out a concept vehicle that showcases its long-awaited anti-drunk driving technology. The vehicle sports "multiple preventative features" designed to curb inebriated operation of vehicles, and essentially detects the driver's state of sobriety and kicks into action if you've had a bit much. Amongst the detection agents are alcohol odor sensors built into the locking shift knob, seat-mounted sensors that can activate a voice and navigation screen warning, and a facial monitoring system that determines your "state of consciousness through your eyes." Regrettably, there's still no word as to when this system could actually hit showroom floors, but if the automaker has shelled out enough dough to craft a concept vehicle, we'd imagine it's not too far out."
Saturday, August 4, 2007
FBI Jobs for Former Pot Smokers?
Well, according to USAToday, the FBI may be making some changes to its current rules and regulations regarding hiring people who have smoked marijuana in the past.
"Many surely did 'experiment.' Indeed, almost 100 million Americans — nearly half of all adults — have used marijuana at least once, according to the latest National Institute on Drug Abuse survey. Only a tiny percentage became stoners and slackers. The vast majority became responsible adults. Some even became members of Congress, Supreme Court justices and president of the United States (albeit without inhaling)."
"Many could not, however, become employees of the FBI. The bureau prohibits hiring anyone who has used marijuana within the past three years or more than 15 times ever."
"The FBI is rethinking this pointless ban, one that has already been relaxed by other U.S. intelligence agencies and police departments. No new policy has been proposed and there is no timetable for change. But the FBI's arbitrary policy — smoking pot 15 times is OK, but 16 isn't? — impedes efforts to improve national security."
"Many surely did 'experiment.' Indeed, almost 100 million Americans — nearly half of all adults — have used marijuana at least once, according to the latest National Institute on Drug Abuse survey. Only a tiny percentage became stoners and slackers. The vast majority became responsible adults. Some even became members of Congress, Supreme Court justices and president of the United States (albeit without inhaling)."
"Many could not, however, become employees of the FBI. The bureau prohibits hiring anyone who has used marijuana within the past three years or more than 15 times ever."
"The FBI is rethinking this pointless ban, one that has already been relaxed by other U.S. intelligence agencies and police departments. No new policy has been proposed and there is no timetable for change. But the FBI's arbitrary policy — smoking pot 15 times is OK, but 16 isn't? — impedes efforts to improve national security."
Friday, August 3, 2007
Not sure if you're an addict? Take the test...
Are you an addict or alcoholic. Addicted.com has put together some "Self-Tests" you can take to help you figure out if you might be in trouble. "These self tests are designed to help you discover whether or not you should seek help."
Sexual Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether your sexual activity and behavior is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Alcoholism
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether alcohol is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Drug Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether drugs are contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Gambling Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether gambling is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Food Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether overeating is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Tobacco Dependence
"The following 15 item self-assessment is intended to help you determine your level of tobacco dependency and assist you in considering whether to seek help. This self-test refers to people who have used, or are now using, tobacco and nicotine substances (i.e., cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, and cigars). All results are confidential and anonymous."
Shopping Addiction
"The following 15 item self-assessment is intended to help you determine your level of compulsive shopping and buying habits and assist you in considering whether to seek help. This self-test refers to shopping and/or buying that may be done in stores, online, by phone, TV, or other means. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Sexual Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether your sexual activity and behavior is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Alcoholism
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether alcohol is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Drug Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether drugs are contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Gambling Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether gambling is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Food Addiction
"The following self-assessment is intended to help you determine whether overeating is contributing to significant problems in your life. This assessment is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional evaluation. Only a health care professional can make a formal diagnosis. All results are confidential and anonymous."
Tobacco Dependence
"The following 15 item self-assessment is intended to help you determine your level of tobacco dependency and assist you in considering whether to seek help. This self-test refers to people who have used, or are now using, tobacco and nicotine substances (i.e., cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, and cigars). All results are confidential and anonymous."
Shopping Addiction
"The following 15 item self-assessment is intended to help you determine your level of compulsive shopping and buying habits and assist you in considering whether to seek help. This self-test refers to shopping and/or buying that may be done in stores, online, by phone, TV, or other means. All results are confidential and anonymous."
No more smoking for Disney
Reports from Addicted.com say that "Smoking will no longer be depicted in Disney-branded movies and will be discouraged in films bearing Disney's Touchstone and Miramax brands, the company has announced." "Reuters reported July 25 that Disney CEO Robert Iger also said that the company would place anti-smoking public-service announcements on DVDs of all future films where smoking is shown and call on theaters to show such PSAs before screening movies with smoking scenes."
Nice T-Shirt
Well, here's one for you...
WSBTV.com reports, "A Florida woman arrested on charges of drunken driving for a second time since April was taken into custody wearing a T-shirt that read, 'I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk -- Alcoholics go to meetings.'"
"The T-shirt with the drinking message was visible in Amanda Lynn Bailey's mug shot Wednesday."
WSBTV.com reports, "A Florida woman arrested on charges of drunken driving for a second time since April was taken into custody wearing a T-shirt that read, 'I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk -- Alcoholics go to meetings.'"
"The T-shirt with the drinking message was visible in Amanda Lynn Bailey's mug shot Wednesday."
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Gambling Addiction does not discriminate
Here is a You Tube Video on Gambling Addiciton... it's worth taking a look at.
Eating Disorder at Any Age
The Savannah Morning News reports, "Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia have long been considered diseases of the young, but experts say in recent years more women have been seeking help in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and older. Some treatment centers are creating special programs for these more mature patients."
"Why it's happening?"
"People who study eating disorders suggest several reasons there might be more women over 30 seeking treatment for what is typically a young woman's problem: growing public awareness, social pressure to be thin and an aging group of baby boomers."
"National statistics on eating disorders are hard to come by, but data from some treatment centers suggest a steady increase."
It's about time for women AND MEN of any age to get help with their eating disorder.
"Why it's happening?"
"People who study eating disorders suggest several reasons there might be more women over 30 seeking treatment for what is typically a young woman's problem: growing public awareness, social pressure to be thin and an aging group of baby boomers."
"National statistics on eating disorders are hard to come by, but data from some treatment centers suggest a steady increase."
It's about time for women AND MEN of any age to get help with their eating disorder.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Punch!
In a recent article, SJ-R.com gives us the recipe for an alcohol free punch to liven up any party!
"For the party planner, offering a supply of sodas is a step in the right direction for those who don’t drink alcohol."
"But, says chef Liz Scott, an easy, festive party punch goes a step further and truly enhances a party’s menu and theme."
"With these colorful, refreshing recipes, you may decide to stash the sodas and pull out the pitcher or punch bowl for your next party. It’s a way to make guests of all ages and stages feel special when the drinks are passed."
"Scott, who lives in New Jersey, has just released her second cookbook, 'The Sober Kitchen, Lively Entertaining Without the Spirits' (Cleveland Clinic Press, 2007), which she created to match good foods with equally good beverages for people who choose not to use alcohol."
"A recovering alcoholic, Scott knows firsthand that soda doesn’t necessarily go with food. She wanted to offer more options for pregnant women, persons with liver and pancreas concerns or problem drug interactions with alcohol, and those who just don’t like the taste of alcohol."
Here is one of her yummy drink recipes. Check out the article or her cookbooks for more.
Iced Apricot Tea Punch
A light and not-too-sweet fruity punch.
15 cups water
20 apricot herbal tea bags (see note)
3 cups apple juice, chilled
3 cups white grape juice, chilled
6 cups ginger ale, chilled
In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and pour into heat-proof pitchers or containers to cool. Reserve 3 cups of the tea to make ice cubes.
To serve, pour the tea into a punch bowl and stir in the apple juice, grape juice and ginger ale. Add the prepared ice cubes as needed to keep cold.
Note: Substitute peach tea or another caffeine-free fruit variety for the apricot tea, if desired.
Makes 12 servings.
"For the party planner, offering a supply of sodas is a step in the right direction for those who don’t drink alcohol."
"But, says chef Liz Scott, an easy, festive party punch goes a step further and truly enhances a party’s menu and theme."
"With these colorful, refreshing recipes, you may decide to stash the sodas and pull out the pitcher or punch bowl for your next party. It’s a way to make guests of all ages and stages feel special when the drinks are passed."
"Scott, who lives in New Jersey, has just released her second cookbook, 'The Sober Kitchen, Lively Entertaining Without the Spirits' (Cleveland Clinic Press, 2007), which she created to match good foods with equally good beverages for people who choose not to use alcohol."
"A recovering alcoholic, Scott knows firsthand that soda doesn’t necessarily go with food. She wanted to offer more options for pregnant women, persons with liver and pancreas concerns or problem drug interactions with alcohol, and those who just don’t like the taste of alcohol."
Here is one of her yummy drink recipes. Check out the article or her cookbooks for more.
Iced Apricot Tea Punch
A light and not-too-sweet fruity punch.
15 cups water
20 apricot herbal tea bags (see note)
3 cups apple juice, chilled
3 cups white grape juice, chilled
6 cups ginger ale, chilled
In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and pour into heat-proof pitchers or containers to cool. Reserve 3 cups of the tea to make ice cubes.
To serve, pour the tea into a punch bowl and stir in the apple juice, grape juice and ginger ale. Add the prepared ice cubes as needed to keep cold.
Note: Substitute peach tea or another caffeine-free fruit variety for the apricot tea, if desired.
Makes 12 servings.
Stepping Stones
Bill W.'s home in New York, Stepping Stones, has been a place of peace and reflection for recovering alcoholics and addicts for many years.
The Palm Beach Post featured their historic home in a recent story.
"Bill Wilson died in 1971 and Lois Wilson — who founded Al-Anon, the organization for alcoholics' relatives — set up the Stepping Stones Foundation in 1979. She died in 1988, and the house is maintained to look like it did when she and her husband lived in it."
"The four-bedroom home and the 8 1/2 acres around it in the New York City suburbs are owned and managed by the foundation. It's on the National Register of Historic Places."
"Lois Wilson catalogued hundreds of books, photos and keepsakes, including a letter from Carl Jung, a blessing from Pope Paul VI and a collection of plastic dinosaurs."
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