Activity 7

I think the UF Law Review Panel did a great job of detailing some arguments both for and against the legalization of marijuana. Some of the most compelling arguments, in my opinion, were centered on the removal of marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug down to a Schedule 2 drug. Advocates of legalization stated that whether or not a drug has a potential for abuse should not dictate the legality of a drug, due to the fact that essentially most if not all drugs have a “potential” for abuse. From this, it was argued that some very serious drugs such as cocaine are Schedule 2, and these lower scheduled drugs have been involved in epidemics such as the OxyContin epidemic that we recently discussed in class. As a counter, a panelist stated that this was a weak argument. He questioned why we would repeat the problem seen with prescription drug abuse by making marijuana available to multiple people who don’t really need it. 

A panelist against the legalization of marijuana pointed out that as the perceived danger decreases, the use increases, and that taken chronically, a daily use of marijuana will result in addiction 50% of the time. This statistic seems significant, as it was also mentioned that marijuana use in high amounts will compromise significance in terms of learning, memory, sensory and time perception, and display signs of paranoia. These arguments are all relative to public health, although it was mentioned that it is difficult to project what the exact effects of marijuana on public health would be because there are many factors that need to be accounted for, such as will there be a tax on the product, what type of production will be permitted, and so on. 

 

A counter argument was that the perceived risk-degree of use argument could simply imply correlation, not that a lower risk necessarily caused more use. Additionally, panelists pro-legalization stated that science has severely exaggerated the harms of marijuana. Furthermore, an outdated study displayed that approximately 9% of marijuana users will exhibit dependence. However, these results can’t be generalized because the potency and frequency of consumption are unclear. 

In terms of policy, it is clear that the three levels of government all currently disagree about what the policy for legalization or prohibition should look like, however regardless of if you are for or against legalization, it was agreed that states are stuck with their “experimentation” until the federal government can react, because this must start and end at the federal level. 

The debate over marijuana legalization both for medicinal and recreational purposes is definitely a heated topic. There are great arguments on both sides, and as was stated, there is equal research for both. However, I think it become a matter of just uncovering what research is the best. The long term safety consequences are unsure. One of the panelists stated that there are two things you don’t do with medicine –smoke it and vote on it. It’s definitely something to think about. I really enjoyed this video.

Activity 6

I really enjoyed the OxyContin video about Florida become a “pill popper’s paradise”. I wasn’t informed about any of this, so it was all very interesting. The “OxyContin Express” video definitely shed some light on the severity of the problem, stating that Florida is responsible for dispensing pills at five times the national average, which in turn accounts for eleven deaths per day in Florida. It was mentioned in the video and I definitely agree that these statistics alone seem like enough to qualify this as an epidemic. As depicted, there were approximately ten pages of ads for pain clinics in Broward County, some accompanied with coupons. It’s scary to think that a drug addict can get a coupon out of the local paper to get half-off OxyContin.  So as a first step, I would try to at least reduce the amount of advertising that goes into these clinics, because eliminating their advertisement doesn’t seem feasible. Additionally, since Florida did not previously have a prescription drug monitoring plan, it was impossible to track who is getting what and how much they are getting. A monitoring plan in place would reduce some of the trafficking of OxyContin and such to other states, such as Kentucky. While Florida has now introduced a system such as this one, it is very lenient and arguably inefficient. These pain clinics alone don’t always have a computer system in place that keeps track of people’s history. Probably because it would hurt their business. Ultimately, I think the most effective way to stop the pill pipeline would be to make these “pain clinics” illegal. And that might mean revoking the doctor’s medical license if they’re caught participating in what is basically just handing out pills for cash and thereby violating the Oath they took. The deputy in the video said himself that it is easier to chase someone illegally selling the pills they’ve gotten from the clinics, because the clinics are technically legal. Personally, I know selling pills is illegal, but the pain clinics are having a much bigger impact on people who buy pills. And they are also the leading cause of the sale of pills in states such as Kentucky. If it weren’t for their easy access, people wouldn’t be so tempted to buy and sale pills to make the profit that they do. At the end of the day, while punishing those selling drugs on the street is a start, it will never be able to fully terminate the problems that pain clinics are creating. 

This is relevant to class material as we discuss substances such as OxyContin. Additionally, we have previously talked about addiction and ease of access, both of which are factors here that keep pain clinics in business. My friend is a pharmacist, and she constantly turns away people that show signs of addiction or have ran out of pills before their next scheduled filling, which suggests addiction or selling. It’s sad that pain clinics feed the addiction of so many people, and they’re currently allowed to.  

Activity 5

In The Cocaine Kids, Terry Williams provides insight to the lives of the eight featured juvenile cocaine dealers through a form of research known as ethnography. This research process involves the close and personal observation of the individuals in their own social setting, along with systematic recording of their actions and speech (Williams, 1989). Ethnography, as described by Williams, is often a slow process as it employs building a close relationship with those being studied (1989). While it is often times potentially dangerous, having a close, personal encounter with what or whom one is researching can be beneficial. Ethnography provided Terry Williams with a better understanding of the cocaine drug culture and the behavior and lifestyle of a group of kids involved in it.

I found many aspects of the drug culture pretty interesting, particularly how the preference for methods of use changed. For example, in the beginning, customers and the Kids alike preferred snorting cocaine. As the book and time progresses, a new method is introduced in the form of base or crack. I found it interesting that the Kids still refrained from this use, even though they were constantly surrounded by it. “Those who snort are thought to have more discipline and control than those who smoke crack or freebase” (1989). Along with this, the entire method of selling was always changing, adapting to what the costumers wanted and what was in demand. For example, cocaine was distributed in foil, then waterproof packets when that was not accepted, and so on. Although this is an obvious aspect of business in general, it was interesting to see it working in the drug context.  

 

Two of the questions that Terry Williams was seeking when writing The Cocaine Kids were how do kids get into the cocaine business, and how do they get out. These were by far the most interesting aspects of the book to me personally. Kids are attracted to the idea of making good money easily, and if you are born into a line of cocaine dealers such as the way Max was, then there’s a high chance that you will end up doing it as well. Granted, this is by no means a requirement, but in the case of The Cocaine Kids, all of the cards just seemed to line up. Additionally, Williams addressed how one gets out of the business. While they all had plans to get out one day, the shooting of Chillie definitely hurried up the process and seemed to provide an out, in my opinion. Williams described the cocaine business as a stepping stone for the kids and I agree (1989). However, often times people, adolescents especially, are not so lucky as to get out safely or out at all.  Therefore I found this aspect of the drug culture very interesting. There were definitely other aspects that I think should at least be noted, specifically the way the hierarchy system worked and the establishment of reputations through the streets and the after-hours club.

 

The author’s observations are relevant to class material as we talk about cocaine and other stimulants. There are a few instances when class material crossed my mind, such as the talk of cocaine leading to heroin use—this brought the “gateway drug” idea to my mind. Also, Williams was specific in stating the type of language and slang that was used, and it’s interesting to see that change and progress over time. He also observed side effects of cocaine which we address as well, along with the idea of addiction as it was seen throughout the book, if not in the kids then in the costumers and occupants of the base and crack houses. 

References

Williams, T. M. (1989). The cocaine kids: The inside story of a teenage drug ring. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley Pub. Co.

Current Event

Thus far, it has been discussed that the DEA and FDA regulate drugs based on the drug’s potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and the overall safety of using the drug. Methamphetamine and cocaine are both Schedule II drugs. This is relative to past course material as we are now aware that this particular schedule of drugs has some accepted medical use, with a high potential for abuse and potentially a severe amount of dependence. New drugs are constantly being introduced, sometimes that combine multiple different drug qualities. For example, Molly is said to be the purest form of Ecstasy, but it is often found cut with a range of dangerous drugs, ranging from cocaine to bath salt. The bottom line is that when you buy drugs, there can never be certainty without a doubt concerning what you’re actually taking. That’s why the newest drug introduced to the streets of South Florida is getting the attention that it is.

Going by the street name of Flakka, it’s basically a mixture of meth and bath salts, although a different conflicting article describes Flakka as a combination of cocaine and meth. Created in labs overseas in a process similar to that of crystal meth, Flakka is then shipped around the world to be sold. One of the serious concerns as it’s being introduced to the streets are the negative and often violent side effects associated with it, which negatively impact society and can include paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, heart problems, anxiety, and extreme violence (“Flakka—A New Designer Drug”, 2015). According to WPBF News, a local news channel out of West Palm Beach, a man was arrested in Boca Raton, Florida after robbing a woman at an ATM and stealing her SUV. Duaine Knisely, while severely intoxicated, claimed that he had been under the influence of Flakka for most of the week and committed a series of similar acts (2015). This raises the question of how dangerous and addicting is this new drug.

I think more importantly than the effects of Flakka are the variety of ways that it can be consumed, most notably with the ease of e-cigarettes and vapes, along with smoking, injection, or snorting. I was reading a forum a while back that talked about how someone got a joint laced with what was said to be Molly but turned out to be Flakka. The user described the feeling as different, but not bad. Vaping and e-cigarettes have become a new trend, although as we have discussed in class, they were originally designed as an outlet to help people stop smoking. Currently though, it is argued that e-cigarettes are being used by non-smokers and can still be considered a gateway to other drugs. However, since they are legal in most settings as of now, e-cigarettes provide an easy way for people to hide amongst the crowd while using more serious drugs such as marijuana or in this case, Flakka (“Flakka—A New Designer Drug”, 2015). 

The introduction or use of any drug has an impact on society, whether it be good or bad. I think the introduction of Flakka is relevant as it is arguably the newest version of crystal meth on the market. Once there is evidence of production in the United States, the impact on society will continue to expand. What I think is important to realize is that while the immediate side effects of Flakka are alarming, we are uncertain about the long-term side effects, thereby adding to the level of danger. People get hooked on a drug and unlike those that have been vigorously studied, Flakka is currently uncharted territory. Despite any monetary costs to society, there are also personal costs to society that come in the form of physical damage and addiction. Just like with any new drug, Flakka doesn’t come without a cost.

References

Flakka - A New Designer Drug To Watch Out For. (2015, January 19). Retrieved from http://www.serenityrecovery.com/news/flakka-a-new-designer-drug-to-watch-out-for/

 

Man robs woman at ATM, tells police he spent most of week high on 'flakka' | Local News WPBF Home. (2015, January 13). Retrieved from http://www.wpbf.com/news/man-robs-woman-at-atm-tells-police-hes-too-high-to-recall-many-details/30682302

Activity 4

Branches of the military are concerned with the sleep patterns and fatigue of their fighter pilots as they take on long missions and lack adequate amounts of sleep. In an effort to combat this, the little amphetamine pill Dexedrine is seemingly a common solution, given in doses of 5-10 mg. It’s a bit alarming at first as it comes off as pilots relying on drugs to enable them to do their job. However, it’s much deeper than that. I don’t think the continued use of amphetamines is bad, within reason. “The current program is strictly regulated—and wholly voluntary for pilots who opt in” (Bonne, 2003). That’s a good sign, and it does seem that Dexedrine increases the alertness of sleep deprived pilots. Pilots have a very physically and mentally demanding job, and if a 5 milligram pill will enable them to safely accomplish it, I see no immediate problem. 

I think the problem lies in the distribution and possible side effects. While yes I believe that the military is ethically distributing pills, I feel that if a pilot makes a mistake while on or off the “go pill”, then he suffers. If he’s not taking the pill, sleep deprivation will be to blame and the fact that he should have taken the pill. If he’s on the pill and makes a mistake, then at this point in time it’s very easy to simply blame the pill due to a lack of solid research as in the case of the bombing and killing of four Canadian soldiers. In this line of work, pilots face life or death situations regularly, so I think it’s good to have the pill there so the pilots can use their discretion. Personally I think it was best said with “If you can’t trust them with the medication, then you can’t trust them with a $50 million airplane to try and go kill someone” (2003). There is always the possibility of addiction, and the introduction of a “no-go pill” seems problematic as well. Not only this, but the negative side effects associated with the "go pill" such as anxiety and paranoia are consequences that need to be further addressed. However, at the end of the day I think the point that needs to be focused on is the safety of the pilots and ability to complete their mission. 

While no I don’t love the idea of the distribution of an amphetamine and then a sedative, and the consequences are many, if it has shown to be effective then I can overlook the problems associated with it. In order to reduce some of the consequences such as addiction, I think strict regulation needs to continue. Additionally, I know it is often hard to eliminate the pressure to take the pill by commanders, but if pressure can be reduced then that could help with pilots unwillingly taking a drug they either don’t feel they need or want to avoid.

This is all relevant to class material as we discuss amphetamines and their effects, both positive and negative. All drugs are so dependent on particular people, therefore it is difficult to assume that the “go pill” will have the same positive effects across the board and at any given time. Amount of sleep deprivation is just one thing to take into consideration when determining if taking Dexedrine is beneficial.

References 

Bonne, J. (2003, January 9). ‘Go pills’: A war on drugs? - US news - Only - January 2003: BRIDGING THE GULF | NBC News. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3071789/ns/us_news-only/t/go-pills-war-drugs/#.VNOyZS6qlhZ

Activity 3

The three articles by Halpern et al (2011), Mir et al (2011), and Schneir et all (2011) are all from a similar period in time in which research was conducted that discussed the effects of ecstasy and synthetic cannabinoid or K2, respectively. I enjoyed all three of the articles, as they highlighted a range of material, from the effects to prevalence and detriment to users in society. 

In the first article, Halpern et al developed a study that would assess the effect that ecstasy had on cognitive functions. To effectively do so, researchers conducted a field study that excluded individuals with life-time exposure to other illicit drugs or alcohol and included participants of the “rave” subculture. Researchers found that of the 52 illicit ecstasy users and 59 non-users, there was little evidence of decreased cognitive performance in the ecstasy users, although results did yield that ecstasy users exhibit somewhat greater impulsivity, which could be a correlation in the sense that people who use ecstasy already have greater impulsivity. This is one of the first articles that I have read regarding the effects of ecstasy on neurocognitive functions, so it is fairly new material to me. As the study states, longitudinal studies of ecstasy use are typically inconsistent. I think Halpern and his colleagues conducted a solid research study, however. There are a few things that I would suggest. He required that participants be active members of the “rave” culture, and I think that it might be an improvement to include a wider range of ecstasy users in order to produce a more generalizable result and increase validity. This is relevant to class material due to the fact that we have discussed that MDMA or ecstasy is a Schedule 1 drug, which makes it completely prohibited by law. This aspect makes it more difficult to produce accurate results or determine completely causal relationships, due to the fact that researchers can’t give study participants ecstasy in a lab or a completely controlled environment. Aside from that, ecstasy is commonly found at parties or raves nonetheless. While the findings of this particular study indicate that ecstasy does not have a significant negative cognitive effect, I am curious to see the results of similar future case studies.   

The two additional studies focused primarily on the effects of synthetic marijuana, commonly known as spice or K2. To begin, Mir et al describes three cases in which 16-year old males exhibit chest pain after previously smoking K2. Each subject had also admitted to smoking marijuana in the distant past. ”Few synthetic cannabinoids can be detected of the hundreds that have been developed over the years” (Mir et al, 2011). Much more is known about the effects that marijuana has in comparison to synthetic cannabinoids, however spice is legal. Furthermore, “Spice Girls” depicts the case of two previously healthy women, ages 20 and 22, who called 911 after smoking a packet of spice deemed “Banana Cream Nuke” (Schneir et al, 2011). On packages of K2, it is clearly printed “Not for human consumption.” Schneir concludes by stating that he believes K2 use will continue due to its legality in the United States and the fact that it is undetectable on a drug test. I completely agree with him, and would think that allowing the purchase of synthetic cannabinoids will essentially lead to continued use. While it might be so, I feel that today many people are aware of the severity of K2 and choose not to smoke it or at least smoke it less. In class, we have discussed what drugs we refer to as “epidemics”. Although it has been a few years since I’ve heard anything about the excessive use of synthetic marijuana, I’m fairly confident that in 2011 when these articles were written, the use of K2 could have been easily defined as an epidemic. Use was growing, along with health problems which seemed to be related to the use of the drug. 

Each article stresses that further research is needed, and in the meantime I think that public awareness needs to be heightened about both ecstasy, which seems to be more prevalent today, along with K2 and other legal and illegal drugs.