Health

Drug Addicts in Thailand Offered Free Rehab

In their quest to get high, drug addicts sometimes do terrible things, like attack their family members. Some parents try to arrest their drug-addicted kids; in the worst cases, they have even pulled the trigger to protect themselves.

Even though many drug addicts now have the choice of intervention and”free rehabilitation” instead of jail time, these problems still exist in Thailand.

The New Drugs Act in Thailand

Under the Narcotics Act B.E. 2564, which went into effect in November of last year, drug addicts are called “patients” and can avoid punishment if they sign up for free rehab. No matter how many drugs a suspect is caught with, they will be given help if they can prove they are not for sale.

Kosonlavat Intujunyong, a deputy director general at the Office of the Attorney General, told Thai PBS, “Drug addicts will only be prosecuted if they refuse treatment.”

Thailand has some of the world’s toughest drug laws, which has led to a high number of people in prison for drug crimes.

Under the new law, drug suspects who are ready to stop using drugs and go to rehab will also avoid getting a criminal record. At most, they will have to follow the rules like a travel ban, community surveillance, or a schedule for when to report. In reality, people who use drugs can live a pretty normal life and only have to keep going to rehab.

“Many crimes that happened recently could have been stopped if the drug addicts had gone to rehab,” said Kosonlavat. “Drug addicts need help from their families, and everyone in the family should sign up for treatment.”

Constant support required

Dr. Warot Chotipittayasunon, a Mental Health Department spokesman, said drug addicts’ families should step in if they don’t have the discipline to go to treatment programs independently.

“Call any hospital. If it doesn’t have drug treatment programs, the staff can suggest the next closest place that does,” he said.

Warot said that there was a good chance that people who were addicted to drugs would be able to stop using these programs. He warned them that they might return to their old ways if they returned to the same place and faced the same problems.

He said, “That’s why they also need help from other people.”

He also said that all drugs change how people think and that using them for a long time can hurt the brain. He said that the more damage there is, the harder it is to give up and return to normal life.

Until April 8, 144,110 people had been arrested for drug crimes in the first half of this year. During the same time period, they also got hold of 272 million methamphetamine pills, 8,691 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and 484 kilograms of heroin.

The number of drug addicts getting help went down from 210,000 in 2020 to 150,000 in 2021, which is sad. Even though the new law was passed in October, the number stayed around 74,000 from October last year to June this year. People in their 20s to 30s are most likely to go to rehab.

drug addicts thailand

Most drug addicts are teenagers.

A headman in a Northeast border province said that drugs were a problem in many villages. He also said that most local drug addicts are teenagers or adults old enough to work.

“We can tell who is using drugs, but there’s not much we can do about it,” a community leader said on the condition that he or she not be named.

He said he tries to get people to take drug-using family members to treatment programs, but most people don’t listen to him.

“In the last year, only one person has signed up for a program on their own,” he said.

He also said that most drug users say they need methamphetamine to work longer hours and make more money to take care of their families.

Even though there had been no reports of violent crimes done by addicts while they were high, he said that a worrying thing had happened recently, but he didn’t say what it was.

“We told the police, but they let the person go the next day.”

The headman thinks that different government agencies should work together to solve this problem. He also thinks they should start campaigns to warn people about the dangers of drugs.

He also wants the government to review the new drug law, which he says could be used by drug traffickers to get around the law by saying they only use drugs and don’t sell them.

The community leader also said something must be done to stop former addicts from returning to their old ways.

man kills drug addicted son

Trouble right outside your door

A recent news story told the story of “Bor,” a young man who graduated from college and moved home to take care of his old, partially paralyzed mother. But life in the village was anything but quiet. Late at night, a local junkie would often knock on his and his neighbours’ doors, yell at them and damage their property.

One night, the addict broke into the house and threatened Bor’s mother with a knife. Even though the police helped her, they did not arrest the attacker.

Bor said that after what happened, he decided to treat the addict more gently. So, one day when the man put out his hand, Bor took it. The man used the hand of friendship as a ruse to hit Bor in the face.

Bor was angry, so he grabbed a piece of wood and went after the person who hurt him. When he finally caught up to the man, he allegedly hit him once in the head, killing him.

Bor was accused of manslaughter, found guilty in court, and sentenced to seven years in prison.

During his appeal, he was helped by many people, including his boss, coworkers, the head of the village, and even some of his family members. The judge took three years off of his sentence and let him go free.

The main cause is poverty.

The head of the Women’s and Men’s Progressive Movement Foundation, Jaded Chouwilai, says that drug abuse is a common problem and that poverty is usually to blame.

He said that many people use drugs because they are worried about money or can’t find work.

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Thailand’s income gap has gotten bigger, and drug-related crimes are happening more often.

“Many people think drugs will help them get out of a tough situation,” Jaded said. “When people are stressed, former drug addicts often start using again.”

“The government shouldn’t just rely on the new law. Instead, they should deal with the real reasons people use drugs, like economic problems and how they affect society,” he said.

“Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development hasn’t done much about this problem. He said it should develop ways to strengthen families because when people feel weak, they often turn to drugs to escape their problems.

Thailand: The Best Destination for Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP