Cruise Ship Crimes by Brooklyn Pearson

Introduction

       Picture yourself laying by the pool, drink in hand, not a care in the world. You hear the music stop and the captain come on over the intercom. He calmly tells everyone to go back to their rooms, someone has “fallen” overboard. You look around, the dancing and laughing has stopped, everyone’s face shows complete shock. Everyone quietly goes back to their rooms; no one is close to the balconies. You sit in your room anxiously waiting for more news of the poor person who has “fallen”. When you get back home you realize you have not heard a single peep of anyone falling overboard on a cruise ship. You then realize crime on cruise ship is more common than you would have thought and most of the time is covered up.

History

       Crimes on cruise ships have probably been around since the beginning of cruising. In 2010, on Carnival Cruise alone there were two suspicious deaths and 16 total crimes (“Cruise Line Incident Reports”). In 2013, it dropped to 14 crimes reported. As of 2016, crime shot up to 40 crimes reported, most being sexual assaults (1). 27 of the 40 crimes reported on Carnival Cruises were sexual assaults (1). 

Social Effects/Examples

       In April of 2015, a married couple was found dead in their cabin room aboard Holland American Line (HAL) cruise ship (Walker). The cruise, Ryndam, took off from Tampa, Florida, for a 2-week cruise across the Caribbean (1). The two passengers were in their 50s and were from Cleveland, Ohio (1). The couple was discovered after the crew had not seen them after a few days (1). The police said there was some blood found in the room, but they did not know what was used to kill them or why they were killed (1). The FBI took over the investigation and said that it could be a possible murder-suicide (1). Even though the FBI had not fully investigated and determined the cause of death, HAL’s PR department came out and said that it was in fact a murder-suicide (1). This left many people to believe that the man murdered his wife and then killed himself (1). This effects their community because the people they lived with and by had to reconsider how they saw and how they felt about the husband (1). This assumption effects how they saw their relationship and makes them question what their marriage was and if she was trying to reach out for help and no one noticed (1).

        Just last year, in 2016, a mother of four fell overboard from on the railing of the Carnival Liberty (Baker). Samantha Broberg, 33, fell overboard around 2 a.m. she was on a four-day cruise from Galveston to Mexico (1). She was not reported missing until noon on Saturday, and the Carnival Liberty did not report she was missing to the U.S. Coast Guard until around 5 p.m. after a boat wide search for Broberg (1). Surveillance video from the Liberty showed Broberg falling off of the railing from the 10^th deck, and they are not certain if she was intoxicated or not (1). A woman that was on the Carnival Liberty when the incident happened said that they found a bloody knife and some blood stains on the 10^th deck (1). She took a picture of the alleged blood stain and posted it on her Twitter account, which caused Carnival representative said that the picture was not blood, in fact there was no blood or knife found on the scene (1). The spokesperson for Carnival said they do not suspect any foul play was involved (1). The FBI called off their search for Broberg at around 8:15 p.m. on Sunday after 20 hours of search (1). The FBI said they searched 4,300 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico and did not find anything (1).

        In May of 2016, two crew members were involved in an onboard crime on the Celebrity Constellation (Walker). A 31-year-old Jamaican man was arrested in Italy after trying to stab a 38-year-old Indian head chef with a large knife (1). The Jamaican, the cook, stabbed the head chef in the stomach which was so serious they had to seek emergency medical care at the Salerno hospital where the chef was in critical condition (1). According to the report, when the cook came in for his 5 a.m. shift he was intoxicated and got offended by the chef’s instructions (1). This affects the society around it because when a crew member creates serious bodily injury to another crew member it makes the ship unseaworthy (1). Because it is unseaworthy, this makes it so that the company is losing money and the people who had had booked their cruise and were going to be next of that boat no longer get to go on their relaxing vacation (1).

        Just a couple of months ago in April of 2017, a man, Rico Scott, and his new wife, Angelijica Scott, were on their honeymoon cruise on the Carnival Liberty (“Reco Scott Missing Passenger…”).  They had a cabin on the ninth floor with a beautiful balcony (1). According to a witness, they observed Rico jumping from his balcony on the ninth floor (1). Although his death is still being investigated, it has not been ruled a suicide, and they have not yet determined if foul play was involved (1). They have not ruled it a suicide because it could have been an accident (1). The United States Coast guard looked for Rico for 29 hours over 1,064 square miles; unfortunately, he was never found (1). This again effects Carnival’s business because although this story was not as big of a story as Samantha Broberg, the Texas mother who fell overboard after sitting on the railing, people who really look into everything before going on vacation are even more hesitant (1). If this case is ruled that there was foul play involved, it will make the people who are hesitant about cruises and ships never want to go on a cruise, not only would that effect Carnival but all other cruise lines as well (1).

        In the fall of 2015, a 15-year-old girl was coming out of Carnival Breeze’s onboard teen club, Club 02, to get ice cream on another floor (Lipscomb).  She said that there was a group of five drunk men who had been kicked out of the alcohol-free teens club when they were told they were too old (1). The girl said that the drunk men then pushed her into the elevator and dragged her all of the way down the hall into one of the men’s cabins where she was forced to preform sexual acts (1). The girls’ mother has filed a lawsuit against Carnival cruises since then (1). When looking into the surveillance video from that night, they can see the men dragging the 15-year-old girl down the hallway and into the cabin room (1). According to the lawsuit, they are saying that the cruise line is negligent because the cruise did not provide the safe and comfortable environment that passengers assume that they when they board a cruise ship (1). The mother has said that Carnival should better monitor their surveillance cameras to stop things like rape onboard their cruise line (1). Carnival has one of the most reported crimes at sea and has one of the largest numbers for sex crimes while at sea (1). This again effects the way that people see Carnival because they have done nothing to make the men pay for what they did to a 15-year-old girl who is more than traumatized (1). Crimes on cruise ships happen every day, most of which are not reported.

Solutions

            Cruise ship crimes will always be a problem, just like crimes on land. We have many solutions to help lower the amount of crimes committed on a cruise that are reported to the FBI. In 2014, legislative passed a law that requires all serious crimes to be reported to the cruise (Republic). The Federal Bureau of Investigation will make it so that the victim of the crime can get in direct contact with a federal agent while on the ship (1). Rep. Doris Matsui sponsors crime ship safety in legislation, she wants justice to be brought to criminals on the high seas (1). In 2016, Matsui introduced an additional cruise ship safety provision into Congress (1). The Cruise Passenger Protection Act will make it so that cruises have a four-hour time limit to report crimes to the FBI (1). The Cruise Passenger Protection Act (CPPA) would also allow victims access to the surveillance from on the ship (1).  About three years ago if you were to ask the FBI what they were to do if someone got raped on a cruise ship, they would have said they would do nothing, but now with the CPPA they are starting to do something (1).

          Something that would help find a solution to all of the crimes would be if all of the cruise lines gave out their statistics on how many crimes do happened and how many are alleged to have happened. According to Jim Walker, a Miami attorney devoted to helping victims of cruise ship crimes get justice, the security onboard is private security and are only there to patrol the ship (Cerullo). In one case, someone got assaulted by one of the hired security guards, and this person then had to report it to the security department who were not driven to do anything (1). “When American citizens board a cruise ship, they expect a peaceful escape,” Rep. Poe explained; “But the reality is that crime does not disappear simply because people are on vacation” (Ogintz). This quote really puts into perspective of vacation and how just because you are on vacation doesn’t mean you could be completely unaware of the risk. 

         The CPPA could possibly not work because there would have to be a consequence if the cruise ship does not report the crime within four hours, like getting fined a large amount of money. Another problem with the CPPA would be the cruise lines having to hire more people to constantly be watching the surveillance cameras. People should also be more aware of the amount of crimes that go on the cruise line they are looking at; there could be a link on its website about it or something of that nature.

Camus and Absurdity

           Camus wrote absurd fiction, “It also looks at the range of human responses to meaninglessness, including escapism, religiosity, and the conscious construction of a personal purpose” (“Absurdist Fiction”). Camus also grew up in a very poor family; after his father died in World War I, his mother, older brother, and himself moved into a 3-bedroom apartment with no running water, no bathrooms, and no electricity (Simpson). Growing up like this Camus would have thought that people spending thousands of dollars to go on a cruise would be absurd (1). At the same time, Camus thought that suicide was absurd and believed that people should live their lives to the fullest (1). Because he believed that people should live life to the fullest, he would think it is amazing people are going on these cruises and creating new experiences and memories (1). His would think that people are going on these cruises and having fun, and people are killing and dying on these cruises would be absurd (1). To Camus, the thought that someone would kill themselves alone is absurd but, people killing themselves on a ship that was designed to have fun would be ridiculous (1). 

            While in college, Camus was contributing articles to Sud, a monthly literary newspaper/magazine (1). While writing these articles he was looking forward to a career in journalism (1). Because of his journalism background, Camus would have appreciated the journalist who did write about theses cruise ship crimes (1). He would be the journalist to dig deep enough to find more information about these crimes (1). He would have thought it is absurd that the government holds back so much information about these crimes and how many are really committed (1). In his college days, Camus would have been the journalist to find out all of the information that people want to know, and he say everything everyone else is too afraid to find out or to say (1).

Conclusion

            The amount of suspicious deaths on cruise ships is the same as the crime in Miami, Florida, which is about 19 for every 100,000 people (How Safe Is Your…). The number for rapes/sexual assaults is much higher, which is about 60 people for every 100,00 people (1). This number is higher than in Detroit, Michigan, by about 5 people which is a huge number especially for a city known for crime (1). These numbers were from 2014 and have gone up significantly in the last 3 years, and some crimes do not get reported to cruise line. If you were on a cruise, would you really be able to lie next to the pool without a care in the world? The number of crimes on cruises keeps going up, and most people are not caring enough to do anything about it.

 Works Cited

“Absurdist Fiction.” (161 Books), Goodreads Inc, www.goodreads.com/list/show/24776.Absurdist_Fiction.

Baker, K.C. “FBI Investigates Death of Texas Mom Who Went Overboard on Carnival Cruise Ship.” PEOPLE.com, Time Inc, 16 May 2016, people.com/celebrity/fbi-investigates-death-of-texas-mom-who-went-overboard-on-carnival-cruise-ship/. Accessed 20 July 2017.

Cerullo, Megan. “Sexual Assault Victims on Cruise Ships Are Often Minors.” NY Daily News, 30 June 2017, 

“Cruise Line Incident Reports.” US Department of Transportation, United States Department of Transportation, 12 Nov. 2015, www.transportation.gov/mission/safety/cruise-line-incident-reports. Accessed 25 July 2017.

“How Safe Is Your Cruise? Crime on Cruise Ships Compared to U.S. Cities.” Cruzely.com | Everything Cruising, Laisman Publishing, 2 Dec. 2016, www.cruzely.com/how-safe-is-your-cruise-crime-on-cruise-ships-compared-to-u-s-cities/.

Lipscomb, Jessica. “Mom Sues Carnival After Daughter Is Raped Outside Ship's Teen Club.”Miami New Times, 28 Apr. 2017, www.miaminewtimes.com/news/mom-sues-carnival-after-daughter-is-raped-outside-ships-teen-club-9055829. Accessed 25 July 2017.

Ogintz, Eileen. “Congress Introduces Legislation to Protect Cruisers' Safety, Rights.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 28 Apr. 2017, www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/04/28/congress-introduces-legislation-to-protect-cruisers-safety-rights.html.

“Reco Scott Missing Passenger Cruise Ship Death Carnival Carnival Liberty.” Cruise Ship Deaths, 7 Apr. 2017, www.cruiseshipdeaths.com/2017/04/07/reco-scott-missing-passenger-cruise-ship-death-carnival-carnival-liberty/. Accessed 25 July 2017.

Republic, Robert Anglen The Arizona. “Travelers Can Now Get 1st Comprehensive Reports of Cruise-Ship Crime.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 7 Oct. 2016, 

Simpson, David. “Albert Camus (1913—1960).” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, DePaul University , www.iep.utm.edu/camus/#H1.

Walker, Jim. “Police Arrest Cook for Attempted Murder of Chef on Celebrity Constellation.” Cruise Law News, Jim Walker, 31 May 2016, www.cruiselawnews.com/2016/05/articles/crime/police-arrest-cook-for-attempted-murder-of-chef-on-celebrity-constellation/. Accessed 24 July 2017

Heroin Epidemic:Trading Life for Death by Brittany Duhon-Leblanc

Introduction

Imagine coming home early from work one afternoon to find a family member on the kitchen floor in a nearly cationic state. Their breath is coming in scanty gasps, lips, and finger tips are blue. They are a pale and their pulse is shallow. Emergency response is called and they soon discover their family member has overdosed on heroin. As they watch the flashing lights drive away with their loved one, they ask themselves how this could happen to them.

Tragically, it happens too frequently in countless homes around the United States.

In 2015, 1.90 % of teens twelve and older, 1.80 % of adults eighteen to twenty-five, and 2.10 % of adults twenty-six and older are life-time users of heroin (Heroin). Also, .50 % eighth graders, .60 % of tenth graders and .70 % of twelfth graders report habitual use (1). In addition, three out of every four people that use heroin report using prescription pain medication before trying heroin (“The Numbers Behind”).

History

It is important to identify where heroin came from and how it made its way into the United Sates and into American homes. Heroin is a synthesized, chemically enhanced form of opioid. Opioids are used in an important class of medicine to control pain that include natural opiates such as morphine and codeine and semi-synthetic opiates like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone (Galanie, Stephanie). These medications are derived from opium found in poppy plants. Opium and the other synthetic drugs that have come from it have been used since the 1800’s (Heroin Overview: Origin and History Methoide). The drug is cultivated from the sap of poppy plants, and its growth can be dated back to ancient Egypt civilization (1).

As earlier stated, opium has been grown since the common era (Opium Throughout History). It started in Mesopotamia in 3400 BC, and spread to Egypt, Europe, India and China by 400 AC (1). Opium was most frequently used as a cure-all drug for illnesses as mundane as a cold to more critical issues such as cancer, and childbirth (Heroin Overview). Physicians treating patients with opium-based medications were not aware of its highly addictive nature (Positive Sobriety Institute). During the civil war, soldiers were given morphine and during treatment addiction grew substantially for the United States (History of Heroin) To combat the rising epidemic of morphine addiction a physician in Germany, in 1874, was the first to successfully synthesize heroin; which ironically was derived from morphine (1). Soon after, the drug was imported to the United Sates and staked its claim over the people that lived there.

Social Effects

It is important to discuss how pharmaceutical companies and physicians have on the production and distribution of opiates that leads to heroin addiction. Drug smuggling occurs at the United States borders and the people’s very own nation is an accomplice. Reports in the media illustrate corruption with physicians. Fox News reports that in Philadelphia doctors were accused of selling controlled substances to drug dealers for profit (3 Doctors Accused). The Diversion Control Division has reported numerous cases of corruption. Two such cases include, DUBRULE, Rosaire Michel, MD of Tiptonville, Tennessee convicted in 2014 for distribution of controlled substances and ILEM, Priscilla, MD of Wayne, New Jersey convicted in 2012 for distribution of oxycodone (Cases Against Doctors). Pharmaceutical companies provide the medications the doctors sell either legally or illegally to patients. A Harvard University article illustrates inappropriate relationships between Big Pharma and their affiliates. Drug companies fund and supervise clinical trials of medications, which creates bias on trial design, outcomes, and reports (Safra). The income of pharmaceutical executives rises as prescription drug sales increase whether the sales are legitimate or illicit (1). Furthermore, drug firms fund research and development of new drugs, and they fund important medical activities such as continuing medical education, medical research, medical journals, and professional medical societies again creating bias (1).

 In some cases, victims of accidents, war, and crimes are prescribed these drugs without much thought. The patient with a broken limb is sitting with a doctor and is given drugs to help with pain. However, during the conversation the physician may not go over its addictive nature. On the bottles there are warning labels, but subjects seldom hear information regarding addiction from the physician. If there is evidence that proves prescription pain medication can often lead to heroin use, one may assume it is a doctor’s duty to disclose such information.

Furthermore, heroin has consequences that society may fail to recognize. As illustrated in this article found on the National Institute on Drug Abuse webpage, “social consequences of drug use, such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, fetal effects, crime, violence, and disruptions in family, workplace, and educational environments, have a devastating impact on society and cost billions of dollars each year” (Letter From the Director). Medical treatment of diseases that are spread through shared needles is an estimated $535 million in direct medical costs (Injection Safety). Death rate from these diseases are an estimated $1.3 million a year. Hepatitis B virus is highly infectious and globally effects 21.7 million people, Hepatitis C virus effects two million, and two percent of new HIV cases each year (1). 

What often follows addiction is crime and violence. Users of illicit drugs are rarely coherent and make ill-fated choices. The crimes that couple with addiction are possession of narcotics, theft directly related to drug use, and lifestyle such as gang related crime (Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations - A Research-Based Guide). Unfortunately, statistics show that abuse of narcotics such as heroin is not limited to adults. According to the NIH, “As many as two-thirds of detained juveniles may have a substance use disorder (SUD)” (1). The take-away from that statement is not the number of juveniles detained, but children under the age of eighteen have a substance abuse disorder.

Examples

No doubt the nation is effected, but what about the average citizen, how does it resonate there? According to a medical director in Florida the current wave of heroin addiction “is because we are consuming ninety-eight percent of the world’s Oxycodone supply, prescribing enough for every man, woman, and child to have a thirty-day bottle of it … then we started cracking down on the pill mills and they had to go somewhere” (America's New Heroin Addicts). The same medical director injures his foot climbing to his roof and subsequently has surgery on his foot. He is prescribed oxycodone for the pain. The substance has such a profound effect on his mind that soon he injects himself with fentanyl in the operating room (1). In other words, a person can do routine work around the house, injure their foot, have surgery, and end up with a drug problem.  

Equally important, is the substantial impact opiates have on the brain. Understanding how the drug works in the body can help clarify the nature of addiction. The brain naturally makes its own chemicals, such as dopamine, adrenaline, or serotonin. These chemicals are passed through the nervous system through a network of neurons. The process in which this happens is precise, leaving no room for error. The brain does it perfectly. If the process is changed it can cause severe consequences such as chemical imbalances. Examples include depression, bi-polar disorder, and anxiety. When opioids are introduced to the body, they not only disrupt the process, but they take over entirely. The neurons in the brain are designed to fire and send messages though the body to indicate pain or pleasure. While generous amounts of chemicals are supplied, only what is needed is used and the rest is recycled and the sensations fade. Opioids inhibit the recycling system. In turn, the feel-good sensations given off by the body’s normal chemical structure is long-lasting. The production of chemicals changes when opioids are used for long periods of time, therefore, when a person tries to stop, withdrawal occurs.

Ultimately, addicts are crippled by the effects of heroin and in 2015, an astonishing 10,574 deaths occurred from overdose (America's New Heroin Addicts). Users quickly build a tolerance to heroin resulting in many fatal and non-fatal overdoses. When a tolerance is built, the addict will not be stimulated as before, and it causes withdrawal—this is painful and debilitating.  Withdrawal from any opioid include symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, muscle pain, nausea/vomiting, insomnia, diarrhea, sweating and abdominal pain (Opiate and opioid withdrawal). It is a small wonder that people using find it impossible to quit.  

Solutions

            The solutions scholars have created are somewhat contradictory, but scientifically speaking are worthy efforts. The first treatment is methadone. It is a synthetic, narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) that has many of the same characteristics as morphine (Methadone CESAR). Ironically, it was manufactured in Germany as a less addictive substitute for Morphine (1). Side effects of methadone include: restlessness, vomiting/nausea, slowed breathing, constipation, severe sweating, lung and respiration problems, sexual dysfunction, and death (1). It can cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems during the first forty-eight to seventy-two hours, which is why its use must be monitored by a physician and tailored for each patient (Methadone). Treatment with methadone changes the way the brain processes pain and blocks the euphoric effects of opiates (Walsh). However, addiction to methadone is still a possibility, as well as withdrawal. When using it as treatment, patients must remain on it for twelve months, but in some cases several years (Methadone CESAR).

            Another pill used for the treatment of addiction is suboxone, which is a combination of naloxone and buprenorphine. Naloxone is the drug used to bring people back from an overdose and buprenorphine is used to block opioid cravings (Painkiller Abuse Treated by Sustained Buprenorphine/Naloxone). With both methadone and suboxone treatments, heroin use dropped up to forty-nine percent in some cases, but once treatment ceased, patients would relapse (1).  While these drugs are helpful, the addict is still dependent on prescription medications for lengthy periods of time.

            Is it too far a reach to assume addicts who are addicted would like to be free from the use of all substances and live a fulfilling life? Any freedom from heroin addiction is desired of course, but there is another solution that encourages complete abstinence from all mood or mind-altering substances. The solution is not medical, but spiritual in nature and focuses on an unseen three-tier malady some addicts have—sickness of the mind, body and spirit. The method is not found in expensive counseling sessions, although such sessions are not discouraged, it is found in an anonymous society known as Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The group was formed from another private society whose common name is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Both organizations provide a twelve step program built on camaraderie that is formed from a common bond shared by people who have been through the worst parts of addiction. The program promotes abstinence from all drugs and twelve steps to help addicts work through their past, present and future.

Often, people who attend NA meetings can stop using and feel nearly immediate relief from the burdens of addiction. The length of abstinence is directly related to attendance, involvement, and the desire to stop. Here is a short description illustrated by the National Center of Biotechnology Information, “people that attended meetings, considered themselves a member, work steps and have regular attendance achieve sustained abstinence over one year” (Krentzman, et al). If the behavior continues with frequent attendance people can achieve three or more years (1). “Across recovery stages, individuals were 4.1 to 8.6 times more likely to achieve sustained abstinence by continuous 12-Step meeting attendance and involvement” (1).  AA and NA provide a long lasting support system and answers to ailments not directly related to their acute disease. They are able to offer sufficient council because they have first-hand experience in addiction and recovery. While soboxone and methadone treat what may be perceived as the root cause of addiction, NA and AA treat the malady that drives an addict to use in the first place. Thus, potentially eradicating the problem all together.

Camus

            Albert Camus was a peaceful rebel who shares his odd views of the world though literature. He believes there is no purpose to life, and those who try to make sense of its secret meaning though the concept of God or transcendence are committing a philosophical suicide (The Ruged Pyrrhus). He also believes those who commit physical suicide are people who try to find meaning and fail (1). Camus would probably view this heroin epidemic as people struggling again to make sense of the world and how it is meaningful to them. He may be absolutely right. Some addicts may have a handicap that causes them to feel eternally unique and unable to identify with others around them. It is possible that the separation they feel would be enough for a person to have a desire to escape reality by way of illicit drug use. It would make sense then, if it were true, why NA and AA would work better than prescription medicine. However, it may be equally as easy to draw the conclusion that drugs, although branded as prescriptions, will ultimately fix a drug problem.

Conclusion

            In 2015, fifty million Americans report suffering from chronic pain (“NIH Study Shows Prevalence”). It is impossible to know who could be effected by the heroin epidemic because opiates are frequently prescribed to treat pain in all stages and three of every four people report using prescription pain medications before trying heroin (“The Numbers Behind”). The epidemic is not biased against age, race, or social class, but people may not understand the devastation the disease can bring to their life until it is their loved one on the kitchen floor.

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

           

Works Cited

 “3 Doctors Accused of Selling $5M in Prescription Drugs.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 12 May 2016, www.foxnews.com/health/2016/05/12/3-doctors-accused-selling-5m-in-prescription-drugs.html. Accessed 25 July 2017.

“America's New Heroin Addicts - BBC News.” YouTube, YouTube, 16 Nov. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeU2tDRTlMM. Accessed 22 July 2017.

“Cases Against Doctors.” Resources - Cases Against Doctors, www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/crim_admin_actions/index.html. Accessed 25 July 2017

 Galanie, Stephanie, et al. “Complete Biosynthesis of Opioids in Yeast.” Science (New York, N.Y.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4 Sept. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924617/. Accessed 25 July 2017.

 “Heroin.” NIDA, 27 May 2016, www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/heroin. Accessed 18 July 2017.

“Heroin Overview: Origin and History | Methoide.” MethOIDE - methamphetamine and other illicit drug education, methoide.fcm.arizona.edu/infocenter/index.cfm?stid=174. Accessed 18 July 2017.

“History of Heroin.” Narconon International, www.narconon.org/drug-information/heroin-history.html. Accessed 19 July 2017.

“Injection Safety.” WHO Western Pacific Region, WPRO | WHO Western Pacific Region, 3 Feb. 2012, www.wpro.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs_20120204/en/. Accessed 22 July 2017.

Krentzman, Amy R., et al. “How Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Work: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives.” Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140338/.

“Letter From the Director.” NIDA, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/letter-director. Accessed 22 July 2017.

 “Methadone.” MedlinePlus Drug Information, medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682134.html. Accessed 30 July 2017.

Methadone CESAR, cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/methadone.asp. Accessed 30 July 2017.

“NIH Study Shows Prevalence of Chronic or Severe Pain in U.S. Adults.” American Pain Society, 18 Aug. 2015, americanpainsociety.org/about-us/press-room/nih-study-shows-prevalence-of-chronic-or-severe-pain-in-u-s-adults.

“Opiate and opioid withdrawal.” MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000949.htm. Accessed 24 July 2017.

“Opium Throughout History.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/heroin/etc/history.html. Accessed 19 July 2017.

“Painkiller Abuse Treated by Sustained Buprenorphine/Naloxone.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 27 July 2015, www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/painkiller-abuse-treated-sustained-buprenorphine/naloxone. Accessed 30 July 2017.

“Positive Sobriety Institute.” Heroin's History | From the Birth of Heroin to Today, heroin.net/about/a-brief-history-of-heroin/. Accessed 19 July 2017

“Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations - A Research-Based Guide.” NIDA, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-abuse-treatment-criminal-justice-populations/introduction. Accessed 24 July 2017.

Safra, Edmond J. “The Pharmaceutical Industry, Institutional Corruption, and Public Health.” Harvard University Center for Ethics, ethics.harvard.edu/pharmaceutical-industry-institutional-corruption-and-public-health. Accessed 30 July 2017.

 “The Numbers Behind America’s Heroin Epidemic.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 30 Oct. 2015, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/30/us/31heroin-deaths.html. Accessed 18 July 2017.

The Ruged Pyrrhus. “Camus: The Absurd Hero.” YouTube, YouTube, 26 Jan. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v. Accessed 1 August 2017.

Walsh, Lynn. “Methadone” SAMHSA, 28 Sept. 2015, www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment/methadone. Accessed 30 July 2017.

Worldwide Meth Epidemic - Raquel Ornelas

Raquel Ornelas

Composition II

Beth Hammet

Meth on the Rise

Introduction

Suppose one day your junior high school kid attends a party but fails to return home. Several days pass and you hear no word from him, until you run into him at a convenience store down the road. Suddenly, you spot your son still in the same clothes from the day he left, pupils extremely dilated, and he’s tweaking.  You find it difficult to identify what you are witnessing. Your heart absorbs this heavy feeling you can't quite grasp as it becomes hard to swallow. At that moment, reality slams you in the face. It's obvious your kid is strung out on crystal meth. In the Houston area alone, it has been reported that 6.5 % of high school students have been exposed to crystal meth (“Texas Teen Drug Abuse Statistics”). The usage of meth has increased at an alarming rate over the past several years and is continuing to skyrocket. Wealthy, poverty stricken, elderly, young, famous, doesn't matter who you are, crystal meth is claiming the lives everyday of  people from all walks of life. Could there perhaps be a solution to this meth epidemic that's destroying people's lives?

History

    Meth elements were recognized ages ago in a similar, yet different form than we know of  present day. Its roots come from  China in the form of a Chinese herb, Ephedra (ma-huang), that dates back as far as 5,000 years ago (“Lee)”! One reason this herb was utilized, was to aid people with their coughs  (1). Back then civilization didn't have the pleasure of all the convenient, over the counter medicines that we  have the privilege of now. This herbal cough suppressant remedy was recorded in a well known book of medicines (that was later discovered) (2).  At the turn of the sixteenth  century, these herbs were packaged and  transported to Japan where scientists took delight in experimenting with this unfamiliar herb (3).

    Ephedra began emerging in all areas around the globe (Lee). This herb encountered the paths of several scientists who examined it  (1). In 1885, Japanese Professor Nagai was the first known chemist to produce the notorious stimulant ephedrine (2). After Professor Nagai’s  practice with ephedrine was concluded, he then passed his reports along to an associate of his where the investigation took a standstill for nearly 30 years (3).  Two more scientists reviewed the previous research and were able to create a drug that wasn't quite successful (4).

      It's the early 1920s and for vast amount of years,  a number of curious scientists have already investigated the Ephedra tonics by now. Experiments seem endless for these inquisitive scientists and their suspicions continue to increase. Finally, the infamous drug known as crystal meth is  born. Akira Ogata, Japanese chemist, was the first to produce the immensely addictive  drug crystal meth (methamphetamine) (“History of Meth”).

Who knew that in the coming years methamphetamine would develop into a worldwide epidemic?  Methamphetamine was heavily distributed during World War II  (“Short Overview of History of Methamphetamine”). It has been reported, that Hitler was injected daily with methamphetamine shots (1). Perhaps, this could  have been  the cause in Hitler's  cold hearted and ruthless behavior. Soon after the war,  the use of crystal meth began to increase as it drastically spread among the population (2).

Speed (Amphetamine) became a highly popular recreational drug to take part in during the 1960s (“Short Overview of the History of Methamphetamine”). It was shockingly prescribed by doctors and abused by addicts (1). Officials recognized the immense threatening effect speed had on users which in turn prompted the 1974 Drug Control Act (“History of Crystal Meth”). A decline in speed use was noticed after the Drug Control Act was established (1). The new statute appeared to have had a successful outcome until users were able to discover different methods on how to get high off the substance.

Due to the difficulty in contracting amphetamine, the producers of these drugs had to improvise (“History of Crystal Meth”). Distributors quickly learned that ephedrine, which creates methamphetamine, could be located in cough suppressant medicines (1).  By the 1980’s, crystal meth labs immediately began to boom  throughout the western part of  the United States. Meanwhile, these labs would then create a crystallized form of the drug familiar to some as ice.

Convenient access to the chemicals essential for making ice allowed just about anyone to be a distributor of this harmful drug. Eventually, meth laboratories could be located right down the road from any person’s place of residence. Although law enforcement agencies  have found number of  meth labs close to home, the main distributors are based across Mexico's border.

Social Effects

There has been over 12.3 million Americans, over the age of 12, that have first handedly experienced the effects of Crystal meth at least once throughout their lifespan (“Crystal Meth Addiction Statistics”). Starting from family homes and spreading to the communities and towns, the effects this drug has outpoured on society have been completely devastating. The Crystal Meth epidemic is an absolute dilemma.

Some homes have been deemed unlivable due to homemade meth labs occupying them. These labs cause property values to significantly decrease, while homeowners are left with the financial  burden of  making their property sanitary and tenantable once again.  Who honestly would want to be exposed to  hazardous chemicals left behind by these labs?  Other properties have been entirely decimated after massive explosions produced by these illicit meth labs.  

    Meth not only causes severe damage for the user, but for the community as well. It has  created  communities to be an even more unsafe environment. Homes and businesses have been burglarized by meth users in hopes of selling or pawning stolen items in return for a quick high. Overcrowding of institutions such as jails, prisons and rehabilitation centers have resulted in an increase for taxpayers. According to the new RAND Corporation study, the economic cost of methamphetamine in the United States is an estimated whopping $23.4 billion in 2005 (“Methamphetamine Use Estimated….”).

Example

Methamphetamine is a highly potent and extremely addictive substance. One dose of this drug can have you instantly hooked. Sadly many lives have been savagely destroyed behind this highly addictive substance. Many people fail to realize the evil power methamphetamine contains. This drug seduces your whole being and instantaneously  consumes every aspect of a user's life.

Laticia was a long time childhood friend of mine who always had everything good going on in her life, until she got hooked on crystal meth. Everything she worked so hard to obtain she lost instantly. She was a young mother of two handsome preschool boys, a wife, a business owner, and she owned her own home. Witnessing my close friend loose everyone and anything she cherished, including herself, was awfully devastating.

Several years after reaching adulthood, Leticia relocated and our contact with each other became less frequent. Leticia came over for a visit a few months after her move and the difference in her appearance was immediately noticeable. Her eyes were not of the norm, and she had lost a considerable amount of weight. There was no need for an explanation as to what she was doing; it was utterly evident that she was using. We engaged in conversation and my attempts  to encourage her to seek professional help grew more persistent. Why, how, when, these questions couldn't be answered but only the simple response,  she just couldn't quit.

It's absolutely heartbreaking to lose a very close friend behind the worst drug known  to man. Since her visit years back, we have established a grounds of communication  through social media.  Although, she has been trying to steer away from Crystal Meth and regain control of her life, it's an ongoing difficult battle she fights every single day.

Solutions

Methamphetamine is an epidemic that must be addressed now before it gets any worse. Government officials and civilians should firmly take action in finding a solution to reclaim the environment and make society free of meth. Some states, where crystal meth was excessively abused, have found viable solutions to reduce their methamphetamine outbreak. Perhaps every state in the nation could consider adopting to the methods that have been relatively successful for these other states. Although it seems quite impossible to entirely eliminate crystal meth and its distribution, it could be greatly depleted.

Oregon was one of the states that had been experiencing a massive uprising in meth abusers as well as homemade meth labs. Oregon state officials and lawmakers developed a plan  in high hopes of reducing the crystal meth epidemic they had been encountering. This law  consisted of clearing all medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine off  drugstore shelves (Graham). This put a restriction on these medicines and allowing them to be specifically prescribed by no one other than doctors (1). This created an extremely, almost  difficult task for crystal meth producers to continue with their illicit meth labs and distribution (2). Once this law went into effect, the state of Oregon immediately noticed a significant decrease in these illegal meth labs (Bella). Records indicate that meth labs have reduced from an astonishing 63 in 2006, down to only seven in 2012 (Clevenger)!

Distributors of meth have constructed different means of  obtaining methamphetamine since Oregon's pseudoephedrine law was put in place (Clevenger). Smuggling in this narcotic from its neighboring states has been the prime reason the few meth labs, that have been located and were up and running (Clevenger). It could be highly possible that if the surrounding states of Oregon, or perhaps just the remainder of the nation, were to convert to  Oregon's law, this meth epidemic could be better under control.

NPLEx is another solution that other states have used in taking action on the fight against the methamphetamine epidemic (Graham). It is an acronym that stand for National Precursor Log Exchange (“NPLEx”). This program's main function is to keep tabs on each individual who purchases any cold medications from drugstores (1). NPLEx also has a set limit of how much cold medicine a person can gain access to for each month's time (Graham). Another interesting fact regarding this program is its ability to quickly notify authorities when possible suspicions arise (“NPLEx”). Law officials are then able to monitor these suspected meth users or dealers (1).

Although the NPLEx solution is somewhat effective, it's not the best one available. Authorities  have come to realize that meth dealers and addicts have discovered several ways to manipulate this system with this solution (Clevenger). Carrying multiple I.D.s and acquiring different people to purchase these cold products under their information are just a couple of methods the meth distributors have discovered around the NPLex program (1). They also will hop from store to store retrieving the supplies needed to make crystal meth.

Camus and Absurdity

    Camus said, “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy” (Schrahé). This famous quote by Albert Camus can relate to the world's meth epidemic in a way. By willingly consuming meth and knowing that this drug will undoubtedly kill you is like committing physical and philosophical suicide in a sense.

It's an absurdity observing the effects crystal meth has caused nearly every single one of its users. What’s even more absurd is to be a first hand witness to someone destroy their entire being due to this fatal drug, only to later join in on the high. Meth users often find themselves in the midst of this euphoric feeling as an escape from reality. If Albert Camus were to be alive and a witness to this meth epidemic first handily, he would unquestionably think this be a transcendence for he would see that meth abusers means of  high was a desertion from the real world.

Conclusion

Crystal meth is an undeniable issue that affects everyone. There have been approximately 6.5 % of high school students have been exposed to crystal meth throughout Harris County, (“Texas Teen Drug Abuse Statistics”). Meth abuse has been an extensive problem for sometime now and is only progressing with each  passing day. Crystal meth doesn’t believe in  discrimination; she will undeniably claim whoever crosses her path.

Works Cited

Bella, Rick. “New Drug Report: Meth Still Oregon's No. 1 Problem, Run

Mostly by Mexican Drug Traffickers.” OregonLive.com, 21 June 2015,

www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/06/new_drug_report_paints_a_less-.html.

Clevenger, Andrew. “Prescription for Pseudoephedrine Led to Meth Lab Reduction.” The Bulletin, 1        

July 2014

,www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/2188762-151/prescription-for-pseudoephedrine-led-to-meth-lab-reduction.

“Crystal Meth Addiction Statistics.” Rehab International - Drug & Alcohol Rehab Guides,

rehab-international.org/crystal-meth/addiction-statistics. Accessed 26 July 2017.

Graham, David A. “How Oregon Ended Its Meth Epidemic.” Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2010,

www.newsweek.com/how-oregon-ended-its-meth-epidemic-69637.

“History of Crystal Meth.” History of Crystal Meth,

www.crystalmethaddiction.org/History_of_Crystal_Meth.htm. Accessed 25 July 2017.

“History of Meth.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2017,

www.history.com/topics/history-of-meth. Accessed 24 July 2017.

Lee. “The History of Ephedra (Ma-Huang).” JR Coll Physicians Edinb, 2011, pp. 1–7., Accessed 19    

July 2017.

“Methamphetamine Use Estimated to Cost the U.S. About $23 Billion In 2005.” RAND Corporation, 4

Feb. 2009, www.rand.org/news/press/2009/02/04/meth.html. Accessed 26 July 2017.   

“NPLEx.” Appriss Health, apprisshealth.com/solutions/nplex/.

“Short Overview of the History of Methamphetamine.” Narconon International,

www.narconon.org/drug-information/meth-short-overview.html. Accessed 24 July 2017.

Schrahé, Svenja. Albert Camus | Myth of Sisyphus | Suicide | Absurd, 2011,

www.camus-society.com/myth-of-sisyphus.html.

Texas Teen Drug Abuse Statistics.” The Right Step, The Right Step, 2017,   

www.rightstep.com/resources/texas-addiction-information/texas-teen-drug-abuse-statistics/.      Accessed 18 July 2017.