More HIV prevention to focus on 50+ group.

Justin Goforth joins Lark McCarthy to discuss the need for more HIV prevention for people 50+.  Goforth is the Director of the Community Health Division at the Whitman Walker Clinic which specializes in HIV-AIDS care in Washington, DC.  He talks about the reason why people over 50 often do not practice safe sex. Goforth also suggests how often people should get screened.

Everything we talk about at our Heathly Choices Workshops with the wonderful women aged 50 and older is covered in this video, take a moment and please watch it. It’s the same focus and sames goal for all people 50 years and older regardless of sex and ethniticy. I’ll be on the look out for a video in Spanish similar to this one.

ENJOY!

National Recovery Month September 2012

There are agencies in and around Detroit that celebrate National Recovery Month. Detroit Recovery Project is just one of many. Click here to find out how Detroit celebrates recovery.

News and videos on supporting loved ones in treatment and early recovery

It’s so important for people in recovery to have family and friends that support them in their journey to staying clean.  Please see the following story and timely videos from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) on how family and friends can provide much needed support and help to those in recovery.

Prescription Abuse / Abuso de Prescripción Médica

Not only is there substance abuse with illicit drugs and alcohol but also with prescription drugs thanks to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) they have narrowed down the most commonly abused prescription medications to:

• Opioids—usually prescribed to treat pain.
• CNS depressants—used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
• Stimulants—prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy.

Click here to be directed to NIDA and know What they are? How they are abused? and How do they affect the brain?

- Ana Rivera SHAPE Outreach worker

Lea este artículo en Español haga clic aqui.

Aunque muchos medicamentos de prescripción se prestan al abuso o al uso indebido, las siguientes tres clases son las que se abusan con más frecuencia:

• Los opioides: se recetan con frecuencia para tratar el dolor.
• Los depresores del sistema nervioso central: se utilizan para tratar la ansiedad y los trastornos del sueño.
• Los estimulantes: se recetan para tratar el trastorno de déficit de atención con hiperactividad y la narcolepsia.

Esta informacion es de NIDA ( Instituto Nacional sobre el Abuso de Drogas)

Facts About Drug Addiction

Hello everyone.

I found this really interesting video about how someone can get addicted to drugs and how the brain works. Also please note, that drug use can lead to HIV by sharing needles or “works” when injecting drugs, or if someone is high and their judgment is clouded by drugs, they might take risks such as having unprotected sex  –  that is also a factor that leads to HIV. We urge you to know your partner’s status before having sex.  Always wear a condom and never, ever share needles. 

U.S. Sees Downward Trend in Cocaine Use – According to SAMHSA

Please see this story from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) about the recent downward trend in cocaine use. SAMHSA is the funder of our SHAPE program which focuses on HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention for women age 50 and older in Wayne County, Michigan.