Document created on: 15-Jan-08

 I.C.E.(In Case of Emergency) Program

The ICE (In Case of Emergency) program was conceived by paramedic Bob Brotchie in May of 2005. The idea behind the program is to enable first responders (paramedics, firefighters and police officers) to identify people and contact their family members to advise them of the emergency and\or obtain important medical information. People are encouraged to enter in their emergency contact person(s) in their cell phone book in the following format 1ICE-mother, 2ICE-father, 3ICE etc. The number in front of the word ICE keeps the ICE contacts at the top of the list. The popularity of the program has spread across Europe, and has started to grow into The United States.

At the scene of an emergency cell phone are found and we see the phone numbers but there is no way to tell if the numbers are to family, friends or business.  This is a way to help all responding rescue personal, and most importantly to assist us in getting in contact with your loved ones.

Attention all Parents:

The latest teen drug craze has arrived and it's as close as your local supermarket!

High school and middle school students have found a new intoxicant that they are buying in a drugstore.  Yes, it is true.  Children as young as 9 are getting high on over-the-counter cough medicine, valued for an ingredient called detroxmethorphan (dex)  or "DXM" that, in large quanities can produce a buzz or even hallucinations. (4 or more ounces).  "Hey, Mom and Dad, pay attention," says drug abuse expert Marilyn MacDougall.  "Over-the-counter medicines are the upcoming way yours kids are going to abuse drugs."  Overdoses of cough medicines can produce irregular heartbeats, seizures and extreme agitation, and large quantities of acetaminophen an ingredient in many cough medicines can cause liver failure.  Researchers estimate that about one in 10 teens used dex last year-a rate even higher than that for the trendy drug crystal meth.  The "American Association of Poison Control Centers" reported that calls to the center of dex abusers increased approximately 100 percent from 2000 (1623 calls) through 2003 (3271 calls).  Kids between 12 and 16 are far more likely to try the drug than older teens, because it is easy to find, inexpensive, and won't likely be spotted by parents. 

There are more than 120 different products on the market that contain DXM.  Some of the over-the-counter products that contain DXM often contain other ingredients such as acetaminophen (overdose can cause liver damage), chlorpheniramine (overdose can cause increased heart rate, lack of cordination, seizures and coma) and guaifenesin (can cause vomiting).  Some "first time users" may not abuse DXM repeatedly if they experience negative side effects, such as throwing up.  Nonetheless, some DXM abusers "robo shake", a practice whereby they drink a large amount of cough syrup containing the DXM and then force themselves to vomit so as to absorb enough DXM through their stomach lining to achieve the desired effect while expelling the other ingredients.  The effects can last up to 6 hours and include loss of muscle control, slurred speech, diarrhea, rash, abdominal pain, fever and sweating, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, headache, numbness of fingers and toes, loss of consciousness, mania, brain damage, coma, cerbral hemrrhages, seizures, stroke and death.  Some teen users that I have spoke to describe it as the odorless buzz, meaning, they act the same as they do when they are drunk on alcohol.  They added that it's even better knowing that mom and dad will not pick up the hints of the high like they do when they smell the alcohol. 

Some "slang" or "nick names" for this drug:  Triple C, C-C-C, Red Devils, Skittles, DM, ROBO, Velvet.  For further information on this new craze, visit www.streetdrugs.org

Feel free to email me with any concerns at: mahan.amber@miamicountyso.com

Websites worth checking out:

 www.familywatchdog.us    www.texasdwi.org/jacqui.html   www.streetdrugs.org

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