Drunken drivers: Beware of these O.C. deputies
Posted on 19 Aug 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Drunken drivers: Beware of these O.C. deputies
3 officers honored for DUI arrests in Lake Forest.
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
The Orange County Register
LAKE FOREST – Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Dallas Hennessey held the record for DUI arrests in 2007 but with only half that total in 2008, he couldn't be happier.
"We're seeing more taxis at the bars and strip club," the 10-year Sheriff's Department veteran said. "I like to arrest people to let them know they've done something wrong, but I'd rather them not drink and drive at all."
Hennessey was one of three deputies honored at Tuesday's City Council meeting by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for drunken driving arrests. Hennessey made 43 arrests, Deputy Anthony Ramirez, 26, and Deputy Michaela Mihai, 26. Each was recognized with the MADD "Deuce" Award, given to officers making more than 25 DUI arrests in a year. About 10,000 drivers were arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in 2008 countywide.
Hennessey – a drug recognition expert – has developed catching suspected drunken drivers to an art. In 2007, he made 111 arrests, becoming the department's only deputy to generate more than 100 arrests in one year.
Police Services in Lake Forest have taken advantage of the deputy's eye to continue an effort to get drunken drivers off the road. In 2007, Lake Forest led cities contracted with the Sheriff's Department in the number of DUI arrests, with 266. Stanton followed as a distant second, with 188, and Dana Point reported 182.
Lake Forest stands behind its law enforcement and focuses on catching impaired drivers with DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols. But Hennessey generates most of his catches on routine patrols, especially around the city's I-5 freeway border.
In 2008, his 43 arrests were well below his 2007 achievement. One reason – he was off work for three months after he tore his biceps tendon during a DUI pursuit. But Hennessey also hopes drivers' awareness is changing.
Aside from more taxis at the local night spots, he's also seeing more people with designated drivers taking fewer risks.
Since the beginning of the year, he's arrested 10 drivers. Recently, two on the same day. The first was a man who had been drinking Bloody Marys starting at 11:30 a.m., he said. Hennessey caught him after he saw him argueing with his girlfriend saying he was "sober enough to drive."
The second was a woman who had a bottle of vodka in her car and tried to run away after being stopped, he said. She was so incapacitated, she stumbled for only a short distance, he said.
"Last year, we had DUI crashes every night during the summer months," he said. "Now we're seeing a lot less."
Drunken drivers: Beware of these O.C. deputies
3 officers honored for DUI arrests in Lake Forest.
By ERIKA I. RITCHIE
The Orange County Register
LAKE FOREST – Orange County Sheriff's Deputy Dallas Hennessey held the record for DUI arrests in 2007 but with only half that total in 2008, he couldn't be happier.
"We're seeing more taxis at the bars and strip club," the 10-year Sheriff's Department veteran said. "I like to arrest people to let them know they've done something wrong, but I'd rather them not drink and drive at all."
Hennessey was one of three deputies honored at Tuesday's City Council meeting by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for drunken driving arrests. Hennessey made 43 arrests, Deputy Anthony Ramirez, 26, and Deputy Michaela Mihai, 26. Each was recognized with the MADD "Deuce" Award, given to officers making more than 25 DUI arrests in a year. About 10,000 drivers were arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in 2008 countywide.
Hennessey – a drug recognition expert – has developed catching suspected drunken drivers to an art. In 2007, he made 111 arrests, becoming the department's only deputy to generate more than 100 arrests in one year.
Police Services in Lake Forest have taken advantage of the deputy's eye to continue an effort to get drunken drivers off the road. In 2007, Lake Forest led cities contracted with the Sheriff's Department in the number of DUI arrests, with 266. Stanton followed as a distant second, with 188, and Dana Point reported 182.
Lake Forest stands behind its law enforcement and focuses on catching impaired drivers with DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols. But Hennessey generates most of his catches on routine patrols, especially around the city's I-5 freeway border.
In 2008, his 43 arrests were well below his 2007 achievement. One reason – he was off work for three months after he tore his biceps tendon during a DUI pursuit. But Hennessey also hopes drivers' awareness is changing.
Aside from more taxis at the local night spots, he's also seeing more people with designated drivers taking fewer risks.
Since the beginning of the year, he's arrested 10 drivers. Recently, two on the same day. The first was a man who had been drinking Bloody Marys starting at 11:30 a.m., he said. Hennessey caught him after he saw him argueing with his girlfriend saying he was "sober enough to drive."
The second was a woman who had a bottle of vodka in her car and tried to run away after being stopped, he said. She was so incapacitated, she stumbled for only a short distance, he said.
"Last year, we had DUI crashes every night during the summer months," he said. "Now we're seeing a lot less."
The year long wait and our clients are ready to watch the Hurley US Open of Surfing
Posted on 14 Jul 2009
WELCOME TO THE HURLEY US OPEN OF SURFING®
What’s the closest thing to watching the world’s best surfers compete in a full-on stadium atmosphere? Look no further than Huntington Beach in July, when up to 500,000 people will find their way to the real Surf City, post up in the sand and cheer on their heroes at the Pier. It’s been that way for 50 years now, starting with the US Championships in 1959 and evolving to today: the Hurley US Open of Surfing®.
As the new title sponsor of this storied event, Hurley and its partners intend to make it a life-changing experience from dawn to dusk: Late-afternoon concerts. Hurley’s Walk the Walk fashion competition. Elite-level BMX courtesy of Nike 6.0. The best skateboarders courtesy of Converse and Red Bull. And a swarm of activity, demonstrations and booths surrounding our “50 Years at the Pier” celebration.
Of course, center stage will be reserved for the ocean, where both men and women will be competing for points, prize money and HB glory in the title event, the Hurley US Open of Surfing®. As a six-star ASP qualifier at the mid-way point in the season, the winner here often goes on to the coveted Dream Tour. Case in point: last year’s US Open Men’s Champ Nathaniel Curran, who ended up winning the 2008 World Qualifying Series and is now a rookie in the elite Top 45. Along with the six-star, Nike 6.0 will be holding an ASP Pro Junior event — another important challenge on the path to become the 20-and-under world junior champion. Rounding out the center stage will be a celebration of the world’s top longboarders in a soon-to-be announced format that will certainly have the crowd cheering for more.
In addition to all of this, the Hurley US Open, in conjunction with the World Professional Surfers athlete union, will be introducing the first-ever WPS All Stars event. This will include participation from 10 of the world’s best surfers voted on by you – the fans. They will surf in the event, sign autographs and blow us away in a special-format expression session that must be seen to be believed.
This isn’t just the closest thing to a stadium; it is a stadium. The only place to witness a gathering of the world’s most talented action sports stars all in one stretch of sand. As local favorite Brett Simpson says, “Competing in the US Open is one event I look forward to all year — there’s no other event like it, really. The crowds, the activity, the excitement…it’s like you have no choice but to perform at your very best.”
We look forward to seeing you there.
Source: THE HURLEY US OPEN OF SURFING®
What is Methamphetamine and Methamphetamine Addiction?
Posted on 21 Nov 2008
Methamphetamine: Many people have heard about it, but many are unaware of the characteristics of methamphetamine.
"Methamphetamine has been around for a long time, but it seems that recently it has gained certain notoriety and addiction rates are high," comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for a prominent drug and alcohol program. "This is one drug you want to know about and educate your children on. It has been reported that it is so addictive that one dose can make an addict. Beware of the signs of methamphetamine abuse, and get anyone taking methamphetamine into an affordable drug rehab fast. Their lives depend on it."
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant drug that dramatically affects the central nervous system. It is usually illegally produced and distributed.
Meth comes in several forms, including powder, crystal, rocks, and tablets. When it comes in the crystal form it is called “crystal meth.”
Meth can be taken by swallowing, snorting, smoking, or injecting it with a hypodermic needle.
Unlike drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, which are derived from plants, meth can be manufactured using a variety of store bought chemicals.
The most common ingredient in meth is pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, commonly found in cold medicine. Through a cooking process the pseudoephedrine or ephedrine is chemically changed into meth. The ingredients that are used in the process of making meth can include: ether, paint thinner, Freon®, acetone, anhydrous ammonia, iodine crystals, red phosphorus, drain cleaner, battery acid, and lithium (taken from inside batteries).
Meth is often manufactured or “cooked” in very crude laboratories. Many of these labs are not sophisticated operations and do not require sophisticated chemistry equipment. And the people who cook the meth usually do not have any chemistry training. Cooking meth is relatively simple, but highly dangerous and toxic.
There are two basic categories of meth labs:
Superlabs produce large quantities of meth and supply organized drug trafficking groups that sell the drug in communities across the U.S. Most of the larger labs are controlled by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations operating in the U.S. and Mexico.
Small Toxic Labs produce smaller quantities of meth. These labs can be set up in homes, motel rooms, inside automobiles, and in parks or rural areas -- really almost anywhere.
How does meth affect a user?
Using meth causes an increase in energy and alertness, a decrease in appetite, and an intense euphoric “rush.” That’s in the short term.
With sustained use, a meth user can develop a tolerance to it. The user may take increasingly higher doses of meth trying to catch that high he or she first experienced. They may take it more frequently or may go on binges. They may change the way they takes meth. For example a user may have started by taking a pill, but as she develops a tolerance she may begin injecting it. Addiction is likely.
In the long term, a person using meth may experience irritability, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, sleeplessness, confusion, aggressive feelings, violent rages, cravings for more meth, and depression. They may become psychotic and experience paranoia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions. The paranoia may lead to homicidal or suicidal thoughts.
A fairly common hallucination experienced by meth users is the so-called crank bug. The user gets the sensation that there are insects creeping on top of, or underneath, her skin. The user will pick at or scratch her skin trying to get rid of the imaginary bugs. This scratching can create open sores that may become infected.
Meth reduces the amount of protective saliva around the teeth. Meth users also consume excess sugared, carbonated soft drinks, tend to neglect personal hygiene, grind their teeth and clench their jaws, leading to what is commonly called “meth mouth.” Teeth can eventually fall out of users’ mouths—even as they do simple things like eating a sandwich.
High doses of meth can elevate body temperature to dangerous, sometimes lethal, levels. High doses can also cause convulsions.
People can die as a result of using meth.
Because meth is so addictive, the distance between the short and long term effects may not be very long.
How does meth affect everyone else?
As you can imagine, all those toxic chemicals used in the meth manufacturing process take a toll on the environment. Every pound of meth made can generate up to five pounds of toxic waste that may seep into the soil and groundwater.
The manufacturing process also generates toxic fumes. These fumes can severely harm anyone exposed to them. Meth labs also generate highly explosive gases.
Meth also has a very serious impact on children. Many children are rescued from homes with meth labs or meth using parents. Meth, chemicals, and syringes are all within reach of these children. Parents high on meth neglect their children. And the mental, physical, and emotional consequences for these Drug Endangered Children are often severe.
Millions of our tax dollars are spent each year to clean up meth labs, to care for drug endangered children, and to pay for law enforcement to deal with the meth problem.
*Source: USDOJ.gov
If you know someone with a drug problem, send them to Surf City Drug Rehab. Where we have the highest outcomes in the industry.
For more information on drug addiction rehab, methamphetamine addiction, or drug education, call Surf City Drug Rehab at 714-585-7544
"Methamphetamine has been around for a long time, but it seems that recently it has gained certain notoriety and addiction rates are high," comments Mary Rieser, Executive Director for a prominent drug and alcohol program. "This is one drug you want to know about and educate your children on. It has been reported that it is so addictive that one dose can make an addict. Beware of the signs of methamphetamine abuse, and get anyone taking methamphetamine into an affordable drug rehab fast. Their lives depend on it."
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant drug that dramatically affects the central nervous system. It is usually illegally produced and distributed.
Meth comes in several forms, including powder, crystal, rocks, and tablets. When it comes in the crystal form it is called “crystal meth.”
Meth can be taken by swallowing, snorting, smoking, or injecting it with a hypodermic needle.
Unlike drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, which are derived from plants, meth can be manufactured using a variety of store bought chemicals.
The most common ingredient in meth is pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, commonly found in cold medicine. Through a cooking process the pseudoephedrine or ephedrine is chemically changed into meth. The ingredients that are used in the process of making meth can include: ether, paint thinner, Freon®, acetone, anhydrous ammonia, iodine crystals, red phosphorus, drain cleaner, battery acid, and lithium (taken from inside batteries).
Meth is often manufactured or “cooked” in very crude laboratories. Many of these labs are not sophisticated operations and do not require sophisticated chemistry equipment. And the people who cook the meth usually do not have any chemistry training. Cooking meth is relatively simple, but highly dangerous and toxic.
There are two basic categories of meth labs:
Superlabs produce large quantities of meth and supply organized drug trafficking groups that sell the drug in communities across the U.S. Most of the larger labs are controlled by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations operating in the U.S. and Mexico.
Small Toxic Labs produce smaller quantities of meth. These labs can be set up in homes, motel rooms, inside automobiles, and in parks or rural areas -- really almost anywhere.
How does meth affect a user?
Using meth causes an increase in energy and alertness, a decrease in appetite, and an intense euphoric “rush.” That’s in the short term.
With sustained use, a meth user can develop a tolerance to it. The user may take increasingly higher doses of meth trying to catch that high he or she first experienced. They may take it more frequently or may go on binges. They may change the way they takes meth. For example a user may have started by taking a pill, but as she develops a tolerance she may begin injecting it. Addiction is likely.
In the long term, a person using meth may experience irritability, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, sleeplessness, confusion, aggressive feelings, violent rages, cravings for more meth, and depression. They may become psychotic and experience paranoia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions. The paranoia may lead to homicidal or suicidal thoughts.
A fairly common hallucination experienced by meth users is the so-called crank bug. The user gets the sensation that there are insects creeping on top of, or underneath, her skin. The user will pick at or scratch her skin trying to get rid of the imaginary bugs. This scratching can create open sores that may become infected.
Meth reduces the amount of protective saliva around the teeth. Meth users also consume excess sugared, carbonated soft drinks, tend to neglect personal hygiene, grind their teeth and clench their jaws, leading to what is commonly called “meth mouth.” Teeth can eventually fall out of users’ mouths—even as they do simple things like eating a sandwich.
High doses of meth can elevate body temperature to dangerous, sometimes lethal, levels. High doses can also cause convulsions.
People can die as a result of using meth.
Because meth is so addictive, the distance between the short and long term effects may not be very long.
How does meth affect everyone else?
As you can imagine, all those toxic chemicals used in the meth manufacturing process take a toll on the environment. Every pound of meth made can generate up to five pounds of toxic waste that may seep into the soil and groundwater.
The manufacturing process also generates toxic fumes. These fumes can severely harm anyone exposed to them. Meth labs also generate highly explosive gases.
Meth also has a very serious impact on children. Many children are rescued from homes with meth labs or meth using parents. Meth, chemicals, and syringes are all within reach of these children. Parents high on meth neglect their children. And the mental, physical, and emotional consequences for these Drug Endangered Children are often severe.
Millions of our tax dollars are spent each year to clean up meth labs, to care for drug endangered children, and to pay for law enforcement to deal with the meth problem.
*Source: USDOJ.gov
If you know someone with a drug problem, send them to Surf City Drug Rehab. Where we have the highest outcomes in the industry.
For more information on drug addiction rehab, methamphetamine addiction, or drug education, call Surf City Drug Rehab at 714-585-7544
Holiday Season Best Time For Beating Drug Addiction
Posted on 21 Nov 2008
Family get-togethers. Warm cheer, cozy chats.
“Unfortunately, the holiday season brings to light problems or situations where people realize that someone they know and love may need rehab,” comments Michael James, Executive Director at Surf City Drug Rehab. “Actually, the best time for drug rehab is during the holidays. These can be depressing, which can lead to more drug abuse; these can be dangerous, as drug addiction can take their life.”
Surf City Drug Rehab announced a campaign to make drug rehab services available to as many families as possible during the holiday season. Help with financing and partial scholarships for those who qualify are all part of Surf City Drug Rehab’s effort to make 2009 the best year for as many people as possible.
The Director stated: “Today many people are worried about the economy and with an addict in the family the stress is even greater. Now that the holidays are upon us, many families need guidance during these trying times. I founded this program because I someone close to me had become addicted to drugs. Surf City Drug Rehab turned out to be the only methodology of treatment that was helpful after many failed attempts at drug rehab. I wanted others to have the same joy that I had in seeing someone get their life back. In many ways, I got my life back too.
“I want to spread the word during this holiday season that I absolutely know that 2009 can be the best year in the life of someone who does the program. I feel so strongly about this that I am inviting anyone with an addiction problem to call me personally.”
“Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If there is a drug abuser in your life, put rehab on the list.
“Believe it or not, the best time for drug or alcohol rehabilitation is during the holidays. The addict is kept safe, leaving all free to enjoy themselves. Holiday depression that can lead to further drug abuse is replaced by hope.
“At Surf City Drug Rehab we have activities planned throughout the holidays and families are invited to join in the festivities. The best time to start the program is now, so that the client can be well through the program by holiday time.
“Bring in the New Year with a new life. Start yours today and let it continue for many years to come.”
Call Surf City Drug Rehab 714-913-8276 for more information on effective drug addiction treatment or drug education.
“Unfortunately, the holiday season brings to light problems or situations where people realize that someone they know and love may need rehab,” comments Michael James, Executive Director at Surf City Drug Rehab. “Actually, the best time for drug rehab is during the holidays. These can be depressing, which can lead to more drug abuse; these can be dangerous, as drug addiction can take their life.”
Surf City Drug Rehab announced a campaign to make drug rehab services available to as many families as possible during the holiday season. Help with financing and partial scholarships for those who qualify are all part of Surf City Drug Rehab’s effort to make 2009 the best year for as many people as possible.
The Director stated: “Today many people are worried about the economy and with an addict in the family the stress is even greater. Now that the holidays are upon us, many families need guidance during these trying times. I founded this program because I someone close to me had become addicted to drugs. Surf City Drug Rehab turned out to be the only methodology of treatment that was helpful after many failed attempts at drug rehab. I wanted others to have the same joy that I had in seeing someone get their life back. In many ways, I got my life back too.
“I want to spread the word during this holiday season that I absolutely know that 2009 can be the best year in the life of someone who does the program. I feel so strongly about this that I am inviting anyone with an addiction problem to call me personally.”
“Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If there is a drug abuser in your life, put rehab on the list.
“Believe it or not, the best time for drug or alcohol rehabilitation is during the holidays. The addict is kept safe, leaving all free to enjoy themselves. Holiday depression that can lead to further drug abuse is replaced by hope.
“At Surf City Drug Rehab we have activities planned throughout the holidays and families are invited to join in the festivities. The best time to start the program is now, so that the client can be well through the program by holiday time.
“Bring in the New Year with a new life. Start yours today and let it continue for many years to come.”
Call Surf City Drug Rehab 714-913-8276 for more information on effective drug addiction treatment or drug education.
Doctors Learning to Spot Substance Abuse Problems
Posted on 21 Nov 2008
Hundreds of young doctors training in San Antonio will learn new ways to spot substance abuse problems and get help for their patients quickly.
That's the purpose of a new federal grant for The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
UTHSC pediatric resident Tony Uranga is one of the next generations of doctors being trained at San Antonio's UT Health Science Center. Besides learning how to diagnose disease, he'll be getting special training on how to screen families for substance abuse.
"It's not something that they readily teach you in medical school," he said. "It's a very sensitive topic, so it's hard to broach, so there's definitely an art in the way you bring it up."
It's difficult to talk to people about questionable personal habits — activities like binge drinking, illegal drug use, prescription drug abuse, even legal activities like smoking.
Yet Dr. Janet Williams, a UTHSC pediatrics professor, who is training new physicians, says these students need more guidance in how to tackle these tough topics.
"We want to screen people through special interview techniques and briefly intervene on their lives, get them to understand this is a problem," she said.
The training program will start with pediatric and family medicine residents, and expand to included departments like OB-GYN, psychiatry and trauma. Over the next five years, the UTHSC hopes to arm budding doctors with ways to spot abusive behaviors, inspire their patients to change and get them the help they need.
"We want them to be much more aware of what are the resources out there? What can people do? How can people stop smoking? Cut down on their drinking? Stop drinking? Stop using drugs at all?" Dr. Williams said.
The UTHSC will spend almost $2 million in federal grant money over the next five years for this substance abuse training. The school is one of only 11 sites in the country to be awarded this grant money.
Click here for more information on top rated drug rehabs
That's the purpose of a new federal grant for The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
UTHSC pediatric resident Tony Uranga is one of the next generations of doctors being trained at San Antonio's UT Health Science Center. Besides learning how to diagnose disease, he'll be getting special training on how to screen families for substance abuse.
"It's not something that they readily teach you in medical school," he said. "It's a very sensitive topic, so it's hard to broach, so there's definitely an art in the way you bring it up."
It's difficult to talk to people about questionable personal habits — activities like binge drinking, illegal drug use, prescription drug abuse, even legal activities like smoking.
Yet Dr. Janet Williams, a UTHSC pediatrics professor, who is training new physicians, says these students need more guidance in how to tackle these tough topics.
"We want to screen people through special interview techniques and briefly intervene on their lives, get them to understand this is a problem," she said.
The training program will start with pediatric and family medicine residents, and expand to included departments like OB-GYN, psychiatry and trauma. Over the next five years, the UTHSC hopes to arm budding doctors with ways to spot abusive behaviors, inspire their patients to change and get them the help they need.
"We want them to be much more aware of what are the resources out there? What can people do? How can people stop smoking? Cut down on their drinking? Stop drinking? Stop using drugs at all?" Dr. Williams said.
The UTHSC will spend almost $2 million in federal grant money over the next five years for this substance abuse training. The school is one of only 11 sites in the country to be awarded this grant money.
Click here for more information on top rated drug rehabs