Sickle Cell is on the Rise

     In some parts of Africa, the number of babies born with Sickle Cell Anemia is steadily rising. 

    In developed countries, genetic testing are non-existent or may not provided before and/or during pregnancy. Newborn screening to test for sickle cell disease and trait is also non-existent.

   According to NPR news, the vast majority of kids in developing countries don't get diagnosed or treated for sickle cell anemia. Up to 90 percent of these children will die in the first five years of their life.

 The World Health Organization has long recognized the importance of sickle cell anemia as a global health issue. 

 Fast Facts:  1 in 10 African-Americans and 1 in 100 Hispanics in the U.S. carry the Sickle     Cell Trait

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/07/17/202628070/sickle-cell-anemia-is-on-the-rise-worldwide?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=share&utm_campaign=

Do you think there needs to be increased awareness about sickle cell trait in the U.S. and more genetic testing for all pregnant women?

 

Delaware Compassion Center’s for Marijuana

   Compassion Center for Medical Marijuana in Delaware was approved by Governor Markell despite federal laws from the U.S. Department of Justice that state employees could be subject to prosecution for dispensing Medical Marijuana.

   Sickle Cell Anemia was not a disease was not one of the medical conditions authorized to treat
chronic pain. 

    "Physicians may authorize a medical marijuana use to treat symptoms of cancer, HIV-related illnesses, Hepatitis C, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease or posttraumatic stress disorder. Conditions that cause severe, debilitating pain, wasting syndrome, intractable nausea and seizures also fall under the law."

                                            Governor Markell moving ahead with Medical Marijuana

             Do you think Sickle Cell Disease Anemia should be authorized for Medical Marijuana? Are there other medical conditions that should be considered?




        Picture: News Journal

 

Decriminalizing Drug Abuse-Portugal Style Law

     The use of substance abuse is on the rise and incarceration rates in the U.S. are the   highest in the world.  African-American and Latino men are incarcerated at significantly higher rates for non-violent offenses such as drug possession than whites.  The country of Portugal  in 2001 Decriminalized (reduce or abolish criminal penalties), all drugs use which was a Public Health Crisis.   Under Portugal law, people found guilty of possessing drugs in small amounts are referred for mental health services, consisting of a psychologist, social worker and legal advisor for appropriate medical and rehab treatment.  This approach is offered (but can be refused) without criminal punishment and/or jail time.  The substances listed in the Law 30/2000  (cocaine,  heroin, methamphetamines, marijuana ect.) are illegal in Portugal-but using these drugs are nothing more than a misdemeanor, much the same as a parking  violation.  Did this new policy work in Portugal?   Yes, in the five years after all personal possession of drugs were decriminalized, illegal drug use among teens in Portugal declined and rates of new HIV infections caused by sharing of dirty needles dropped.  The number of people seeking treatment for drug addiction more than doubled.  

          On the contrary, people who suffer with chronic pain from sickle cell disease, arthritis, cancer and others may need pain medications and other treatments just to live a decent  quality of life.  But, there are a very small percentage of people who battle substance abuse from the use of pain killers and other ‘illegal’ drugs.         Oftentimes, they will end up buying medications and/or drugs on the street, doing prison time or at worst die from an overdose.

        It’s time for our legislatures take a look at how we treat people who suffer from Drug Addictions and perhaps provide more mental health and rehabilitative  services instead of a sentence for jail time (Global Commission on Drug Policy, 2012).