Abstract
This paper looks at methods of speeding up the discovery, testing, and production of new drugs using new developments in technology. It discusses proteomics and the use of accelerator mass spectroscopy and their effects on the process.

Tags:drug development, proteomics

Abstract
This paper discusses two schools of thoughts regarding drug addiction -that it is a moral issue or that it is a brain disease that develops over time by voluntary actions that eventually lead to uncontrollable abuse of the drug. The author compares drug addiction to diseases such as Schizophrenia and depression and also explains why some may argue that drug addiction is a moral condition - as it involves a series of voluntary acts that often require planning and flexible responses to changing conditions. The paper also highlights the perils of drug addiction, not only to the drug addict and his health and mental well-being, but also to his family and to society.

From the Paper
"The genetic makeup of the human body determines how many doses or amounts of a drug a person can take before it affects the brain and that person becomes addicted. A Medical Doctor by the name of Alan Leshner wisely believes that most people see addiction as ''a crime, a disease, or a failure of will'' (Duran, 2007). The current question is: Should addiction to drugs be labeled a brain disease? While many people believe that drug addiction is simply the ''failure of will'' (Leshner, 2007) or a moral issue, others do believe that it is a brain disease that develops over time by voluntary actions that eventually lead to uncontrollable abuse of the drug."

Tags:drug abuse, neurology morals

Abstract
The paper discusses how the United States' government as a federal employer instituted a drug free workplace program in the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan. The program was intended to focus on the growing concern of individuals being addicted to drugs using drugs during working hours and the consequences of drug use was to include health issues. The paper explains how the federal government believed at the time that if a drug free workplace program were created for federal employees, other employers throughout the country would follow suit developing national awareness regarding the issue. The paper notes that the federal drug free workplace program has clearly defined policies regarding drugs and government employment.

Tags:drug, free, workplace

Abstract
The paper reveals that in the past 15 years there has been a dramatic increase in the drug resistant microbes, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi worldwide. The paper also reveals that up to 10% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. contract an infectious disease and about 90,000 die each year. The paper explains that the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs is one contributing factor, and, new antimicrobial drugs are not being developed as quickly as the microbes develop resistance. The paper then discusses how better hospital hygiene, education, and less use and misuse of current drugs will help the situation.

From the Paper
"The number of microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi) that are resistant to antimicrobial drug treatment has increased so dramatically in the past 15 years, that it is considered a major public health threat throughout the world (Fauci et al, 2008; Aguilera and Clark, 2006; Laxminarayan et al, 2006; NIAID, 2008). Statistics from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention published in 2006 indicate that of the 2 million people who contract an infectious disease from the hospital each year, about 90,000 of them die from the infection. In 1992, that number was about 13,330 (Aguilera and Clark, 2006; NIAID, 2008). That is more..."

Tags:drug, resistance, microbes

Abstract
This paper relates the issues of drug use, such as tolerance and dependence. The author defines psychological and physical drug dependence. The paper explores psychoactive drugs, marijuana and heroin and the way drug dependence develops.

From the Paper
"According to "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy" a single definition of drug dependence is neither desirable nor possible because some illicit drug use does not involve dependence of any kind. Drug dependence of a specific type such as heroin or cocaine dependence emphasizes the fact that different drugs have different effects as well as type and risk of dependence. Two primary concepts contribute to defining drug dependence, tolerance, which describes a need to progressively increase a dose to ..."

Tags:drug abuse, tolerance, dependence

Abstract
This paper takes a look at what can be done, by way of viable options, to reduce the high rate of incarceration for drug offenses. The paper discusses several suggestions and uses a matrix analysis to determine that treatment programs (particularly those that are in-patient and allow parents in danger of losing their children to bring those children with them) are the most cost-effective and helpful way to lower the incarceration rate.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Problem/Objective
Background of the Problem
Proposed Alternatives
Decision Criteria
Research
Matrix Analysis
Choosing the Optimal Course of Action/The Recommendation
Implementation Plan
Program Evaluation

From the Paper
"During this era, reformers also succeeded in restricting the government's legal authority to hospitalize mental patients involuntarily. Only persons determined to be mentally ill and dangerous could be confined to a psychiatric hospital without their consent. Requiring involuntary commitment of the mentally ill to be based solely on dangerousness was at the heart of the movement to deinstitutionalize mental patients and to encourage treatment in their community. Proponents of these civil commitment reforms emphasized the civil liberties of the mentally ill, especially their right to freedom and choice."
"In the neoconservative era of the 1980's, critics rejected the "rehabilitative model" in favor of the "just desserts" model of punishment. According to this view, the severity of punishment should depend on the seriousness of the offense and the criminal's prior record. As such, the primary goal of the criminal justice system is not to prevent future crimes through rehabilitation, but to dispense appropriate punishment to those who have earned it. The "just desserts" ideology presumes people are responsible moral agents who can choose between right and wrong. "

Tags:Rockefeller, Drug, Laws, narcotic, substance, possession, police, probation, prison, Rehabilitative, Ideal

Abstract
The paper offers an essay on the background, development, problems, statistics and treatments for teen drug abuse. The paper also presents a brief analysis of the school trajectories of elementary school immigrants and how social and educational factors affect performance.

From the Paper
"Imagine suffering from a brain disease that causes you to chronically engage in making harmful decisions. Imagine living with a compulsive drive to behave destructively, a drive that affects the brain's ability to make good decisions or practice self-control. Now imagine enduring a change in the structure and function of your brain that compels you to continue bad behavior. Such intense impulses often result in harmful outcomes to one's self and others and are more commonly referred to as drug addiction. Unfortunately, today's teenage population often experiences these..."

Tags:Teen, drugs, abuse, addiction, psychology, immigrants, school

Abstract
This paper traces the story of the development of the protease inhibitor drug Crixivan, which is part of the drug cocktail used to treat AIDS. It describes the chemistry of the drug and why it is difficult to manufacture in large quantities.

From the Paper
"Before it came upon Crixivan, Merck had tested thousands of compounds of protease inhibitors but none of them worked. (Halber). One compound disabled the virus but proved unsafe in animals. When Merck invented and built the new compound atom by atom initial clinical tests were positive, but the virus eventually began to outsmart the drug. However one anonymous patient continued to respond well in clinical trials so they persevered. This work finally led to the success of Crixivan as part of the drug cocktail combination therapy that proved..."

Tags:Crixivan, Merck, AIDS, protease inhibitor

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the research and development on a new drug is expensive and time-consuming, followed by a lengthy trial and a lengthy approval process by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The writer points out that Zometa was approved for the treatment of hypecalcemia, a common metabolic complication associated with cancer. The writer discusses that research into the action of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (marketed as Zometa) was undertaken to gain FDA approval for use of the drug for the treatment of osteolytic bone metastases, and research is also under way for use of the drug for other purposes as well. The writer concludes that so far, approval has only been given for its use in treating cancer patients with bone metastases, though there are indications that it will be valuable for breast cancer patients facing other difficulties.


Outline:
Introduction
Medical Problems to be Addressed
Drug Action
Approval of the Drug
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Hypercalcimia of malignancy is considered the most common life-threatening metabolic complicastin of malignancy. It affects some 10 to 20 percent of patients with advanced cancer, varying widely with the type of cancer involved. It occurs most often in patients with multiple myeloma and carcinomas of the lung, breast, kidney, and the head and neck. Antihypercalcemic therapy is used, but median survival under these conditions has been found to be 30 days. Certain symptoms diminish the quality of life for these patients, such as nausea, vomiting, and altered mental states. HCM can also produce renal failure. Patients with bone metastases can also develop HCM. Factors that mediate hypercalcemia stimulate excess bone resorption and the release of calcium from the bone matrix, meaning that patients experience bone loss, a weakened bone structure, and higher circulating calcium levels. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and are the most effective therapy for HCM. Pamidronate has been one of the most commonly used treatments for HCM."

Tags:bisphosphonate, zoledronic, acid, calcium, deficient

Abstract
This paper explains that the Department of Justice of the United States of America, in order to cope with heavy work pressure, introduced a separate court for the sole purpose of dealing with criminal offenses committed by drug abusers and drug dependants. The author points out that the mission of a drug court is to use the coercive power of the country?s judiciary to influence a person into curtailing and eventually stopping the abuse of drugs or alcohol, thereby stopping such persons from indulging in criminal activities. The paper relates that the judge is the leader and is in control of the accountability of the person undergoing treatment to remain stable and to maintain sobriety throughout the course of treatment.

From the Paper
"The ancillary services that Drug Courts utilize, such as training and education towards a job in the real world, offering of housing and medical assistance and general after care services, all contribute towards the success of the program. The end result of a well-executed Drug Court program would be a reduction of drug abuse and continued abstinence, and a significant reduction in recidivism rates. There remains, however, a lot of research to be done on the subject. For example, the availability of data is limited, especially data on the individuals who have completed the program and are now living productive lives. This means that comparisons based on the person's behavior with that of participants of any other similar program is not available and therefore there can be no reasonable conclusions reached. The other drawback of any research that may have to be conducted on the viability of a Drug Court program is the very nature of a Drug Court, which undergoes various changes, almost on a daily basis."

Tags:separate, criminal, mission, power, judge