LOWNDES COUNTY — Local law enforcement is urging area residents, especially parents, to educate themselves on a growing craze throughout the nation called “pharming.”
While no cases of “pharming” have been reported to Lowndes County authorities, word of “pharm” parties taking place in the community has begun to spread.
“‘Pharming’ is a new fad that we are beginning to see, and we need to educate parents to avoid problems in the future,” Lowndes County Sheriff Capt. J.D. Yeager stated in a letter to The Valdosta Daily Times. “There are enormous risks involved. ‘Pharming’ usually occurs when teenagers and young adults take drugs out of their medicine cabinets in the home and take them to parties. Everyone combines the drugs that they have brought into a bowl. Anyone can take as many different pills as they are willing to. Most of these parties also involve alcohol. Mixing different medications can be deadly and adding alcohol only increases the consequences.”
In response to circulating rumors about local students overdosing and dying from “pharming” in Lowndes County, Yeager said, “We have had no teen deaths in reference to this and have not had any problems within our county school system. We had one incident that involved a student who had taken too much cold medicine and had to be taken to the hospital, but nothing that suggested ‘pharming’ has been reported.”
Yeager added that the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office is kept up-to-date on all incidents that occur in the school system.
According to articles in Time magazine and USA Today, prescription painkillers and stimulants are commonly used at “pharm” parties.
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, the most dangerous prescription pain relievers are those containing drugs known as opioids, such as morphine and codeine. Drugs that contain these substances include Darvon, Demerol, Dilaudid, OxyContin, Tylenol with Codeine and Vicodin. Popular prescription stimulants include Ritalin and Aderall, which are commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
In a 2005 survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 19 percent teenagers in the nation, which is the equivalent of approximately 4.5 million teens, reported that they had taken prescription painkillers or stimulants to get high.
The Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that prescription and over-the-counter drug overdoses accounted for approximately 25 percent of the 1.3 million drug-related emergency room admissions in 2004.
The FDA warns that the risks of abusing or mixing prescription or over-the-counter drugs may result in poor concentration; disorientation; apathy; feelings of confusion, addiction, anxiety, hostility and aggression; respiratory depression; dizziness; slurred speech; excessive sweating; nausea and vomiting; tremors; convulsions; lack of energy; and coma. Because stimulants increase blood pressure and pulse rate, people who overdose may also experience an increased risk of stroke, heart attack or sudden death.
Local News
‘Pharming’ sweeps the nation
Parents urged to talk to teens about dangers
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park in Limbo
LAKE PARK — Lake Park citizens will have to wait several months before being able to attend another City Council meeting following Tuesday’s resignation of two council members.
Deb Cox, Lowndes County elections supervisor, said Georgia state law dictates that another special election cannot be held until July 31. -
Colo. court says fugitive sibling has plea deal
WALSENBURG, Colo. — One of the three Dougherty siblings accused in a multi-state crime spree, including a Valdosta bank robbery, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors, a spokesman for the Colorado court system said Wednesday.
-
Airport Authority tours True Flight Aerospace Plant
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority toured the True Flight Aerospace Plant after their meeting Wednesday morning. True Flight President and CEO, Kevin Lancaster, lead the tour through the facility which is located in the largest hanger at the Valdosta Regional Airport. -
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lake Park in Limbo
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
