US News Article | Reuters.com

Anti Depressants

The FDA recently cautioned that those taking anti depressant drugs should be closely monitored for signs of worsening depression and suicidal thoughts.

Doctors prescribe anti depressants more widely than ever before, the modern equivalent of aspirin. The side effects of not following instructions with these drugs could be devastating for the patient. Playing with the chemicals involved in feeling okay like serotonin means that fluctuations in the absorbtion rate (due to patient vomiting, for example) could cause chemically induced bouts of more severe depression. It is also a feature of extreme depression that panic attacks and other forms of "unconscious behaviour" may interrupt the physical state of the individual. There may be an addiction factor involved, and management of children or teenagers on these drugs may prove difficult.

It may explain the increase in youth suicide rates. As we treat the cause directly, it becomes essential that it be done correctly. When it is not, acute disturbances may result in an increase in suicide episodes.

Our children were not prepared for this. We need to support and care for them.

New Zealand News - NZ - Child helpline desperate for funds

Youth Line in Trouble

A Child helpline which gets an average of 448 calls each day from worried children will be forced to close if it can't find new sponsorship within three weeks. It's annula costs were covered by corporate sponsors who pulled out last year. The service costs $850,000 per year to run.

Prominent Auckland criminal lawyer Marie Dyhrberg, a member of the fundraising committee, said it would be a tragedy to lose such a valuable service.

"We have got to keep it afloat because when it's lost, it's lost."

Scoop: Zaoui Lawyers Seek 'Objective Review' From PM

Scoop: Zaoui Lawyers Seek 'Objective Review' From PM

New Zealand News - - Why Ahmed Zaoui must be freed

New Zealand Herald -- Why Ahmed Zaoui must be freed

New Zealand News - - Zaoui's lawyers to quiz SIS watchdog

Zaoui - Second significant victory

Zaoui's lawyers struck with a second key victory with High Court permission granted to interrorgate the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Justice Laurie Grieg.

A Ritual Gone Fatally Wrong Puts Light on Masonic Secrecy

Suitable Defence for a Masonic Ritual Slaughter?

It reads like a grand case of secret society ritual gone awry but in fact it is a simple tragedy. It was indeed a sad moment in the passing of moments in the long life of accused guntotting Southside Masonic lodge member, 76 year old Albert Eid who "accidentally" shot and killed fellow lodger the 47 year old William James.

Weird spooky initiation rites and rituals the ultimate in secrecy seem all that is left for the public in any attempt to understand modern masonic organizations. Too much secrecy and soon even the more etablished membership are trying out new undocumented secret rituals, secret even from the rest of the entire membership, but perhaps writtein by a lowly scribe seven hundreds of years ago and privy only to a handful of senior initiates.

The man had a loaded gun in his trouser pocket most of the time, so was at any time a threat to anybody in his vicinity. The man was not accused of reckless behaviour, but second-degree manslaughter. Carrying a loaded gun in one's trouser is socially acceptable, in America, of course.

New Zealand News - NZ - Police optimistic in war against P

P Police Optimism

Figures on crime statistics reveal slowed growth ie P related drug crime, increasing just 1%, compared to a growth factor of nearly 30% the previous year.

This reflects sustained campaigns by police to close over two hundred methamphetamine laboritories - 53 more than the previous year.

See New Zealand News - NZ - Police optimistic in war against P