Is the sex so good that you would risk your life?

It now seems a country’s wealth may somehow correlate with the amount of common sense people in that country use when it comes to sex. In fact, according to this month’s issue of Foreign Policy, those who live in some of the wealthiest countries have the most unprotected sex and the most sexual partners.

How ironic that the developed countries pour money into programs to help developing countries stave off sexually transmitted diseases (STD) while their own people seemed to have missed the public service announcement on practicing safe sex.

The result, according to the Foreign Policy article, is 340 million new cases of STDs each year – not including HIV. Obviously there is a factor beyond education that needs to be addressed on this issue. The apparent question at hand is why would someone who has been educated on the importance of safe sex knowingly engage in risky behavior.

Other than sheer masochism, one cannot help but test the theory that money gives certain people a false sense of security when it comes to sex. Perhaps those who engage in risky behavior feel as though modern medicine can cure any ailment (a false assumption) or can at the very least control the outbreak of STDs (also not true).

Society is obligated to help the homeless with mental disorders

According to a Toronto Sun article published yesterday, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has released a report this week showing that Ontario taxpayers forked over an astronomical $34 billion in 2000 for mental disorders and substance abuse.

The article said, “The province suffered $28.7 billion in productivity losses and $5.1 billion was spent on hospitalization, community mental health and substance abuse programs, law enforcement, and research and education, the report said.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental illness is still under diagnosed despite being very common. In fact, I believe my own mother suffered from some form of mental illness, which contributed greatly to her abusive tendencies. I am not a doctor, but I think my mother might have been bi-polar.

However, back then there was no one to help her and there was still a stigma attached to anyone who had to take an anti-depressant much less any other drugs that would help those with mental disorders.

Paybacks are hell!

Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh admitted late last week that he is addicted to pain killers and is taking some time off to get better. Bravo, Rush! Bravo!

This is where I am expected to choke back my cutting remarks on hypocrisy and gloat over how the mighty republican giant has fallen. However, that will not be the case. Unlike the pompous and arrogant Limbaugh, I do not consider myself above human error. Therefore, I know I am predisposed to the same types of mistakes that everyone else faces in life.

I know that just like Limbaugh, I could one day need painkillers for a medical reason and end up becoming addicted to them. And I know that just like George Bush I could get pulled over for drinking and driving. I also know that, just like California’s governor-elect, Arnold Schwarzenegger, I could one day face accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct.

Pain relief can bring addiction

Most prescription painkillers serve their desired purpose to relieve the suffering of a person in pain. However, there are also times when the pills designed to be a powerful ally in combating bodily misery could become the body’s enemy.

Pain is a serious health issue that can impact every part of a person’s life. In an attempt to relieve pain that may result from a broken limb, an injury from a car accident or even back pain, a doctor can prescribe a painkiller like Vicodin, Percocet or Darvocet.

According to the American Pain Foundation, more than 50 million Americans live with serious chronic pain that interferes with their personal, social and work lives.