It appears that Amy Winehouse is in the spotlight once again. This time it’s because of something that her father said. Amy apparently passed out on Monday after signing a few autographs and was taken to the hospital where she has been all week. Her father said she had emphysema from smoking crack cocaine and cigarettes. Winehouse’s U.S-based representative said she has, “early stages of what could lead to emphysema.”

Mitch Winehouse, her father, said she has,”nodules around [her] chest and dark marks. She has seventy percent lung capacity.” Symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath on exertion and later at rest, hyperventilation and an expanded chest. Emphysema takes years to develop and is mostly seen in people over 45.

What does this mean for Winehouse? Several things. First, Amy is going down the wrong path and it seems to be killing her. Her continued drug use makes headlines and she is now physically ill due to drug use. The media seems to almost glamorize her drug addiction instead of showing how it is destroying her. Second, Amy can afford to buy drugs because of the money she has made from singing. But the drugs she uses are going to cause her to ruin her career. Amy Winehouse is walking a fine line and a few more missteps might very well kill her.

A study recently published by Harvard focused on children and teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the role of Ritalin and others in regards to drug and alcohol abuse. An earlier study, by the same author, showed that the prescribed drugs seemed to have a protective effect on the children and teens. This new 10-year follow-up study of the same patients showed that the protective effect was worn off by the time they reached adulthood.

But there are other reasons to consider when deciding if your child should be put on Ritalin or Adderall. Real weight loss can occur along with a delay in the onset of sleeping and these drugs can effect their growth. Another point to consider is that children and adults with ADHD are 3 times as likely to have depression than those without ADHD. And they are also 2 to 3 times more likely to have an anxiety disorder. Substance and alcohol abuse is a much bigger problem when ADHD is not treated than when it is. So if your child or teen is prescribed these medications, consider the pros and cons very carefully and if you do decide to put them on them, always monitor the medicine and your child’s behavior.

Statin drugs are among the most commonly prescribed medications. And they are being touted as some of the wonder drugs of the 21st century. But not everyone that takes them enjoy the benefit of lower cholesterol and less of a chance of heart attack. And many times doctors prescribe them to patients that really don’t have a high risk. Statins  are prescribed to people with known or suspected coronary artery disease or CAD. The main function of these drugs is to reduce cholesterol, thus improving cardiac risk. Statins work by reducing the liver’s ability to make cholesterol.

Some of the things that doctors have to consider when deciding who should be on Statins are:

Some side effects can occur and they are mostly gastrointestinal. Nausea, gas, upset stomach, diarrhea and constipation are the most common side effects though more serious ones such as liver damage, muscle damage and death can occur. The names of the most common Statins are Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Pravachol, Zocor and Crestor.

A recent study found that more than half of teens will try an illicit substance at least once and almost all will try alcohol and tobacco. These findings have parents concerned and many have asked for a refresher on how to keep their kids off drugs. The first thing to do is to start talking. The sooner the child hears the dangers of drug use, the sooner they begin to understand. By the age of 10, parents need to have a serious, sit-down specific talk about drug use, abuse and the dangers therein. Also, getting your child involved in activities like martial arts will help deter drug use. The signs of use are the still the same: blood shot eyes, dropping grades in school, aggressive or withdrawn behavior and a laid-back view on drug use.

These are just a couple of tips for parents. Please comment and let me know any that I should add or anything that you think will help kids understand the risks and stay away from drugs and alcohol.

There are many signals that drug users, especially teens and young adults, display when they are using and abusing drugs. Here are a few examples:

• Grades begin to drop
• Slurred speech
• Curfew violations
• A change in friends
• No concern about future
• Red or glossy eyes and use of eye drops and washes

If you see these or any of the other many warning signs, do not wait but address your concerns immediately. The sooner you confront this the better and the sooner you can get your teen or young adult the help they need. Teen and young adults that live with their parents will often go to great lengths to hide their drug use and parents and guardians must be diligent in protecting their children from drugs. Early intervention is one of the best things you can do to help keep your child drug free.