If you or someone you care about is struggling with an addiction problem you might want to take note of this addiction treatment referral service. The site is located at 1800nodrugs.com and they are a non-profit service that takes toll free phone calls from people seeking drug rehab.

The website can also be used as a great source of information for those trying to determine if they have an addiction problem or for their loved ones to learn more about specific types of addiction such as prescription drug addiction. There’s even an online drug rehab assessment form that can be used by suffers or their friends and relatives in order to gain more information about treatment.

The service is completely free and I think that’s great because some people with little or no income might hesitate to seek information about drug rehabilitation treatment because they fear that it will cost money. Now they can call, completely free of charge, and get information about rehab services in their area.

I don’t get serious on this site too often but I’d like to talk about an issue that’s been bothering me for a long time. Trish and I both work in a very busy community hospital and as a result of our work we meet all kinds of people each and every day. Some of them are at the end of a long and hopefully happy life, others are near the beginning of their life and unfortunately heading for long term problems.

What am I talking about? I’m talking about all the kids that we see coming in with drug and alcohol over doses, and well developed addictions to both alcohol and drugs. It’s so sad. These kids have their whole life ahead of them. Addiction free they might just turn out to be ordinary people - good mothers and fathers, or maybe they might turn out to be someone who could change the world by inventing something that makes our lives easier, or that cures diseases. Unfortunately for some of these kids we’ll just never know. Many are so far gone already that I can’t see them going anywhere but further downhill.

That’s why I’d like to urge any parents, relatives or friends of teens that might have an addiction problem to help them get the help they need before it’s too late. Try to encourage them, or their guardians to put them into an adolescent treatment center. These centers, like Echo Malibu can help them get free of their addictions and go on to live happy and successful lives.

Places like Echo Malibu offer 24 hour support to both the adolescent patient and their families. It’s hard decision to make when you decide to take the plunge and help someone with an addiction, but I think it’s worse to let them struggle and become more and more addicted. Centers such as Echo Malibu have fully trained professional staff that really care about their clients.

Visit their site for more information if you know a teen that needs a new direction in life.

(1) Houdini - The 12-foot-long Burmese python in Ketchum, Idaho, that accidentally swallowed a large electric blanket in July and an electrical cord, after pulling it from the wall. Veterinary surgeons managed to remove the whole thing, leaving Houdini in good condition.

(2) Crash - The pelican that smashed into a car in Malibu, Calif., and had undergone a month’s rehabilitation only, when finally released in July, to collide beak-first with some rocks, before successfully lifting off. Wildlife officials said Crash may have been disoriented from eating toxic algae.

(3) Barney - The Doberman pinscher guarding a children’s museum near Wells, England who lost control and chewed up almost $1 million worth of rare teddy bears in August, including one once belonging to Elvis Presley.

Heard of any other animal troubles? Let me know!