Do We Want to Become “Cannafornia”?

The signs that California has been inundated with marijuana businesses have been there for years. Drive up the coast to the Emerald Triangle—Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino Counties and check out the most noticeable, thriving businesses in the area. They’re irrigation, greenhouse-building, land grading and fertilizer companies. Check out maps that show the development of grows over the last twelve years or so and look at all the new areas of backcountry that have been cleared for greenhouses or outdoor grows.

Like this map, for example. This is the Outlet Creek watershed that feeds into the Eel River in Northern California. The red dots show you the size of outdoor grows and the light green dots show you greenhouses.

Map of northern California marijuana grow sites

https://www.nps.gov/redw/learn/nature/upload/9-Bauer-Olson-Redwood-Symp-Presentation-12-10-14-compressed.pdf

If the industry is really prevalent across the state, then you would expect use, addiction and treatment admissions to follow. From 26,516 of these admissions in 2005, the number has climbed to 33,266 by 2012. The largest group of people going to rehab for marijuana addiction is youth under 18 but in the last few years, there are an increasing proportion of adults seeking help for this habit.

Following the same trend are the percentage of drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents who test positive for marijuana. From 9% in 2005, the percentage has climbed to 16.5% in 2014.

A family that wishes to raise drug-free children might feel somewhat overwhelmed by the environmental pressure of marijuana dispensaries and retail stores in their town. And those who lose their way because of chronic use of this drug need safe places they can recover their abilities and enjoyment of life.

Narconon Ojai Delivers a Drug-Free Recovery Program

Narconon Ojai offers a drug-free, educational program that has been helping the addicted for more than fifty years. One of the first steps of the program is a deep, sauna-based detoxification. Scientists have long known that the THC from marijuana stores in the fatty tissues of the body and this unique detox helps each person flush these toxins out. The result is clearer thinking and a better outlook. Some people say they feel like they did before they ever started using drugs. That prepares each person to learn the life skills they will need to stay sober after they go home.

The life skills component of the Narconon program aids each person in restoring the power to make drug-free decisions. When cravings rule one’s thinking, it’s like the drugs are making decisions for them. Each person must have the awareness and self-control to make the choice to stay sober, even when life becomes challenging. That is the focus of the remainder of the Narconon drug rehab program.

Over this fifty-year history, tens of thousands of people have made Narconon their choice for recovering a drug-free and productive life. When someone you care about loses their way to cannabis or any drug, call us. We can help you or a loved one recover the brightness of life again.

AUTHOR

Sue Birkenshaw

Sue has worked in the addiction field with the Narconon network for three decades. She has developed and administered drug prevention programs worldwide and worked with numerous drug rehabilitation centers over the years. Sue is also a fine artist and painter, who enjoys traveling the world which continues to provide unlimited inspiration for her work. You can follow Sue on Twitter, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

NARCONON OJAI

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION