In addition to labeling kids as addicts, drug programs may also surround them with the worst possible influences. Studies show that teens are more subject to peer pressure than adults -- and more influenced by the people around them. Teen treatment programs remove teens from a healthy peer group and surround them with other problem kids, virtually guaranteeing that their role models will be negative. Group therapy during such treatment invariably involves discussions of their drug experiences -- which only makes the hard-drug users seem "cooler" because their stories are so much more exciting. Worse, aside from providing a way for relatively inexperienced kids to learn about different ways of getting high and obtaining drugs, these programs frequently offer kids new connections. One 17-year-old girl from Florida told me that she hadn't used cocaine until after treatment -- her new best friend from rehab scored it for her.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 09:50 AM | TrackBack 0

There would seem to be fewer things crazier than chucking radioactive waste in a steel shack -- without making sure the place was safe first.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 09:16 AM | TrackBack 0

Hey Elftor, check out my nuclear warhead!

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 08:31 AM | TrackBack 0

When designer drugs become reality, an individual who suspects she has cancer might test herself at home and quickly determine which medication works for her type of cancer -- a far cheaper method of cancer treatment than exists today.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 08:27 AM | TrackBack 0

The bacterium makes an amino acid that no other organism uses to build proteins.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 08:25 AM | TrackBack 0

For example, the first phone, called SoMo1, gives its user a mild electric shock, depending on how loudly the person at the other end is speaking. This encourages both parties to speak more quietly, otherwise the mild tingling becomes an unpleasant jolt. Such phones, the designers suggest archly, could be given to repeat offenders who persistently disturb people with intrusive phone conversations.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 08:18 AM | TrackBack 0

Being a little bit sentimental and reluctant in scrapping an old trusty SAAB Magnus tried to come up with some kind of use for the almost-stripped-out chassis... Then suddenly Magnus thought of a (crazy?) idea; Building a sauna inside the SAAB! This idea was verified with some other sauna-loving fiends, and of course, this was a good idea. The SAUNAAB construction team was formed! Since this team has members from both Finland and Sweden, the appropriate project names for the car are of course "SAUNAAB" and "SAABASTU"...!

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 08:16 AM | TrackBack 0

The important question, then, is what fosters a trustworthy government. At least part of the answer appears to be interpersonal trust%uFFD1the supposition that most other people are trustworthy. Suspicious people are less likely to join associations, follow public events, get to know their neighbors, or make contact with their congresspersons. In fact, they are less likely than others to do just about anything except watch TV and flip off other drivers on the highway. That means they are not the kinds of citizens who are likely to hold government accountable, intelligently and regularly, and thus keep it trustworthy.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 07:29 AM | TrackBack 0

As technological advances have made food ever more varied and convenient, the authors argue, the feeble will-power of the American public has been unable to compete.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 06:52 AM | TrackBack 0

...the detectives chose an audience of reporters yesterday to hear about another troublesome aspect of their work: Among the 2,329 suspects uncovered during more than two years of investigation, fewer than 100 have been arrested.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 06:43 AM | TrackBack 0

”This threatened war is intentionally being pursued,” the 75-year- old author wrote in his statement. “My experience tells me that this intentionally pursued war will spawn further wars,” he added.

Posted by GeeTee at January 17, 2003 06:42 AM | TrackBack 0