Substance Abuse

Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is the overuse or misuse of drugs for non-medical purposes. It can include the use of illegal drugs, as well as the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications. Substance abuse can lead to a wide range of negative consequences, including addiction, health problems, and social and legal issues. It can also have serious impacts on an individual’s relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Treatment for substance abuse often includes a combination of counseling, support groups, and medication. It is important for individuals with substance abuse problems to seek help from qualified professionals to address the underlying causes of their substance abuse and to develop healthy coping mechanisms.

 

 

Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit helps detect traffickers and rescue victims
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Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit helps detect traffickers and rescue victims

Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit Aaron Mesmer reports. TAMPA, Fla. – Florida’s Human Trafficking Summit kicked off Tuesday, as experts discussed ways to end human trafficking and help survivors. The conference, which is online and free to the public, brings together survivors, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates and community leaders who are committed to combating human…

Tarrant County 5 Stones September 2023 Meeting
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Tarrant County 5 Stones September 2023 Meeting

Here is our recorded meeting link and chat notes for our September 2023 TC 5 Stones meeting! Our 5 Stones meeting this September consisted of some law enforcement updates and a presentation by Carrie Grace, Executive Director of Freedom Shield Foundation, as she discussed the importance of self-care and avoiding burnout as service providers. Link to the recorded meeting: https://youtu.be/5OzWyCSuUHw…

For Virginia survivors, the scars of human trafficking may include a criminal record they can’t erase
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For Virginia survivors, the scars of human trafficking may include a criminal record they can’t erase

After that, rape became a regular part of her life. But landlords and employers don’t see the years Holmes spent as a human trafficking victim. They just see the litany of charges — including identity theft and drug possession — that came about as a …

Virginia Attorney General Miyares hosts human trafficking ‘Call to Action’ summit
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Virginia Attorney General Miyares hosts human trafficking ‘Call to Action’ summit

RICHMOND, Va. — Holly Smith was 14 years old, when a man she met at a shopping mall in New Jersey, convinced her to run away from home with promises of fame and fortune. Smith said the man eventually forced her into prostitution. While law enforcement was able to track Smith down in two days,…

Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 6: AMP Model Discussion; Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts
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Prevention Cohort LIVE Ep 6: AMP Model Discussion; Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts

Come learn about new tools to end human trafficking through prevention education. We go through the AMP Model to teach the definition.

Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts
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Social Media “Human Trafficking Panic” Posts

How often do you see posts about some bizarre situation that might lead to human trafficking? We’ve seen enough of them to have an entire series on them. I was invited to answer some questions by a reporter, but their outlet shut down before they completed the article. Here are the answers I sent in!…

Tarrant County 5 Stones July 2023 Meeting
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Tarrant County 5 Stones July 2023 Meeting

Here is our recorded meeting link and chat notes for our July 2023 TC 5 Stones meeting! Our 5 Stones meeting this July consisted of some law enforcement updates and a presentation by Landon Dickeson, MS, LPC, Executive Director of Ranch Hands Rescue as he discussed the trafficking of boys and other overlooked populations. Here is the link…

Human trafficking needs coordinated solutions
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Human trafficking needs coordinated solutions

It has been 23 years since the federal government first passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Since then, the global anti-trafficking community has learned much about who is vulnerable to exploitation, traffickers’ business models, what drives the demand and how the problem is evolving in the digital age. While we have moved past many harmful…