Avoid Costly Mistakes When Completing Drug Awareness Class

Avoiding Simple Mistakes when Selecting the Right Online Drug Awareness Class © 2012 Thomas Wilson

Internationally Board Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

If you received a citation for illegal possesion or use of a controlled substance, then completing  drug awareness classes is one of your court requirements. The courts require you to complete these classes before releasing you from supervision.

 However, a simple mistake such as choosing the wrong class or choosing the wrong online program provider could get you into even more trouble with the court.  If you want to resolve your case quickly, avoid these common mistakes.

Mistake # 1: Enrolling in a class from a provider that does not have the proper credentials or is not accredited or approved to provide substance abuse education. 

Drug education or substance abuse prevention classes are taught by professionals who are certified or licensed in drug education or counseling.  If you are unsure, ask for a copy of their license or credentials to provide to the court.   

Mistake #2: Enrolling in the wrong class.  Be sure to enroll in the right class that is required by the court. 

Normally these classes are called deferred entry of judgement classes.  Remember that these classes are different than a DUI class.  If you are unsure or don’t know the exact name of the class, you should call the office of the program provider and ask for assistance. Licensed and credentialed course providers are happy to help you find the right class. 

Mistake #3: Enrolling in an online class without getting approval from your court or agency. 

A credentialed course provider will not encourage you to sign up unless you have gotten permission from the court or agency that requires the class.  Be sure you have permission from the court, agency or your attorney take the online class.  It’s always a good idea to call and get an OK. 

Mistake #4: Enrolling in the cheapest class. 

Just because the class is the cheapest, does not necessarily mean it will meet court requirements, or provide technical support. Some providers charge extra for certificates or other paper work required by the court. Inquire about all the cost involved in getting proof of enrollment, completion of certificates and mailing costs. Some providers make their money by charging inflated fees for services that are normally included at no cost by licensed or credentialed programs. 

Avoiding Simple Mistakes when Selecting the Right Online Drug Awareness Class © 2012 Thomas Wilson

Internationally Board Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

If you received a citation for possession of marijuana in California, then completing a deferred entry of judgment program or drug awareness class is one of your court requirements. The courts require you to complete theses classes before releasing you from supervision.

 However, a simple mistake such as choosing the wrong class or choosing the wrong online program provider could get you into even more trouble with the court.  If you want to resolve your case quickly, avoid these common mistakes.

Mistake # 1: Enrolling in a class from a provider that does not have the proper credentials or is not accredited or approved to provide substance abuse education. 

Drug education or substance abuse prevention classes are taught by professionals who are certified or licensed in drug education or counseling.  If you are unsure, ask for a copy of their license or credentials to provide to the court.   

Mistake #2: Enrolling in the wrong class.  Be sure to enroll in the right class that is required by the court. 

Normally these classes are called PC1000 Deferred Entry of Judgment classes.  Remember that a DEJ program is different than a DUI class.  If you are unsure or don’t know the exact name of the class, you should call the office of the program provider and ask for assistance. Licensed and credentialed course providers are happy to help you find the right class. 

Mistake #3: Enrolling in an online class without getting approval from your court or agency. 

A credentialed course provider will not encourage you to sign up unless you have gotten permission from the court or agency that requires the class.  Be sure you have permission from the court, agency or your attorney take the online class.  It’s always a good idea to call and get an OK. 

Mistake #4: Enrolling in the cheapest class. 

Just because the class is the cheapest, does not necessarily mean it will meet court requirements, or provide technical support. Some providers charge extra for certificates or other paper work required by the court. Inquire about all the cost involved in getting proof of enrollment, completion of certificates and mailing costs. Some providers make their money by charging inflated fees for services that are normally included at no cost by licensed or credentialed programs. 

Adolescent Smoking and Drinking at Historic Lows

Originally published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse

But use of marijuana is on the rise.

July 2012

Rates of adolescent cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking stood at historic lows in 2011, but marijuana use trended upward, according to the 2011 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey. The findings reflect the responses of 46,773 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders in 400 public and private secondary schools nationwide.

In all three grades, rates of smoking and alcohol consumption were the lowest that they have been in the survey’s 37-year history. Binge drinking was also reported at record lows.

Illicit drug use by adolescents, however, has risen gradually from 2008 through 2011, driven by the increase in marijuana use over the 4-year period. One in four students surveyed reported past-year marijuana use in 2011, an increase of nearly 17 percent since 2007.

NIDA officials point to two worrisome findings. Daily use of marijuana rose in all three grades and, among 12th-graders, stood at its highest rate (6.6 percent) in 30 years. In addition, the perception of harm associated with marijuana use declined in all three grades—an indication that use is likely to continue to rise.

Questions on synthetic marijuana, also known as K2 and spice, were added to the survey in 2011, allowing researchers to quantify the growing popularity of products called herbal mixtures—plant materials sprayed with synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of marijuana. In the survey, 11.4 percent of high school seniors said they had used synthetic marijuana in the past year.

This rate is “very high and unexpected” given that synthetic marijuana is a new drug, says NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow. "The students’ willingness to experiment at such a high level with a drug for which there is not much experience underlies the urgency of addressing this problem so that we can prevent further escalation,” she adds.

Poison control centers across the nation received 5,741 calls pertaining to synthetic marijuana in the first 10 months of 2011, nearly twice the number of calls received in all of 2010.

Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration added five of the chemicals used in synthetic marijuana to its list of controlled substances, making it illegal to possess or sell them. The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to ban the sale of synthetic marijuana in 2011; a similar bill is pending in the U.S. Senate. At least 18 states have banned the sale of synthetic marijuana.

“Next year’s survey results should tell us a lot more about how successful these new control efforts are,” says Dr. Lloyd Johnston of the University of Michigan, lead investigator of the survey.

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Tom Wilson Counseling Center offers many online classes approved in most states for adults and minors to help overcome addictions and meet requirements for court ordered classes.  Enrollment is easy, confidential, safe and secure.

26 Hour Online Deferred Entry of Judgment / Drug Diversion Class: $450

Out of state residents who receive a drug charge in California may be required to complete a Deferred Entry of Judgment Program in their home state to meet California’s requirements. If an out of state defendant is unable to find a Deferred Entry of Judgment Program in their home state equivalent to California standards, the court may allow an online equivalent. You must obtain court approval from the county court where you received your drug charge before enrolling.

Click on class below to begin registration:
4 Hour Online Minor in Possession Class: $75
8 Hour Online Alcohol and Drug Class : $150
12 Hour Online Alcohol and Drug Class: $225
16 Hour Online Alcohol and Drug Class: $300
20 Hour Online Alcohol and Drug Class: $375
24 Hour Online Alcohol and Drug Class: $450
26 Hour Online Deferred Entry of Judgment / Drug Diversion Class: $450
 

ALL classes developed and monitored by Tom Wilson, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who is also a Certified Alcohol and Substance Prevention Specialist. Tom is the author of "Taming Anger and Aggression", an anger management program which has been taught to hundreds of people at the counseling center over the last twelve years. He specializes in adapting evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs for delivery through the web and other electronic media.